2020 Aslina Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa, Stellenbosch, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This comes off very much like a Loire Sauvignon Blanc.  Silvery gold in color.  The nose has cat pee/alfalfa/grassiness or whatever you want to call that quality.  Also some lemon candied notes.  On the palate, there is moderate acidity but a nice texture.  Grassy with lemons.  Shorter finish.  Easy drinking this will work better with food.  Crab or Tuna salad would be a good accompaniment.  Drink now.  

2020 Mullineux Family Chenin Blanc Kloof Street Old Vine, South Africa, Swartland, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is the second wine from the Mullineux Family of wines, one of South Africa's best producers.  This is a very nice value and finished as the group's favorite in a recent tasting.  Yellow gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lemon candy, peach and spice.  On the palate, lemons and peach with moderate acidity.  Medium finish.  This drinks easy and well on its own and will work well with seafood dishes.  Drink over the next year or two.  

2019 Badenhorst Family Wines The Curator White Blend, South Africa, Swartland, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$10.00USD

Made from Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier, this is a very nice value in white wines.  It retails around $10 and did very well in our tasting of South African White wines.  Yellow/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has apples and some wax.  On the palate, this has a soft but plush texture.  Apples and some pink grapefruit.  Refreshing.  Moderate finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with curries.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

2019 Cape Venture Lubanzi Wines Chenin Blanc, South Africa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

Golden in color with a touch of green.  The nose has a bit of honey and a slight floral (peach blossoms?) note.  Light bodied.  Tart on the palate.  Peaches.  A bit of apple cider on the end suggesting this may be heading south.  Still providing some enjoyment.  Drink now.  Nice on its own, this will work with salads and even lighter spicy foods.  

2018 Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, South Africa, Coastal Region, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

Nice showing despite this being a few vintages old.  Salmon pink in color.  The nose has strawberries and cherries.  Light to medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, notes of cherries and some oranges.  Nice texture.  This was probably better a year or two ago as it lacked the freshness these wines can have.  That said, it is still very enjoyable.  Drink now.  This would work with a wide variety of foods from chicken salad to a burger.  

2011 Hobel Wine Works Cabernet Sauvignon Engelhard Vineyard, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

2011 was a challenging vintage in Napa but for some wineries it offered a chance to find wines that are ready a bit earlier than most vintages.  That was true for Hobel and their winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, slight spice/oak and a hint of fresh herbs.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there is some depth.  Cassis with a bit of an herbal streak.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This seems to be at peak but should drink well for another eight to ten years.  It drinks better with food.  Pasta with Bolognaise sauce is

2016 Jaffurs Syrah Larner Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Ballard Canyon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

From on of the top Syrah vineyards in Santa Barbara County.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, slight bacon fat, black olives and roasted herbs.  Wonderful texture.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with underlying char and slight dry earthiness.  This is delicious if a bit young.  This will get a bit better over the next few years.  Let it cellar for another five years and drink for ten to twelve after that.  It will drink great on its own and work well with roasted pork or even Indian food.  

2010 Saxum Terry Hoage Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$118.00USD

This is a blend of 46% Syrah, 33% Grenache, and 21% Mourvedre from Paso Robles.  Inky purple, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, roasted meats, black pepper and floral notes.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Velvety with precision.  Flavors of black raspberries with underlying roasted meats and some black pepper.  Very lively.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  A delicious wine that just about mature.  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  A nice match with a burger or roasted veggies off the grill.  

2016 Bodegas Arrocal Ribera del Duero Selección, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B

This is an inexpensive 100% Tempranillo grape from Spain.  It is a modern take on this wine.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries and candied cherries with a slight herbal note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, cherries.  Simple and one dimensional but enjoyable.  Moderate finish.  Drink over the next year or two.  Better with food, pizza is a nice choice.  

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