2012 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Kosta Browne wines are some of the most sought after Pinots in California.  They are also wines that people tend to love or hate because they are to the ripe and jammy side of Pinot Noir.  Its always fun to drink one and listen to the comments.  This is deep ruby in color.  The nose has bright black cherries with some baking spice.  With air, some root beer and Faygo Red Pop notes.  On the palate, there is a lot of cherry, black cherry notes along with a bit of cola.  It is big and fruity and also delicious.  Would work with bigger foods and most traditional Pinot foods (salmon, etc.).  Lon

2015 Domaine Coursodon St. Joseph La Sensonne, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

2015 is considered a very ripe year in the Northern Rhone.  Most seem to think it a great vintage but some old school drinkers have issue with the ripeness.  There is no right answer but plan accordingly.  This is on the big and ripe side.  Purple in color, a thin line of ruby at the rim.  Great nose of black raspberries, bacon fat, and slight grilled meats.  On the palate, this is deep with tons of black raspberry fruit.  Medium tannins.  It unwinds in the glass.  It won't peak for at lest a decade and be good for at least another after that.  Still, today it is delicious.  

2015 Domaine Romaneaux-Destezet (Hervé Souhaut) St. Joseph Les Cessieux, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Purple, ruby at the rim.  The nose has dusty black cherries, spice and slight violets.  On the palate, this has black raspberries with slight black pepper.  A streak of earthiness under it all.  This is a big, fruit forward wine.  It is still young and should develop over the next two decades (probably peaking after one).  Good acidity.  Would work well with bigger foods.  Nice finish.  Certainly a ripe wine, it might be a bit controversial among Rhone fans, but this is excellent.  Certainly has some upside potential.  

2008 Rhys Pinot Noir Swan Terrace, USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Ruby in color, purple at the core.  The nose has cherries, spice, sour cherries, slight vanilla, and cranberries.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Sour cherries, slight vanilla, cherries and slight spice.  Slight tannins.  Long finish with a cherry/anise candy quality.  This still seems a bit shy of maturity and there may be some upside.  It has a full bodied wonderful texture that show sunshine without being a fruit bomb.  Long finish.  

2008 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurène, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Deep ruby in color.  The nose has nice sour cherries, some spice.  The palate matches the nose.  This is drinking well if not yet at maturity.  There is some complexity here as it opens in the glass.  Good with a wide variety of foods.  Not sure if it will improve but should continue to mature for at least another decade.  

2002 La Pousse d'Or Santenay 1er Cru Gravières, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Pale ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has rhubarb, cranberries and cherries.  It is nice no earthiness or funk.  On the palate, there is a slight complexity here.  Tart cherries and cranberries.  It is refreshing but again lacks the depth or earthiness one might hope for after 15 years from a good vintage.  Yes, even from a Santenay.  It does have good acidity and is not really showing much age.  Certainly not young but seems just fine here.  It probably won't get better though.  

2003 Graham Vintage Porto, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Grahams is one of the top Port Houses.  Stylistically, it is usually one of the sweeter Ports of those top houses.  2003 was a very hot year in Europe.  Oddly enough, that meant many of the wines either got too ripe or they vines shut down and the resulting wines did not have enough stuffing.  This wine is in the former category.  How that plays out depends on your personal tastes.  Deep purple in color.  The nose is jammy with black raspberries and black raspberry candy.  On the palate, the jammy candied quality continues.  Lots of black raspberry fruit.  Not a ton of depth but some.  Some

2015 Sineann Abondante, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a blend of a whole bunch of leftover grapes.  At $20, this is always a great value but especially so in the better vintages like 2015.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, cherries and spice.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  Good acidity.  Easy drinking with some depth and varietal complexity.  Good finish.  Very food friendly.  It now comes as a screw cap which is nice.  

2010 Saxum James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

From Magnum.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, plums, grilled meat, white pepper and char.  On the palate, this has an incredible texture.  Smooth and velvety yet powerful and muscular.  Notes of black raspberries, spice and slight charred earth.  This is deep and complex yet still has a long life left.  This vintage has opened and shut a few times since release but seem like it has settled and is open.  There is a lot of alcohol but it doesn't show up anywhere in the glass.  One of those wines that each sip makes you want to have another.  Spectacular wine. 

2007 Azelia Barolo San Rocco, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

From Magnum.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight dried cherries, some tar and roses.  Pretty classic actually.  On the palate, this has nice acidity.  Cherries, dried cherries tar and forest floor in tight layers that unwind in the glass.  Some mild tannins.  It was drinking just fine at this point and just to the younger side of mature.  Worked with with food.  No hurry but this does seem to be ageing a bit quicker than expected.  Of course, it is 11 years from vintage so not too quickly.  

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