Luna Napa Valley 2006 Merlot

Luna Napa Valley 2006 Merlot, $11.04-$25.99, 89 points, opaque ruby grading to a deep blood red with a thin clear meniscus and hanging stained tears.
A soft slightly sour plum was all I sensed on the nose.
Nearly full-bodied red wine with fair acidity and a mellow underlayment of tannin managed a spicy medley of red licorice, plum, and citrus flavors.
Finished long on the trailing palate, dry, Kirsch, and an appropriate 14.2% alcohol.

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Louis Jadot Macon-Villages 2015 Burgundy White Wine (Chardonnay)

Louis Jadot Macon-Villages, 2015 Burgundy White Wine (Chardonnay), $11.04-$14.99, 90 points, was a medium yellow gold color.

Aromas of dusty stone fruit, citrus, and honeysuckle were pleasant.

medium-bodied white wine with good acidity and flavors reflective of the aromas.

Finished long on apple notes, white pepper, ginger, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.

Paired perfectly with our tradition Thanksgiving dinner.

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Rockblock Reserve 2006 Syrah (Revisited)

Rockblock Reserve 2006 Syrah (Revisited), $34.99, 92 points, poured a deep murky purple/red with thin garnet red and clear wine rings.

Aromatic sweet underbrush, cedar, and a hint of chocolate were excellent.

Full round-bodied red wine with good acidity and a grainy underlayment of tannin supported plum, earth, and licorice flavors.

Finished long, dry, spicy, and still quite robust for a Syrah in my Euro-Cave for seven years; the 14.5% alcohol was warm and well-balanced.

Paired fine with my Mexican cuisine.

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Hartley And Gibson's Amontillado medium Dry NV Sherry (Spain)

Hartley And Gibson's Amontillado medium Dry NV Sherry (Spain), $8.99-$12.99, 88 points, poured a deep copper color turning a yellow/orange toward the rim.

Aromas of smoky oak and caramel were pleasant.

Full-bodied to viscous with mellow acidity, unnoticeable tannin, early to mid-palate sleek, appropriately dry, a warm 17.5% alcohol, and flavors reflective of the aromas with a bit of butterscotch and escalating red pepper spiciness.

Finished on the fading palate and growing wood notes.

Paired perfectly with my warm pecan pie.

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Château Forlouis Montagne Saint-Émilion 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Forlouis Montagne Saint-Émilion 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $20.99-$41.99, 89 points, poured a deep ruby red with a broad clear wine ring and heavy draping.

Aromas of plums, red raspberry nuanced with faint hints of cedar, blueberry, and a floral vibe were pleasant.

More than a medium-bodied red wine with good acidity and drying astringent tannins delivered the aromas onto the palate.

Finished long on bacon fat, tart red fruit, spicy pepper spices, and a spot-on 13.5% alcohol.

Varietals were 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015

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John Anthony Carneros (Napa Valley) 2018 Sauvignon Blanc

John Anthony Carneros (Napa Valley) 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $17.99-$21.99, 92 points, poured a medium brass color with a lemon yellow sheen.

Aromatic sweet hay and citrus were excellent.

Light-bodied white wine with bright acidity and intense citrus and ginger flavors nuanced by lemon/lime and passion fruit proved over again to me that Sauvignon Blanc should be considered a noble wine.

Finished very long on the trailing palate and a remarkably well-balanced 14.9% alcohol.

Paired perfectly with my Yellow-fin tuna salad.

2018 Cali Sauvignon Blanc

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Château Condat Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Condat Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $34.99-$74.99, 90 points, poured core black grading to a brooding blood red toward the clear wine ring and bejeweled red hanging tears.

Aromas were earthy and floral with black currants, hints of juniper, plum, and cocoa powder.
Near full-bodied red wine with good acidity and firm grainy tannins set the stage for a red-fruity flavor profile nuanced with plum and truffles.
Finished long on the fading palate, warm pepper spices, and a well balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired fine with my meat-lovers pizza.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015

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Two Hands Barossa Valley Brave Faces 2006 Red Wine

Two Hands Barossa Valley Brave Faces 2006 Red Wine, $17.99-$49.99, 92 points, poured as an unfiltered garnet red with a thin wine ring and hanging big tears

Aromas of cedar, plums, furtive flower fragrances, and ripe red raspberry jam were artesian-well deep.

Near full-bodied red wine with bright acidity and smooth/round tannins supported a still red fruity flavor profile with nuanced Lamiaceae herbs.

Finished long on the trailing palate, pepper spices, a hint of citrus, iron, and a warm 15.5% alcohol.

Paired fine with my mushroom pizza.

Varietals were 65% Shiraz and 35% Grenache.

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Château La Grande Métairie Entre-Deux-Mers 2014 Bordeaux White Wine Revisited

Château La Grande Métairie Entre-Deux-Mers 2014 Bordeaux White Wine (Revisited), $10.19-$11.99, 86 points, was a deep straw yellow color.
Aromas were soft grass notes with just a hint of pine.
Medium-bodied white wine with none of the vibrancy of a fresh Sauvignon Blanc, but nothing offensive either; subtle citrus flavors, minerality, and hay were interesting and pleasant.
Finished long on the fading palate, it was tart, and displayed a well balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my seafood plater. 





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Louis Jadot 2014 Marsannay, Burgundy White Wine (Chardonnay)

Louis Jadot 2014 Marsannay, Burgundy White Wine (Chardonnay), $23.79-$29.99, 89 points, was a medium yellow gold color.

Aromatic floral minerality with hints of apple and oak were lovely.

Medium-bodied white wine with fair to good acidity delivered good citrus and pome fruit flavors bathed in a mineral matrix.

Finished long on the fading palate nuanced with oak, a hint of peach, and a well balanced 13% alcohol.

Paired perfectly with my honey fried chicken wings.

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The Pass NZ Marlborough 2018 Sauvignon Blanc

The Pass NZ Marlborough 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.99, 86 points, was a light brass color turning water clear half-way to the glass rim.
Aromas of slightly burnt passion fruit, grapefruit, sweet hay, and Necco Wafer candy were intense and interesting.
Light-bodied white wine with bright acidity and flavors reflective of the aromas, though rather weakly, renders this Kiwi-SB as a table wine only.
Finished a bit anti-climatically and sour on a quickly fading palate and a sound 13% alcohol.
Paired fine with my New England clam chowder.

2018 NZ SB
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Matchbook Estate Bottled 2016 Petite Sirah

Matchbook Estate Bottled 2016 Petite Sirah, $5.29-$6.99, 88 points, poured broadly black grading to a deep Shiraz purple/red toward the broad clear meniscus and glass bowl of heavy stained legs.

Unusually grapey aromas with subtle fig, blackberry, and blueberry were quite good.

Near full-bodied red wine with fair acidity and surprisingly easy tannins carried the dominant blueberry flavor into an acceptable finish accented with pepper spices, blackberry, and a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.

Paired fine with my classic hamburgers.

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Castello Del Poggio Delle Venezie NV Moscato (IGT)

Castello Del Poggio Delle Venezie NV Moscato (IGT), $11.69-$12.99, 88 points, was slightly effervescent in the frizzante style, and with as light a brass color without becoming water clear.

Apple dominated the peach aroma, but was quite pleasant.

Medium-bodied white bubbly wine with surprisingly good acidity while being a bit sweet without surrendering or swinging toward the cloying.

Flavors of guava, peach, and apple were generous and consistent throughout, finishing fair and with a modest 7% alcohol.

Paired well with my red-pepper smoked oysters.

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Marchese Antinori 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG)

Marchese Antinori 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG), $37.99-$41.99 (current price), 91 points, poured a deep garnet red with a bleeding meniscus and copious stained legs.

Aromas of Bordeaux lily, black cherry jam, and a hint of juniper were okay.

More than a medium-bodied wine with good acidity and a supportive underlayment of tannin carried generous flavors of anise, tobacco, cherry fruit, and Italian spices.
Finished long on pepper spices, black licorice, cherry cola, and a warm 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my pepperoni pizza.


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2018 Cali Sauvignon Blanc

2018 Cali Sauvignon Blanc
Not a big year for me with Cali SBs, but for those that might be interested in the 2018s I've tasted and reviewed:

Bogle Vineyards California 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.99,-$11.99, 87 points

Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $20.71-$26.99, 91 points

Charles Krug Peter Mondavi Family Saint Helena-Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $15.29-$19.99, 89 points

Duckhorn Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $25.19-$29.99, 92 points

Ferrari Carano 2018 Fumé Blanc, $12.74-$17.99, 90 points

Groth Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $24.39-$26.99, 90 points

John Anthony Carneros (Napa Valley) 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $17.99-$21.99, 92 points

Monique Cellars Central Coast 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $5.99, 85 points

Rombauer Vineyards Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $19.99-$26.99, 92 points

SIMI Sonoma County 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $10.16-$17.99, 87 points

St. Supery Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$21.99, 92 points

VINTJS Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $7.99, 88 points

William Hill Estate Winery North Coast 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $10.19-$15.99, 90 points

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Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc

Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $20.71-$26.99, 91 points, was the lightest of brass colors changing to water-clear long before the glass rim.
Aromatic citrus with lovely hints of pineapple, passion fruit, and sweet hay impressed.
Light-bodied white wine with good acidity and citrusy flavors which developed well toward the mid to late palate and into a very long finish marked by tart tangerine, ginger, grapefruit, and a balanced 13.8% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my deep-fried Bay scallops.

2018 Cali Sauvignon Blanc

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Robert Young Estate Winery 'Scion' Alexander Valley 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Revisited)

Robert Young Estate Winery 'Scion' Alexander Valley 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Revisited),
$30.59-$64.99, 93 points, poured core black transitioning to a blood red toward the clear wine ring and moderately fat hanging legs.
Aromatic cedar, lavender, and red fruit dominated the herbal character of this wine.
Full-bodied red wine with good acidity and fine grainy tannins sported the spicy, red fruit, and minty flavors.
Finished long on the trailing palate and a well-balanced 14.8% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my beefy chili.

2012 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

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Domaines Brocard Sainte Céline Grand Vin De Bourgogne 2017 Chablis

Domaines Brocard Sainte Céline Grand Vin De Bourgogne 2017 Chablis, $14.99, 88 points, was a medium straw yellow color.
Aromas were pleasant pome and citrus fruits with a lovely floral vibe.
This off-dry white wine (Chardonnay) was barely medium-bodied, but the acidity was good, as were the flavors reflective of the aromas plus a hint of black pepper, apricot, Lychee, and flinty minerality.
Finished well on the trailing palate and a spot-on 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my sautéed Sea scallops.

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VINTJS Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc

VINTJS Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $7.99, 88 points, was a medium brass color with flashes of yellows and greens.
Smells of grass, slightly sour hay, lime, and just a hint of Necco wafer were okay.
Light-bodied white wine with good acidity and weak flavors reflective of the aromas intensified nicely toward the long finish accented by kiwi and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my fried Icelandic haddock.


2018 Cali Sauvignon Blanc
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