2020 Croix & Courbet Côtes du Jura, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a white wine from the east central part of France along the Swiss border.  Green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is fragrant, almost "skunk weed" (think summer outdoor concerts) along with a bit of minerality and a slight oxidized peach note.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is a bit sweet.  Slight pineapple, honey and minerality.  Strong acidity.  It takes some getting used to but then delivers nicely.  It would be better with food and went well with a variety of cheeses.  Drink over the next few years.  This is a wine to serve to wine geeks and prob

2022 Kreinbacher Juhfark Nagy-Somló Selection, Hungary, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B

12.5% Abv.  This is grown on the slopes of a hill (Somlo) from a long extinct volcano in Hungary.  This was made from whole bunch pressing an then fermented in a combination of stainless and wood.  The result in an unusual, earthy white wine.  Light to medium gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has grapefruits, lemons, and some salinity.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is a bit of alcohol sticking out but also fresh citrus and some minerality.  More alcohol on the finish.  The wine come in a screw cap and I don't think that helps the wine.  It is a bit reductive and out of whac

2022 Cave St. Pierre Fendant Réserve des Administrateurs, Switzerland, Valais, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This is 100% Chasselas from the Valais region of Switzerland.  Light gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with a bit of toast and slight caramel notes (Oak?) along with lemons and slight minerality.  Light to medium bodied.  On the palate, this has big acidity with lemon/citrus.  It has a "chewy" texture.  Good finish.  This nice on its own but would be better with soft cheeses.  Drink over the next couple of years.  An interesting wine.

2018 Mellen Meyer Brut Nature, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2024
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is a sparkling wine from Oregon made from a 55/45 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Pale gold in color with some silvery hues, clear with a nice mousse of tiny bubbles.  The nose is fruity (mostly apples but some pears) and slight oxidation.  With air, some lemons come out.  A bit of mint on the back end.  Good acidity.  On the palate, lemons with a slight herbal note.  Long finish.  This is very nice and drinks well on its own.  Very food friendly, this would be nice to sip with popcorn while streaming.  Drink over the next five years.  Nice value in Sparkling wines.  

NV Château Moncontour Vouvray Pétillant Brut Tete de Cuvee, France, Loire, Wine Review

Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is a sparkling wine made in the traditional method from 100% Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley.  Light golden in color with a nice mousse of medium to smaller bubbles.  The nose is nice with good minerality along with a bit of red apples.  Medium bodied.  Good balance.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  The slightest bit of sweetness makes it nice on its own but is still food friendly.  It would work with most foods.  Fried chicken should work well.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

Kosta Browne 2021 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, Gary’s Vineyard

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$175.00USD

What’s unusual about this iteration of Pinot from Kosta Browne is that it really straddles the line between an earthy mineral driven Pinot noir, and a more traditional California style of bright strawberry and bright red fruits. Perhaps that’s no surprise as the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA has enough diverse soils to produce intriguing fruit and diurnal swings due to its close proximity to the Pacific Ocean. This Pinot works and works very well.

2015 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Olivets, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is 80% grenache with 10% Syrah and 10% Cinsault.  It is a more traditionally styled CdP.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright with some purple swirls.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, black raspberries, slight floral notes, and spice.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, slight earthiness and spice.  This seems about fully mature but should drink well for another five to eight years.  Better with food, this worked well with assorted pizzas.  

2013 Campogiovanni (San Felice) Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is a traditionally styled BdM.  Wonderful vintage.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, tea leaves, sandalwood, and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Excellent acidity.  On the palate, this is  lively.  Flavors of cherries, spice, forest floor and slight earthiness.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but really needs food to shine.  A plate of your favorite pasta would be great.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

2014 Jonata Winery El Alma de Jonata, USA, California, Santa Ynez, Ballard Canyon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Jonata makes some great wines, and while they can be a bit pricey, they would likely be a lot more if they were from Napa and not Santa Barbara. This is a blend of 88% Cabernet Franc, 10% cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petite Verdot.  Purple in color with some garnet hues, mostly opaque and bright.  Great nose.  Black cherries, tobacco, leather and slight spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is ripe (no green bell peppers) but not overblown at all.  Depth.

2020 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

This includes 1% Merlot in the blend.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is classic with cassis, slight tobacco, spice, chocolate and char.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  Good balance and acidity.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  The fruit is somewhat concentrated with flavors of cassis, plums, slight dry forest floor, chocolate and spice.  Good finish.  This should be cellared for a few years and then drink for eight to twelve after that.  Nice on its own, this will work with with meat or fowl based dishes.  BBQ Chicken would be a good choice.   

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