This is an inexpensive Pinot Grigio from Washington state. It costs about $10 which is fair. Light white gold/copper in color. The nose is light but mostly minerals. Easy drinking although it finishes bitter. Has some acidity. If this is the option at a party, it is fine. Drink now.
This is an excellent value in top Napa Cabs. While Rivers Marie makes single vineyard wines, those cost into three figures. This is not inexpensive but it almost as good. Inky purple in color. The nose is great with cassis, cedar, leather, slight blueberries, and slight spice. On the palate, this is young and tannic. If drinking soon, give it a few hours at least, in a decanter. Great texture; juicy yet plush. Lots of cassis fruit over a dry earth/graphite quality. Long finish. Ideally, give this five moer years and drink over the next ten to twenty. Needs bigger food right now.
This is a great value in Washington Cab. Originally from younger vines in the Champoux vineyard, these wine have been made for 20+ years now. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has cassis, sandalwood, slight bell pepper. On the palate, this has nice cassis fruit with an underlying char. Full bodied. A nice complexity, it takes some time (about an hour) to fully open up. Firm tannins. Juicy acidity. In style, this is somewhere less ripe than Napa and more than Bordeaux. It easily has a decade or more left. Works great on its own or with bigger foods.
Purple/ruby in color. The nose is nice with black raspberries, slight raspberries, a bit of minerality and spice. On the palate, this is mid-weight. Drinking well right now. Light tannins. Good acidity. Ripe enough black raspberry fruit. This will work well with stews and roasts and is better with food. Some peppery qualities on the finish. Probably needs to be consumed in the next five years.
Sometimes its good to have an inexpensive red wine on hand. This is ok. Certainly not for everyone though. It is a blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Purple in color. The nose is nice. A bit meaty with black raspberries and some baking spices. On the palate, this is slightly sweet. Made for immediate drinking. Black raspberry fruit. Probably better on its own than with food. For $15, it is fine.
Purple in color. The nose is clean with fresh cherries and a bit of dill. On the palate, cherries with a bit of coffee. Light tannins. Good balance. This seems to be about at peak right now. It is very food friendly with stews and meats being a good choice. It should be good for another decade. This is, however, a very expensive wine with current vintages costing over $200 per bottle. This was apparently around $100 on release.
Another great wine from this winery. Purple in color, slight ruby at the rim. The nose is very tight at first. With air it shows some black cherry and spice. On the palate, delicious black cherry fruit. Showing quite young. Firm tannins. This bottle would have been better served being decanted for an hour or so. There is still some upside development to go which is impressive at 15 years from vintage. Works well on its own or needs bigger foods. Should be good for another 15 years.
Excellent wine. Drinking well now but probably not yet at peak. Purple in color with some darker brown swirls. The nose is clean with cherries and black cherries. Slight spice. On the palate, this is medium bodied; thinner than other Tempranillos on the table but not in a bad way at all. It has a cherry cough drop quality to it. There is also just a hint of green bell pepper in a cab franc sort of way that was quite good. Medium tannins. This seemed like it "suffered" from being in a tasting and would perform much better if on its own at the dinner table. That said, it was delicio
Inky purple in color. The nose has clay, black cherries and is young and vibrant. On the palate, there is a black olive quality that made me think Syrah (though I don't know if there is any blended in). Also black cherries with some spice. Medium tannins. This is a big wine. It is fresh, lively and delicious. In a tasting of Spanish Tempranillo's this was thrown in blind and was my favorite. Great on its own but will work with bigger foods. Easily has a decade left and probably more.
This is in one heavy bottle. it is drinking beautifully right now but no hurry at all. Inky purple in color and opaque but bright. The nose has some pepper with black raspberries. Perhaps a slight hazelnut note. On the palate, this is showing some age and development in terms of complexity but it is lively and vibrant. Firm tannins and plenty of black raspberry fruit. Some black cherries on the finish. This drinks great alone and will work with heavier foods. It was $130 on release.
