2014 Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc La Fontaine, France, Rhone, Chateau Neuf du Pape - Wine Review

Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Deep golden in color.  Blind I guessed the was a Chardonnay.  Oh well.  Seems like a fair amount of oak in terms of vanilla and saw dust (to a lesser extent).  On the palate, lots of citrus (grapefruits) and a bit of wax.  At the same time, it has an oily texture.  Still, I found this very compelling.  Excellent acidity.  While it seemed like it needed time, it is also fresh and vibrant.  Going back to it after a few hours, it was as fresh as ever.  Very enjoyable.  

2009 Château Tour Baladoz Le Centenaire Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, France, Bordeaux - Wine Review

Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

What a treat to try this.  It has been difficult finding anything out about the wine.  Apparently it is from a small vineyard that is planted on its original root stocks and over 100 years old.  They make a regular wine but this wine is limited to two barrels and is quite expensive.  Luckily, a good wine buddy opened this for one of our tasting groups.  It is very rare indeed.  Purple in color.  The nose has plums, smoke and dark cherries.  Very tight on the nose but with air it opened.  On the palate, it is incredibly concentrated.  Dark cherries with a great texture.  Ripe but tight.  Ver

2003 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel

Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This was purchased at the winery.  Pop and pour.  Served at about 62F.  Golden, slightly deep, in color.  The nose is clean with pineapple and slight wet rocks.  No petrol.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet and given the style and vintage, not nearly as sweet as expected.  That's a good thing.  On the other hand, a bit more acidity would have improved the wine to the next level.  That said, plenty of apples, a bit of pineapple and nice minerality.  Good texture.  No real sign of age and it should easily go another 20 and probably more.  Went great with an assortment of cheeses.  

2014 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
99
Grade: 
A

Another stellar wine from one of the best producers in Napa.  This is still quite tight but with air opened up beautifully.  That said, this still needs time.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is classic, old school Napa cabernet.  Cassis, slight pencil lead, and a slight violet notes on the nose.  On the palate, this has a great juicy texture.  Almost seamless.  Again, give this a few years and this probably merits a perfect score.  Cassis, graphite and cedar notes.  Long finish.  

2012 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+

Wow.  An amazing wine.  Like many 2012's, this is accessible now, but still has a long life left.  This is just incredible.  From the first sip, this is special.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, pencil lead/gravel and floral notes.  On the palate, this is seamless.  Juicy acidity.  Firm but manageable tannins.  Layers of gravel, cassis and graphite.  Long finish.  So delicious too.  About as good as Napa Cabernet gets.  And you know what, with some age, it might even get better.  

2008 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

Stunning Wine.  Still quite youthful at this point.  It needs cellar time or a good decant.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, pencil lead and cedar.  On the palate. it has firm tannins.  Nice balance.  It opens in the glass with plenty of cassis fruit, a mineral base and streaks of graphite.  Long finish.  Drinking on the more elegant side of Napa Cabs.  Built to last another 30 years.  

2014 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+

OK.  My first 100 point review for Intowine.com.  And it deserves it.  This bottle was opened about 7 hours prior to consuming and decanted about an hour prior.  That seemed about right but it could probably have taken a lot more air.  The thing I loved about it was how smooth and elegant it is while a the same time not being in any way shy or reserved or even feminine.  Think Cary Grant.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with cassis, slight dark chocolate, slight coffee grounds.  Also some cedar and spice.  On the palate, this is seamless.  Juicy.  deep and layers of tight complexity un

2012 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+

Wow.  What a gorgeous wine.  Not a fruit bomb but clearly from sunshine and California.  Deep purple in color, shimmering and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, chocolate and spice.  Wonderful texture.  It just spreads itself across the papate.  Depth yet precision.  Cassis, slight dark chcolate, with gravel undertones.  Long, long finish.  This was pop and pour and that was a mistake.  An hour of air and it no doubt hits the 100 mark.  Ready to drink now, but will last 40 years.  Amazing wine.  

2011 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
97
Grade: 
A

Excellent wine from what is generally considered an off vintage in Napa.  Of course, what is an off vintage for some may still be an outstanding wine.  While this did seem to lag behind the 2012 and 2014, it is still fantastic and with time may outdistance them.  Time will tell.  For now, this has purple color with a ruby rim.  The nose has cassis, some dark cherries, cedar and spice.  On the palate, this is full bodid but not overtly ripe.  Trust be told, this would show better on its own and not up against its siblings at this point.  It has a nice complexity.  Great cassis fruit with fir

2013 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+

Wow.  Maybach continues to be one of the top wineries anywhere in the world.  This is just fantastic.  I have no doubt that more decanting or cellar time takes this to the 100 point level.  This is a mailing list to be on.  Purple in color.  The nose is fantstic with cassis, floral notes, gravel and pencil lead.  Also some cedar and spice.  On the palate, what a texture.  Juicy, velvety and seamless.  Lots of cassis fruit with depth.  An underpinning of gravel.  Firm tannins at the moment.  This is a 3o plus year wine.  Long finish.  Just gorgeous.  

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