2013 Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

An excellent wine.  Deep purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is classic with cassis, baking spice, cedar and slight roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the cassis comes thru with cedar underneath.  Tannic but mellows with air.  Long finish.  This is drinking quite well and should continue to do so for another 12 to fifteen years.  It drinks great on its own and would also work with roasted brisket.  

2013 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Lore Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

This is a single vineyard Cabernet from a Thomas Rivers Brown home winery.  Just gorgeous if a bit young.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has blueberries, cassis, baking spice, slight asphalt and cedar.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, the blueberries and cassis come thru though quite concentrated.  Underlying char and slight earthiness.  Great energy and balance.  Long finish.  Still quite young and this should get even better.  Hold (if you can) for a few more years and drink over the next 20 to 25 years.  Great on its own (with some air) or drink with so

2005 Château La Fleur de Gay, France, Bordeaux, Pomerol, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$115.00USD

2005 was an excellent vintage, but, especially the right bank Merlot based wines, is now starting to really drink well.  100% Merlot.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is lovely with black cherries, cassis, chocolate and spice.  Light tannins.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black cherries with underlying funk.  Good finish.  This seems to be about at peak but should drink well for another five to seven years.  It drinks well on its own but will work better at the dinner table with perhaps roasted fowl.  

2017 K Vintners Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard, Washington, Wahluke Slope, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is a bigger wine, but for the K Vintners lineup, it seemed less oversized than usual.  That is neither good nor bad, just a frame of reference.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, roasted meats and slight rubber note.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, nice black raspberry fruit with underlying char.  Medium tannins.  Lots of depth.  Delicious.  Nice finish.  This should improve a bit over the next five years and drink well for another seven to ten after that.  Great on its own, this would work well with charcuterie.  

2017 Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Cabernet Sauvignon Los Vascos Grande Réserve, Chile, Colchagua, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

Just a bit behind the 2016 version but very similar.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, rosemary and slight spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there has a soft texture.  Light tannins.  Black cherry fruit.  This is drinking well and should continue for another five to seven years.  A nice wine on its own and would work well with most roasted chicken or duck.  

2011 Montes Alpha M, Chile, Colchagua, DO Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$76.00USD

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Cabernet Franc 10%, Merlot 5%, and Petit Verdot (5%).  In Chile this qualifies as a Cabernet but in the EU it does not for example (must be 85%).  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, spice and smoke.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is ripe with good black cherry fruit.  Light tannins.  Nice acidity.  Seems to be close to peak.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Drinks well on its own, this would work well with chili con carne.  

2016 Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Carménère Los Vascos Grande Réserve

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

As good a value as the regular wine is, the Grande Reserve isn't much more expensive for a step or two more in quality.  This took about thirty minutes to open up.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, rosemary and slight spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is some depth here.  Light tannins.  Nice black cherry fruit.  Good finish.  This is drinking well and should continue for another five to seven years.  A nice wine on its own and would work well with most meat, fowl or pork dishes.  

2007 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor, Chile, Puente Alto, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Nice to try this with about 14 years of age behind it.  This is still youthful.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, spice, cigar box, and slight rosemary.  Full bodied.  On the palate, cassis, slight black cherries over tobacco.  Delicious.  Light tannins.  Long finish.  This is drinking well but should easily go another twelve to fifteen years.  Drinks well on its own but will work better with food.  A steak or other grilled meats would work well.  

2016 Santa Carolina Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva de Familia, Chile, Maipo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

And, yet another really solid, under $20 Cabernet from Chile.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, spice and slight rosemary.  On the palate, this has some sweetness to.  Perhaps some slight residual sugar or just ripe fruit.  With air that quality integrates a bit.  Firm tannins.  Cherry and black cherry fruit.  This drinks nicely on its own but would work with roasted fowl.  Drink over the next five years.  

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