2020 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$49.00USD

This continues to be my favorite Zinfandel in the Carlisle lineup.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, raspberries, slight black pepper and bramble.  Medium bodied.  Great, soft, but accessible texture.  Balanced.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Black raspberries, black cherries, slight black pepper and slight char.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work nicely with foods off the grill.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2014 Sineann Petit Verdot Champoux Vineyard, USA, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a really interesting wine.  From the great Champoux Vineyard in Columbia Valley, Washington.  Deep purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has plums, black raspberries and char.  Full bodied.  Tannins mostly resolved but still present.  Nice texture.  On the palate, boysenberries with char.  Good finish.  This is a great wine to get a feel for the Petit Verdot grape.  It drinks ok, but is better with food.  This would work well with a steak or Prime Rib.  

2020 Sandlands Chenin Blanc Lodi, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

Sandlands is a winery that I encourage my friends to get on their mailing list.  Chenin Blanc is a huge favorite of mine and Sandlands makes a few all are great and great values.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with red apples, orange peel and minerality.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is deep but also drinks well.  The red apples come thru with underlying minerality.  Good finish.  I tend to drink these young, but I would bet they could go for another ten years or more.  Great on its own, but better with food.  This is a nice choice with sp

2015 Klosterhof Schwedhelm Riesling Schwarzer Herrgott Trocken, Germany, Pfalz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

First time trying this producer.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is big-ish with pineapple, tropical fruit, slight petrol and "wet rocks".  Medium bodied with a slightly viscous texture.  Good acidity.  This is dry but the alcohol is not high.  A bit more blowsy than expected but that is not bad.  On the palate, pineapple, guava and minerality.  Good finish.  Tasty.  This is drinking well but has at least another decade.  It worked well with Szechuan food.   

2021 Bedrock Wine Co. Bedrock Vineyard Heritage, Sonoma Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

This is a field blend of over twenty varieties from the home ranch of Bedrock including Zinfandel, Carignan and Mataro.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is complex with black cherries, plums, black raspberries, spice, black pepper and char (and more).  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great balance.  This is young but this bottle anyway, was open and drinking well.  The palate is deep, concentrated and complex.  Black cherries, black raspberries, plums, spice and char with a slick but plush texture.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with foo

2019 Andremily Syrah G2 Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Willow Creek, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$225.00USD

This is a different Syrah from Andremily.  It is a one off release from the G2 Vineyard in Paso Robles.  The wine is a blend of 88% Syrah with 12% Mourvedre.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has black raspberries, white pepper, roasted meat, char and slight floral notes.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, this has a great plush texture.  Juicy black raspberry fruit with black pepper and char.  Slight black olive note on the finish.  Delicious if still very young.  Give it another five to eight years and drink for twenty after that.  great on

2019 Andremily Grenache, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$140.00USD

There are very few great California Grenache's, but this is one.  This is a blend of 79% Grenache, 11% Mourvedre, 6% Syrah and 4% Graciano.  Purple in color, garnet at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, Black raspberries, plums, char, roasted herbs and meats.  Full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, this has juicy acidity.  Flavors of black raspberries, black cherries, spice and char.  Long finish.  This is very young, of course, and will improve, but its quite good today.  It would be a nice match for Cajun Roasted Chicken.  

2008 Contrade di Taurasi (Cantine Lonardo) Taurasi Le Coste, Italy, Campagna, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$54.00USD

This is 100% Aglianico from southern Italy.  Amazingly, the grapes are not harvested until November but the vineyards are at 1300 feet.  They are also ungrafted!  The wine is ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, anise, and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is deep.  Dark cherries, cherries and black licorice.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  Osso Bucco would be classic but it went great with vegan "Italian Sausage" as well.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.   

2013 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Fontalloro, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$88.00USD

This is Sangiovese from Tuscany.  Gorgeous wine.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, some black cherries, spice, tea leaves and slight worn leather.  Full bodied.  Strong acidity.  Light to  medium tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Complex and layered.  Flavors of cherries, forest floor and char.  Long finish.  This begs to be drunk with food.  Pasta with a nice meat sauce and some cheese and bread would be perfect.  Drink over the next ten years.  

2008 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

Deep garnet in color with some lighter ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight cedar, dill and dust.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is complex with tight layers.  Flavors of cherries, some black cherries, spice and slight char.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It will work well with roasted duck or chicken.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

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