2015 Domaine Trapet (Jean et Jean-Louis) Gevrey-Chambertin, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This took a while to open.  In fact, about 3 hours until it really started to hit its stride.  My score went from an 88 to a 91 during that time, so I guess this needs some cellaring or time.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is tight but eventually shows some cherries and cherry powder.  Some spice and an interesting iron note.  On the palate, this has tart cherries.  With air, they got a bit fresher and riper.  The finish was more about sour cherries.  Nice texture.  Some depth.  

2016 Domaine des Terres Dorées (Jean-Paul Brun) Chardonnay Beaujolais Blanc, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This was fun to throw into a Burgundy tasting.  Is it on point?  Technically, yes.  And at $15, no harm done.  This is actually a wonderful value for a Chardonnay of this level.  Medium golden in color.  The nose is interesting with minerals, some lemon, and spice.  I wouldn't think this saw oak, but it certainly had some of those characteristics.  On the palate, this is tart with almost a cherry quality which is interesting for a white.  Some minerality.  A bit of depth.  I would prefer a bit more acidity and cut but it was fine.  

2015 Joseph Drouhin / Drouhin-Vaudon Chablis, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

For under $25, this is an excellent value in Chablis, in Burgundy and in Chardonnay.  Light, silvery/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has some gun powder and some slight green apples.  Also nice minerality/chalk.  On the palate, this is lively and crisp.  Nice green apple and minerals notes.  Long finish.  This would go great with foods as well.  It should be drunk in the next few years.  

2001 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2003
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Light ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, slight roses.  On the palate, there is plenty of cherry fruit here.  This was an incredibly warm vintage, but the wine is not roasted.  It, perhaps lacks the depth of some vintages, but it is drinking well and very tasty.  Slight tannins left.  Some acidity.  At 15 years from vintage, it won't get better, but has a decade left of life.  Food friendly.  

2001 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color.  The nose is very nice with cassis, slight cedar, some earthiness to it as well.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Still some fine tannins.  Plenty of fruit.  Layers of cassis and earth.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  Worked well with hearty vegetarian fare.  I don't think it improves from here and I would drink these up in the next five years or so.  

2013 Château de la Maltroye Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with minerals/slight chalk and lemon chiffon.  On the palate, this has a nice acidity.  Works well with food.  Some lemons but more about the minerality.  Long finish.  Not sure how this will age but at 5 years from vintage, it is in a great place.  Refreshing but with some complexity.  

2016 Sineann Zinfandel Old Vine, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

From one of oldest Zinfandel vineyards in the Pacific Northwest dating back to the early 1900's.  I love this Zin as it is not boisterous but it is intense.  It also ages well.  Purple in color.  The nose has raspberries, cherries and some spice.  On the palate, this is deep.  Tight right now.  Cherry and black cherry fruit.  Great acidity.  Nice finish.  Food friendly.  Good now but will get more complex with age.  

2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Puccini Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This was a bit backward and tight and the moment.  It needed some time and air although it is getting close.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black cherries, slight bramble, and raspberries.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Once it opens, it is just delicious.  Deep but tight.  Gobs of juicy black cherries and raspberries.  An underlying char.  Works with big foods.  Nice finish.  Will it age?  Yes.  How well just depends on how you like you Zins.  

2016 Domenico Clerico Barolo Pajana, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Ruby in color.  The nose is very nice with cherries, slight floral notes and tar.  On the palate, this has a nice complexity.  Layers of cherries, dried cherries and forest floor.  Good not great acidity.  Long finish.  This seemed to coming right along, so we left about 1/3 of the bottle, recorked and on the counter to follow.  On night 2, the nose of this was model airplane glue.  Very hard to get past.  It was fine on the palate, but the nose was terrible.  Not sure what that means about ageing but I wouldn't let this get a ton of air once its opened.  That said, on Night 1, it was outst

2015 Lakehouse Winery Pinot Grigio, USA, Ohio, Lake Erie, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B

Ohio actually has some of the longest wine making traditions in this country.  Prior to, and just after, Prohibition, the area along the southern shores of Lake Erie was one of the leading winemaking areas in the country.  These days, there are still many wineries producing many excellent whites and dessert wines, and the occasional quality red.  Most, however, follow the tourist model, often combining restaurants or Inns and providing entertainment in addition to serving their own wines.  The wine was from one of those.  That doesn't mean the wines are not good or worth buying. 

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