2015 Bogle Vineyards Phantom, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Who says there are no value wines from California?  This one was the winner of a blind value wine tasting we held.  It retails for around $20 which is a very good value.  The label says Proprietary Red, but most likely a Zinfandel blend.  Ruby/purple with some blue tones in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, some black olives (Syrah?) and a bit of spice.  On the palate, this is medium ripe with a nice texture.  Light tannins.  Drinking great right now.  very tasty.  It will match with grilled foods and spicy Indian food.  

2012 Kirkland Signature Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

Kirkland is the Costco store brand name.  For many, they are dismissive over the wine, but my experiences with Kirkland wines has been positive.  Not amazing wines, but very good wines for very reasonable pricing.  This one is a Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero.  It was my WOTN in a tasting of value wines.  Ruby in color though a bit flat.  The nose has dusty red cherries with a bit of baking spice.  On the palate, this has a soft texture, but the tannins are firm and build with air.  Really nice cherry fruit.  It is a bit warm on the finish.  Very food friendly for most foods.  And all fo

2016 Sobon Estate Viognier, USA, California, Amador County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
83
Grade: 
B-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Pale gold in color.  The nose has some meyer lemon's but is also very dusty and slightly hot.  On the palate, this has a nice oily texture.  A bit of a green streak but also some lemon notes.  It has a distracting bitter quality that is very persistent.  A shorter finish.  Screw capped.  The description makes this sound worse that it was, but this was a disappointing experience.  

NV Viñedo de los Vientos Tannat Alcyone, Uruguay, Wine Review

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

This is a Tannat based dessert wine from Uruguay.  Very interesting.  Dark brown in color.  The nose is like a chocolate flavored Tootsie-Pop.  Sweet and chocolaty.  The palate is slightly viscous and very chocolaty.  Sweet but just a bit.  Not cloying.  A little goes a long way, but a very fun wine.  

NV Herdade do Esporão Porto 10 Year Old Tawny Quinta dos Murças, Portugal

Score: 
84
Grade: 
B-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Light brown/ruby in color.  The nose has a lot of volatile acidity and alcohol which is unpleasant.  There is some soy sauce, and a slightly nutty quality as well.  Better on the palate.   Thick texture.  Slightly sweet.  Nutty.  Heat on the finish.  This is for after dinner and food pairings might be a bit difficult.  Perhaps some nuts.  It's possible that this was not a proper bottle or had been mis-stored at some point.  It is not bad, but one would expect a bit more.  

2013 SonkinCellars Unmasked, USA, California, Mendocino, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

Biased review.  This wine is now starting to be approachable.  Pop and pour, it is still young but in my biased opinion, showing well.  Of course, part of this is because having made the wine, it was made in a style I love.  Most of the fruit is from the Halcon Vineyard.  This is a cooler climate Syrah.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, slight bacon fact, leather and roasted meats.  A nice of gravel as well.  On the palate, I love the texture.  Not a monster, but juicy fruit without being over blown.  Medium tannins.  Great acidity.  This will work with roasted dishes, cas

2004 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Vigna Croera di La Morra, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

I was looking for a nice Barolo to take to a friends dinner party.  This was in the cellar and I neglected to check my own notes for this wine.  It was just as tight as a bottle opened last May.  It really needs time and to be decanted.  That said, with some vigorous swirling it did open up and provided an enjoyable experience.  Ruby in color.  The nose takes some time but eventually show some cherries, roses and slight tar.  On the palate, this has tight layering which has cherries, earth and slight forest floor notes.  Nice acidity.  Good finish.  Went very well with some stuffed Portabel

2015 Maison Denuzière Crozes-Hermitage, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This was brought to a dinner party by a friend who reps the wine.  It was the first time trying this winery, but of course 2015 is such a great vintage in the Northern Rhone that my expectations were high.  Indeed, this wine delivers.  It is an old school styled wine that really has a lot going on.  It retails for around $25 which is a nice value.  Purple in color, a bit flat in appearance.  The nose is great but there is some funk/barnyard (if that bothers you).  Also some plums, a bit of spice and black pepper.  On the palate, this has light tannins.  Good acidity.  Black raspberries and

2008 K Vintners Roma En Chamberlin Vineyard, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

This is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Syrah from Cayuse Vineyard in Washington.  At eleven years from vintage it is rolling along just fine.  Pop and pour and it was drinking quite well.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black cherries, slight burnt rubber/iron and a bit of a slight green herbal note (tarragon?).  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Juicy, black raspberries, black cherries with slight char underneath.  Good finish.  Worked well with roasted mushrooms.  Should have another decade left if well stored but I doubt it

2009 Braida (Giacomo Bologna) Barbera d'Asti Bricco dell'Uccellone, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
94
Grade: 
Current Price: 
$64.98USD

Always a treat to try one of the most iconic Barbera's made.  And, to get a chance to try one with ten years on it is a real treat.  The wine did not disappoint.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cranberries, slight sour cherries and a very interesting mint note.  This is a big fruit wine (especially for Barbera) with nice cherries and red currants.  There is also a strong backbone of acidity that helps this work so well with food.  Deep and some complexity, it still seems like it could go another decade with no problem.  This can handle the hearties of meat dishes but is lively enough for

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