2019 Comando G La Bruja de Rozas, Spain, Madrid, Gredos, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

I had the 2015 in a visit to the winery in the Sierra de Gredos mountains just west of Madrid.  It was interesting to revisit, this time at a wine bar in Charlotte, NC.  This is one of their "Village" level wines which is also much more affordable.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has sour cherries, some black cherries and thyme.  Light tannins.  On the palate, cherry, licorice and spice.  Great texture.  Delicious.  Nice on its own but better with food.  Nice finish.  This is Grenache but it is different than most with a bit of a "Pinot" profile to it as well.  Drink over the ne

2018 Celler de Capçanes Montsant Mas Donís Old Vines, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

An Eric Solomon selection sporting a new label.  This is always an excellent value that is a blend of 50% Garnacha, 30% Merlot, and 20% Syrah.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, spice, roasted herbs and slight black pepper.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is easy drinking and very tasty.  Lots of black cherry fruit with some black raspberries and cherries.  Clean.  Works great on its own and enough acidity to work well with pasta or burgers.  Drink over the next five years.  

2001 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$129.00USD

Ruby in color with a touch of browning, clear and bright.  The nose is classic with cherries, slight barnyard and spice.  The tannins seem resolved and this is at peak.  Layers of fruit and tertiary notes.  Complex.  Cherries, earthy dried fruit and flowers.  Good acidity.  Slight barnyard on the palate.  Good finish.  This is exactly what this wine should be at this point.  If you live that, you will love this.  Better with food such as a stew or vegetarian chili.  Drink over the next five years.  

2010 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Sanctus Sanctorum, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$1353.00USD

This is 100% Grenache from vines that are over 100 years old.  Incredible wine with only 400 Magnums being released.  Purple in color, slight ruby line at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, slight raspberries, minerals, slight anise and floral notes.  Full bodied.  Incredible texture.  Its a big wine but with so much energy and so light on its feet.  On the palate, this is complex and concentrated.  As it unwinds on the palate, there are black raspberries, lots of minerality, some anise and spice.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This is drinking quite well now but just s

2016 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve des Deux Frères

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+

Wow.  Incredible wine.  Served from Magnum, this is still young but with some air was singing.  100% Grenache.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, spices, floral qualities but also a bit or roasted meats and herbs.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is concentrated, intense and delicious.  Cassis, lavender, slight black cherry with underlying char and minerality.  Voluptuous texture.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and went very well with Mushroom Agnolotti.  Still young, especially from Magnum, this will make gr

2019 Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pure, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

This is one of my favorite Chateauneuf's although not always easy to find and not inexpensive.  It is 100% Grenache from century old vines.  While this is still quite young, it is delicious and intense.  Deep garnet in color, opaque and bright.  The nose opens in the glass to show black raspberries, black cherries, spices and subtle floral notes.  Full bodied with a wonderful texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black raspberries with underlying spice and minerality.  Clean.  Great balance.  Long finish.  While no doubt not giving up everything, it is so delicious.  It went wonderfully

2006 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Charvin always makes a more elegant styled Chateauneuf with a larger amount of Grenache.  At age 15, this is drinking quite well.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, spices, slight dried floral notes and a bit of clean earthiness.  Medium bodied.  Bright acidity.  On the palate, cherries and black cherries with underlying spice, slight char and minerality.  Depth and layers of complexity.  Delicious.  Great on its own, this will excel with the right food such as beef or bean stew.  Fully mature, drink over the next ten years.  

2005 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is a blend of 85% Grenache and then 5% each of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Vaccarese.  At age 16 it is just about at peak and drinking beautifully.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, raspberries, licorice, slight roasted herbs and spice.  Medium to full  bodied.  This is the elegant side of Chateauneuf.  On the palate, its about red fruits with some underlying spice, char and herbs.  Complex and layered, it unwinds in the glass.  Lots of energy and precision.  Nice finish.  Drinks great on its own but will work well with food.  It will work well with Chinese or simila

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