2018 Naotari Rkatsiteli Kisi Khikhvi Amber Wine, Georgia Kakheti, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This is from the country of Georgia, and is a blend of 40% of Rkatsiteli (rah-kah-see-tell-y), 40% Kisi (key-see), and 20% Khikhvi (khee-kh-vee) grapes.  It is fermented in Kvevri (Amphorae) where it is allowed to macerate for six months.  The winery provides itself on being a "natural" wine meaning unfiltered and no use of sulfites.  At a recent tasting it proved to be a bit controversial and I liked it decidedly more than most of the group.  Golden in color with orange hues.  There is a lot of VA (volatile acidity) on the nose that was the chief problem others had.  A little can be nice a

2015 Shalauri Cellars Mtsvane Unfiltered, Qvevri fermentation, Georgia, Kakheti, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

At a recent tasting of Georgian wine, this was the consensus Wine of the Night.  Interesting to tasted a wine at age 7 like this as it was fresh and vibrant.   It is 100% Mtsvane grapes made in Kakheti, Georgia.  The wine is fermented in Kvevri (Amphorae) where it is allowed to macerate for six months.  Golden with some copper hues in color, clear and bright.  The nose is big and enticing with honey, golden raisins, cantaloupe, and slight floral notes.  Medium bodied.  Strong acidity.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, there are lots of apples, some apple cider, slight nuttiness and pineapple. 

2019 Dilao Rkatsiteli Mtsvane, Georgia, Kakhetti, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

The second label of the Orgo Winery.  This is a blend of 50% Rkatsiteli and 50% Mtsvane grapes from the country of Georgia.  The wine is made in Kvevri (Amphorae) but only stays for about a month during which it ferments on the skins with the stems and pips.  The result is an "Amber" or "orange" wine.  Very interesting.  Deep golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is very nice but its hard to come up with terminology to describe.  There is a floral quality with a perfumed fragrance note.  Perhaps some cantaloupe.  Medium bodied although viscous at 13% abv.  Medium tannins.  On the pal

2020 Cakebread Cellars Pinot Noir Two Creeks Vineyard, USA, California, Mendocino, Anderson Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This was an interesting Pinot Noir from northern California.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, sour cherries, smoke, anise and slight menthol.  Very nice.  On the palate, this has a big, but very nice texture.  Viscous with good acidity.  On the palate, this drinks well with sour cherries, anise, sandalwood and just the faint whiff of char.  Very tasty.  A long finish.  Those who like bigger, fresh (clean) Pinot Noir should love this wine.  Drink over the next ten years.  It would go well with Salmon but also roasted chicken.

2019 Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Reserve, USA, California, Napa, Carneros, Wine Rev iew

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

This is a big, California Chardonnay in the best sense.  It is a blend of four different vineyards of Chardonnay.  Silvery gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is big and enticing with Lemons, vanilla and nutmeg.  Full bodied with a creamy texture.  Good acidity.  Slightly oily.  On the palate, this has lemons, slight lemon peel and an interesting note of mint on the finish.  It is deep with tight complexity that unwinds in the glass.  A very long finish.  This may improve over the next year or two but either way should make great drinking for the next ten years.  It drinks great on i

NV Domaine Bousquet (Charmat) Brut Rosé, Argentina, Mendoza, Uco Valley, Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$13.00USD

An amazing value in sparkling wine!  This is a blend of 75% Pinot Noir and25% Chardonnay certified organic grapes from Argentina.  The Charmat method allows for the fermentation in stainless steel tanks to capture the carbonation.  Salmon pin/orange in color, clear and bright.  Lots of smaller bubbles.  The nose is very nice with strawberries, yeast (at the proofing stage), and minerals.  On the palate, this is crisp with light tannins.  Notes of fuji apples, strawberries and minerality.  Nice acidity.

NV Domaine Bousquet (Charmat) Brut, Argentina, Uco Valley, Wine Review

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$13.00USD

This is another quality value from this Argentinian producer.  Made from a blend of organic grapes, it is 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir.  The Charmat method is utilized meaning that the bubbles are trapped in stainless steel tanks versus in the bottle.  While that does not have the tradition or "romance" of the Methode Champenois, to does allow for high quality wines at much more reasonable pricing.  And, this bottle is proof.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The wine is frothy on opening with lots of small bubbles.  On the nose, there are lemons, lemon peel, and minerals.  Good aci

NV Graham Porto 20 Year Old Tawny, Portugal, Douro, Wine Review

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

Sometimes Tawny's get short shrift to vintage ports, but for the money, 20 year ports from top producers are well worth keeping around.  The bottle can be opened and consumed over a period of weeks.  This is one of the better ones.  Amber in color, clear and bright.  Lovely nose with toffee, caramel, burnt orange peel and slight nuttiness.  Full bodied.  There is some alcohol and heat on the palate, but more warming than hot.  Flavors of toffee, caramel and slight chocolate notes.

2016 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$132.00USD

Its amazing that this wine doesn't get more buzz.  Most of that is because it has been around for so long and great, that people talk about the "newer" wines on the block.  Although expensive, this wine competes with lots of the "cult" wines that are three or five times the cost.  Of course, this is still young and if drinking soon, a five hour decant is not a bad idea.  It has 3% Petite Verdot blended in.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose is classic with cassis, graphite, cedar and slight tobacco.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is deep but ta

2002 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$350.00USD

What a treat to get to try a Schrader this old and note, before he divided his wines into different labels.  At age 20, this is still young and just sort of getting to maturity (maybe).  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, blueberries, chocolate, spice, tar and leather.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is delicious, complex and contemplative.  Medium to firm tannins.  Notes of cassis and blueberries with chocolate over char and slight earthiness.  Long finish.  This took about an hour to open so a decant might be a good idea.  Drink over the next twenty years. 

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