2000 Bodega Numanthia Toro Numanthia, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
84
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

This wine is showing its age and was a unanimous choice for last place in our vertical.  That said, it is still worth drinking if you own a bottle, just lower expectations.  Purple in color.  The nose is a bit dusty with just a bit of diluted cherry fruit left.  On the palate, this lacks fruit.  There is a bit of a root beer note that is interesting.  Slightly bitter on the finish.  It has some depth.  Of course, at age 19, bottles will vary.  

1999 Bodega Numanthia Toro Numanthia, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1999
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is drinking quite well and youthfully at age 20.  Purple in color, no signs of bricking.  On the nose there is spice, cherries and funk/barnyard.  Still has reasonably firm tannins on the palate.  This is deep and complex with slightly jammy black cherry fruit. It is a bit drying on the finish.  Overall, this is delicious and seems more like a five to seven year old wine.  Should have no problem lasting another decade.  It is a big wine and will need bigger food to pair with it.  

2016 Bodegas Ponce Reto, Spain, Manchuela, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is made from the Albillo grape just a bit east of Madrid in Manchuela.  Light white gold in color.  The nose is interesting.  Waxy with chamomile tea and slight lemony notes.  On the palate, this is a fuller bodied white.  Slightly oily texture but lacking a lot of acidity.  Nice apple notes with some minerality.  Also a cinnamon quality on the finish which is interesting.  Long finish.  A very enjoyable wine and a nice change of pace.  This will work well with a wide variety of foods.  No idea on how well this grape ages.  

2006 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$140.00USD

This was purchased on release ($30) and stored.  It is drinking well now and a good value if not trying to source it now.  Ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, tea leaves, spice and slight roasted herb.  On the palate, this has nice acidity and begs for food.  Went great with Eggplant Parmesan.  Lots of juicy cherries with a slight raisin note.  Good finish.  Probably at peak but still has some time left.  

2009 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This bottle is doing well and while not quite up to the level of a bottle a couple years ago, that seems more bottle variation or just a different day.  Purple in color.  The nose is deep with cassis, and spice.  Perhaps a bit more air would have allowed the wine to open more.  On the palate, this has a nice energy.  Cassis, a roasted herbal note and slight tannins.  Worked well with food.  This still seems like it easily could coast for another decade.  A nice way to get a great Cab in the house style without paying for the Monte Bello.  

2016 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Cortina, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$47.00USD

This is from the Cortina vineyard which is older low yielding vines.  It is a bit pricier but still a nice value in the red wine world and an outstanding wine.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  Clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, baking spice and black pepper.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Rich and velvety yet the wine is concentrated.  Lots of depth and complexity as well.  Black cherries, earth, bramble and slight pepper.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  A very pretty wine that was better on Day 2.  This should easily last a decade although for th

2016 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This drinks like an old school Zinfandel.  It took some time to open and then drank quite well.  It is not a fruit bomb.  Deep ruby in color.  Really a very interesting color for a Zinfandel.  On the nose this has nice cherries with a peppery quality to it.  Very concentrated.  On the palate, this is also concentrated.  Layers of cherries, black cherries and warm earth.  Some pepper on the finish.  This is great on its own or with food as well.  Seems like it should last a decade as its "claret" qualities come out.  A pleasure to taste.  Better on day 2.  

2016 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma County, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Boy, this is in a nice place right now.  Delicious and enjoyable and seems to have put on a bit of weight and showing more complexity than it did on release.  Purple in color, clear and dark.  The nose has nice black cherry fruit with a bit of dust and a bit of bramble.  Slight tannins.  The black cherry fruit continues to the palate.  There is some depth here along with a bit of warm gravelly notes.  Long finish.  This makes easy drinking and was just as good on Day 2.  It is great on its own and will go well with BBQ and other hearty or spicy foods.  Great value!

2017 Bodega Colomé Malbec Auténtico, Argentina, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This is a screaming value.  Served to a group of friends, everyone loved it.  It retails for around $25, but can often be found for less.  The grapes are from 100 plus year old vines at 2300 meters in altitude.  It sees no oak.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, and slight fig notes.  On the palate, this has soft tannins.  The wine has so much energy.  Very fresh and bright.  Concentrated fruits of plums and black cherries over a gravel quality that is both interesting and delicious.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This will match a wide variety of foods. 

2016 Bodega Colomé Malbec Estate, Argentina, Calchaqui Valley, Wine Review

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

Made from four vineyards ranging from 1700 to 3111 meters in height. This is a concentrated and very dark wine.  It was better on day 2.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has plums, black cherries and dust.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  It is slightly tart black cherry fruit.  On day 2 it opens to show a delicious side.  Give it some air if opening soon.  It will work great with meats and other roasted dishes.  Proper cellaring has some upside here.  This is a great value in red wine.  

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