2014 Torrin Syrah Kruse Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Willow Creek, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

Torrin is a winery that despite critical acclaim, never seems to get the buzz of others from Paso Robles.  I guess that good as the prices remain reasonable and the wines obtainable.  Not that they are inexpensive.  But they are great!  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight smoke, and some roasted herbs and meat.  Wonderful texture.  This, juicy yet lively.  On the palate, this is still young.  Firm tannins.  It is drinking very well yet, it seems like there is a lot of development still to come.  It has at least another five years until peak.  It shoul

2015 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$90.00USD

I am a huge fan of Rivers Marie Cabernets.  They make a bunch of single vineyard ones, but this "base" one is always great.  And for Napa, it is a good value.  The release price was $65.  This took some time to open but after an hour or so, it was singing.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cedar, and some coffee.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  Cassis over coffee grounds.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This will likely last as long as the single vineyard wines, another decade easily, probably two.  It is delicious on its own right now but should gain in complexity as it mature

2015 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Limerick Lane, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

What a beauty.  This wine is drinking great and while it may age gracefully, it won't get more enjoyable for my tastes.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has red licorice, black cherries, cherries and spice.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Juicy acidity.  Lots of cherry fruit over a bit of char.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own.  Gulpable.  It will work with roasted or grilled meats, veggies or fowl but needs bigger foods.  It should be at this level for another five years and then start morphing into more of a claret style.  

2016 Domaine Tempier Bandol La Migoua, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

A blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, 26% Cinsault, and 4% Syrah.  This was part of a tasting that taught me that, more than most Bandol's, Tempier's will need plenty of cellar time to peak.  This was tasty now, but just felt like it was holding back.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is tight.  With air, some black cherries come out.  Eventually a bit of spice as well.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Very deep but tightly wound.  Black cherry fruit.  Plenty of tannins.  Long finish.  If drinking now give it a few hours in a decanter.  Otherwise cellar for ten more years.  This

2010 Domaine de la Tour du Bon Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

Purple/ruby in color, slightly flat.  The nose seemed a bit off, perhaps storage.  It had a bit of aquarium going on.  Yet, there is also some black cherries and a bit of minerality.  On the palate, this is much better.  A pretty backbone of acidity.  Nice fresh cherry fruit.  Slight tannins.  Some complexity.  Long finish.  This is drinking about where one would expect at age 9.  It won't get better but should be at peak for the next five to seven years.  This will work with most meat or fowl based dishes or roasted veggies too.

2015 Domaine de la Begude Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

Another new winery for me (which is always fun).  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, a charred earthiness and black olives.  On the palate this has light tannins, black cherry fruit with a nice back bone of acidity.  This is young but drinks well on its own.  It should gain some complexity.  Hold for a three years and drink over the next five to seven.  It will go well with stews and fowl.  

2016 Domaine Tempier Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is 75% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, and 2% Carignan.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is tight.  Dusty with black cherries.  On the palate, this has a wonderful glycerin texture but is tight as a drum.  Not much fruit today.  Some slightly bitter notes.  With air some black cherries come out.  Shorter finish.  This keeps getting better with air so if drinking soon, give it a few hours in a decanter.  Better to wait five to ten more years on it.  All that said, it's perhaps harsh as the overall experience is still very pleasing.  It will need big food today to pair

2016 La Bastide Blanche Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This is young but what a beautiful Bandol.  Inky purple in color.  A lovely nose with black cherries, black olives and just a hint of funk.  On the palate, this is very lively.  Light tannins.  Medium bodied.  Great acidity.  Lots of black cherry fruit.  Depth but tight.  Long finish.  This is delicious now, but could easily show a point or two of improvement in three to five years as it develops.  Great on its own, it needs bigger foods to pair with now but that should broaden with age.  Easily has another decade of life.  

2007 Domaine Tempier Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This is a big wine that is still not giving up much.  The question at age 12 is when, if ever, it will reach that optimum peak.  Purple in color.  The nose is very tight.  With air some black raspberries and black olives come out.  On the palate, this is very tannic.  Some black raspberry fruit with a bit of black licorice.  When the tannins finally integrate will there be any fruit left?  That is the key question.  It is a very good wine today, but is this as good as it gets?  Given the reputation of the winery, one hope for more.  Let's this sit for a while and check back in three to five

2015 Chateau Val D'Arenc Fontbrune Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This was a new house for me.  In a blind tasting, it was the groups #2 wine.  While it did not rank quite that high for me, it is an outstanding wine to be sure.  A blend of 70% Mourvèdre, 15% Cinsault, and 15% Grenache.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  Bright.  The nose has a cherry sweet tart quality.  Also fresh cherries and sour cherries.  Slight earthiness with a touch of volatile acidity.  On the palate, this has a slick texture.  Slight tannins.  Black cherry fruit.  Medium finish.  This may still improve a bit as it is still young.  It should easily have five to seven more y

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