2017 Keplinger Sumo, USA, California, Amador, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

This is 84% Petite Sirah, 13% Syrah and 3% Viognier.  It is probably my favorite wine in the Keplinger stable.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, gravel, anise and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, black raspberries, blueberries over char and gravel.  Long finish.  This is open and drinking well now but will undoubtedly continue to develop and improve over the next seven to ten years.  It should drink well for ten to twelve more after that.  A nice match for burgers or ribs off the grill.  

2016 Keplinger Sumo Shake Ridge, USA, California, Amador County, wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

I am a big fan of the Helen Keplinger wines.  This one is 84% Petite Sirah, 13% Syrah, and 3% Viognier.  It does need some cellaring or lots of air if serving now, but it is delicious.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, blueberries, smoke, slight charred earth and black pepper.  On the palate, this is a big wine, but has great delineation.  Layers, tightly packed of blueberries, black raspberries and charred wood.  Great energy.  This probably needs about five to eight more years until peak and should drink beautifully for ten to twelve after that.  I

2017 Five Stones Vineyards D vs G, Israel, Judean Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

The D vs G stands for David versus Goliath.  This is a blend of Shiraz, Marselan, Carignan, and Petite Sirah.  Purple in color with a thin ruby rim.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, spice and slight tobacco.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the black raspberries come thru over a gravel base.  Moderate acidity.  Right now, the Carignan and Shiraz dominate the blend but the Petite gives it a nice backbone.  It will be interesting to see how it ages.  This drinks nicely on its own and will work well with grilled meats or fowl.  

2016 Refugio Ranch Petite Sirah, USA, California, Santa Ynez Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$38.00USD

Petite Sirah is a very interesting grape.  Some wines are made to be consumed young but most need a little to a long time.  This one is not quite there but almost.  It is a grape that might be better suited to blending although its fans are strong (of which I am one).  The flavors are deep and intense but not boisterous.  This one is deep purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, slight plums, dark chocolate and tarragon.  With air, a bit of black pepper.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  The boysenberries and plums come thru with an underlying gravelly note.  Nice balance.  It re

2016 Fairway & Vines Ben Curtis Cuvee Red Wine Blend Mendocino, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is the second vintage for a Red Wine Blend and I far prefer this to the 2015 version.  it is a blend of 42% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, 19% "Port Grapes, and 18% Syrah.  Yes, Port wine grapes can be a wide variety but I have no idea what they used and that the grapes are from Mendocino.  But, for $20 retail, no need to get hung up on that.  Right now it seems the Zinfandel and to a lesser extent the Syrah dominate the blend although that might change with time.  It is made by Rich Parducci.  This utilizes a cork (unlike the Chardonnay)  Ruby in color with purple swirls.  The nose has

2015 Bedrock Wine Co. Petite Sirah Drummond's Cuvee, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

What a great showing for this wine.  Consumed over two nights, this was better on the second night.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with boysenberries, charred gravel, spices and slight black licorice.  Full bodied.  Wonderful texture.  This has a nice depth and complexity which did not show until the second day.  Firm tannins.  Nice black raspberry fruit with underlying char.  Nice finish.  Delicious.  These need more time, but if opening soon, give it a long decant.  Probably best to wait five to seven years and it will be god for ten to fifteen more after that.  I

2014 Shafer Relentless, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This is a blend of 89% Syrah and 11% Petit Sirah.  It takes time for the Petite to emerge and today, the Syrah is really the show.  And a great show it is.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, char, violets, slight roasted meats and herbs.  Full bodied with a lush texture.  On the palate, juicy black raspberries with slight blueberries, and some underlying char and earthiness.  Medium tannins.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own and went well with a chocolate cake but would work well with Indian food or roasts as well.  

2013 Behrens Family Winery The Collector, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

My first time trying this wine.  Very nice.  A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petite Sirah and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, char and spice.  On the palate, the black cherries dominate.  There is some green bell pepper (in a good way) that is very traditional.  Some underlying roasted meats.  This already has a tight complexity that unwinds in the glass.  Nice finish.  This probably needs another five to seven to peak and should be good for ten to twelve more after that.  it is food friendly and wi

2017 Hess Select North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This was the year the fires hit California.  It is important to be careful due to that but there were no notes of fire tain here.  It is a well priced blend that is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Sirah, 7% Malbec, 5% Merlot, and 1% Syrah.  The wine is ruby at the rim of the glass with core of purple.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, cassis, char, and slight camphor.  With air, slight cedar emerges.  On the palate, this is soft and accessible.  A hint of sweetness.  Slightly drying tannins.  A moderate finish.  This is a very nice wine for immediate drinking.  It works w

2014 Keplinger Sumo Shake Ridge, USA, California, Amador County, Wine Review

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

This is a blend of 84% Petite Sirah, 13% Syrah and 3% Viognier from the home winery of star winemaker Helen Keplinger.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, graphite, asphalt and some cherries.  With air some roasted meats come out.  A wonderful lush texture.  Firm tannins.  This has lots of depth but is still young and tight.  It is delicious though.  Black raspberries, with underlying char on the palate.

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