Deep ruby in color. The nose has nice sour cherries, some spice. The palate matches the nose. This is drinking well if not yet at maturity. There is some complexity here as it opens in the glass. Good with a wide variety of foods. Not sure if it will improve but should continue to mature for at least another decade.
Pale ruby in color, clear and bright. The nose has rhubarb, cranberries and cherries. It is nice no earthiness or funk. On the palate, there is a slight complexity here. Tart cherries and cranberries. It is refreshing but again lacks the depth or earthiness one might hope for after 15 years from a good vintage. Yes, even from a Santenay. It does have good acidity and is not really showing much age. Certainly not young but seems just fine here. It probably won't get better though.
Grahams is one of the top Port Houses. Stylistically, it is usually one of the sweeter Ports of those top houses. 2003 was a very hot year in Europe. Oddly enough, that meant many of the wines either got too ripe or they vines shut down and the resulting wines did not have enough stuffing. This wine is in the former category. How that plays out depends on your personal tastes. Deep purple in color. The nose is jammy with black raspberries and black raspberry candy. On the palate, the jammy candied quality continues. Lots of black raspberry fruit. Not a ton of depth but some. Some
This is a blend of a whole bunch of leftover grapes. At $20, this is always a great value but especially so in the better vintages like 2015. Purple in color. The nose has black cherries, cherries and spice. On the palate, this has a nice texture. Good acidity. Easy drinking with some depth and varietal complexity. Good finish. Very food friendly. It now comes as a screw cap which is nice.
From Magnum. Inky purple in color. The nose is great with black raspberries, plums, grilled meat, white pepper and char. On the palate, this has an incredible texture. Smooth and velvety yet powerful and muscular. Notes of black raspberries, spice and slight charred earth. This is deep and complex yet still has a long life left. This vintage has opened and shut a few times since release but seem like it has settled and is open. There is a lot of alcohol but it doesn't show up anywhere in the glass. One of those wines that each sip makes you want to have another. Spectacular wine.
From Magnum. Ruby in color, clear and bright. The nose has cherries, slight dried cherries, some tar and roses. Pretty classic actually. On the palate, this has nice acidity. Cherries, dried cherries tar and forest floor in tight layers that unwind in the glass. Some mild tannins. It was drinking just fine at this point and just to the younger side of mature. Worked with with food. No hurry but this does seem to be ageing a bit quicker than expected. Of course, it is 11 years from vintage so not too quickly.
Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has cassis, cedar and char. On the palate, cassis and tarragon which is nice. Medium bodied. Some tannins. This has some depth and complexity. This drinks very well right now and would work with a wide variety of foods. This retails for around $20 and sometimes less making this a great value in California Cabernet. I would drink in the next few years but it should last five more if well stored.
Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is dusty with tart bing cherries. On the palate, the tart cherries continue along with some plums. This has some depth to it. Light tannins. Drinks easily with nice acidity. This will work with a wide variety of foods. It does have the slightest bit of sweetness to it. Enough to notice, but not enough that is an issue one way or another. Retails for around $16 or less. Made from organic grapes.
Pale salmon/orange in color. The nose is very tight. With air, it shows some light strawberries. On the palate, this has oranges and strawberries. Slightly tart. This is a bit innocuous but it also works easily with a very wide variety of foods. The grapes used are organic. No faults to this wine but nothing super exciting either. That said, at $16 retail (or less), this is fairly priced.
Light silvery gold in color. The nose is big with lots of yellow grapefruit. On the palate, this is not as big but nice. Minerals and clean. A slight bitter note. The finish shows the return of the grapefruit. This took about 30 minutes to open and improved after that. Its an easy drinking wine that is very food friendly. No hard edges. It proved to be quite popular with friends.
