2019 The Hess Collection California Rose Wine, USA, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This is the inaugural vintage for this wine.  It is a bright pink/watermelon color, clear and bright.  Very unique.  On the nose, this has light cherries with slight watermelon notes.  It is lean but not really light bodied.  Slightly sweet.  Flavors of apples and cherries and a slight bubble gum note.  Light tannins.  It finishes with an ever so slightly bitter note.  Overall, this is refreshing.  It has lots of little parts going on and will probably come together a bit more just in time for warmer weather.  Right now, it worked better with food, but as it comes together, it should drink

2019 The Hess Collection Pinot Gris Hess Select, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This is a nice value for a very tasty California Pinot Gris.  Silvery gold in color with just a swish of green.  The nose is nice with almonds, minerals and pears.  On the palate,this is slightly viscous with an oily texture in a good way.  It starts crisp but rounds out.  Dry.  The palate has a nice minerality with almonds and slight pears.  It turns crisp/tart on the finish.  This drinks fine on its own, but really improves with food.  Lighter foods such as fruit salads, but also cheese and salty nuts worked great.  It's hard to find a wine of this quality for this price in California any

NV Faire La Fête Crémant de Limoux Brut, France, Wine Review

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This a sparkling wine from the southwest corner of France.  It is a blend of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc and 10% Pinot Noir.  It is an excellent value in sparkling wine.  Silvery gold in color, clear and bright.  There is a fair amount of small to medium sized bubbles making up the mousse.  On opening, this is a very aromatic wine.  There is an initial wave of limes and lanolin followed by minerals and baked apples on the nose.  Good acidity.  The palate has a nice roundness with baked apples and slight cherry notes.  This has moderate depth with light tannins.  It finishes long.  Over

2012 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Baby Poux Vineyard, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a great value in Washington Cabs.  When it was first being made, this was from younger vines in the Champoux Vineyard, hence the name.  Now the vines have a bit of age to them and the resultant wine shows more depth and complexity.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, boysenberries, spice, slight char and coffee.  On the palate, this has nice layers of cassis, char and earth.  Wonderful texture.  Light tannins.  Good finish.  This may still improve a bit but either way, it should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  It will go well with a steak or roast.  

2010 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Gramolere, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is just coming into maturity.  A bit earlier than expected and that's why its good to check in on wines every so often (or read others tasting notes).  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  A very pretty perfumed nose of cherries, black cherries, menthol and slight tar.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with char/smoke and a slight candied note.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is just starting to enter its prime drinking window and should be here for the next ten to fifteen years.  It might still improve a bit.  This will be great with pasta in a

2015 Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

Tablas Creek has some great levels of wine clubs which offer up wines not available outside the winery or in different formats.  This one is easily available although this particular bottle was from a 375ml bottle ($25).  It is a blend of 49% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 21% Syrah, and 5% Counoise.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  A lovely nose of black raspberries, raspberries, spice and anise.  On the palate, this has firm tannins but the fruit is open and drinking well.  Juicy black raspberries, raspberries, over a clean dry earthiness with just a touch of char.  This is a big wine but no

1989 Château Suduiraut, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1989
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

Always a pleasure to taste an aged Sauternes from a top producer.  This is iced tea in color.  The nose is slightly oxidized with honeys and slight apricots both fresh and dried.  On the palate, this is thinner than expected.  Slightly sweet.  Tastes of slightly burnt honey (in a good way).  Long finish.  This is cetainly past prime but still provides a lot of enjoyment.  It probably should be consumed sooner than later.  It will work well on its own or with a not too sweet fruit dessert.  

2009 Château Brane-Cantenac, France, Bordeaux, Margaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$90.00USD

This is a second growth under the 1855 classification system.  Not a super second but often can be found for a reasonable price.  A blend of  53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  Slight funk in the glass which slightly blows off with air.  Cassis, cedar and roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has nice fruit plums and cass along with some underlying spice/cedar.  Slightly drying tannins.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with roasted fowl or meats.  It is close to peak but may still be a bit better.  It sh

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