| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2017 Clos Saint Michel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grand ClosMourvèdre more |
8/1/2023 - iByron Likes this wine: 91 pointsDark, glass clinging purple red with opaque black core. Big, bosomy nose of patent leather. Dark, full-bodied palate yields all of that patent leather plus slightly tart black fruit (my dinner partner says blackberry). Assertive but supple tannins from entry. Long, dreamy finish. French and Mediterranean fare are naturals. Drink now through 2047. |
| White |
2018 Compagnie Vinicole du Val de Loire Sancerre Le Pré Vaujour Les Monts DamnésSauvignon Blanc more |
10/18/2022 - iByron wrote: flawedCorked |
| White - Sparkling |
NV Champagne Secondé-Collard Champagne Grand Cru La Cuvée GourmandiseChampagne Blend more |
1/30/2022 - iByron Likes this wine: 91 pointsBright gold. Abundant nose of baked quince and toasted brioche. Medium palate echoes the nose adding ripe yellow apple and honeysuckle nectar. Firm acidity asserts from entry to lengthy finish that doesn’t go dark and bitter as some Sec and Demi-Sec Champagnes can. A classically styled Sec that’s ready for brunch or any celebration. Drink it when you buy it of course. Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| White |
2020 Château Bastor-Lamontagne ConfidenceBordeaux Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more |
1/17/2022 - iByron Likes this wine: 89 pointsBright yellow gold with a slight bit of rose gold depth. Inviting nose of yellow apple and lemongrass. Medium palate is led by firm, stony acidity and yields underripe yellow apple (Sauvignon Gris dominance showing), lime zest, and dried flowers. Finish is moderately long. This uncommon balance of SG, Semillon, and SB makes for a wonderfully Southwest-oriented Bordeaux Blanc. It’s ready for fuller-bodied white fish and poultry or soft to medium cheeses. Drink now through 2030. |
| White |
2017 Grgich Hills Sauvignon Blanc Fumé BlancNapa Valley more |
7/27/2021 - iByron Likes this wine: 89 pointsStar bright straw gold. Abundant funky nose of burning citrus and funghi. Medium palate is much cleaner than the nose yielding toasted lemon, white guava, and white pepper with a bit of birch on the finish. Medium plus acidity. Medium finish. A fine example of California Fumé style SB. Okay as a sipper, but built for a meal. Swordfish and scallops come racing to mind, but any white fleshed fish or shellfish should pair wonderfully. Or just upscale your fried chicken. It’s good for that, too. Drink now through 2024. |
| Red |
2018 Domaine Patrick Javillier Pernand-VergelessesPinot Noir more |
7/21/2021 - iByron Likes this wine: 90 pointsDomaine Patrick Javillier 2018 Pernand-Vergelesses Pinot Noir - Dark ruby red. Inviting nose and lush medium palate of earthy black cherry, fresh mushroom, and slightly woody red plum. Medium acidity. Medium minus tannins. A Burgundy for the New World drinker. Just enough fruit and a well regulated militia of oak, tannins, and acidity make for a PN that’s true to its roots yet approachable to the novice. A wide variety of cuisines will pair nicely. I went with very authentic (read, “spicy”) Ethiopian fare. Drink now through 2028. |
| Rosé |
2020 Fifth Empire Vinho Verde Rosé DestinoVinhão more |
7/12/2021 - iByron Likes this wine: 89 pointsBright, very pale Himalayan salt pink. Light nose of underripe strawberry and wet stone. Light, very dry palate of watermelon rind and chalky mineral. No fizz, but the medium plus acidity makes a light refreshing rosé that’s ready for light fare and a great warm-weather sipper. Drink now. |
| White |
2018 Horton Vineyards Viognier The Tower SeriesOrange County more |
5/23/2021 - iByron wrote: flawedVery dark amber in color. Looks oxidized and tastes like it was left by a radiator for eight years or so. Not what the wine should look like fewer than theee years after vintage. |
| Red |
2015 Canneto Vino Nobile di MontepulcianoSangiovese more |
5/16/2021 - iByron Likes this wine: 89 pointsDark but transparent red purple. Abundant nose of black cherry and graphite. Medium full palate of black cherry, anise, and black cranberry. Firm (medium plus) tannins that soften a bit with air wrapping up medium acidity through the moderate finish. A nicely complex expression of Nobile. Ready for top southern Italian fare or just upgrade more pedestrians fare. Drink now or hold until 2027. |
| Rosé |
2020 Samuel Robert Winery Pinot Noir Vineyard Reserve RoséWillamette Valley more |
3/24/2021 - iByron Likes this wine: 90 pointsVibrant deep pink. Juicy strawberry and red cherry on the nose and the medium bodied palate. Firm, mouth-watering acidity and… oh let’s cut the pretense! This is freaking great. Full of fruit, like an Anjou, but dry and refreshing. I honestly can’t think of a better all-around rosé. You like ‘em fruity? This is your wine! You like ‘em crisp? This is your wine! But a bottle and drink it now with a salade Niçoise or soft cheese or just alone as a sipper. |
| Red |
2017 Otis Kenyon Matchless RedWalla Walla Valley Red Blend more |
2/14/2021 - iByron Likes this wine: 88 pointsDark garnet purple. Inviting nose and medium full palate of black cranberry, blackberry, and patent leather. Medium acidity; medium tannins. Mildly complex and dark fruit forward, this Syrah-led blend is a nice accompaniment to cookout fare and light cuts of beef. The varieties mesh well and none over-asserts. Drink now through 2022. |
| Rosé - Sparkling |
NV Pannier Champagne Rosé VeloursChampagne Blend more |
12/25/2020 - iByron Likes this wine: 90 pointsBrilliant ruby with pink mousse and tiny persistent bubbles. Nose is relatively shy but yields black cherry. Typically light sparkling palate gives red cherry and slightly bitter anise. Surprisingly dry impression for a sec rosé, most likely from the high acidity. Tasty red fruited sparkler that’s a great accompaniment to brunch or light dinner fare, or to any celebration. Drink it when you buy it (as if you were going to do otherwise). |
| White |
2019 J. Vidal-Fleury Côtes du Rhône BlancViognier more |
12/1/2020 - iByron Likes this wine: 90 pointsStar bright gold. White flowers and honeyed stone fruit on the nose and fleshy, full-bodied palate. Lengthy, layered finish adds anise and white pepper. Medium acidity; somewhat higher than what you’d get in the New World. It checks all of the white Rhône boxes — complexity, body, aromatics — and does so with aplomb. The Viognier to drink when you don’t want to spring for Condrieu. Drink by 2024. |
| Red |
2017 Borderline Red BlendSonoma County more |
11/25/2020 - iByron wrote: 84 pointsDark ruby garnet. Inviting, typically Californian nose of dark red fruit and vanilla. Full bodied palate of dark chocolate, licorice, black currant, and tarry blackberry. Medium acidity. Medium plus, woody tannins that need significant time to soften. Long dark finish. When you say “California dark blend,” this is what comes to mind. But it’s way too young. Needs some time to settle and integrate the fruit and tannins. If you have it now, serve with rich hearty stews, roasts, or casseroles. After a lengthy decanting. Drink through 2027. |
| White |
2018 Forge Cellars Dry Riesling ClassiqueSeneca Lake more |
11/5/2020 - iByron Likes this wine: 88 pointsStar bright deep(!) gold. Shy but inviting nose minerally green apple. On the palate, green apple, lime rind, flinty minerals, dried white flowers. Laser focused, firm acidity that belies the barrel roots (presaged by the color). Was initially put off by the color, but some research revealed that it’s 70% barbell fermented, which accounts for things. A dry Riesling for autumnal fare. Casseroles, roasted poultry or pork, or root vegetables will find a friend here. Drink now through 2028. |
| White - Sparkling |
NV de Venoge Champagne Brut Blanc de NoirsPinot Noir more |
10/13/2020 - iByron Likes this wine: 90 pointsBright, slightly rosy beige. Fine persistent bubbles and quickly dissipating white mousse. Abundant nose of Royal Anne cherry and ashy toast. Palate echoes the nose. Medium plus acidity (natch) with a moderately long dusty cherry finish. All of the complexity that a Blanc de Noirs should bring in a reasonably priced package. A great Champagne to enhance any meal or celebration. Drink it when you buy it, of course. |
| White |
2018 Horton Vineyards Viognier The Tower SeriesOrange County more |
10/13/2020 - iByron wrote: flawedBadly oxidized |
| Orange |
2019 Fantinel Friuli Pinot Grigio Sun Goddess Ramato by Mary J Bligemore |
10/8/2020 - iByron Likes this wine: 87 pointsBright copper orange. Shy nose and medium palate of melon, baked quince, and spice. Medium plus acidity (it’s Friuli after all) and a wee pot of tannin on the medium long finish. MJB has brought us a wonderful northeastern Italian Ramato style PG that should appeal to everyone from casual drinkers to wine nerds. At home as a sipper, but will shine with a rich meal. Roast chicken, Bronzino, and a host of vegetable dishes will pair nicely. Drink now through 2023. |
| Red |
NV De Margerie Coteaux Champenois RougePinot Noir more |
8/31/2020 - iByron Likes this wine: 89 pointsClear and bright garnet. Nose scared me at first being nothing but dirt. After opening up it gives black cherry, black cranberry, and forest floor (a.k.a., dirt). Medium light on the palate which echoes the nose. Medium plus acidity and sneaky medium tannins. A firm Burgundy-style Pinot Noir that’s a great match for high-end Old World fare or New World salmon, duck, or pork dishes. NV like so much from Champagne, so drink it (up to a year from) when you buy it. |
| Rosé |
2019 Famille Bougrier Rosé de Loire Pure LoireRosé Blend more |
8/25/2020 - iByron Likes this wine: 89 pointsBright melon in color. Nose of cantaloupe and underripe strawberries. Medium light body on the palate which yields melon, dried flowers, and those underripe strawberries again. Medium plus acidity Not as sweet as some other RdAs, but still a delightful easy summer drink that will accompany a wide range of foods as well. Drink now. |
| Red |
2017 Bevan Cellars OntogenyNapa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
8/13/2020 - iByron Likes this wine: 92 pointsDark glass-clinging purple. Dark fruit and ash on the nose. Voluptuous full body on the palate which gives blackberry, tarry blueberry, and ashen vanilla. Fine medium tannins. Medium minus acidity. Serve with a a well rubbed steak and aromatic vegetables. This stuff sings. But drink by 2022. 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| White |
NV Hermes Retsina Wine Traditional AppellationMantinia White Blend more |
8/12/2020 - iByron Likes this wine: 86 pointsBright pale straw. Nose is kinda shy, but then asserts with a bit of Viognier-like “stank” over yellow, non-tropical fruit. Palate is medium light with an earthy, lemony core and a dirty, woodsy finish. That plus the medium acidity makes for a wine that definitely calls out for complex food flavors. My dolmades seemed made for this. Not as frightening as I’d been led to believe, but this was called a “modern interpretation” of Retsina in the notes so there’s that. A wine to accompany those wildly complex Greek and Mediterranean flavors. Olives, grape leaves, tzatziki, dates, feta, and the like — taken together — will find a simpatico companion here. Pair with old Greek men. Drink now. |
| White |
2018 Radius ChardonnayWashington more |
7/28/2020 - iByron Likes this wine: 86 pointsStar bright gold. Abundant nose of ripe yellow apple and dried apricot. Medium full palate of yellow apple, dried apricot, and white peppery honey with a hint of spice on the moderate finish. Medium, non assertive acidity. Needs to be beside a rich dish to shine as a food pair. Bad with my salad. Great with my lobster Mac and cheese. Fried chicken, white sauces, and crustaceans (scallops, crabs, crawfish, or yes, lobster) would fare quite well. Washington is Bordeaux variety country. But this works as a Tuesday night Chard. Drink now. |
| Red |
2018 Gerd Anselmann DornfelderPfalz more |
7/13/2020 - iByron Likes this wine: 88 pointsDeep and dark glass-clinging blackish red. Inviting nose of blackberry and raspberry. Sweet-ish dark berry compote defines the full-bodied palate along with medium minus acidity and next to no tannins. Long, dark boysenberry finish. A true upgrade to the standard Dornfelder offerings out there. Full of flavor and weighty but still a nice easy drinking red. Perfect for that drinker who likes a touch of sweetness without going full on candy. Pair with hearty spicy dishes and hard cheeses. Drink now, well chilled. |
| Red - Sparkling |
NV Stella Fiore BrachettoPiemonte DOC more |
6/12/2020 - iByron Likes this wine: 88 pointsBright ruby with persistent tiny bubbles. Not much noSe, but then it’s served cold. Tart cherry palate with a hint of creme fraiche wrapping up the taut acidic backbone. What can I say? It’s Brachetto, but not from Acqui (Piemonte DOC). Moscato’s red little brother always satisfies, and Stella Fiore’s presentation is no exception. Enough acidity and not too much sweetness to make a good food wine for any of your weekday fare. Burgers, meatloaf, tacos, spaghetti, all are welcome. Drink now, of course. |
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- Tasting notes: 914 notes on 719 wines
