2005 Dominique Laurent Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Vieilles Vignes, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Very nice showing for this.  It seems to be just about at peak right now.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries and slight baking spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, light tannins.  Black cherry fruit with some spice.  Complex with tight layering.  Great mouthfeel.  Long finish.  This should drink well over the next ten to twelve years.  This will work well with aGarlic-butter Roast Chicken.  

2009 Felton Road Pinot Noir Cornish Point, New Zealand, Central Otago, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Screw capped.  Ruby in color, but a bit flat.  There is a fair amount of volatile acidity on the nose.  Also some sour cherries.  Nice texture with light tannins.  On the palate, tart cherries.  A lot of acidity.  Long finish.  This probably would benefit from a bit of a decant as the VA did slightly blow off.  There is a nice complexity here.  It should have another seven to ten years left or maybe more.  It will pair well with roasted fowl.  

2006 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Grade: 
Current Price: 
$250.00USD

White Rhone wines are such a tricky thing to age.  This should have been great but alas, it wasn't.  It seemed dead on opening but eventually showed a bit of life, but not what one hopes for.  Deep gold in color.  The nose initially offers some cider notes but with air, some wax, almonds and maybe fresh apples.  Full bodied.  On the palate, not much at first but with some air, a bit of citrus and slight minerals.  Followed over tow hours or so, it just never really showed up.  It probably would pay to open early, let it breathe and if necessary, give it a decant.  If it opens up, re-cork un

2010 Dom Pérignon Champagne, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$165.00USD

Always a pleasure to drink this wine.  Light golden in color, tons of very tiny bubbles, clear and bright.  The nose is great.  Toasty with some lemons and a lot of minerality.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Lemons, minerals with plenty of complexity and depth.  Long finish.  This should drink well over the next fifteen to twenty years.  It will go with practically any food.  Popcorn is always a great choice with great Champagne.  

2012 Booker Vineyard Oublie Extended Age 24 Months, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$87.00USD

Tasted side by side with the regular bottling, I slightly preferred this one.  It is also a blend of 44% Mourvedre, 36% Grenache and 20% Counoise.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is similar with black raspberries, plums, gravel and spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this drinks a bit younger and also more expressive.  Lots of black raspberries, plums, some black cherries, black pepper and char.  More vibrancy.  Long finish.  Overall, the distinctions are small, but this did seem a bit younger with more going on.  Now, was that due to the extended ageing or

2012 Booker Vineyard Oublie, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$63.00USD

Tasted this side by side with the extended ageing slightly preferring the extended ageing.  This is a blend of  44% Mourvedre, 36% Grenache and 20% Counoise.  Purple in color with ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, slight plums, gravel and spice.  Full bodied.

1991 Graham's Porto Vintage, Portugal, Douro, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1992
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$90.00USD

This wine, at age 30, is just about at peak.  Beautiful wine.  Inky purple, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries and chocolate covered raisins.  Full bodied.  Sweet but not too.  On the palate, chocolate covered cherries.  Complex.  Delicious.  Long finish.  Slightly noticeable alcohol.  This should continue to drink well for at least another decade.  Great on its own, with a cigar, this will also work well with a chocolate dessert.  

2011 Torrin James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is a blend of 52% Syrah and 48% Grenache from one of the great Rhone varietal vineyards of California (or anywhere).  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright, ruby at the rim.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, smoke, roasted herbs, and a bit of meatiness.  Full bodied.  Complex and seemingly at peak.  Layers of black raspberry and black cherry fruit with underlying char and slight earthiness.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This wine should continue to drink well for another ten to twelve years.  A nice match for Indian or Thal food.  

2009 Dehlinger 60% Petite Sirah/40% Zinfandel Guadagni Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Very nice showing for this.  Seems to be just about at peak, of course, noting that Zinfandel matures earlier and Petite Sirah later.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, black cherries, raspberries along with some leather and minerality.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has a nice complexity.  Also very tasty.  Layers of fruit (black and red raspberries) with some underlying minerality.  Nice finish.  This should have another five to seven more years and probably more.  It drinks well on its own and will work  well with all but the lightest foods.  A nice w

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