2016 Sineann Cabernet Franc Phinny Hill Vineyard, USA, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

A few months ago, we reviewed the Cabernet Sauvignon from the vintage and vineyard, so it was nice to go back and taste the Cab Franc.  While not quite at that level, it is quite good.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, cigar tobacco and cedar.  On the palate, this has a lush but sinewy texture.  Lots of black cherry fruit.  Some depth.  Good balance.  Medium tannins.  Nice length.  This should continue to mature and may improve a bit.  It works well on its own but better with food.  Roasts or casseroles go well.  

2003 Yannick Amirault Bourgueil La Coudraye, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2003
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This is a Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley.  2003 was an extremely hot vintage and also the vintage where Benoit came home to work the vineyards with his father Yannick.  This is fully mature and maybe a bit past for some bottles and depending how you like you wine.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, slight tobacco, dust and slight spice.  Medium bodied.  Tannins fully resolved.  On the palate, black cherries over a cigar box quality.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This should be consumed in the next three to five years.  It goes well with roast or casseroles.  

2015 Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Alexandre Apalta Vineyard, Chile, Colchagua Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is an excellent value in Cabernet Sauvignon.  There is some Cabernet Franc in the blend.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, slight coffee and slight cigar box.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with good acidity.  Black cherries over a bit of char and some dark chocolate.  Nice finish.  This drinks well right now on its own.  It will go well with a steak or burger.  It should be good for another five to seven years if well stored.  

2003 Château Branaire-Ducru, France, Bordeaux, St. Julian, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2003
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$74.00USD

This took about an hour to open and then was drinking great.  It is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4.5% Petit Verdot and 3.5% Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, cigar box and cherries.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Ripe fruit.  Lighter tannins.  Flavors of Cherries with some cassis, chocolate and clean(er) barnyard.  Good finish.  This is about at peak now but should be here for at least another five to seven years.  It will go well with roasted meats or fowl. 

2013 Peter Michael Les Pavots, USA, California, Sonoma, Knights Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$180.00USD

This is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet France, 9% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot.  This is a gorgeous wine but it will need some time to reach maturity.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  Cassis, black cherries, dark chocolate, char and baking spice on the nose.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the cassis and black cherries carry thru though concentrated.  Firm tannins.  An underlying char.  Long finish.  This needs about five to ten years until peak and will be good for ten to twenty years after that.  It drinks well on its own and will work with bigger foods especially roasts

2013 Duckhorn Vineyards The Discussion, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$165.00USD

This is the top wine that Duckhorn makes.  It is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, cassis, spice and slight chocolate.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  It is not a monster wine, but has a nice elegance to it.  It is younger-ish with firm tannins.  Lots of black cherry fruit with some underlying sandalwood and slight forest floor.  Good finish.  This will work well on its own but also with a wide variety of meats and fowl.  It should be close to peak but should be here for at least another

2017 Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

This is a blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 29% Cabernet Franc.  Another project made by Thomas Rivers Brown.  This is a gorgeous Bordeaux blend.  I know that many critics have worried about the 2017 vintage and while the fires are a legitimate concern, I have been loving them and especially the Cab Franc and Merlot.  I loved this even more than the 2015 which I scored 97 (reviews are on this site).

2017 Dalton Crimson Cabernet Alma

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cherries, slight chocolate, char and spice.  On the palate, this is soft, accessible and easy drinking.  Layers of black cherries, cassis and char.  Light tannins.  Medium finish.  This probably should be consumed over the next five years.  It will go great with burgers, ribs or pasta.  

2014 Tulip Winery Black Tulip, Israel, Galilee, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

This is the best Israeli wine I have had.  It is a blend  of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petite Verdot.  Purple in color with a thin ruby line at the rim.  The nose is very nice with spice, black raspberries and tobacco.  With air, some milk chocolate comes out.  On the palate this has a lovely texture.  Medium tannins.  Black raspberry fruits, cherries with a forest floor base.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This seems just a touch young but is drinking very well.  Probably about five to seven years from peak and should be good for another ten to twenty a

2017 Domaine du Castel Grand Vin Judean Hills, Israel, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

Castel is probably the consistently best top winery in Israel.  Although modern Israel wine is a very young industry, so this is always changing.  Castel has a proven track record.  The Grand Vin is the best wine that they make.  This is quite young and just not giving up much right now.  After a couple of hours of air, it had improved but its best days are at least five years in the future.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has nice baking spices along with some cherries.  On the palate, firm tannins.  Black cherries.  Monolithic at present.  It is tasty but needs time develop a complexity

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