NV Mawby Blanc Brut, USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula, Wine Review
This is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot gris and Riesling from northern Michigan. Light golden in color, clear and bright with many tiny bubbles. The nose is nice with some red apples and a touch of tangerine rind. Medium bodied. Good acidity. On the palate, apples with a slight bitter almond note. Tasty. This drinks well on its own, very clean, but really worked better with food. Stuffed Mushrooms (with cheese) went quite well. Drink over the next few years.
2020 Elena Fucci Aglianico del Vulture Titolo, Italy, Basilicata, Wine Review
Italy has so many great women winemaker's and this is another one. Made from the Aglianico grape in Italy's boot. Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, cassis, dark chocolate, forest floor and slight spice. Medium to full bodied. Medium tannins. Good balance and acidity. On the palate, nice texture. Flavors of black cherries, chocolate, spice and slight earthiness. Great finish. This is great on its own but even better with food. It would work well with Pasta with Beef but also a Cheesy Pizza. Drink over the next six to ten years.
2019 Dakota Shy Cabernet Sauvignon Moulds Family Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Oak Knoll, Wine Review
Gorgeous Napa Cab. Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright. The nose is deep and concentrated with cassis, graphite, cedar, spice and slight tobacco. Full bodied. Great balance. Firm tannins. On the palate, this is delicious with a great texture. Concentrated. Flavors of cassis, earthiness and spice. Long finish. This is very young but quite accessible. It should drink well for twenty years. Nice on its own, this would work well with bigger foods that can stand up to the tannins. Of course, a steak, but also Roasted Root Vegetables.
2022 Bedrock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc Judge Family Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Bennett Valley, Wine Review
One of the best Sauvignon Blanc vineyards in California. Definitely a step up from the regular Bedrock Sauvignon Blanc bottling. Green gold in color, clear and bright. The nose is very nice with some tropical fruit, slight citrus and some minerality. Medium bodied. Good balance and acidity. Nice texture. On the palate, this is tasty with mango, lemons and some minerality. Depth. Long finish. This is delicious on its own and will work well with many foods. This worked well with a Roasted Eggplant and Goat Cheese dish. Drink over the next eight to twelve years.
2012 Dönnhoff Dellchen Riesling Großes Gewächs, Germany, Nahe, Wine Review
Gorgeous wine. This is a dry Riesling from Germany that is getting close to peak. Medium golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is great with peach, slight citrus (oranges mostly), and loads of minerality. Medium to full bodied. Wonderful energy and balance. Great texture. On the palate, this is complex and deep. Layers of fruit and minerality. Grapefruit, oranges, and schist. Great acidity. Long finish. This is lovely on its own but better with food. This would be a great companion to Sushi. Drink over the next ten to twenty years.
2021 Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review
Becklyn wines are consistently excellent. This is their basic cabernet. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with cassis, slight cedar, dust and saddle leather. Full bodied. Firm tannins. Good balance. On the palate, this is deep and delicious. Flavors of cassis with some earthiness and char. Long finish. Drinking well already, it will probably still improve a bit. Great on its own, this will work well with a grilled Ribeye but also a Pizza. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.
2015 Andreas Laible Durbacher Plauelrain Riesling Trocken 'An der Kapelle', Germany, Baden, Wine Review
This is an interesting and quite good Riesling. Yellow gold in color, clear and bright. The nose is nice with apples, slight sitrus and minerality. Medium bodied. Good acidity. On the palate, this is dry. Flavors of apples, slight lemon and minerals. A little short on the finish. This wine has plenty of stuffing and while it is good on its own, it will be better with food. It should work with most foods, but Spaetzle seems like a natural choice. Drink over the next five to eight years.
2022 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, USA, California, Wine Review
2019 Tement Sauvignon Blanc Erste Lage STK Ried Grassnitzberg, Austria, Sudsteiermark, Wine Review
Wow. One of the best Sauvignon Blancs that I have had in a long time. Light green/gold in color, clear and bright. The nose is great with tropical fruit (Mango?), slight grapefruit, a bit of an herbal touch, and some minerality. Great texture. Medium bodied. Lively acidity. On the palate, this is delicious. Deep. Flavors of mango, grapefruit and minerals. Long finish. This is great on its own and very food friendly. It would be excellent with roasted or fried chicken. Drink over the next ten years.