Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 4 *shared* Bottles] from 06/19/20

I thought the whites were of UNUSUALLY *high* quality!

• 2019 Sigalas Assyrtiko Santorini

  Greece, Aegean, Cyclades, Santorini

  “100% Assyrtiko. Located in Imerovigli, the sub-region of Oia Santorini, Sigalas’s Assyrtiko basket trained vines (Kouloura) average 60 yrs of age, & are tended in black lava, volcanic ash, & pumice soils. Fermentation in s/s tanks under controlled temp. The wine is comprised of 50% free run juice. 80% full cluster is slowly pressed & spends 5 mos on lees.”
  
  N: Minerals atop apples, poss lemons, with something underneath I can't quite ID: a creaminess, poss lanolin? Flowers with addt'l air/swirling?
  
  P: MF body; Very RNDISH entry with a very NICE, ALMOST swtish frt beautifully counterbalanced by an acidity which SEAMLESSLY transitions into a quite LONG, impeccably balanced, tangy/swt finish. For now & through '23, VERY likely longer. A *stunning* wine! My EXC+ (94,95/100, using that metric), which might even be on the low side! Silver @ the '20 TEXSOM Int'l. [This vendor's $35.95 puts it in the TOP 1/3 of wine-searcher's postings.]

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• 2014 Flowers Chardonnay Camp Meeting Ridge

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
  
  N: Restrained butter initially, with pineapples then moving on top with undertones of minerals
  
  P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE frt/oak met by an acidity which seamlessly directs the flow into & through the LONG, BALANCED finish with a lovely tangy/swtness. Not even REMOTELY showing its age, drink now & I'm thinking through its 10th. QUITE a *lovely* wine! My EXC+ (94,95/100, using that metric), & that may well be conservative! [Check with this vendor if interested in their *very* COMPETITIVE price!]

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• 2018 Odette Chardonnay Reserve

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage.
  
  N: Closed; Butter, lemons (POSS some tropical frt?) with notes of spice; Intensity lurking?
  
  P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE oak/frt off set by an acidity which moves the process into & through the LONG, balanced, TANGY/swt (55:45) finish with hints of a very, VERY slight bitterness which at least currently is not an issue, particularly with food. DESERVES a yr or so, then drinking through '24, NICELY done in its style! 14.8% ABV; My EXC. [Check with this vendor if interested in their *very* COMPETITIVE price!]

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• 2017 Jean-Jacques Vincent Pouilly-Fuissé Château de Fuissé Tête de Cru

  France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Pouilly-Fuissé

  Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
  
  N: Slightly closed; Butter melding with apples, poss lemons, earthiness with air/swirling
  
  P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish oak/frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an acidity which seamlessly evolves into a very LONG, balanced, tangy/SWT finish. For now with food, should improve for 6-12 mos, then drink VERY nicely through '24, poss a bit more. My EXC, + could well be > down the line! [This vendor's NOW $37.95 puts it in the TOP 1/2 of wine-searcher's entries.]
  
  Note: Also tasted on 10/5/19 & 1/4/20, notes fairly consistent.

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• 2017 David Bruce Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  N: Toast slightly atop RIPE, dk frts; Intensity lurking?
  
  P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which stays within hailing distance of the init frt as it transitions into a LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/SWTNESS to the few, quite unoffensive, dusty tannins. Deserves another yr or so, then drinking through '24, I'd guess. Nicely done in a very approachable style, assuming you can accept the potentially threshold R.S. (Also, just an FYI, these are capable of > aging than 1 might think, as I also tasted the '14 today. [TN coming soon.]) My +/EXC-, the higher arguably for QPR of a reasonably varietal P.N. [Check with this vendor if interested in their *very* COMPETITIVE price!]

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• 2018 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Should you be interested, I’ve uploaded info for this vintage which you can peruse at your leisure. 😉
  
  N: RIPE, plummy frt with undertones of smoke & poss herbal notes? Intensity lurking?
  
  P: LM body; RNDISH entry with very NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which stays within hailing distance of the init frt as it works its way into a LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/SWTNESS (45:55) to the almost non-existent tannins. Unless the frt/swtness is currently masking underlying structure [which I doubt], drink this now & through '22. 13.2% ABV; My VG+/EXC- in a flirting with R.S. style, & IF that's what one is seeking, trending towards the higher for QPR. [DO check with this vendor if interested in their *amazingly* COMPETITIVE price!]

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• 2018 Orin Swift 8 Years in the Desert

  USA, California

  “A blend of Zin, Syrah, P.S., & Grenache, sourced from Vyds of pedigree, such as Monte Rosso, Bismark, Korte, & Frei Ranch; Aged for 8 mos in FR & AM oak (37% new); $45 @ the winery.” 72,570 cases produced.
  
  N: CHOC atop RIPE berries
  
  P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which only somewhat resolves by the LONG finish with a bitter/SWTNESS to its dusty tannins. NEEDS 2 yrs or so, & IF things settle down, drinking into '25? Reasonably done in its HIGHLY extracted style. 15.6% ABV; My VG+. 92 pts WA (4/’20) & 91 WS (6/30/20). [One of the VERY few times when this vendor isn't close to competitive, > 2 doz sources offering it for less.] :(
  
  Note: 1st tasted on 11/14/19.

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• 2015 Wine Access Cabernet Sauvignon Editorial

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Per wine-searcher, sourced from Howell Mtn?
  
  N: Pyrazines slightly atop RIPE berries; Intensity lurking?
  
  P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by a bit of astringent pucker which stays in contact with the init frt as it evolves into a LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/swtness to the few, but still firming, dusty tannins. For now (at least with food), & I suspect through '23, poss longer? A nicely made wine, & my EXC-/EXC (90-93/100, using that paradigm), the higher most certainly IF one is looking for a *mature* representation of this AVA with a *terrific* QPR! [Check with this vendor if interested in their very COMPETITIVE price.]

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• 2018 Recoltant Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  "Récoltant is a collaboration of declassified barrels of premium Cabernet that didn’t quite fit into Le Pich or Purlieu. The final blend was stitched together from several celebrated regions throughout Napa Valley, & Julian Fayard made the wine with the same standards of excellence that he practices in all of his projects.”
  
  N: Closed; Smoke, probably toast, atop ripe berries?
  
  P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which pretty much irons itself out by the LONG, balanced, very, VERY slightly bitterish finish with a TANGY/swtness to the relatively few, unoffensive, dusty tannins. For now with food, may improve through '21, then drink into, probably through, '25. My VG+/EXC- for this decently made wine, trending upwards for QPR (assuming one can find it heavily discounted) from this commonly pricey AVA [e.g. the winery's "sold out" $60 :( ]. [Check with this vendor if interested in their *very* COMPETITIVE price!]

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• 2014 Edwards Vineyard & Cellars Syrah

  USA, California, South Coast, Ramona Valley

  N: Choc slightly atop RIPE berries with almost perfumey notes & hints of earthiness?
  
  P: MF, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (POSS with just a TOUCH of heat?) met by an astringent pucker which stays in contact with the init frt as it only somewhat unfolds by the LONG, balanced finish with a sense of swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '21, probably '22, then drinking through '26? An amazing wine with superb QPR from a producer/AVA unknown to most! My EXC (92,93/100 using that paradigm), perhaps even >... eventually? [Check with this vendor if interested in their *very* COMPETITIVE price!]

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• 2010 Château Kefraya Comte De M

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  "A careful selection of C.S. & Syrah grapes - grown on an area limited to 9 ha @ 1,100 m of altitude;” Typically, “Aged up to 24 mos in FR oak barrels;”
  
  N: SMOKE, toast, with ripe berries/pyrazines underneath coming out with air/swirling?
  
  P: MF, poss Full, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish oak/frt fairly quickly met by an astringent pucker which stays within hailing distance of the init frt as it only somewhat unpacks itself by the LONG finish with a distinct swtness to the still ample, though not all THAT offensive, dusty tannins. NEEDS through '22, perhaps even longer, then drinking through '27? My EXC, arguably even higher for those seeking a full bore style -- & with patience? [This vendor's $41.95 is $3 < wine-searcher's only other currently listed source.]

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• 2015 Pertimali (Livio Sassetti) Brunello di Montalcino

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Should you be interested, I’ve uploaded info for this vintage which you can peruse at your leisure. 😉
  
  N: Slightly closed; Spice, vanilla, cherries being coaxed out with swirling; Undertones of minerals? Intensity lurking!
  
  P: Med, poss LM, body; Rndish entry with NICE, almost swtish frt quickly met by an astringent pucker which never loses contact with the init frt as it progressed into a LONG, balanced finish with hints of swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS a BUNCH of time (guessing into '24?), then should EASILY make its '15th... min. EVERYTHING seems in place for this beauty! My EXC+ (94,95/100 using that paradigm), with higher likely... down the line? [This vendor's $63.95 is as good as anyone currently listed on wine-searcher!]

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I found BOTH Zins *awesome*, the Gundlach Bundschu being riper than the Karly, while the Karly had the higher acidity.

• 2014 David Bruce Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  “Barrel fermented in FR & Hungarian oak, then aged 16 mos in barrel; 14.7% ABV; Bottled 3/1/16, released 8/1/16; 6,000 cases produced.”
  
  N: Earthiness with a bit of forest floor evovling into a melding of fragrant ripe berries & choc
  
  P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which stays within hailing distance of the init frt as it fairly seamlessly leads into a LONG, BALANCED finish with a tangy/SWTNESS to the VERY unoffensive, yet still firming, dusty tannins. Has aged nicely (& that's with somewhat < "ideal" storage). For now & into, poss through, '22? My EXC-/EXC, arguably the higher for QPR of the $21.95 pd for it in 2017.
  // Finished @ home, ≈8 hrs after opening: The aromas initially show a creamy, toast aspect before the ripe berries emerge. While the P seems as swtish (& with the acidity still bracing nicely), the frt seems QUITE to have faded. :( ∑: Consume this by '21, my score from above holding true ONLY if drinking in 1 sitting. [As of late Jun '20, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $36].
  
  Also tasted on 2/11 & 3/11/17, + 11/5/19.

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• 1989 Karly Zinfandel Sadie Upton

  USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County

  THANK you for sharing this PHENOMENAL wine, José! :)
  
  Grapes from vines 1st planted in 1922 @ 1,500 feet near Plymouth, the frt now being used by Turley
  
  N: Closed; Earth, berries, herbal element, poss smoke?
  
  P: LM, poss Med, body; Nice, almost swtish frt met by an astringent PUCKER which seamlessly morphs into a very LONG, BALANCED finish with a TANGY/swtness (60:40) to the very MINIMAL, now very, VERY fine, food friendly tannins. Not even REMOTELY tired, I can see this going another 5-6 yrs, perhaps being usable @ the table for ALL of that! My EXC+/Exceptional- (94-97/100 using that metric).

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• 2017 Kettmeir Müller-Thurgau

  Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol

  Arturo, THANK you for sharing what turned out to be my 2nd ever Muller-Thurgau :)
  
  Typically, “Short maceration on the skins @ low temps & in a reduced environment; Fermentation in s/s @ a controlled temp of 14-15° C.”
  
  N: Slightly closed; Minerals with a melding of peaches & apples, + hints of caramel?
  
  P: MF body; Very RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) nicely off-set by an acidity which keeps things in check through the LONG, tangy/swt finish with *occasional* HINTS of a very, VERY slight bitterness that (at least currently) may very well be an asset, particularly with food. Nicely done for now & through '22. My EXC-; [As of late Jun '20, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $14.95].

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• 1990 Gundlach Bundschu Zinfandel Rhinefarm Vineyard Sonoma Valley

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  A *heartfelt* THANK you to those who made tasting this possible! :)
  
  “Our 13 acres of Sonoma Valley Zin on Rhinefarm were planted in 1976 & grow in the upper benchland portion of the Vyd at an ave elev of 200 ft. It thrives in the rocky, well-drained conditions presented by the alluvial fan comprising the lower Mayacamas Mtn Range. Topsoils are 18-34” deep, consisting of Rhyolitic volcanic ash & alluvial wash. Beneath the topsoil is a mostly impervious layer of consolidated volcanic ash with occasional fractures for the roots to penetrate to deeper depths, producing wines with concentrated fruit flavors & firm structural qualities. Pervasive maritime breezes & long daylight exposure allow fruit to develop intense concentration while retaining vibrant structure. The vyd typically yields 2.5 tons/acre.”
  
  N: A creaminess, giving way to leather with a melding of berries & oranges? Eventually, hints of honey?
  
  P: LM body; RNDISH entry with very NICE, ALMOST swtih frt met by an astringent pucker which stays within hailing distance of the init frt as it seamlessly transitions into a very LONG, BALANCED finish with an *alluring*, TANGY/swtness that serves to firm -- along with the smidgin of almost TOTALLY resolved, very, VERY fine tannins. A *gorgeous*, VERY food compatible wine for now & through '24, POSS a couple of yrs more? 13.8% ABV; My EXC+/Exceptional- (94-97/100, using that metric).

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