2010 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Knights Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$95.00USD

This one started slow but opened with some air.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has cassis, clay, a bit of tobacco and a slight floral note.  Full bodied.  Bright acidity.  Firm tannins.  Flavors of cassis with underlying tobacco.  Long finish.  This still needs a few more years to full come together and will likely merit a higher score at that time.  It is very good today, but considering the cost, a few more years of patience of a six hour decant is not a bad idea.  This drinks nicely on its own and would be great with prime rib.  

2007 Dehlinger Cabernet Sauvignon East Ridge, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Great showing for this wine that has taken quite some time to finally open and come around.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis with slight baking spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is initially tight, but unwinds in the glass. Juicy cassis fruit.  It seems still youthful although approaching maturity.  There is depth and intensity and energy to this wine.  Nice finish.  Drinking great now but a little air helps.  It should drink well for ten to twelve more years.  Nice on its own, it would work well with a steak.   

2004 Lancaster Estate Nicole's Vineyard, USA, Sonoma, Alexander Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is a proprietary red Bordeaux blend from Sonoma.  David Ramey was the consulting winemaker.  At age 16, this is drinking beautifully.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose show cassis, cherries, slight black olives, chocolate and slight spice.  Medium to full bodied.  It is delicious.  Big ripe fruit but also some complexity.  Firm tannins.  Nice depth.  Mostly black cherry fruit but some cassis.  Long finish.  I tasted this with a bunch of Sonoma Cabs, so this may have benefited from being a bit different.  Still, is drinking at peak not but should be at this level for at lea

2017 Valravn Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Another nice value Cab from Sonoma.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, slight iodine and baking spices.  On the palate, this has a sour cherry quality to it.  Baking spices come thru to the palate.  Medium tannins.  Moderate finish.  This is easy drinking Cabernet.  It should probably be consumed over the next five to seven years.  A nice wine on its own and will work well with burgers.  

Inconnu Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Sonoma, Los Carneros, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$52.00USD

This is a lower alcohol wine (12.5% abv).  It was tasted with other Cabs which is probably a disservice to it.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries along with a brine note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black cherries come thru.  Medium tannins.  Slight mint on the finish.  It will benefit from some air at this point but should make nice drinking for the next decade.  A nice match with chili or stews.  

2014 Hawkes Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$92.00USD

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is tight at first but opens with some air.  Cassis and dust.  On the palate, this is more cherry cough drops with some underlying charred wood.  Short finish.  This might be in a bit of a dumb phase as it kept opening up over the evening.  If drinking soon, a three hour (or more) decant would help.  It should hit maturity in another five to seven years and be good for another ten after that.  A nice wine with roasted veggies or meats.  

2016 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Estates, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries with a lot of fresh cut oak.  Also some clay and baking spices.  Full bodied.  Juicy fruit on the palate.  The heavy oak carries thru to the palate.  Thick tannins.  Nice black cherry fruit with slight chocolate notes.  Moderate finish.  This needs some time to sort out but should come together in about three years and drink well for ten more after that.  If drinking now, give it a nice decant.  A nice wine for a steak or roast.  Nice value.  

2012 Roland Champion Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Special Club, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

From a grower producer in the village of  Chouilly. This is packaged in an attractive squat bottle.  It is 100% Chardonnay.  Silvery gold in color with a slight copper hue.  Lots of tiny bubbles.  The nose has seltzer, brioche and smoke.  On the palate, pears come out and a slight hint of lime.  There is a gravely base to it.  It does seem to have just the slightest bit of sweetness to it.  A long finish.  This is drinking great now and should continue for another five to seven years.  After that it should mature well for another decade for those who like that style.  It will work with just

1994 Kurt Darting Dürkheimer Hochbenn Muskateller Trockenbeerenauslese, Germany, Pfalz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1994
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This was a fascinating wine.  From a 500ML bottle.  Muskateller is from the Muscat family of grapes.  Although it is a white grape, it was very dark in color.  The bottle was 26 years old and the wine had seeped up to the top of the cork.  That said, it was a very nice showing.  Deep brown with tinges of red and orange, clear and bright.  The nose is great with honeyed figs, peaches and also blood oranges.  Viscous and sweet, not cloying.  On the palate, there is nice acidity.  The honeyed figs come thru and also a cherry note.  Long finish.  Complex and delicious.  This should have a long

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