2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is a very good, middle of the road, straight forward Zin (in a good way).  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose has dark cherries, raspberries, bramble and black pepper.  Full bodied with a nice texture.  Juicy black cherries and raspberries.  Some depth.  Drinking great but should age a bit and last a decade.  Works with bigger foods or on its own. Delicious.  

2014 Wilde Farm Wines Syrah Cardiac Hill, USA, California, Sonoma, Bennett Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Another winner from this winery making lower alcohol, cooler climate wines from California.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, char, black olives and roasted herbs.  On the palate, this is medium to full bodied.  Black raspberries with an underlying char.  Also some earthiness.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  Very food friendly with some potential upside over the next few years.  

2003 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2003
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

There are a lot of Vin Santos out there.  Very few are very good and even less are outstanding.  This is one of the better ones.  Iced tea color.  The nose is very nice with slight chocolate covered raisins but also a bit of blood orange and caramel.  Clean and not oxidized.  On the palate, this is viscous.  Caramel, blood orange and raisins.  Complex.  It is sweet not cloying but a little goes a long way.  Long finish.  Worked well with a not too sweet dessert.  

2001 Paloma Merlot, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

This is a former Wine Spectator Wine of the Year.  It was nice to revisit this wine.  It seems to be at peak and drinking as good as it will get.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cherries, spice, chocolate and dried cherries.  On the palate, this is full bodied with a lush texture.  Just a wisp of tannins.  Layers of chocolate covered cherries and slight earth.  Long finish.  Food friendly.  Certainly one of the best California Merlot's I have had.  Even Miles from Sideways would like it.  It still has five to ten years, at least, left if well stored.  

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

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is a $30 Napa Cab.  While perhaps a good price point for Napa, that is not a cheap bottle.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, spice and fresh cut lumber.  On the palate, this has one dimensional fruit but a fair amount of it.  Lots of oak showing as well.  Medium tannins.  Not much acidity, this is made to enjoy on its own on the back deck.  It is a solid wine for that purpose and for those who like fruit and oak, this is one to look for.  

2015 DuMOL Pinot Noir Finn, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Beautiful Pinot Noir.  Ruby with some purple swirls.  The nose is great with bright cherries contrasted by an earthy, damp forest floor note.  Also some spice.  On the palate, this is tight but quite good.  It needs at least five years or a long decant.  Cherries, macerated cherries, layered tightly with damp earth and spice.  Complex.  Good balance.  Long finish.  Went quite well with food.  

2005 Dominio Pingus Ribera del Duero Flor de Pingus, Spain, Ribera del Duero, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Wow.  This is smoking right now.  Probably at or very close to peak but should stay there for a decade.  Ruby in color.  The nose is great with cherries, sandalwood, dust and a bit of dry earthiness.  On the palate, this has great balance.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  Complex with layers of cherries, slight dried cherries, spice and earth.  It does have a slight roasted quality but not in the fruit just a sort or arid quality (terroir?).  Absolutely great with food.  This wine is not inexpensive but worth buying 2 bottles; one to drink soon and one to lay down.  

2015 Kutch Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is the first bottling by Kutch from this AVA.  Perhaps not quite the focus as the Santa Cruz mountain version but still quite nice.  That may be to being a different vintage or AVA.  This is golden in color.  The nose has pears, slight vanilla, some lemon and a slightly sweaty note to it.  On the palate, this is of course young.  The pears and slight lemons come thru.  Some acidity but not a lot.  It will be good to revisit this and see if it comes more together.  That said, it is delicious now with depth to it.  Worked very well at the dinner table.  

2002 Luneau-Papin Domaine Pierre de la Grange Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Excelsior Clos des Noelles, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a top of the line Muscadet.  It was $25 back on release and I doubt it costs much more than that today.  Muscadets are some of the best values in the wine world.  At age 16, this one was gorgeous.  Medium golden in color.  The nose has crushed shells and a salinity to it.  Very nice.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Its all about the minerals.  Complex and deep.  Great with lighter foods.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  

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