2016 Saxum The Hexe, USA, California, Paso Robles, Willow Creek District, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$314.00USD

This is a blend of 56% Grenache, 13% Petite Sirah, 10% Syrah, 9% Mataro, 7% Zinfandel and 5% Tempranillo.  The bottle lists 15.7% abv but it is not noticeable on the wine.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, black raspberries, gravel, and black pepper.  Great backbone of acidity.  On the palate, though young, this is showing a nice complexity.  Medium tannins.  Black cherries and black raspberries with underlying char and gravel.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This may still improve a bit but is drinking great now and should continue for another twe

2013 Saxum Cuvée Rocket Block James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Willow Creek District, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$208.00USD

This is 100% Grenache made only in selected vintages.  The bottle lists 16.4% abv but there is no heat.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is explosive with black raspberries, black cherries, char and slight gun powder notes.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  Great texture.  On the palate, this is deep and complex.  Black raspberries, roasted herbs and slight black cherries.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This is still drinking youthfully and should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own, this would work nicely with roasted fowl.  

2016 Nine Suns Grenache, USA, California, Napa, Pritchard Hill, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This property has since been purchased by Realm Cellars.  Only five cases of this 100% Grenache wine were produced.  Inky Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, clay and chocolate.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with underlying char.  Plenty of depth and complexity.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another ten to fifteen years. It is great on its own and would work very well with a hearty meat or vegetarian chili.  

2017 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$85.00USD

Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with plums, black pepper, and black cherries.  Full bodied.  Lovely texture.  On the palate, plums and cherries with slight char.  Clean.  Good balance.  Long finish.  This is young and showing ripe fruit.  It is drinking well but may improve with a few more years of cellaring.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  it will work well with braised meats.  

2000 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$105.00USD

This is a blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and the rest is the other permitted varietals.  At age 22, it is showing some age and a bit past prime.  This bottle had been bought on release and well cellared.  Ruby/brown in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, dried cherries, soy/umami, and spice.  Medium bodied.  There are some drying tannins left.  Better on the palate.  Complex with layers of dried and fresh cherries.  Good balance.  Nice finish.

2014 Joseph Drouhin / Drouhin-Vaudon Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Gold/green in color, clear and bright.  The nose has chalk, salinity and green apples.  Medium bodied.  Moderate acidity.  No sharp edges.  On the palate, red apples with slight chalk.  Easy drinking.  Moderate finish.  Drinking well now and should for another five to eight years.  This would work well with shell fish.  

MV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 166eme, France, Wine Review

Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$225.00USD

Gorgeous.  This is their "basic" non-vintage or multi-vintage but better than most luxury cuvees.  It is a blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay, and 16% Meunier.  Light golden in color with a steady stream of small bubbles.  Nice frothy mousse.  The nose has toast, yeast, slight cherries, apples and chalk.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is complex and deep.  Slightly tart fruit (oranges) with some chalk.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now, and should for the next ten to fifteen years.  This will go with just about any food.  It would be great with Sushi.

2006 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne Brut La Grande Dame, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$180.00USD

Always a treat though this is starting to show some age (in a good way).  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The mousse isn't as frothy as it had been not as persistent, but still present.  It is a blend of 53% Pinot Noir and 47% Chardonnay.  The nose is great with yeast, ginger, slight char, and slight nutty note.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is deep and complex.  Some apples, ginger, char and nuts especially on the finish.  Long finish.  Great on its own, this is incredibly versatile with food. It worked well with grilled, spiced radishes.  

2019 Piedrasassi Syrah PS, USA, California, Santa Barbara County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$23.00USD

This is a lighter in style Syrah from Santa Barbara.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight herbal notes and black pepper.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black cherries with slight earthiness.  Moderate finish.  This is better with food.  A nice wine with pizza.  Drink now.  

2018 Gérard Boulay Sancerre La Comtesse, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$67.00USD

This was a delightful Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in France.  Stylistically, it had a bit of new world characteristics which was interesting.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with some grassiness and some tropical fruits.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is tasty with some depth.  Tropical fruits with some minerality.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next few years.  This would work well with fish tacos.

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