1995 Zind-Humbrecht Muscat Herrenweg de Turckheim Vendange Tardive, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1995
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

So, one day in the wine cellar, I discovered this bottle had sprung a leak.  It was stood up and as soon as the opportunity offered itself, the cork was popped.  The wine showed great.  A twenty five year old sweet Muscat from one of the top producers anywhere.  The cork showed it has leaked from two spots.  The wine was deep golden in color.  A lovely nose of canned peaches with some minerals.  Viscous.  Just slightly sweet.  On the palate, this is good, but I had hoped for a bit more depth and complexity.  The peaches come thru.  No real signs of age or oxidation.  Good finish.  Old bottl

2012 TOR Kenward Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$175.00USD

A gorgeous wine.  Nice to be able to re-visit this wine.  Purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has cassis, dark chocolate and blueberries, with spice and slight cedar.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this has lots of depth, layers of complexity that unwind in the glass and medium tannins.  Lots of up front cassis fruit with chocolate in the background over a graphite base.  Long finish.  This still has three to five more years to go until peak and should be good for ten to fifteen more after that.  Drinks great on its own and will work great with roasts or grilled foods.  

2013 Domaine François Cotat Sancerre Les Culs de Beaujeu, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

This wine is just starting to come into its own.  A gorgeous showing for this Sauvignon Blanc from France.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is pretty with melon, peaches and minerality.  Medium bodied.  Crisp yet welcoming at the same time.  Great balance.  Depth and complexity.  The peach notes are stronger on the palate along with a chalkiness.  Long finish.  Just delicious.  This sill work great with seafood or lighter pasta dishes and of course, on its own.  No hurry, this seems like it is in middle age and will easily got another ten to twelve years.  

2000 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage, Portugal, Oporto, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$98.00USD

From a 375ml bottle.   At age 20, even from a half bottle, this is drinking great.  No hurry though, especially from a full sized bottle.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with chocolate covered cherries and raisins.  On the palate, this is sweet but not cloying.  Slightly viscous.  Lots of cherries cordial candy flavors.  Some warmth if not heat.  Deep and complex, it slowly unwinds in the glass.  Long finish.  Delicious on its own, this worked with blue cheese but chocolate is another fine choice.  It will easily last another fifteen to twenty years if well stored.  

2018 Flora Springs Chardonnay Family Select, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

Another excellent wine at a fair price from this established Napa winery.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has pineapple, slight lemons, vanilla, baking spice and toasted oak.  Full bodied with a creamy texture.  On the palate, this is big and bold and delicious.  Pineapple, vanilla, cinnamon, and burnt wood.  Good finish.  This drinks well on its own and will stand up to a burger or ribs nicely.  Also, roasted vegetables.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

2015 Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is the basic Cab from this winery.  It is still expensive ($70 on release) but it is an outstanding wine.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cedar, graphite and slight chocolate.  Full bodied with medium tannins.  On the palate, cassis, licorice with underlying char/graphite.  Lovely texture.  Long finish.  This is still young but drinks great on its own.  It should continue to develop for another five years and be good for another ten after that.  A nice drink on its own and will work great with a steak or burger off the grill.

2018 Les Vins de Vienne Condrieu La Chambée, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

For fans of the Viognier grapes, no appellation is better in my opinion than Condrieu.  When allowed to express itself and not over burdened with oak, this is a gorgeous yet delicate wine.  Light golden in color.  The nose is so pretty with white flowers, quince and peach.  On the palate, this dances across the tongue.  It is delicious with the quince and peach coming thru along with underlying minerality.  While this should drink well for another five years, this is a wine that rewards drinking young.  The freshness and energy fade in the bottle and while still good, it loses a bit.  Great

2006 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

A tremendous Chateauneuf year in and year out.  This is drinking great right now.  80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Vaccarese and miscellaneous grapes.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, plums, spice/garrique, slight bacon fat and dried flowers.  On the palate, this is just approaching prime.  Lush black cherry fruit with plums and underlying spices and earthiness.  Great texture.  Complex.  Vibrant.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own and works well with a diverse set of roasted foods.  It should drink well for the next ten to twelve years.  

2019 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This was the wine that put New Zealand wines on the worldwide map.  That was twenty or thirty years ago (the winery was actually founded in 1985), and it had been a while since I have tried this wine.  And, it is still excellent.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose has tropical fruits and limes.  Very nice.  Clean.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Just a hint of sweetness.  Tropical fruits with slight citrus.  Enough acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks easily on its own.  It will work well with lighter foods, maybe a fruit salad?  Drink over the next three to five years.  

2001 Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella Classico, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$350.00USD

This is a desert wine from one of the world's great winemakers.  At age 19, this is fresh and drinking great.  Tasted from a 375ml bottle.  Purple in color with ruby hues.  The nose is pretty with black cherries, dried red currants, slight mint and milk chocolate.  Full bodied and viscous.  Sweet but nowhere near cloying.  On the palate, this is rich with cherries, black cherries, slight simple syrup, dried herbs and slight alcohol.  Long finish.  This is complex, contemplative and also delicious.  It should easily go another decade or more.  This is one to sip a small glass with on its own

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