Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.

2019 Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Moulds Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

This was fantastic.  Purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose is deep with cassis, graphite, clay, baking spices, slight tobacco and char.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is deep and delicious.  Flavors of cassis, tobacco, chocolate and char.  Layers of complexity unwind in the glass.  Long finish.  This is still young and will improve but is great now.  Ideally hold for another five to ten years but either way, drink over the next twenty to thirty years.  

2009 Kutch Pinot Noir Falstaff Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A

Jamie Kutch tends to make very elegant Pinot Noir's.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, cherry cough drops, slight sour cherries and slighter cola.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Nicely balanced.  On the palate, this seems fully mature.  Some depth and complexity.  Good finish.  This is drinking very well and seems about at peak.  It  should be at this level for at least another five years.  It is very nice on its own and will work well with the right foods.  This would be a nice pairing with grilled Salmon.  

2018 Gundlach Bundschu Zinfandel Estate Vineyard Sonoma Valley, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This appears to be available only from the winery.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, raspberries, slight bramble and black pepper.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, there is plenty of depth.  Flavors of cherries and black cherries with some pepper.  Good finish.  A bit of complexity.  This is drinking well now on its own and should work well with many foods. A nice choice with meatloaf.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

2021 Dry Creek Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$37.00USD

This is a blend of 77% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah, and 3% Alicante Bouschet.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is deep with black cherries, slight blueberries, sandalwood, and slight black pepper.  Medium bodied.  Light drying tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, black cherries and black raspberries with a bit of spice and pepper.  Good finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another five to eight years.  It is nice on its own and will work nicely with many foods.  It would work well with Roasted Chicken.  

2017 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

This is a Zin blend with Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, Alicante Bouschet, Tempranillo, and Peloursin.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries and tart cherries.  With air, a bit of sea air/salinity comes out.  Full bodied.  Nicely balanced.  Great texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, there is some warmth.  Flavors of black cherries, cherries, slight blueberries, chocolate and char.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work well with bigger foods.  A nice choice for Pizza night!

2021 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Cortina, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$38.00USD

Purple in color with ruby swirls, opaque and bright.  The nose is big with black cherries, cherries, slight chocolate and a hint of bramble.  Nice texture.  Good balance.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there is some complexity and depth.  Flavors of black cherries with some char.  Good finish.  This is drinking well now but should have another five to eight years left.  Nice on its own, this will need bolder foods.  It should go nicely with BBQ Spare Ribs.  

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