2017 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Old Vine, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

I try to buy a case of this every year.  You know how when you go to the wine cellar and you want something good but not too expensive.  Maybe you already had a glass or two and can't quite remember the pricing on every one of your bottles?  This is perfect.  Always good.  Always fairly priced.  I know it lasts a couple of years, and probably more, but mine never do.  I drink them too easily.  Readily available for around $25.  Bright purple in color.  The nose is great with cherries, black cherries, a bit of bramble.  It's almost jammy and almost sweet but not quite.  The black cherry frui

2012 Halcon Vineyards Syrah Alturas, USA, California, Yorkville Highlands, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$29.96USD

Halcon makes some great cooler climate Syrah's at very fair pricing.  Definitely check them out.  They do take some time to mature and this one was just starting to hit its stride though it was better on Day 2.  If drinking the 2012 now, give it a few hours of air.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, slight black pepper, a hint of bacon fat, and slight earthy notes.  On the palate, this is lean and mean as opposed to being a fruit bomb.  Yet, there is persistent black raspberry fruit with a nice underlying char.  It is deep but will need time to show more layering.  That said

2013 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$130.00USD

Normally, its better to let Saxum's wait ten years from vintage to really get the best but the Paderewski is a different animal.  It is 34% Mourvedre, 33% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 12% Syrah and 8% Tempranillo.  Because of that it changes as it ages with the Zin showing more in its youth and fading a bit back with time.  This bottle was beautiful.  Purple in color.  The nose is deep and intoxicating with black cherries, roasted meats, leather, black raspberries, black pepper and cherries.  On the palate, this has a lush chewy texture.  Delicious.  Lots of fruit right now with black cherr

2008 Château Pontet-Canet, France, Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

An issue with Bordeaux is how long do they need to be cellared before opening.  I saw a tasting note saying this was drinking great, so I opened a bottle.  Pop and pour.  Uh, no.  At least not for my tastes.  It was tight, closed up and tannic.  No harm though, the cork went back in and it was left for the next night.  Again, pop and pour on Night 2.  Much better although the last glass was certainly then best (by far).  If I was doing it again, I would wait a couple of years but if I really wanted it htat evening, a six hour decant seems about right.  As for the wine, it is inky purple in

2009 Domaine Cheysson Chiroubles, France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

2009 was such a great vintage in Beaujolais.  This bottle was purchased on release and stored well since.  It is drinking great.  Over two nights, it was actually a bit more interesting on night 2.  Deep ruby/purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cherries, sour cherries, slight spice and slight damp forest floor.  On the palate, the sour cherries come out.  Great texture.  Depth with some complexity.  Blind, one might be tempted to guess Oregon Pinot Noir.  Long tart finish.  This is very food friendly for all but the hearties of dishes.  While it certainly won't get better from h

2017 Bedrock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc Judge Family Vineyard. USA, California, Sonoma, Bennett Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$32.00USD

Opened this for starters on New Years Eve.  While it would work better on a warm summer evening, it worked fine.  A flexible wine that works on its own or with food.  Light gold/green in color.  Nice minerality, some grapefruit.  Light bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is thinner with minerals and slight grapefruit.  Hopefully, this puts on some weight over the next couple of months.  This was thinner and lighter than prior Bedrock Sauvignon Blancs.  It is still a solid wine.  It was $32 delivered on release.  

2015 Charles Smith Merlot The Velvet Devil

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

Purple in color.  The nose is ok with cherries and dust.  On the palate, this is easy drinking.  Cherries with some underling spice.  Nice texture.  Nothing wrong but nothing exciting either except the price.  This is around $15 which is a nice price for a party.  

2016 Rhys Alesia Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

From a 375ml bottle.  Rhys makes some of the best Chards in California, but this is from purchased fruit and so carries the Alesia name.  It does seem like the oak treatment is different as well.  This is a sold Chardonnay but not nearly in the class of the Rhys Chards.  Light gold/green in color.  The nose is nice with minerals, spice, slight lemons and slight lumber.  On the palate, the minerals and lumber carry thru.  Some lemon.  Lean in body with good acidity.  This will work with a lots of foods.  

2005 Château La Croix St. Georges, France, Pomerol, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$120.00USD

Nice to check in on this.  That said, this bottle, purchased from retail on release had a significant amount of brett on it.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has some band-aid, slight barnyard, cassis, slight blueberries, and cedar.  On the palate, this was decanted and much but not all of the brett blew off.  It shows nice fruit with tight layers of barnyard and earth.  Medium tannins.  Long finish.  A cleaner bottle can certainly go longer, but given how this showed, it might be better to open a bottle and see how it is doing.  Especially if you have more than one.  It needs b

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