2016 Five Star Cellars Stellar, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$62.00USD

First time trying this winery.  This is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc from Washington.  Inky purple in color, slight ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, spice, and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is not super ripe.  Black cherries with a mint/herbal note that is nice.  Nice finish.  This is nice on its own, but better with food.  This would be a nice wine with a grilled Portabella sandwich.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

2019 Seven Apart Cabernet Sauvignon Expedition, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$189.00USD

This is a wine from star winemaker Andy Erikson and comes from vineyards on Atlas Peak and Soda Canyon.  First time trying this wine and it was excellent.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is lovely with cassis, chocolate, blueberries and cedar.  Lush texture.  Very tannic at this point.  On the palate, cassis, cedar and char.  Long finish that goes forever.  This is, of course, young, but already performing great.  Still, a few more years in the cellar and then drink for twenty to twenty five after that.  Better on its own right now but once it settles down, this would be

2000 Château Langoa Barton, France, Bordeaux, St. Julien, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$115.00USD

Another slowly developing 2000 Bordeaux.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cigar box, leather and spice.  Full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and cassis with some leathery notes and underlying forest floor.  Nice complexity.  Good finish.  Drink over the next five to seven years.   Better with food, this would work nicely with Beef Wellington.  

1998 Château Calon-Ségur, France, Bordeaux, St. Estephe, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1998
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$166.00USD

A good vintage if better on the right bank, this wine is drinking at or maybe slightly past peak, but still very nice.   It is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.  Old school in style.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with tobacco, cassis, forest floor and spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, cassis, tobacco with underlying earthiness.  Good texture.  Complex.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and will work nicely with lamb chops.  Drink over the next few years.  

2015 Infinite Monkey Theorem The Hundredth Monkey, USA, Colorado, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is a blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Tempranillo, and 29% Syrah from a woman's owned winery in Denver Colorado utilizing purchased grapes.  Truly a unique wine.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight herbal notes with a bit of black raspberries.  Medium bodied.  Very light tannins.  On the palate, nice black cherry fruit.  Simple, easy drinking.  Drink now.  A nice wine with pizza.  

2000 Château Lanessan, France, Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is always one of the best values in Bordeaux.  The 2000 vintage in particular seems to be a slow developing vintage and at age 22, this is just about at peak.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Cassis, tobacco, with slight earthiness.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  Better with food, this is the perfect wine for Meatloaf.  

2006 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$196.00USD

Amazing wine.  It is 100% Sangiovese.  Inky purple in color with some ruby around the rim.  The nose is great with black cherries, sandalwood, slight green olive note (in a good way), and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is still youthful but to the point where it is worth opening if you have more than one bottle in the cellar.  Loads of black cherry and cherry fruit, some anise, slight underlying forest floor.  good acidity.  Long finish.  No hurry, this has another ten to fifteen more years.

2018 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$73.00USD

Having just recently tasted the 2017, it was interesting to try the 2018.  For my tastes, this was just a bit better than the 2017, but that is probably because it is more open and accessible.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright.  Very nice nose with black raspberries, black pepper, spice, slight fresh cut lumber and slight violets.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is drinking well if young.  Lots of black raspberry fruit.  Depth but tight.  Underlying char and spice.  A fair amount of oak on the finish.  This will get better and holding ano

2014 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Impériale, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$121.00USD

This is 95% Grenache.  Ruby/purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, char and floral notes.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  Great texture.  On the palate, this has lovely black cherry fruit, some cherries and spice.  Nice finish.  This seems to be about at peak at this point.  It should drink well for another five to eight years, but won't get better.  Nice on its own, this will be better with food.  A nice wine with beef stew.  

2015 Renato Ratti Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

This was purchased at the winery and brought back by a friend.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is classic with cherries, tar and slight baking spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is surprisingly open.  Cherries with underlying asphalt.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is obviously young but drinking well already.  It should drink well for the next twenty years.  Nice on its own, this would be better with food.  Pasta in a cream and mushroom sauce would be great.  

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