2018 Ferren Wines Chardonnay Lancel Creek Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

Certainly not as good as the 2017, I am wondering if I got an "off" bottle although there are no noticeable flaws.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has pears, apples with some minerality.  Also some fresh cut lumber.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is solid.  Apples with a touch of cut.  Moderate finish.  This is should appeal to a wide variety of people (although the price won't).  Drink over the next ten years.  It works better on its own but would work well with grilled salmon.  

1999 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Selection, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1999
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

It is always a pleasure to drink an older Napa Cabernet.  This one is drinking beautifully today.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, spice, some tobacco, cherries and slight chocolate.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is a bit past prime but offering up a lot.  Some fresh fruit (cassis and cherries) along with tobacco and slight funk.  Nice finish.  Good complexity.  This should be consumed sooner than later but all bottles will be unique.  It drank great on its own and worked with some soft cheeses.  

NV Rare Wine Co. (Vinhos Barbeito) Madeira Historic Series New York Malmsey Special Reserve, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

These Rare Wine Historic series of Madeira are excellent and really great values, too.  Coffee color, clear and bright. The nose has burnt sugar, toffee, and orange zest. On the palate, this is slightly sweet. Nutty and toffee on the palate, with a menthol note. Warming but not hot. Good acidity. Good finish.  A bottle can be consumed over months once opened, so it makes for a nice late night sipper in a small glass.  It can be paired with a not too sweet dessert especially a nutty one.  Drink over the next 75 years.  :-)

 

2018 Bodegas Vinsacro Rioja Blanco, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$13.00USD

This is a white wine from Rioja in Spain.  It is a blend of 60% Chardonnay, and 40% Viura.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has citrus, spice, with a slight balsamic note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is refreshing but also has some complexity.  Good acidity.  The citrus carries thru with the underlying dry earth.  Moderate finish.  This drinks well on its own, but works better with food.  Gaxzpacho would be a nice pairing.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

2016 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir, USA, Oregon, Dundee Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is from the famed Burgundy producer's Oregon outpost.  This seems to be more full throttle than prior vintages but will no doubt calm down with some age.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has fresh cherries, black cherries and slight pomegranate.  There is also a bit of spice and a hint of tea.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this has a lot of cherries, some black cherries with a hint of underlying forest floor.  Delicious.  Light tannins.  This needs another three to five years to get closer to peak, and should drink well for ten to fifteen more after tha

2016 Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon HãLo Hillspring Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Oak Knoll, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$220.00USD

This is a luxury bottle from one of the oldest Napa producers.  It is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot, and 1% Malbec.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, blueberries, cedar, and mocha.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, lots of cassis with some cedar and slight chocolate.  This is  still young but opens in the glass.  If drinking soon, a few hours in a decanter is a good thing.  Drink over the next twenty years.  It drinks well on its own but will require big flavors.  Fatty meats or roasted veggies would work.  P

2011 Domaine les Pallières Gigondas Terrasse du Diable, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This wine is proof that good producers make good wine even in challenging vintages.  It is mostly 85% Grenache with the rest Mourvedre and Clairette.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries and black cherries, char and slight floral notes.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is chewy with fresh cherry fruit.  Some underlying char.  Quite tasty.  Long finish.  This is at peak now and should be drunk over the next five years.  A nice drink on its own, it will work better with food.  Stews, chili or meatloaf would work well.  

2019 Domaine de la Croix Senaillet Pouilly-Fuissé, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

From 70 year old vines in Burgundy, this is a very nice Chardonnay.  Light golden/green in color, clear and bright.  The nose has minerals, lemons, hazelnuts and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, the lemons and minerals come thru.  Nice balanced.  Easy to drink.  drink this over the next ten to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this will be even better with lighter foods or sea food.  Tuna steaks would be a nice match.  

2017 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

This is the basic Domaine bottling (they also make one that doesn't list Domaine that is a negociant blend).  Fevre is about the best producer of affordable Chablis.  Light golden in color with some green.  The nose has lemons, slight green apples and a hint of chalk.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the lemons and slight green apples come out with a bit of chalk/minerals underneath.  Lots of energy here.  Nice acidity.  Long finish.  A great value in white Burgundy.  This drinks great on its own but will work better with food.  Oysters or clams are classic but any seafood should work.  Drin

2006 Tommaso Bussola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Tb, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

From Magnum.  Pop and pour, it took about 45 minutes to open.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight prunes, slight dark chocolate, raspberries and spice.  Full bodied.  Dry.  On the palate, cherries, raspberries, chocolate with an underlying earthiness.  Nice acidity.  Great mouthfeel.  This is still on the young side, but should be about at peak from a 750ML.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  This drinks well on its own but worked great with a variety of Italian foods.  

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