2013 Cantina della Torre Barolo Casali del Barone, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
84
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is one of those wines that when you read the label, expectations are raised.  Though I had not heard to the producer, a Barolo, in a great vintage for $40, should be a great wine.  This is not.  It is a fine, drinkable wine but not more.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has some black cherries.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  The black cherries carry thru.  Moderate finish.  Some, not a lot of, acidity.  A nice pizza wine (if the price works for you).  

2013 Domaine des Tourelles Marquis des Beys, Lebanon, Bekaa Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is a 50/50 Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon blend from the Bekaa valley in Lebanon.  It is a reasonably priced wine and well worth the price of admission.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, spice and a bit of char.  On the palate, this is tasty with black raspberry fruit.  This is about easy drinking in the near term.  No tannins.  It probably needs to be drunk soon at this point (it is already six years old).  It will go with a wide variety of foods.  Obviously mid-eastern foods come to mind, but it will work well with Indian foods too.  

NV Sandeman Porto 30 Year Old Tawny, Portugal, Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

This is a very nice Tawny that, considering it is a 30 year, is a nice value.  Light brown with orange swirls in color, clear and bright.  The nose has some toffee, figs and slight raisin notes.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet.  Viscous.  Enough acidity.  Long finish.  This will, of course, last a long time.  It is great on its own but would work with dried fruit desserts that are not too sweet.  

2015 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$185.00USD

This is one of the great wines of the world.  This is a Bordeaux blend made in Tuscany.  2015 was an excellent if quite ripe vintage.  All of that ends with a wine that is no where close to being ready to drink.  It doesn't matter how young you like your wines, this needs time.  If I had to drink a bottle now, i would decant it for a week.  It is tight, brooding and a monster.  That said, it will eventually be a tremendous wine.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, cassis, coffee, spice and slight tobacco.  On the palate, there was a fierce wall of tannins.  Juicy black cherry fr

2001 Château de Fargues, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$128.00USD

Château de Fargues probably doesn't get enough recognition and 2001 is one of the all time great vintages in Sauternes.  This was an excellent showing and a great way to finish an evening.  A very cool looking orange/red in color.  The nose has orange peel and honey.  A bit of Crem Brulee.  On the palate, this is viscous although not as sweet as expected (which is fine).  The orange peel carries thru with good acidity.  Plenty of depth.  A very long finish.  Still on the young side, this should develop further.  

2007 Domaine de la Solitude (Lançon Père et Fils) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Cornelia Constanza, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
94
Grade: 
Current Price: 
$83.00USD

This is drinking well.  Probably at or close to peak at this point.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, slight floral notes and garrique.  On the palate, there is some oak showing though this is brought up more in tank than barrel.  Perhaps just from concentrated old vine/stems?  Cherries, black raspberries and slight funk.  Starting to show some layering though that will doubtless expand over the next decade.  I don't think it get's better but will continue to morph, so it depends on how you like them.  Nice finish.  This is very food friendly and would

2016 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

Wow.  A spectacular wine.  This is of course very young but it is so delicious and enjoyable.  It won't hit peak for a decade at least.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is peppery with black cherries, spice, soy, garrique and floral notes.  On the palate, this is viscous with a wonderful texture.  Lots of black cherry and black raspberry fruit.  A bit of liqueur.  Long finish.  This is made from 100% Grenache.  Right now it's a difficult food match but give it time in the cellar and it should be great with meats and fowl.  It you have a few though, you would be missing somethi

1988 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1988
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$600.00USD

Beautiful showing for this thirty-one year old wine.  While I don't think it will get better, it still has plenty of life left.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose is earthy with cherries, slight funk and a bit of dried fruits.  On the palate, layers of black raspberry fruit, earth and slight funk.  Deep and complex.  Enough youth and acidity to keep things interesting.  This is at peak.  It will work better with food at this point.  Roasted meats and vegetables, stews but also Indian food would be great.  Should easily last another ten years if well stored.  

2007 Louis Boillot Volnay 1er Cru Clos de la Chapelle, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is drinking about at peak right now.  It is a very pretty wine.  Light ruby/orange in color, clear and bright but very light.  The nose is earthy with macerated cherries and a bit of funk.  Just a bit of mint on the end of the nose.  On the palate, this is very soft with light tannins still present.  Cherries and cherry juice.  A bit of forest floor underneath.  Long finish.  A very pretty Burgundy that is everything one could have hoped for on release.  It will work with a wide variety of foods.  

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