2015 Charles Smith Syrah Boom Boom, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

In a tasting, two bottles were tasted side by side.  They showed differently.  Was it because the wines were in a different place in the line-up or the bottles came from different stores and had been treated differently?  Hard to say, but tasted in a group, we had different reactions.  There is an inherent bias that blind tasting removes prejudices and it probably does, but it also introduces its own set of biases that can not be discounted.  Bottle #1 was the first glass tasted while bottle #2 was the 9th.  

2015 Substance Sauvignon Blanc, USA, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Light yellow in color.  The nose has vanilla, clay, lemons and minerals.  Nice.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Slightly oily.  Has a nice tart lemony quality.  Seems like it has a nice food friendliness.  Fruit forward but not tropical.  Unique for a SB profile.  Has some level of maturity but still a nice verve to it.  Drink in the next few years.  

2016 Maggio Family Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
84
Grade: 
B

This is a $10 bottle of Zinfandel.  It is just about exactly what one would expect (in a good way).  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has cherries with some alcohol.  Slightly candied.  On the palate, cherries with some heat.  A bit dusty.  No complexity but nothing really off either.  This would make a nice choice at a large party.  

2013 Benovia Zinfandel, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, slight bramble, and a bit of pepper.  On the palate, this is lighter in style.  Cherry fruit.  Some warmth.  It doesn't seem like this will improve but it makes for enjoyable drinking.  Works better especially well with spicy Indian food.  Probably should be drink in the next few years.  

2013 Carlisle Petite Sirah, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This was surprisingly open and drinking well if still youthful.  Purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, char, and black pepper.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  Boysenberry fruit with some pepper.  Nice complexity.  Good finish.  This should improve for the next five years.  Needs big food.  

2013 Jaffurs Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, roasted meats, some black pepper and hints of violets.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Lush and almost seamless.  Black raspberries layered with spice and slight roasted meats.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This would work great with heartier foods or spicy ones too.  Drinking quite well though not yet at peak.  It might have some more upside as it continues to develop.  A real crowd pleaser but if drinking soon, give it some air.  Probably will peak in five years and be good for a decade or more after that.  

2009 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Baby Poux Vineyard

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

The name for this wine comes from the fact that way back in the day, these were the youngest vines in the Champoux Vineyard.  They may still hold that distinction, but these wines are getting close to thirty years old now.  This wine is a great example of Washington Cabernet.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, cherries, slight spice and some leather.  On the palate, this seems to be getting close but not yet at peak.  Layers of cherries, cassis and dry earth.  Mild tannins.  Nice finish.  This will go well with heartier foods.  It may still have some upside and certain

2012 Ledge Syrah James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, some char and a bit of leather.  On the palate, this is nice with black raspberry fruit.  Some complexity.  It doesn't seem like this will improve.  It is a very good wine but, this is from perhaps the best Syrah vineyard in California.  The expectations were high and this did not meet up to those expectations.  That may be unfair, but there it is.  This sold for around $50 on release.  

2012 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This was drinking quite well although it has years left.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is very nice with black cherries, cedar, chocolate and cigar box.  On the palate, this is youthful but ageing well.  Layers of cherries, black cherries and tobacco.  A nice back bone of acidity.  Good finish.  This can be drunk along but shines with food.  Obviously Italian food but really a wide variety.  Probably about 5 years from peak and should be there for 8 to 10.  

2017 Guy Saget Sauvignon Blanc La Petite Perriere, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
83
Grade: 
B-

This is an under $10 Sauvignon Blanc from France.  It is made in the style of a Loire Valley wine, that is more mineral based with some fruit and good acidity.  Light golden in color.  The nose is fine with minerals, and slight grapefruit.  On the palate, this is slightly bitter.  An underlying minerality.  Slightly flabby.  Innocuous.  For the price, it is fine, but don't expect magic.  

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