2009 Domaine René Leclerc Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru les Champeaux, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

From a tremendous, if very ripe, vintage.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, cola and slight earthiness.  This has a great lush texture.  The black cherry fruit comes out on the palate with some cherries and underlying minerality.  Clean.  Nice balance.  Long finish.  Tasted blind, one might think California but on the more elegant side.  Still on the youthful side, this should develop a bit more.  drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  This will work well with roasted foul or slow cooked braised meat dishes.  

2001 Faiveley Latricières-Chambertin, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This was popped and poured but it took about an hour to blow off some bottle stink and another hour to really get into gear.  It would have been better served to pop the cork and allowed to breathe for a few hours.  Luckily, we had the time to wait.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose (after a couple hours) is nice with cherries, earthy funk and slight floral notes.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has cherries layered with earthiness.  Slightly soft.  Deep.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and will not get better.  From a very good if not great vintage.  Drink over the

1985 Mongeard-Mugneret Vougeot 1er Cru Les Cras, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1985
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

What a pretty bottle of wine.  Ruby in color, cloudy with slight bricking and dull.  The nose is gorgeous.  Fresh cherries, cherry blossoms, slight mushrooms and woodiness.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Very lively.  Fresh cherries with a clean earthiness underneath.  Complex.  Completely mature yet vibrant.  Everything once could hope for from a 35 year old 1er Cru.  At this point it is bottle to bottle on this wine, so drink them if you have them.  It worked well with grilled veggies and rice and beans but would also work well with roasted fowl.

2018 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark & Telephone Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Maria Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is a huge, dark Pinot Noir.  Lovers of Burgundy should at least be forewarned if not directed away.  That said, to those looking for a bit dark, fruity wine, this is delicious.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, baking spices and a bit of licorice.  Full bodied.  Juicy texture.  On the palate, juicy black raspberry fruit.  Very primary although it will no doubt develop over the next five to seven years.  Light tannins.  This drinks nicely on its own and would work with bold spicy foods.  Drink now thru 2028.  

2016 Martinelli Pinot Noir Moonshine Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

This is a big, fruit styled Pinot Noir.  It is full of California sunshine and ripeness.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has bright cherries, baking spices and slight cedar notes.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Cherries and sour cherries.  Very clean.  Nice energy.  Right now, this probably works better on its own than with food, but with time, this should mellow a bit and work well with swordfish or even past dishes.  depending how you enjoy your Pinots, drink this over the next ten to twelve years.  

2010 Rhys Pinot Noir Home Vineyard, USA, California, San Mateo County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This is from one of the top producers of Pinot Noir in California.  Stylistically, it is more feminine in style but still packs plenty of sunshine and fruit.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries and candied cherries with slight spice and earthiness.  On the palate, this is medium to full bodied.  Nice acidity.  There is some depth as it unwinds in the glass.  Still drinking quite young and this will continue to improve for the next five to seven years.  It should drink well over the next ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own, it will work well with roasted fowl or veggies.  More ce

2009 Domaine Pavelot (Jean-Marc et Hugues) Savigny-lès-Beaune, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

As Burgundy prices have gone thru the roof, Savigny is a nice places for affordable but quality Burgundy.  This one is not exception.  Ruby in color, clear and shimmering bright.  The nose is bigger with cherries, black cherries, slight cocoa powder and spices.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the fruit is upfront and delicious.  Black cherries with some fresh cherries.  There is an underlying bit of spice and minerality.  A touch of depth and complexity comes out with air.  This is drinking quite well and will continue to mature if not improve.  It can be cellared for another seven to ten yea

2005 Domaine Perrot-Minot Bourgogne, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

2005 was an excellent vintage in Burgundy and even the basic Bourgogne's are still drinking well.  This one is better than most.  Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has nice cherries, some spice and a touch of earthy funk.  On the palate, fresh cherries with tight layering.  A nice earthiness underneath.  There is plenty of fruit here.  It is tasty.  Long finish.  This should continue to drink well for another five to seven years.  A nice match with roasted chicken.  

2012 Landmark Vineyards Pinot Noir Rodgers Creek, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Nice to be able to try this with a bit of age on it.  Deeper cherry red in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherry lozenges, slight mushrooms and dust.  On the palate, this has a full bodied, juicy texture.  Cherry candies/lozenges.  The bottle lists 14.6% abv but it seems higher both in texture and warmth on the finish.  That said, this is enjoyable and probably better as a cocktail than at the dinner table.  It could probably hold up with a grilled steak.  It probably should be drunk in the next few years.  

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