2016 Bodegas Avancia Valdeorras Cuvée de O, Spain, Valdeorras, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is 100% Godello grape from northwest Spain.  It has a deep golden color to it which leads me to believe it sees at least some barrel ageing.  The nose is nice with orange peel,  and a bit of smoke.  This is a pretty big white wine.  Nice texture with good acidity.  There is some orange and also grapefruit on the palate.  Some lemon kicks in on the finish.  It does have slight tannins.  This seems to be drinking well now although it might have been a bit fresher a year or two ago.  It should probably be consumed in the next year or two.  

2018 Radikon RS, Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
50
Grade: 
F-
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

So, are you feeling lucky?  That phrase goes thru my head every time I think about buying a natural wine.  But, Radikon is one of the top producers and his Merlots have been amazing.  This one is 75% Merlot and 25% Pignolo aged on its skins for 15 day and in oak for 3 years without much intervention.  I just hope the kitchen sink enjoyed it as i poured it down the drain!  Consumed over three days, just to punish myself.  Purple in color, opaque and flat.  The nose was a cross been a failed high school science experiment and the back room of a butcher shop.  The palate was much more chemical

2018 Respite Red Wine Rockpile, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is a Bordeaux blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Malbec, 20% Merlot and 10% Petite Verdot.  Ehren Jordan serves as the consulting winemaker.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, plums slight chocolate and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Very tasty wine with some depth.  Black cherries, chocolate, plums and cherries on the palate.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own and would work well with a burger.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2018 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Clos du Bourg, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$38.00USD

From one of the top producers in the Loire Valley in France comes this great value in dry Chenin Blanc.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with orange peel, sea air and minerality.  Medium bodied.  Great texture.  Dry.  On the palate, there is quince, slight salinity and underlying minerality.  Nice acidity.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work well with lighter foods and also Thai food.  This is drinking well right now and should continue to do so for ten to twelve more years.  

1997 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1997
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$165.00USD

Dunn wines have a reputation for taking a long time to come around.  This one is just getting there.  The cork crumbled on opening.  Decanted for sediment (and cork bits) and served.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is very nice with leather, cassis, slight tobacco and earthiness.  The nose is mature but not past.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Lush but silky.  The palate tastes great, not young but not quite at maturity.  Cassis with underlying tobacco and earth.  Deep.  Great balance.  Nice finish.  Delicious.  This drinks great on its own and should work wel

2005 A. Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$95.00USD

A. Rafanelli has built up a loyal following of fans and supporters for the Zins and Cabs (and other wines) and with good reason.  At age 15,. this wine is in a prime spot.  Deep ruby/purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is deep with cassis, leather, spice, slight herbal note and tobacco.  Full bodied.  Bright cassis fruit over spice and tobacco.  Complex and deep.  Nice balance.  This is showing some maturity but should easily go another ten to twelve years at this level.  It went great with eggplant parmigiana and would work just as well with a roast.  

2017 Sandlands Chenin Blanc California, USA, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

Sandlands makes some of the best Chenin Blanc in the US.  Now, that might be faint praise for some, but theirs stands up to anyone's in the world too.  Light silvery/gold in color with a touch of copper.  The nose is very minerally with some orange peel.  Medium bodied with a slightly oily texture.  The minerality really comes thru to the palate, but there is also some tangerine notes and a hint or herbs.  Good balance.  Refreshing.  Nice finish.  This is drinking great now, but Chenin can age well.  This won't make really old bones, but another seven to ten years is not out of the question

2001 Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Sixtine, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

This is drinking great and pretty much at peak.  Pop and pour, it took about 20 minutes to open and was good to go.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls with slight browning.  A bit flat and a bit shiny.  The nose is great with black cherries, spice, dried flowers, plums, minerals and slight char.  Medium bodied.  A nice backbone of acidity.  The palate has plenty of fruit left with plums and black cherries.  Underneath there is some minerality, spice and slight earthiness.  This has nice layering and complexity.  Nice finish.  Delicious.  At this stage, this works better with some food,

2017 Tenuta di Trinoro Le Cupole Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

Always an outstanding wine and a great value and that is true in this challenging vintage.  It is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black currants, black cherries, slight chocolate and char.  Medium to full bodied.  A nice streak of acidity keeps it lively.  The fruit carries thru to the palate.  Medium tannins.  Deep if tight right now.  Good finish.  This needs a few more years to really open up (or a few hours decant) and should drink well for ten to twelve after t

2016 Tommaso Bussola Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Ca' del Laito, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

Bussola is one of the greatest Amarone producers, but this is just a simple Valpolicella that is relatively inexpensive.  That said, this was excellent and a great value.  Purple in color with ruby at the rim.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black and red currants, slight raisins, dust and spices.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, black currant fruit with underlying spice and some raisins.  Light tannins.  Dry.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This is delicious.  It worked well with a pasta and tomato sauce.  This should drink well over the next five to seven years.  

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