2021 Ponga Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is not your typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc!  If served blind, I would probably guess the Loire Valley in France (the ancestral home to the grape).  Light green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with lots of yellow grapefruits along with a bit of peach and minerality.  Light to medium bodied.  Nice balance.  On the palate, again, lots of yellow grapefruits with some peach and underlying minerality.  Very clean and refreshing finish.  This drinks great on its own and will work well with lighter foods and especially sea food.  Drink over the next few years.  

2015 Carlisle Syrah Rosella's Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Lucia Highlands, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

Another outstanding wine from Carlisle.  This one is a bit more playful than some, but just as enjoyable.  At least as good, if not better on Day 2.  Deep garnet in color with purple swirls.  Opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, slight black olive, spice and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Lots of energy.  On the palate, nice black raspberry fruit with underlying spice and char.  Nice complexity.  Light but present tannins.  Nice finish.  A really enjoyable bottle.  Drank great on its own and worked with with a mushroom and potato dish.  Drink over the next seven to te

2016 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$140.00USD

One of the top producers in Chateaneuf and one with out a luxury cuvee.  This is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah.  Served pop and pour, this took about 30 minutes to really open and then drank beautifully.  We shared the bottle with friends while listening to Latin jazz at an outdoor café.

2019 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

Always one of the best chardonnay's made anywhere!  This vintage is no exception.  Light golden in color with slight green hues.  The nose is classic Rhys:  Vanilla, lemon cream, and slight bakers spices.  Full bodied.  This was drinking well from the beginning.  The palate has lemon cream and vanilla with a touch of spice/oak.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This drinks great on its own and perfect with a Caprese salad.  In my experience, these drink well for a few years and then shut down a bit before re-emerging at age eight or so.  They drink well for another ten after that.  

2018 Domaine Bachey-Legros Santenay 1er Cru Clos des Gravières, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

This is apparently mostly from younger vines but it doesn't show in this excellent Chardonnay.  Green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with lemons, beeswax and baking spices.  Medium to full bodied.  Slightly viscous in the texture.  On the palate, lemons with a slight amount of oak.  A bit bitter on the finish.  Very refreshing.  Good acidity.  It will probably work better with food.  Drink over the next three to five years.  It will work nicely with lighter foods.  Vegetarian Thai food would be a good match.

2009 Case d'AltoTaurasi Docg Riserva, Italy, Campagna, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This is a serious wine and in a great place right now.  By law, Taurasi Riserva's must be aged in wood for four years prior to release.  They are made from the Aglianico grape.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has plums, char, pine and spice.  Firm tannins.  Lush texture.  This is delicious. On the palate, black raspberry fruit.  Deep.  Long finish.  It seems to be getting close to peak but not there yet.  This should improve a bit over the next five to ten years, and will drink well for fifteen to twenty after that.  No harm drinking today, but give it

2020 Stel + Mar Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

Purple/Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with some cassis.  Light nose overall.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this starts out sweet then shows some cassis and slight graphite notes.  Firm tannins.  Good acidity.  An interesting charred Rosemary on the finish.  Overall, an inexpensive California Cab that will please those looking for a wine to drink on the back patio or to serve at parties.  It probably drinks better on its own, but if serving with food, BBQ Ribs would be hearty enough to match well.  

2020 Wente Vineyards Merlot Sandstone, USA, California, Livermore, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

A delicious, easy drinking value in California Merlot.  This is a blend of 76% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 10% Malbec, 2% Petite Sirah.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, menthol, and baking spices.  With air, some black cherries emerge.  Full bodied with a velvety texture.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with a bit of milk chocolate.  Long, tannic finish.  This should drink well for the next five to seven years.  It drinks well on its own, and would work great with a (veggie) burger.  

NV Luretta Puck, Italy, Emilia Romagna, Wine Review

Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is a very interesting wine made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Barbera and aged in stainless steel from the Emilia Romagna region of Italy.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is very nice with cherries, raspberries and char.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is a bit of sweetness on the attack.  Firm tannins.  Cassis, black cherries and slight mint notes.  Moderate finish.  This has some depth.  It needs a bit of air to open up.  This will work very well with pasta.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

NV Cantine Ermes Quattro Quarti Appassimento, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is a Nero d'Avola from Sicily made in the Appassimento (drying out  the grapes before pressing) style.  14% abv.  Ruby in color, partially opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, cough drops, wild thyme, and a hint of cocoa.  Medium bodied with a nice texture.  On the palate, there is some anise along with nice cherry fruit.  More cough drop fruit on the finish.  Dry.  Light tannins.  Very tasty wine.  This drinks nice on its own but will work better with food.   It would work nice with a lamb stew.  Drink over the next five years.  

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