Château Moncontour Sec, Loire, France, 2018 Vouvray

Château Moncontour Sec, Loire, France, 2018 Vouvray, $14.44-$18.99, 89 points, was a light brass color clearing midway to the rim.
The nose was almost 'dumb' with only hints of pome blossoms and citrus.
More than a light-bodied white wine with fair to good acidity delivered tasty flavors of pear, peach, and melon rind.
Finished long on the fading palate, a hint of guava, and a spot-on 12.5%  alcohol.
Paired well with our baked salmon.

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Neal Rutherford Dust Vineyards Napa Valley 2010 Zinfandel Revisited

Neal Rutherford Dust Vineyards Napa Valley 2010 Zinfandel Revisited, $20.39-$25.99, 89 points, poured a mottled black and garnet red with a bleeding meniscus and copious fat stained legs.
Smells of sweet tobacco, a hint of the barnyard, iodine, shoe polish, and muted black currants were interesting if not endearing.
Full-bodied red wine with fair acidity and a supportive underlayment of mostly resolved tannin carried a tangy flavor of black licorice nuanced with plum tobacco, and subtle black cherry.
Finished very long on the fading palate, easy pepper spices, and a well-balanced 14.7% alcohol.
Paired okay with peperoni pizza.

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J.J. Vinent Grand Vin Bourgogne 'Marie Antoinette' 2017 Pouilly Fuissé

J.J. Vinent Grand Vin Bourgogne 'Marie Antoinette' 2017 Pouilly-Fuissé, $21.24-$27.99, 92 points, was a medium gold color and clear at the rim.
Aromatic apple flesh and blossoms nuanced with citrus were excellent.
Medium-bodied white wine with fair to good acidity showed freshness of flavors reflective of the aromas and minerals was tasty and generous.
Finished long on the trailing palate, tart citrus, soft ginger notes, a hint of kiwi, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my salt/vinegar fried chicken wings.

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Bonfils L'Esparrou Mas Grand Côtes du Roussillon 2015 Red Wine

Bonfils L'Esparrou Mas Grand Côtes du Roussillon 2015 Red Wine, $17.84-$22.99, 90 points, poured a semi-unfiltered ruby red with a purple sheen, a bleeding meniscus, and thin stained legs.
Aromatic herbs with cinnamon, earth, and floral undertones were quite lovely.
Full (satiny) bodied red wine with fair to good acidity and soft sufficiently supportive tannins translated flavors of the nose with anise.
Finished long on the fading palate, licorice, easy spices, a whisper of plum, and an appropriate 14.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my Spanish cuisine.

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Villa Maria Marlborough Cellar Sellection 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)

Villa Maria Marlborough Cellar Sellection 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand), $8.09-$8.99, 90 points, was a light brass color with green highlights and clear at the rim.

The bouquet of passion fruit, grapefruit, lemon zest, and sweet hay were typical, but intense and lovely.

Light-bodied white wine with good acidity and flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on the fading palate, escalating ginger/white pepper, and a spot-on 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my seafood platter.

2018 NZ SB
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L'Oliveto Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, 2017 Pinot Noir

L'Oliveto Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, 2017 Pinot Noir, $14.39-$20.99, 90 points, poured a lustrous ruby red with a broad clear wine ring and thin glass sheeting.
Smells of Pinot Noir grape specific nuanced with loam, mulberry, and coffee bean were lovely.
Near full-bodied red wine with fair acidity and mellow tannins delivered robust flavors of black cherry cordial, licorice, and spiced candy-fireball.
Finished long on the trailing palate and a well-balanced 13.8% alcohol.
Paired fine with my baked ham steak.

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Luzada 'Val do Salnes' Rias Baixas 2018 Albariño

Luzada 'Val do Salnes' Rias Baixas 2018 Albariño, (Spain), $8.99. 90 points, was a medium gold color and clear only at the rim.
Aromas were a very pleasant orange zest, subtle apple, and Lychee.
Medium-bodied (slightly viscous) white wine with good acidity and robust flavors reflective of the aromas with honeydew melon and ginger were excellent.
Finished well on the trailing palate and a balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my broiled Sea scallops.

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Château Bellefont~Belcier Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Bellefont~Belcier Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $39.52-$46.49, 92 points, poured core black grading to an opaque garnet red with a clear meniscus and heavy copious legs.
The black currant and coffee-bean dominant aromas were 'delicious'.
Full-bodied warm (15% alcohol) bodied red wine with good acidity and firm pervasive tannins managed flush flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on plum, red fruit, and pepper spiciness.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed rib eye.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015

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Cloudveil Oregon 2018 Pinot Gris

Cloudveil Oregon 2018 Pinot Gris, $9.90-$12.99, 90 points, was the lightest of yellow gold colors turning water clear halfway to the rim.

Lovely and lively aromas were tropical fruit nuanced with Lychee nut.

Light-bodied white wine with good acidity delivered feathered flavors reflective of the aromas with a building orange peel and ginger.

Finished very long of the fading palate and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.

Paired perfectly with my roast chicken.

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Albada, Calatayud, Spain, 2016 Garnacha Red Wine,

Albada, Calatayud, Spain, 2016 Garnacha Red Wine, $6.99, 86 points, poured a dark maroon color with a broad bright ring and moderately heavy legs.

Smells of leather, mulberry, blueberry, and incense were intriguing.

Near full-bodied red wine, a bit austere, and tad hot (14.5% alcohol), but with good acidity proved to be a fine red table wine which paired well with my baby-back pork ribs.

Flavors followed the aromas, finished on the fading palate, and added a touch of easy pepper spices.

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Rocca delle Macie Tenuta Sant' Alfonso Single Vineyard Chianti Classico (DOCG)

Rocca delle Macie Tenuta Sant' Alfonso Single Vineyard Chianti Classico (DOCG), $15.29-$17.99, 91 points, poured a deep cranberry red with a thin clear meniscus and moderate hanging legs.
Aromatic red fruit with subtle milk chocolate, herbal tea, and a flower note were lovely.
Near full-bodied red wine with bright acidity and fine grained tannins managed to reflect the nose onto the palate lively.
Finished hot (14% alcohol), spicy, and tasty.
Paired well with our buffet of pizzas.

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Honig Napa Valley 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon

Honig Napa Valley 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.99-$19.99 (375ml), 93 points, poured opaque trending garnet red toward the broad clear wine ring and densely clustered stained fat legs.
Smells of plums, cedar, black currant, and lavender were pleasant, but developing coffee, mocha, red cherry, and licorice notes were excellent.
Full-bodied red wine with good acidity and tight respectable tannins sported much of the bouquet onto the palate richly.
Finished long on cherry cola, oak, pepper spices, mint, and a warm 14.8% alcohol.


2015 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

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Bouchard Père et Fils Grand Vin, Pouilly-Fuissé, 2017 White Wine

Bouchard Père et Fils Grand Vin, Pouilly-Fuissé, 2017 White Wine, $21.24-$24.99, 88 points, was a light yellow gold color and clear at the rim.
Smells of cinnamon apple pie with a floral vibe were quite good.
Medium-bodied white wine with good acidity and flavors of wood, apple, and a hint of slightly sour Chardonnay specific grape were okay.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a hint of ginger, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired fine with my sautéed Halibut.


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Wither Hills Marlborough 2018 Sauvignon Blanc

Wither Hills Marlborough 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.49-$13.99, 87 points, was the lightest brass color grading water clear.
Weak aromas of lemongrass, cilantro, and a floral vibe were just okay.
Light-bodied white wine with good acidity showed pleasant flavors of ginger-ale, lemon/lime zest, and a hint of passion fruit.
Finished fair on the fading palate, a hint of ginger, grapefruit, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired fine with my lobster salad.

2018 NZ SB
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Torres 'Salmos' Priorat (Spain) 2015 Red Wine

Torres 'Salmos' Priorat (Spain) 2015 Red Wine, $23.79-$27.99, 92 points, poured purple/red trending deep ruby with a broad clear wine ring and a necklace of stained hanging legs.
Smells of toasty blueberry pie, brine, and wet summer stones were excellent.
Near full-bodied red wine with good acidity and a supportive layer of fine tannins delivered a tasty array of red fruit drowned in herbs and pepper spices.
Finished long on the fading palate and a warm 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our 'loaded' pizza.



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Portlandia Oregon 2018 Pinot Gris

Portlandia Oregon 2018 Pinot Gris, $14.39-$15.99, 89 points, was a light brass color with yellow highlights and a broad clear penumbra. 

Lovely clean aromas of pome flowers, apple, and cilantro were excellent.

Light-bodied white wine was fresh, fruity, and delicious with flavors following the nose and buoyed by good acidity.

Finished fair on the fading palate and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.

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Château Le Prieuré Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion 2009 Bordeaux (Revisited)

Château Le Prieuré Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion 2009 Bordeaux (Revisited), $52.69-$61.99, 94 points, poured core black grading to a garnet red toward the thin clear meniscus and glass bowl crowded with stained fat legs.
The bouquet of plums, coffee, permanent marker-ink, and developing chocolate, cedar, cinnamon with a floral vibe were cerebral.
Near full-bodied red wine with fair acidity and thin tannins delivered flavors of raisin, espresso, anise, and Kirsch.

Finished long on the trailing palate, mint, pepper spices, and a balanced 15% alcohol.

Varietals were 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

Paired perfectly with my rare spiced-rubbed Porterhouse steak.

Bordeaux Red Wine vintage 2009

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Ninety Plus Cellars (90+) Lot 160, 2017 Burgundy Red Wine (Pinot Noir)

Ninety Plus Cellars (90+) Lot 160, 2017 Burgundy Red Wine (Pinot Noir), $22.10-$25.99, 87 points, poured a cranberry red with a clear wine ring and light legs.
Aromas of red fruit and a floral note were okay.
Light to medium-bodied red wine with fair acidity and mild tannins delivered a rather tasty tipple with wild tart red cherry, citrus, and a hint of spearmint.
Finished long on the trailing palate, fig, pomegranate, and a balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Shepherd's pie.


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