2005 Kosta Browne Syrah Amber Ridge Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This was fun as it is by far the oldest KB wine I have had.  It is still quite a big wine especially for a Sonoma Syrah.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black olives, slight roasted herbs and black pepper.  very nice.  On the palate, black raspberries, black pepper, some char, some earth.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  Slight heat.  It is drinking just fine at this point and probably at peak.  Some depth, but a lot but plenty of delicious fruit left.  Worked fine with food.  Seems to easily have five to ten more years.  

1966 Château Lafite Rothschild, France, Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1966
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

This was a treat.  Lafite was not at the top of their game back in the 60's but still a first growth is cool.  I believe this came from a private collection that was sold to a wine store.  No idea about storage.  The cork was soaked to the rim and the very bottom disintegrated upon opening.  The wine was then decanted for sediment.  Purple in color which was surprising.  The nose took about 30 minutes to blow off all of the bottle stink.  At first it seemed corked but that blew off so clearly it was not (TCA doesn't blow off).  Eventually showing some tobacco, dried fruit, some cassis, and

2013 Becker Vineyards Pinot Blanc Bingham Family Vineyards, USA, Texas High Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

Kind of cool drinking a wine from Texas.  Light golden in color.  The nose has a bit of a sweet scent to it along with minerals and slight petrol.  At first I thought it was a Riesling.  On the palate, this is sweet.  A bit disjointed but not bad.  It is sweet with some minerals and a candied lemon note to it.  Worked pretty well with a salad.  I believe it cost around $20 which is fine for a fun wine and something different.  While I am not familiar with this winery or wine, I suspect it was better a year or two ago.  

2017 Bevan Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Dry Stack, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Russell Bevan makes one of the best California Sauvignon Blancs but this may be the best vintage yet.  Pop and pour and this was off and running.  Light golden in color, slight green.  Gorgeous nose of tangerine, floral notes, slight vanilla and caramel.  With air, a bit of clean pine as well.  Great texture.  Slightly oily, full bodied and lush.  Deep and powerful.  Flavors of tangerine, pine, vanilla and slight papaya.  Persistent and fresh.  Worked great with food.  Got better with air.  At around $35, this is well priced.  

2010 San Antonio Winery Tres Pinos Three Pines Cuvee , USA, California, San Luis Obispo County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
79
Grade: 
C+

I believe this is a $5 wine from Trader Joe's (at least it used to be).  Ruby in color.  The nose has cherries.  On the palate, this is light with cherry jam flavors.  Some heat on the finish.  I suppose for $5 there is good value here.  Nice choice for people on a budget.  Seems to be holding up ok, not sure how much life it has left.  

2007 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

This wine is in the beginnings of its prime drinking window IMO.  It should be good for at least another decade.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with black cherries, black raspberries, cherries, raw meat, and floral notes.  On the palate, this has a great almost soft texture.  Slight tannins.  Layers of black raspberries, black cherries, licorice and earth.  This is a very clean wine.  Nice acidity especially for the vintage.  Long finish.  This kept improving all night.  It worked well my pasta dish after being open for a few hours.  

2008 Nine North Wine Company Cabernet Sauvignon Rock & Vine "Three Ranches", USA, California, North Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
83
Grade: 
B-

Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has red currants and spice.  On the palate, this is easy drinking.  Some Red currant fruit.  Plenty of spice and lumber.  No tannins.  Light.  Probably should have been drunk earlier as the oak seems to have outlasted the fruit though there is some fruit left.  

2013 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cherries, cedar and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this has nice fruit in a more restrained mode.  Cherries and cassis with cedar.  Medium tannins.  Decent balance. Slightly clipped finish.  This is a more restrained style of Cab but drinks well right now.  Not sure if it will make older bones so I would drink in the next five years.  

2001 Araujo Estate Syrah Eisele Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is very nice with black raspberries, black pepper some grilled meats and just a bit of bacon.  On the palate, this is fully mature but not past.  Black raspberry fruit layered with charred earth.  Nice complexity.  Good acidity.  Still fresh.  Nice finish.  This wine is drinking great and much younger than I might have expected it to.  Bottles vary though and I wouldn't wait too long on this one.  

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