2017 Château de Ségriès Tavel, France, Rhone, Wine review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
83
Grade: 
B-

Not sure this was a proper bottle but no obvious faults.  This wine is usually solid year in and out, but hopefully, there will be a chance to revisit.  Deep salmon pink in color.  The nose is like a watermelon liqueur.  The alcohol is really out of proportion.  On the palate, this is tart and bitter and the alcohol continues to stand out.  There is some watermelon and cherry fruit.  Not sure what is going on here.  

NV Graham Beck Brut Pinot Noir Chardonnay, South Africa, Western Cape, Wine Review

Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Beck sparkling wines are some of the best values in sparkling wines. This retails for around $17 and is a quality dry sparkling wine.  Light golden in color.  Lots of small bubbles.  The nose is all about the minerals with a dusty quality as well.  Ever so very slightly sweet on the palate.  Minerals and lemon oil.  Would go with a wide variety of foods.  Has some depth and complexity.  Really enjoyable.  

2016 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay Santa Barbara County, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with lemon cream and some minerals.  A bit buttery and slightly oaky.  On the palate, this is nice acidity.  Lemon with cream.  Decent balance.  Works well with food.  Slight depth and complexity; probably won't get better.  Good drinking right now.  A nice compromise for those who like buttery/oaky and those who don't.  

2012 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain, USA, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Glass "cork" is very cool.  Purple in color.  This is a pretty classic Washington Cabernet.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, tobacco and slight bell pepper.  On the palate, this is in a good place if still a bit young.  Cassis layered with tobacco and earth.  Some tannins.  Slightly bitter in a good way.  Nice finish.  This works well with food.  Probably will continue to mature and layer, but not really get better, just different.  Very nice wine right now.  

2010 Campesino Syrah Sangiacomo Old Lakeville Vineyard, USA. California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Nice to revisit this wine.  It is starting to really hit its stride at this point although it did continue to open after popping the cork.  Purple in color.  The nose is deep with leather, iodine, boysenberries and a slight grilled meat component.  On the palate, this has a cooler climate profile.  Boysenberry fruit.  Layers of dry leather.  Good balance.  Medium to full bodied.  Would work well with a wide variety of foods.  It has depth and a nice complexity but also drinks easy.  Good finish.  

2015 The Furst Gewurztraminer, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Produced at the Co-Op of Cave Vinicole de Kietzenheim-Kaysersberg in Alsace.  Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with slight lychee nut but also some tropical fruits.  On the palate, this is off dry (slightly sweet).  It has nice tropical fruit with a slightly viscous texture.  A slight minerality as well.  Good finish.  This retails for around $22.  Food friendly.   Drink in the next five to seven years.  Colorful label.  

2005 Saxum 44 Month Barrel Age James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

This was an experiment Justin Smith did back in 2005.  He let the wine stay in barrels for 44 months before bottling it.  This extended ageing as it is called is interesting.  One might think the wine would be ready earlier but conversely, it seems to take even longer for the wines to be ready to drink.  This one is now in a great place and if you have one, consider popping the cork.  A GSM blend, but mostly Syrah.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, iodine, decayed meats, leather, slight bacon fat and an earthy/musk.  On the palate, this has a wonderful lightness a

NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 164eme, Fance, Wine Review

Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

Note:  Back label is pictured for this review.  This wine has reviewed many times but it been a few months.  Light golden in color.  The nose is big and bold and excellent.  Slight oxidation with clean and vibrant baked bread.  Much more vibrant than some prior bottles.  Also some slight ginger and a bit of apples.  On the palate, this is explosive.  Great balance.  Slight apples with a nice minerality.  Served at just cooler than room temp which was perfect (maybe 62F).  Complex and deep.  Food friendly.  If well stored bottles of this are still on the shelf, it is worth finding them and b

1996 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1996
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+

Wow!  Incredible.  Opened, decanted and it was singing and drained quickly.  Ruby in color, just a bit of browning on the edges.  The nose is ethereal.  Cherries, dried cherries, slight tar, dried roses in an intoxicating perfume.  On the palate, this is just getting to maturity.  A wonderful texture that is velvety yet slick.  Each sip makes you want another one.  On the palate, this still has light tannins; just enough to grip.  Great acidity.  Layers of fruit, tar and earth.  Long finish.  Worked great with food.  No hurry as this has a couple of decades left, but no regrets about drinki

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