2016 Flora Springs Merlot, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$29.99USD

Despite what you may think, Sideways didn't kill the California Merlot market as much as it made Pinot Noir stylish.  There are still some fine Merlots being made.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has a nice chocolate covered cherry quality to it.  Some spice as well.  On the palate, this takes about thirty minutes of air to open and then drinks very well.  It is more expressive (right now) on the palate with milk chocolate covered cherries and a nice vanilla streak.  Not candied as much as liqueur notes.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This drinks very well on its own and would b

2016 Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

Looking for an outstanding Napa Cabernet for $50?  This one fits just fine.  This is drinking just great right now but will easily last a decade.  84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Malbec,1% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with cassis, a bit of pencil lead, coffee and a slight dusty note.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  Great balance.  Plenty of cassis fruit over a dry earthy note.  Good finish.  This will go well with a variety of heavier dishes from BBQ to roasts.  

2009 Château Guiraud, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Tasted from a 375ml bottle.  Light golden in color. The nose is nice with pineapples, honey and bit of peach.  Also some vanilla.  On the palate, this is viscous and rich.  Not cloying but a little goes a long way.  Good acidity that cuts through the sweetness.  The pineapple carries thru.  Nice finish.  Probably best on its own or with some cheeses at the end of a meal.  This should last for a couple of decades.  

2008 Château Cos d'Estournel, France, Bordeaux, St. Estèphe, Wine Review

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

Cos d'Estournel is one of the great wines of Bordeaux and so, one of the great wines of the world.  2008 is a vintage that doesn't always get the respect that it deserve coming right before the pair of great vintages 2009 and 2010.  It is also a bit more backward than its reputation and so the wines don't always show that well at this point.  They will.  This one is drinking well but patience will certainly be rewarded.  It needs a few more years in the cellar to get to peak.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with cassis and soy sauce.  Also some baking spice.  On the palate, this has med

2016 Flora Springs Trilogy, USA, California, Napa Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This used to be a go to wine, but its been a few years, so it was a pleasure to be able to revisit this Bordeaux Blend.  A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petite Verdot.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cherries and spice.  With air some plums come out.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Lots of juicy black currants, with black raspberries.  Firm tannins.  Nice balance.  This has not yet been released and of course, will need a few years to really show what it has.  I believe the release price will be around $80 which is fair for the quality from Napa.  It will go we

2015 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Le Mont, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$43.00USD

This is delicious if young today.  Just a wonderful dessert wine.  And a wine that will out live all of us.  This is Chenin Blanc at its best.  Light golden in color.  The nose has ocean air, some crushed shells, orange peel and honey.  With air some poached pear notes emerge.  On the palate, this is slightly viscous.  It is sweet but short of cloying.  Enough acidity to balance.  Flavors of honey and baked apples.  Long finish.  Delicious in small amounts.  This goes well with ripe cheese or a savory cake.  

2015 Xavier Vignon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Anonyme, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

An outstanding CdP.  A blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre and the rest Counoise, Vaccarèse and Muscardin.  This is ripe, juicy and delicious if not the "classic" CdP in style.  Purple in color, ruby swirls.  On the nose this has boysenberries, sandalwood, char and slight floral notes.  On the palate, this is juicy with big boysenberry fruit.  There is a nice under layer of spice.  Long finish.  One of those wines that each sip tastes so good you want to have another.  It will be interesting to see this age and lose the baby fat.  Probably should last another fifteen years anyway.  Will wo

2015 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$89.97USD

Excellent wine that really needs some time.  Lots of upside potential here.  Light golden in color.  The nose is fat (for Chablis) with red fugi apples over a nice chalky base.  On the palate, this has a soft texture with good if not great acidity.  It is delicious.  Lots going on with tight layers of complexity.  Long finish.  Perhaps not a classic sort of Chablis, yet, it is an outstanding chardonnay.  

2014 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This is an outstanding Chablis that shows the vintage very well.  Lean yet, powerful.  Light silvery/gold in color.  The nose is classic with green apples.  Nice minerality too.  On the palate, this broadens across the palate, yet has nice green apple notes with good acidity.  An underlying minerality too.  It presents almost as two styles at the same time.  Delicious though.  Will work with lighter foods, seafood and poultry dishes.  Still young and has some upside.  

2014 Maison Evenstad Meursault, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This is a project from the owners of Domaine Serene in Oregon.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose is chalky with slight vanilla and slight lemons.  On the palate, this is a big and fruity Chardonnay.  Quite tasty.  Lemony with a slightly sweet-tart candied note which is nice.  Big and long finish.  Perhaps a bit atypical for the vintage but a very nice wine that would go with a wide variety of lighter and medium weight foods.  

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