2013 Futo 5500, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

I tried this a couple of years ago and thought it needed 10 more years.  Now, we are down to 8 I guess.  At least.  This is a spectacular wine but it needs time (think Latour).  While it showed well, it just felt like we there is more to come.  Indeed, if one has the patience to wait, this is probably a 100 point wine.  Today, its close but not quite.  Purple in color, magenta at the rim.  The nose has cassis.  Its dusty with iodine.  With air some dark cherries emerge.  On the palate, this is juicy with bright acidity.  Firm tannins that strengthen in the glass.  Black raspberries, blue be

2012 Nine Suns Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

My first time trying this vintage and only second time trying the winery.  Spectacular showing.  This wine was allowed to breathe for about 8 hours and still needed more air.  Some vigorous swirling in the glass allowed it to open, but it really needs more cellar time.  Purple in color, magenta at the rim.  The nose has cassis, blueberries, iodine and sandalwood.  Beautiful.  On the palate, there is some initial warmth but that disappears with air.  Very smooth.  Balance.  medium tannins.

2012 Fairchild Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Sigaro, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

My first time trying this that I can recall.  Very impressed.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is great with cassis, and slight graphite.  This bottle had been allowed to breathe for the better part of the day and still took some time to open.  It opened nicely in the glass though.  Bright acidity.  Cassis and slight cough drop note especially on the finish where it was joined with a bit of menthol.  Firm tannins.  Probably best to hold these or decant for a few hours at this point.  Some upside here for sure.  

2012 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012

I have had this before and loved it, but this bottle, not so much.  Perhaps an off bottle or shut down at this time?  Just last summer, I scored it 100 points, so this was curious.  Some liked it more than I, but most of the room seemed to comment that it wasn't what they might have been expecting.  It is good, but this should be one of the preeminent California Chardonnays.  It happens, but I can only review the bottle I drank.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose is dusty with tine, clay, spice and oak.  No fruit.  No noticeable TCA or other faults.  On the palate, it has a nice texture.

2014 Rhys Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Rhys Chard's are among my favorite Chardonnay's anywhere.  They often get tagged as "Burgundian" but I think they are a beautiful expression of the grape as grown in Santa Cruz.  This one was pop and pour and it was singing.  Gold/silver in color with slight green.  The nose is great with a lemon-vanilla cream along with a nice mineral base.  On the palate, this is vibrant with great acidity.  Great bright fruit.  Lemon with some vanilla and a nice minerality.  Long finish.  Great with a potato chowder.  Just a beautiful wine.  I think these age well but perhaps shut down at some point only

2004 Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, France, Champagne, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

This luxury cuvee always impresses me for its elegance.  Light golden in color.  Nice mousse.  The nose is great with fresh pears, slight lemons and just a whiff of toast.  Clean.  On the palate, this is very smooth.  Lemons and a sour lemon candy note that is very pure.  Not sweet at all.  Great acidity, this wine is quite vibrant.  Great with food.  Incredibly long finish.  Really a great showing.  

2009 Fleming's Cabernet Sauvignon 46 Diamonds

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B

This is a Cab made especially for Flaming's Steak House.  It is solid if a bit generic.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries and some cassis.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Light tannins.  Not a lot of complexity.  Cassis fruit.  Slight earth.  

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