2008 Les Angelots de Gracia, France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$85.00USD

This is the second wine of Gracia and is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.  This sample was drinking very well right now.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, dark chocolate dust and slight coffee.  Certainly no issues with getting ripe.  The palate has light tannins.  Some depth.  Black cherry fruit over a dry earthiness.  Good finish.  This was not cheap; retailing at $85 compared to the First wines at around $135.  But it is a very good wine.  Should drink well for a decade as it matures.  Probably won't get better.  

2016 Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen Riesling Eroica, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, ine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is join venture made in Washington state.  Back in the day, this was a bit pricey vis a vis the other options but the price has remained stable and now full retail is about $25.  A nice wine for that price.  Light golden in color.  The nose has peaches, minerals and slight char.  With air a slight lychee note emerges.  On the palate, this is just slightly sweet.  Peaches with nice minerality.  A softer texture.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should for the next five to ten at least.  It will work with almost any food.  Spicy foods would be great!  

2015 Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Veldenzer Elisenberg Riesling Spätlese, Germany, Mosel, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

2015 was a hugely successful year for Richter.  They are tight but never really shut down all the way.  A bit of air or a decant is a nice idea at this time.  Light golden in color.  The nose is very pretty with pears, minerals and slight green apple.  On the palate, this is sweet with a slightly viscous texture.  Good acidity that balances the sweetness quite well.  There is depth here with layers of minerals and pears.  Long finish.  This will go well with a wide variety of foods.  From salads to spicy Thai, it should be easy to match.  And delicious on its own.  Yes, some people insist t

2013 Azienda Agricola Cianfagna Tintilia Molise Sator, Italy, Molise, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

A friend of mine is from Molise.  A few years ago he mentioned the Tintilia grape to me.  Since then I have really been impressed.  This is one of the pricier ones I have tried so far.  It retails for around $35 which is a lot for a wine from Molise but not for this quality.  If I had to compare it, it seems like a mythical cross between Merlot and Aglianico.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose has lots of cherries and dark cherries with some smoke/char.  Also kust a bit of dry earth.  On the palate, this has good acidity.  Lots of cherry and black cherry fruit with some under

2016 Domaine Gilles Berlioz El Hem, France, Savoie, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$38.00USD

This is a very interesting white wine made from the Altesse grape in Savoie (in the French Alps).  It is somewhat like a Chardonnay and somewhat like a Pinot Grigio (think Alto Adige).  It is very good.  The nose has a nice minerality with strong pears and lesser floral notes.  On the palate, there are nice minerals with some green apples but also some hints of honey.  It does seem to have a touch of residual sugar but the acidity and minerality balance it well.  This is heavier in weight for a weight and will go with a wide variety of foods.  consumed over two days, it was better on Day 2,

2018 Txakoli Primo Getariako Txakolina Zarautz, Spain, Getariako Txakolina, Northern Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This is from the Basque region of Spain and made from the Hondarrabi Zuri grape.  It is a delightful, inexpensive white that is great for summer drinking.  This style of wine intentionally has some spritz to it which makes it all the more refreshing.  It did not contain a vintage designation but did have a Euro Lot no indicating it was bottled in 2018.  Silvery green in color.  The nose is interesting with minerals, slight hay and dried sea weed.  On the palate, there is that slight bit of spritz along with a lemony/lime quality and minerals.  This is not deep or contemplative but it is enj

2016 Three Finger Jack Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon East Side Ridge, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Looking for an inexpensive Cabernet?  This might fit the bill for you?  It is a big, warm wine.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is dusty with black raspberries and some alcohol.  Medium tannins.  Lot of jammy black raspberries on the palate.  Some warmth on the finish.  This is a wine to be poured at parties and summer BBQ's.  It is not complex or made to age.  It is for short term, fun drinking.  At under $20, that is a good deal.  

2016 Harry & David Vineyards Royal Crest Red, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is from the Food and Gift purveyor Harry & David and made with Oregon fruit.  It is a "Bordeaux Styled" wine though the exact blend is unclear.  These wines sell as part of gift packages that one can order online or at a store.  It is quite good and was a real crowd pleaser.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is dusty with black cherries and a nice earthiness to it.  On the palate, this has a nice acidity.  Tart cherry fruit over a forest floor base.  Silky tannins.  Nice finish.  This is food friendly and should go well with medium and heavier foods but especially meat a

2016 Adobe Road Redline, USA, California, Sonoma, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is a blend of grapes from Napa (Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Malbec and Petite Sirah) combined with Syrah from Sonoma.  It is a pretty big and jammy style of red wine.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, graphite, baking spices and a bit of chocolate.  Rich texture.  A nice varietal complexity.  Light tannins.  This is ready to drink now.  Lots of purple and dark red fruits.  Tasty.  Probably better served as a glass on the deck but it will work with bolder foods.  Probably best if drunk in the next year or two as the exuberance and energy are what this wine is all about

2018 Château Minuty Côtes de Provence Rosé et Or, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a higher end Rose that is a blend of Grenache and Tibouren grapes.   It is a very bright but light salmon pink color.  Quite an expressive nose of watermelon, strawberries along with slight grapefruit and just a touch of wintergreen.  On the palate, this is clean and steely.  Strawberries and peaches with slight tannins (unusual for a Rose).  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own but to really show its class, it needed some food.  It went amazingly well with a Watermelon, Feta and Mint salad.  While this probably will last a few years, the sooner you get to it, the more freshnes

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