2017 Gen Del Alma Jijiji Chenin Blanc, Argentina, Mendoza, Uco Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

A "natural" wine, whatever that means.  It is an unusual take on Chenin Blanc.  Tasted a wine store tasting, this was my second time getting an opportunity to try this and it seemed like it has improved (or this was a better bottle).  Lighter in color than a previous bottle, so perhaps the first bottle had been oxidized a bit.  Light gold, clear and bright.  The nose is different with cardamom, and orange pith.  On the palate, this has tart oranges.  Strong acidity.  12% Alc.  It finishes a bit salty which is different and probably makes it more food friendly.  It was priced at $12 on close

2015 Saxum James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$135.00USD

My friend Charlie came by.  Now Charlie likes his wines big and young and we both love Saxum.  That sure seemed like a great opportunity to pull and young'un from the cellar and see what it was showing.  The surprising thing was how good and accessible this was already.  It's not at peak and will improve with cellaring, but if you have more than one, it's not a tragedy to open one now.  33% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre, 24% Syrah and 11% Counoise.   Purple in color, slight ruby line at the rim.  The nose is great with black raspberries, roasted meats, white pepper and slight floral notes.  This

2016 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Phinny Hill Vineyard, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

One of the best Cabs from Sineann I have had.  This is classic Washington Cab.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose is great with black cherries, slight fresh rubber and tarragon.  On the palate, this is deep and intense.  Black cherry fruit over spice.  It unwinds in the glass.  Firm tannins.  Drank over three nights and it was best on night three.  Long finish.  This will work with a wide variety of foods.  Probably needs about five to seven years and then should be good for fifteen after that.  If opening now, decant for six to eight hours.   

2015 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah North Coast, USA, California, Wine Reviews

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Bedrock makes some great wines, but the low end of their pricing/releases gives consumers some of the best values in red wine.  This is their basic Syrah which is available to mailing list customers for around $21 delivered.  It is a classic, cooler climate but California Syrah.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, some black pepper, slight roasted meats and a bit of leather.  On the palate, this is tannic and tight.  With air, there is great black raspberry fruit with some damp earthiness underneath and a little peppery quality.  Wonderful texture.  Good finish.  Will work be

2016 Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

Aaron Pott has been making great wine in the Napa Valley for a while now.  Understandably, as the high critics scores have rolled in, the prices have crept up.  While this bottle is not cheap (around $75), it is a lot less than the Pott single vineyard wines.  Since I had never had one, my wife and I decided to open one young and drink it over a couple of days.  The result is this is an outstanding wine and should age nicely for a more than a decade.  Bright purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose has nice cassis with a fair amount of char and spice.  On day 2, the oak blended more

2016 Flora Springs Merlot, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$29.99USD

Despite what you may think, Sideways didn't kill the California Merlot market as much as it made Pinot Noir stylish.  There are still some fine Merlots being made.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has a nice chocolate covered cherry quality to it.  Some spice as well.  On the palate, this takes about thirty minutes of air to open and then drinks very well.  It is more expressive (right now) on the palate with milk chocolate covered cherries and a nice vanilla streak.  Not candied as much as liqueur notes.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This drinks very well on its own and would b

2016 Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

Looking for an outstanding Napa Cabernet for $50?  This one fits just fine.  This is drinking just great right now but will easily last a decade.  84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Malbec,1% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with cassis, a bit of pencil lead, coffee and a slight dusty note.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  Great balance.  Plenty of cassis fruit over a dry earthy note.  Good finish.  This will go well with a variety of heavier dishes from BBQ to roasts.  

2009 Château Guiraud, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Tasted from a 375ml bottle.  Light golden in color. The nose is nice with pineapples, honey and bit of peach.  Also some vanilla.  On the palate, this is viscous and rich.  Not cloying but a little goes a long way.  Good acidity that cuts through the sweetness.  The pineapple carries thru.  Nice finish.  Probably best on its own or with some cheeses at the end of a meal.  This should last for a couple of decades.  

2008 Château Cos d'Estournel, France, Bordeaux, St. Estèphe, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$120.00USD

Cos d'Estournel is one of the great wines of Bordeaux and so, one of the great wines of the world.  2008 is a vintage that doesn't always get the respect that it deserve coming right before the pair of great vintages 2009 and 2010.  It is also a bit more backward than its reputation and so the wines don't always show that well at this point.  They will.  This one is drinking well but patience will certainly be rewarded.  It needs a few more years in the cellar to get to peak.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with cassis and soy sauce.  Also some baking spice.  On the palate, this has med

2016 Flora Springs Trilogy, USA, California, Napa Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This used to be a go to wine, but its been a few years, so it was a pleasure to be able to revisit this Bordeaux Blend.  A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petite Verdot.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cherries and spice.  With air some plums come out.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Lots of juicy black currants, with black raspberries.  Firm tannins.  Nice balance.  This has not yet been released and of course, will need a few years to really show what it has.  I believe the release price will be around $80 which is fair for the quality from Napa.  It will go we

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