2008 Sineann Pinot Noir Wy'east, USA, Oregon, Columbia Gorge, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is really drinking in a great place right now.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has sour cherries, slight spice, slight cherries and just a bit of earthiness.  On the palate, this  is juicy with a smooth texture.  Layers of sour cherries and cherries with a bit of earthiness.  Long finish.  This is probably at peak but should easily be at this level for another five to seven years before slowly going downhill.  A great match with roasted fowl but drinks well on its own too.  

2016 Campesino Syrah Las Madres, USA, California, Carneros, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Another great Syrah from Campesino.  This is in the vein of the Northern Rhone but with lots of good California sunshine.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is very nice with black raspberries, black olives, slight dried lavender and a hint of moist turned earth.  On the palate, this is smooth and easy to drink.  But, there is also nice depth with good acidity.  It opens beautifully in the glass showing black raspberry fruit and underlying earthiness.  Nice finish.  This may still improve but it will make nice drinking for another ten to twelve years.  A great match for f

2017 Castello Romitorio Romitoro Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This IGT wine from Tuscany is a blend of  50% Petit Verdot and 50% Syrah.  It really is an excellent value.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, plums, slight cedar and a bit of herbs.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with a lovely energy.  Lighter in style considering the varietals.  Nice black cherry fruit with an underlying earthy/gravel quality.  Nice backbone of acidity.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with pizza or burgers.  This should continue to drink well for the next five to seven years.  

2017 Psagot Edom, Israel, Judean Hills, Wine Review

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

This a red blend of 45% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 13% Petit Verdot grown at high elevation in the Edom Mountains.  It is Kosher.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  A very nice Bordeaux-like nose.  Cassis, black cherries, cherries, slight cigar box, gravel and slighter bell pepper.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with lighter but present tannins.  Moderate acidity.  A nice depth and complexity.  Notes of cassis and cherry fruit over gravel.  Ripe but not overtly.  Drinks easily right now.  I don't think this will get better but should drink well for five to seven more years.

2018 Domaine Du Castel La Vie Blanc du Castel, White Blend, Israel, Judean Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

This wine and it's Red counterpart are some of the best values from Israel.  This is a blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 45% Chardonnay and 5% Gewurztraminer.  It is basically the third level wine in their hierarchy.  Light golden in color with a touch of green.  The nose is nice with citrus, slight orange peel and slight floral notes.  Very steely.  On the palate this is light bodied.  Very crisp and refreshing.  It has some depth but it more about raciness than complexity.  Very food friendly or on its own.  A nice match for soft cheeses to start a casual evening outside.  This probably shoul

2015 F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Loibner Klostersatz, Austria, Wachau, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$39.00USD

This is resally drinking nicely right now.  Maybe give it just a bit of air.  Light golden in color.  The nose has peas, slight white pepper and pears.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has good, not intense acidity.  Nice mouthfeel.  The pears continue thru and give it some edge.  Very persistent finish.  Drinking well, it won't get better but should last for another five years.  A nice match with lighter summer foods or on its own.  

2016 Château Climens, France, Bordeaux, Barsac, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

Always a treat to try this wine which is one of the best, if not the best, wines made in Barsac (next to Sauternes).  This is young but gorgeous.  Light golden in color.  The nose is so pretty with cantaloupe and honey and a slight salinity.  On the palate, this is sweet, not cloying with an unctuous texture.  A nice bit of acidity to keep it lively though not a lot.  The melon and honey come thru to the palate along with some apricot.  Long finish.  This will easily last another 25 years or more if well stored.  It drinks great on its own but also would work well with a less sweet (and non

2016 Château Monbousquet, France, Bordeaux, St. Emilion, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

This was tasted non-blind at the conclusion of tasting a group of 16/17 Bordeaux blind.  A great place to try this wine as it showed well in that spot.  This is a big wine that is drinking quite well at the moment, perhaps due to the large amount of Merlot.  It is a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

2016 Château Branaire-Ducru, France, Bordeaux, St. Julien, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

In a recent blind tasting of 2016/2017 Bordeaux's, this and the 2017 version were my top two wines.  All of the notes can be found on this site.  While the tasting did not include any first growths, it does point out that this Chateau is producing outstanding wines and at reasonable prices.  While today I preferred the 2017, in the long run, the 2016 is the better wine.  It is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  Opaque and bright.  The nose is complex with cassis, black cherries, leather, tobacco and spice

2016 Château Prieuré-Lichine, France, Bordeaux, Margaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$49.00USD

Another great showing from this estate.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  Opaque and bright.  The nose has slight cherries with a bit of smoke.  Delicate but persistent.  On the palate, this is very smooth.  Light tannins.  Cherries and sour cherries with a slight char underneath.  Nice finish.  This is a more delicate wine with nice acidity and will appeal to those who like more red fruits than say purple.  It will match well to pasta dishes or fowl.  This should improve a bit more over the next few years and then drink well for another ten to twelve after that.  

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