2015 Weingut Hirsch Riesling Zöbinger Heiligenstein, Austria, Kamptal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Pale Gold in color, clear and bright.  This took maybe 3o to 45 minutes to open up.  On the nose there is a nice lemon candy note with some minerality.  On the palate, the lemon candy comes thru along with fresh lemons and underlying minerality.  Slight char.  There is a nice depth and complexity here.  Still on the youthful side with plenty of vibrancy.  Long finish.  This should drink well for another twelve to fifteen years.  This is great on its own and will work with a wide variety of lighter foods including fried chicken.   

2015 Laurenz V. Grüner Veltliner Charming Kamptal Reserve, Austria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

At a recent tasting, this seemed to be love it or hate it and that is easy to understand.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is different with a fleshy sort of barnyard note and plenty of minerality but no fruit.  On the palate, this has a really nice oily texture, but again, no real fruit, its all about minerality.  With some air, some dried tropical fruits do come out.  A hint of pepper and bitterness on the finish.  It is an interesting wine, but not what one thinks of for Gruner.  It would have been good to taste this on release as a data point.  

2018 Weingut Markus Huber Grüner Veltliner Terrassen, Austria, Traisental, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has some limes, plenty of minerality and a bit of a sweaty sock note.  With air, a sweet-tart quality comes out.  On the palate, this is soft but tasty.  Limes with underlying minerality.  A bit of white pepper.  Shorter finish.  Drink over the next year or two.  This will work nicely with baked trout.  

NV Weingut Markus Huber Sparkling Rosé, Austria, Wine Review

Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is a sparkling Rose blend of Zweigelt and Pinot Noir.  It is meant to be a light hearted, fun wine and it achieves that and more.  Pale pink in color.  There is a nice mousse of larger bubbles that disappears quickly.  The nose has cherries, cherry juice and a touch of lanolin.  On the palate, this is sweet.  Light bodied with apples and cherries.  Shorter finish.  This is refreshing and a nice end of the day/start to an evening wine.  Drink now.  This is very food friendly and will work well with poultry, fish and lighter foods.  

2018 Ferren Wines Chardonnay Lancel Creek Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

Certainly not as good as the 2017, I am wondering if I got an "off" bottle although there are no noticeable flaws.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has pears, apples with some minerality.  Also some fresh cut lumber.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is solid.  Apples with a touch of cut.  Moderate finish.  This is should appeal to a wide variety of people (although the price won't).  Drink over the next ten years.  It works better on its own but would work well with grilled salmon.  

1999 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Selection, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1999
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

It is always a pleasure to drink an older Napa Cabernet.  This one is drinking beautifully today.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, spice, some tobacco, cherries and slight chocolate.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is a bit past prime but offering up a lot.  Some fresh fruit (cassis and cherries) along with tobacco and slight funk.  Nice finish.  Good complexity.  This should be consumed sooner than later but all bottles will be unique.  It drank great on its own and worked with some soft cheeses.  

NV Rare Wine Co. (Vinhos Barbeito) Madeira Historic Series New York Malmsey Special Reserve, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

These Rare Wine Historic series of Madeira are excellent and really great values, too.  Coffee color, clear and bright. The nose has burnt sugar, toffee, and orange zest. On the palate, this is slightly sweet. Nutty and toffee on the palate, with a menthol note. Warming but not hot. Good acidity. Good finish.  A bottle can be consumed over months once opened, so it makes for a nice late night sipper in a small glass.  It can be paired with a not too sweet dessert especially a nutty one.  Drink over the next 75 years.  :-)

 

2018 Bodegas Vinsacro Rioja Blanco, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$13.00USD

This is a white wine from Rioja in Spain.  It is a blend of 60% Chardonnay, and 40% Viura.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has citrus, spice, with a slight balsamic note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is refreshing but also has some complexity.  Good acidity.  The citrus carries thru with the underlying dry earth.  Moderate finish.  This drinks well on its own, but works better with food.  Gaxzpacho would be a nice pairing.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

2016 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir, USA, Oregon, Dundee Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is from the famed Burgundy producer's Oregon outpost.  This seems to be more full throttle than prior vintages but will no doubt calm down with some age.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has fresh cherries, black cherries and slight pomegranate.  There is also a bit of spice and a hint of tea.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this has a lot of cherries, some black cherries with a hint of underlying forest floor.  Delicious.  Light tannins.  This needs another three to five years to get closer to peak, and should drink well for ten to fifteen more after tha

2016 Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon HãLo Hillspring Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Oak Knoll, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$220.00USD

This is a luxury bottle from one of the oldest Napa producers.  It is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot, and 1% Malbec.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, blueberries, cedar, and mocha.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, lots of cassis with some cedar and slight chocolate.  This is  still young but opens in the glass.  If drinking soon, a few hours in a decanter is a good thing.  Drink over the next twenty years.  It drinks well on its own but will require big flavors.  Fatty meats or roasted veggies would work.  P

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