2008 Antinori Solaia Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$240.00USD

it's always a treat to drink Solaia, especially with a few years on it.  It is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc.  At age 12, this seems to ageing a bit faster than many vintages, but that puts it in a great place now.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cherries, chocolate and slight tarragon.  On the palate, this has such wonderful balance.  A bit on the  voluptuous side but enough acidity to balance it off.  Cassis  and black cherries layered with an earthy/roasted herb quality.  Complex.  Nice finish.  Drinking well now, it sh

1999 Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon Dragonfly, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1999
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

it still amazes me that some people say California cabs don't age.  This one, at age 21, is gorgeous and still showing youthfully.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has cassis, tobacco and black pepper.  Open and very nice.  On the palate, there are light tannins present.  It drinks so smoothly.  Plenty of cassis, layered with earth and tobacco.  Long finish.  This wine is beautiful today but should last another ten years.  It will work nicely with roasted meats, veggies or fowl.  

 

2016 The Third Twin Nuestra Senora Del Tercer Ggemelo The Third Twin Vineyard, USA, California, Ventura, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$445.00USD

This is another project from Elaine and Manfred Krankl.  Very impressive wine.   It is a blend of 53% Mourvèdre, 16% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 9% Petit Sirah, 6% Graciano and 2% Viognier.  It comes in a very cool shaped bottle and label, which by the way lists the alcohol at 15.8%.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, some char, plums and mint.  What a wonderful texture.  Its is big yet dances on the palate with energy.  Delicious.  The black fruits come thru to the palate but there is an ash quality  that is very interesting too.  A long finish.  This is drink

2017 Saxum White James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$145.00USD

My first time trying this wine.  It is 55% Grenache Blanc, 32% Roussanne, 8% Chenin Blanc, and 5% Petit Menseng.  It is fantastic.  Golden in color with just the slightest ruby coloring to it.  The nose is tight at first but opens up nicely in the glass.  Aromas of caramelized pears, orange peel, wax, and chalk.  Full bodied.  It is a big wine but deep with complex layers of pears, oranges, spice and smoke.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This drinks great on its own and will work well with bigger foods.  Roasted fowl would be a good match.  This is drinking great now and should continue for ten

2002 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Clos Windsbuhl, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$66.00USD

For those who don't believe that Gewurztraminer can age, they would be wrong as this wine shows.  Deep golden in color.  Clear and bright.  A gorgeous nose of lychees with smokey notes and a slight sea air quality.  This is slightly viscous.  It gives the impression that this will be sweet but drinks more semi-sweet although with air, the sweetness comes out more.  Thee palate has peaches with layers of fruit and minerals.  Long finish.  This is drinking beautifully at age 18.  Seems like it could easily do another five to maybe ten more.  Works great on its own and will work well with sala

2016 Crescere Proprietary Chardonnay, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This is a new Sonoma winery making high end wines.  Philippe Melka is the winemaker with the project managed by James MacPhail.  The Chardonnay is very nice in a middle ground between say Sonoma and Chablis.  Green-gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is tight but opens a bit with air.  Notes of lemon and lemon candy and some flinty notes.  Clean.  On the palate, the lemons notes continue.  Some minerality/flint.  More open on the palate.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue to do so for another seven to ten years.  It will work well with shell fish and on its

2008 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Baby Poux Vineyard, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

Wow.  What a showing.  The grapes for this come from a "young" block in the Champoux vineyard.  Of course, they were not really that young in 2008.  And the best few barrels of this were bottles separately as a "Reserve".  This may be the best Washington Cabernet I have had.  Period.  OK, let's get this part out of the way.  I know the producer - Peter Rosback.  We have been friends for over 40 years since our college days, but I don't believe that influenced this review.  I literally had to go back and check the bottle after taking a few sip.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, black c

2006 Parusso Barolo Mariondino, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is another mid-tier Barolo that savvy shoppers should be on the lookout for when it goes on sale.  These wines, especially in top vintages are really excellent.  This one was picked up for $42 which  is great for a Barolo of this quality.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, rose, and roasted herbs.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this still has firm tannins.  It opens more with air.  Cherries over a scorched earth with nice layering.  Great balance.  Very elegant.  Long finish.  This is close to peak but should do another ten to twelve years.  A great match with p

2010 Andrea Oberto Barolo, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

Barolo's, like most wines, are available in wide price points and quality levels.  Savvy shoppers can often find some of the mid-range producers at less expensive pricing and that can be a nice buying opportunity.  This is one that fits into that category.  It cost about $30 just a few years ago.  It was young and needed some time, but for this class of Barolo, ten years is a good time to check in.  And this is drinking very nicely now.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is pretty with cherries, slight roses and tar.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins that increase with air.  Nice fre

Domaine de la Bégude 2018 L'Irréductible Rosé, France, Bandol, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a Rose from Bandol.  Orange/ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries and orange citrus.  On the palate, the cherries come out stronger.  Slightly viscous.  Hints of sweetness.  Very smooth and delicious.  Nice finish.  This is fresh and vibrant.  it will work with almost any food.  Great on its own.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

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