2001 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Ruby in color.  The nose is classic with cherries, slight funk, slight violets and spice.  With air, some leather.  On the palate, this is at peak.  Just where it should be.  Cherries layered with spice and earth.  Complex.  Alive with great energy.  This would work with a wide variety of hearty foods.  Good finish.  A wine that is both delicious and contemplative.  No hurry, but it won't get any better from here, so absolutely worth checking on.  

1984 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Mt. Veeder, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1984
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

The fill was low shoulder.  On touching the cork dropped a few millimeters.  A Durand was used and the cork came out in one, if crumbly, piece.  The wine was decanted for sediment and allowed to breathe for a few minutes.  Purple in color, not showing a lot of age.  The nose is initially dominated by volatile acidity, but that partially blows off leaving dust and cassis.  Much better on the palate.  This still has thick tannins.  A pristine bottle of this would likely be just hitting its stride.  This bottle is advanced but still with plenty of cassis fruit.  OK finish.  An impressive wine

1967 Château Palmer, France, Bordeaux, Margaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1967
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B

Old bottle are always fun.  Sometimes they work out, other times, not so much.  This bottle had a very low fill.  Below the shoulders and near the top of the label.  The cork was removed using a Durand.  It virtually exploded as it escaped the bottle.  very little integrity.  The bottle was decanted for sediment and pieces of cork, checked right away, but allowed to breathe for a while.  It turned out the wine continued to improve in the decanter for at least 30 minutes as it blew off the bottle stink and gained some strength.  Ruby/brown in color.  The nose has some mushrooms, some fresh m

2009 Cuvelier Los Andes Grand Vin, Argentina, Valle de Uco, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

70% Malbec, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah, 5% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot.  From the family that owns Leoville Poyferre in Bordeaux.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is warm and slightly musty (not in an off way).  Also has some cassis and plums.  On the palate, this drinks like a Bordeaux; fruit, tobacco and earth.  Black raspberries and plums.  Slight tannins.  It has a nice depth and seems to be closing in on maturity.  A bit soft but within reason.  Would work with roasted or grilled meats quite well.  No hurry, but won't get better and probably should be drunk in the next five years.  

2016 Nine North Wine Company Cabernet Sauvignon Twenty Bench, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

This is a wine that many people will like.  It retails for around $15 and is ripe sweet fruit.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis and fresh cut lumber.  On the palate, this is sweet ripe jammy fruit.  Some oak.  It is all about providing an easy to drink, jammy wine.  If that is what one likes, than this is a nice value.  A cocktail wine.  

2012 Maison Bouachon Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Tiare du Pape Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is drinking really well right now.  Light golden in color.  The nose is great with minerals, lemons, wax but also plenty of melon and tropical fruit.  On the palate, this has a nice cutting acidity.  Good melon and lemon fruit.  Long finish.  Very food friendly.  While still drinking youthfully, it it open for business.  It will probably start to show more signs of maturity in a few years but is delicious right now.  

2015 Movia Pinot Grigio, Slovenia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Medium golden in color.  Really interesting nose.  Slight bitter almonds, a bit of dried peach, wax and sight oxidation.  On the palate, this is just a bit oxidized yet also has a very nice freshness to it.  Minerals, slight peach and dried peach.  Complex.  Tightly layered.  Nice backbone of acidity.  Good finish.  Would work with lighter foods and cheeses.  Not something to drink all the time but once in a while, this is a real treat.  

2013 Mendoza Vineyards Malbec Gran Reserva by Richard Bonvin, Argentina, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has plums, bell pepper, celery and black raspberries.  On the palate, this is very ripe.  Plums and black raspberries.  slightly earthy.  Very delicious and easy to drink.  Not a lot of acidity or depth.  More of a cocktail wine although would work with hearty food especially meats.  

2017 Château Suau Blanc Sec, France, Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+

80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon.  Silvery gold in color.  The nose is nice with slight tropical fruit.  Also some pears.  On the palate, this is nice.  Round.  Not a lot of acidity.  Tasty though and easy to drink.  Drink it cold and it will be refreshing.  Food friendly.  This is under $20 and a pretty good value.  Drink over the next few years to enjoy its freshness.  

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