2018 Sigalas Assyrtiko Santorini, Greece, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

Assyrtiko is quickly becoming one of my favorite white grapes.  Light golden in color.  The nose is mostly about minerals and salinity but there are some pears as well.  The pears are a bit stronger on the palate, but the underlying minerality and saline finish are still present.  This is light bodied but very energetic.  Moderate acidity.  Medium finish.  Of course, this is made for seafood or lighter Mediterranean cuisine, but it drinks nice on its own.  I really have no idea if this will age but I would think it is better in its first couple of years.   

2015 Sineann Pinot Noir Reserve Wy'east, USA, Oregon, Columbia Gorge, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Sineann lost a couple of it's best vineyard sources but this vineyard seems better than ever.  Of course, this is a reserve bottling.  Medium/dark ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, sour cherries, baking spices, and cedar.  A slight dry earthiness comes out with air.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Sour cherries and cherries over spices with slight char.  Good finish.  This is a delicious wine.  It has a nice depth but will need to be aged a bit to show some delineations.  It will continue to get better for the next five years or so and be good for ten to fifteen after th

2012 Domaine Font de Michelle Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Etienne Gonnet, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is a big wine, but it was surprising how well it is drinking now.  Purple in color.  Plums, black cherries, spice, slight floral all make up an enticing nose.  On the palate, this has a lush but crisp texture.  Plenty of juicy fruit; plums black cherries and even some black raspberries intertwined with spices and charcoal over a slight earthiness.  Good energy.  Long finish.  This seems so good today, it doesn't appear that it will get better but will certainly change as it matures.  It will go great with casseroles and stews as well as burgers and steaks.  It has another five to seven

2015 Sbragia Family Zinfandel La Promessa, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$42.00USD

My first time trying this Zinfandel.  Its a very nice "middle of the road" in style, Zin.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, cedar and slight bramble.  On the palate, this has good acidity.  Not strong but enough to support the fruit.  Overall it is softer on the palate, but the black cherry fruit comes thru.  Good finish.  It drinks well on its own and would work with all sorts of casual food.  I think it is best to drink in the next few years, but it wouldn't be surprising if this is drinking well, albeit in a claret style, in ten years.  

2011 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$130.00USD

Mostly Syrah with a bit of Rousanne.  The 2011's from Saxum are in a great place right now.  They drink a bit younger than most of Justin Smith's wines.  Pop and pour, this one was great.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted meats, white pepper and "purple" floral notes.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Big but not blowsy.  Lots of energy.  Good acidity.  Notes of black raspberries over char and spice.  Long finish.  This was great on its own (with a cigar) by the fire but will work well with heavier stews and roasted meats, or even cheeses.  No hurry, t

2015 Sbragia Family Merlot Home Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is the home winery from longtime Beringer winemaker, Ed Sbragia.  This is an accessible Merlot that is drinking well right now.  Purple in color.  The nose has cherries, slight tobacco and slight chocolate.  On the palate, there is not a lot of depth but the cherries are strong.  A bit of a char underneath.  Some tobacco on the finish.  It seems like it should probably be drunk in the next few years.  It will work well with burgers or pasta and has enough flavor to drink on its own.  It has 95% Merlot and 5% Petite Sirah.  

2016 Ramey Chardonnay Russian River Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Ramey makes some of the best California Cabs that are mass distributed.  That is not to say they are inexpensive but they are made in sufficient qualtities to be generally available.  This one has a light golden color.  The nose is pretty with peaches, cream and slight lemon curd.  Not as much oak as many Ramey wines.  On the palate, this is full bodied with a creamy texture.  The peaches and lemon come thru along with a bit of yeastiness.  Good finish.  This is a robust Chardonnay but has plenty of energy to work with or without food.  It will match up well with salads and heartier seafood

2000 Cockburn Porto Vintage, Portugal, Duoro, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

This is in a great place right now.  Mature but still fresh with good fruit.  Purple/ruby  in color.  The nose has chocolate, cherries, raisins and slight alcohol.  On the palate, the chocolate covered cherries predominate but some raisin and a but underneath char.  slight heat but just barely.  Sweet but not a lot.  Long finish.  No hurry on this, it has a while but at a very pretty stage.  Great on its own, it will work with cheese, or chocolate desserts.

2006 Sineann Syrah The Old Ball and Chain, USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is an artificially frozen dessert wine from the Scorched Earth Vineyard.  It is made from Syrah grapes that were harvested at 37 brix.  The residual sugar 8% and 14.5% ABV.  It has held up quite well and is drinking very well, perhaps, on better now.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, a simple syrup note, plums and chocolate covered raisins.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Sweet, not cloying.  Very port-like.  Not a ton of complexity.  Goes quite well with a bit of cheese or chocolate.  This was a one off and only made this one time.  

2015 SonkinCellars Persona, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Biased review.  This was the last vintage that we made at SonkinCellars.  While probably not our best, it's a good wine that will continue to improve for the next five or so years.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight roasted meat and roasted vegetables and hints of floral.  On the palate, a nice backbone of acidity.  Nice black raspberry fruit with an underlying char and earth.  Good finish.  This might get a bit better.  If drinking now, give it a few hours of air.  It will go well with cassoulet or roasted foods.  

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