2013 Château d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$350.00USD

Not a whole lot more to say about Yquem that hasn't been said, but it is arguably the greatest winery on the planet.  The 2013 is a very good if not top vintage, but still a thrill to drink.  Golden in color, light with just a tinge of orange.  The nose is great with apricots, slight honey and slight tangerines.  Viscous.  Full bodied.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Flavors of apricots and tangerines.  Sweet with enough acidity to not be cloying.  The finish goes on forever.  This is drinking well now and should drink well for another twenty to thirty years.  Great on i

Laetitia 2021 Estate Pinot Noir

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

Having run several wine departments, a question I’m always asked is, Is there an inexpensive Pinot Noir that’s any good? Answer: Yes. Pinot is not an easy grape to work with and it becomes more expensive given its inconsistent growing qualities. However Laetitia has a proved  track record with Pinot Noir and has made a solid, comprehensive and affordable Pinot from California’s Central Coast. The 2021 provides notes of strawberry, black cherry, blackberry, red raspberry, along with mild tannins, good acidity and a hint of vanilla spice.

Chalk Hill Estate 2020 Chardonnay

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$48.00USD

Chalk Hill celebrated 50 years in 2022. One way to celebrate is with this 2020 Chardonnay. Comprised of nine different Chardonnay clones, the result is a creamy, smooth wine with a wonderful viscosity that fills the palate with notes of crème brûlée, honeysuckle, poached pair, red delicious apple, vanilla, light resin, and lime meringue. Though aged in oak for a scant 10 months only 35% of that oak was new, so that you still have a moderate classic oaky butter quality, but not over the top. This is a very enticing Chardonnay. ORIGIN: Russian River Valley. ALCOHOL: 15%

2019 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$48.00USD

This is my personal favorite of the Zinfandels in the Carlisle lineup.  It seems a bit softer yet plenty of fruit and depth.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, black raspberries, char and spice.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and spice.  Great texture.  Good balance.  Long finish.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  Great on its own, this is a nice match with a (Veggie) Burger.  

2005 Château Haut-Bergey, France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

The 2005's are really starting to come into their own now and this is one more data point supporting that.  This is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, black cherries, char, slight cigar box, leather and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is complex.  Flavors of cassis and black cherries, slight leather and char.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This is about at peak but should stay there for another ten years.  Nice on its own, but better with food.  This would wo

2017 Realm Cellars The Tempest, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$115.00USD

This is a blend of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color with a ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, chocolate, slight blueberries and spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is deep, complex and layered as it unwinds in the glass.  Great texture.  Flavors of black cherries and chocolate with a bit of char and spice.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This is young but drinking well.  Drink over the next fifteen to twenty years.  Great on its own, this will work with foods.  Roasted chicken would be a nice matc

2015 Andremily Mourvèdre, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$165.00USD

Andremily makes some of the best Rhone varietal wines anywhere.  This on is 92% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and 3% Viognier.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with  plums, black cherries, coffee, spice and anise.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, plums and anise.  Some coffee/chocolate add to the finish.  Drinking well now if still a bit young.  This should drink well for another ten to fifteen years (and probably more).  Great on its own, this would go very well with a cassoulet.  

2018 Hayfork Cabernet Sauvignon Lewelling Ranch, USA, California, Napa, St. Helena, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

This is is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petite Verdot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, pencil lead, cedar and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is a big but not over sized Cab.  Lots of cassis with some char and minerality.  Drinking well now but may still improve a bit.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own, this would be a classic pairing with a roast or steak.  

2010 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

This is a blend of 35% Zinfandel, 26% Mourvedre, 19% Tempranillo, 11% Syrah, and 9% Petite Sirah.      Purple in color with some ruby hues.  Opaque and dark.  The nose is nice with black cherries, plums, cherries, char and spice. Full bodied.  Light tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is drinking at peak and delicious.  Complex and deep.  Notes of black cherries, cherries, and plums with underlying asphalt/gravel.  Long finish.  Drink over the next five to ten years.  Great on its own, this will need big food.  Ribs off the grill would be a good match.  

2020 Kumeu River Chardonnay Estate, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Another excellent world class Chardonnay from this New Zealand producer. Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is very nice with lemons, slight peach and slight tropical fruit. Medium bodied. Crisp. On the palate, this is young but plenty of depth. Lemon and peaches with some minerality. Long finish. This is drinking well now but should improve a bit. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years. Great on its own, this will work well with lobster.

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