2017 Flora Springs Cabernet Franc All Hallows Eve

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

So this is apparently produced for the Flora Springs wine club.  They make 330 cases of it.  It has a really fun label and I guess the idea is to serve it for Halloween parties.  Seems like a pretty specific target audience, but I salute them for having fun with it.  They actually have a whole series of Halloween wines.  The wine itself is outstanding and I am not sure if it gets some short shrift due to the fun label.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries and spice.  On the palate, black cherry fruit.  Slight tannins.  Some depth.  Drinking well now.  I suppose the obvious food

2013 Thirty-Seven Winery Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Garnet in color, clear and bright with darker swirls.  The nose is very nice with cherries, candied cherries, some salinity and slight mint.  A nice mouthfeel/texture.  On the palate, flavors of cherries with a slight spice under them.  Light tannins.  Good finish.  This is a middle ground styled Pinot for the Sonoma Coast.  It will go well with salmon or fowl and also lighter salads.  It seems a touch on the young side still so there may be some upside improvement.  It should easily last another decade. 

2017 Citra Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Italy, Abruzzo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$8.00USD

Citra is a collection of farmers in Abruzzo who got together to form a winery.  They make a variety of wines that are inexpensive yet enjoyable.  This is screw capped.  It has a deep garnet color.  The nose has cherries, candied cherries, smoke and a bit of spice.  On the palate, it's more cherries and sour cherries with some spice.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  An easy drinking wine that is priced well.  Made to drink now.  Will work well with pizza, pasta or burgers. 

2017 Citra Sangiovese Terre di Chieti IGT, Italy, Abruzzo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

Citra is a collection of 3,000 growers who came together to form a winery, so basically a co-op.  Terre di Chieti is a growing area in Abruzzo that has yet to achieve DOC(G) status.  This is a charming red wine that is inexpensive and ready to drink.  The bottle is screw capped.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries and leather.  There is also a sweaty horse scent which I enjoyed.  It is warm and earthy and in the back ground so not over powering.  On the palate, this has a soft texture.  It is earthy but clean with nice cherries.  Slightly drying tan

2017 Sterling Vineyards 375 ml Aluminum Bottle Cabernet Sauvignon,

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$8.00USD

The third of three wines tasted in this format.  It comes in a 375ml aluminum bottle with a wider screw cap.  This is a great idea for bringing wine places where glass is more difficult or not allowed.  At $8, it is a very good value in a California Cabernet.  The grapes are from three different vineyards in California's Central Coast.  The nose has cassis, cherries, some confectioners sugar.  Bright.  On the palate, this has black cherries with some mint.  Light tannins.  Slightly sweet.  It is tasty.  A bit short on the finish.  Easy drinking.  It worked well with just a slight chill to i

2017 Sterling Vineyards 375ml Aluminum Bottle Rosé, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$8.00USD

This is one of three wines available in an aluminum bottle.  375ml.  It is also screw capped.  This is a very portable way to carry wine to picnics and other events.  It would be great by the pool or at the beach as well with no worries about broken glass or having an opener.  This is mostly Syrah and Tempranillo from the Edna Valley in California with some Zinfandel.  Salmon pink/orange in color.  The nose has very pretty strawberries.  Clean.  On the palate, the strawberries come thru along with some cherries and a bit of citrus.  There is also a pleasant tea like bitterness.  This is ver

2017 Sterling Vineyards 375 ml Aluminum Bottle Chardonnay, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$7.00USD

This is mostly about the packaging although the wine is very nice as well.  This comes in an aluminum bottle that holds 375ml of wine.  The Chardonnay is designated as California.  The top screws off but is a bit wider than a traditional screw top bottle.  The Aluminum is interesting as it chilled down nicely but really needed a cold pack to stay cold.  That said, this is a great format for taking wine to picnics and concerts (that allow it).  No worries about broken glass.  Easy to open and really could be consumed directly although we shared it in glasses.  The wine itself is good.  It ha

2017 Citra Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, Italy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This is a nice inexpensive white wine from the region of Abruzzo.  It is made with the Trebbiano grape.  Pale, silvery copper in color.  The nose has citrus (grapefruit and orange) with slight mint.  On the palate, this has a nice mouthfeel.  Pink grapefruit flavors.  Tart.  It actually has some slight tannins.  Long finish.  This will be great at a party.  it will go well with salads and pasta dishes as well well as fish or fowl.  The screw cap will help it maintain its freshness but it should be drunk now.  

2016 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

Light golden/green in color.  Lovely nose of flint with slight green apples.  A big nose over all.  In the palate, this has a slightly oily texture.  Great acidity.  Slight green apples with lots of minerals.  Long finish.  This was my WOTN at a recent blind tasting of Chablis although the group had it in 4th place.  Still young, this should continue to evolve and mature for the next decade and be good for another decade or more after that.  It will pair well with seafood, salads and other lighter foods.  

2007 Wolfberger Pinot Gris Rangen, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

This is a sweet wine though no markings on the bottle to indicate that.  It was served after a meal and worked well.  Not cloying but more than off dry.  Light golden in color.  The nose has honey and apricots.  Also a bit of ginger.  This is viscous.  On the palate, the honey and apricots come thru.  Enough acidity to bring it all together.  Will work well with fruit desserts or on its own.  Seems to be cruising along just fine so at least another five and probably ten years at this level.  

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