2010 Morgan Pinot Noir Twelve Clones, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Santa Lucia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010

Perhaps its a style thing, but this one was not up my alley.  Maybe it just hasn't held up well or not optimally stored.  Ruby in color.  The nose is ok, with cherries and cherry juice.  On the palate, this is sweet.  Has to be some residual sugar I would think.  Candied cherries.  Not much depth.  Not much acidity.  Frankly, I couldn't wait for the finish to end.  I know some people would love this wine, but I am not one of them.  YMMV.  Given that I just don't like this style it doesn't seem fair to score it.  

2015 Cardinale Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$250.00USD

This is one of the gems in the Kendall Jackson portfolio.  This is a world class Cabernet.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cedar, milk chocolate, and a bit of char.  On the palate, this has a wonderful muscular texture.  Firm tannins.  Lots of cassis fruit.  Deep and complex if still tight.  Lively with great balance and precision.  Long finish.  This is delicious but grabs your attention.  It still has some upside as it ages and probably at least seven to ten years from peak.  It should easily last two more decades, plus.  It should be versatile to go well with most medium and heav

2016 Wayfarer Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Fort Ross - Seaview, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

This is a wine from Pahlmeyer.  I first tried it back in 2012 before it was released, but had not seen it since.  So when a friend put this on the table I was excited to revisit it.  An excellent wine and not your typical California Chardonnay.  Light gold with some green swirls.  The nose explodes from the glass with peaches, marzipan, some citrus and even a touch of green apple.  With air, a waxy quality come thru.  On the palate, this is just as vibrant.  Oranges, peaches with an under subtle oak.  A bit of salinity right at the end.  This is drinking very well right now and it would be

2013 Next of Kyn Syrah No~7 Cumulus Vineyard, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$315.00USD

From the producers of Sine Qua Non, this is the 7th edition of this wine.  The label says 15.8% but there is no hint of heat.  This vintage is a blend of 45% Syrah, 29% Grenache, 15% Petite Sirah, 5% Mourvèdre, 4.5% Touriga Nacional and 1.5% Roussanne.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, red licorice, black pepper, baking spices with a bit of leather/earth.  On the palate, this is rich.  Almost seamless.  It took quite a while to really open up suggesting that this wine still needs about five years depending on your tastes.  Delicious with flavors of black raspberries an

NV Gardet Champagne Tradition Brut Chigny-lès-Roses, France, Wine Review

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

This is 45% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Meunier.  A nice Champagne for the money.  Light golden in color.  A nice mousse of smaller bubbles.  The nose has toast, yeast and a bit of lemons.  On the palate, those flavors come thru.  This needs some food as there is a bit of acidity here.  Refreshing.  Drink within the first few years of release.  

2016 Halcon Vineyards Syrah Alturas, USA, California, Mendocino, Yorkville Highlands, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

Halcon wines are some of the best values in California wine.  They are top quality cooler climate Syrahs being made at lower alcohol levels in a deliberate style.  At the same time, they are not short on fruit or deliciousness.  They really do take some time to develop though and cellaring or air is highly recommended.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has boysenberries, slight black pepper, slight fried bacon, and a bit of charred earth.  On the palate, this has a medium body.  Tightly layered, it unwinds in the glass.  Nice boysenberry fruit with an underlying minerality.  It s

2017 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This is a very nice value for those looking for a reasonably priced California Cabernet.  It is from Paso Robles, an area generally not known for its Cabs.  Dark ruby in color.  The nose has cherries and slight kirsch notes along with some baking spice and a bit of vanilla.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with good acidity.  Cherries with some oak.  Medium finish.  This will improve over the next couple of years as it integrates and should be good for five to seven after that.  A nice with with grilled burgers.  

2001 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$85.00USD

A fine showing for this wine.  At age 18, it is drinking well with plenty of time left.  This bottle was decanted for sediment and served.  It could have used an hour in the decanter or more to really open.  The last glass was the best.  Deeper ruby in color, mostly opaque.  The nose is clean for the most part.  Cherries, raspberries, some earthiness and nice minerality on the nose.  On the palate, this is medium to full bodied.  Plenty of depth with nice layering in the glass.  A lot of fruit left; cherries and raspberries and some black raspberries, over a dry earthy quality.  This bottle

2012 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard, USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$95.00USD

John Alban is one of the pioneers of Rhone varietal wines in California.  His eponymous winery  is still one of the best.  This is a big wine but for those who like this style, it is excellent.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, some black pepper, slight roasted meats and gravelly dirt.  On the palate, the texture is lush and almost seamless.  This is slightly sweet, most likely from ripe fruit.  Black raspberries and some black cherries.  Plenty of depth with a long finish.  A tasty wine for sure.  It drinks great on its own (and was perfect with a nice Cuban cigar).  It wi

2014 Linne Calodo Problem Child, USA, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

72% Zinfandel with 20% Syrah and 8% Mourvedre.  This is a brawny wine that is delicious.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, black pepper, slight bramble and baking spice.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Juicy black cherries over a bit of char with slight woody notes.  There is a nice depth to this wine.  It should continue to develop complexity over the next few years.  It should last another decade.  Whether it improves or not depends on how mature you like your Zins.  This is great on its own and should work great with grilled meats or spicy hot foods.  

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