2003 Saxum Cuvée Rocket Block James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles - Wine Review

Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

An old friend.  It had been years since I have had this vintage.  saxum has only made Rocket Block a few times and this was the first.  50% Grenach, 40% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah.  The label says 16.6% alcohol.  Those people who said these won't last can take hike.  This bottle is still young and amazing.  Of course, if you didn't like the style young, you might not like it older although this is not the hedonistic bomb it was in its youth.  It still packs a punch though.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, black pepper, slight earthiness, violets and char.  On

2004 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Forman Cabs often fly under the radar for some reason.  This was quite good.  At 13 years from vintage, it still has a long life left.  The bottle was opened and allowed to breath for ten hours.  It was decanted for sediment and served.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, char, slight spice and a bit of plums and tobacco.  With air, a bit of anise emerged.  On the palate, this is, at this stage, neither powerful nor elegant but somewhere in the middle.  Really good cassis and dark cherry fruit layered with tobacco and slight tannins.  Decent acidity.  Nice finish.  It is certainly from

2000 Château Gruaud Larose, France, Bordeaux - Wine Review

Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Opened and allowed to breathe for 10 hours, decanted for sediment and served.  That seemed to be about the right amount of air.  This was drinking well but still has years left of course.  Purple in color.  The nose has that traditional funk but a lot blew off quickly when poured into the glass.  Also, plenty of cassis, some cigar and a bit of cherry.  On the palate, this has nice balance.  Cassis, tobacco and earthiness on the palate.  Tastes like classic Bordeaux.  Has tight layering that unwinds in the glass.  Worked with with dinner.  Nice finish.  Everything it should have been.  

1997 Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo

Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

OMG.  This bottle was opened about 3 hours prior to drinking and decanted about 20 minutes prior (mostly for sediment).  I was just blown away.  I thought it would be good, even great, but it was amazing.  Purple/ruby in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is awesome.  Deep with plums, dark cherries, iodine, slight sandalwood and spice, lush earthiness with lush forest floor notes.  On the palate, this is fresh and vibrant.  Complex, layered and deep.  Dark cherries, earthiness, forest floor notes, slight tea with just a slight drying tannin (in a good way).  Great acidity.  Worked perfectly

2015 4 Monos Albillo Real, Spain, Madrid, Gredos - Wine Review

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

A really interesting wine.  We visited the winery in Gredos and brought this back.  Gredos is about 35 minutes west of Madrid and the vineyards are old, planted on sandy soils at high altitudes in windy conditions.  Albillo Real is the traditional white grape used in the area (most of the wines are Garnacha).  Deep gold in color.  The nose is nice withcrushed shells, herbal notes of wintergreen and thyme, and minerals.  On the palate, those carry thru.  Slight peach as well.  Medium bodied.  Slightly oily in texture.  Served with a Morrocan spiced Carrot Salad, this worked quite well.  Nice

2015 Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, Germany, Mosel - Wine Review

Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Wow.  This bottle is probably still on the retail shelves for under $25.  It is amazing.  Everyone at the table was oohing and ahhing over it.  And it has decades of life left if you can keep your hands off.  Light golden in color.  The nose is awesome.  Pineapple, minerals, slight peach and what I thought was thyme (?).  On the palate, this is slightly sweet.  Amazing energy.  Wonderful texture; slightly oily slightly sinewy with juicy acidity.  Long finish.  Served with fried pickles stuffed with pub cheese and chiplote mayo (a very difficult match) this handled it in stride and was aweso

NV Marie Demets Champagne Cuvée Rubis, France - Wine Review

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Deep sort of pink/orange in color.  Interesting.  On the palate, cranberries and some strawberries.  Nice mousse.  On the palate, this is more than just pleasant but not mind blowing.  Of course, neither is the price.  Some depth.  Nice cherries, minerals and slight chalkiness to it.  Good finish.  I wouldn't mind more cut to it, but there is enough.  It was a nice way to start an evening.  A Lyle Fass wine.  If you don't know this direct importer - Google him and sign up for his e-mails.  Great wine at reasonable prices.  

2016 Chakana Chardonnay Estate Selection, Argentina

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Light gold in color with slight green.  On the nose, there is grapefruit and slight lumber.  Also some spice.  On the palate, there is a tart acidity which is very nice.  Grapefruit and citrus notes.  Long finish.  Really a quality Chardonnay for under $20, its hard to beat that value.  

2016 Jean Reverdy et Fils Sancerre La Reine Blanche, France, Loire Valley - Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A

Always one of the better Sancerre's from the home of Sauvignon Blanc.  This one is a bit surprising though.  Blind, I might have guessed New Zealand.  The nose has that gooseberry quality and very fresh.  On the palate, the gooseberry continues thru.  Nice acidity.  Plenty of verve.  Should be great with food.  Nice finish.  Always a nice value.  

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