2021 Weingut Knoll Blauer Burgunder Federspiel Loiben, Austria, Wachau, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Consumed with Lunch at Restaurant Loibnerhof – Knoll in Durnstein, Austria.  Made from 100% Pinot Noir.  Pink/orange in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with with strawberries, cherries and slight cranberries.  Medium bodied.  Nice, creamy texture.  Good balance.  On the palate, cherries and cranberries.  Clean.  Dry.  Delicious with a variety of foods including a mushroom pasta with cream sauce.  Drink over the next few years.  

Six Grapes Reserve Port (NV)

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

As a non-vintage wine, Six Grapes Port does show slight variation from year to year. This offering, with its new label and bottle design is the best NV to date. I have tasted Six Grapes upon its release every year for more than a decade and can attest that it’s moving in a direction that is more comprehensive as a signature wine. This new bottling shows ripe lush and opulent fruit without being overly sweet or cloying. Comprised, not of six grapes but actually eight in this case, the acidity balances out the fruit, the tannic structure balances out the sweetness.

Cakebread 2019 Merlot

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

Soft and supple, there is a lovely viscosity to this Merlot. You’ll find notes of blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry and huckleberry surrounded by light cedar, raspberry compote and violets. The acidity allows for the fruit to shine through while maintaining structure for the wine. The tannins are fairly mild but this goes a long way on the palate. The judicious use of oak also helps to support the darker fruit of this wine. This is a soft, shy wine, not an aggressive over the top in your face Merlot.

1991 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1991
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$300.00USD

Spottswoode is one of the great Napa Cabs.  For years, they were a bit unknown, but no longer.  Often, one can find older, mature vintages for less than the current ones, and these wines age great.  Tony Soter and Mia Klein were working for the winery back then before going on to great things.  This is drinking beautifully, and I think even the most ardent Francophile would have difficulty calling this from Napa at this point.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.

1997 Fonseca Porto Vintage, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1997
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

A bit lighter in style than say the '94 or '00 vintages, but drinking well nevertheless.  Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black raspberries and chocolate covered raisins.  Medium to full bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, slightly sweet chocolate covered cherries.  There is a nice depth and complexity.  Drink over the next ten years.  A nice match with a chocolate dessert.  

1970 Château Lapinesse, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Barsac, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1970
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

This is a new winery for me.  At age 52, it still has some life left although I am sure past prime.  It is the color of iced tea.  The nose has some oranges and slight honey.  Medium bodied.  Some sweetness although most has faded.  The palate has some apricot and honey.  Enough acidity to carry some food.  Drink up.  It will work nicely with a plain sponge cake.  

2017 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon Monsieur Étain, USA, California, Napa, Rutherford, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$210.00USD

This is a blend of 84% Cab Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, and 3% Merlot.  It doesn't seem fair to call this a second wine as it stands on its own as an amazing wine.  2017 was a challenging vintage yet this wine is excellent.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, dust, pencil lead, chocolate and floral notes.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this has depth and complexity.  Cassis, black cherries and plums with underlying spice and slight tobacco.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This will still get better but should drink well for the next twelve

2019 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Rutherford, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$775.00USD

Yes, this is very young, but what a great opportunity to try a limited wine so soon.  This is one of the great cult wines of Napa!  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but opens to show cassis, pencil lead, blueberries, chocolate, spice, smoke and minerality.  Firm tannins.  An impressive velvety texture.  On the palate, this is ripe.  Slightly sweet but not residual sugar.  Cassis, blueberries, coffee and spice with underlying minerality.  Enough acidity to cut through and keep the palate from being tired.  Ideally, this gets another ten to twenty years in the cella

2009 Château Duhart-Milon, France, Bordeaux, Pauillac, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$180.00USD

This is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot from the excellent 2009 vintage.  That vintage has always been accessible and one that may be long lived but the wines developed quickly.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, pencil lead, spice, black cherries and tobacco.  Full bodied.  Great texture.  Medium tannins.  This is well balanced.  On the palate, cassis with leathery notes and underlying char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue to for another twelve to fifteen years.

2008 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, USA, California, Stag's Leap District, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$240.00USD

Shafer Hillside is a First Growth of American wines.  It has a long track record and always outstanding.  And, made in quantities that the average wine lover can find.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, graphite, spice, leather and chocolate.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great, rich texture.  This is still drinking young but also it is delicious.  Flavors of cassis, blueberries, and slight chocolate with underlying spice and tea leaves.  Long finish.  This will improve with more cellar time.  Either way, it should drink well for another twenty years.  This woul

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