2020 Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas, USA, California, Paso Robles, Adelaida District, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a mid level offering from the vast portfolio of Tablas Creek.  It is a blend of 43% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 19% Counoise, 5% Mourvedre and seems to be their counter-part to a high level Cotes du Rhone.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, black raspberries, black pepper, char, plums and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  Lively acidity.  On the palate, black cherries and black raspberries with some char and spice.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another seven to ten years.  Nice on its own, i

2009 Next of Kyn No~3 Cumulus Vineyard, USA, California,

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

For those who doubt some of today's high alcohol wines won't last, this one is 15.6% abv and drinking just fine at age 15.  If, however, you didn't like it young, you still won't.  I loved it.  A blend of 80% Syrah, 14% Grenache and 6% Roussanne.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, blueberries, black pepper, and roasted vegetables.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Lively acidity.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Lush texture.  Plenty of black raspberries, some blueberries and hints of black cherries with black pepper and cha

2016 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Renaissance, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$88.00USD

This is 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre from very old vines.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The boisterous nose has black raspberries, plums and black cherries with spices and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Great texture.  On the palate, this is young and raucous with big fruits; black raspberries, raspberries and black cherries along with char and spice.  Energetic acidity.  Long finish.  Delicious on its own, this needs bigger foods right now but will settle down soon.  For now, it would work well with some spicy Indian cuisine.  Drink over the next twelve to fifteen years.  

2010 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Renaissance, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

This is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, ad 10% Syrah.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, black cherries and garrique.  Full bodied.  Great plush texture.  Excellent balance.  Very concentrated.  On the palate, this is delicious.  It has shed some youth for maturity but should continue to develop.  Black raspberries, plums and black cherries with some char.  Long finish.  Delicious on its own, this worked very well with Sheppard's Pie.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

2021 Château Virgile Costières-de-Nîmes Cuvée l'Énéide, France, Rhone, Costieres de Nimes

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a GSM blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre.  Purple core with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  Nice nose of fresh black raspberries, cherries and spice/garrique.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black raspberries, black pepper and some spice.  Nice texture.  On the palate, black raspberries and black cherries with some underlying char.  Long finish.  This is an easy drinking red that is a step above and should get a bit better with age.  Drink over the next ten years.  Very nice on its own, this would work well with a bowl of chilli.

2019 Andremily EABA, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$120.00USD

One of my favorite Rhone varietal producers in California.  It is a blend of 61% Syrah, 24% Mourvedre, 13% Grenache and 2% Viognier.  This wine gets extended barrel ageing.  In my experience, the extended barrel ageing requires more patience and cellaring and this wine is very young.  That said, for those who like big, ripe in your face wines, there is plenty to like now.  For others, a bit of patience will be amply rewarded.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has black raspberries, char, black pepper, violets and slight roasted meats.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins

2012 Domaine de la Terre Rouge Tête-à-Tête, California, Sierra Foothills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

Great value!  This is a GSM blend of 44% Syrah, 29% Grenache, and 27% Mourvèdre.  Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries and smoke.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Black raspberries with smoked meat notes.  Nice finish.  A great choice for a wide variety of occasions.  Perfect for pizza night.  Drink over the next few years.  

2016 Torrin The Banshee, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

This is a GSM blend from California.  Torrin makes great wines.  They are huge and really should go seven to ten years from vintage prior to opening, but it depends on how you like 'em.  It is a blend of 40% Syrah, 33% Mourvedre, and 27% Grenache.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, boysenberries, plums, black cherries, char, black pepper and spice.  Full bodied.  A bit of black licorice with air.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is dense.  Slight alcohol noticeable but that smooths out with about an hour of air.  Lois of black and blue

2013 Saxum Broken Stones, USA, California, Paso Robles, Willow Creek District, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$145.00USD

This is a blend of 48% Syrah, 22% Petite Sirah, 17% Grenache, 6% Mourvedre, 4% Tempranillo, and 3% Roussanne.  Wonderful wine that is just entering its prime drinking window.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, spice, chocolate and char.  Lovely full bodied, almost seamless texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, loads of fruit but plenty of energy to keep it from being burdensome.  Layers of black raspberries, black cherries with underlying gravel and char.  Delicious.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own and would w

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