2014 Lovingston Pinotage Gilbert's Vineyard, USA, Virginia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$32.00USD

Take a grape like Pinotage (a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault) and grow it in Virginia and guess what, it's a very good wine!  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is earthy with black cherries, mushrooms and slight clove.  Light to medium bodied.  On the palate, nice black cherry fruit with underlying damp earthiness.  Some depth.  Nice finish.  This is slightly sweet but very smooth and easy to drink.  It drinks nicely on its own and will work with meaty foods.  Beef stroganoff would be a good choice.  

2019 Casa Carmen Tinto, USA, Maryland, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the state of Maryland.  Enrique and Felipe Pallares, originally from Ecuador, founded this winery in 2017.  Good wines are being made all over these days.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is very earthy with a bit of barnyard, but also tobacco, dried cherries and black cherries.  On the palate, there is some Brettanomyces.  Not off putting but noticeable.  There is also some black cherry fruit and underlying forest floor.  There is some complexity here.  It drinks well on its own and would work well wi

2020 Sineann Pinot Noir "TFL", USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is made in 375ml bottles.  It is a blend of various Pinot Noir's that are bottled as single vineyard releases.  This is of course still a bit young and while good, it seemed lacking a bit compared to prior vintages.  Deep garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has sour cherries and char.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, there is solid sour cherry fruit.  Not much in the way of nuances but hopefully as it ages, it also develops more.  It would be better with food.  Salmon would work well.  

2011 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$288.00USD

One of the best Syrahs being made anywhere. Purple in color with a slight ruby hue, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, slight burnt rubber, black olives, black pepper and slight bacon fat.  Full bodied.  Velvety texture.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, lots of black raspberry fruit with some black olive notes and char.  Deep and complex.  Light tannins.  Long finish.  This is just getting near maturity.  It drinks great on its own and would work well with beef stew or chili.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

2014 Seven Hills Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is from Washington state.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight spice and dark chocolate with a bit of char.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, lots of black cherry fruit with some underlying char.  Light tannins.  Nice finish.  This should be drunk in the next few years.  It will work nicely with roasted chicken.  

2018 Owen Roe Red Wine Yakima Valley, USA, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is a blend of 49% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec.  Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, slight floral/perfume note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has nice black cherry and cherry fruit.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks well with lighter tannins.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  It will also work with food.  Grilled ribs or burgers would be a nice choice.  

2016 L'Ecole No. 41 Estate Ferguson Vineyard, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$54.00USD

This is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Malbec from a single vineyard in Washington.  Purple in color, a bit flat and opaque.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, spice, tobacco and slight cedar.  Full bodied.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, cherries with underlying spice.  Long finish.  A bitter cherry note on the finish.  This still seems to need some time or air; maybe a few more years.  It should improve and then drink well for another seven to ten after that.  It drinks well on its own and would work well

2018 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

This producer makes wine in Oregon, New Zealand, and for Bordeaux varietals, in Washington.  It is a lighter styled Cab that makes for easy drinking.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is tight at first but opens to show dust, cherries and black cherries.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is clean with cassis and a slight sweetness to it.  Moderate finish.  It would work better with food.  Roasted chicken would be a nice choice.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

2016 J. Bookwalter Conflict Conner-Lee Vineyard, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is a blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 48% merlot and 2% malbec.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with cassis, cherries and an herbal note that a friend called pickle juice.  I found it more like sage.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has some cassis and some cherries.  Moderate depth.  Shorter finish.  It's a nice wine if not profound.  It probably would be better with some food.  Roasted chicken or duck would work well.  Drink over the next five years.  

2017 Lobo Hills Right Bank Blend, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is mostly Merlot with  18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc.  This is a very accessible and easy to drink wine that has nice ripeness to it.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, chocolate and a slight char.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Easy to drink.  Moderate depth. Nice texture.  Cassis and black cherries.  Nice finish.  This drinks great on its own and would work well with foods with a tangy/sweet BBQ sauce.  Drink over the next few years.  

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