2012 Corliss Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$87.00USD

Another Washington wine that was nice to try.  97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petite Verdot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with cassis, some chocolate, a bit of blueberries and spice.  On the palate, this has a lush texture.  It is tight but with air opens in the glass.  Cassis and blueberry fruit with spice and oak.  It needs a few years and will probably improve by a point or two.  Nice finish.  It is concentrated but a big wine and will need bigger foods or great on its own.  

2010 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$58.00USD

Always a pleasure to try on of the older stalwarts of Napa Valley.  While this might not have the cache it had 30 years ago, it still is one of the best wineries in Napa.  And this is one of the better values for Napa Cabernet.  Purple in color.  The nose is lovely with cassis, dust, slight tobacco and spice.  On the palate, this is full bodied with nice lush fruit.  Firm tannins still, this probably could have used a decant.  Nice cassis fruit over spice and slight charred earth on the palate.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  Will work with bigger or bolder foods.  Perhaps some upside to cell

2007 Domenico Clerico Barolo Pajana, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$105.00USD

This is at the beginning stages of being ready to drink.  It probably should have been decanted, but, so it goes.  Deep ruby (dark for Barolo) in color.  The nose is really interesting with cherries, soy sauce, slight tar and anise.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  Black cherry and cherry fruit with a nice char underneath.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This worked quite well with a pasta dish (duh).  It should easily go another decade and closer to two.  While at one time this was a very modern Barolo, at least this vintage seems a bit more restrained or perhaps the oak and tannins h

2013 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cyrus, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$46.00USD

Purple in color.  The nose has nice cassis, dust, cherries and slight green bell pepper.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  Good cassis fruit over a dry earthiness.  Light tannins.  The bell pepper is only on the nose.  This has some complexity at this point.  Good finish.  Not uber ripe but certainly not under ripe either.  Drinking well, it may possibly still improve with further cellaring.  Will work better with bigger or spicy foods but is ok on its own.  64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot

1995 Château Carbonnieux, France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1995
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is dusty with some black cherries and cigar box.  On the palate, there is some black cherry fruit.  No tannins to speak of.  Not much depth but some complexity.  Good acidity.  Classic aged Bordeaux although given the pedigree, more was expected.  Still, a fine wine to serve with dinner.  It is probably past prime and these should be drunk  up.  

2014 Hors Catégorie Vineyards Syrah Hors Catégorie Vineyard, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$310.00USD

Wow.  My first time trying this wine and it is spectacular.  Purple in color with a slight ruby rim.  The nose has toast, black raspberries and black pepper.  With air notes of soy sauce and black olives emerge.  Full bodied but this lovely silky but powerful texture.  On the palate, this has great boysenberry fruit with an underlying minerality.  It is deep and complex and persistent on the palate.  It is also delicious.  Long finish.  This will easily continue to improve for a decade and be good for another decade or two after that.  It worked great with a spicy pasta dish but would work

2016 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon Monsieur Ètain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

This is the "second" label for Scarecrow wine.   It is a blend of blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec and 3% Merlot.  What a fabulous wine.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, some tobacco and slight graphite.  This is young of course but already delicious.  It kept opening all night but even the first sip was delicious.  Full bodied.  14.9% Alc.  Not a fruit bomb but lots of California sunshine and ripeness.  On the palate, cassis and black cherries with firm tannins.  An underlying forest floor quality.  It coats the mouth but has the acidi

1990 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1990
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

Ruby in color, some browning at the rim.  The nose is slightly dusty with black cherries and spice.  On the palate, this has some cherries and dried cherries with a bit of earthiness.  Good acidity.  Reasonably complex.  This is still alive and drinking well if perhaps a bit past prime.  It is surprisingly clean given the age and how Chateauneufs were produced back then.  It went well with a tomato cream soup and indeed, would work with a wide variety of foods.  

2014 François Chidaine Vouvray Sec Les Argiles, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This bottle was quite good.  There are some reports about the prematurely oxidizing or at least ageing quickly but this was the first time trying this vintage.  It is quite a deep golden color but that is not unheard of for Chenin.  The nose is very nice with aromas of pears, orange peel, slight copper note and a bit of honey.  Full bodied and slightly viscous.  Also slightly oily in texture.  Lots of great minerality with some background orange and pear.  Long finish.  This has a slight perception of being sweet but it seems dry.  Good acidity.  This worked great with some hummus and also

NV Besserat de Bellefon Champagne Grande Tradition, France, Wine Review

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

Always nice to have some Champagne at a dinner or party.  This is a reasonably priced bottle that drinks nicely.  45% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier.  Light silvery gold in color.  A nice mousse with a fair amount of smallish bubbles.  The nose has hay, ginger and slight toast.  On the palate, this is reasonably crisp.  More mineral driven than fruit but some citrus.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  Very enjoyable and will go with most any food.  These should be purchased fresh and drunk in the first couple of years.  

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