2016 Bodegas Virxen de Galir Valdeorras Pagos del Galir, Spain, Valdeorras, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This comes from northwest Spain.  It is made from 100% Mencia grapes and spends six months in oak and six in bottle before being released.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is nice with cherries, soy and spice.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries with an underlying spice.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  This should hold for three to five years if stored well.  It will go well with chicken and lighter meat dishes as well as vegetable dishes.  

2018 Bonterra Young Red, USA, California, Mendocino, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

This is an unusual wine.  It takes some of the Rose this winery produces and hard presses the grapes (presumably after the juice intended for the Rose is separated).  Hard pressing is basically squeezing to get a bit more juice.  This is typically tannic.  The difference is they then adds in Malbec juice to the wine.  The wine is barrel fermented and then aged for a bit in stainless steel.  The result is a young, lighter wine that is not too unlike a Beaujolais.  It proved quite popular at our www.Intowine.com tasting.  We liked this a bi

2018 Flora Springs Sauvignon Blanc Soliloquy, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (44%), Chardonnay (41%), Malvasia (10%), and Pinot Gris(5%).  The name comes from a proprietary clone of Sauvignon Blanc that Flora Springs utilizes in the Crossroads vineyard.   It is an interesting white that really needs some air when opening.  Silvery/green in color with pale yellow/gold.  On opening the oak is dominant and that did not work well.  Of course, this is just being released and that will cure itself.  In any event, patience is rewarded.  After about an hour of breathing the tropical fruit came out.  A slight bit of grassiness, in a good wa

2017 Bodegas Virxen de Galir Valdeorras Pagos del Galir, Spain, Galicia, Valdeorras, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This comes from northwest Spain and is made from 100% Godello grapes.  It is an interesting take on this varietal seeming more modern and new world than many.  Pale golden in color.  The nose is nice with limes and slight vanilla notes.  There is a slight golden raisin note with air and then a bit of peach and mint.  Really very pleasant.  On the palate, this is soft and smooth.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Notes of dry pineapple (if that makes sense) with a touch of vanilla and a bit of peach.  This should be drunk in the next year or two.  It will go well with seafood or fowl and certa

2017 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is the base Chardonnay from one of the best producers of Chardonnay in California.  It is really classic California in style, yet everything is in proportion and works.  It is a great example of how good an oaked Chardonnay can be and not be over oaked.  The winery uses no new oak, yet the barrels leave and impression as does just a hint of butter on the nose.  Golden in color.  The nose is so pretty with peaches, crème brûlée, a bit of buttered popcorn, and lemon peel.  On the palate, this is crisp with peach, lemon and slight vanilla.  Medium to full bodied.  Good acidity.  Nice fini

2015 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

 This is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc.  This is a very nice value in Napa Cabernet.  They also make a Reserve which is a bit better but a lot more expensive.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose shows cassis, a bit of coffee, slight anise, and spice.  On the palate, this is soft but still has enough structure to hang the fruit on.  Good balance.  Cassis with an earthy/tobacco underneath.  Good finish.  This will work well with a wide variety of foods.  It may improve still but certainly should last another seven to ten years.   

2016 Hourglass HG III, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is a red blend that is 48% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah.  It is a delicious wine that is drinking well but will likely improve with some cellar time.  Deep ruby in color with some purple at the core.  The nose shows black raspberries, cherries, dark chocolate, spice and cigar box.  On the palate, this is medium to full bodied.  Moderate tannins.  Lots of cherries, black cherries and also some plums over char and tobacco.  Nice finish.  This will work well with bigger foods and certainly a burger on the grill would be great.  Drin

2014 Meyer Family Cabernet Sauvignon Spitfire, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

This is a nice almost old school California Cabernet.  Thought there is plenty of fruit, I would not call it a fruit bomb.  More of a middle ground style of wine.  It is aged for two years in American oak, 50% new.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, cloves, and nutmeg.  On the palate, this has cassis over a dried wood quality.  Good acidity.  Medium to full bodied.  13.8% ABV.  Good finish.  This is still young but is drinking well.  It works a bit better with food though its fine on its own.  Think stews and casseroles.  It should continue to mture for five to seven m

2018 Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc Sonoma County, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$10.00USD

This is a very nice mass produced Sauvignon Blanc from California.  Consistent from vintage to vintage and always an excellent value.  Another of those wines that it's easy for wine geeks to dismiss but there is real quality here.  Light golden in color.  The nose shows peaches, melons, vanilla and spice.  On the palate, the peaches continue.  Nice full bodied texture.  A bit of oak showing as vanilla and spice.  Moderate acidity but enough to work with food.  Nice finish.  This wine drinks well on its own and worked well with lighter salads.  

2016 Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Vintner's Reserve, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$10.00USD

This is the best selling Chardonnay in America and has been for 25 years.  Almost three million cases are produced annually.  While it's ubiquitous, some times wine geeks are too easy to dismiss it.  This is an excellent value in Chardonnay.  Light golden in color with specks of green.  The nose has vanilla, apples and a bit of honey.  On the palate, this is ever so slightly ripe/sweet.  No bitterness.  Easy to drink with apples and honey coming thru.  Clean.  Moderate acidity.  Moderate finish.  It worked well with a variety of garden and fruit salads and was certainly drinkable on it own.

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