2007 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

2007 was the best vintage for Saxum up to now.  And, that is saying a lot.  This was just stunning.  It is in a great place right now, but, depending on the bottle, not quite at peak.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted meats, black cherries, slight cedar and spice and bits of plums and peppers.  On the palate, this is lively yet weightless.  Almost seamless.  Delicious with energetic black raspberries, black cherries and underlying charred meats.  Long finish.  Great with heavier or spicy foods.  Each sip makes one want another.  

2009 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Such a pretty wine.  Much more on the elegant side of CdP.  Drinking at what seems to be at peak right now.  Purple with ruby swirls.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, slight cedar, nutmeg and other spices.  On the palate, this is soft and accessible.  Still, deep and with tight layering.  It gently unwinds in the glass.  Nice finish.  This works easily with medium and heavier foods.  Vary tasty.  Not a dominant wine, this will work better on its own than with a bunch of wines.  

2010 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

Wow.  Great wine that has really opened up in the last year.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, spice, and slight floral notes (violets?).  On the palate, virtually a seamless texture.  Full bodied and full of glycerin.  Loads of black cherries and black raspberries.  Light tannins.  An underlying minerality.  Long finish.  Needs a bit bigger foods.  Just delicious.  Still has a decade or two left in it.  One of thos sips you can't stop drinking as it tastes so good.  

2005 Bouchard Père et Fils Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrières, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Light golden in color.  The nose is very nice.  Lemons, slightly candied, a bit of vanilla, and slight spice.  On the palate, this has a creamy texture.  Good not great acidity.  Slightly oily texture.  The lemon candy come thru nicely.  A bit of oak too on the palate, but mostly integrated at this point.  Good finish.  Worked well with lighter foods.  Seems to still be maturing but getting close to peak.  No hurry has a decade or more to go. 

2014 Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This was consumed over two days and distinctly better on Day 2.  Purple in color.  On Day 1, there is a lot of oak showing.  The fruit is tight.  On Day 2, the nose has nice cassis with spice and underlying char.  On the palate, medium tannins.  They integrate on Day 2 with nice cassis, black cherries and char.  Some level of complexity.  This needs a couple of years in the cellar.  The difference between day 1 and day 2 was probably 3 points in terms of accessibility, complexity and friendliness.  For a wine that retails for $40, show some patience.    Might even have more upside to it in

2014 Pieropan Soave Classico Calvarino, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Some wine regions get a but of short shrift.  How great can a Soave be?  Isn't it just a simple white wine?  Well, truth be told, they can be outstanding.  And this one is.  Golden in color.  The nose is great with melons and peaches but also a crisp minerality that while not at the forefront, gives great structure to the aromas.  On the palate, this is almost seamless.  How can that be?  That descriptor usually comes into play for wines well above the $100 mark.  Lots of minerality.  Not sweet but almost sweet; probably just under the threshold.  Some peach and melon.  Nice finish.  Drinki

2010 Novy Family Wines Syrah Sonoma County, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Screw capped.  This retails for around $35.  It is really very good.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, slight black olives and a bit of black pepper.  On the palate, this has a nice sinewy texture.  Light tannins.  It is drinking quite well right now but no hurry.  Black raspberry fruit.  Good acidity.  Slight complexity.  Nice finish.  This will work with a wide variety of foods.  Drink now thru 2023.  

1958 Ruffino Vino Liquoroso Salento, Italy, Puglia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1958
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This was cool.  Although made in 1958 it had a screw top.  Metal on glass with no visible o-rings, etc.  The wine was a bit oxidized but really drinking quite well.  It is fortified.  Brown in color, somewhat like Vin Santo.  On the nose, this was like a liquified Tootsie Roll.  Chocolate, slight raisin, confectionery sugar.  Nice.  on the palate, this is fun.  Chocolate candy with good acidity, a bit of caramel.  Slightly sweet.  Nice finish.  Way above expectations and this seems like it has plenty of life left.  Well done.  

2016 Cooper & Thief Bourbon Barrel Aged Red Wine Blend, USA, California

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This is quite interesting.  They apparently take a wine called Dark and Jammy and age it in Bourbon Barrel's for 3 months.  The result is a unique wine that was quite popular when served to friends.  A little goes a long way and it works more like a "port" than a dinner wine.  Nicely packaged in a shorter stout bottle.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has vanilla with black cherries and slight sweet bourbon notes.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Lots of jammy black cherries, vanilla, some bourbon/alcohol notes.  Overall though, it is smooth and the 16% Alc is not a problem.  It w

2016 Treasury Wine Estates emBrazen Red Blend, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is a series of new wines honoring "Brazen" women.  This one honors Josephine Baker whit was a 1920's showgirl and spy.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is a bit dusty with tart cherries.    It is better on the palate.  Dark cherries, some cassis.  Easy drinking but some depth.  Sour cherries on the finish.  Some alcohol shows despite it being listed at 13.5%.  This is a solid wine that needs some hearty food.  It will benefit from a bit of air.  

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