2010 Tissot (Bénédicte et Stéphane / André et Mireille) Arbois Clos de la Tour de Curon, France, Arbois, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Everyone who tried this had the same reaction - this is interesting.  After that some loved it and some hated it.  More of the later I think.  Certainly not for everyone but I enjoyed it.  Deep golden in color.  High toned and a bit oxidized.  Fascinating nose that had a fleshy note, oranges, cumin and acetone.  On the palate, this is very drying.  Orange peel and lots of minerals.  Depth and lots of things going on.  I guess food neutral would be how I would describe it.  Some acidity but it plays in its own world.  

2015 Denner Theresa

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

One of my favorite white Rhones from California. Served a bit too cold, this needed to warm up a bit. Then it was great. Green/gold in color. The nose is lemony with a slight waxy note once warmer. Also a nice mineral streak. On the palate, this is crisp and bright. Lots of energy. Lemons with that mineral streak. Long finish. Worked well with food. Its hard to guess on the ageing trajectory of these wines, but it seems very young now and enjoyable. I will hold at least one to age a bit and see.

1991 Dow Porto Vintage, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1991
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Ruby in color.  This was pop and pour.  The nose is nice with raspberries and milk chocolate.  Slight alcohol.  On the palate, this is very good if not great.  Milk chocolate covered dried raspberries.  Some heat.  Not the depth or complexity of other vintages for this house.  Heat on the finish. 

2011 Rhys Alesia Chardonnay Alder Springs Vineyard, USA, California,

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Alesia is produced by Rhys with their non-estate fruit.  Alder Springs is one of the idiosyncratic vineyards in California.  North of Sonoma and right on the coast, the vineyard can be drastically different from year to year and they grow a host of different varietals.  Truthfully, I wondered if this fruit got ripe enough in 2011, but now worries.  Not a fruity wine, but enough for sure.

2013 Bevan Cellars Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

Wow.  Yes, this is expensive but this is truly an amazing wine.  Purple in color.  The nose is just amazing.  Cassis, blueberries, slight spice and sandalwood, some cedar.  Deep and complex.  On the palate, open for business.  Bevan wines drink better younger than any luxury wines I know of.  Cassis, blueberries, slight earth/minerals.  Deep and complex.  Great mouthfeel.  Damn delicious.  One of those wines where each sip leaving you wanting another one.  Then the bottle is drained.  Hard to say if this will get better, maybe so with some maturity.  

2013 Grgich Hills Chardonnay, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

A classic Napa Chardonnay.  Light golden in color.  This has seen a lot of the oak integrate over the last year or two which is good.  There is still some vanilla on the nose but also some nice lemon cream.  On the palate, this has good acidity.  Lemon with spice and vanilla.  Decent finish.  This is not their top of the line and is priced accordingly.  As such, it presents some value in the Napa Chard world.  Not a stunner but certainly a wine most people at least enjoy.  There is still some possible room for this to improve with a couple more years of cellaring.  

2007 Saxum Syrah Booker Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

Saxum just killed it in 2007 and now that the wines have shed their baby fat and some of the exuberance, they are rocking.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper and gamey meats (in a good way).  On the palate, wonderful texture.  High energy.  This is a big wine but so light on its feet.  Lots of alcohol but it never shows in anywhere.  Delicious.  Deep and complex.  Still, may have some upside as this ages.  Easily has a decade, probably two.  Just a fantastic wine.  

2009 Château Nairac. France, Bordeaux, Barsac, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Deep golden in color.  The nose has canned peaches and simple syrup.  On the palate, this is a bit cloying.  It is good, but lacks the acidity that the better vintages have.  Sugary apricots.  A bit clipped on the finish.  That said, it is also delicious if you are just having a sip or two.  Very rich.  

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