2016 Domaine Gilles Berlioz El Hem, France, Savoie, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$38.00USD

This is a very interesting white wine made from the Altesse grape in Savoie (in the French Alps).  It is somewhat like a Chardonnay and somewhat like a Pinot Grigio (think Alto Adige).  It is very good.  The nose has a nice minerality with strong pears and lesser floral notes.  On the palate, there are nice minerals with some green apples but also some hints of honey.  It does seem to have a touch of residual sugar but the acidity and minerality balance it well.  This is heavier in weight for a weight and will go with a wide variety of foods.  consumed over two days, it was better on Day 2,

2018 Txakoli Primo Getariako Txakolina Zarautz, Spain, Getariako Txakolina, Northern Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This is from the Basque region of Spain and made from the Hondarrabi Zuri grape.  It is a delightful, inexpensive white that is great for summer drinking.  This style of wine intentionally has some spritz to it which makes it all the more refreshing.  It did not contain a vintage designation but did have a Euro Lot no indicating it was bottled in 2018.  Silvery green in color.  The nose is interesting with minerals, slight hay and dried sea weed.  On the palate, there is that slight bit of spritz along with a lemony/lime quality and minerals.  This is not deep or contemplative but it is enj

2016 Three Finger Jack Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon East Side Ridge, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Looking for an inexpensive Cabernet?  This might fit the bill for you?  It is a big, warm wine.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is dusty with black raspberries and some alcohol.  Medium tannins.  Lot of jammy black raspberries on the palate.  Some warmth on the finish.  This is a wine to be poured at parties and summer BBQ's.  It is not complex or made to age.  It is for short term, fun drinking.  At under $20, that is a good deal.  

2016 Harry & David Vineyards Royal Crest Red, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is from the Food and Gift purveyor Harry & David and made with Oregon fruit.  It is a "Bordeaux Styled" wine though the exact blend is unclear.  These wines sell as part of gift packages that one can order online or at a store.  It is quite good and was a real crowd pleaser.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is dusty with black cherries and a nice earthiness to it.  On the palate, this has a nice acidity.  Tart cherry fruit over a forest floor base.  Silky tannins.  Nice finish.  This is food friendly and should go well with medium and heavier foods but especially meat a

2016 Adobe Road Redline, USA, California, Sonoma, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is a blend of grapes from Napa (Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Malbec and Petite Sirah) combined with Syrah from Sonoma.  It is a pretty big and jammy style of red wine.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, graphite, baking spices and a bit of chocolate.  Rich texture.  A nice varietal complexity.  Light tannins.  This is ready to drink now.  Lots of purple and dark red fruits.  Tasty.  Probably better served as a glass on the deck but it will work with bolder foods.  Probably best if drunk in the next year or two as the exuberance and energy are what this wine is all about

2018 Château Minuty Côtes de Provence Rosé et Or, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a higher end Rose that is a blend of Grenache and Tibouren grapes.   It is a very bright but light salmon pink color.  Quite an expressive nose of watermelon, strawberries along with slight grapefruit and just a touch of wintergreen.  On the palate, this is clean and steely.  Strawberries and peaches with slight tannins (unusual for a Rose).  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own but to really show its class, it needed some food.  It went amazingly well with a Watermelon, Feta and Mint salad.  While this probably will last a few years, the sooner you get to it, the more freshnes

2018 Harry & David Vineyards Pinot Noir Rose, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Another wine from Food and Gift purveyors Harry & David.  These are available from their web site and stores and sold as packages and gift sets along with their other products.  The label touts that the grapes were picked early in the season which seemed a bit counter intuitive although they likely are trying to achieve a crispness.  Given Oregon's climate, that was a bit puzzling.  In any event, not the first wine label I didn't understand.  The wine itself is very nice.  Very pale pink in color with some light lavender and silver hues.  The nose is very nice with peaches, strawberries

2015 Harry & David Vineyards Riesling, USA, Southern Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is from Food and Gift purveyor Harry & David and made in Southern Oregon.  This is a very interesting and different take on Riesling.  Light yellow/white/gold in color with a bit of a green tinge to it.  The nose has a fresh cantaloupe quality to it which is very interesting.  On the palate, this has a bit of a tingling acidity.  The cantaloupe /melon quality comes thru.

2012 Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is pretty with cherries, black cherries, slight dust, and spice.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Flavors of black cherries with some dill.  Light tannins.  Medium finish.  Very food friendly, this should go with a wide variety but stews and casseroles should do very well.  It is probably close to peak but should be at this level for a decade.  Available for around $15, this is a great value in traditional Rioja.  

2015 Bodegas Luis Cañas Rioja Crianza, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

Brought back from Spain by a neighbor after meeting with the owners.  This is drinking well now and traditional.  Ruby in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries and slight dried dill.  On the palate, this seems to be just slightly past prime but still drinking well.  Dried and fresh cherries with no tannins.  Easy drinking.  Food friendly.  A very good value although drinking in the first couple of years from vintage is a good idea.  

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