2015 Château Jupille Carillon, France, Bordeaux, St. Emilion, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

Tasted from two bottle, one seemed off due to heat/poor storage while the other was fine.  The off bottle had raisin notes, brown sugar and balsamic.  The better bottle was purple with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is peppery with black cherries and char.  Tannic.  On the palate, the black cherries and char come thru.  This is tight and needs some air right now.  A bit of warmth on the finish.  Drink over the next ten years.  This will work better with food although it can be drunk on its own. 

2018 Weingut Schaffer Pinot Noir, Germany, Reinhessen, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is labelled as Pinot Noir (not Spatburgunder) from Germany.  14% abv.  Very pale, light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is warm with camphor and light cherries.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, light cherries, slight anise.  This is light and easy, but for the money, a nice wine to serve at parties.  Drink on its own or will work with pasta or chicken.  Drink now.

2018 Wild Pig Chardonnay Vin de Pays d'Oc, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

Named after "Greta" a "famous" wild pig in the southeast of France.  This is an easy to drink white wine that provides some value.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose is smoky and fruity (sort of like fruit flavored gum).  There is nice acidity and a nice texture.  On the palate, not as much generic fruitiness but it is refreshing.  A hint of bitter almond on the finish.  For the price, this would be a fine choice for a party.  It would work with lighter foods or on its own.  Drink now.  

2018 Patrimony Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Paso Robles, Adelaida District, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$295.00USD

This is an interesting wine.  It is made by the two brothers who own Daou Vineyards from their very best vines in the mountains west of the 101 Freeway and retails for a very high price.  It is their intention with this wine to show that Paso Robles is also capable of producing world class Cabernet Sauvignon.  It is certainly the highest priced wine from Paso Robles that I have heard of.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is interesting and unique.  Cassis, coffee, iodine, sandalwood, and chicory.   Full bodied but not overblown.  As one would expect from mountain fruit, th

1961 Château d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1961
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$1900.00USD

What a treat to taste this wine that was opened by a friend for his 60th birthday.  While perhaps not the best vintage for sauternes (great red vintages seldom are), this was still outstanding.  The color of iced tea (sort of red/brown/orange) clear and bright.  The nose is nice with apricots, honey and cashews.  Viscous.  Very slightly sweet.  Medium bodied.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, orange peel with some honey.  Long finish.  This should continue to drink well for the  next fifteen to twenty years.  It probably deserves to be consumed on its own or better yet, with birthday cake

2016 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$3650.00USD

A blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc.  This was pop and pour and is, of course, young and really needs time or a decant.  That said, it is just an incredible wine!  Inky purple in color, shimmering bright and opaque.  The nose has cassis, cedar, blueberries, chocolate and slight spice.  Full bodied.  Lovely velvety yet sinewy texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is tight.  Cassis, black cherries, vanilla, and slight chocolate and char.  Deep.  Tight layers slowly unwind in the glass.  Long finish.  This needs another decade in a cellar and should dr

2012 Antinori Solaia Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$265.00USD

This Super Tuscan blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, and 5% Cabernet Franc.  Garnet in color, purple at the core, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, dust, tea leaves, slight tar with just a slight volatile acidity that lifts the aromas.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there are black cherries, cherries, slight sour cherries with some hay, tobacco and dusty earth notes.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This seems to be getting close to peak but not quite.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  It will work well with lots of meat, lamb or

2010 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, USA, California, Napa, Stags Leap, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$360.00USD

Shafer Hillside is a California First Growth.  They produce a lot, every year is amazing quality, and it has a long history.  I often say it is the Chateau Lafite Rothschild of Napa.  It is expensive but for the consistency and quality, it is fairly priced.  Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The expressive nose has cassis, cedar, vanilla, blueberries, and graphite.  Full bodied.   Great texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is concentrated.  Great energy.  Complex and depth.  Flavors of cassis, blueberries and slight vanilla.  Long finish.  This is still youn

2011 Sine Qua Non Grenache Dark Blossom, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$1007.00USD

From Magnum.  This is a blend of 75% Grenache, 12.5% Syrah, 11.5% Mourvedre, and 1% Roussanne.  2011 was a difficult vintage, but a bit less so in southern California where these grapes were grown.  Manfred Krankl (the owner and winemaker) did a great job here.  Garnet in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, spice, black olives, white pepper and dried flowers (violets?).  Medium tannins.  This is a big wine on the palate.  Black cherries, licorice, with some char.  Long finish.  This is delicious.  It needs another five to eight years to get to peak and s

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