2018 Robert Mondavi Winery Pinot Noir, USA, California, Napa, Carneros, Wine Review

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

One typically doesn't think of Pinot Noir and Napa, but the district of Carneros spans into both Napa and Sonoma and is the home of many excellent Pinot Noirs.  This is a very pretty, elegantly styled Pinot.  Ruby in color, clear and bright and a touch lighter.  The nose is nice with bright cherries, macerated cherries, sandalwood and a touch of chervil.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has cherries and cherry cough drop notes with a touch of anise.  Light tannins.  Very smooth and easy to sip.  Nice finish.  This drinks great on its own and would work well with salmon or roasted fowl. 

2019 Guinigi Pinot Grigio, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This is a nice, well priced, Pinot Grigio from northeast Italy.  Silvery/green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has limes, seltzer and a floral (white?) note.  There is also an underlying minerality.  On the palate, this is crisp.  The limes carry thru as does the underlying minerality.  Easy drinking on its own.  This will work with lighter foods such as salads or sushi.  Drink over the next year or two.  

NV Guinigi Prosecco, Italy, Veneto, Treviso, Wine Review

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

This is a sparkling wine from northeast Italy.  It comes in an attractive packaging with a clear bottle.  Silver/green with a bit of white gold in color.  There is a nice mousse with a stream of medium sized bubbles.  It has a very nice nose with lanolin, lime, soda and also a bit of peach.  On the palate, this is very refreshing.  At 11% abv, it is lively with nice energy.  The lime/lime soda qualities carry thru to the palate with a nice crispness.  Solid finish.  This is made to be drunk now and in the next year or two.  It will work well on its own and also with a pasta in cream sauce. 

2016 Santa Julia Reserva Mountain Blend - Malbec/Cabernet Franc, Argentine, Uco Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$13.00USD

This is another nice value play from Argentina.  It is an upfront, tasty wine that is affordable to most.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with plums, black cherries and dust.  Full bodied.  This is ripe but dry.  Lots of juicy black cherries and plums on the palate.  Light tannins.  Easy to drink.  This works great on its own and would work well with a burger off the grill.  Drink over the next few years.  

2015 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$85.00USD

This was not the wine I was expecting as it has a very different profile in 2015.  Much drier and more savory than a typical vintage but still quite good.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has some lychee but is more about sea air, some pine, and pears.  Slightly viscous.  On the palate, the pears come out with a strong minerality.  There is plenty of depth and tight complexity at the moment.  This will no doubt develop more over time.  It will need another five to seven years to reach peak and should drink well for a decade after that.  It works better with food.  Thai is

2016 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

A delightful wine that is a step or two above a entry level super Tuscan.  It is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, sandalwood, slight chocolate and spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there are upfront cherries supported with nice acidity.  It broadens on the palate to a variety of cherry flavors with touch of tea leaves.  Nice finish.  This may still improve for a few years in the cellar, but in general, this should make nice drinking for the next seven to ten years.  It drinks well on its own but will work be

2015 Caves Saint-Pierre Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Fiacre du Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$23.00USD

There is good news and bad news about this wine.  The good news is that it is one of the least expensive Chateauneuf du Papes in the marketplace.  The bad news is that in reality, there are lots of Cotes du Rhones that are better for less money.  That said, it is certainly a fine wine to drink.  It is a blend of 60% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 15% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has tart cherries, cranberries with a bit of pepper.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the cranberries dominate with a touch of rhubarb.  One dimensional.  Easy drinking. 

2018 Tement Sauvignon Blanc Südsteiermark DAC, Austria,

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Südsteiermark is a region in southeastern Austria that produces excellent, fruity Sauvignon Blancs which is exactly what this wine is.  This is one of this producers entry level bottlings.  Yellow/gold/green in color.  The nose is pretty with pears, slight gooseberries, limes and minerals.  On the palate, the limes and gooseberries stand out although there is some underlying minerality.  Fresh with lots of energy.  Long finish.  This should be consumed in the next year or two.  It drinks well on its own and will work well with lighter fowl or seafood dishes.  

2011 Jagini Zagersdorf, Austria, Burgenland, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is made from the Blaufrankish grape.  Really an excellent wine.  This is deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with sour cherries, plums, dust, baking spices, anise and a slight meaty note.  Complex and big.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Lots of upfront plums turning to sour cherries.  Underneath is a meaty/earthy quality with some black pepper.  Like a mythical cross of Cote Rotie and Oregon Pinot Noir.  This is complex and lively.  It seems like it is near peak but then again it drinks youthfully.  Without much experience with this grape

2005 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

What a beautiful wine.  At age 15, this has settled into a nice sweet spot.  Sealed with a screw cap.  Golden in color, but too dark.  The nose is big with dried honey, pears, orange peel and salinity.  Full bodied and slightly viscous.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet.  Delicious with great minerality.  Oranges and honey over minerals.  Still showing youthful with lots of verve.  Long finish.  This should easily go another fifteen to twenty years.  It works great on its own and will work with less sweet or fruit based desserts (especially pears or oranges).  

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