2016 Domaine du Crampilh Madiran Cuvée l'Originel, France, Madiran, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

From the home of the Tannat grape.  This wine is 100% Tannat aged for two years in steel tanks.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has strong X-mas spice notes along with black raspberries and a slight saw dust note (interesting as the wine sees no oak).  It has a lush texture with strong acidity.  Fresh black cherry fruit.  Firm tannins.  Long finish.  The question for this wine is whether the tannins fade before the fruit.  It will work better with heartier foods such as a beef stew or vegetarian chili.  Drink over the next four to seven years.  

2017 Gimenez Mendez Tannat Alta Reserva, Las Brujas Vineyard, Wine Review

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

A Tannat from Uruguay.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is earthy with boysenberries and some baking spice.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with some cigar tobacco notes.  Medium tannins.  Moderate finish.  This is an easy drinking wine that is more accessible than many Tannat wines.  It would work well with pasta with a meat sauce.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

2016 Viñedo de los Vientos Tannat, Uruguay, Atlantida, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

Uruguay is making the Tannat grape its own and there are more and more on the market.  14% ABV.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries with baking spices.  On the palate, strong acidity.  Nice texture.  Firm tannins.  The palate has black cherry fruit.  A long finish.  There is some value here.  This should drink better with food to counter the tannins.  Cassoulet would be a nice match.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2008 Moutard Père et Fils Champagne Brut Cuvée des 6 Cépages, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This is made from six of the seven authorized grapes in Champagne.  Pinot noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Arbane, and Petit Meslier (Pinot Gris (called Fromenteau in Champagne is the one not used).  Golden in Color with a lot of tiny bubbles, clear and bright.  The nose is strong with a tad of oxidation.  Caramel, Vernor's Soda, and slight nuttiness.  Perhaps a slim touch of lemons.  A strong backbone of acidity on the palate.  A bit toasty with apples and some nuttiness comes thru.  Medium length finish.  This is very good on its own but would work better with food.  Soft che

2008 Saxum Syrah Booker Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$164.00USD

This is a blend of 92% Syrah and 8% Mourvedre checking in at 15.8% ABV.  Yes, it is a big wine, but the alcohol is very integrated and while it still packs a punch it is not noticeable on the palate.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, oak, spice and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is still youthful although past the baby stage.  Lots of black raspberry fruit, some blueberries and plums with underlying char and black pepper.  This is deep and complex.  No harm drinking now, it is delicious, but this w

2016 Le Pianelle Coste della Sesia Al Forte, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$37.00USD

This is another Nebbiolo from north-west Piedmont in northern Italy.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is a bit soapy along with cherries and tar.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Better on the palate, with cherries and some smoke.  Moderate finish.  Drink over the next five years.  This will work better with foods such as a Mushroom Pizza.  

2016 Cantina dei Produttori Nebbiolo di Carema Carema Riserva, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$32.00USD

From the far north in Piemonte in Italy, this is made from Nebbiolo, the same grape used in Barolo and Barbaresco.  It is a very nice value play.  Pale ruby in color, slightly opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with cherries and slight tar notes.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, cherries with underlying light earthiness.  Elegant.  Good acidity.  Medium complexity.  Medium finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for the next five to seven years.  A perfect wine for mid-week pizza or pasta.  

2013 Booker Vineyard Tempranillo, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This is 100% Tempranillo from California's Central Coast - Paso Robles.  A very interesting take.  Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, and is dusty with dill (American oak?).  Full bodied.  This is a big wine.  On the palate, cherries with dust.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Very firm tannins.  This seems like it will need time but I doubt it ever loses its "bigness".  It is also delicious.  For those who like this style of wine, drink over the next twenty years.  Glazed Pork Tenderloin would be a good match.  

2011 Bedrock Wine Co. The Bedrock Heritage, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This is a field blend (mostly Zinfandel) from Sonoma.  Of course, 2011 was a difficult vintage.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, flat.  The nose is dusty with black cherries.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this is somewhat surprisingly ripe.  Black cherries and cherries with some prune notes.  There is some depth and complexity.  A long finish.  This is probably better on its own but would work with pizza.  Drink up over the next few years. 

2013 Shafer Relentless, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$90.00USD

This is a blend of 97% Syrah with 3% Petite Sirah.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but opens after about an hour.  Spice, black raspberries, some smoke along with roasted meats and herbs and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Has a bit more elegance than prior vintages perhaps due to less Petite Sirah?  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with underlying char and earth.  Some black pepper, too.  Nice finish.  This may still improve a bit and while it drinks well now, it may be worth cellaring for another three to seven years.  Either way, it will drink we

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