2019 Stolpman La Cuadrilla Red, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Ballard Canyon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is a blend of 70% Syrah, 15% Grenache, and 15% Sangiovese from Santa Barbara County.  It also a very good value.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black cherries, spice and slight forest floor.  Full bodied.  Medium silky tannins.  On the palate, this is open and drinking well already.  Nice black raspberry fruit with some cherries and black cherries.  A bit of black tea underneath.

2016 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance, South Africa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$85.00USD

This is a classic dessert wine in an attractive 500ML bottle.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is drop dead gorgeous.  Apricots, marigolds, slight honey, floral notes, and a touch of dried fruits (oranges?).  Full bodied.  Viscous.  Sweet not cloying.  Clean.  On the palate, this is not quite the nose, but outstanding anyway.  Layers of candied apricots, quince (think tart oranges with more acidity), and just a touch of spice (nutmeg?).  Enough acidity to balance the sweetness.  Complex and also delicious.  Long finish.  This should last decades.  Great on its own, this should

2013 Theorem Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Voir Dire, USA, California, Napa, Diamond Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

Another wine made by Thomas Rivers Brown, this was the first time trying this one, and it is awesome.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, slight blueberries, cedar, slight dark chocolate and baking spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is concentrated.  Medium tannins.  Flavors of cassis, black cherries, slight licorice with some oak and a bit of minerality.  Great balance.  Delicious.  Long finish.  This drinks well with some decanting now, but may yet improve over the next five to seven years.  Either way, this should drink well for th

2016 Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

This is a Cabernet from Washington state.  It actually also has 4% Merlot.  Purple in color, a bit of ruby at the rim.  Opaque and bright.  The nose is very nice with black cherries, plums, some baking spice and a slight liqueur note.  Full bodied but not over blown.  On the palate, this has juicy black cherries, plums, slight blueberries with some underlying char and a bit of minerality.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now but should go another seven to ten years.  It will work on its own but probably better with food.  It went well with pasta but would work well with r

2019 Hillick & Hobbs Dry Riesling Estate Vineyard, USA, New Yourk, Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

My first time trying this wine.  It is Paul Hobbs venture into the Finger Lakes and it is delicious.  Light green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with oranges, slight canned peaches and a floral note.  A bit of minerality as well.  Medium bodied, slightly viscous texture.  On the palate, tart oranges, slight lemon-lime, and some underlying minerality.  Excellent acidity.  Refreshing.  Nice finish.  This will work with almost any food, but it worked great with soft cheeses.   World class Riesling.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years, but it will probably go twice that

2020 Realm Cellars La Fe, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

Lovely Rosé blend.  This is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from Farella and Moonracer vineyards.  Due to the fires in 2020, Realm decided that they could not make all of their reds so this was harvested early and turned into a Rose which is less susceptible to smoke taint (due to less time on the skins).  The results are excellent.  This is the second time I have been lucky enough to taste this.  Some say this is made in a Provence style, but rather, this seems to have fresh vibrant fruit albeit on the softer side (likely due to the Merlot), but certainly of Napa.  Very pale pink/ora

2019 Koyle Carménère Gran Reserva, Chile, Alto Colchagua, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

This is 85%Carménère, 10% Tempranillo, and 5% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries raspberries, cranberries along side green peppers and a slight rosemary note.  Also some spice.  Medium tannins.  Complex.  Tight layers unwind in the glass.  On the palate, cherries, cranberries intertwined with black raspberries and char.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This should drink well for another eight to twelve years.  This will work well with roasted fowl.  The label says duck or also ratatouille, and that seems like a good suggestion.  

2018 Emiliana Coyam, Chile, Colchagua Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is a blend of 42% Syrah, 39% Carmenere, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Garnacha, 3% Malbec, 1% Tempranillo, and 1% Mourvedre.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, black pepper, black cherries and spice.  Very smooth yet varietally complex on the palate.  Light tannins.  Notes of boysenberries and black cherries with underlying char.  Long finish.  This is quite tasty.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this is even better with food.  Steak, chops or ribs off the grill is a nice choice.  

2019 Viu Manent Malbec Secreto, Chile, Colchagua Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

Usually I think of Argentina for Malbecs, but this one is from Chile.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has plums, raspberries, char and spice.  Great silky but lush texture.  On the palate, more cherries than black raspberries, black cherries and plums with underlying car.  Slight bitter cherries (in a good way on the finish).  This is drinking great now and should last for another ten to twelve years.  Drink on its own or with food, pork chops would be a nice match. Excellent value.  

2018 Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Franc Gaïa Gualtallary Vineyards, Argentina, Uco Valley, Tupungato, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is 100% Cabernet Franc using organic grapes.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has plums and black raspberries with some char.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Black raspberry fruit with slight black cherry fruit.  Plenty of depth.  Long finish.  This is really delicious.  Drinking well now, it should continue to drink well for the next ten to twelve years.  Great on its own, this would work well with a wide range of foods from pizza to pork to beef tenderloin.  Nice value.  

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