2008 Dom Pérignon Champagne (regular label)

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$180.00USD

This is the luxury cuvee of Moet & Chandon.  It might be the most well known of all of the luxury cuvees.  The amazing thing is that they make 5 million bottles of this wine every time they produce it.  Of course, it is not produced in every vintage.  They have made a 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009 and now this 2008.  So, it is made almost every year.  The 2008 is special though.  it is probably the best vintage since 1996.  It is expensive, but for a top notch luxury Champagne it is reasonable.  If you do open a bottle, pay attention.  Don't just open to start a night and let the f

NV Harveys Sherry Harveys Bristol Cream, Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

After going decades without trying this, this is my second time this month.  And you know what, it shows well again.  Yes, this wine can be dissed by wine nerds, but it is enjoyable and reasonably priced.  One glass is plenty but that is true with many sweet wines.  Tawny in color.   The nose has a nice caramel and red apple quality.  There is little oxidation showing on the nose.  On the palate, this is nice.  Sweet but less than expected.  Caramel and nuttiness, with a slight salinity.  No hint of heat or alcohol.

NV Williams & Humbert Gran Duque d'Alba Solera Gran Reserva Brandy de Jerez, Spain, Wine Review

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

First off, this is not wine, it is Brandy.  That said, it is distilled from young, Palomino and Airén grapes. Then aged for ten to twelve years in American oak that had previously been used for oloroso sherry.  It is 40% abv.  Light golden in color.  The nose has alcohol but also a nice nuttiness with a bit of dates.  On the palate, this is warm but not hot.  There are nice figs along with caramel.  Warmth on the finish.  For $30, this is a nice value in Brandy.  Best sipped on its own.  

NV Emilio Lustau Pedro Ximénez Sherry Solera Reserva San Emilio, Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$23.00USD

Dark brown in color, drab green at the rim, bright and opaque.  The nose has a nice coffee quality to it along with a bit of chocolate and slight fig notes.  On the palate, this is smooth.  Not a lot of depth but tasty.  Sweet.  The chocolate and figs carry thru to the palate.  Nice finish.  This would be good on its own for dessert or with a not too sweet chocolate dessert.  

NV Alvaro Domecq Sherry 1730 Pedro Ximenez, Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

This is a sweet dessert wine.  The PX grapes are picked and dried on straw mats until they have lost half of their weight at which point neutral spirits are added.  The soleras average over 30 years old though I didn't notice a VORS designation on the label.  Dark in color like black coffee.  The nose reminds of "tootsie rolls" along with some fig and coffee.  On the palate, this is viscous.  Notes of coffee and nutmeg along with fig.  Sweet.  Long finish.  This wine will last for decades.  This should be served for dessert either on its own or with a less sweet dessert made with coffee, fi

NV Bodegas Tradición Sherry Oloroso 30 Years Old VORS, Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$78.00USD

This is a great bottle of wine.  Of course, only if one likes Sherry in a dry, oxidative style.  The average age of the wines making this up is 40 years old.  Light copper in color. The nose is great though there is some volatile acidity. Nutty, with salinity and slight burnt orange peel. On the palate, this is complex and deep. Dry.

NV Barbadillo Oloroso Sherry, Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$11.00USD

 This is 100% Palomino Fino aged for an average of five years.  it is made in an oxidative style.  It is the color of iced tea.  On the nose there is a nice butterscotch quality.  It is lighter and easier going on the palate.  Almost like a "starter" Oloroso, but certainly a few steps up from cooking sherry.  This should be consumed in the next few years.  It will go well with salty foods.  

NV Emilio Lustau Jerez Don Nuño Dry Oloroso, Spain, Wine Review

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$21.00USD

Lustau wines are easy to find and priced attractively.  Don't let the pricing make you think this is low quality.  They are good to great wines .  This one is made in an oxidative style.  Deep copper in color.  The nose is slightly nutty with dried oranges.  Very nice.  On the palate, this is light to medium bodied.  Very smooth.  More orange peel than fruit with a bit of weak tea.  Good finish.  Slight warmth.  This drinks easily and would work well with mixed nuts but also with dried meats or even a roasted veggie or meat soup.  

NV Alvear Montilla-Moriles Amontillado Carlos VII, Spain, Montilla-Moriles, Wine review

Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is made from 100% Pedro Ximinez grapes but is dry as a bone.  Supposedly it is not fortified which is possible given how sweet the PX grapes can get although the label lists 19%abv.  Not from Jerz but rather Montilla-Moriles which is where most PX grapes are grown these days.  The Solera is over 15 years old and the average age of the vines is over 20.  The wine comes in 500ml format.  Deep orange/copper in color.  The nose is great.  Deep with complex layers.  Nutty with figs and salinity but also a bit of a buttery note.  On the palate, this is deep and complex.  Layers of nuttiness

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