2020 Wente Vineyards Chardonnay Single Vineyard Riva Ranch, USA, California, Monterey, Arroyo Secco, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

This is a very nice Chardonnay from Wente, a long time producer in California (founded in 1883).  This particular Chardonnay is grown from a single vineyard, Riva Ranch, in Arroyo Grande.  Yellow gold in color, clear and shimmering bright.  The nose is a bit chalky with grapefruit and slight baking spice.  With air, a bit of pineapple comes out.  It has a really nice voluptuous texture.  On the palate, more lemon chiffon with nice underlying minerality and some spice.  Moderate acidity.  Good finish.  This is tasty and drinks nicely on its own but will work well with all but the heaviest of

2019 Flora Springs Trilogy, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$85.00USD

Trilogy is one of the more famous blends made in Napa and this represents the 35th vintage!  This vintage is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Malbec.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cassis, char, and slight milk chocolate and spices.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium plus tannins.  Tingly acidity.  On the palate, raspberries, cassis and some underlying char.  Long finish with some chocolate notes.  This is still young but should be good drinking over the next fifteen to twenty years.  Nice on its own,

2020 Flora Springs Sauvignon Blanc Soliloquy, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is one of the best Sauvignon Blancs made in Napa.  Luckily, the grapes for this were made before the smoke from the fires tainted the grapes.  In fact, this may be the best Soliloquy yet!  It is a blend based on their proprietary clone of Sauvignon Blanc with some Chardonnay and Malvasia.  Silvery green-gold in color, clear and bright.  A very expressive nose.  Slightly grassy with spice and a ton of tropical fruits (papaya, guava, some pineapple), and some orange zest.  Light to medium bodied.  Smooth and silky texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, plenty of grapefruit, a slight cha

NV Marie Demets Champagne Tradition Brut, France, Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$52.00USD

This is 100% Pinot Noir from an excellent producer if a bit under the radar.  Light golden in color, with a nice mousse of fine bubbles.  The nose has slate, chalk, apples and Meyer lemons.  Medium bodied with moderate acidity.  On the palate, the  Meyer lemons come thru along with some chalk.  Very tasty.   Good finish.  This is drinking very well now and should continue over the next five to eight years.  It is nice on its own and will work well with almost any food.  

2018 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Knights Valley, USA, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is the kind of wine that makes sense to buy more than a few bottles of if you see it on sale. It might be a stretch, it might be an everyday drinker depending on your budget, but either way it is priced very fairly for the quality. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, char, spice and slight coffee. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, this is a cooler climate styled Cab but no issues with ripeness. Plenty of depth, this is still young and should gain in complexity with some age. Cassis, some black cherries, char and spice in a delicious Cabernet.

2008 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$132.00USD

Another great wine from winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.  Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cedar, leather, char and black olives.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there is cassis, spice, cedar and some warmth.  Long finish.  This is about at peak but should drink well for another ten to twelve more years.  It is great on its own and will work well with roast beef.  

2001 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$129.00USD

Ruby in color with a touch of browning, clear and bright.  The nose is classic with cherries, slight barnyard and spice.  The tannins seem resolved and this is at peak.  Layers of fruit and tertiary notes.  Complex.  Cherries, earthy dried fruit and flowers.  Good acidity.  Slight barnyard on the palate.  Good finish.  This is exactly what this wine should be at this point.  If you live that, you will love this.  Better with food such as a stew or vegetarian chili.  Drink over the next five years.  

2015 Carlisle The Derivative White, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Reivew

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$29.00USD

This is a white field blend of 41% Muscadelle, 39% Sémillon, 11% Colombard and 1% Palomino.  Yellow gold in color with slight green hues.  The nose has minerals and slight lime.  Medium bodied.  Slightly oily.  On the palate, limes with tangerine peel.  Good acidity.  The finish is really interesting lemons, almonds and a slight bitter note. This is mature but should drink well for another five years.  It would be great with sea food or lighter pasta dishes.  

2010 Keplinger Sumo, USA, California, Amador, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This is a blend of 88% Petite Sirah, 10% Syrah and 2% Viognier.  Inky purple in color with a thin ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, leather, roasted meats and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black raspberries, plums with some alcohol notes on the long finish.  This is an excellent wine that is just entering its peak phase.  Drink over the next ten years.  Great on its own, this works great with Indian food.  

2014 Seven Hills Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is from Washington state.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight spice and dark chocolate with a bit of char.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, lots of black cherry fruit with some underlying char.  Light tannins.  Nice finish.  This should be drunk in the next few years.  It will work nicely with roasted chicken.  

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