2014 Rhys Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Rhys Chard's are among my favorite Chardonnay's anywhere.  They often get tagged as "Burgundian" but I think they are a beautiful expression of the grape as grown in Santa Cruz.  This one was pop and pour and it was singing.  Gold/silver in color with slight green.  The nose is great with a lemon-vanilla cream along with a nice mineral base.  On the palate, this is vibrant with great acidity.  Great bright fruit.  Lemon with some vanilla and a nice minerality.  Long finish.  Great with a potato chowder.  Just a beautiful wine.  I think these age well but perhaps shut down at some point only

2004 Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, France, Champagne, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

This luxury cuvee always impresses me for its elegance.  Light golden in color.  Nice mousse.  The nose is great with fresh pears, slight lemons and just a whiff of toast.  Clean.  On the palate, this is very smooth.  Lemons and a sour lemon candy note that is very pure.  Not sweet at all.  Great acidity, this wine is quite vibrant.  Great with food.  Incredibly long finish.  Really a great showing.  

2009 Fleming's Cabernet Sauvignon 46 Diamonds

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B

This is a Cab made especially for Flaming's Steak House.  It is solid if a bit generic.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries and some cassis.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Light tannins.  Not a lot of complexity.  Cassis fruit.  Slight earth.  

2010 Sassodisole Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is dusty with cherries and sour cherries.  Good acidity.  Very food friendly.  Went great with an "Impossible" Burger.  Tart cherries, layered with forest floor.  Good finish.  This is still young and has some upside in terms of development.  Plenty of fruit with light tannins right now.  

2013 Leindl Riesling Zobinger Heiligenstein, Austria, Kamptal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Light gold/copper in color.  The nose has a metallic tin note to it (not unpleasant) and some limes.  Interesting for a Riesling, it made me wonder if there is some Gruner blended in.  On the palate, this is crisp.  There is a perception of sweetness but really a dry(ish) wine.  Minerals with some lemon.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  Food friendly.  

2011 Jean Edwards Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has cassis and dust with a bit of spice.  Warm.  On the palate, this has cassis, tart cherries, a bit of baking spice and slight herbal notes.  It drinks like pretty classic Napa Cab.  Not super ripe but not under ripe either.  I can see this being a bit divisive for those who want a fruit bomb.  This is not that.  Showing a tight layering, it unwinds in the glass.  Has a nice complexity but there is some upside to come.  It was popular at the dinner table with our friends.  

2013 Tyler Chardonnay, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Light golden in color.  The nose has spice and lemons.  On the palate, this has a loose/fat texture but at the same time a crisp acidity.  While a bit more precision is nice, the overall package is very pleasing.  Nice lemons notes on the palate.  Good finish.  Clean and very drinkable Chardonnay.  Worked well with food.  

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