1996 Château Cos d'Estournel, France, Bordeaux, St. Estèphe - Wine Review

Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

This is fantastic.  This is quite open and soft and semmingly at or near peak.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is very good with cassis, pencil lead, soy sauce, dust and a bit of cigar box.  On the palate, it is even better.  Not a full bodied as I was expecting but lean and strong nevertheless.  Layers of cassis, tobacco and dried leaves.  Waves of complexity. Juicy fruit and acidity.  Great with food.  Nice finish.  I don't think this gets better but no hurry.  

2014 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard, USA, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, dust and nutmeg.  On the palate, this is tight.  Great cassis fruit.  An underlying spice quality.  There is a nice ripeness here.  It needs some time to integrate and has some upside potential.  It does seem riper than earlier vintages but well within bounds.  Great wine.  

2011 Quinta do Crasto Douro Vinha Maria Teresa, Portugal, Douro - Wine Review

Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is great with black raspberries, dust and spice and char.  This was decanted for a bit before trying.  On the palate, there is a great precision here.  Lots of black raspberry fruit with dried leaves and charred earth.  A bit of tobacco.  It is tightly layered but unwinds in the glass.  Long finish.  A beautiful wine with a bright future.  

2005 La Mondotte, France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion - Wine Review

Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This had been decanted for a bit.  Purple in color.  Great nose.  Just gorgeous.  Tobacco, dark cherries and spice.  A hint of funk.  On the palate, nice acidity.  Tart cherries and dark cherries.  Very soft in texture.  While not as good as the nose, the palate is excellent.  Layers of fruit and earth.  Still seems to need some time though.  Good finish.  Excellent with food.  Upside potential still.  

2012 Staglin Family Chardonnay Salus, USA, California, Napa

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Deep golden in color.  The nose has a lot of oak along with some lemon chifon.  On the palate, the oak is still pretty pronounced.  Slightly oily texture.  Nice lemony fruit.  Slightly sweet on the finish.  This is very good but I might hold a bit for the oak to intgrate if that is an issue.  Maybe another few years.  

2010 Quivet Cellars Syrah Kenefick Ranch, USA, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Purple in color.  The nose is deep with black raspberries, roasted meats and black pepper.  On the palate, black raspberries and a nice underlying earthy/char.  Starting to show some layers but still young.  Moderate tannins.  Long finish.  This is really starting to hit its stride right now.  There is still some upside potential to get better in a few years.  

Pages

Pages