2017 Ramon Cordova Albarino, Spain, Rias Baixas, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This was another crowd pleaser.  People kept asking to know more Albarino and how to say Rias Baixas.  I was able to help with the former, but they were on their own with the later.  Silvery green gold in color.  The nose is nice if not ebullient.  Slightly saline with crushed shells and slight pears.  On the palate, this has a nice slightly oily texture.  The palate is all about minerality.  The finishes turns tart green apples in a good and refreshing way.  Quite food friendly for all but the heartiest of dishes.  This is a bit more full bodied than most Albarino's from Spain.  That is ne

NV Martini & Rossi Prosecco, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$10.00USD

Everyone knows this label but how many people have actually tried it.  This was served to a group of casual wine lovers and proved to be very popular.  Very, very pale silvery gold in color.  Almost like water.  The nose is nice but it did take about 20 minutes to open.  Minerals, slight peach and slight ginger ale.  On the palate, this is dry with nice minerality.  It starts out tight but picks up on the mid-palate.  Slightly sour in a good way on the long finish.  It really begs for some salty food.  For $10, this is a nice value.  

2017 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Private Selection - Aged in Bourbon Barrels Monterey County, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This bottle was brought to our house by friends.  Frankly, I am not sure who as it was a party and then left unopened.  My wife was having book club, and so it seemed like a good choice.  This proved to be very popular and it was lucky I got a glass to taste.  A very interesting wine.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, some dustiness to it, and just a hint of what can best be described as sweet oak.  On the palate, there are strong tannins.  The cassis follows thru but there is a sweetness to the wine that is similar to that of Bourbon Barrel Aged beers although not nearly as pronounce

2017 Shannon Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay High Elevation Collection, USA, California, Lake County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

Most of us have bottles laying around the house that either people brought over or they somehow ended up with.  So is the story of this wine.  It was actually won in a raffle.  Initially, the idea of actually drinking some cheap California Chardonnay seemed ridiculous.  Still, rather than be dismissive, the plan was to drink it.  After about a month of staring at the bottle, the time finally came.  And that good people, is why we need to open the bottle and taste.  Now, that is not to say this is going to blow away Montrachet or Rhys Chardonnay.  But, for under $15, this was solid.  No obvi

2017 Domaine de la Côte Sainte-Epine St. Joseph Blanc Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$26.97USD

On a cold winter Sunday, after making a pot of Lentil Soup, this was opened and it was a perfect match.  St. Joseph Blancs are not all that common but this one is worth searching out (so are this producer's reds)!  Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with a bit of wax, but nice peach and slight tropical fruit.  Very clean.  On the palate, this comes across with a lot of acidity until the finish where it get's really turned up.  Nice creamy texture.  Some peach and slight bees wax.  Depth  For around $25, this was a great match.  

2017 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Old Vine, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

I try to buy a case of this every year.  You know how when you go to the wine cellar and you want something good but not too expensive.  Maybe you already had a glass or two and can't quite remember the pricing on every one of your bottles?  This is perfect.  Always good.  Always fairly priced.  I know it lasts a couple of years, and probably more, but mine never do.  I drink them too easily.  Readily available for around $25.  Bright purple in color.  The nose is great with cherries, black cherries, a bit of bramble.  It's almost jammy and almost sweet but not quite.  The black cherry frui

2012 Halcon Vineyards Syrah Alturas, USA, California, Yorkville Highlands, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$29.96USD

Halcon makes some great cooler climate Syrah's at very fair pricing.  Definitely check them out.  They do take some time to mature and this one was just starting to hit its stride though it was better on Day 2.  If drinking the 2012 now, give it a few hours of air.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, slight black pepper, a hint of bacon fat, and slight earthy notes.  On the palate, this is lean and mean as opposed to being a fruit bomb.  Yet, there is persistent black raspberry fruit with a nice underlying char.  It is deep but will need time to show more layering.  That said

2013 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$130.00USD

Normally, its better to let Saxum's wait ten years from vintage to really get the best but the Paderewski is a different animal.  It is 34% Mourvedre, 33% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 12% Syrah and 8% Tempranillo.  Because of that it changes as it ages with the Zin showing more in its youth and fading a bit back with time.  This bottle was beautiful.  Purple in color.  The nose is deep and intoxicating with black cherries, roasted meats, leather, black raspberries, black pepper and cherries.  On the palate, this has a lush chewy texture.  Delicious.  Lots of fruit right now with black cherr

2008 Château Pontet-Canet, France, Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

An issue with Bordeaux is how long do they need to be cellared before opening.  I saw a tasting note saying this was drinking great, so I opened a bottle.  Pop and pour.  Uh, no.  At least not for my tastes.  It was tight, closed up and tannic.  No harm though, the cork went back in and it was left for the next night.  Again, pop and pour on Night 2.  Much better although the last glass was certainly then best (by far).  If I was doing it again, I would wait a couple of years but if I really wanted it htat evening, a six hour decant seems about right.  As for the wine, it is inky purple in

2009 Domaine Cheysson Chiroubles, France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

2009 was such a great vintage in Beaujolais.  This bottle was purchased on release and stored well since.  It is drinking great.  Over two nights, it was actually a bit more interesting on night 2.  Deep ruby/purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cherries, sour cherries, slight spice and slight damp forest floor.  On the palate, the sour cherries come out.  Great texture.  Depth with some complexity.  Blind, one might be tempted to guess Oregon Pinot Noir.  Long tart finish.  This is very food friendly for all but the hearties of dishes.  While it certainly won't get better from h

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