2007 Domaine Daniel et Denis Alary Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne La Font d'Estévenas, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Possibly my favorite Cotes du Rhone wine.  I bought a case of this back on release and this was the last bottle.  No regrets, but it would be fine if I still had more.  It is drinking just fine.  It might be a good idea to try and track some down from the 2016 vintage.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is nice with black cherries, black pepper, slight earthiness, garrique and still some floral notes.  On the palate, this has some complexity.  Slight layering.  Still some sour cherry and black cherry fruit.  Tannins are integrated.  Good acidity and balance.  At around $15 per bottle on relea

2012 Jaffurs Syrah Thompson Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black pepper, and some roasted meats.  Very deep.  On the  palate, this is still young but drinking great.  Black raspberry fruit with some roasted herbs and some spice.  Great texture.  Deep and tightly layered.  Long finish.  This will develop more complexity but if you like lush, delicious warm climate Syrah, this one is fine now.   

2006 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Chianti.  The name for some evokes thoughts of cheap wine.  Not so fast.  This is one of the best Chianti's one the market.  Not so cheap but well priced at around $45 per bottle.  This is a world class wine.    Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is great.  Cherries when young but with time it develops tea leaves and forest floor notes.  Also some sandal wood.  On the palate, this has a great backbone of acidity.  It really needs a decade or so to hit its peaks but even young is delicious.  With time, it has layers of cherries, dried cherries, hay and earthy notes.  Great with food but can be

2014 Cowan Cellars Fiano, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

"Florida" Jim Cowan is doing some really interesting things with Italian (and other) varietals and at fair prices.  This is one of his more straightforward white wines.  Made from the Fiano grape more typically found in Campagna, Italy.  Light green gold in color.  The nose is nice with almonds and a nice salinity to it.  On the palate, this is medium bodied but a rounder fuller texture.  Not quite the acidity of the Italian versions, but still enough to work with food.  It has a quality that is almost like a non-oxidized sherry in a good way.  Easy drinking but still with some depth.  Nice

2014 Carlisle Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

One of my favorite vineyards from one of my favorite wineries.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, some bramble and a bit pf pepper.  Wonderful texture.  Lush but with great energy.  Deep but unwinds in the glass.  Juicy deliciousness.  Black raspberry and black cherry fruit.  Slight tannins.  This will last another decade, but why?  It is so unique and great now.  

2011 Sineann Abondante, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is always a great value in wine.  Its basically, the ends of the myriad of bottlings that are produced here all blended into one wine.  It costs under $25 and every vintage, though a bit different is tasty.  It also lasts for at least five years probably at least ten.  This one is purple in color.  The nose has dark cherries, some chocolate, sour cherries and spice.  On the palate, this has a nice complexity.  Slight depth.  Slight tannins.  Juicy acidity.  Works well with food or on its own.  Long finish.  A crowd pleaser every time.  

2014 Gérard Bertrand Syrah/Grenache, France, Languedoc, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Another inexpensive, relatively easy bottle to find of very nice wine.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, some cherries, a bit of leather and earth.  On the palate, this has nice black raspberry fruit.  A bit of earthiness to it.  Easy drinking.  Enough acidity to carry food.  Long finish.  Available for under $15, its a very nice bottle.  Should last a few years.  I suspect the 2015 and 2016 vintage will be even better.  

2014 Sandlands Carignane, USA, California, Contra Costa County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

If you don't know Sandlands, this is a winery you should check into.  The wines are made using grape varietals that are not the usual for California.  Tegan and Olivia Passalacqua are making wines that are a bit lower in alcohol from not the usual locations.  Their pricing is reasonable as well.  This one is around $30.  Ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, slight rhubarb, a hint of barnyard and a bit of bitters.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Nice cherry fruit with some black raspberries.  The bitters quality is also there which is kind of interesting.  Works well with food.  Ni

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