2010 Torrin Akasha, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$122.00USD

Nice to try these wines with some age on them, but honestly, they were bit young and are still big.  For my tastes, that is just fine.  95% Syrah with 5% Grenache from Paso Robles.  Purple in color, ruby at the rime, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries with a slight dishwasher note (often found in wines that may have seen some heat at some point) but that minimized as the  wine opened with a nice earthy note.  Full bodied.  On the  palate, much cleaner.  Black raspberries, smoke and earthiness.  Moderate acidity.  Nice finish.  While perhaps not a pristine bottle, this was st

2017 Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$126.00USD

This is a blend of  41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 25% Cabernet Franc made by Thomas Rivers Brown.  Pop and pour, this took about twenty minutes to start opening and then drink very well.  Purple in color with a ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, baking spice, slight chocolate, a hint of iron and roasted herbs.   Full bodied although certainly not over the top.  Rich texture.  On the palate, this has firm tannins that integrate somewhat with air.  Nots of cherries and black cherries with some underlying tobacco and a bit of chocolate.  Som

2007 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block, USA, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This took about 30 minutes to blow off bottle stink and open after removing the cork.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, smoke and a nice earthiness.  Full bodied.  On the palate, black cherries and black raspberries with a bit of smoke and underlying minerality.  The tannins are all resolved and this is ready to drink.  Good balance.  Long finish.  Drink over the next five years.  It drinks great on its own and will work well with foods off the grill (although not sea food).  

2015 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Golden, maybe a bit deeper in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lemons, lemon drop candies, spice and slight vanilla note.  Full bodied with a slightly oily texture.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, lemons, lemon curd, with vanilla.  Long finish.  This has more depth and complexity than the 2012 consumed at alongside.  It will continue to mature for the next seven to ten years and drink well for another seven to ten after that if well stored.  Great on its own, this will work well with pork chops or roasted chicken.  

2012 Rhys Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$120.00USD

Nice to revisit this with some age on it. Yellow-gold in color with slight green hues, clear and bright.  The nose is the same; vanilla, lemon crème, and minerals.  Medium to full bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, lemons, lemon curd and slight vanilla.  Long finish.  This tastes mature but very similar to how it tasted on release.  More depth, less energy.  Not sure where it goes from here but another five years and probably ten.  Great on its own, this will work well with salmon or tuna steaks.   

2016 Yacoubian Hobbs Areni Sarpina, Armenia, Vayots Dzor, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$46.00USD

This is a collaboration with flying winemaker Paul Hobbs.  It is 100% Areni grapes.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cranberries, black cherries, spice and dust.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has some depth.  Light tannins.  Black cherry fruit with underlying spices.  Good acidity.  Short finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue to do so for five to seven years.  It will work well with roasted chicken or turkey.  

2016 Takri Sireni Reserve Banazur Village, Armenia, Artsakh, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

This is made from the Sireni grape in Armenia.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with black cherries and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Lots of black cherry fruit.  Medium tannins.  Ripe but not over done.  Good finish.  This seems about at peak but should  drink well for another 5 to seven more years.  This will work great with ribs of burgers off the grill.  

2018 APRIS Sireni No. 3, Armenia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Made from the Sireni grape in Armenia.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is interesting with black cherries, spice and slight minerality.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this is delicious with tart acidity.  Lots of black cherry fruit.  Complex and deep.  Medium tannins.  This may improve with further cellaring as it matures.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  It will work well with bigger foods such as Pork Chops.  

2018 Aran Sireni Reserve Sarafian Vineyard, Armenia, Artsakh, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is made from the Khndoghni grape, also known as Sireni in Armenia.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, inky at the core.  The nose is nice with black cherry fruit, some spice.  Full bodied.  This is a rich, ripe wine without being over the  top.  On the palate, firm tannins.  Ripe black cherry fruit.  Deep.  This could use a couple years of cellar time or else a decant.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  It will work well with meaty dishes such as beef stroganoff.  

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