2020 Daou Vineyards Chardonnay Paso Robles, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

The Daou brothers have really added to the wine reputation in Paso Robles.  The make mostly Bordeaux varietals at all price points.  This is there inexpensive Chardonnay and it is an excellent value.  Silvery/green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has yellow grapefruits and smoke.  A nice oily texture.  On the palate, lemons, quince and smoke.  Nice acidity.  Long finish.  This drinks easy and is sure to be a crowd pleaser at parties.  Drink over the next couple years.  Nice on its own, it will work well with lighter foods or seafood.  

NV Gruet Winery Brut, USA, New Mexico, Wine Review

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

It had been a while since last trying a Gruet wine, so this was a nice opportunity.  Originally founded by a Frenchman with ancestral ties to Champagne in New Mexico, this winery has been making lovely sparkling  wines for decades now.  This one is also lovely.  Silvery gold in color with lot of smaller bubbles.  Toasty with lemons.  Clean.  Crisp.  On the palate, this is tasty with some complexity.  Slight apples, more lemon and toast.  Nice toasty finish.  A great value in sparkling wines.  Very food friendly.  Try it with popcorn.  

2018 Pedroncelli Zinfandel Mother Clone Dry Creek Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

Ruby with  purple swirls.  The nose is peppery with black cherries, and char.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and char.  Some warmth on the finish.  This is a very nice, easy drinking Zin that is middle of the road (between Claret and Fruit Bomb) in style.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  This will work well with ribs or a burger.  

2015 Château Jupille Carillon, France, Bordeaux, St. Emilion, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

Tasted from two bottle, one seemed off due to heat/poor storage while the other was fine.  The off bottle had raisin notes, brown sugar and balsamic.  The better bottle was purple with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is peppery with black cherries and char.  Tannic.  On the palate, the black cherries and char come thru.  This is tight and needs some air right now.  A bit of warmth on the finish.  Drink over the next ten years.  This will work better with food although it can be drunk on its own. 

2018 Weingut Schaffer Pinot Noir, Germany, Reinhessen, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is labelled as Pinot Noir (not Spatburgunder) from Germany.  14% abv.  Very pale, light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is warm with camphor and light cherries.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, light cherries, slight anise.  This is light and easy, but for the money, a nice wine to serve at parties.  Drink on its own or will work with pasta or chicken.  Drink now.

2018 Wild Pig Chardonnay Vin de Pays d'Oc, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

Named after "Greta" a "famous" wild pig in the southeast of France.  This is an easy to drink white wine that provides some value.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose is smoky and fruity (sort of like fruit flavored gum).  There is nice acidity and a nice texture.  On the palate, not as much generic fruitiness but it is refreshing.  A hint of bitter almond on the finish.  For the price, this would be a fine choice for a party.  It would work with lighter foods or on its own.  Drink now.  

2018 Patrimony Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Paso Robles, Adelaida District, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$295.00USD

This is an interesting wine.  It is made by the two brothers who own Daou Vineyards from their very best vines in the mountains west of the 101 Freeway and retails for a very high price.  It is their intention with this wine to show that Paso Robles is also capable of producing world class Cabernet Sauvignon.  It is certainly the highest priced wine from Paso Robles that I have heard of.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is interesting and unique.  Cassis, coffee, iodine, sandalwood, and chicory.   Full bodied but not overblown.  As one would expect from mountain fruit, th

1961 Château d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1961
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$1900.00USD

What a treat to taste this wine that was opened by a friend for his 60th birthday.  While perhaps not the best vintage for sauternes (great red vintages seldom are), this was still outstanding.  The color of iced tea (sort of red/brown/orange) clear and bright.  The nose is nice with apricots, honey and cashews.  Viscous.  Very slightly sweet.  Medium bodied.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, orange peel with some honey.  Long finish.  This should continue to drink well for the  next fifteen to twenty years.  It probably deserves to be consumed on its own or better yet, with birthday cake

2016 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$3650.00USD

A blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc.  This was pop and pour and is, of course, young and really needs time or a decant.  That said, it is just an incredible wine!  Inky purple in color, shimmering bright and opaque.  The nose has cassis, cedar, blueberries, chocolate and slight spice.  Full bodied.  Lovely velvety yet sinewy texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is tight.  Cassis, black cherries, vanilla, and slight chocolate and char.  Deep.  Tight layers slowly unwind in the glass.  Long finish.  This needs another decade in a cellar and should dr

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