NV Domaine Jean Bousquet Brut Rosé, Argentina, Tupungato Uco Valley, Wine Review

Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$13.00USD

This is a sparkling wine made from 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay from Argentina.  The grapes used are grown organically at an altitude of 4,000 feet.  It has a pretty salmon pink/orange color with a nice mousse of many smaller bubbles.  The nose is very nice with strawberries and cranberries and a slight ginger note.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet (12 gr/l residual sugar) but still refreshing.  it drinks quite easily with nice strawberry and cherry fruit.  The best thing about this wine is the price.  It retails for $13 a bottle which makes this perfect for anytime quaffing (and

2015 Dönnhoff Dellchen Riesling Großes Gewächs, Germany, Nahe, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Very nice showing for this admittedly young, dry Riesling from one of my favorite producers.  Very light silvery/golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is intriguing with peaches, salinity, slight ginger and melon along with a nice mineral component.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is delicious and open.  Crisp peaches and grapefruit with a lot of minerality.  Very long finish.  This improved with air and if drinking soon, a decant would help.  It should drink well for the next ten years.  As for food, this will go with just about anything.  Thai food is obvious, but even spicy m

2018 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$48.00USD

I had high hopes for this wine, but it really didn't come together well.  Consumed over three nights, the first night was the best showing.  given the showing, it is possible this bottle had seen heat damage at some point although there were no obvious signs.  Garnet/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has candied cherries (think cough drops) with some plums.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the candied cherries carry thru along with a slight port-like note of alcohol.  Prune with heat on the finish.  I like these wine as a general rule and perhaps with some cellaring, this

2015 Kumeu River Chardonnay Maté's Vineyard, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$54.00USD

Wow.  Even better than the spectacular Hunting Hill!  Still quite young, but with some air, this is wonderful.  Light golden in color.  The nose has lemons, slight citrus, a hint of mineral and tons of minerality.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is big and rich, but then it has so much zing that cuts right thru it.  Layers of complexity.  Grapefruit and lemons over minerals.  Slight green apple on the finish.  This should continue to develop for another five to ten and then drink well for another ten to twelve after that.  It drinks great on its own but will work well with sea food or ev

2007 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Italy, Abruzzi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

The vast majority of wines from Abruzzi are quaffable/forgettable inexpensive red wines.  This is neither of those.  Emidio Pepe is one of the great producers of wine in Italy.  His red and white wines are both expensive and sublime.  They can age for decades.  This 2007 is just beginning to hit full maturity.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is complex with cherries, black cherries, baking spices, slight tarragon, and tar.  Dull bodied.  A strong streak of acidity (this is Italy).  Full bodied.  On the palate, layers of cherries and black cherries with underlying tar

2010 Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$90.00USD

One of my evil guilty pleasures is to put this on the table with non wine geeks and see if they drink it.  Usually, they don't, but the ones who do are impressed.  Some will just see that it is a Chianti and think it can't be any good.  This is possibly the best that Chianti offers and certainly one of the top wines that Italy offers.  Although expensive, given that, it is priced fairly.  At age 10, this is still young and needs more air though with a few hours, it drank well.  Deep garnet with purple streaks, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, cherries, black

2014 Beta Cabernet Sauvignon Vare Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$189.00USD

My first time trying this winery and I am impressed.  I kept reading things like "old school" or "medium bodied" and I think those descriptions are missing the point.  First off, this is delicious!  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is great with a bit of air.  Cassis, slight clove, black cherries, just the slightest whiff of bell pepper and spice.  On the palate, this is in fact medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  But, this is not Bordeaux or "Classic" Napa.  It has plenty of sunshine and ripeness.  Lots of energy.  A wonderful mouthfeel.  The fruit pops on the attack and the

2017 Quinta do Vallado Touriga Nacional, Portugal, Douro, Wine Rview

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Another great valley in table wine reds from Portugal.  A go to category for exceptional values.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with plums, blueberries and slight black raspberry along with a bit of spice and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, the blueberries come thru along with some black cherries and underlying char and spice.  Good finish.  This could use a bit more cellaring or air, but should drink well for ten to fifteen more years.  It drinks well on its own and will work with grilled foods.  

2016 Mending Wall Petite Sirah Palisades Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review,

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

Great showing for this wine.  One of the best Petite Sirah vineyards!  This is inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with boysenberries, gravel, violets and spice.  Full bodied.  Lots of energy.  This is big but not over the top (especially for Petite).  Lots of black raspberry fruit over a gravelly bed.  Some peppery notes too.  Medium tannins.  Long finish.  This should continue to evolve for another five to seven years and drink well for ten after that.  It is also delicious today.  Drinks great on its own, this will work with roasted veggies or meats.  

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

From one of the best Co-Ops making wine anywhere in the world, this is their base level Barbaresco.  And, as they seem to do a few times every decade, they nailed it in 2016.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, spices, forest floor and slight mint.  On the palate, this has a lovely lush texture.

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