2009 Nicolas Joly Clos de la Coulée de Serrant, France, Loire, Savennières, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$207.00USD

This is an iconic bottling from one of the controversial masters of Loire wines.  He has long used "natural winemaking techniques" long before they were en vogue.  The lack of preservatives in the wines leads to a higher amount of spoilage at times, so one needs to be careful with ordering, shipping and storage.  No worries here, this wine was stunning.  It is made from 100% Chenin Blanc grown biodynamically since 1984.  Golden in color (not deep), clear and bright.  The nose is great with orange peel, apricots, salinity and just a slight note of nuttiness.  Medium to full bodied.  On the p

2021 Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Sta. Rita Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Ordered off the list at Craig's in Hollywood, CA.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with lemon, lime, slight floral note and  slight  smoke.  Full bodied.  Creamy texture.  On the palate, this is dry as a bone.  Delicious.  Lemons with slight lime.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Very food friendly.  Went great with a Veggie Burger.  Drink over the next ten years.

2020 Comte Henry d'Assay Sancerre, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Purchased off the list at The Arbor in Pasadena.  This is Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in France.  Light golden in color with slight green hues.  The nose is nice with a slight grassy note  but also a slight tropical fruit note.  Light bodied.  Slightly sweet, but just a hint.  Good finish.  This is a lovely way to start a meal and was popular with everyone at the table.  Drink over the next year or so.  

2018 Château de Poncié Fleurie 949, France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Fleurie, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

Purchased off the list at The Arbor in Pasadena California.  Kudos to them for this inspired and affordable choice.  $65 or so off the list.  Purple in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is deep with black raspberries, slight blueberries, hints of bubble gum and black licorice.  Medium bodied.  Nice texture.  On the palate, this is young but tasty.  Blueberries and black raspberries with a slight sour note.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should drink well for the next five to eight years.  It went very well with Pappardelle Pasta, Pesto and Burrata.  

Cuvaison 2019 Brut Rosé, Méthode Champenoise

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

Cuvaison is best known for their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir but in 2012 they launched a sparkling program. Comprised of mainly Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay, this brut was made in the traditional Champagne method. Using Pinot Dijon clone 115 planted in 1998, winemaker Steve Rogstad says these 25-year-old vines bring a “precocious beauty” to the wine, and I have to agree. This is a delicate wine with minimal sweetness, using the grace of the Pinot and the acidity and light salinity of the Chardonnay to make a very balanced, almost shy wine.

Argyle 2018 Vintage Brut Sparkling Wine

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Founded in 1987, Argyle has always considered sparkling wine to be one of their mainstays. With a mild carbonation and light fresh flavors, not to mention a good price tag, this is an easy decision for your sparkling needs. Light notes of lemon, quince, green apple, just-baked sourdough, a touch of lime zest and tangerine peel make this a delightful wine. Comprised of 52% Chardonnay and 43% Pinot Noir, a little Pinot Meunier rounds it out. Aged in stainless steel with just 20% in neutral oak allows the bright expressive flavors to come through while allowing for a nice bit of mouth feel.

2021 Ron Rubin Winery Pam's Unoaked Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

This winery specializes in unoaked wine.  As the label says, "Happy Wife, Happy Life" and Pam, the owner Roan's wife likes her wine unoaked.  This was the first time we tried the Cab.  An interesting take on Cab and a nice value at $16,  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, sour cherries and a slight pomegranate note.  Light to  medium bodied with very light tannins.  On the palate, sour cherries and some cassis.  This drinks easy and is refreshing.  More "light hearted" than a typical Cab Cab if that makes sense.  Nice on its own, this is very food friendly

2021 Ron Rubin Winery Pam's Unoaked Chardonnay, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

Another solid effort from Ron Rubin Winery who specializes in unoaked varietal wines (Ron's wife prefers her wine unoaked).  This is inexpensive and a great value.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with Meyer Lemons, some grapefruit and a bit of minerality.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, the Meyer Lemons come thru with a slight touch of lemon-lime.  Good finish.  This drinks easily on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  This would be nice with fried appetizers at a party or on the back deck.  Drink over the next few years.  

2019 Dutcher Crossing Chardonnay Costello Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Alexander Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a very nice Sonoma County Chardonnay.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with lemons, green apples, slight vanilla, light toast, and slight buttery note.  Full bodied.  Crisp acidity.  On the palate, lots of yellow grapefruit notes with some vanilla.  Plenty of depth.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own but will work well with sea food or vegetarian dishes.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  

2018 Dutcher Crossing Cabernet Sauvignon Proprietor's Reserve, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

This is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah from Sonoma County.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, black raspberries, slight vanilla, spice, leather and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this took about 30 minutes to open and then drank quite well.  Nice black cherry fruit with some black raspberries along with a bit if spice and slight cedar note.  There is some depth as it opens in the glass.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with meats and chicken.  It went well with a Veggie Burger.  Drin

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