2016 Aliança Vinho Verde, Portugal, Wine review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Vinho Verdes provide crisp, refreshing wines at minimal costs.  They aren't made to last so buy them young.  This one was being closed out at $8 and that is a great price but drink them this summer as they are already starting to fade a bit.  Light golden in color.  The nose is steely with some tropical fruit.  Actually, gooseberries is pretty accurate along with a bit of mango.  On the palate, there is a bit of a sweet/sour thing going on.  Some residual sugar with tart acidity.  As is typical, there is a slight spritz to it.  It lacks a bit of that bright freshness that was probably prese

2009 Tommaso Bussola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Bussola is one of the top three producers of Amarone.  What separates him from the other two is pricing.  Bussola's wines are affordable.  This is his base wine and it retails for around $50.  That is not inexpensive, but it is worth it.  One caveat, to really get the full bang for your buck, let them age for a while.  This one is still not yet at peak but showing quite well especially with a bit of air.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  On the nose this has cherries, black cherries, tobacco, dried currants, slight sandalwood and prune.  Very deep.  On the palate, this is dry but fee

2016 Carlisle Grüner Veltliner Steiner Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Carlisle makes great reds at fair prices, but they also make a variety of whites as well.  Gruner Veltliner is the grape of Austria, but this is a bit of a different take from California.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose is interesting.  It has pineapple, asparagus and minerals.  Deep and interesting and clean.  On the palate, the pineapple carries thru a bit on the attack.  The asparagus and minerals pick up from there.  Nice slightly oily texture.  Then some citrus/lime on the finish.  Very refreshing but more than just that.  Very food friendly.  Consumed over two nights, it was pro

2010 Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Actaeon Quixote Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Stags Leap, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This wine seems to be hitting a nice stride.  Certainly a long life left depending on how you like your Cabs.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, some spice, a little chocolate, and slight blueberries.  On the palate, this is dense and concentrated.  A little jammy.  Cassis, slight plums, blueberries and also a bit of dry earth and char.  Medium tannins.  Deep with some complexity as it unwinds in the glass.  Delicious.  Nice finish.  May improve a bit but it is outstanding right now.  

2006 Jaffurs Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is starting to come into its own but still is young and really needs more time.  Pop and pour, this should have been decanted.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, an underlying char with some peppery notes.  On the palate, this is concentrated but has a lot of black raspberry fruit.  Dense.  Medium tannins.  Worked well with spicy Chile Relenos.  It could use a few more years of cellaring and there is some slight upside for that.  

2013 Sineann Pinot Gris Wy'east Vineyard, USA, Oregon, Columbia Gorge, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+

A very interesting wine for a couple of reasons.  First, the Columbia Gorge AVA is the only AVA that spans across two states (Oregon and Washington).  Second, drinking a Pinot Gris at five years from vintage is really pushing it, but this was screw capped which gave it a fighting chance. This is a wine that was drinking great in 2014 with plenty of fruit but its now 2018.   Light silvery gold in color.  The nose has a nice fresh minerality to it but little fruit.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  13% Alc.  There is some minerality and a hint of citrus though there really isn't much

2011 Halcon Vineyards Syrah Alturas, USA, California, Mendocino, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Halcon is making great wines just north of Napa in the Yorkville Highlands.  The wines are stunning values and everyone should sign up for their mailing list and e-mails.  This is a cooler climate Syrah and 2011 was even a bit cooler than typical.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, slight bacon fat, grilled herbs and a floral note.  There is concentrated fruit but this is more about the minerality.  Complex, this is not yet at peak but getting close.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with some tannins.  Black raspberry fruit.  Sinewy texture.  Great acidity.  Nice finish

2015 Jaffurs Syrah, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Jaffurs makes a lot of wine, this is their basic Syrah and it is one of my favorite value wines from California.  77% Syrah, 9% Grenache, 9% Petite Sirah and the Mourvèdre.  This is warm climate Syrah that will drink early and cellar well.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, grilled meats, slight black pepper and a bit of roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has a lush texture.  It is delicious and always a crowd pleaser.  Deep with complexity that opens in the glass but will emerge with more cellaring.  Great on its own or with hearty of fatty foods.  Definite upside potentia

2002 Ahnfeldt Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color.  The nose is nice with cassis and chocolate.  Slightly tart acidity.  Cassis.  Tannins are all resolved.  This certainly seems at peak or close to it.  Nice fruit.  Some complexity.  Drink up.  This is not a big fruity wine and likely never was.  More Bordeaux-esque in style.  Still it is very good if not for everyone.  

2009 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Groth is one of those wineries that used to get a lot of buzz.  Now, they are somewhat yesterday's news although the truth is, Groth is still making excellent California Cabernet and deserves to still be in the conversation.  This one was from Magnum.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is dusty with nice cassis fruit.  Some baking spice as well.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Probably not at peak yet.  Complex layers of cassis and spice with some dry earth.  Medium tannins.  There is a strong backbone of acidity here that is helped by fatty foods.  Nice finish.  At around

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