2011 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$95.00USD

During this period of "Stay Home", it helps to every once in a while open something really good.  Even during the middle of the week (to the extent I can keep track of what day it is).  The 2011 Saxum's are drinking beautifully.  That vintage seems to be maturing a bit faster than most.  This is a blend of 58% Syran, 27% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre.  inky purple in color with a thin magenta line at the rim.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, roasted meats, dried floral notes and slight chocolate.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Rich but not overblown.  Smoo

2006 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

This is in a beautiful place right now.  Pop and poour and consumed over three hours, it was gorgeous all the way thru.  Deep ruby in color, a bit lighter at the rim.  The nose is intoxicating with cherries, black cherries, just a slight bit of funk, roasted meats, dried floral notes and light spice.  On the palate, the texture is lovely.  Rich, but just barely with lots of energy.  Bright with plenty of depth.  Fresh cherries with underlying earthiness.  Tight layering that unwinds in the glass.  Nice finish.  This is not a blockbuster but it has all the parts in the right proportions.  It

2015 4 Monos Vinos de Madrid Danza del Viento La Isilla, Spain, Sierra de redos, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

From the mountains, just east of Madrid comes this old vine, high altitude Garnacha that is unlike any that I have tried from elsewhere in the world.  It is 98% Garnacha and 2% Cariñena.  The vines are 90 years old.  It is very pretty in the glass.  Light but intense ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has candied cherries, with underlying char and great minerality.  With air a touch of pine and salinity shows up.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Very concentrated.  The candied cherries are there but also a fresh cherry quality.  Underlying char and minerals.  Great energy wit

2013 Viña Quebrada de Macul Cabernet Sauvignon Domus Aurea, Chile, Maipo Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

This is a higher end wine from Chile.  It took about an hour to start firing and then kept improving.  Very "new world".  It is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc.  The wine is deep ruby with a purple core.  On the nose, this is big with black cherries, tobacco, roasted herbs and slight dried cherry and dried floral notes.  Full bodied with medium tannins.  Big ripe/sweet fruit on the palate.  Cherries and black cherries.  There is a nice depth with tight layering.  An almost syrupy note.  Luckily, there is depth and good acidity to keep the

2016 Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Cabernet Sauvignon Los Vascos Grande Réserve Chile, Colchagua Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This was $20 locally but can be found for less in other parts of the world.  It took about 20 to 30 minutes to open up.  Deep ruby in color, lighter at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, bell pepper and very smoky.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Cherries turning slightly bitter on the finish.  A slight streak of Rosemary.  I don't drink a lot from Chile, but I am told that 2016 was a difficult vintage.  After the initial 20 minutes, this didn't change much.  It is a decent value for near term drinking.  It probably won't go more than five years.  A nice enough w

2016 K Vintners Syrah Powerline Estate, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

One of my favorite Washington Syrahs, the 2016 is right up there.  These are big Syrahs, especially for Washington, but they will come down with age.  inky purple in color, ruby at the rim.  Opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black pepper and a slight floral (violets?) note.  Full bodied.  Wonderful, juicy texture.  Tons of black raspberry fruit on the palate with an underlying roasted herb note.

2017 Bedrock Wine Co. Riesling Wirz Vineyard, USA, California, Central Coast, Cienega Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This is an interesting take on Rielsing.  Light golden/yellow in color.  The nose has an interesting citrus quality with a bit of sea air.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Dry.  It is mostly about the minerality/salinity on the palate.  Somewhat concentrated.  Consumed over three nights, it was at its best on night 2.  Not the most expressive Riesling but very enjoyable.  It is very food friendly and will work with almost any food.  Fired chicken would be a great pairing.  Drink now and for at least ten to twelve years.  

2017 Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Mont, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

Just an outstanding bottle of wine from a wine that is just about always great!  Light golden in color with slight green swirls.  A gorgeous nose with honey, pineapple, great minerality, salinity and crushed shells.  On the palate, this is slightly viscous.  Slightly sweet.  Wonderfully balanced.  Peaches, honey, red apples with underlying minerality.  Long finish.  This is just delicious.  Easy to drink.  Consumed over two nights it was very different but great on both nights.  Much more seamless on the second night if a bit less exuberant.  This will work well with salads and also spicy f

2016 Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper, USA, California, Napa Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$140.00USD

This is an amazing bottle of wine.  Very young, of course.  Deep purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, slight cedar, char, slight floral notes and just a bit of background earthiness.  On the palate, this has a lush texture.  It still has firm tannins.  Lots of black raspberry fruit.  Very concentrated.  An underlying earthy/tobacco-ness.  Lots of lively energy.  Delicious, this drinks very easily.  While it drinks well today, this will continue to mature for ten years and be good for ten to fifteen more after that.  A nice match with a roasted spagh

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