2014 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grands-Echezeaux, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$1800.00USD

Its always a treat to drink wines from DRC.  This is obviously young but was drinking quite well.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  An intoxicating nose.  Earthy with macerated cherries, spice and a slight clay note.  On the palate, this took some time to open.  Sour cherries with a soft texture.  Tightly layered.  Long finish.  Very smooth, not bite.  A couple of ounces saved for day 2 was even better showing more depth and medium tannins.  Also a bit of anise on the finish.  For those lucky enough to be able to afford this and can find it, ageing will be rewarded.  

2013 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$250.00USD

Gorgeous wine.  A blend of mostly Marsanne with some Roussanne.  Drinking great right now but Rhone white wines are always unpredictable.  Golden in color.  The nose has some peaches, wax with an herbal note floating above the rest.  Very nice.  It has a slightly oily texture with lots of body weight.  The peach notes carry thru to the palate.  Slightly orange citrus on the finish.  This will probably shut down at some point but then reopen and last for a couple more decades.  This will work with moderately hearty foods.  

2012 Louis Jadot Montrachet, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$450.00USD

Deep golden in color.  Perhaps showing some advanced signs but not all the way oxidized by any means.  The nose has some minerals, slight lemon peel and a bit of spice.   Someone mentioned caramel, but it seemed more like butterscotch from the oak.  On the palate, this isn't flabby but the acidity isn't noticeable either.  Lots of minerals, some lemon.  A bit of depth.  Slightly clipped on the finish.  Overall, this is a very nice Chardonnay, but when one buys and pays for Montrachet, the expectations are high.  This will work with lighter foods.  

2002 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut, France, Champagne, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1998
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$300.00USD

Wow!  Its vintage Krug, but still, wow!  This is still young but it is opening up now and really hitting its stride.  It has a couple of decades left or more, depending how you like older Champagne.  Light golden in color.  A nice mousse with lots of tiny bubbles.  This is a big wine.  The nose has toast, slight ginger, cherries and a slight hay note.  On the palate, this has a racy backbone of acidity.  At the same time, a broad palate with great complexity.  Some tart fruit on top with some cherry parfait in the mid-palate and underlying it all, great minerality and slight salinity.  An i

2000 Dom Perignon Champagne P2 Second Plenitude, France, Champagne, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$325.00USD

This is a late release in which Moet leaves some vintage wine stored on its lees for 16 years before release.  It retails for around $325.  Light golden in color.  There is a nice frothy mousse with lots of small-ish bubbles.  On the nose, slightly soapy with minerals.  A bit of lemon peel.  With air, a bit of yeast comes out.  On the palate, the yeasty dough quality returns.  There is a very nice underlying minerality.  A creamy texture.  While this has good acidity, not the screaming acidity of the original release.  Age has mellowed it out.  This is very food friendly.  It is uncertain h

2001 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Germany, Mosel, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

Wow.  This is singing right now.  It seems at peak, but will probably continue to evolve for the next 30 years at least.  Will it get better?  Perhaps.  This was purchased at the winery.  Deep golden in color.  The nose is clean like after a rain.  Even the light petrol has the quality.  A bit of peach and some wet stones as well.  On the palate, this is sweet, but more ripe than botrytis.  Slightly viscous.  Peach with underlying minerality on the palate.  Lots of depth and complexity.  Long finish.  Worked great with deviled eggs actually, but of course it will go with a wide variety of l

2016 Dönnhoff Riesling, Germany, Nahe, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This is their basic Riesling.  It retails for around $20 and is a great value especially in great vintages like 2016.  This is sweet.  Light golden in color.  The nose has minerals, some pear and a slight honey note.  On the palate, the pear carries through.  Sweet but not over the top.  On the finish, it turns drier.  Nice minerality.  Would work great with salads or Thai/spicy foods.  This should last for a decade if well stored.  

2008 Rhys Syrah Skyline Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This wine is a testament to the many different profiles of Syrah.  For the most part this drinks cooler climate, but then boom, a bit of warm California sunshine peeks out.  Purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, char and black pepper.  With air some leather and black olives come out.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  Good structure.  Seems to be drinking very well now and close-ish to peak.  Easily another decade left.  Light tannins.  Boysenberries over minerals.  But then a bit grilled meats too.  Nice acidity.  Nice finish.  Rhys is a producer more know for its Pinot Noir

2013 Pakravan Papi Montescudaio Campo del Pari, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Reason to check out the sales bin at grocery stores and talk with the managers.  This is an Italian (Tuscan) Merlot marked down from $45 to $30.  Is it amazing?  No.  Is it a nice value and a chance to try a new wine?  Yes.  Purple in color.  The nose has plums, slight chocolate and cherries.  On the palate, this is not real ripe.  Plums, black cherries with underlying hay and dry forest floor.  Decent acidity.  Nice finish.  Food friendly.  Easy drinking with a bit of depth.  

Pages

Pages