Martini & Rossi Spumante Rosé, Italy, Wine Review

Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

This comes in a four pack of 187ml sized bottle. It looks like it would be a caged Champagne cork but is a screw top with a plastic cover.  King of cute.  The wine is salmon/pin/orange.  The nose is slight at first but then an orange peel note comes out and also a nice minerality.  On the palate, there is some citrus and minerals.  A fair amount of carbonation.  Labeled Extra Dry, which in the odd world of sparkling wines means a bit sweet.  This is sweet but not cloying.  This would also come in handy if making mimosas or other fruity sparkling mixed drink.  

2017 The Sisters Pinot Noir, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Screw capped.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  In Pinot Noir, color often means little but this does have a very pretty lighter color.  The nose has cherries, slight smoke, rhubarb and slight celery notes.  It has a very soft, feminine texture.  On the palate, tart cherries with a slight bitter/herbal note on the finish.  12.5% alcohol on the label.   If you are looking for a bit, fruity wine, this is not that.  This is a lower alcohol wine that works well with food and is better situated to the dinner table than being drunk as a cocktail.  Not for everyone, but for those who are searchin

2017 The Sisters Pinot Gris, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This is from New Zealand.  Screw capped.  Light gold/green in color, clear at the rim.  The nose is nice with mostly minerals but a bit of a steely quality to it.  Varietally correct.  On the palate, a slightly oily texture which is nice.  Slight grapefruit.  Good acidity.  Easy drinking.  Long finish.  Not a typical New Zealand wine in that it is more about the minerals than the fruit, but a lot of that is the varietal.  Worked well with food.  Around $18, this is a good value and a nice summer sipper.  

2017 Tasca D'Almerita Regaleali Le Rose Terre Siciliane IGT, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is made from 100% Nerello Mascalese grapes.  Salmon color, clear and bright.  The nose has strawberries, slight raspberries and a hint of rhubarb.  This took about 30 minutes to open once the screw cap was removed.  The palate is very smooth.  No bite on it which is quite refreshing.  There is a nice tart acidity on it which makes if very food friendly.  Light cherries with a slight herbal note somewhat akin to bitters on the finish.  It works very well at the table.  This is a nice and easy rose and a very good value.  

2017 Tasca D'Almerita Sicilia Regaleali Bianco DOC, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This is a blend of Inzolia, Catarratto and Grecanico grapes along with some Chardonnay.  Silvery, green gold in color.  The nose is a bit mild with minerals and light pine notes.  Better on the palate.  Slight soapy (but not in a bad way) more like lanolin.  Then tart green apples come thru picking up intensity especially on the finish.  This is clean with very nice acidity.  A medium length finish.  Screw capped, this took a few minutes to open.  It was served at about 50F but really showed better once it warmed a bit.  Very refreshing wine and the tart apple acidity worked quite well with

2017 Sineann Grüner Veltliner, Washington, Columbia Gorge, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Over the last few vintages, this has become one of my favorite inexpensive go to whites.  It is tasty, unique and affordable.  At $20, direct from the winery if you can't find it locally, this is a really interesting version of Gruner.  Light silver/green/gold in color.  The nose has canned peaches, limes and minerals.  On the palate, this is much fatter than the Austrian versions and more fruit.  Canned peaches and minerals come thru.  A tart citrus as well.  Good acidity.  Food friendly.  Nice finish.  I would drink these in the first few years.  It might last longer but that verve won't

2007 Dehlinger Syrah Goldridge, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black pepper, black raspberries, slight roasted herbs, and some bacon fat.  Full bodied.  Cooler climate in style.  On the palate, boysenberries, black pepper, slight earthiness with good acidity.  Slight tannins.  deep and layered.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This went very well with Indian food (Syrah is a surprisingly good food match with Indian food).  Seems to be still on the younger side of peak though drinking well now.  

2008 Carlisle Two Acres, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a field blend of mostly Rhone varietals and some Petite Sirah.  The Petite Sirah seems to take over more and more as this wine ages.  Purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, plums, char and some roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has boysenberries, some black cherries and spice.  Nice medium bodied mouth feel.  some complexity.  Slight tannins.  Good finish.  Probably at peak now, but no hurry at all on this.  

2015 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain, France, Alsace

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Light golden in color.  What a gorgeous nose.  Lychees, peaches and minerals.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet but not much.  Great minerality.  Some peach notes.  Wonderful mouthfeel.  Good acidity.  Went great with spicy Indian food.  Long finish.  A beautiful wine.  It is still quite young and will continue to improve for a decade at least and be good for another decade after that.  $75 but might just be worth it!

2009 Château Faugères, France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is drinking youthfully but quite nice right now.  Purple in color.  The nose has cherries, dark cherries, chocolate and cigar tobacco.  On the palate, this has a lovely lush texture.  Lots of fruit; black cherries, some cherries with a bit of earth.  There is some oak but mostly integrated.  Light tannins.  Nice very smooth finish.  Drinking very well, it works well with food.  There may be some upside as it develops but I think mostly this is as good asa it gets.  

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