Sensi Dalcampo 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG)

Sensi Dalcampo 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG), $14.44-$19.99, 88 points, poured a deep sienna purple/red color with a broad clear wine ring and lightly-sheeted bowl.
Aromas of cocoa, earth, black olives, and cherry fruit were quite good.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and slightly astringent tannins, but not prohibitively so, carried edgy flavors of cherry cola, red licorice, and black tea.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, a hint of eucalyptus, tangy citrus, a hint of cayenne, and an appropriate 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 80% Sangiovese and 20% Canaiolo.
Paired perfectly with my spinach and cheese ravioli in a rich beefy marinara sauce.

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For The Wine Geek (Reposted From 2016)

For The Wine Geek

 

 

 

 

Questions: Is a wine's signature characteristics: appearance, smell, body, dry/sweet, red/white, domestic/imported, flavors, and finish, as a whole or in part, more discernable as the wine's quality increases, and does it fundamentally follow that this is true with more expensive wines?

If these questions interest you, further thoughts are offered within the link above.

 

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Truchard Carneros Napa Valley 2014 Chardonnay

Truchard Carneros Napa Valley 2014 Chardonnay, $14.44-$29.99, 88 points, poured a very dark gold color.
Aromas were soft evergreen, butterscotch, and oaky Chardonnay specific notes.
Full-bodied with fair acidity translated the aromas onto the palate with hints of cantaloupe and apple flavors.
Finished as the wine began and showing an appropriate 14.1% alcohol.
Paired okay with fried chicken, but perfectly with our Buffalo chicken and bean/pepper-jack burritos.

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Moniker Mendocino County 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon

Moniker Mendocino County 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $12.74-$22.99, 90 points, poured core black grading purple/red toward the glass shallows, meniscus, and sticky tears.
Aromatic chocolate, juniper/cedar, black olives, and soft round black fruit smells were interesting and pleasant.
Full-bodied with good acidity and enduring ubiquitous, almost astringent tannins managed to deliver good flavors of plums, cocoa, and nondescript dark fruits.
Finished long, dry, and spicy with a hint of mint and a warm 14.5% alcohol.
My recommendation: At this price, for those that love Cali Cabs and don't mind drinking the same wine over time, or have need for a substantial quantity, this is a wine to buy by the case!

2013 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

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Robert Craig Napa Valley 'Affinity' 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

Robert Craig Napa Valley 'Affinity' 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $56.94-$66.99, 94 points, poured a slightly unfiltered Burgundy purple/red with a broad clear wine ring and clinging stained sheets turning the bowl into a crystal goblet.
Aromatic thuds of black currants were garnished with lovely whiffs of chocolate, toasty plums, and trailing mulling spices.
The full body showed good acidity and firm, but comfortable layers of tannin.
Flavors of truffle and black cherry with those reflective of the aromas and accented with an accelerating spiciness, trailing plum notes, a whisper of pomegranate, and topped-off by a spot-on 14.8% alcohol, made for a well-balanced Cali Cab.

2014 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

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Kim Crawford 2016 Chardonnay (New Zealand)

Kim Crawford 2016 Chardonnay (New Zealand), $11.99-$15.99, 88 points, was a straw yellow with a greenish gold sheen.
The nose was rather complex with smells of apple, tropical fruit, citrus, and a subtle allspice.
Medium-bodied with good acidity managed to overcome slightly burnt caramel flavors with a good balance of flavors reflective of the nose.
Finished well with warm spices, toasty apple-pie, and a circumspect 13% alcohol.
Paired nicely with our fried chicken.

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Fun With Family, Friends, Food, And Wine (Domaine Séguinot-Bordet 2012 Chablis, Reviewed)

Fun with family, new and old friends, food, and wine (wine is for food), was a day to treat others with wines stored away for such a time as this; we poured three wines (links and a review below), tasted some succulent treats (cheeses, fruits, and meats), and had good fun in general.
Conversations included the value of Spotify, scary spiders, spine-chilling snakes, and more 'importantly': "You made me like three wines" (Swedish teetotaler).
Have a safe trip back home!
Cheers!

Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr 2010 Riesling Spätlese, $36,54-$42.99, 94 points

Ridge Lytton Springs 2014 Red Wine, $33.14-$38.99, 94 points

Domaine Séguinot-Bordet 2012 Chablis, $17.84-$22.99, 94 points, poured a glossy medium gold color.
Aromas of soft pome blossoms, warm wet stones, and hints of citrus were outstanding.
The light-plus body with good acidity sported engaging, yet sophisticated flavors of tangerine, lemon zest, edgy minerality, and peach, all of which contributed their own excellence to a harmonious gestalt.
Finished long and sublime on the enduring palate, bright ginger notes, and a perfect 12.5% alcohol.

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