2013 Donelan Pinot Noir Two Brothers, USA, California, Sonoma County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is a blend of grapes from Steiner Ranch, Devoto Vineyard, Walker Vine Hill and Perli Vineyard.  It is middle of the road on a California Pinot Noir scale.  Ruby in color with some purple swirls.  On the nose, this has nice cherries with some raspberries along with some nutmeg.  Medium to full bodied.  Nice texture.  The raspberries are more prevalent on the nose and even some boysenberries.  A bit of tea leaves underneath.  Good finish.  An interesting Pinot with some level of complexity.  It probably won't get better but should last another ten to fifteen years at it mature and trades

2018 Santo Wines Assyrtiko Santorini, Greece, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Although summer has passed for this year, my wine of the summer was Assyrtiko from Santorini.  There are many different producers and I didn't have a bad one.  Very pale silvery gold in color.  Light bodied.  A slightly oily texture.  This has a bit of lemon/lime citrus but its really more about the smoke and minerality.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This has some depth to it.  I have no idea if these can age or not, but the energy and brightness are not likely to last, so I would drink in the next year or two. This will go well with sea food and salads and even lighter fowl dishes.  

2017 Martín Códax Albariño Rías Baixas Burgáns, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This wine, made by a large Co-Op is always a great value in refreshing, crisp white wines.  It is from the northwest corner of Spain.  Light, pale yellow gold in color.  The nose has seashells, salinity and also a nice crisp green apple note.  Light bodied.  On the palate, this has a nice bite.  Lots of energy.  The apple notes come thru as well.  Moderate finish.  This goes well with sea food and salads.  it also drinks well on its own, especially outdoors on a warm evening.  It should be consumed in the next year.  And, then buy the next vintage.

NV Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Premier

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is a blend of 40% Pinot noir, 40% Chardonnay, and 20% Pinot Meunier.  This is drinking very nicely.  Light golden in color.  The nose has red apples, brioche and slight toast.  On the palate, this is easy, crisp and very enjoyable.  The apples come thru with an underlying minerality.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This should be consumed in the next few years.  It is quite food friendly and will go with almost any food.  

2016 Ruffino Chianti Superiore, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$10.00USD

Chianti doesn't get enough credit.  The better producers consistently make wines that are great values especially in the great vintages.  And, 2016 is a great vintage.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has nice cherries, with wet tea leaves and dust.  On the palate, nice cherry fruit layered with some forest floor qualities.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This is a perfect wine to pair with pizza or pasta.  It should be drunk in the next five to seven years, but it will probably still make good drinking in ten years.  A great value at around $10!

2015 Sineann Merlot Champoux Vineyard, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is made by an Oregon producer using Washington fruit.  Screw capped.  Champoux Vineyard is one of Washington's finest.  This Merlot is quite good and certainly better than many California Merlots at similar pricing.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, chocolate,  and spice.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Some depth.  Light tannins.  This is still youthful and may improve a bit over the next three to five years.  It should be good for another five to seven after that.  It will work well with roasts and casseroles.  

2002 Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Haut-Lieu, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This was a sound bottle.  Many of the Huet 2002's are subject to premature oxidation.  This bottle was excellent.  Chenin Blanc, especially with some residual sugar left, can last for decades.  Golden in color, clear and bright and slightly deep.  On the nose this has orange peel, crushed shells, salinity and a touch of canned peaches.  Medium bodied.  Slightly sweet on the palate.  Complex.  Nice minerality layered with a bit of peach and slight honey.  Nice acidic backbone.  This worked great with a peach cobbler dessert.  Good bottles of this can be enjoyed at any point over the next cou

2012 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Corona Vineyard, USA, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$130.00USD

This is the home vineyard of winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.  His single vineyard wines Cabs are (for now) some of the most attractively priced top wines from Napa.  This wine has really improved since release and it was excellent back then.  Deep purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, blueberries, cloves and a slight menthol note.  On the palate, this has light to medium tannins.  Layers of cassis and blueberries with slight tobacco and cigar box.  A slight menthol note on the long finish.  This is drinking great but will continue to mature.  Maybe another 7 to ten years un

2007 Lillian Winery Syrah Blue Label, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$110.00USD

Although this is a California Syrah, Lillian is an Oregon producer.  This is great.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, gamey meats, roasted herbs, slight black olives.  On the palate, this is delicious.  it has complexity and depth too.  Black raspberry fruit with slight earthiness and a bit of grilled meats.  Long finish.  This is just about at peak now.  Light tannins.  Wonderful texture.  Juicy fruit.  Long finish.  It should be hear for another ten years or so.  It will work great with roasted fowl or meats or grilled foods.  

2010 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah Pleine de Chene Hudson Vineyard North, USA, California, Carneros, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$52.00USD

This is a delicious Syrah from the North side of the Hudson vineyard.  Bedrock made two different Hudson vineyard Syrahs.  This is drinking quite well now.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight roasted herbs and hints of bacon fat.  On the palate, this has juicy boysenberries with some black olives and slight grilled meats.  Very interesting and very delicious.  Good balance.  Long finish.  It took about an hour in the glass to really open up.  Maybe another year or two until peak.  A nice match to roasts and also to Indian or Thai foods.  

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