2015 Maison Riviere Alienor, France, Bordeaux, St. Emilion - Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

I get excited about finding great bottles and inexpensive prices.  One of the best ways to make those discoveries is to look for the inexpensive Bordeaux in great vintages.  2015 is the first great vintage since 2010.  This wine retails for about $10.  That is a great value.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, slight earthiness and bit of tobacco.  On the palate, ripe red fruits; cherries, dark cherries and slight cassis.  Also a slight earthiness that should become more prominent with age.  Yes, I would not hesitiate to aly a few bottles down for 5 to 10 years and it shoul

2015 Fairbourne Estate Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough - Wine Review

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Wow, this was one of the better Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand that I have had in a while.  Blind, I would have guessed this to be from the Loire Valley.  Light gold in color.  The nose has nice white grapefruit with a nice minerality.  Those qualities contiue thru to the pa;late.  It is ripe but well within reason.  Excellent acidity.  Long finish.  My only complaint?  I tried to buy some and was unable to find any.  

2015 Jax Vineyards Y3 Taureau, USA, California, Napa

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is a blend.  Purple in color.  The nose is very nice with dark cherries, black raspberries, dark chocolate, black pepper and spice.  Nice, full bodied texture.  Tannic. Tasty on the palate with black raspberries, pepper and black cherries.  Some complexity.  Nice finish.  Outstanding value at $20.  

2015 Jax Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Block 3, USA, California, Sonoma - Wine Review

Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is there luxury cuvee.  It was pop and pour which did this a disservice as it was quite tight.  Purple in color.  The nose is deep with cassis, coffee and slight peppery notes.  On the palate, this is quite tannic and tight.  It is delicious.  Plenty of cassis fruit.  Depth.  It slowly unwinds in the glass. The future is very bright for this. Around $125 per bottle is not inexpensive, but it is an excellent wine.  

2015 Jax Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Sonoma, Calistoga

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

An outstanding Sonoma Cabernet.  At $50, this is certainly priced in the ball park.  it is very tight right now, so it needs some cellaring or air before serving.  Purple in color.  The nose has sweet cassis fruit, some dark cherries and tobacco with spice.  On the palate, there are firm tannins.  Pretty black cherry fruit.  Nice finish.  

2013 Dancing Coyote Petite Sirah, USA, California, Clarksburg - Wine Review

Score: 
84
Grade: 
B

I love Petite but this wasn't really doing it for me.  Its only $15 so for them money, it is hard to complain.  Unlike many wines in this price category, this has some really good things but then some not so good things.  Purple in color  The nose has some black raspberry fruit but also some green notes not too unlike bell pepper (which I rarely see in PS).  There is also a fair amount of volatile acidity on the nose.  On the palate, it is better with black raspberry fruit and underlying graphite.  Also very thick tannins.  I would suspect this is meant to drink early, but it might develop

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