2011 SonkinCellars Persona, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

WARNING - Biased review.  2011 was a difficult vintage.  The fruit was bursting open on the sorting line.  It never got as ripe as we wanted.  We ended up putting in a bit of Petite Sirah from Lodi to get the final wine where we wanted it to be.  This was the only vintage with PS in it.  In the end, we really liked the wine and were proud of the final product.  It is an outlier in many respects from our other wines though.  This wine has drunk well from the start whereas most of our wines have needed time.  Now at age 7, I think it is mid-peak.  It won't get any better and should be at this

2010 SonkinCellars Persona, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

WARNING - Biased Review.  this wine continues to drink well now that it has finally re-awoken from its slumber.  Purple in color.  The nose is very nice with black olives, black raspberries, roasted meats and slight floral notes.  Except for the bright fruit, it shows very northern Rhone-like.  On the palate, this is deep with layers that unwind in the glass.  Earthy notes along with black raspberry fruit.  Good acidity.  Works with heartier foods.  This is closing in on peak but should have a decade left so no hurry.  A bit of air before serving is a good idea but this no longer needs a lo

2015 Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett, Germany, Mosel, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Yellow/green in color.  The nose has wet stones/minerals.  Also some peach qualities.  Really explodes from the glass.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet.  Lots of depth.  Nice minerality.  A lot of 2015's have shut down but this one was open for business about 20 minutes after popping the cork.  Would work well with lighter foods or also spicy foods.  Still young (of course), this wine probably has two decades left.  At under $20, this is a screaming good deal.  

2009 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Corona Vineyard

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Wow.  This was excellent.  This is why you let the better California Cabernet's age.  Sure, they are delicious young.  Juicy and full of fruit and energy.  But at age 9, this has all of that still but also starting to show some development.  This wine could easily go another two decades though it will undoubtedly lose fruit and sunshine.  For those lucky enough to have a bunch, it will be fun to watch this.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cedar, slight dust and saddle leather.  With air, some black cherries come out.  On the palate, this took about an hour or two to really start to

2016 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Angela's Table, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Purple in color.  The nose has red berries, dust, warmth and some sour cherries.  On the palate, the red fruits continue.  This is ripe.  Not deep but tasty.  Easy drinking.  Went well with roasted acorn squash and butter sauce.  Good finish.  This older winery has a range of nice wines.  This one was $16 and its hard to beat that value.  Drink up in the next year or two.  

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

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This continues to develop and open.  It is finally at a point where it can be opened without too much air.  This bottle was pop and pour and enjoyed over several hours.  A lovely cooler climate Syrah.  Purple in color.  The nose has roasted meats, black raspberries and black olives. On the palate, this opens in the glass with a nice complexity.  Medium tannins.  Nice boysenberry fruit with undertones of roasted meats and earthiness.  Good finish.  Works with heartier and spicy foods quite well.  Nice finish.  Should be good to go for the next seven to ten years.  

2007 Domaine Chante Cigale Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is really drinking quite well now.  It has taken some time, but is finally ready for prime time.  Purple in color.  Black raspberries, black cherries, slight cedar, slight dust and slight dried violets.  On the palate, this still has fresh black raspberry fruit layered with dry forest floor and spice.  Complex.  Very nice texture.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This would work with heartier foods.  It demands attention but is quite delicious too.  Probably nearing peak, I would drink in the next decade.  

2013 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Clos du Breuil, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Great showing for this.  Silvery gold in color.  The nose is great with slight orange peel and quince.  Nice minerality.  On the palate this has a great texture.  Slightly oily texture.  Notes of oranges and minerals.  Great acidity.  This kept improving in the glass.  Long finish.  Very food friendly.  This wine retails for under $30 and is great now but should hold and maybe improved for a while.  This is made from Chenin Blanc which ages better than most people think.  

2008 Montecchio Vin Santo, Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Grade: 
B

Deep golden in color.  The nose is hot with a nutty note and slight dried honey.  On the palate, there is a ton of alcohol showing.  Slightly viscous.  Barely sweet.  Some nuttiness.  On the finish, the alcohol vapors continue.  The label says 19% and it was every bit of that.  Not sure where it goes from here.  It seemed surprising it was not labeled liquoroso.  When slowly sipped it offered some warmth and enjoyment but it is not a wine for the dinner table.  

2009 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance, South Africa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

One of the great dessert wines over the last couple hundred years.  Made from Muscat de Frontignan.  Deep amber orange in color.  The nose is very nice with honey and slight apricot.  On the palate this is slightly sweet, not cloying.  Honey and a bit more intense apricots.  Long finish.  Seep and complex, this is still young and there is some upside.  

Pages

Pages