2007 Jonata Winery Todos, USA, California, Santa Ynez, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

I usually drink these young and let the other wines from Jonata age, but I managed to keep this one and it was worth it.  This is a blend of 45% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Viognier, 3% Sangiovese, and 2% Grenache.  Purple in color with ruby hues.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, cherries, black cherries, char, floral notes and spice.  Full bodied.  Silky tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is tasty with nice varietal complexity.  This seems like it should be at peak but shows no sign of older age.  Black raspb

2021 Carlisle Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is 93% Zinfandel and 7% Syrah from Sonoma County.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight plums, an interesting note of menthol, and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is juicy and delicious.  Black cherries with spice and slight char.  Long finish.  This is young but drinking well.  It is nice on its own and will work well with grilled meats and veggies.  Drink over the next seven to ten years. 

2016 Domaine Verset A & E Cornas, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright with some purple swirls.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, roasted meats and slight black pepper.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this seems open and ready to go.  Black cherries, some black raspberries with minerality and some char.  Nice finish.  A nice middleweight Cornas that is nice on its own but better with food.  A good match would be Indian cuisine.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

2022 Desire Lines Sauvignon Blanc Kick Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Fountain Grove District, Wine review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

First time trying this winery.  Tasted over two days, it was significantly more open (and better) on day 2.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  Lemons, floral notes, citrus and herbs.  Medium bodied.  Some minerality.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, lemons with slight orange and a slight minerals note.  Good finish.  As Sauvignon Blancs go, this is heavy and present.  Not a light, easy going aperitif.  Good on its own, this would be better with some food.  It would be nice with Tuna Steak with a Chimichurri Sauce.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2000 Lagier Meredith Syrah, USA, California, Napa, Mount Veeder, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$43.00USD

My last bottle of this and it sure seemed to be at or close to peak.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, bacon fat, white pepper and slight dried floral note.  Full bodied.  On the palate, black raspberries, char and slight earthiness.  Complex.  Nice finish.  It threw a lot of sediment.  This will work better with food at this point although nice on its own.  A greart5 match for pizza night.  Drink up.  

2017 Bodegas del Medievo Rioja Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose  has cherries, dust, and slight cigar.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, black cherries with anise.  Some depth.  Long finish.  Overall, a nice wine that will go well with stews or Chili. Drink over the next five years.  

2021 Willm Gentil Reserve, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

The name Gentil means that the blend has at least 50% Alsace noble varietals (Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat or Gewurztraminer). Maison Willm usually has 80-90% of these noble varietals with the rest Pinot Blanc. Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with peach notes and some minerality.  Light to medium body with a slightly creamy texture.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, this shows sour lemon drops which are quite refreshing.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own and will work with lighter salads and also fish dishes.  Drink over the next few years.  

2012 Torrin Tsundere, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$77.00USD

An unusual blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Tannat, 13% Grenache and 3% Syrah from Paso Robles.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has black raspberries, cassis, char, black cherries and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is deep.  A bit chunky with cassis, black raspberries and black cherries with underlying  char.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Delicious on its own, this would be a great wine with a steak.  It will need big food.  

2010 Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$160.00USD

Impressive showing for this wine which seems to be just getting close to peak.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, dried cherries, forest floor and balsamic.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great acidity.  On the palate, this has layers of complexity.  Cherries, dried cherries, dried leaves, and spice.  Complex.  Delicious.  Long finish.  Lovely on its own, but better with food.  What's your favorite mushroom pasta dish?  It went well with a creamy mushroom pasta.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

2022 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

The Vouvray's of Huet are my most often opened white wine.  100% Chenin Blanc.  This vintage seems to be not a top vintage but the wine is still excellent and a nice value.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with pears, sea air, some orange peel and slight herbal note.  Medium bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  Crisp acidity.  On the palate, this is dry (Sec) with pears and slight citrus.  Moderate finish.  This improved over the three  hours it took to drain the bottle (two people).  It should drink well for the next ten to fifteen years.  Nice on its own, it is very

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