2018 Hess Central Coast Pinot Noir, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This is a value drive Pinot Noir from one of the longtime California wineries.  Ruby in color with slight purple swirls.  On the nose this has cherries, sour cherries, slight hay/earthiness to it.  On the palate, this is ripe, slightly sweet Pinot Noir.  Big cherry fruit.  A bit of underlying cola flavors.  A soft texture.  Light tannins.   Slight bitter note on the finish.

NV Faire La Fête Crémant de Limoux Brut, France, Wine Review

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This a sparkling wine from the southwest corner of France.  It is a blend of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc and 10% Pinot Noir.  It is an excellent value in sparkling wine.  Silvery gold in color, clear and bright.  There is a fair amount of small to medium sized bubbles making up the mousse.  On opening, this is a very aromatic wine.  There is an initial wave of limes and lanolin followed by minerals and baked apples on the nose.  Good acidity.  The palate has a nice roundness with baked apples and slight cherry notes.  This has moderate depth with light tannins.  It finishes long.  Over

2014 Faiveley Mazis-Chambertin, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

This was decanted for a few hours prior to drinking.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, sour cherries, raspberries, slight earthy funk.  On the palate, this has big red fruits.  Light tannins.  Very well balance.  Mostly cherries with underlying earth.  Long finish.  This is very concentrated.  It needs at least ten years and closer to twenty to hit peak.  It will work well with roasted fowl.  Lots of upside on the score with some patience.  

2018 Sineann Pinot Noir "TFL", USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This might be the best one of these yet.  The TFL is a blend of Sineann's best barrels of Pinot Noir.  It comes in 375ml bottles only.  This is a bit bigger but they age well, so if that is an issue, just let them mellow out in the cellar.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has black cherries, cherries and baking spices.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the blak cherries dominate yet there is a lovely softness to the wine that makes it accessible now.  Good balance.  Light tannins.  Even in a 375ml size, this should easily last another ten years.  It drinks well on its own and will w

2005 Frédéric Magnien Morey St. Denis 1er Cru Clos Baulet, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This was purchased on release and properly cellared.  Overall, the bottle took an hour or so to open up and then was drinking fine.  It never took that final step to being a top bottle, but it was outstanding nevertheless.  Light ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has a slight earthy funk to it and cherries.  On the palate, this has a soft texture.  Elegant cherries with light tannins twisted around a bit of damp earthy farmyard.  Long finish.  This will go well with roasted fowl or braised beef dishes.  It probably doesn't get better than this but no hurry, it should be at t

2016 Dutton-Goldfield Pinot Noir Dutton Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$32.00USD

This is a medium bodied, very accessible Pinot Noit that seemed to be a crowd favorite.  It is ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, raspberries and is a bit candied.  With air, a bit of sour cherries come thru.  This has a lot of ripe fruit.  Cherries and black cherries, raspberries all coat the palate.  This is easy drinking and enjoyable.  Not about complexity or contemplation.  Good finish.  This is probably better on its own but should work with roasted fowl.  It should be consumed in the next few years.  

NV G. H. Mumm Grand Cordon Brut Champagne , France, Wine Review

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

Dosage is 8 grams per liter.  Silvery light gold in color.  A nice amount of smaller bubbles.  The nose has seltzer and gun powder.  On the palate, this is lively. Plenty of a (red) apples with a tart sourness that is very nice.  A reasonably long finish.  This is an affordable Champagne that is very user friendly.  It will work well on its own and with just about any foods but especially salty foods.  This should be consumed within the first few years of release.  There was no disgorgement date on this bottle so purchase from stores with good turnover.  

2001 Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$1275.00USD

Wow.  Stunning showing and WOTN at our tasting group's annual holiday party.  This seems to be about at peak, but it also has some youth so perhaps it will get better.  Ruby in color, if a bit flat.  The nose is gorgeous with cherries, cinnamon, slight wet tobacco notes and just a bit of woodiness.

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