Friday, January 15, 2016

Frei Brothers Dry Creek Valley 2013 Merlot Reserve





Frei Brothers Dry Creek Valley 2013 Merlot Reserve, $16.99-$20.99, 88 points, appeared an opaque maroon with a broad clear wine ring.
An overbearing grapey aroma with hints of cedar and violets were okay.
This 2013 Merlot just passed the threshold of a medium-plus body, and manifested good acidity and moderately supportive tannin.
Frei Brothers managed with aplomb the many flavors of mulberry, black grape, red cherry, tart pomegranate and cedar.
Finished fair on spearmint, plumb, a well integrated 14.3% alcohol, and mild spice notes.

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

Wine And Soul Manoella 2013 Douro Red Wine (Portugal)





Wine And Soul Manoella 2013 Douro Red Wine (Portugal),
$16.99-$21.99, 89 points, poured a bright Shiraz purple/red with a teary glass bowl and a clear wine ring.
The smells of toasty tobacco and black currant were soft and innocuous.
Medium to medium-plus body managed good acidity and early palate-mild supportive tannin.
Pleasant flavors of coffee, blackberry, and an accelerating tannic presence transitioned a moderately smooth libation into a rather strident one.
Finished long on plum, truffle, and a warm 14% alcohol and spice.
Paired perfectly with my Mexican cuisine.

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Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Antico Colle Rosso Di Montepulciano 2013 Red Wine





Antico Colle Rosso Di Montepulciano 2013 Red Wine (Sangiovese with 10% Merlot), $8.49-$11.99, 88 points, appeared ruby-red trending orange/red toward the leggy glass wall and clear wine ring.
Aromatic espresso, roses, and ripe blackberries were quite good.
Medium-bodied, mouth-watering acidity, supportive grainy tannins managed tame flavors reflective of the aromas with hints of red raspberry.
Finished fair on a well-balanced 13% alcohol, stubborn tannin, kalamata olives, easy black pepper, plum notes, and a hint of mint.
I'll go out on a limb and highly recommend this wine for its value.





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Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Grgich Hills Napa Valley 2011 Zinfandel





Grgich Hills Napa Valley 2011 Zinfandel, $29.74-$34.99, 90+ points, poured a mysterious opaque purple/black grading toward a shimmering maroon with a broad clear wine ring at the heavily draped glass bowl.
A complex aroma profile added to the mystery of this Zinfandel; hints of lavender, coffee, leather, black olive, blueberry, and red currant made me wonder if I was dreaming.
The medium-plus body carried good acidity, soft, silky, and layered tannins, with a refreshingly unique gestalt of flavors, including cola, wild blackberries, strawberry, and blueberry.
Finished long on the trailing palate, warm spices, and a well-integrated sweet-spot 14.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 98% Zinfandel and 2% Petite Sirah.

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Monday, January 11, 2016

Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc



 
Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $20.39-$23.99, 89 points, was a light gold color grading water-clear toward the glass bowl.
Aromatic toast, lemon, vanilla, and a floral component were good.
Light, crisp, appropriately acidic with flavors of lemon zest, honeydew melon, and ginger were good too.
Finished long on the trailing palate, accelerating ginger notes, watermelon rind, and a warm 13.9% alcohol.
Paired well with my steamed Maine lobster tails.
QPR faltered a bit with this typical Cali Sauvignon Blanc, but at $20 you'll not go wrong with Cakebread. 
 
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Sunday, January 10, 2016

Merriam Vineyards Russian River Danielle's Estate 2014 Sauvignon Blanc





Merriam Vineyards Russian River Danielle's Estate 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.59-$17.99,  89 points, poured a light brass color quickly trending water-clear.
Aromatic lemon grass, toast, honeysuckle, and a hint of gooseberry were good.
Light-plus body with good acidity carried flavors of tropical fruit, flowers, and a hint of lemon grass.
Finished fair and slightly creamy on the trailing palate, ginger notes, and a balanced 13.8% alcohol.




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Saturday, January 9, 2016

Ridge, why it's a "go to" winery.

Ridge, why it's a "go to" winery.




Quality!

Approximately 90% of the Ridge wines I have tasted scored 90 points or higher, with the Ridge Monte Bello 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon being one of the best Cabs I've tasted, and their Zinfandels are always excellent.


Zinfandel
Ridge East Bench 2007 Zinfandel, $28.99, 91 points
Ridge East Bench 2012 Zinfandel, $23.79-$27.99, 91 points
Ridge East Bench 2013 Zinfandel, $23.79-$27.99, 91 points
Ridge East Bench 2014 Zinfandel, $25.49-$29.99, 92 points
Ridge East Bench 2016 Zinfandel, $27.19-$31.99, 90 points
Ridge Pagani Ranch 2018 Zinfandel, $33.99-$39.99, 93 points
Ridge Paso Robles 2007 Zinfandel , $27.99, 92 points
Ridge Paso Robles 2007 Zinfandel (Revisited), $27.99, 88 points
Ridge Paso Robles 2009 Zinfandel, $25.49-$29.99, 91 points
Ridge Paso Robles 2010 Zinfandel, $29.99, 92 points
Ridge Paso Robles 2015 Zinfandel, $28.89-$33.99, 93 points
Ridge Paso Robles 2016 Zinfandel, $28.89-$33.99, 92 points
Ridge Paso Robles 2017 Zinfandel, $28.89-$33.99, 92 points
Ridge Ponzo Vineyard 2008 Zinfandel, $26.99, 92 points
Ridge Ponzo Vineyard 2013 Zinfandel, $24.64-$28.99, 92 points
Ridge Three Valleys 2006 Zinfandel, $22.99 86 points
Ridge Three Valleys 2012 Zinfandel, $22.49-$28.99, 89 points
Ridge York Creek 2005 Zinfandel, $24.64, 92 points
Ridge York Creek 2009 Zinfandel, $24.64-$28.99, 93 points

Red Wine
Ridge Geyserville 2008 Red Wine, $29.74-$34.99, 93 points
Ridge Geyserville (50th Vintage) 2015 Red Wine, $33.14-$38.99, 92 points
Ridge Geyserville 2019 Red Wine, $41.64-$48.99, 92 points
 Ridge Lytton Springs 2007 Red Wine, $29.74-$34.99, 92 points
Ridge Lytton Springs 2007 Red Wine, (71% Zinfandel Revisited, $29.74-$34.99, 90 points
Ridge Lytton Springs 2012 Red Wine, $33.29-$36.99, 93 points
Ridge Three Valleys 2006 Zinfandel (Red Wine), $22.99 86 points

Miscellaneous
Ridge Estate 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, $27.89-$42.99, 91
points
Ridge Estate 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $38.39 (bought two years ago), $52.99 (now), 92 points
Ridge Estate 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $49.29-$57.99, 95 points
Ridge Estate 2009 Chardonnay, $33.14-$38.99, 89 points
Ridge Estate Monte Bello Vineyard 2013 Merlot, $40.79-$47.99, 93 points
Ridge Lytton Estates 2013 Petite Sirah, $25.49-$29.99, 92 points
Ridge Lytton West 2005 Syrah, $26.49-$35.99, 92+ points
Ridge Monte Bello 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $124.79-$155.99, 95 points


Ridge's Paul Draper R-blog
Cheers!

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