2015 Denner Theresa, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

One of my favorite Cal Rhone White wines.  I really need to let one of these age.  At age 5, this one is singing right from popping the cork.  It is a blend of 30% Roussane, 25% Marsanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 15% Picpoul, and 10% Vermentino.  Light golden in color.  The nose has peach, melon, slight vanilla candle, minerals and lime pith.  Full bodied.  This has a big mouthfeel.  Not quite viscous, but a strong presence.  Notes of peach, vanilla and wax with great underlying minerality.  A nice touch of acidity to keep things bright.  Depth and complexity.  Nice finish.  This is drinking you

2013 G. Marquis Riesling Icewine, Canada, Niagara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This is a dessert wine from the Niagara peninsula in Ontario, Canada.  Golden in color.  Clear and bright.  The nose has pears, simple syrup, some red apples.  Medium bodied but slightly viscous.  On the palate, this is sweet, not cloying.  It is a round wine with pears, slight honey and slight minerality.  Tasty.  Long finish.  This should last for a while longer (five to seven years?), but it won't get better.  It drinks very well on its own and would work nicely with a honey cake or other not too sweet dessert.  

2016 Montes Purple Angel, Chile, Colchagua Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

This is 92% Carmenère with 8% Petit Verdot from Chile.  It is a very interesting blend.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, coffee, slight dark chocolate.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is big and on the wilder side.  Flavors of black cherries with underlying gravel and also some chocolate.  It is delicious but rough on the throat (not smooth).  Long finish.  It will interesting to watch this mature although for those who enjoy a bit of a wilder ride, it is probably best drunk over the next five to seven years.  It will smooth out with proper cellar

2000 Weingut Hirsch Riesling Gaisberg, Austria, Kamptal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

A very respectable showing for a 20 year old Austrian Riesling.  This was about $25 on release and over the years, I have consumed a bunch - all good as it matured.  It now has a deep golden color, clear and bright.  The nose has slight petrol, a bit of burnt honey and nice minerality.  On the palate, slight pineapple and apricots.  This is dry.  Good finish.  This is drinking nicely.  Mature, but no hurry.  It should easily go another decade though it won't improve.  It will work well with cheeses or even Thai food.  

2018 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark & Telephone Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Maria Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is a huge, dark Pinot Noir.  Lovers of Burgundy should at least be forewarned if not directed away.  That said, to those looking for a bit dark, fruity wine, this is delicious.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, baking spices and a bit of licorice.  Full bodied.  Juicy texture.  On the palate, juicy black raspberry fruit.  Very primary although it will no doubt develop over the next five to seven years.  Light tannins.  This drinks nicely on its own and would work with bold spicy foods.  Drink now thru 2028.  

2012 Roederer Estate L'Ermitage Brut, USA, California, Mendocino, Anderson Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is a sparkling wine from northern California.  Light golden in color with a lot of very small bubbles.  The nose is interesting with ginger, figs, toasted nuts, and nutmeg.  Full bodied.  Crisp.  On the palate, notes of figs and red apples.  Some ginger.  The finish is very long.  This is very lively.  It should continue to drink well for another five to seven years before slowly turning into a mature sparkling wine.  This will pair well with almost any food or on its own.  

2017 Keplinger Sumo, USA, California, Amador, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

This is 84% Petite Sirah, 13% Syrah and 3% Viognier.  It is probably my favorite wine in the Keplinger stable.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, gravel, anise and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, black raspberries, blueberries over char and gravel.  Long finish.  This is open and drinking well now but will undoubtedly continue to develop and improve over the next seven to ten years.  It should drink well for ten to twelve more after that.  A nice match for burgers or ribs off the grill.  

2017 Keplinger Fuego y Mar, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

this is 100% Syrah.  Purple in color, some ruby, opaque and bright.  The nose is earthy with plums and roasted meats and herbs.  Black olives as well.  On the palate, this is full bodied with medium tannins.  Black raspberry and black cherry fruit.  With air plums come out.  Great acidity.  A touch of salinity on the finish.  This comes across as a cooler climate Syrah more in the Northern Rhone style.  It will need some time flesh out, perhaps another seven to ten years.  After that it will drink well for ten to fifteen more years.  A nice match with brisket or roasted veggies.  

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