2016 Velenosi Lacrima di Morro d'Alba Querci’Antica, Italy, Marche, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This was $25 on a restaurant list but retails for between $15 and $20 making it a great value.  The grape is Lacrima.  My first time trying the grape and the wine.  Pop and pour.  The color is purple/ruby, mostly clear and bright.  On the nose, this is very interesting.  Plums, celery, and bitters (think Campari or Aperol).  Someone said oranges but I think it is more a bitters quality made from citrus, at least for me.  On the palate, this is hugely tannic.  Our bottle did not last long, so I am not sure if air would help or even how it ages.  There is plenty of fruit so maybe everything i

2010 Bedrock Wine Co. The Bedrock Heirloom, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a vineyard blend from an older vineyard in Sonoma.  This is how wine used to be grown as opposed to blending in the winery.  Sometimes in these older vineyards, its not clear what is growing without doing DNA tests on each vine.  This vineyard has 60% Zinfandel, 25% Carignane and 15% comprised of 22 othr varietals.  The wine is purple with ruby swirls.

2010 Renieri Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, sandalwood and slight tea leaves.  Medium bodied.  Good not strong acidity.  On the palate, this is pretty close to peak but not quite.  Light tannins.  Good cherry flavor.  Plenty of depth.  Some layering of earth and fruit.  Nice finish.  Needs a bit more cellar time but quite nice.  

2015 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is their basic Cabernet in addition to the single vineyard wines that they make.  It sells for around $65.  Purple in color.  The nose is very nice.  More black cherry, some cassis and with air some plum.  Also spice and slight cedar.  It sounds lighter perhaps from those descriptors, but that is certainly not the case.  On the palate, this is full bodied with medium tannins.  Plenty of black cherry fruit along with some cassis.  Very intense and focused right now.  It opens nicely in the glass.  Nice finish.  This should improve a bit over the next few years as it matures and comes to

2014 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is their basic wine (they also make some single vineyard releases).  it sells for around $65.  Purple in color.  The nose is very nice with cassis, cedar, some chocolate and slight pencil lead.  On the palate, this has a nice juicy acidity.  Firm tannins at this point.  Cassis, slight chocolate and spice.  Long finish.  Still quite young, this needs another three years to open and really won't peak for ten.  That said, it is delicious now with some air.  Certainly some upside improvement likely.  

2014 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

I love Carlisle Zinfandels.  Mike Officer makes a bunch of them, but this is my favorite one.  Purple in color.  The nose has some bramble, dark cherries and a bit of pepper.  What i find I like consistently from vintage to vintage, however, is the texture.  It is round, lush, and delicious without being over the top.  Black cherries, raspberries, and black licorice.  No heat.  Each sip makes we want to take another.  It is food friendly, but these seem to go down too quickly.  Its hard to not gulp.  This should age easily for another five years and probably ten or more.  

2013 Andremily Syrah No. 2, USA, California, Santa Barbara County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

Opened and allowed to breathe for 12 hours before serving.  It could have used double that.  That said, this is a spectacular Syrah from one of the best, if young track record, producers.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, roasted meats and slight roasted herbs, violets and yet still black olives.  On the palate, a wonderful texture.  Great purity of fruit; black raspberries with some black pepper, char and slight meatiness.  Deep, it unwinds in the glass.  Pin point balance.  Worked great with food.  Spectacular wine.  

2010 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Love this wine but it is a monster that needs time or air.  i let a glass of this sit for over an hour for that purpose and that wasn't enough.  Still, its outstanding.  Purple in color.  The nose has cherries, dark cherries, sandalwood and tea.  On the palate, this has lots of fruit but not boisterous just intense.  Firm tannins.  Depth.  Great acidity.  Worked well with my pasta.  Long finish.  Needs probably another five to seven years and then should be good for another 15.  Or decant for eight hours now and enjoy over a meal.  Still some upside expected.  

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