RSW – [2019-02-13] – This wine was fermented in small French Nevers oak barrels, and aged sur lie for eight months [Nevers is the name of a particular oak forest]. … The bottle was purchased from a retailer upon release and stored on its side. — The wine was chilled slightly prior to opening. Upon opening the cork was in excellent shape; it did not break or shred upon removal from the bottle; and there was negligible “wine creep” up the sides of the cork. — Color: Medium burnished gold. … Nose: Tropical fruit albeit slightly muted given the age of the wine; underlying mineral; a whiff of oak but not overt – the oak did not dominate. … Palate: Pear, golden delicious apple, pineapple (?), fig paste, hazelnut, hints of butterscotch, and a slight nuance of Oloroso sherry [Oloroso means fragrant and the best examples will display dried fruits, leather, polished wood and exotic spices]. There was no overt alcohol taste despite its 15.4% abv. Nice acidity. Medium finish with no rough edges. — Poured with: Southern Fried Chicken; Mashed Potatoes with pan gravy; and, Steamed Broccoli with butter. The fried chicken accented the fruit in this wine; both were delicious. Note: Given the age of this wine one can assume that "drink by" dates are guides, and that pleasure can be derived from carefully stored wine. This 16-year old wine was unexpectedly reminiscent of no less than an aged Meursault burgundy.
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[2018-09-24] – Color: Medium garnet with light reddish colored rim. Bouquet: Light notes of black cherry, black plum and prune, accompanied with underbrush and earth. Palate: Fruit fade with black plum and muted black cherry, and cola. Short finish, with very light tannin on the front palate but disappearing on the mid palate. Drinkable as a food accompaniment, but a bit tired in my opinion.
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Pleasant aromas of apple/pear, citrus and brioche. The palate matches. Light acidity, small but fleeting bubbles, somewhat short finish. The bottle was served around cellar temperature. The body wasn't complex, but overall I found this to be a pleasant surprise from a state of which I have only tasted a few in-state grown wines; I certainly have had many wines from Champagne that are of similar quality for the same price. I submit that this sparkler would be better for short term consumption rather than lengthy cellaring.
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2002 Beringer Vineyards Chardonnay Sbragia Limited Release
2/13/2019 - RWallace wrote: 90 Points
RSW – [2019-02-13] – This wine was fermented in small French Nevers oak barrels, and aged sur lie for eight months [Nevers is the name of a particular oak forest]. … The bottle was purchased from a retailer upon release and stored on its side. — The wine was chilled slightly prior to opening. Upon opening the cork was in excellent shape; it did not break or shred upon removal from the bottle; and there was negligible “wine creep” up the sides of the cork. — Color: Medium burnished gold. … Nose: Tropical fruit albeit slightly muted given the age of the wine; underlying mineral; a whiff of oak but not overt – the oak did not dominate. … Palate: Pear, golden delicious apple, pineapple (?), fig paste, hazelnut, hints of butterscotch, and a slight nuance of Oloroso sherry [Oloroso means fragrant and the best examples will display dried fruits, leather, polished wood and exotic spices]. There was no overt alcohol taste despite its 15.4% abv. Nice acidity. Medium finish with no rough edges. — Poured with: Southern Fried Chicken; Mashed Potatoes with pan gravy; and, Steamed Broccoli with butter. The fried chicken accented the fruit in this wine; both were delicious. Note: Given the age of this wine one can assume that "drink by" dates are guides, and that pleasure can be derived from carefully stored wine. This 16-year old wine was unexpectedly reminiscent of no less than an aged Meursault burgundy.
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1998 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Footbolt
9/24/2018 - RWallace wrote: 87 Points
[2018-09-24] – Color: Medium garnet with light reddish colored rim. Bouquet: Light notes of black cherry, black plum and prune, accompanied with underbrush and earth. Palate: Fruit fade with black plum and muted black cherry, and cola. Short finish, with very light tannin on the front palate but disappearing on the mid palate. Drinkable as a food accompaniment, but a bit tired in my opinion.
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2015 Wolf Mountain Vineyards Reserve Cuvee Brut
5/19/2018 - RWallace wrote: 88 Points
Pleasant aromas of apple/pear, citrus and brioche. The palate matches. Light acidity, small but fleeting bubbles, somewhat short finish. The bottle was served around cellar temperature. The body wasn't complex, but overall I found this to be a pleasant surprise from a state of which I have only tasted a few in-state grown wines; I certainly have had many wines from Champagne that are of similar quality for the same price. I submit that this sparkler would be better for short term consumption rather than lengthy cellaring.
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