2013 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$130.00USD

Normally, its better to let Saxum's wait ten years from vintage to really get the best but the Paderewski is a different animal.  It is 34% Mourvedre, 33% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 12% Syrah and 8% Tempranillo.  Because of that it changes as it ages with the Zin showing more in its youth and fading a bit back with time.  This bottle was beautiful.  Purple in color.  The nose is deep and intoxicating with black cherries, roasted meats, leather, black raspberries, black pepper and cherries.  On the palate, this has a lush chewy texture.  Delicious.  Lots of fruit right now with black cherr

2017 7 Moons Dark Side Red, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This is a blend of Syrah, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Grenache.  It is a very drinkable wine that lists 13.5% Alc.  It retails for around $10 and this is a great value.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, cocoa and plums.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet.  Light tannins.  A nice varietal complexity.  Tart acidity. Long finish.  This probably should be drunk in the next few years.  Will work with a wide variety of foods.  Easy drinking and fun.  

2013 Treasure Hunter Wines Petite Sirah The Lion Tamer, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is really drinking well right now.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, underlying graphite and slight black pepper.  On the palate, there is nice black raspberry fruit.  Good texture.  Plenty of depth.  Still drinking on the young side of maturity.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  Worked well with food.  Not a monster wine but plenty of fruit and delicious.  Still some development to go and possible upside.  

NV Sean Thackrey Pleiades XI Old Vines, USA, California, Wine Review

Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Sean Thackrey is one of the world's great winemakers who hangs out in Bolinas California.  This is basically a field blend of what doesn't make his top Cuvees.  Although it is non-vintage, each Cuvee carries a Roman Numeral designate.  This is XI, but the current release is XXV.  This wine is approximately 16 years old and was really made to be drunk in the first few years.  Sometime, however, wines hide in the cellar only to provide a pleasant surprise later on.  It was originally claimed to be a blend of Syrah, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Carignan, and Barbera, however, DNA testi

2015 Conundrum Wines Red, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

I haven't had this in a few years but it hasn't changed it seems.  This retails for around $25 and for people who like this style, this is a great price point.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, black raspberries and cherries in a very perfumed liqueur package.  Also plenty of "toasty oak".   On the palate, this is warm but juicy.  Plenty of red berry pie filling.  Plenty of toast and spice.  Medium tannins.  Easily gulpable.  More of a love it or hate wine perhaps, but those who love it will drink bottles (and add 2 or 3 points to the score) and for those who don't, one glass will sti

2006 Jaffurs Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is starting to come into its own but still is young and really needs more time.  Pop and pour, this should have been decanted.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, an underlying char with some peppery notes.  On the palate, this is concentrated but has a lot of black raspberry fruit.  Dense.  Medium tannins.  Worked well with spicy Chile Relenos.  It could use a few more years of cellaring and there is some slight upside for that.  

2014 Bonny Doon Vineyard A Proper Claret, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Grade: 
B

Ruby/purple in color.  This is a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot,Tannat, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah.  A sort of kitchen sink blend that costs around $15.  It's a nice wine for the money and easy to drink.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is a bit warm with alcohol but also some cherries, black raspberries and slight char.  On the palate, this is mostly cherry fruit.  Easy drinking.  Warm but not hot.  There is some varietal complexity.  Fun label.  Good party wine.  

2015 Ravenswood Zinfandel Teldeschi, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Wow.  It has been a while since I have tried any of the single vineyard wines from Ravenswood.  This is great!  Really glad to revisit these.  Made in Dry Creek Valley on gravelly clay loam soils.  15.1% Alc but no hint of it.  Ruby/purple in color.  Clear and bright.  The nose is earthy and dusty with black cherries and a bit of pepper.  With air, an underlying char shows thru.  On the palate, this is soft and smooth.  It starts easy which is nice before picking up weight.  Sour black cherries and some blueberries.  The mid-palate has some black licorice too.  Plenty of depth here.  Medium

2008 Carlisle Two Acres, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a field blend of mostly Rhone varietals and some Petite Sirah.  The Petite Sirah seems to take over more and more as this wine ages.  Purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, plums, char and some roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has boysenberries, some black cherries and spice.  Nice medium bodied mouth feel.  some complexity.  Slight tannins.  Good finish.  Probably at peak now, but no hurry at all on this.  

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