2014 Cattleya Syrah Soberanes Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Lucia Highlands - Wine review

Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Opened as part of my #BrownsSuckWinesDont program where I punish myself watching the Cleveland Browns and reward myself with interesting wines.  A new discovery for me, this was very good.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, and slight black olives.  On the palate, this is juicy with great fruit.  A very lively wine.  Pop and pour it continued to get better until the last glass about 10 hours later.  I would hold these for now as there is good upside potential or at least give it plenty of air.  

2013 Jaffurs Syrah Larner Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Barbara - Wine Review

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Opened while watching the Cleveland Browns lose again.  I needed something strong that wouldn't make me try to hard.  While this fit the bill, in fact, this will be a couple or few points better in a five years.  Purple inc olor.  The nose has black raspberries, white pepper, slight roasted meats and spice.  On the palate, black raspberries and roasted meats carry thru.  A bit of spice.  Deep but tightly packed.  Juicy acidity.  Delicious.  Nice finish.  

2013 Epoch Estate Wines Estate Blend, USA, California, Paso Robles - Wine review

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Another nice wine from this producer.  This is a GSM blend with some other grapes as well.  Purple in color.  The nose has black and red raspberries, black pepper and spice.  On the palate, there is a nice varietal complexity.  Easy dirnking but more than that.  Nice texture.  Some depth.  Good with food.  Youthful, there is no hurry on this but drinking well today.  

2011 Carlisle Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard, USA, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

I love how well Mike Officer made Zins in the difficult 2011 vintage.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with raspberries, black raspberries, brambles and slight spice.  On the palate, the texture is amazing.  Juicy acidity.  Good fruit.  The kinf of wine that is so delicious one can't help emptying the bottle quickly.  I know these last longer than people might think, but I just can't keep from opening them.  

2013 Sinegal Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Purple in color.  The nose is nice, if young.  Cassis, cedar and baking spice.  On the palate, very nice texture.  Cassis fruit with an underlying char and spice.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  Pretty middle of the road in style which is fine. Certainly has some upside to it based on other times I have tried this bottling over multiple days.  

2008 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

I have been lucky enough to try this twice in a month.  Both times just as amazing.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with cassis, cedar and pencil lead.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is almost seamless.  Gorgeous texture.  Cassis with graphite and underlying minerals.  Long finish.  More elegant than powerful but it has power.  This is still quite young and needs a long decant or better yet, more time in a good cellar.  

2002 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This seems to be at or close to peak at this point.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, cedar, slight char and a slight earthiness.  On the palate, this is soft with thin tannins.  Cassis layered with earthiness and spice.  Nice finish.  Showing a very nice complexity.  Worked well with food.  This was a huge wine in its youth that has developed beautifully.  

2004 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo, Italy, Piedmont - Wine Review

Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This is remarkably approachable at this point.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries and rose notes with a bit of dust and spice.  On the palate, there are silky tannins.  Nice cherry fruit layered with dry forest floor.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  It was decanted for a few hours and that seemed to do the trick.  No hurry on it, but with some air, it is ready to go.  

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