2020 North Coast Wine Club Sangiovese, USA, California, Amador County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is made with California grapes, shipped cold to Ohio for production.  It is one of the mysteries of wine as to why some many winemakers in California, struggle to produce Sangiovese, while in Tuscany (including Chianti), there are so many good ones and even a few great ones.  This is a nice wine but does not resemble the Chianti's in Italy.  But, that's ok.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has dust and black cherries (so far, so good).  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the acidity does not come thru, but there is plenty of cherry fruit along wit

2013 Keplinger Sumo, USA, California, Amador, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$87.00USD

This is a blend of 76% Petite Sirah, 20% Syrah, and 4% Viognier from Amodor County in California.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with blackberries, black raspberries, black pepper and cumin and cardamon.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is very primary still but delicious.  Loads of blackberries and black raspberries with exotic spices and pepper.  Enough acidity to carry through.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and would be a nice match with Indian cuisine.  Drink over the next twenty years.  

2010 Keplinger Sumo, USA, California, Amador, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This is a blend of 88% Petite Sirah, 10% Syrah and 2% Viognier.  Inky purple in color with a thin ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, leather, roasted meats and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black raspberries, plums with some alcohol notes on the long finish.  This is an excellent wine that is just entering its peak phase.  Drink over the next ten years.  Great on its own, this works great with Indian food.  

2016 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Esola Vineyard, USA, California, Amador, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

Another winner from Bedrock.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, brambles, black pepper, and an interesting beef stew note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, fresh black cherry fruit (almost but not quite pie filling) with some black pepper and just a hint of bramble.  Lots of energy and lights on its feet.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should conitnue for seven to ten more years.  Nice on its own, this would work with lots of comfort foods; pizza, man and cheese, and burgers.  

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

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.

2017 Sandlands Chenin Blanc Amador County, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Sandlands is one of the best sources for Chenin Blanc in the United States.  They make a lot of other interesting wines but these might be the best.  And, their wines are all great values.  These come from vines planted back in the 1970's.  Golden in color.  A lovely nose of honey, almond milk and Calvados.  On the palate, it is much the same but less alcohol; let's say pears not Calvados.  Also an underlying minerality.  OK acidity.  Nice finish.  This will work with Salads, fish, or sushi very well.  Chenin Blanc ages very well and while I have not had this old, it seems likely that this

2015 Keplinger Lithic, USA, California, Amador County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

This is a blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache, and 26% Syrah.  It is a big wine that is ripe and delicious.  The nose has black raspberries, blue berries, roasted meat and herbs, black pepper and some cherries.  On the palate, this is big.  Firm tannins.  Juicy black raspberry and blueberry fruit with an underlying minerality.  It softens a bit in the glass.  It is great on its own but a difficult food match at present.  It will most certainly evolve and gain integration over the next five to ten years at which time it will be great with cassoulets and roasted foods.  No regrets about open

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