2016 Kumeu River Chardonnay Village, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

I have been on a kick this summer trying the wines from this winery.  This is their least expensive Chardonnay.  This is a crisp Chardonnay that see no new oak and only 25% used French oak.  Light golden in color.  The nose is pretty with slight tropical fruits/melon but more lemon/lime notes and nice minerality.  Medium bodied.  Crisp acidity.  On the palate, the minerality leads followed by a nice peachy quality and a bit of lemon.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and should be very versatile with all but the heaviest or lightest foods.  It should probably be consumed over the

2015 Alain Voge Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$79.00USD

Yes, this is young, but I have a few and wanted to try this.  It was well worth opening, but it did need some air.  Consumed over two days, it was better on day 2.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, roasted meat and herbs, slight bacon fat, and a slight floral (lavender?) note.  Full bodied.  Deep with firm tannins.  On the palate, lots of boysenberry fruit with some earthiness and char.  Long finish.  This needs about five to seven more years to get closer to peak.It should be good for another twelve to fifteen after that

2001 Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Some people will tell you that Chateauneuf du Pape does not age.  Well, this is a top wine from a top vintage and at age 19, it is doing just fine with years left.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is great with black cherries, slight cherries, hints of garrique and spice, and just a bit of woodiness.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has fresh and vibrant black cherry fruit with some cherries but also some dried red fruits.  Nice layering of fruit and earthiness.  Good finish.  This should be consumed sooner than later but it still should drink well for another three to five years.  This w

2012 Orin Swift Chardonnay Equinox Edition 1: The Boy That Cried Wolf, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is a club member only wine from Orin Swift that is 100% Chardonnay.  It is a big wine, as expected, but at age 8, it is drinking very well.  Medium golden in color.  The nose has tropical fruit, baking spices and slight melon.  On the palate, this is full bodied with a slightly oily texture.  Lots of melon fruit with some oak.  Some warmth on the finish.  It does have enough acidity to carry the fruit.  This is drinking well now and should easily go another five years.  It will work with bigger food, and even a steak if you like or drink it on its own.  

2009 Domaine Pavelot (Jean-Marc et Hugues) Savigny-lès-Beaune, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

As Burgundy prices have gone thru the roof, Savigny is a nice places for affordable but quality Burgundy.  This one is not exception.  Ruby in color, clear and shimmering bright.  The nose is bigger with cherries, black cherries, slight cocoa powder and spices.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the fruit is upfront and delicious.  Black cherries with some fresh cherries.  There is an underlying bit of spice and minerality.  A touch of depth and complexity comes out with air.  This is drinking quite well and will continue to mature if not improve.  It can be cellared for another seven to ten yea

2015 Kumeu River Chardonnay Hunting Hill, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

What a superb Chardonnay.  This is still a bit on the younger side, but drinking very well.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is clean and delightful.  Minerals with lemons and just a hint of Meyer lemon and an herbal note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is crisp with excellent acidity.  Minerals galore.  Layers of complexity unwind in the glass.  A bit of lemon pith especially on the finish.  This is great now on its own and will work with all sorts of food.  Baked seafood would be a great choice.  It should continue to improve for the next seven to ten years and be

2008 Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Neruda Brix Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$120.00USD

This is in a great drinking right now.  From Aaron Pott's eponymous winery, it is always fun to say you are having some Pot(t) tonight.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has cassis, minerals/rocks, slight floral notes, and a bit of mint.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is opulent yet not over blown.  Concentrated cassis flavors with underlying gravel and slight herbal notes.  Nice finish.  Tannins are almost all resolved.  This seems to be closed to peak but certainly has five to maybe ten more years left.  Drinks well on its own and maybe a bit better with food.  Rosted meats, fowl or ve

2015 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

This is a wonderful Riesling made in the Alsace region of France.  It is a distinct style that is different from neighboring Germany.  In Alsace it can be hard to tell if a wine is dry or sweet.  This one is dry.  It is young and needs more time, but even so, it provides a lot of pleasure today.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has minerals, orange peel and slight peach.  On the palate, this is full bodied and slightly viscous.  Delicious.  Notes of orange peel and peaches carry thru along with a hint of ginger over a mineral base.  This wine needs a decade at least until

2016 Jonata Winery Todos, USA, California, Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is the base wine for this winery.  It seems to be a blend of the barrels that didn't make the grade of single varietal releases.  Todos means all.  That doesn't make it a bad wine by any means.  In fact, this is an outstanding wine and excellent value compared to those single varietal wines.  it is a blend 60% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, with the rest Petite Sirah and Viognier.

2005 Domaine Perrot-Minot Bourgogne, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

2005 was an excellent vintage in Burgundy and even the basic Bourgogne's are still drinking well.  This one is better than most.  Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has nice cherries, some spice and a touch of earthy funk.  On the palate, fresh cherries with tight layering.  A nice earthiness underneath.  There is plenty of fruit here.  It is tasty.  Long finish.  This should continue to drink well for another five to seven years.  A nice match with roasted chicken.  

Pages

Pages