2005 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Mt. Veeder, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$265.00USD

Classic Napa Cabernet from a very good vintage.  This is a Cab that takes a while to mature and at age 15, it is just hitting that sweet spot.  Purple in color. The nose is great with cassis, cedar, a bit of funk, leather and camphor.  Complex and enticing.  Full bodied but not a bomb at all.  The palate is complex and deep without being over done.  Cassis layered with earth and leather.  Energy and balance.  Long finish.  Drink this over the next ten to fifteen years.  It drinks well on its own but is probably better with food.  From a steak to a roast, this would work great.  

2012 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard, USA, California, Edna Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$140.00USD

John Alban is one of the pioneers of the California Rhone wine movement and he is still at the top of his game.  Inky purple in color, magenta at the rim.  An amazing nose with black raspberries, graphite and a bit of funky earthiness.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Lush.  Black raspberry fruit with underlying char.  Long finish.  Just starting to show some maturity.  This ill go another ten to fifteen years with no trouble.  Great on its own, this will work well with spicy foods.  

2011 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$425.00USD

From the heart of the historic To Kalon Vineyard in Napa.  This bottle was opened and allowed to breathe for about 8 hours prior to serving.  This was a cooler vintage in Napa, but To Kalon is on the valley floor and gets plenty of sun and warmth.  Deep ruby/purple in color.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, cedar and spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  It is young but showing some signs of maturity.  Cassis, cedar and black cherries intertwined with spice and slight minerality.  Lovely texture.  Nice finish.  This should continue to mature for another five to sev

2006 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is a Cabernet Franc from Tuscany.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, black raspberries, dark chocolate, slight floral notes and a hint of cigar box.  On the palate, this is ripe and a big wine.  Despite being 14 years old, it still shows medium tannins and fresh fruits.  Black cherries, some blueberries, chocolate and tobacco.  Nice balance.  Smooth finish.  This can compete with Cab Francs from anywhere.  It will easily do another decade.  A nice match for a steak or roast.  

2016 Downstream, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

This is a wine made by Rhone wine consultant Philippe Cambie and Saxum’s Justin Smith.  It is a blend of 76% Zinfandel, 8% Syrah, 6% Mataró, 6% Petite Sirah, and 4% Tempranillo.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, slight bramble, dust, black cherries and spice.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Delicious.  Serious tannins.  Black raspberries, plums and spices over a gravelly bed.  Long finish.  Pop and pour, this was drinking great from the start.  It's hard to say how well this well age.  The label says 16.1% abv but there is no heat.  Still, at t

2009 Littorai Pinot Noir The Haven Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

For those who dismiss California Pinots as bombastic, this is proof they don't have to be.  Sure, it is kissed with sunshine, but this has a lovely elegance in addition to its power.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, slight plums and spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the black cherries and cherries come thru with a bit of earthiness underneath.  Great balance.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This is in a great place but willl continue to mature for another  five to ten and be good for another ten to fifteen after that.  It will work well w

2009 Domaine René Leclerc Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru les Champeaux, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

From a tremendous, if very ripe, vintage.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, cola and slight earthiness.  This has a great lush texture.  The black cherry fruit comes out on the palate with some cherries and underlying minerality.  Clean.  Nice balance.  Long finish.  Tasted blind, one might think California but on the more elegant side.  Still on the youthful side, this should develop a bit more.  drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  This will work well with roasted foul or slow cooked braised meat dishes.  

2001 Faiveley Latricières-Chambertin, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This was popped and poured but it took about an hour to blow off some bottle stink and another hour to really get into gear.  It would have been better served to pop the cork and allowed to breathe for a few hours.  Luckily, we had the time to wait.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose (after a couple hours) is nice with cherries, earthy funk and slight floral notes.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has cherries layered with earthiness.  Slightly soft.  Deep.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and will not get better.  From a very good if not great vintage.  Drink over the

2001 Elio Altare Barolo Vigneto Arborina, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Great showing for this wine.  Decanted for sediment and air for about 4 hours.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  No browning.  The nose is pretty with cherries, slight cherry juice, roses, black cherries and slight forest floor.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, the black cherries come thru a bit stronger.  Mild tannins.  Underlying forest floor.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This has layers of fruit and earth.  It seems to be drinking close to prime now, but well stored bottles should easily have another decade.  This will work great with pasta, mushrooms or more savory meat

1958 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1958
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$185.00USD

A birth year wine for me.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright with a slight, slight browning.  On the nose, there are fresh cherries, cola, slight tar and dried roses.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the fresh cherry fruit comes thru.  Light tannins.  Nice acidity.  Round.  This is drinking older, but I would not have guessed 62 years.  it has a nice complexity and depth.  At this point, all bottles are a crap shoot, but this one could have gone a while longer.  Better with food.  Pasta in a cream sauce with mushrooms would be great.  

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