2018 Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$120.00USD

Although young, this wine is a beauty.  Kistler used to have a lot of oak on its Chardonnays.  Some loved it, some didn't, but this wine seems to have backed off a bit on the oak and upped the acidity.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has some pineapple, and lemons.  With air, a lemon candy note comes thru.  There is a fair amount of oak showing too coming thru as caramel and vanilla but it is already integrating.  Full bodied with a lovely viscous, oily texture.  On the palate, this is crisp with nice minerality.  The lemon/lemon candy comes thru.  Long finish.  This drinks ni

2018 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$48.00USD

I had high hopes for this wine, but it really didn't come together well.  Consumed over three nights, the first night was the best showing.  given the showing, it is possible this bottle had seen heat damage at some point although there were no obvious signs.  Garnet/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has candied cherries (think cough drops) with some plums.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the candied cherries carry thru along with a slight port-like note of alcohol.  Prune with heat on the finish.  I like these wine as a general rule and perhaps with some cellaring, this

2012 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

This is my favorite Carlisle Syrah.  At age 8, it really was a bit young to be opened, but it was delicious after a couple of hours of air.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, bacon fat, black olives and white pepper.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit over a charred earthiness.  Great balance.  Lively.  Deep.  Long finish.  This probably will continue to mature for another five to seven years, and be good for another ten after that.  It drinks great on its own and will work well with fatty meat dishes but also Indian or hea

2012 Dehlinger Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

A nice showing for this Cab which is drinking well but may yet improve.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with nice cassis fruit and some baking spice.  On the palate, it presents as black cherry candy.  Delicious.  Medium tannins.  Nice finish.  This should drink well for the next ten to twelve years.  A nice wine with chili.  

2007 Dehlinger Cabernet Sauvignon East Ridge, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Great showing for this wine that has taken quite some time to finally open and come around.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis with slight baking spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is initially tight, but unwinds in the glass. Juicy cassis fruit.  It seems still youthful although approaching maturity.  There is depth and intensity and energy to this wine.  Nice finish.  Drinking great now but a little air helps.  It should drink well for ten to twelve more years.  Nice on its own, it would work well with a steak.   

2015 Matthiasson Zinfandel Limerick Lane, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$51.00USD

This is another take on fruit from this vineyard by a quality producer.  It is a bit lower in ripeness and alcohol than the other producers I have tried but just as good.  Deep ruby in color with some purple swirls.  On the nose there is cherries, slight sour cherries, still a bit of bramble and a hint of gravel.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is concentrated with nice energy.  Cherry and black cherry fruit over minerality.  Some depth and complexity.  Delicious.  Juicy acidity.  Nice finish.  This is drinking quite well and is at the point of turning more claret in style.  Whether you

2017 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is this excellent Zinfandel producer's basic wine.  It is a very nice value.  In terms of style, it is middle of the road between a fruit bomb and a claret styled Zin.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, slight char and bramble.  On the palate, the cherries come thru.  This drinks easy with a slight complexity.  Some cough syrupy notes on the finish.  This probably should be consumed over the next three to five years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with burgers or ribs off the grill.  

2017 Landmark Pinot Noir Hop Kiln Estate, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a pretty classic RRV Pinot Noir.  It skirts the line between elegance and brawn nicely.  A nice value for a Pinot Noir of this quality.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has sour cherries, slight root beer, and baking spices.  Really a great texture.  Creamy but with some cut to it.  It dances on the palate which has plenty of cherry fruit and sunshine.  Slight char note underlying the fruit.  Nice finish.  This is young and needs some cellaring or air.  It unwinds a bit in the glass but gives the impression of more to come.  It should be cellared for three to five more ye

2018 Girard Chardonnay Russian River Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This was the winner of a recent tasting of California Chardonnays.  Very impressive showing and much better than expected.  I have always like their reds, but I believe this was the first Chardonnay I have tried from them.  Green gold in color.  The nose is really interesting with ginger ale notes along with nice minerality and slight pears.  On the palate, this is clean with great minerality.  Just a slight kiss of vanilla.  Deep with a nice complexity.  This didn't change much over night two.  It should make great drinking over the next five to seven years but likely longer if well stored

2017 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is my favorite wine from all of the Carlisle offerings.  And, it seems that Mike Officer really seems to excel in "off" vintages such as 2011 or 2017.  While still very young, this is a beautiful wine.  Deep purple in color, a thin ruby rim.  The nose has black cherries, plums, slight cedar/bramble and just a hint of roasted herbs.  On the palate, the texture is the thing.  Almost seamless.  Of course, it is also delicious, if still young.  Firmer tannins for a Zin.  It takes about an hour or two to open.  This went great with some homemade pizza.  It should continue to improve for the

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