2019 Hennepin Lake Charity Event

This was again the best tasting in MN for I don't know how many years running. To be able to try the variety of different wines with many above $50 in one place is always a joy. Thanks Phil Colich.

The 2014 Tenuta Sette Ponti on WTSO for $60 is a buy in their cellar selection.

These wines stood out. The Shafer Hillside was a bonus bottle but still had to put it in there. Loved the Oreno and Evenstad the best and co MVPs of the tasting.

• 2015 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana IGT 94 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Top 3 wine of the night. The first taste of this wine was a bit tight. Later on offering funk, minerals, raspberries, cherry, earth and floral notes. Long finish. While a modern styled wine very enjoyable.

  Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva 93 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Top 3 wines of the night. This wine does have some dill but also features wood, raspberries, floral, minerals and leather. Complex and long finish. I love the concept La Rioja Alta lives by. Release the wines when they are entering the drinking window. This wine has another decade of enjoyment. 93 points now with 95 potential.

  Post a Comment / 6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2014 Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Top five wine at the tasting. Pepper, dark fruits, stone, rose petals and cigar. Medium to long finish. A young wine with some serious age ability potential. 93 to 95. 93+

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve 94 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Top five wine at the tasting. Wonderfully balanced with fragrant floral notes along with rose petals, cranberry, raspberries and earth. Good acidity and medium plus finish. No noticeable flaws on this wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Top five of the tasting. Classic Napa featuring cherry, blueberries, spice, pencil lead and earth. Very balanced, good acidity and medium plus finish. Should age for another decade.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2008 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  This is drinking really well right now. Pop and pour. Cassis, mild oak, spice, blueberries and black licorice. Balanced wine. Long finish. This wine is in an excellent place right now. 95 points

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2014 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana IGT 94 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Tasted this a second time and top five wine at the event. Different bottle with funk, earth, red currants, spice and minerals. Medium plus finish. Should drink well for a long time.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

The wine that stood out here was the Il Fauno Toscana which is sub $30. The Arrowood Knights also was a very good value.

• NV Taittinger Champagne Brut Réserve / La Française 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Spice, dough, floral and biscuit. Good acidity and medium plus finish. Solid offering on this NV version.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Flowers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Really enjoyed this wine with pear, apple, floral, touch of oak and minerals. Medium and smooth finish. No harsh edges on this wine. Drink now to 2023.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  At first thought was corked but with some air opened up. Wood, floral, cranberry, figs and gooseberries. Medium finish and good acidity. This wine needs some air. Advise to decant this wine!

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto Toscana IGT 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Very nice showing. Rustic with floral, earth, raspberries, spice and minerals. Medium to long finish. Good acidity. Drink through 2028.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nice wine overall with oak, blueberries, menthol and spices. Medium to long finish. Lacks a bit of acidity is really the only flaw. Should age for another decade.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Hartford / Hartford Court Chardonnay 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  This is nice with spice, lemon, oak and minerals. Good use of oak and medium finish. Very satisfying.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Siduri Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 89 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Nice base bottling wine with cranberry, floral, underbrush and earth. Medium finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  More intensity than the Siduri I tried right before. Strawberry, rose petals, earth, minerals and forest floor. Medium and concentrated finish. Should drink well through 2024.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  Very nice wine. Cherry, blueberries, mild oak, vanilla, pencil lead and spice. Medium plus finish. Drinking well now but could cellar for 5 years.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Tenuta di Arceno Il Fauno Di Arcanum Toscana IGT 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  59% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. This was a softer style but flavorful featuring dust, cassis, blueberries and minerals. Medium finish and good acidity. Drink alone or with food. Excellent value. Bought a bottle and wow this is good!!!

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  4th time I have sampled and at a big tasting event this stood out amongst the Chardonnays due to the balance it possesses. Apple, pear, stone orchard fruits, minerals and lemon rind. Short to medium finish with good acidity. Consistent with other tastings of they wine.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2014 Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Dark, ripe berries, oak, floral and spice. Medium plus finish. A big style wine that will benefit with additional cellaring. 90-92.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Bodega Norton Privada Mendoza 90 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  Second time sampling this in a month. Very well made but not the complexity of the amazing 2013. Fruit is the star here with cherry, blueberries and raspberries. Picks up some spice and floral notes on the medium plus finish. A very good value.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2014 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Reserva Finca Ygay 90 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  Always a great under $20 value. Raspberries, dust, earth, wood, minerals and blueberries. Nice balanced wine with ample acidity. Should drink well through 2023.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Buehler Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This represents a very good value from Napa. Fruit forward wine featuring cherry and blueberries along with spice and mild oak. Drinking really well now and could age 5 years or so.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Hartford / Hartford Court Chardonnay 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Nice wine with spice, oak, lemon, pear and minerals. Medium plus finish. Should drink well over the next 5 years.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Ferraton Père & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Le Parvis" 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Nice overall with raspberries, stone, Garrique and earth. Medium plus finish.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2014 Achával-Ferrer Quimera 91 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo

  One of the better values at the tasting. Blackberries, floral, minerals, spice and dark chocolate. A little bit of everything on this wine. Powerful finish.
  50% Malbec, 24% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains 92 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Oak, spice, lemon, apple and saline. Complex wine that should drink well through 2025.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Solid effort featuring floral, ripe cherries, plum, spice and mild oak. Medium finish.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Argyle Vintage Brut 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Very refreshing and complex. Spice, lemon, dough, apple and floral notes. Medium plus finish. Good acidity. A great US Sparkler.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Love this wine. Cherry, plum, coffee beans, pencil lead and spices. Medium to long finish. Good acidity.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Chappellet Mountain Cuvée 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  For being so young drinking well. Cherry, floral, earth and mild oak. Complex and medium plus finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2014 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  A rebound from the awful Caymus wine. Had to get a good rinse in the glass. Classic Brunello with floral, spice, earth, wood and nice fruits. Medium plus finish and good acidity.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  A solid wine overall. Minerals, spice, red currants and mild oak. Medium finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Familia Zuccardi Malbec Q 90 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco

  This was a nice wine. Coffee, floral, blueberries, boysenberries and black licorice. Quite complex and medium finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 L'Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 91 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Nice based bottling with plum, cherry, spice, pepper and minerals. Medium finish. Hennepin Lake sale price $29.95.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Domaine Serene Chardonnay Evenstad Reserve 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  Well rounded Chardonnay featuring tropical fruit, apple, minerals, floral and mild spices. No noticeable oak influence so guessing neutral was used. Very clean finish. Drink now to 2024.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Artadi Viñas de Gain 90 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja

  Always enjoyable wine. Wood, cherry, floral, spice and earth. Medium finish.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Frank Family Vineyards Zinfandel 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Balanced for Zin. Berries, underbrush, violets and spice. Medium finish.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• NV Roederer Estate Brut Rosé Anderson Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

  Nice with strawberry, floral, dough and chalk. Medium finish.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Esola Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County

  Really enjoyed this wine. Balanced with floral, spice, black licorice, blueberries and underbrush. Medium finish.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Yamhill Cuvée 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  I have never liked the Yamhill offering from these guys but this is the exception. Floral, strawberry and earth. Well balanced and medium finish. Drinking really well right now.

  Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Big Table Farm Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Cherry, dust, tea leaves, earth and rose petals. Medium finish and decant acidity. Not a cheap Willamette Valley appellation wine at $45.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay Carneros 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  A bit bigger style than some of the other Chardonnays at the event. Oak, lemon, pear, tropical fruit and vanilla. For those who like the bigger style Chards.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Prisoner Wine Company Dérangé 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This is the first Prisoner wine I have scored over 90. There was nice fruit featuring cherries and plums along with dust, spice and floral notes. Quite balanced which is what I normally don't find on their wines. Not cheap though.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Pahlmeyer Merlot 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Overpriced wine would come to mind but still very enjoyable. Red currants, black licorice, plum, oak and minerals. A bit of heat on the finish.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Melville Pinot Noir Estate 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Cola, floral, cranberry and earth. Medium finish. Balanced overall.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Shafer TD-9 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I like the wine but it definitely falls into the overprice Napa Valley category. Spice, cherry, oak, vanilla and dark chocolate. Medium finish.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Anko Malbec Salta 90 Points

  Argentina, Valles Calchaquíes, Salta

  Very nice wine and my first introduction to it. Smooth wine featuring blueberries, cherry, rose petals and pepper.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

  Cherry, floral, clay, mint and balanced overall. Not a powerful wine and smooth finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Pendulum Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  One of the better values at the tasting. Dust, cherry, plum and spice. Medium finish. Well balanced for a CV under $20.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Domaine Alain Chavy Puligny-Montrachet 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet

  Nice but pricy at $70 a bottle. Lemon, shells, minerals and orange peel. Good acidity and medium finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Schramsberg Vineyards Brut Rosé 91 Points

  USA, California, North Coast

  Very flavorful featuring strawberry, floral, spice, cherry blossoms and dough. Medium plus finish. Very nice Sparkler!

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Many B and B+ efforts for a good price including the Substance, Clos de los Siete, Delas Cotes du Rhone and Catena Malbec. The Caymus certainly will be in the running for worst wine of the year for 2019.

• 2017 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Typical under $30 Chardonnay from California. Nothing terrible but not that interesting either. Oak, lemon, pear and vanilla. Some spices on the finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• NV Mionetto Prosecco Il Prosecco 84 Points

  Italy, Veneto / Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Prosecco

  Never had a Prosecco I loved and this is no exception. Chalk, floral and lemon. Short to medium finish. Not terrible but too many other options out there under $20.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• NV G. H. Mumm & Cie Champagne Cordon Rouge Brut 84 Points

  France, Champagne

  Again this is a mediocre wine. The Mumm Sparkling Brut Prestige is better. Light with apple, lemon, spice and minerals. Tastes like a cheap sparkler.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Rodney Strong Symmetry 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

  Bright fruit, oak, earth and tobacco. This wine needs some time to fully develop. Potential is there with 3 or 4 years with age. 88 to 92.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley 85 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  Not as good as the Arrowwood version. Oak, tight, dark fruits and lacks acidity. Not recommended.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  Better than the Rodney Strong but not in the league of the Arrowood. Blueberries, blackberries, oak and spices. Lacks acidity.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Substance Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points

  USA, Washington

  Interesting as I have sampled 3 batches in the Twin Cities. June good bottles. Costco a few weeks ago terrible bottles and this one back to normal. Cherry, blueberries, earth and spice. Medium finish featuring some dusty notes. Outstanding value.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Clos de los Siete 89 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco

  Have not had this wine in a while and it was nice. Dust, floral, blueberries and earth. Medium plus finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Double Diamond (Schrader) Cabernet Sauvignon 85 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  I am in the 80s crowd for this wine. Eucalyptus overload. Can't quite tell what fruit is hiding in the wine. It is a big in your face wine that lacks balance. Never been a fan of this 2nd label wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 MacRostie Chardonnay Russian River Valley 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Very light almost to the point of not even tasting like a California Chardonnay. Floral, pear and apple. Shorter finish. Nothing wrong with the wine but for the price way to many better wines out there.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Les Trois Couronnes Côtes du Rhône 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  A juicy, fruit forward Cotes du Rhone featuring cherry and raspberries. Floral and perfume elements on the finish. Good value.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 78 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  A slam dunk for worst wine of the year. Brown sugar! This could have passed for a cheap port. The last several vintages of this wine seem like the wine maker for Prisoner wines is at the helm. Comment if they are. No balance and no acidity.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Chalk Hill Estate Red 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Chalk Hill

  Too pricing for the quality. Not a bad wine but lacks personality. Red currants, some oak and vanilla. Medium finish. Acidity is lacking.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Sallier de la Tour Grillo Sicilia 88 Points

  Italy, Sicily, Sicilia

  A light wine featuring floral, lemon, tropical fruit and minerals. Short finish. Refreshing and under $10.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2012 Stéphane et Vincent Perraud Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Granite de Clisson 87 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine

  Lemon, minerals, kiwi and sublet spice. Medium finish and good acidity.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Lafond Chardonnay SRH 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Oak, lemon, spice, tropical fruit and minerals. Solid effort for $22.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Henri Bourgeois Sancerre 88 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

  Decanter 96. Are these guys serious? They are worse than Suckling. Floral, grass, lemon and minerals. Refreshing. Shorter finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 San Felice Chianti Classico 87 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Simple but good wine. Good acidity and featured sour cherry, floral and minerals. Short to medium finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 G.B. Crane Disciples 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  While it had a higher level of sweetness than I enjoy on red wines it was drinkable. Floral, strawberries, ripe cherries and spice. Medium plus finish. Drink now to 2023.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• NV Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut 88 Points

  France, Champagne

  Not bad but not Piper for me which is also $15 cheaper in Minneapolis. Lemon, dough, sharp acidity and spice.

  Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• NV Moët & Chandon Champagne Brut Impérial 87 Points

  France, Champagne

  Citrus, saline, chalk, sour apple and dough. Short to medium finish. Acidity is a bit much on this one. Medium finish.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Marietta Cellars Christo

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Solid overall with cherry, floral, pepper and spices. Medium finish.
  64% Syrah, 23% Grenache, 7% Petite Sirah, and 6% Viognier

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Andrea Oberto Barbera d'Alba 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba

  Solid overall with floral, earth, cherry and stone. Short to medium finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Château Pedesclaux Fleur de Pedesclaux 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Very young and has potential. Cassis, gravel, cigar and earth. Medium plus finish. Pretty intense wine. Best from 2022 to 2028. 88 to 91.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Orin Swift 8 Years in the Desert 80 Points

  USA, California

  My yearly sampling of this wine and it did disappoint again. NO balance here. Sweet almost brown sugar elements. Hot! Not for me.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Orin Swift Abstract 86 Points

  USA, California

  This is better than the last abstract I sampled. Floral, ripe cherry, blueberries and spices. A bit hot on the finish but drinkable.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Orin Swift Papillon 83 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Not as good as the Abstract. Sweet fruit overload. Some spices on the finish.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 86 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  It has been a while since I have enjoyed their base Napa Valley bottling. Just not getting the balance of the earlier 2000 versions of this wine. Riper fruit, spice and mild oak.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Catena High Mountain Vines 88 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  Classic Malbec featuring blackberries, spice, floral and dust. Medium finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Yalumba The Signature 85 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  A dysfunctional wine featuring heavy eucalyptus along with underbrush, dark fruits and tar. Just not balance and lacks acidity. Should be from the Y series.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Cherry, spice, minerals, dark chocolate and oak. Medium finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Delas Frères Ventoux 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Ventoux

  Nice wine with earth, floral, raspberries and spices. Smooth wine overall.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Delas Frères Côtes du Rhône Saint-Esprit 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Nice as it usually is. Perfume, floral, earth and minerals. Short to medium finish and good acidity.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Allomi 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Solid wine with cherry, plum, oak, spice and vanilla. Medium finish.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Grgich Hills Chardonnay 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Oak, lemon, sour apple and spice. A bit disjointed but drinkable.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2015 Bodegas AAlto Ribera del Duero AAlto 87 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  Will not be buying any Aalto wines any time soon. Oak, oak and too much oak. Spices and some fruit masked behind that heavy oak treatment. Try after 2028.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Again wow! I probably spit 4 bottles of wine at this event. Always amazed how many people drink every sample. Hopefully they had a car service.