St. Supery Napa Valley 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $17.99-$21.99, 93 points, was a rainbow of brass-colors.
Profuse aromas of pineapple, grapefruit, and apple with a subtle floral vibe were outrageously vibrant.
Light-body, crisp, appropriately acidic, and chock-full of flavors reflective of the nose with hints of lemon grass were outstanding.
Finished long on black pepper, ginger, the trailing palate, and an invigorating 13.5% alcohol.
St. Supery was my first of the Cali 2015 vintage, and if this one is typical of Napa Valley's offering, we're in for a great summer of Maine lobsters, New Hampshire fried clams, and off-shore deep sea scallops.
St. Supery is setting the bar rather high!
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Zorah Karasi 2011 Areni Noir (grape), $21.99-$34.99, 90 points, poured a lovely candy-apple red with a broad clear wine ring.
The floral aroma was shy, as was hints of red cherry and an unusual apple component, but they were pleasant nonetheless.
This dry red wine barely reached the weight of medium-body; good acidity and firm furry tannin carried Pinot Noir like flavors of red raspberry, strawberry, and red cherry.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a floral note, tart pomegranate, nuanced spice, and a well-integrated 13% alcohol.
I was struck with how clean and pure this wine was, and would not hesitate to buy another; certainly there's table-setting gravitas, and the Areni Noir would be a remarkable wine for your wine-taster club's blind "guess this wine" gathering.
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Renwood Clarion Amador County Zinfandel~Syrah 2011 Red Wine, $10.99-$19.99, 88 points, poured an opaque purple/red with a maroon hue grading a brighter red bleeding into the broad clear wine ring.
The aromas of cedar, cinnamon, clove, blackberry, and lilac were good.
Near full-bodied, fair acidity, and tasty tame tannin managed a rather complex flavor profile of wild blackberry, red tangy red cherry, a savory note, and fresh mushrooms.
Finished long on the trailing palate, warm spices, and the appropriate 14.8% alcohol.
Paired well with my bacon/steak burritos, but with our dessert of chocolate toffee was a mazing.
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Neil Ellis "Sincerely" 2008 Shiraz (South Africa), $8.99-$14.99, 83 points, was an opaque maroon grading bright red into the wine ring.
Smells of earth, blackberry, coffee, and fresh linen were just okay.
Near full-bodied, fair acidity, and resolved tannin carried a rather flat flavor profile of chalky plum, blackberry, and a savory note.
Finished fair with a tangy plum, a scintilla of spice and an innocuous 14% alcohol.
Just a note to the age of this Shiraz, and that is it's just beyond the proper dinking age, yet still potable.
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Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro 2010 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, $29.74-$39.99, 92 points, poured a deep pomegranate-red with a broad clear wine ring.
Aromatic potpourri with a toasty black cherry was quite good.
Medium-plus body, firm moderately drying tannins, and acids sufficient enough to partner with a rich pasta dish of meatballs in marinara sauce worked together well.
Focused flavor of black cherry accented by a mild floral component and intense oak building into the long finish of spiciness, a warm 14.5% alcohol, with a hint of mint.
Varietals were 80% Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Canaiolo.
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Bolo Mountain Wine DO Valdeorras 2014 Godello (Spain), $13.99, 90 points, was a light brass color quickly turning clear.
Aromatic pome blossoms with a hint of citrus were beautiful.
The dry light body was mouth-watering, and upon opening-up, chock-full of nuanced flavors; Lychee, pear, and tangerine barely scratched the surface.
Finished long on the trailing palate, subtle fig notes, and a well integrated 13% alcohol.
I paired this Godello with a steamed Maine Lobster with drawn butter.
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Paul Jaboulet Aîné Les Jalets 2011 Crozes-Hermitage (Syrah), $14.39-$19.99, 89 points, was an impenetrable core black until purple/red was heowian from that black stone near the glass bowl with its rather broad clear wine ring and leggy glass wall.
The aromas were lively black fruit and warm earth with hints of flowers and cinnamon.
Deceptively round for a medium-bodied wine, while the fair acidity was yet crisp, and the underlayment of tannin sufficient to form a spine.
Proper flavors of blackberry, black currant, and raspberry with hints of truffle were good.
Finished well on soft spice notes, the trailing palate,
and a balanced 13% alcohol.
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