2007 Vietti Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is always one of the best values out there in red wine.  It drinks like a mini-Barolo.  Ruby, clear and bright.  The nose has roses, slight earthiness and cherries.  With air, some sour cherries emerge.  On the palate this is complex and layers of sherries, earth and tobacco are found.  Great acidity.  Nice finish.  At eleven years from vintage, this seems at peak but has at least five or six years left.  Current vintages are still available all over for under $25 per bottle.  Great with food.  

2016 Tulip Winery White Tulip, Israel, Upper Galilee, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Israel now has a vibrant wine culture.  Despite a history going back for centuries, wine production is really rather recent as little wine was made during the period of Arab control.  Tulip is one of the better wineries making a wide range of international varietals.  A blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Gewurztraminer, this is green/gold in color.  The nose has some initial lemon notes followed with some canned white grapefruit juice qualities.  On the palate, this is round but retains a nice acidity.  Grapefruit.  Slight sour lemon candy notes.  A bit clipped and warming on the finish. 

2013 Keplinger Caldera, USA, California, El Dorado County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is made by one of the superstar winemakers of California.  This is Helen Keplinger's eponymous label.  It is a blend featuring Mourvedre as the primary grape.  While this is young and won't reach peak for a decade, it is delicious right now.  Purple in color.  The nose has dark cherries, plums, spice, slight earthiness and slight char.  On the palate, this has great fruit; dark cherries and plums with strong tannins.  Great mouthfeel.  

 

2007 Finca Sandoval Manchuela, Spain, Manchuela

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

76% Syrah, 13% Monastrell, and 11% Bobal.  This is a blend coming from central Spain.  It is a more modern take despite being from an almost forgotten wine region.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, some plums, black pepper, roasted meats and herbs.  On the palate, this is at peak.  No hurry but I would drink in the next five to ten years.  Layers of black raspberry fruit with earth and pepper.  A nice complexity.  Good balance.  Good on its own or with food.  This was a powerhouse in its youth but has matured nicely.  When you drink them really is more of an issue

2010 Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvée, USA, California, Alexander Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is a Zinfandel blend.  It seems to be a bit past prime at this point but still hanging in there.  Not as energetic as it was a few years prior.  No sin in that for this wine, it just means to drink the newer vintages in the first five years or so.  Purple in color.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, some spice and a bit of alcohol.  On the palate, mostly red fruits; cherries and raspberries.  Not deep but tasty.  There is some heat on it, more warming than hot.  

2015 Raen Winery Pinot Noir Royal St. Robert, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B

Ruby in color, some purple.  On the nose this has some cherry juice and also some celery.  On the palate, the green streak is a bit out of balance.  There is some cherry fruit.  It seems a bit disjointed at present.  Perhaps it comes around with time.  I am told this sells for around $60.  Certainly worth drinking but not a great value for my tastes.  

2006 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is Cabernet Franc from Italy.  It is really quite good if a bit on the riper side.  Purple in color.  The nose has dark cherries, roasted herbs, and slight cigar box.  On the palate, this has a juicy acidity.  Plenty of dark cherry fruit.  Some tannins.  It is just getting to maturity at this point but not quite.  Certainly plenty of life left.  Food friendly.  Showing some complexity, it unwinds in the glass.  Has some upside for improvement.  

2015 Wilde Farm Wines Heritage Bedrock Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is a field blend with over 30 different types of grape interspersed throughout the vineyard, much of it zinfandel and alicante bouschet, but also tempranillo, mondeuse, carignane and mourvedre.  Pop and pour, it is very interesting.  Ruby in color with some purple swirls.  The nose has a some barnyard which seems to be brettanomyces ( a yeast that is in wines).  It is possible its just from the Mondeuse or possibly some Mourvedre.  In addition, there is great black cherry fruit and a bit of anise.  On the palate, this has tart red cherry fruit with a bit of earthiness.  Slightly drying

2011 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, cedar and a bit of menthol.  On the palate, this has nice cassis fruit with spice and slight dry earth.  It is ripe enough given the vintage.  Not a lot of depth but perhaps that might still develop.  Works well with food.  Drinks like an old school Napa Cab with nice balance.  Good finish.  

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