2007 Dönnhoff Schloßböckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Felsentürmchen Spätlese, Germany, Nahe, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Gorgeous wine that is drinking quite well if still on the youthful side.  Light golden in color.  The nose is pretty with minerals, smoke, slight peach, slight floral tones.  On the palate, this is medium bodied, slightly viscous.  It has a bit of sweetness but not overt.  The smoke and minerals come thru.  Not quite "wet rocks", but minerality.  Good acidity.  Moderate finish.  This will continue to develop but won't get better.  It will last another ten to twelve years.  A nice match for Thai food.  

2012 Sineann Pinot Noir Resonance Vineyard, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Sineann makes some of the bolder Pinot's in Oregon, but they age beautifully.  In fact, if the style on release is too big for your tastes, just hold onto them.  At age eight, this one is somewhere in between.  It is drinking beautifully if not yet at peak.  Deep ruby in color with some purple swirls.  The nose has black cherries, sour cherries, spice and just the slightest bit of earthy funk starting to develop.  On the palate, this drinks younger.  Lots of cherries and slight sour cherries with just a bit of underlying earthiness.  Tight at first, it unwinds in the glass.  Great mouthfeel

2014 Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

The name Soave doesn't normally conjure up thoughts of a long lived white wine with depth, but for this producer and especially the vineyard designated wines, it should.  This is golden in color with just a hint of copper coloring.  The nose is nice with baked apples and stony minerality.  Perhaps just a touch of orange peel.  On the palate, this has a creamy texture.  A nice backbone of acidity.  Depth and complexity.  Layers of pears, orange/citrus and minerals.  Long finish.  This will work great with all kinds of seafood, veggies or fowl.  This is mature and won't get better (based on t

2017 Once & Future Wine Zinfandel Frank's Block Teldeschi Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This project of Joel Petterson has been at it for a while now and the wines are getting a certain style to them which is very nice.  That is, robust, but just barely (for Zin).  This wine is  80% Zinfandel with the rest Alicante and old-vine Carignan.   Purple in color with ruby swirls.  Mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, raspberries, roasted herbs (sage?), and dust.  Medium bodied with light tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  It drinks easy.  Raspberry fruit with some underlying black pepper and bramble.  Good energy.  Nice finish.  This should drink at this l

2014 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Corona Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$145.00USD

It seemed a bit odd opening this with the Corona Virus spreading across the globe, but why not?  This is one of Rivers-Marie top Cabs and it is delicious.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, dark chocolate, slight plums, spice and cedar.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Quite concentrated.  It still has firm tannins.  Lots of cassis fruit over spice and dry earth.  Good energy.  Long finish.  This still needs about five to seven years to approach peak.  It should be good for fifteen years after that.  It drinks well on its own right now and will work well with he

2016 Keplinger Vermillion, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This is the second label for Helen Keplinger.  The grapes are sourced 69% from the Sierra Foothills and 31% from Sonoma County.  It is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Counoise and Cabernet Sauvignon.  This is a great value in California blends.  Purple in color.  The nose has a lot going on with black raspberries, plums, some cassis and cherries along with a bit of spice and roasted meat.  On the palate, plenty of black raspberry fruit, some sherries over a charred earth quality.  Lush texture.  Delicious and easy drinking but with a bit of complexity to it.  Medium tan

2017 Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel Heritage Vines, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is a solid wine and a nice value in Sonoma Zinfandel.  A blend of 77% Zinfandel, 21% Petit Verdot & 2% Carignane.   Ruby in color with purple swirls.  The nose has raspberries, spice and dust.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is slightly brawny with red fruits.  Easy drinking.  Light tannins.  Best to drink now or in the next few years.  Works well with pizza or burgers.  A nice wine for a party.  Shop around as its MSRP is $26 but its widely available ranging from $15 and up.  

2016 Rhys Alesia Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

The Alesia wines from Rhys are made with purchased fruit.  It is similar to the Rhys Chards but for my tastes, not quite at that level.  Light gold/green in color.  The nose is nice with lemons, vanilla cream and spice.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Nice acidic cut.  The lemon and vanilla carry thru.  Good clean finish.  This drinks well on its own but will work well with sea food or lighter dishes.  Drink over the next ten years.  

2010 Domaine de la Chartreuse Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is a new estate for me.  2010 was a great vintage which helped just about everyone.  This is ruby in color.  The nose has cherries with spice.  On the palate, this is nice.  Mild tannins.  Cherry fruit with underlying earthiness.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is at peak and probably should be consumed in the next three to five years.  it will work well with burgers and stews.  

2014 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

This can be a polarizing wine.  For some people, it is the definition of a fruit bomb and in a bad way.  To add insult to injury, those people seem incensed that the wine is so popular.  For others, this is one of the top Napa Cabs on the market.  There is no denying its success in sales volume.  It is purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has tons of cassis, some black cherries, toasty oak, and spice.  On the palate, this is jammy black raspberry fruit.  Light tannins.  Plenty of toasty oak.  It is big and for me, borders on too much but stays withing bounds.  It is tasty.  I would

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