2017 Testament Babić, Croatia, Dalmatia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$26.00USD

This is made from the Babić (pronounced BOB-itch) in Croatia.  The wine was fermented on its skin for ten days and then aged for six months in a mixture of American and French oak barrique.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, black cherries, slight dark chocolate along with a bit of white pepper.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the boysenberries continue.  There is a nice underlying earthiness.  Clean with good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now.  It seems like it should be consumed in the next five to seven years, but that is just a guess.  I ha

2017 Clai Malvazija Istarska Baracija, Croatia, Hrvatska Istra, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

This is Malvasia variety that is unique to the Istrian Peninsula from Croatia.  These grapes are grown according to biodynamic principals.  The grapes are then allowed to soak with their skins on for seven to twenty days in large wooden barrels.  Fermentation is done thru indigenous yeasts.  The wines are then aged  in large oak barrels before being released.  A very interesting wine (and good, too!).  Deep golden in color, clear and bright.  And, yes, this is an orange or macerated wine although it doesn't appear that it is taken to the extremes of some.  Very clean.  The nose is nice with

2018 Ritoša Malvazija Istarska, Croatia, Hrvatska, Istra, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

From the Istrian peninsula in northwest Croatia.  This is 100% Malvasia Istarska which is a unique member of the Malvasia family.  The grapes are grown in red clay and limestone soils about 10 miles from the sea.  The wine see no oak.  It is fermented on its lees using stainless steel tanks.  Apparently, they ferment in four separate batches using four different strains of yeasts.  13% abv.  The wine is light in color with a coppery/silver/gold hue to it.  The nose is mild but persistent with minerals, slight limes, and slight fresh dill.  On the palate, this is light to medium bodied with

NV Maison de Grand Esprit Champagne Marquis de La Mysteriale, France, Wine Review

Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a nice Champagne with a strong marketing team behind it.  They push the Marquis de Mysteriale line as being a "new story" in French winemaking, but this wine seems pretty traditional.  Of course, in Champagne, that is not a bad thing at all!  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  There are a lot of tiny bubbles making up the mousse.  The nose is nice with brioche and a slightly nutty note.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, toast, with green apples.  Moderate finish.  This drinks well on its own and is very food friendly.  A nice way to begin an evening.  

2018 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

One of my favorite Zinfandels.  This is a robust Zin, but not over the top.  It is quite concentrated and delicious.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose has black raspberries, bramble, and slight pepper.  Full bodied.  Great, almost silky texture.  On the palate, juicy black raspberries, black cherries over a slight gravel base.  A bit candied but very concentrated.  Long finish.  This is so good now, but will continue to evolve a bit.  It depends on what you like in Zins as to how long to hold.  This should drink well for at least fifteen years, but that energy and robust qua

2006 Favia Cerro Sur, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$103.00USD

This is a blend of 72% Cabernet Franc and 28% Cabernet Sauvignon.  It is really in a nice place right now.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, slight tobacco, spices and slight dried floral notes.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this has a nice backbone of acidity.  Cherries and black cherries with some underlying forest floor/tobacco.  It unwinds in the glass to show a nice complexity.  Good finish.  This won't get better but should be outstanding drinking for the next ten to fifteen years.  It drinks well on its own but is better with food.  Roasted poultry would

2015 Carlisle Petite Sirah Palisades Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is one wine that I almost never open this young.  But, you know what?  It was great!  Sure, it might improve.  Probably will, but this is delicious right now.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with boysenberries, slight black raspberries, slight floral notes, and a bit of asphalt.  Full bodied with firm tannins.  That said, they are a great example of polished tannins despite being mouth coating, they are inviting.  Layers of boysenberry fruit over gravel with slight crushed fall leaves.  Long finish.  This probably will continue to develop over the next ten

2015 Bodegas Muga Rioja Selección Especial, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is an excellent value in a mostly traditional Spanish wine from Rioja.  It is a blend of 70% Tempranillo and and 30% a combination of balance Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano.  Deep ruby in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, blueberries, slight tobacco, cloves and slight dill.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this has an "old world" feel to it, but with plenty of ripe fruit too.  The blueberries and black cherries come thru over a bed of dusty dry leaves with a slight bit of savory spices.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own but really worked well with

NV Emilio Hidalgo Fino Especial "La Panesa", Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

Boy, did I enjoy this wine.  It is very unique although I am told this style of wine used to be more prevalent.  It is an aged Fino style Sherry that was aged for 15 years from a Solera started in 1961.  Just gorgeous but it is different.  It is a deep golden color with just a hint of amber.  Clear and bright.  The nose is big with a lot of alcohol and some volatile acidity (the later blows off slightly with air).  Also an almond/ nuttiness and salinity to the nose.  Full bodied.  Complex, contemplative and deep.  Bone dry on the palate.  The nutty salinity come thru along with a petrol not

2015 José Maria da Fonseca Alentejo José de Sousa, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

Portugal is a great source for value in the wine world.  This wine provides exceptional value.  It is a blend of 52% Grand Noir, 33% Trincadeira, 15% Aragonês fermented in clay amphorae.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  the nose is nice with black raspberries, baking spice, dates and slight chocolate.

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