2018 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Old Vine, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

One of the no brainer values in California wine.  This year it carries a California (not Sonoma) designation.  It is a blend from various vineyards of 85% Zinfandel and the rest Mataro, Grenache, Alicante Bouschet, Carignan, Petite Sirah and what grapes might also be growing in these field blends.  It is delicious.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, raspberries, smoke, roasted herbs and spice.  On the palate, this has juicy acidity.  Nice texture.  Lots of red and some purple fruits.  Light tannins.  Good finish.  This will likely improve a bit for a year or tw

2017 Saint-Cosme Côtes du Rhône, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This is somewhat of a rarity in CdR as it is 100% Syrah.  This is also consistently one of the better values in Syrah.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, garrigue (an herbal/spice combination found in the Rhone), and black pepper.  Medium bodied.  Nice acidity.  A bit more austere than prior vintages but that's fine.  More than enough stuffing.  On the palate, black raspberries, black pepper and slight roasted herbs.  Good finish.  This might even get a bit better with just a hint of age.  This should drink well for the next five to seven years.  It will work well w

2012 Halcon Vineyards Esquisto, USA, California, Mendocino, Yorkville Highlands, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This is a blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 5% Syrah.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries and plums along with some spice and earthy funk.  On the palate, this is complex.  Layers of black cherries and black raspberries with damp earthiness.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is drinking very well right now.  It should be at this level for another five to ten years.  It goes well with roasts and casseroles.  

2017 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

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

This is a great value in California Cabernets.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is very nice with cassis, baking spices, slight figs and slight fresh oak.  On the palate, this drinks easily but also has some structure to it.  Cassis flavors wrapped with spice and char.  Medium tannins.  This drinks well on its own now but will continue to mature and likely improve slightly over the next ten years.  This will work well with grilled and roasted meats or fowls.  

2015 Keplinger Vermillion, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is the "second label" of star winemaker Helen Keplinger's home winery.  It is made from 31% Sonoma Grapes and 69% Sierra Foothills Grapes.  A blend of 55% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah, and 5% Petite Sirah.  A delicious wine.  Purple in color with ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, spice, gravel and slight plums and earth.  On the palate, this is full bodied but very lively with lots of energy.  Black raspberries dominate at the moment but the black cherries are also present.  There is also a layer of gravel and scorched earth that is a lovely counte

2011 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Premices, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

The 20111 vintage was difficult in the Rhone.  Nevertheless, Giraud still crafted a very nice wine.  Purple in color.  The nose is tight but with air shows cherries and raspberries with some spice.  On the palate, this runs a bit sweet/ripe.  Cherry candies.  Low in acidity.  Slight tannins.  Moderate finish.  This is easy drinking on its own but might work better with a some less sweet cookies or chocolate dessert.  It seems to be  nearing the end of its optimal drinking window so it probably should be consumed sooner.  That said, it will still be drinking well for at least the next five y

2010 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

The 2010 vintage was excellent if quite structured on release.  While they have finally opened up, the structure remains.  Deep purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, roasted meat and roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has sweet black cherry fruit with a bit of cherries along with some char and spices.  Mild tannins.  Good finish.  I don't think this will improve from here but should be good for another five to seven years at least.  This will work well with burgers or roasts.  

2013 Campesino Grenache Steel Plow Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

An excellent wine.  I have been a big fan of Macario Montoya's wines for a while, but I believe this was the first time trying this wine.  I am not sure if there is anything else in this blend other than Grenache.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, chocolate, spice and slight oak notes.  On the palate, this is full bodied with a wonderful texture.  Medium tannins.  Black raspberries, black cherries, slight blueberries and a bit of chocolate over a mineral base.  Long finish.  This wine grabs your attention but it is not overblown.  It should last another decade at least.  It

2014 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades, France, Rhones, WIne Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Gigondas can offer great values on a Chateauneuf styled wine for a lot less money.  This is a great example.  And coming, from a less than great vintage, this is drinking quite well at age 5.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is tight but with air opens to show raspberries, black cherries, char and spice.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Juicy and full bodied.  Black cherry fruit over a bed of spice, earth and char.  Light tannins.  Nice finish.  This won't get better but should be at this level for another five to ten years.  It will go well with stews or roasts.  

2000 Atalon Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

The 2000 vintage was not well received on release.  Indeed, in Napa terms, it was one of the rare vintages that was not at least very good or better.  Yet, many of those wines have aged just beautifully.  At age twenty many are a bit past prime but still offering wonderful enjoyment.  Of course, that depends on how you like your wines.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.

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