2005 Montirius Gigondas Terres des Ainés, France, Rhone - Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is an example of why to buy and cellar "lesser" wines in great vintages.  This is certainly improved since the last time I had it in 2010.  Right now it seems to be at peak.  It probably should be consumed in the next couple of years but should last longer.  Purple in color, with ruby swirls.  The wine took about 20 minutes to shed some bottle stink and then kept opening for the next hour at which point is plateaued until the bottle was emptied.  The nose is great with boysenberries, raspberries, roasted meat, spice and slight floral notes.  With air a bit of roasted herbs as well.  On

2012 Domaine de la Côte Sainte-Epine St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone - Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

What a great value.  This wine is in a wonderful place right now.  Still youthful with some upside but delicious.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black olives, slight bacon fact and slight violets.  On the palate, there is a lot of fruit here.  Black raspberries.  Also plenty of depth.  It unwinds in the glass with layers of fruit and earth.  Delicious.  It got better and better with air.  Worked grteat with food.  A Fass Selection wine.  

2015 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This just came and I wanted to try it.  It probably would have been better off with a bit more cellaring.  Don't get em wrong, it was very good, but it was tight and gave off the impression that better things are in store.  Purple in color.  The nose has raspberries, chocolate covered strawberries, bramble and spice.  On the palate, this is deep but undelineated.  Lots of black cherry, and raspberry fruit.  Some oak.  Medium tannins.  It is delicious and the bottle was emptied quickly.  Still, I would hold these for a short time and there is plenty of upside.  

2007 Jaffurs Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Barbara - Wine Reivew

Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

This was opened as part of #BrownsSuckWinesDont.  While watching the Browns move to 1-29 over the last two seasons, I console myself drinking great bottles.  This one was no exception.  Pop and pour, it took about 30 minutes to get going and kept improving from there.  Purple in color.  The nose is gorgeous with black raspberries, violets, black pepper, roasted meats and graphite.  Deep and complex on the nose.  On the palate, this is both contemplativve and delicious.  Black raspberries, slight bacon fat, slight black olive, leather, smoke and char.  Great lush texture.  This is a big wine

2015 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Old Vine, USA, California - Wine Review

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

An excellent value in wine.  For a bit over $20, this outstanding Zinfandel is top quality.  Purple in color.  The nose has raspberries, dark cherries, bramble, spice and slight char.  On the palate, this is juicy with a great vibrant texture.  Black cherries and raspberries interplay with spice and charred earth.  Food friendly.  Delicious.  Easy dirnking.  Fun.  

2014 Rhys Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard, USA, California, Anderson Valley - Wine Review

Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

From a 500 ml bottle.  I love this format for a white wine.  Light golden in color.  The nose is great with lemon curd and slight vanilla bean notes.  Just the slightest bit of peach.  On the palate, lemon cream, vanilla and spice.  Great texture.  Young.  Energetic and vibrant fruit.  Great acidity.  Nice finish.  Very food friendly.  Delicious.  

2014 Andremily Syrah No. 3, USA, California, Santa Barbara - Wine Review

Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This was a great wine, but I had hoped it to show a bit better.  I gave it 12 hours of air and that wasn't enough.  There is a glass left in the bottle and I am curious how it will show later today.  That said, it was an excellent wine.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, white pepper, roasted herbs and char.  On the palate, there is a nice texture.  The wine is quite tight and seemingly ver fully unwound.  Plenty of black raspberry fruit with an underlying char.  Nice finish.  We served with a variety of chocolate desserts and that seemed to work well.  

1998 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon John Riddoch Limited Release, Australia - Wine Review

Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

My friend Chris opened this for us.  He has had it since release.  It had been opened earlier in the day and given air.  This is still quite young but with air, it was superb.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cedar, eucalyptus/mint and slight fresh tobacco.  Full bodied.  Great texture.  On the palate, there is a lot of fruit.  The cassis carries thru along with the eucalyptus.  Also some coffee and hints of dill.  Complex.  Great with food.  Not at all the kind of wine one thinks about as coming from Australia yet it seems to show its sense of place.  Quite a treat.  Impressive.  

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