2014 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Light copper.gold in color.  The nose is gorgeous with almonds, candle wax and minerals.  With air, slight tangerine notes begin to emerge.  This is showing quite open right now.  Will it shut down for a bit?  Experience says yes, but who knows?  This is a bit riper or more open anyway than the 2012 consumed along with it.  More minerality with an interesting menthol/Eucalyptus note on the finish.  Oily texture.  Long finish.  This is young and tightly packed but has a nice complexity.  

2012 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Where to start?  This is one of the great white wines of the world.  Such a fascinating and contemplative wine.  Made from a field blend of 80/20 Marsanne and Roussane.  i was a bit aprhensive about this as Hermitage Blanc at age 6 can often be shut down.  Light/medium gold.  This showed quite well though.  The nose is waxy with some honey and slight white floral notes.  With air, almonds and slight tangerine notes.  Fascinating.  Slightly oily texture.  Full bodied.  Great minerality.  Earthy with almonds and slight citrus.  Long finish.  Warming, not hot on the finish.  Certainly some ups

2012 Les Chais du Vieux Bourg Côtes du Jura BB1, France, Jura, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Always an interesting experience venturing into the Jura.  Made by Ludwig "Lulu" Bindernagel.  75% Chardonnay, 25% Savagnin.  Light medium gold in color.  The nose is interesting.  Almost like a dry sherry that's not oxidized.  Almonds, slightly "fleshy" with a dried orange peel note.  On the palate, there is a nice slightly oily texture.  Some vanilla, minerals, almonds and bits of lemon.  Nice enough acidity.  Long finish.  Very different and hard to put into context.  I liked it and even more so as it warmed.  

2012 Wild Hog Vineyard Zinfandel Estate, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Sometimes when in a restaurant in can be challenging to find a wine that is priced fairly and good.  Often, I just turn to beer.  Last night, this one was on the menu for $45 at a nice restaurant.  This retails for about $26 in a limited release, so the price is a bit high, but not bad for a downtown restaurant.  sadly, it was served quite warm.  We asked for an ice bucket and got a marble cooler that had limited effect.  Nevertheless, the wine was good.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, slight bramble, cherries, slight anise and alcohol.  On the palate, lush black cherries an

2011 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Champoux Vineyard, USA, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This has improved a bit over the past few years.  It still needs time though.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has cassis and still a fair amount of oak showing as fresh cut lumber and spice.  On the palate, this has a nice mouthfeel.  Good depth.  Cassis, with a slight earthiness.  Nice finish.  Easy to drink on its own, a crowd pleaser.  Hold a bit and there is some upside.  

2010 Halcon Vineyards Syrah Alturas, USA, California, Yorkville Highlands, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is still pretty tight and in need of cellaring or air.  Getting there but taking forever.  If drinking soon, give it a nice decant.  Purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, black pepper, and slight bacon fat.  On the palate, this has a nice backbone of acidity.  Black raspberry fruit.  Some tannins.  Some depth, it unwinds in the glass.  Nice finish.  Food friendly.  Hold for a few more years.  

2008 Dehlinger Syrah Goldridge, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

These wines are taking forever to come around.  Just now starting to show something.  This is going to be a beautiful wine.  Its outstanding now, but not nearly at peak and needs a lot of air.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, minerals, black pepper and slight black olives.  On the palate, this is cooler climate in style.  Black raspberries, slight black olives, earthiness and a mineral streak.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  

2010 Domaine de la Terre Rouge Syrah Pyramid Block Sentinel Oak Vineyard, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is a winery that really doesn't get the publicity it deserves.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, some black pepper, a hint of roasted meats and herbs.  Neither war climate not cool climate in style.  On the palate, black raspberries layered with char and slight earthiness.  Good acidity.  Lots of tasty fruit with light tannins at this point.  It takes an hour or two to really open and then is drinking beautifully.  Nice finish.  Good with food.  

2015 Domaine Camus-Bruchon & Fils Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Purple in color.  The nose is tight.  With a few hours of air it opened a bit more to show a nice earthy cherry quality.  On the palate, this is soft.  It has a sweet tart quality to the cherry fruit.  A bit clipped on the finish.  At $40, this may provide value if it develops over the next few years.  Time will tell.  

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