2017 Carlisle Grüner Veltliner Steiner Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is my favorite California Gruner Veltliner, and admittedly small sample size.  It really is an outstanding wine.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose has minerals, limes and is a bit steely.  On the palate the limes carry thru with minerals underneath.  Crisp yet a hint of viscosity.  Concentrated.  Long finish.  This does drink well on its own but is better with food.  Seafood or salads work well.  It will drink well for five to seven years most likely, but it will be interesting to watch.  

2013 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon Counterpoint Sonoma Mountain, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot.  If you are looking for a Cab that is under $40, this may be your ticket.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose has cassis, tobacco, slight milk chocolate and spice.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Plenty of cassis and cherries, a bit of tobacco earthiness and a good dollop of oak.  Medium tannins.  Medium finish.  This could use another couple of years to allow the oak time to integrate.  If it does, this will merit another couple of points.  Drinking today is still nice if a more difficult food match.  

1992 Ravenswood Pickberry, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1992
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a "Right Bank" styled wine.  There were some concerns over opening at age 26.  The cork looked in great shape.  The wine was decanted for sediment.  There was a lot on the side of the bottle and in the wine.  Ruby in color.  The nose is older but nice.  Cigar box, cherries, dried cherries, slight old leather and slight black cherries.  On the palate, this took a bit to open up and then it drank beautifully.  Complex and layered.  Cherries, dried tobacco, dry earth.  No tannins.  Good and in balance acidity.  Nice finish.  Not an OMG wine, but a very good wine that would compare favo

2016 Carlisle Grüner Veltliner Steiner Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Carlisle makes great reds at fair prices, but they also make a variety of whites as well.  Gruner Veltliner is the grape of Austria, but this is a bit of a different take from California.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose is interesting.  It has pineapple, asparagus and minerals.  Deep and interesting and clean.  On the palate, the pineapple carries thru a bit on the attack.  The asparagus and minerals pick up from there.  Nice slightly oily texture.  Then some citrus/lime on the finish.  Very refreshing but more than just that.  Very food friendly.  Consumed over two nights, it was pro