NV Locations NZ-8, New Zealand, Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is Sauvignon Blanc from winemaker Dave Phinney who had originally brought you The Prisoner wines.  The label lists 12.6% ABV, but it seems like it might be a bit higher.  A very enjoyable wine.  It is a non-vintage wine.  Pale yellow golden in color.  The nose has lots of grapefruit but just a touch of gooseberries.  Very clean.  Slightly viscous but dry.  Crisp enough acidity.  On the palate, yellow grapefruit with a persistent finish.  It went very well with a spicy chili but should work well with lighter foods too.  

2016 Saint-Cosme Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is a producer who first got recognition for their fantastic Gigondas wines.  They have since expanded their releases all over the southern and northern Rhone.  Their Chateauneuf is also stellar.  It is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, and 10% each of Syrah and Cinsault.  Deep ruby in color, purple at the core.  The nose is tight upon opening.  With air, raspberries, black raspberries and mineral/gravel emerge.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Lots of black cherry fruit with some raspberries.  Medium tannins.  Bright acidity.  This will work well with roasts and casseroles.  I

2016 Tulip Winery Syrah Reserve, Israel, Galilee, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$38.00USD

Opened at a holiday party to join in the fun with a "Chanukah" wine as it is made in Israel.   Israel is making some excellent wines these days and this is an outstanding Syrah.  Deep purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is very meaty with black raspberries, bacon fat, and black pepper.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is somewhere between a Rhone style Syrah and one from California.  It is delicious but slightly restrained fruit.  Black raspberries over roasted meat and earth.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This will work well with stews and roasts.  It should drink well for the

2016 Bodegas Juan Gil, Spain, Jumilla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is made from Monastrell (Mourvedre).  It was great to get a chance to revisit as it had probably been ten years since last tried.  It is a tremendous value in wine.  Deep ruby/purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, dust, blueberries and vanilla.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet/rip with black raspberries, slight blueberries and char.  This is also delicious.  It drinks great on its own and will work with ribs or burgers.  I suspect it ages for five to seven years, but have never tried that as it drinks well young.  A great option on restaurant lists as well.  

2015 Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

  This is a blend of 87.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 1.5% Petit Verdot.  It is a big wine that seems like it will still get better with cellaring.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has cassis, dust, and an interesting citrus quality.  On the palate, this is very concentrated.  Notes of cassis, some dark chocolate and orange peel (?) come thru.  It is deep with firm tannins that will need time to open.  Long finish.  This needs another five to ten years of cellaring and should be good for ten to twelve after that.  Right now, it should be given an eight h

2008 Igino Accordini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Le Bessole, Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella,Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color, ruby at  the rim.  The nose has cherries and spice.  With air some chocolate and slight craisin notes.  On the palate, this is ripe but not sweet.  Cherries and slight coffee notes.  Wide but not deep.  It is drinking well now but will certainly go for a while longer.  Seemed to be quite popular with those trying it.  It will work better with food but is nice on its own too.  Perhaps braised lamb?  

2005 Frédéric Magnien Morey St. Denis 1er Cru Clos Baulet, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This was purchased on release and properly cellared.  Overall, the bottle took an hour or so to open up and then was drinking fine.  It never took that final step to being a top bottle, but it was outstanding nevertheless.  Light ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has a slight earthy funk to it and cherries.  On the palate, this has a soft texture.  Elegant cherries with light tannins twisted around a bit of damp earthy farmyard.  Long finish.  This will go well with roasted fowl or braised beef dishes.  It probably doesn't get better than this but no hurry, it should be at t

2016 Dutton-Goldfield Pinot Noir Dutton Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$32.00USD

This is a medium bodied, very accessible Pinot Noit that seemed to be a crowd favorite.  It is ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, raspberries and is a bit candied.  With air, a bit of sour cherries come thru.  This has a lot of ripe fruit.  Cherries and black cherries, raspberries all coat the palate.  This is easy drinking and enjoyable.  Not about complexity or contemplation.  Good finish.  This is probably better on its own but should work with roasted fowl.  It should be consumed in the next few years.  

2018 Treasure Hunter Wines Chardonnay Trophy Wife, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Treasure Hunter is a winery that searches for declassified juice (I am not sure if they also buy grapes) from wineries and restaurants that have unsold barrels at a large discount.  They maintain the integrity  of the winery by not divulging their sources.  In some years, this can be better than others.  It all depends on whether there is a grape glut or scarceness, though it should be said, that these wines are for the most part of top quality for their respective price points.  Which brings us to this wine.  This is a very nice, bigger, RRV Chardonnay.  Golden in color with a slight coppe

2011 Mollydooker Enchanted Path, Australia, McLaren Vale, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This is still one of the poster boys for big, fruity Aussie wines.  It can be a love it or hate it wine, but I find, as long as you know what to expect going in, this is a well made and delicious wine.  A blend of 71% Shiraz and 29% Cabernet.  Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, black pepper, slight dill (American oak?), and smoke.  On the palate, this is rich and full bodied.  Black raspberries, slight raisins with light tannins.  There is some alcohol/heat on the mid-palate and finish.  It is ripe and delicious and probably better on its own, but it trying

Pages

Pages