2013 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

Inky purple in color.  The nose is gorgeous.  Cassis, violets, cedar and graphite.  Very concentrated.  On the palate, this starts out tight but opens in the glass.  Juicy fruit. Black raspberries and blueberries.  Firm tannins.  Very concentrated, this will benefit from at least five years of cellaring.  It has two decades left.  Long finish.  This needs big food right now, and give it plenty of air.  That said, it is drinking just great from a deliciousness point of view!

2003 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, France, Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2003
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

One of the great wines of Bordeaux well deserving of its second growth status.  This is from a very hot vintage that many wine makers had some trouble with.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, slight tobacco and slight fresh floral notes.  On the palate, this is drinking quite well.  Showing some development, it is close but not yet at peak.  Layers of cassis and black cherry fruit, with some dry earthy forest floor.  Wispy tannins at this point.  Long finish.  Would work well with roasted meats and other foods.  Some possible upside still left.  

2008 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Purple in color.  What a lovely nose of cassis, slight cedar, and graphite.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Young but past its childhood.  Ripe but not over ripe.  Cassis layered with cedar and slight mineral note.  Light tannins at this point.  Showing slight tertiary development.  Delicious.  Nice finish.  This will work with bigger foods.  It was nice to drink a Scarecrow with a bit of age on it.  This has a decade and more left on it.  

2016 Bonterra Elysian Collection Merlot, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is nice with dusty cherries, raspberries and carob.  On the palate, this has a nice acidity.  Soft texture.  Some complexity.  Raspberry fruit with underlying dry earthiness.  Good finish.  Served to a group, this was quite a crowd pleaser among wine lover (not wine geeks).  This should be pretty versatile with most foods.  This retails for $25 which is a very nice value in California Merlot.  

NV Right Now Red Number 8, USA, California, Wine Review

Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

From a Can.  Ruby in color with purple swirls.  The nose has black cherries and some raspberries.  On the palate, slight tannins.  Black cherries.  This drinks easy but tasty.  Not a lot of depth but this is a very good California red wine.  At $6, this will be great for parties.    

NV Right Now Rose Dry Wine, USA, California, Wine Review

Score: 
85
Grade: 
B

This is a canned wine.  Pretty color, sort of an electric salmon orange.  Clear and bright.  The nose has strawberries, kiwi and slight watermelons.  On the palate, this is tart with rhubarb and cranberries.  Refreshing.  Easy drinking.  For around $7 a can, this is a nice, fun wine.  

NV Right Now Alpine Stream White, USA, California, Wine Review

Score: 
78
Grade: 
C+

This is from a Can.  Unfortunately, while other wines from this producer can be recommended, this was was not.  Of course, wine is subjective, so your mileage may vary.  Light yellow gold in color.  The nose has an asparagus note to it.  With air, it gains a slight lemony quality.  On the palate, it is dry and innocuous.  There is a bit of acidity.  This actually improved with air, but given that it is in a can, it is unclear how many drinkers would decant it or even pour it into a glass.  It retails for $6 for a 375ml can.  

2017 Adega Coop. de Ponte de Lima Vinho Verde Colheita Seleccionada, Portugal

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Light golden in color.  A nice spritz on pouring.  Deeper nose.  All about minerality and crushed shells.  On the palate, there is a slight spritz.  Minerals.  Very dry lemon-lime notes.  Quite food friendly.  Would work great with seafood.  Nice finish.  This really does beg for food.  This retails for under $12 which is a good value.  

2017 Encosta do Xisto – Vinho Verde Loureiro, Portugal

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B+

This is made from the Loureito grape.  Green/silvery/gold in color.  The nose is steely with a nice lemony quality.  Just a bit of tropical fruit.  On the palate, this is slightly oily.  Light bodied.  Good acidity.  Just the faintest bit of spritz on it, especially the finish.  This retails for under $10 and is a great value.  Perfect for sipping before dinner or with lighter foods.  Drink in the next year or two.  

NV Right Now Shimmer, USA, California

Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

This  is a can of sparkling wine (12 oz).  It is rose.  It is lightly carbonated and the bubbles dissipate in the glass leaving a pretty orange/ruby wine.  Clear and bright.  The nose is nice with strawberries, slight raspberries and some rhubarb.  On the palate, this is lightly sweet.  Refreshing.  Decent acidity.  It is probably best on its own or at a party (rather than a formal dinner).  It retails for $6 a can which is about the same as $12 per bottles.  That is a fair price.  Once one gets past the gimmick, this is a wine that many people will like.  Certainly fun.  

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