2019 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Cabernet "Soul of a Lion", USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$140.00USD

While not their "top" wine, this is an ultra premium Cabernet that is on par with Napa or any other Cabernets at this price level.  It is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is open and enticing.  Cassis, black raspberries, cigar box, chocolate, spice and char.

2022 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is their basic Cabernet.  it is a blend of 77.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15.6% Petit Verdot, 6.5% Merlot, and 0.4% Cabernet Franc.  It had been in a decanter for about 45 minutes when I tried it.  Nevertheless, it was at least partially shut down at this point.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is very tight.  With some air in the glass, it opened a bit more.  Aromas of Black cherries, sandalwood and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, it is a bit more open.  Black cherries with some spice and char.  Moderate finish.  This wine needs time

2018 Calla Lily Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate Red, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

A bit surprisingly, while still a nice wine, this lagged a bit behind both the 2017 and the 2019.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, slight cedar, and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this drinks easy but doesn't have the expected depth.  Good finish.  It is a nice wine and will work well with heavier foods.  Beef Ragu would work nicely.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

2005 La Collina dei Lecci Brunello di Montalcino La Tanuta, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This is a solid Brunello that is at peak.  Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, some black cherries, tea leaves and spice.  Medium bodied.  Tannins resolved.  On the palate, cherries with some forest floor.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  There is some complexity.  Better with food at this point.  A nice match with a plate of mushroom pasta.  Drink up over the next few years.  

2010 Saxum Broken Stones, USA, California, Paso Robles,

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

This is a blend of 63% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache, and 3% Petite Sirah from Paso Robles.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is powerful with black raspberries, black pepper, grilled meats, black cherries, gravel and char.  Full bodied.  Lush texture.  great energy and balance.  On the palate, this is flat out delicious.  Flavors of black raspberries, black cherries, black pepper and char.  Long finish.  Still a big wine but it has calmed down since its youth.  It should drink well for another twenty years.  Great on its own, this will work well with bigger food off

2018 Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Monnières-Saint-Fiacre, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

There are not many better values in wine than Muscadet.  This is one of the better ones and it can be had for under $30. This is made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape from 60 year old vines.  Silvery gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has crushed shells, salinity and a hint of peach.  Medium bodied.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, this is crisp but with no hard edges.  Crushed shell notes and a slight peachy quality.  Good finish.  This is a perfect choice with oysters but will work well with salads as well.  A great summer wine.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2021 Jaffurs Syrah Santa Barbara County, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is the basic Syrah bottling which year in and year out is a great value.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, slight roasted meats, black pepper and a bit of roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Open and drinking well.  Flavors of black raspberries with a bit of pepper and char.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with most foods (not seafood).  A great wine for Burgers.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

2019 Marcel Deiss Riesling, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is their basic Riesling.  Light gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with some citrus, honeydew and minerality.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is dry.  Melon with minerals and a bit of salinity.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  This will work with almost any food.  Try it with fried chicken.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

2008 Rhys Pinot Noir Skyline Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

The definition of a "pretty" Pinot Noir.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is feminine/elegant with cherries, slight plums, spices and some minerality.  Medium bodied.  Wispy tannins.  Great energy.  On the palate, cherries, some black cherries and spice with slight char and minerality.  Long finish.  This is lovely on its own, but even better with food.  It went great with Cauliflower steaks but would work well with Salmon steaks as well.  Drink over the next ten years.

2019 Tement Sauvignon Blanc Grosse Lage STK Zieregg, Austrian Sudsteiermark, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

Wow.  One of the best Sauvignon Blancs I have drank.  Pale yellow/green in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with slight tropical fruits along with an assortment of herbs and lots of minerality.  Medium bodied.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is concentrated and in no way over blown.  Plenty going on though.  Lots of  minerality with some tropical fruits.  Long finish.  Great on its own, this is very food friendly.  It worked great with Pasta Aioli.  Drink over the next five to ten years.

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