2016 Brave & Maiden Estate Syrah Limited, USA, California, Santa Maria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a very nice Syrah from California's Central Coast.  It is a big, fruit forward Syrah.  Alc. 15%  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black pepper, roasted meats and herbs.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is is juicy with big black raspberry fruit.  Delicious.  Some depth and complexity.  Long finish.  It could use a few more years to sort itself out, but is very tasty right now.  This drinks great on its own and will work great with chili, stews or a burger.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

2017 Sineann Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$23.00USD

From Oregon producer Sineann, they also make a line of wines in New Zealand.  This is a delightful and classic style of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has peaches but also a hint of tropical fruits.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the fruits come thru to match the nose.  More tropical fruit on the finish.  Slightly viscous texture.  Dry.  This is drinking well but probably should be consumed in the next few years.  It drinks great on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  

2014 Trimbach Riesling Sélection Vieilles Vignes, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This was purchased on release during a visit to the winery.  It has improved a bit in the intervening four years.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a lot of lemons with underlying minerality.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is dry.  Great minerality with a bit of lemons.  It has some depth though still drinking youthfully.  Very concentrated.  Nice finish.  This went great with Thai food.  It will drink fine on its own but would work better with food.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

2016 Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a solid Napa Cab for "reasonable" Napa prices.  Purple in color, garnet at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, baking spices and a touch of graphite.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, nice cassis fruit.  Medium tannins.  This won't get better but should continue to mature for a few years.  Drink over the next ten to twelve.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with a burger or roast.  

2017 Turley Zinfandel Fredericks Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is a big-ish Zin in style especially for Sonoma.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black cherries and slight bramble.  A bit of pepper, too.  Full bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, there is nice black raspberry fruit with some cherries.  Underlying spices.  Pepper on the finish.  It worked well with Thai food but will drink well on its own too.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

2014 Torrin Syrah Shadow Canyon Vineyard, USA, California, York Mountain, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

My first time trying this particular vineyard although Torrin is a favorite.  100% Syrah.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with boysenberries and some black pepper.  On the palate, medium tannins.  Nice black raspberry fruit.  Some depth.  Good finish.  An outstanding wine, but not up to the rarefied air of other vineyards in the Torrin lineup.  It should still improve a bit as it continues to mature over the next five years and drink well for ten more after that.  This probably would be helped by some fatty fried foods or meats.

2018 Jako Stina Cuvée White, Croatia, Brač, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

From the island of Brac in the Adriatic Sea, this white wine is a blend of Pošip 70%, Chardonnay 20%, Vugava 10%. It is done in Stainless steel.  12.5% ABV. Light green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is light with some tropical fruits and citrus and a bit of salinity.  Very clean.  On the palate, this has a nice minerality.  Also, a slight husk cherry (those little yellow berries with the husks on them) quality.  This wine does seem to have a hint of noticeable residual sugar.  Overall, it is very easy to drink on its own and will work well with sea food.  

Pages

Pages