2017 Marcel Lapierre Morgon, France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

I love Beaujolais.  At least the Cru wines.  They are versatile, friendly and although not everyone agrees, the best ones age wonderfully. So, when at a friends house for dinner recently and he had prepared a Cauliflower dish with pesto that seemed a difficult food match, I suggested he open this.  A good choice.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, plums, spice and some barnyard.  On the palate, there are cherries with slight almonds and slightly dry tannins which all worked together in a good way.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.

2007 Dönnhoff Schloßböckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Felsentürmchen Spätlese, Germany, Nahe, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

Deep golden in color, clear and bright.  Gorgeous nose of minerals, wet rocks and pineapple.  On the palate, this is sweet but no where near cloying.  Viscous.  Great acidity balances it well.  The palate has slight pineapple with minerals and plenty of depth.  This is mature but will continue to evolve.  No signs of diesel at this point.  Easily another couple of decades left.  It was a great match with a beet and goat cheese dish.  

NV Rihaku Wandering Poet Sake, Japan, Shimane, Wine Review

Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

I don't drink much Sake, but let's try to review it.  Silvery/gold in color.  The nose has golden raisins which is interesting since grape wines rarely have grape notes in it.  On the palate, there are green apples and a non-sweet honey (if that is a thing).  It has a semi-lush texture which is interesting.  This was from a 750ml bottle that was screw capped.  It kept getting better with air.  Served at around 55F.  

2015 Rotem & Mounir Saouma Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Magis, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$130.00USD

What a killer white wine.  This was even better than the 2016 and 2013.  Deep golden in color.  The nose has smoke, lemons, floral notes and white peaches.  On the palate, this is full bodied with a zesty acidity.  There is a lemon cream quality to it not too unlike a nice Chard but also peaches with underlying minerals.  This is a big wine but with enough energy to pull it off.  It does have a bit of an acidic bite on the finish right now.  It is delicious and worked great with a pea.

2017 Gemstone Cabernet Sauvignon Alluvial Selection, USA, California, Napa, Yountville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with black cherries, char, and spice.  On the palate, this is a bit thinner than the Heritage Selection (but still a big wine).  A bit more complexity if not depth.  On the palate, black cherries continue thru over a smokey (not fire related) base.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This needs five to seven years to peak and should be good for ten to fifteen after that.  It does drink well now on its own and will work well with grilled foods.

2017 Heritage School Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga - Napa Valley Casey's Lakeview Vineyard, USa, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Heritage School is what used to be known as Harris Estate Wines.  David and Linda Jenkins purchased the property in 2014 and renamed the winery and the three vineyards on the property.  Thomas Rivers Brown is the winemaker.  I was able to taste a couple of these wines and both were excellent.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, cassis and baking spice.  Maybe a touch of soy sauce.  On the palate, this has a pretty texture.  Cassis and black cherries over an interesting chalky base along with some baking spices.  Good balance.  Firm tannins.  Nice finish.  This w

2017 Mending Wall Cabernet Sauvignon Tournahu Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

This was my first time trying a wine from this vineyard.  It is excellent.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, blueberries, slight coffee, and spice.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Firm tannins.  Lots of cassis, some blueberries with underlying minerality and dry earth.  Good finish.  This needs seven to ten years and should be good for a decade after that.  It will work with medium and heavier meats and fowl.  

2017 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
94
Grade: 

This is the basic (non-single vineyard) wine from Rivers-Marie.  To me, this is usually only a notch or two behind the amazing single vineyard releases and priced a bit better.  It probably doesn't get the respect it deserves because of that.  Deep purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, slight blueberries, spice and slight fresh lumber.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  Good cassis fruit with underlying minerality and spice.  Good finish.  This needs time of course to develop.  About five to seven to get close to peak and should have ten to fifteen after that.  Nice f

2017 Mending Wall Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$85.00USD

This is the basic Napa Cab from Mending Wall.  In general, I found it to be a bit tighter and less opulent than the single vineyard ones.  It is still an excellent Cabernet and, of course, a bit less expensive.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is tight but shows some cassis and spice.  On the palate, this is medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Deep with tight layers of cassis, spice and slight earthiness.  Good finish.  This needs about seven to ten years until peak and should be good for another ten after that.  

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