2014 Calera Chardonnay Mount Harlan, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This was a great comparison drinking side by side with a Rhys Chard.  From similar areas south of San Francisco.  This is a bit more austere although that isn't really the right word.  Perhaps not as flamboyant?  In any event, this is fantastic.  Light golden in color.  The nose is great with lemon curd, slight peaches, and a bit of lime.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with crisp acidity.  Almost seamless from the first sip to the smooth finish.  The lemon curds follow thru to the palate.  Long finish.  This is very food friendly and will work with all but the heaviest of foods.  Gre

2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah Exposition One Weill Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$225.00USD

This is part of a three part release that was an homage to the Guigal La La wines of the Northern Rhone.  This was my first time trying any of them and they still need a bit more time.  Purple in color.  The nose has a lot of oak still to work thru.  Of course, there is plenty of black raspberry fruit so it should be able to.  There is some roasted meat and black pepper as well.  On the palate, the oak is also pronounced.  Firm tannins.  Gobs of black raspberry fruit.  Deep but impenetrable.  All of that said, it is delicious now, slightly sweet and highly enjoyable on its own.  It is more

2017 CrossBarn (Paul Hobbs) Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

Purchased off a restaurant list which is a great place for this if priced fairly.  It is ready to go and provides good drinking for the money.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose is more about tropical fruits than expected; mango and melons.  Maybe some peaches as well.  On the palate, this is big but not oaky.  Peaches with slight acidity.  Worked well with sushi.  This should probably be drunk up by 2022.  

2009 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah Old Lakeville Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Nice to revisit this at age 10.  Mature and drinking well.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose has black raspberries, black olives, charcoal and black pepper.  On the palate, this is clean with black raspberry fruit.  Some depth and complexity.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This won't get better but should hold for a decade more.  It goes great with food or on its own.  

2015 Keplinger Lithic, USA, California, Amador County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

This is a blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache, and 26% Syrah.  It is a big wine that is ripe and delicious.  The nose has black raspberries, blue berries, roasted meat and herbs, black pepper and some cherries.  On the palate, this is big.  Firm tannins.  Juicy black raspberry and blueberry fruit with an underlying minerality.  It softens a bit in the glass.  It is great on its own but a difficult food match at present.  It will most certainly evolve and gain integration over the next five to ten years at which time it will be great with cassoulets and roasted foods.  No regrets about open

2008 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve, USA, California, Napa, Conn Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$120.00USD

Conn Valley is slightly out of the way in the Napa Valley, but this winery continues to make great wines at fair prices.  It was nice to be able to try one with a bit of age on it.  I had last tried this wine on release and from Magnum when it was more about potential.  That potential has been (mostly) realized.  There will be further development but it is close to maturity.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, slight black raspberries, a bit of cedar and spice.  On the palate, this is very concentrated.  Not a fruit bomb, but certainly of Napa.  Lots of cassis and black raspberries over

2012 Ayoub Chardonnay, USA, Oregon, Dundee Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

A very nice Chardonnay from Oregon.  Light golden/yellow in color, just a hint of cloudiness.  The nose is big with a bit of oak/vanilla.  Nice red apples and a bit of lemon cream.  On the palate, this is a bit fat but enough acidity to make it work.  Apples and slight lemons.  Good finish.  This is terrific on it own, a bit more limited with food but would be great with sea food or lighter middle eastern foods.  While it won't get better, it still has five years (at least left).  

2008 Drappier Champagne Grande Sendrée, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

This is delicious.  From an excellent vintage and drinking youthfully.  A blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay.  Light golden in color.  The nose shows green apples, some chalk and marzapan.  Very nice but tight.  More open on the palate.  Very lively acidity.  Green apples and minerals.  It starts out tight and broadens over the palate.  Long finish.  This will work with almost any food.  It is still young although drinking nicely but is likely to improve over the next tne years and be good for at least that long after that.  

2005 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

This is just starting to get where it is going but should easily have two decades left.  Deep ruby in color with some purple swirls.  The nose is great with cassis, tobacco, dark chocolate and slight pencil lead.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Juicy cassis flavors intertwined with a slight earthiness a char.  It unwinds in the glass.  Pop and pour, it would be better served with a slow ox or decant.  It will go well with a wide range of food.  

2009 Domaines Lupier Navarra El Terroir, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$32.00USD

This is a Garnacha (Grenache) from the region of Navarra in north central Spain.  Although Spain is in Europe, many of its wines are very much new world in style and this one certainly is.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is pretty with black cherries, cedar, with slight figs/raisins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit over a bed of charred wood.  Still pretty thick tannins.  Nice finish.  This wine needs more time to develop but there should be an upside.  It drinks surprisingly young at age ten but all of the pieces parts are there.  It worked well with grilled Tofu (and would with meat or

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