2007 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc, USA, California, Sonoma

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Some of the older standards of California wine get short shifted by the new comers.  Pride is one of those whose wines stand the test of time and over a variety of great wine makers.  This wine is purple in color.  The nose has dark cherries, dark chocolate, spice and cedar.  On the palate, there is plenty of dark cherry fruit layered with brown tobacco notes.  There are firm tannins that seem to grow in the glass.  Despite being 11 years from vintage, this really needs time or air.  There appears to be enough fruit to outlast the tannins.  There is certainly more upside on this wine.  

2014 Laurentia Vineyard and Winery Riesling Beton, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

From the shores of Lake Erie in Northeastern Ohio, this is a serious attempt at a quality Riesling.  And they succeed.  Light green gold in color.  The nose has some lemon, slight peach and slight petrol (kind of young for this).  On the palate, this has some green apple and peach.  It seems just slightly off dry but that may just be the fruit.  Good acidity but not bracing.  Nice finish.  This retails for $24 and is fairly priced.  I doubt many would guess its origins correctly in a blind tasting.  It probably won't make old bones and should be drunk in the next few years I would think (bu

2008 Disznókő Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos, Hungary, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with honey, ever so slight nuttiness, and some apricot.  On the palate, this is sweet.  Someone suggested "Jolly Rancher" candies and that is pretty accurate.  I might have said honeyed/sugary peaches.  There is good acidity to balance it out.  A little goes a long way.  This should last for decades to come.  

2016 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Old Vine, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

One of my go to wines for inexpensive but really good red wines.  This costs around $25 a bottle and really over delivers.  Purple in color.  The nose has some raspberries, dark cherries, a bit of bramble, and some char.  On the palate, this has a nice full bodied texture.  It is young now and would probably last 10 years except that I can't manage not to drink these.  Black cherries, boysenberries, some black licorice on the palate.  Light to medium tannins.  Good acidity.  Works well on its own or with food.  Nice finish.  Some upside potential to improve with age for a couple of years.  

2016 Bedrock Wine Co. Riesling Wirz Vineyard, USA, California, Cienega Valley, Central Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with some peach notes.  Slight minerality.  Clean.  Nice texture.  A perception of sweetness perhaps, but this drinks dry.  Some red apple, some dry peach on the palate.  Refreshing.  Not very deep.  Easy drinking.  Worked fine on its own or with food.  

NV Mionetto Prosecco di Treviso Brut, Italy, Wine Review

Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+

Light golden in color.  Lots of medium sized bubbles.  The nose has some lemon and minerals on it.  On the palate, this is dry.  The minerality is there.  Not a ton of fruit but some lemon.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  Works well with food.  On the upper end of Prosecco in quality and value.  

2003 Château Montrose, France, Bordeaux, St. Estèphe,Wine Review

Vintage: 
2003
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

Pop and pour and consumed over two nights.  Much better on night 2.  I know many people say 2003 was such a warm vintage that the wines are already mature.  That might be true, but this one's best days are still to come.   62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, graphite, cedar, and smoked cigar.  On the palate, this is full bodied with medium tannins.  Lush cassis and black cherry fruit layered with forest floor, damp earth and tobacco.  Tightly layered.  Long finish.  This is delicious but very much from Bordeaux a

2008 Kapcsándy Family Winery Estate Cuvée State Lane Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cab Franc.  Just a gorgeous wine that while still youthful, is showing some maturity.  We drank this pop and pour but I would recommend a lot more air or decant.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with cassis, black cherries, tobacco, slight leather, and spice.  Wonderful rich texture.  Great balance.  Medium tannins.  Plenty of fruit; cassis and black cherries layered with earth and tobacco.  Long finish.  This wine has a nice complexity that shows itself as it unwinds in the glass.  Its delicious but more than just that.  While it shows

2016 Saved Magic Maker Rose, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This was consumed with a couple of my neighbors outside by the fire on a late Spring Day.  It was quite well received.  It is a blend of  Grenache, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Sangiovese.  First, the bottle is very pretty with a silk screened label.  The wine itself is likewise pretty with an almost iridescent salmon orange color to it.  The nose is large with burnt oranges, some strawberries and slight cherries.  There is some alcohol on the nose too.  On the palate, this has a very nice texture.  Big fruit, mostly tart cherries.  Enough acidity to work with food but made just fine sip

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