USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Coravin 11/30/15: Golden color; creamy, buttery, some vanilla, moderately aromatic, slight hazelnut nuttiness; palate is full bodied, significant oxidation, slight butter, burnt caramel, slight oil, medium to medium-plus acid; short finish. Decent california chardonnay but showing more than its expected age and somewhat short finish. No need to age longer. 86-
Deep ruby-purple; medium aromatic, blueberry, slight spice; palate is medium bodied, medium tannins, some juicy black and blueberry fruit, medium acid, mild oak, very simple; palate is short. 82-84. Possibly syrah, petite syrah.
Medium-deep ruby color; aromatic with green, bell pepper, earth; palate is medium-full bodied, medium-plus tannins, medium-plus acidity, alcohol 14.5; finish has moderate persistence, slightly overripe fruit. Initially strikes me as cabernet franc, though that is mostly old world and the alcohol seems a bit high. Could be Cabernet Sauvignon from a ruler climate: Australia, New Zealand, South America? Tempranillo or Sangiovese? 89 After reveal, the bell pepper was probably the dill from American oak. Good wine overall. 89-90
Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Deep purple color; blackberry, vanilla, oak; palate is ripe, full bodied, 15+%, well integrated medium tannin, juicy blackberry, black currant; finish is medium-plus length, very enjoyable. High quality california cabernet. Possibly california zinfandel. Turns out this is Amarone... My first Amarone ever. It is wonderful with fabulous fruit, possibly slight RS. 91-92.
Deep ruby color; nose has cherry cough syrup, plum; palate is full bodied, high tannin, chewy, blackberry fruit, 15.5% alcohol; medium finish. Cabernet, merlot, GSM blend. 87-88 Mourvèdre. A bit of a surprise... Seems pretty high alcohol.
2009 Dehlinger Chardonnay 86 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Coravin 11/30/15: Golden color; creamy, buttery, some vanilla, moderately aromatic, slight hazelnut nuttiness; palate is full bodied, significant oxidation, slight butter, burnt caramel, slight oil, medium to medium-plus acid; short finish. Decent california chardonnay but showing more than its expected age and somewhat short finish. No need to age longer. 86-
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2011 Ridge Merlot Torre Ranch Monte Bello 83 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Deep ruby-purple; medium aromatic, blueberry, slight spice; palate is medium bodied, medium tannins, some juicy black and blueberry fruit, medium acid, mild oak, very simple; palate is short. 82-84. Possibly syrah, petite syrah.
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2005 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 89 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Medium-deep ruby color; aromatic with green, bell pepper, earth; palate is medium-full bodied, medium-plus tannins, medium-plus acidity, alcohol 14.5; finish has moderate persistence, slightly overripe fruit. Initially strikes me as cabernet franc, though that is mostly old world and the alcohol seems a bit high. Could be Cabernet Sauvignon from a ruler climate: Australia, New Zealand, South America? Tempranillo or Sangiovese? 89
After reveal, the bell pepper was probably the dill from American oak. Good wine overall. 89-90
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2008 Igino Accordini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Le Bessole 92 Points
Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Deep purple color; blackberry, vanilla, oak; palate is ripe, full bodied, 15+%, well integrated medium tannin, juicy blackberry, black currant; finish is medium-plus length, very enjoyable. High quality california cabernet. Possibly california zinfandel. Turns out this is Amarone... My first Amarone ever. It is wonderful with fabulous fruit, possibly slight RS. 91-92.
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1998 Domaine La Suffrene Bandol 87 Points
France, Provence, Bandol
Deep ruby color; nose has cherry cough syrup, plum; palate is full bodied, high tannin, chewy, blackberry fruit, 15.5% alcohol; medium finish. Cabernet, merlot, GSM blend. 87-88
Mourvèdre. A bit of a surprise... Seems pretty high alcohol.
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