2015 Casarena Cabernet Sauvignon Owen's Vineyard, Argentina, Agrelo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has cassis, cherries, bell pepper and slight spice.  On the palate, this is a bit candied (cherry) with some fresh cherries.  There is no bell pepper on the palate.  Medium finish.  This is an easy drinking red that is a nice value.  It should be drunk in the next three to five years.  Pairs nicely with pasta or pizza.  

2017 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma County, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is always one of the really good values in Zinfandel.  It is consistently a solid wine in every vintage and this is no exception.  A blend of 87% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Carignane, 1% Syrah and 1% mixed reds.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, sandalwood and slight bramble.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Cherries and black cherries.  Slight tannins.  Easy drinking.  This will work great with burgers or pizza.  It should be drunk in the next three to five years.  

1999 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1999
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

This was a very nice bottle.  It was clean and must have been well stored all of these years.  Ruby in color.  The nose has red berries (kind of a cross between cherries and raspberries) with slight violets, roasted herbs and a bit of black pepper.  On the palate, this has some depth and a bit of complexity.  At or slightly past peak (perhaps) but drinking wonderfully.  Cherries with roasted herbs and slight forest floor.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  No hurry but it won't get better and should probably be consumed in the next five to seven years though it will last longer.  It will go with

2015 Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, St. Helena, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

A beautiful wine.  This was shut down on opening but within about 30 minutes it opened and kept improving all night long.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, dark chocolate, slight cigar box and baking spices.  On the palate, this has a medium to full body with a lovely texture.  Lots of energy.  Cassis over minerals and char.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This still needs a few more years to reach peak and should be good for ten to fifteen more after that. Plenty of upside on the score.  

2017 Aubert Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$130.00USD

Served from Magnum.  This was stunning.  Light gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has smoke, vanilla, lemons and marzipan.  A bit tight but opens with air.  On the palate, vanilla and lemons with a slight melon note and a charred base.  A beautiful backbone of acidity that makes this very food friendly.  Long finish.  This wine should continue to mature and develop for a few more years and should easily be good for fifteen years, depending on how you like your Chardonnay.  It is also fantastic right now.  Very food friendly with all but the meatiest of dishes.  

2012 Linne Calodo Problem Child, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$78.00USD

This is a Zinfandel blend of 74% Zinfandel, 14% Syrah and 12% Mourvedre.  This is a big wine but it is drinking quite nicely right now.  Purple in color, slight ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, raspberries, a bit of bramble, plums and black pepper.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  A nice varietal complexity.  It goes down (too) easy.  Although there is no alcohol on the palate, it is 15.3%.  Lots of black cherry and raspberry fruit with some char and spice.  Good finish.  This drinks great on it own and would work well with a burger.  It probably should be consumed in

2013 Peter Michael Les Pavots, USA, California, Sonoma, Knights Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$180.00USD

This is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet France, 9% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot.  This is a gorgeous wine but it will need some time to reach maturity.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  Cassis, black cherries, dark chocolate, char and baking spice on the nose.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the cassis and black cherries carry thru though concentrated.  Firm tannins.  An underlying char.  Long finish.  This needs about five to ten years until peak and will be good for ten to twenty years after that.  It drinks well on its own and will work with bigger foods especially roasts

2014 Holman Ranch Pinot Noir Kelly's Press Estate Grown, USA, California, Carmel Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
68
Grade: 
D
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has rhubarb and slight cranberries with a touch of asparagus.  On the palate, this has cranberries.  Not much depth.  Biting acidity.  A thankfully short finish.  Not sure where this goes from here.  I tried a few different bottles but poured out all my glasses and switched to beer.  

2015 Jarman Sparkling Wine, USA, California, Carmel Valley

Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$98.00USD

This comes in 1.5L bottles.  It is a Sparkling Brut Rose.  Very pale pink in color.  A light mousse with smaller bubbles.  The nose has a cherry red pop quality to it although much lighter along with a bit of fresh baked bread.  On the palate, this has decent acidity.  Light cherries with some Fuji apples.  Moderate acidity.  Medium finish.  This drinks easy and will work better with food. A nice touch for hors d'oeuvres especially if salty.  Drink now.  

2018 Holman Ranch Rosé of Pinot Noir Susan's Saignée, USA, California, Carmel Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
82
Grade: 
B-
Current Price: 
$29.00USD

Very pale pink in color.  The nose has slight strawberry notes.  Light bodied.  On the palate, this has some strawberries.  Very light.  Served quite cold (at a wedding at the ranch), this was refreshing.  It should be consumed this year.  It lacks a lot of acidity, so keep the food light or serve on its own.  Serving ice cold was probably a good idea.  

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