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

2016 Hourglass HG III, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is a red blend that is 48% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah.  It is a delicious wine that is drinking well but will likely improve with some cellar time.  Deep ruby in color with some purple at the core.  The nose shows black raspberries, cherries, dark chocolate, spice and cigar box.  On the palate, this is medium to full bodied.  Moderate tannins.  Lots of cherries, black cherries and also some plums over char and tobacco.  Nice finish.  This will work well with bigger foods and certainly a burger on the grill would be great.  Drin

2014 Meyer Family Cabernet Sauvignon Spitfire, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

This is a nice almost old school California Cabernet.  Thought there is plenty of fruit, I would not call it a fruit bomb.  More of a middle ground style of wine.  It is aged for two years in American oak, 50% new.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, cloves, and nutmeg.  On the palate, this has cassis over a dried wood quality.  Good acidity.  Medium to full bodied.  13.8% ABV.  Good finish.  This is still young but is drinking well.  It works a bit better with food though its fine on its own.  Think stews and casseroles.  It should continue to mture for five to seven m

2018 Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc Sonoma County, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$10.00USD

This is a very nice mass produced Sauvignon Blanc from California.  Consistent from vintage to vintage and always an excellent value.  Another of those wines that it's easy for wine geeks to dismiss but there is real quality here.  Light golden in color.  The nose shows peaches, melons, vanilla and spice.  On the palate, the peaches continue.  Nice full bodied texture.  A bit of oak showing as vanilla and spice.  Moderate acidity but enough to work with food.  Nice finish.  This wine drinks well on its own and worked well with lighter salads.  

2016 Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Vintner's Reserve, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$10.00USD

This is the best selling Chardonnay in America and has been for 25 years.  Almost three million cases are produced annually.  While it's ubiquitous, some times wine geeks are too easy to dismiss it.  This is an excellent value in Chardonnay.  Light golden in color with specks of green.  The nose has vanilla, apples and a bit of honey.  On the palate, this is ever so slightly ripe/sweet.  No bitterness.  Easy to drink with apples and honey coming thru.  Clean.  Moderate acidity.  Moderate finish.  It worked well with a variety of garden and fruit salads and was certainly drinkable on it own.

2017 J. Lohr Chardonnay Arroyo Seco Monterey, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$10.00USD

An inexpensive Chardonnay that is a pretty good value for the money.  Light golden in color.  The nose offers up some melon and tropical fruit and just a touch of spice.  On the palate, this has a bit of crispness.  The melon carries thru.  Creamy texture.  Slightly bitter/woody on the finish.  Worked well with assorted salads.  Drink now.  

2015 Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

This is a Bordeaux blend with 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc.  It is a bit more understated than the Cabernet from the True Vineyard.  Drinking well now, this improved with a bit of air and really needs a few more years in the cellar.  But it is fantastic right now.  People who prefer Bordeaux will probably prefer this to the Cab and visa-versa.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, slight blueberries, milk chocolate, cigar box, vanilla and spice.  Yes, there is a lot going on.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Compl

2016 Teeter-Totter Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

This is a very nice value in Napa Cabs.  Of course, it is still an expensive wine, but that happens in Napa.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, sandalwood and other spices, and cigar box.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is big but not over the top.  Lots of cassis with underlying earthiness/tobacco.  It is delicious.  Still young, this should easily mature for the next decade and probably two.  Drinking quite well now though.  It will go well with roasted meats or veggies.  

2014 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$105.00USD

This is the base bottling from one of the better producers of Napa Cabernet.  The grapes come from Larkmead Vineyard.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, spice, and a bit of floral notes.  On the palate, this is lush.  Medium tannins.  Lots of cassis over a bit of dry earth and slight vanilla.  Long finish.  This will continue to mature and improve for another five to ten and be good for another decade and a half after that.  It is delicious right now on its own and will need bolder foods.  As it matures it will offer a broader array of possibilities.  

2014 Blankiet Estate Merlot Prince of Hearts Rose, USA, California,

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is interesting.  I normally prefer a Rose to be young (with a couple of important exceptions) but this still tasted youthful at 5 years from vintage.  It is made from Merlot and a bit of Cabernet Franc.  Orange/salmon pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose has watermelons, strawberries and slight hay.  On the palate, this is clean with just a touch of acidity.  Cherries and strawberries.  Nice finish.  This will go with anything from a light salad to a burger or fowl.  

2014 Andremily Syrah No. 3, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$165.00USD

Nice to revisit this wine.  Tasted (note posted elsewhere on this site), it was quite tight.  While still quite young, this wine has really made a lot of progress.  Still not at its peak, but providing a lot of pleasure right now.  It is a blend of 89% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre and 3% Viognier.  inky purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, smoked meat, white pepper and floral notes.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  Black raspberry fruit over scorched earth and also some pepper.  Great texture.  Long finish.  This will go well with big meat dishes but also roasted veggie

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