2019 Carlisle Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, bramble and a bit of orange zest(?).  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is still young but drinking well.  Black cherries, cherries and char.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and would work well with grilled meats.  It worked nicely too with Hummus and veggies.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

2008 Château La Confession, France, Bortdeaux, Saint Emilion, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$86.00USD

This is a blend of 66% Merlot and 34% Cabernet Franc.  It is consistently a great value in Right Bank Bordeaux and in good vintages (such as 2008) it often out performs the vintage.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, coffee, slight chocolate and cigar box.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is approaching peak.  Some complexity and depth.  Flavors of black cherries, cherries, spice, chocolate and char.  Good finish.  This will be better with food.  It should work great with Lamb.  Drink over the next ten years.

2017 Levo Petite Sirah Soul3D Out, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

I am told this is a blend of 63% Petite Sirah, 22% Grenache, and 15% Syrah which makes me wonder how they can call it a Petite Sirah?  In California a wine needs at least 75% of the varietal if it is listed on the label.  In any event, the wine is quite nice.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, gravel, and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, black raspberries with char and a bit of gravel.  Good finish.  This is drinking well now and should provide nice drinking for another five to eight years.  It would be a nice wine to

2007 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$230.00USD

Wow.  One of the best CdP's I have ever had.  This is in a great place right now.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is incredible with black cherries, black raspberries, violets, garrique and slight char.  Full bodied.  Sexy, voluptuous texture.  Great energy and balance.  On the palate, this is just about at peak.  Complex and deep with layers of fruit and minerality.  Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, spice, earthiness and char.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and would be excellent with Roasted Duck.  Drink over the next ten years.  

Turnbull 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Amoenus Vineyard

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$145.00USD

Comprised entirely of Cabernet Sauvignon, this differs from many Napa Cabernet in that there is a quiet rusticity to this wine. Rather than bright up front fruit, the fruit here is rather muted, offering blackberry, light blueberry, Rainer cherry, cocoa powder and white pepper. The tannic structure is fairly tight with a dusty, earthy quality. The light oak aging in all French oak provides the vanilla and campfire notes while giving the tannins room to exercise their importance in balancing the wine.

Acumen 2021 PEAK Cabernet Sauvignon, Edcora Vineyard

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$175.00USD

A rich and opulent style of Cabernet, this benefits from decanting, but it is less about tight tannins and more about letting the fruit open up to show its macerated side. This 100% Cabernet is replete with traditional Cabernet notes; blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and boysenberry. The oak aging brings on the vanilla and fine-grained tannic structure. The rest of the wine fills out with green tea leaf, sandalwood, earthy fruit, wild berries and moderate acidity.

2020 Zlatan Otok Pošip Vrhunsko Vino, Croatia, Plenkovic-Hvar, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

If you don't know the Posip grape, it is one you should check out.  The wine is medium gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has peach, hay, wax and salinity.  Medium to full bodied.  Slightly viscous.  Good acidity.  On the palate, nice minerality but also apricots and a slight fig note.  Long finish.  This is still young and should go another seven to ten years.  Nice on its own, this is food friendly and went well with a pasta with garlic aioli.  

2016 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Secret des Sabon, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$157.00USD

Pop and pour on day 1 and it was a bit disappointing.  Good, not great.  Recorked and tried again on day 2.  So much better.  At eight years from vintage, that is surprising and impressive.  Purple in color with some ruby hues.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is deep with black raspberries, gravel/asphalt, some garrique, and slight dried floral notes.  Full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Very lively.  On the palate, this is complex.  Layers of black raspberries, black cherries, spice and char.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is delicious.  Great on its own, this would be great w

2000 Quinta do Vesuvio Porto Vintage, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$63.00USD

This is drinking younger than 24 years.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is very nice with chocolate covered cherries and raisins.  Full bodied.  Viscous.  On the palate, this is showing some complexity.  Good acidity.  Sweet but not overtly.  The chocolate covered cherries and raisins carries thru to the palate.  Long finish.  Tasty.  This is nice on its own and would be nice with a chocolate dessert.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years. 

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