2013 Domaine du Collier Saumur La Charpentrie Rouge, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This is from a region typically more known for their whites.  The owner of this winery is the son and nephew of the owners of Clos Rougeard, a "cult" wine in the Loire Valley.  This is Cabernet Franc from old vines.  It is a very nice wine.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has a slight barnyard with cherries, black licorice and slight hay quality.  On the palate, concentrated cherries.  Nice layering as this unwinds in the glass.  It has a soft texture but at the some time intense.  Long finish.  Certainly not over ripe, this wine will work better with food.  It would be interesting to try

2005 Jean-Luc Dubois Beaune 1er Cru Cent-Vignes, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This was fine.  Probably a bit past prime, but it probably never was great to begin with.  More a victim of higher expectations given the vintage and age. Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with some cherries.  Not old, but not exciting either.  On the palate, there is some energy here.  It has a nice velvety texture.  Cherry flavors.  Not much depth.  Medium finish.  If you have any, drink up soon.  This will work well with fowl.   

2017 Bodegas Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero Finca Resalso, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

Moro is one of the top producers in Ribera del Duero.  This is their entry level red and is made from Tinto de Toro (a clone of Tempranillo).  It spends four months in oak before being bottled.  Purple/ruby in color.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, dust and slight dill notes.  On the palate, this is very ripe fruit.  Very light tannins.  Mostly cherries, some sour cherries with some black licorice notes and spice especially on the finish.  This is made for immediate drinking and it is fine for that.  It will works with stews and foods without strong flavors.  

2017 Fattoria di Petrognano Chianti Meme, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This is a nice solid Chianti for a very nice price.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with cherries, anise and tea leaves.  Light tannins.  On the palate, sour cherries over slight forest floor.  Good finish.  This is very food friendly with excellent acidity.  Will go great with pasta, pizza and fowl dishes.  It should probably be drunk in the next few years but will probably be drinkable for five to seven if not at peak.  

2017 Château Les Croisille Cahors Le Croizillon Malbec, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

From the Cahors region of southwest France.  In Cahors, Malbec is known as  "Côt", "Côt Noir" or "Auxerrois", so the fact that the label says Malbec tells us a lot about the intended market for this wine.  Not to mention that in other than in Alsace, naming a varietal on the label, is usually not a good sign.  Of course, its what is in the bottle that count.  Ruby in color.  The nose is dusty with cherry hard candy.  On the palate, this has sour cherry candy with slight plums.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  A short to medium finish.  This is made to drink now, with BBQ or on its own.  Noth

2018 Orchard Lane Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

A pretty classic version of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  For those looking for this, and there are many fans, this is a well priced alternative to many of the standards that have risen in price over the last decade.  Light golden in color.  The nose has gooseberries or maybe passions fruit (I need to visit a grocery store and compare the two).  Slightly oily texture.  Tart gooseberries on the palate.  A bit metallic on the finish.  This is crisp and easy.  Fresh.  It should be drunk this summer.  Probably more likely to be drunk on its own but will work with fruit salads and other lighte

2018 La Closerie des Lys Les Fruitières Rosé, France, Languedoc, Limoux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This is a nice, easy drinking rose from the south of France, made from Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache.  Light salmon/burnt orange in color.  The nose has watermelons and orange citrus.  On the palate, more viscous than expected.  It is dry.  13% ABV on the label.  Strawberries with a bit of bitterness on the finish.  Some warmth as well.  Priced at $14, this is a fine wine on its own on the back deck on a summer night and will work with some lighter foods too.  Drink this year.  

2017 Tablas Creek Grenache Blanc, USA, California, Paso Robles

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Grenache Blanc doesn't get enough respect.  That may be because in Europe, it doesn't do as well and is used as a blending grape, seldom on its own.  In California, however, there are many examples of Grenache Blanc being bottled independently and some of those are quite good.  This is one of them.  Tablas Creek specializes in Rhone varietals and while this wine is not sold en masse, it is available at the winery.  Light golden in color.  The nose has nice pear notes with some anise and slight salinity.  On the palate, the pears continue along with some honeydew notes and underlying chalkin

2015 Tenuta di Trinoro Le Cupole Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is a Bordeaux blend Super Tuscan wine from one of the top producers in Tuscany.  It is one of their less expensive offerings and is always an outstanding wine.  This wine is surprisingly open and drinking well already considering that 2015 is an outstanding vintage in Tuscany.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, slight tobacco and spice.  On the palate, this has a nice juiciness to it.  Black cherry fruit dominates at this point with some underlying tobacco/earth.  Light tannins.  Nice finish.  This might still improve but either way should be good

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