2015 Keplinger Lithic, USA, California, Amador County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

This is a blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache, and 26% Syrah.  It is a big wine that is ripe and delicious.  The nose has black raspberries, blue berries, roasted meat and herbs, black pepper and some cherries.  On the palate, this is big.  Firm tannins.  Juicy black raspberry and blueberry fruit with an underlying minerality.  It softens a bit in the glass.  It is great on its own but a difficult food match at present.  It will most certainly evolve and gain integration over the next five to ten years at which time it will be great with cassoulets and roasted foods.  No regrets about open

2008 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve, USA, California, Napa, Conn Valley, Wine Review

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

Conn Valley is slightly out of the way in the Napa Valley, but this winery continues to make great wines at fair prices.  It was nice to be able to try one with a bit of age on it.  I had last tried this wine on release and from Magnum when it was more about potential.  That potential has been (mostly) realized.  There will be further development but it is close to maturity.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, slight black raspberries, a bit of cedar and spice.  On the palate, this is very concentrated.  Not a fruit bomb, but certainly of Napa.  Lots of cassis and black raspberries over

2012 Ayoub Chardonnay, USA, Oregon, Dundee Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

A very nice Chardonnay from Oregon.  Light golden/yellow in color, just a hint of cloudiness.  The nose is big with a bit of oak/vanilla.  Nice red apples and a bit of lemon cream.  On the palate, this is a bit fat but enough acidity to make it work.  Apples and slight lemons.  Good finish.  This is terrific on it own, a bit more limited with food but would be great with sea food or lighter middle eastern foods.  While it won't get better, it still has five years (at least left).  

2008 Drappier Champagne Grande Sendrée, France, Wine Review

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

This is delicious.  From an excellent vintage and drinking youthfully.  A blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay.  Light golden in color.  The nose shows green apples, some chalk and marzapan.  Very nice but tight.  More open on the palate.  Very lively acidity.  Green apples and minerals.  It starts out tight and broadens over the palate.  Long finish.  This will work with almost any food.  It is still young although drinking nicely but is likely to improve over the next tne years and be good for at least that long after that.  

2005 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

This is just starting to get where it is going but should easily have two decades left.  Deep ruby in color with some purple swirls.  The nose is great with cassis, tobacco, dark chocolate and slight pencil lead.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Juicy cassis flavors intertwined with a slight earthiness a char.  It unwinds in the glass.  Pop and pour, it would be better served with a slow ox or decant.  It will go well with a wide range of food.  

2009 Domaines Lupier Navarra El Terroir, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$32.00USD

This is a Garnacha (Grenache) from the region of Navarra in north central Spain.  Although Spain is in Europe, many of its wines are very much new world in style and this one certainly is.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is pretty with black cherries, cedar, with slight figs/raisins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit over a bed of charred wood.  Still pretty thick tannins.  Nice finish.  This wine needs more time to develop but there should be an upside.  It drinks surprisingly young at age ten but all of the pieces parts are there.  It worked well with grilled Tofu (and would with meat or

2015 Thibault Liger-Belair Bourgogne Blanc Les Charmes, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

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

This is a very nice Chardonnay at a reasonable price.  It even says Chardonnay on the label.  Light golden in color.  The nose is nice.  Slightly chalky with flint and slight smoke.  Also some lemon.  On the palate, this has a nice acidity.  Lots of minerality with a bit of lemon fruit.  Clean.  Nice finish.  Worked well with an assortment of cheeses but will work with lighter and medium bodied foods.  It should last another five years but won't get much better if at all.  Depending on the price where you live, this is a very nice value.  

2005 Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Demi-Sec, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

Pop and pour, this is in a good place right now.  Light golden in color.  The nose has a nice salinity with some orange peel.  On the palate, this is barely sweet.  It has an almost dry pineapple quality if that makes sense.  Underlying minerality with a touch a salt (and yes, salt is also a mineral).  Good finish.  This is close to peak but will continue to morph and mature.  No hurry on well stored bottles.  Went well with cheeses.  

2012 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Grade: 

Sadly, this has not held up.  It was purchased on release and well stored since then.  It is still drinkable but really not why anyone would buy this wine.  Silver/gold in color.  The nose is problematic.  Someone described it as peanut butter and that is close.  I found it more like the skins on roasted peanuts.  In any event it is odd.  Others found it worse.  Perhaps a bit better on the palate, but mostly nondescript.  This was probably much better 6 years ago.  If you own any, no harm in opening now, but have a back up bottle.  

2018 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This turned out to be the group favorite in a tasting of ten New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs.  Silvery gold in color.  The nose has nice grapefruit notes.  On the palate, this has a nice oily texture.  Good minerality.  Lively acidity and a solid finish.  It drinks easy on its own and will go with seafood and lighter foods.  Priced well, this provides lots of pleasure for a reasonable cost for those who like this style.  

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