2018 Stamnaki Assyrtiko, Greece, Peloponnese, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

Greek whites and Assyrtiko specifically are fate becoming some of my favorite summer white wines.  At $17, this is fairly priced and drinking well right now.  Light silvery gold in color.  The nose is creamy vanilla with some lemons.  Also plenty of smokiness.  It is a big nose and while I presume this saw no oak, it sure has some of those characteristics.  From volcanic soil?  Stems?  More to learn.  On the palate, this has nice lemon notes with some charred lemon peel.  Lots of energy.  Good acidity.  More about the minerality on the palate though.  Drink now to enjoy that energy.  It wil

2018 Zum Martin Sepp Grüner Veltliner, Austria, Weinland, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is a basic Gruner that comes in a 1 litre bottle.  It retails for $15 which is an excellent value.  Also a crown cap for a closure.  Light green/gold in color.  Clear and bright.  The nose is nice with limes, slight asparagus and minerals.  On the palate, a lemon/lime quality.  Good acidity.  Some roundness.  Not a ton of depth but some.  This should be consumed in the next year but will be drinkable for a few more.  It should go well with lighter fare and drinks well on its own.  A nice wine to finish off summer.  

2014 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This, while still young, has entered an adolescence that is very enjoyable.  Light gold/green in color.  The nose has the typical Rhys Lemon Cream and vanilla.  On the palate, this is starting to delineate layers and show nice complexity.  The lemon cream and vanilla carry thru along with underlying minerality.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This took a few hours on opening to really open up so it is probably worth decanting at this point.  It should easily go another decade probably until 2034.  Great on it own.  It will work with richer dishes with fish, veggies and some fowl.  

2014 Gregory James Old Vine Zinfandel Carreras Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This is more of a "claret" styled Zinfandel than a big brawny styled Zin.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose has dust, black cherries and slight tobacco.  On the palate, this has some depth.  Juicy black cherry fruit intertwined with a bit of damp earth.  Nice finish.  This would be great with Indian food.  Drink over the next five years, but it might surprise and last (a lot) longer.  

2016 Gregory James Chardonnay Hawk Hill Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
84
Grade: 
B-

This is quite different than the 2014.  Of course, wine is subjective.  This is much more similar in style to the Kendall Jackson Chardonnay or the Rombauer Chardonnay; both of which are big sellers.  Light golden in color.  The nose has some lemon, some butter and some oak/vanilla.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet with some lemon notes that balance it.  This will be better as a cocktail wine than with food.  It should last for five more years but then may start to lose some of its freshness.  

2014 Gregory James Chardonnay Hawk Hill Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Tasted side by side with the 2016, this one was much more to my liking.  Pale golden with some green swirls.  The nose has slight lemons, nice minerality, slight chalk and little oak.  On the palate, this is refreshing and clean.  Dry.  Mostly about the minerality but some lemon.  Good finish.  I believe this retails for around $20 which is a nice value.  Ready to drink now, it should be good for five years.  It will drink well on its own but better with sea food or salads.  

2014 Tenuta Col Falco Sagrantino di Montefalco, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Sagrantino is another of those Italian grapes that seem to take a long time to mature.  That said, this is drinking surprisingly well if a bit tannic already.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, black licorice, and roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  Lovely black cherry fruit with an underlying charred damp earth.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This went great with a pasta dish.  A bit pricey for the wine at $31 but that is more than fair for the quality.  This will continue to integrate for at least five years and be good until 2029 and probably beyond.  

2016 Cantine Briziarelli Montefalco Montefalco Rosso, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is a blend of Sangiovese 60%, Merlot 30%, Sagrantino 10%.  It was purchased in Italy and brought back by friends.  This is one of those simple wines that probably tastes better young and certainly when consumed on vacation.  That said, it was delightful in a local Italian restaurant with some simple pasta dishes.  This vintage doesn't seem available in the US, but later vintages retail for around $16.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, roasted herbs and a bit of chocolate.  Just guessing, but this likely sees no oak.  On the palate, this has nice acidity.  The cherries come t

2015 Domaine de Bellivière Jasnières Premices, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

I brought this to dinner with a couple that usually take a small pour of my whites and move quickly on.  Not this time.  They both went back for seconds, which is of course, the best compliment to the wine.  Really in a good place, but it is Chenin Blanc, so it has a long life ahead of it.  Light golden in color.  The nose has a lovely salinity along with some apricots and orange peel.  Also a slight metallic minerality (in a good way).  On the palate, be forewarned, this is sweet.  Probably a bit more than off dry.  But it is lovely and deft and light on its feet.  The orange peel comes th

2008 Château Haut-Bailly, France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Leognan, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

This is certainly one of the stars of its region.  While not in the category of Haut Brion, neither is the pricing.  Of course, it is not inexpensive either.  This bottle was purchased on release.  It was allowed to breathe for an hour and then consumed over the next few.  Still on the young side, it offers up plenty of enjoyment right now.  If you have a few, go ahead.  If you just have one or two, then it's a hold.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, some cedar, spice and a bit of minerality.  On the palate, light tannins.  Tight layers that unwind in the glass of cass

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