2014 Carlisle Zinfandel Montafi Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This was pop and pour and probably could have used a bit more air.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with dark cherries, slight bramble, a bit of pepper and iodine.  On the palate, this is quite juicy.  A bitterness at first which turned more to a sour cherry note.  I preferred the later.  Nice finish.  This is a big wine and while a bit jammy, in no way over the top.  A crowd pleaser.  

2001 Château de Malle, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Opened late in the evening (probably should have skipped it) but it was a nice treat.  Drinking great right now.  Golden in color, but not that dark for an 01 (purchased on release).  The nose is gorgeous with apricots and honey and a bit of burnt sugar.  On the palate, not quite as expressive but still quite nice.  Burnt sugar and apricots carry thru.  Viscous but not cloying.  Sweet but not overtly.  Ok acidity.  Long finish.  This was from a 375 and even in that format, has a long life left.  

Update. 

2007 Kunde Estate Syrah, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This was brought by one of our guests.  Pop and pour.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is nice.  Very much a cooler climate, lighter styled Syrah.  The nose has lots of red berries.  Some licorice and a bit of pepper.  Medium bodied.  Cherries and dark cherries on the palate.  Good acidity.  Sinewy tannins.  Not a block buster but a fine wine.  

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

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Always a star.  This is is still young.  This bottle was opened at 9:00 am and served at 11:00 pm.  It was served with dessert; a bittersweet chocolate tart and it worked wonderfully.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has chocolate covered cherries, black raspberries, slight floral qualities and spice.  On the palate, this has a lively quality to it.  Juicy acidity. Lush.  This is a big wine but smooth with no signs of alcohol.  Delicious.  Ripe but not overtly or sweet.  Long finish.  Upside for sure and development.  No harm in drinking now but will continue to evolve for a while.  

2009 Kapcsándy Family Winery Estate Cuvée State Lane Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Opened at 9:00 am and allowed to breathe.  Served at 9:00 pm.  Gorgeous wine. Still young, of course, but after a night of a lot of wines, this demanded my attention.  This is just the Estate, I can't wait to try the Grand Vin.  I actually checked the label to make sure I didn't open the wrong bottle.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with cassis, slight cedar and spice, graphite, and a bit of dark chocolate.  Wonderful lush mouthfeel.  Good acidity.  Cassis flavors.  Deep but it unwinds in the glass.  Still a decade at least from peak.  Long finish.  I know these wines have escalated in

1982 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, France, Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1982
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A+

This bottle was popped open at 9:00 am and decanted at 9:00 pm and served immediately.  Seemed to be about right although the wine is still youthful.  Purple in color.  The nose is classic with cassis,  tobacco, leather, and slight funk.  On the palate, slight tannins.  Cassis layered with earthy forest floor/tobacco.  great balance.  Long finish.  Went well with a Roasted Eggplant and mildly spicy peppers casserole.  At 26 years from vintage, this might even have a bit of upside.  Seemed to be the crowds WOTN but I have had slightly better (more exuberant) bottles of this.  nitpicking of c

2006 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Chianti doesn't get the recognition it deserves.  Some of the best Chianti's (and this is one of them) are as good as most Brunello's or most other wines.  Factor in price, and these are some of the great red wine values of the world.  This was opened and allowed to breathe for an hour.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is very nice with dark cherries, some forest floor/tea leaves and a bit of tarragon.  On the palate, juicy acidity.  This went great with Grilled Polenta with a three pepper sauce.  Flavors of sour cherries, some black cherries with a bit of tea.  Nice finish.  This is just s

2009 Sine Qua Non On The Lam, USA, California,Ventura, Wine Reviews

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Like many white Rhone varietal wines, this has taken some time to really come around but it is drinking beautifully right now.  Pop and pour.  Light golden in color.  The nose is great.  Initially, there is some vanilla but that gives way to tropical fruits (mango) and some citrus.  Also a nice mineral streak and bits of wax.  On the palate, this is oily which is nice.  Citrus (lemon/orange) and mangoes continue.  Deep and layered.  Worked great with a tomato-fennel soup.  Long finish.  Really drank well but plenty of life left.  

2005 Domaine Pascal Cotat Sancerre Les Monts Damnés, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

A lot of people question whether cellaring white wine makes any sense.  This is one white that not only lasts but improves in the cellar.  At 13 years from vintage, this showed wonderfully with nothing "past prime" at all.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a nice minerality to it with plenty of depth.  Also come melon (cantaloupe) and a bit of salinity.  On the palate, this is complex.  Slightly oily texture.  Notes of minerals, sea shells, but nice melon and peach fruit.  But the minerality was sublime.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Went quite well with a spring sala

NV Baron-Fuenté Champagne Esprit Grand Cru Brut, France, Champagne, Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Light golden in color.  A nice mousse with a good amount of small bubbles.  On the nose, this is slightly smokey with nice minerality.  Also a bit of lemon.  On the palate, this is nice.  Just the slightest hint of sweetness to it.  Nice minerals.  A lemon candy sort of note.  Decent acidity.  Worked well with bread and cheese.  

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