Nice fruity aromas of lychee and stone fruits introduce a dry, crisp palate of peach and citrus fruit flavors, followed by just a hint of vanilla custard.
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
I think this is the wine I had tonight. I could be wrong though. A bit sweet for a rose, with nice pink grapefruit and orange zest aromas. On the palate, unripe cherry and watermelon Jolly Rancher flavors. 87-88 points.
Initially begins with a tart cherry nose, with hints of pine, dried leaves, and orange rind. Tons of zesty acidity and light body produce a juicy, very tasty wine that kept getting better over the course of the evening. 90-91 points.
Rich nose of blueberry, brown sugar, and vanilla. The palate is equally lush, with gobs of sweet dark cherry, blueberries, plum, and molasses. Caramel-like mouthfeel followed by grippy tannins. A terrific wine that is drinking very well now and ended up being my WOTN. 93-94 points.
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Serious pinot funk on the nose. The palate, however, is another story. Nice sour cherry and vanilla flavors, with orange rind (LB says Margarita mix) on the finish.
This was drunk way too young. Even still, one can see the potential of this wine. Nose of ripe cherries and sweet tobacco followed by a backward palate of black cherries, red plums, mineral and clove. Definitely needs time, but very nice. 91-92 points.
Welcome to the jungle, or barnyard rather. Rustic and barnyard-y nose with some cheese rind thrown in. On the palate, dark cherry and leather with some horse on the finish. Grippy tannins. Much nicer with the bruschetta we had, but I would not want to drink this on its own.
Time to start drinking up. Nose of smoke, plum, black pepper, espresso, and just a hint of jalapeno pepper. Quite acidic on the palate, with a kind of woodsiness that is just starting to eclipse the fruit. 87-88 points.
Terroir writ large. Nose of plum, loamy earth, and pink and green peppercorns. Nice structure and depth, with concentrated blackberry fruit and garrigue. Could use another year in the cellar. 91-92 points.
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
A delicious wine. Fresh nose of raspberry jam, earth, and spice. On the palate, a blend of raspberry and strawberry jam, white pepper, and earth. Young, but very nice. 91-92 points.
2004 Brahms Winery Chenin Blanc 85 Points
South Africa, Coastal Region, Paarl
Reminds me of a hot summer day. Hay and citrus notes followed by a clean, slightly earthy finish.
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2005 Navarro Vineyards Gewürztraminer 88 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Nice fruity aromas of lychee and stone fruits introduce a dry, crisp palate of peach and citrus fruit flavors, followed by just a hint of vanilla custard.
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2006 Ampelos Rosé of Syrah 88 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
I think this is the wine I had tonight. I could be wrong though. A bit sweet for a rose, with nice pink grapefruit and orange zest aromas. On the palate, unripe cherry and watermelon Jolly Rancher flavors. 87-88 points.
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1999 Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Rincon Vineyard 89 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley
Nose of sweet cherries, caramel, and new leather. On the palate, there is less fruit. A bit earthier, with a mineral driven finish.
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2003 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Initially begins with a tart cherry nose, with hints of pine, dried leaves, and orange rind. Tons of zesty acidity and light body produce a juicy, very tasty wine that kept getting better over the course of the evening. 90-91 points.
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2004 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Rich nose of blueberry, brown sugar, and vanilla. The palate is equally lush, with gobs of sweet dark cherry, blueberries, plum, and molasses. Caramel-like mouthfeel followed by grippy tannins. A terrific wine that is drinking very well now and ended up being my WOTN. 93-94 points.
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2005 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard 88 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Serious pinot funk on the nose. The palate, however, is another story. Nice sour cherry and vanilla flavors, with orange rind (LB says Margarita mix) on the finish.
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2005 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing 91 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
This was drunk way too young. Even still, one can see the potential of this wine. Nose of ripe cherries and sweet tobacco followed by a backward palate of black cherries, red plums, mineral and clove. Definitely needs time, but very nice. 91-92 points.
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2003 Borgo Cennina Toscana IGT 82 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Welcome to the jungle, or barnyard rather. Rustic and barnyard-y nose with some cheese rind thrown in. On the palate, dark cherry and leather with some horse on the finish. Grippy tannins. Much nicer with the bruschetta we had, but I would not want to drink this on its own.
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2001 Torbreck Shiraz The Struie 87 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa
Time to start drinking up. Nose of smoke, plum, black pepper, espresso, and just a hint of jalapeno pepper. Quite acidic on the palate, with a kind of woodsiness that is just starting to eclipse the fruit. 87-88 points.
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2003 L'Aventure Syrah Rimrock 91 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Terroir writ large. Nose of plum, loamy earth, and pink and green peppercorns. Nice structure and depth, with concentrated blackberry fruit and garrigue. Could use another year in the cellar. 91-92 points.
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1999 Stags' Leap Winery Ne Cede Malis 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark nose with nice blackberry, bramble, herbs, and wet soil. Dense and thick on the palate. Very nice. Still a youngster. 90-91 points.
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2004 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 92 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
A delicious wine. Fresh nose of raspberry jam, earth, and spice. On the palate, a blend of raspberry and strawberry jam, white pepper, and earth. Young, but very nice. 91-92 points.
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