Presented in chronological order. There are a number of gems in this batch.
Wyldewood Cellars, Traminette, Kansas NV
Nice color, light golden yellow. Very nice, on the low key side but with lovely fragrance, nose, pear, apple, honey, lemon, a hint of ginger, lots of white pepper (that you can feel in your nose and throat), green peppercorn / vegetal notes, lots of salty mineral; very clean nose. On the palate, lushly honeyed pear, apricot, lemon/citrus, lots of peppercorn and spice, and lots of nice mineral. Full bodied, lush and fleshy in texture, semi-sweet but balanced by generous lemon acidity; good finish, with spice that lingers for a long time. This is an achievement for Traminette and for Kansas. Delightful! Drink now or in the next few years. 3.5 Stars [12/23/18]
Trinitas Cellars, Chardonnay, Benedictine College Label, Carneros 2013
Medium golden yellow. Exceptional nose, lots of oak, butterscotch, pineapple, some Puligny-style white flowers and fine mineral depth; some mature fruitcake notes showing; ripe but not over the top. On the palate, lemon and pear, peach and apricot, pineapple, butterscotch, white pepper, white flowers, oak, and mineral. Very full bodied, ripe but fleshy and juicy in texture, with a strong vein of lemon acidity keeping balance; exceptional length on the juicy finish. The ripeness of California put into a Burgundian frame, drinks not unlike a Meursault. Showing some maturity already, but with exceptional structure that bodes well for the future. 5 to 10 years ahead, and I’d be interested to see what it’s like in 15. Exceptional. 4 Stars [12/23/18]
Alexana, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015
Medium ruby, clear at the rim. Outstanding, beautiful nose, loads of warm blackberry, black tea, green tea / a touch of green tobacco leaf, with nice accentuation from blueberry/acai, floral notes, some fig, some leather gaminess, cloves, and some rich black soil and mineral; ripe for Oregon, juicy, with lovely depth. On the palate, loads of fresh blackberry, black cherry, and acai, citrus, Earl grey tea, a green note, then lots of clove and spice toward of finish of rich dark earth and lots of mineral; long finish of juicy fruit and spice. Full bodied, on the ripe side (almost jammy), dark and juicy and succulent, with lovely accentuation; some astringent tannin grip on the finish. Exceptional balance and structure. 15 years ahead, possibly longer, and its best days are ahead. 4 Stars [12/23/18]
Anaba, Pinot Noir, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands 2013
Medium ruby / garnet, clear at the rim. On the nose, jammy blackberry and black currant, some clove and leather, tobacco leaf, and lots of rich, black, loamy soil. Similar notes on the palate, lots of slightly jammy blackberry, some meaty currant, some juicy acai/blueberry/plum, citrus, Earl Grey tea / Bergamont oil, clove, some pleasant green notes / fresh minty tobacco leaf, lots of loamy, rich soil, and lots of mineral. Full bodied, with a potent finish, juicy and succulent in texture, but jammy, and a bit hot (14.4%, but hiding it reasonably well). This is an ambitious wine, and the quality is very high, but the balance is not what it could be; the structure is elegant but the fruit is too jammy. Might need more time, has at least 5 years ahead, maybe longer, the question is what kind of balance the fruit will achieve with the other components. Excellent wine for steak. Not a particularly outstanding Pinot Noir, but a very good wine. 3 Stars [12/23/18]
Germain-Robin, Craft Method Brandy, California NV
Medium-light golden / amber. Exceptional nose of baked apple, honey / caramel, and oak; rich, very spirity, mellow and showing some maturity due to the oak aging, and with an excellent sense of depth. On the palate, a touch of pear upfront, followed by lots of baked apple, a hint of orange blossom, honey, and lots of fine oak, all with overtones of caramel. Sweet and mellow, with exceptional presence and length. Very nice. 3.5 Stars [12/25/18]
Carol Shelton, Old Vine Carignane, Oat Valley Vineyard, Alexander Valley 2014
Pure, medium-dark ruby. Exceptional nose, dark, juicy, heady, earthy nose; fragrant and lovely. On the palate, blackberry, blueberry, and plum, with green tobacco leaf, spice, and earth. Full bodied, succulent, delightfully juicy, dark, with remarkable depth, and wonderful texture. Extraordinary. 5 to 10 years ahead, maybe longer. 4.5 Stars [12/26/18]
Wyldewood Cellars, Traminette, Kansas NV
Nice color, light golden yellow. Exceptional, lovely, floral nose of ripe fruit, honey, citrus rind, lots of pepper, spice, and stone/mineral. On the palate, ripe apple and peach / apricot, fresh flower honey, white and green peppercorn, sweet orange, allspice, salty mineral / stone. Medium-full, semi-sweet, fleshy, rich, with excellent acidity; excellent length and presence; spice and rich fruit lingers on the finish. Exceptional balance. Would not be at all out of place in a tasting of Gewurztraminer and Riesling from anywhere in the world; very much in the German / Alsatian style. Perfect with soft cheeses and fruits. 3 to 5 years solid years ahead. 2nd tasting, and I am just as impressed as the first. 3 Stars [1/4/19]
Prairie Fire Winery, Chambourcin, Estate Barrel Reserve, Kansas 2015
From the Flint Hills. Excellent color, deep garnet. Wonderful, floral, fragrant nose, loads of smoky stone, fine, charred oak, abundant roses/violets, all on top of dark, somewhat heady berries, and plum; savory, earthy, and just a bit juicy. On the palate, loads of wonderful, dark, juicy cherry, plum, acai, and currant, with a touch of green, slightly minty tobacco leaf, violets, charred oak, savory mineral, and nice, dark earth. Full bodied, with a fantastic, juicy, savory texture, exceptional density, wonderful presence and length, and outstanding acid balance. Comparable to a Loire Cab Franc, and will also appeal to lovers of Cru Beaujolais. The best Chambourcin I have had (by far), and a candidate for the best Midwestern red I’ve had. An extraordinary achievement for Kansas. 5 to 10 years ahead. 4 Stars [1/4/19]
Markham, Merlot, Yountville Estate, Napa Valley 2015
Nice color, rich, medium ruby. Somewhat shy nose, but with very nice, rich notes of dark fruit and earth; very nice sense of depth, with Napa notes of cured tobacco and leather. On the nose of palate of lush blackberry, plum, cassis, tobacco, and suede. On the full side of medium bodied, lush, juicy, and succulent, all supported by good acid, and some grippy, peppery tannin, with lots of mineral. Has a well-breathed, barrel-aged style. Good structure, but I would drink sooner rather than later. Very well made. 3 Stars [1/27/19]
Scarlett Path, Zinfandel, Old Vine, Lodi 2016
Medium ruby. Elegant, rather lovely nose of red fruit, tobacco, and spice. On the palate, lots of sweet raspberry, with acai, blackberry, cassis, cured tobacco leaf, with loads of brown spice. Medium bodied, juicy and fleshy, lush and dense, but elegant. Two vintages has thus far shown me that this is the the best $7 wine out there. Drink now. 3 Stars [1/3/19]
Williamson Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, Snake River Valley 2012
Deep garnet, showing some bricking. Wonderful nose. On the nose and palate, cassis, blackberry, and cherry, with deep, dusty earth, cured tobacco, herbs, and nice tannins and spice. Full bodied, rich and lush, very polished; juicy and succulent, with excellent acid balance. In terms of character and style, a combination of Tuscany and Bordeaux. Outstanding quality. Drink now or in the next 3 - 5 years. 4 Stars [3/4/19]
Vincent Arroyo, Petite Sirah, Winemaker’s Reserve, Napa Valley 2003
Opaque garnet, some bricking. Extraordinary nose. On the nose and palate, blackberry liqueur, cassis, blueberry, orange rind, deep Napa earth and leather, and iron filings. Full bodied, rich, and dense, with tons of mineral, and excellent acid balance. Fully mature now and very harmonious, but perhaps lacking some of the exceptional definition it had 5 years ago. Wonderful nonetheless. Drink now. 4 Stars [3/4/19]
Sans Liege, The Offering, Santa Barbara County 2011
Opaque garnet. Cassis, blackberry, blueberry/plum, and tobacco/herbs, with loads of earthy, mineral, tar, and spice. Full bodied, rich, dense, juicy, and succulent. Excellent depth. Has the balance for a few more years. 48% Grenache, 29% Syrah, 21% Mourvedre, 2% Viognier. 3 Stars [3/5/19]
Airfield Estates, Merlot, Reserve, Yakima Valley 2014
Medium-dark ruby. Lovely nose of dark berries, deep, rich earth, tobacco, and leather. On the palate, dark cherry, blueberry, plum, and cassis, with mineral-laden earth, puckery tannin, and spice. On the light side of full bodied, juicy and savory/succulent, with excellent length on the finish. Very nice! Not quite at peak yet, has 5 to maybe 8 years ahead. 3+ Stars [3/6/19]
Markham, Syrah, Napa Valley 2015
Very good Napa nose of dark berries, dense fruit, tobacco, and earth; subtle but good depth. On the palate, rich and extracted, almost liqueur like, with dried blackberry, currant, and plum, with lots of white pepper, a hint of minty tobacco leaf, and sweet earth. Bold body, very sweet fruit, but grippy, with big acid. Good quality, but the balance could be a bit better. It should round out with time, which is supported by a taste from the well-breathed dregs of the bottle. 2.5 Stars for drinking now, 3 Star potential. [4/13/19]
Stone Hill, Vidal Blanc, Hermann 2016
Rich, sweet pear and apricot/peach, with honey, spice, and lots of mineral. Very full and even potent, with generous steely acidity, great balance; just a bit off-dry; good length, with sweet fruit and spice lingering on the finish Would hold its own against whites from Loire or Alsace. A delightful and quality effort from Missouri. Drink over the next 3 - 5 years. 3 Stars [5/5/19]
Peacock, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley 2014
Fantastic color, opaque ruby. Awesome nose, lush, beautiful black cherry and blackberry, with loads of rich earth, deep cocoa powder notes, lovely tobacco leaf, leather, herbs de Provence, lots of peppercorn, and even cardamom; outstanding depth, gorgeous earth and aromatics; stunning, wow! On the palate, a core of black cherry and cassis, loads of blackberry, plum, and tart red currant / pie cherry, with succulent tobacco leaf, cocoa, leather, and earth, with a LONG finish of lovely red berries and lots of cardamom / spicy peppercorn, and loads of mineral; captivating, gorgeous earthy depth. Huge body, wonderful succulent/savory texture, with prominent, slightly citrusy acidity keeping it all in balance despite its ripeness. Ripe and intense, but driven by old school acid and tannin structure. Outstanding complexity, reveals more and more as it opens. This carries a whopping 16% alcohol, but this wine is so well balanced and constituted that you hardly notice it. One of the greatest Napa wines I’ve had. Ready now with a brief decant, but has the structure and balance for another 15 years, maybe 20. 4.5 Stars [5/5/19]
Markham, Merlot, Yountville 2015
Medium ruby. Lovely nose, with deep Napa earth and tobacco, cocoa powder, and sweet, aromatic red fruit. On the palate, lovely plum, cassis, blackberry, tobacco leaf, cocoa powder, earth, and stone. Full bodied and lush, but with excellent acid tone. Excellent earthy depth; lovely. Drink now or in the next 5 years. 4 Stars [5/12/19]
Langman Estate, Grace’s Grenache, Sierra Foothills 2015
Wonderful nose, dark, rich, and earthy, with cassis, dried blackberry, black cherry, tobacco, roses, and earth. Same notes on the palate, with black pepper and lots of mineral. Full bodied but sits lightly, with exceptional acid tone; savory and spicy in texture. Exceptional. 3.5 Stars [5/14/19]
Kendall Jackson, Chardonnay, Vintner’s Reserve, California 2016
Very nice nose, ripe and rich yet fresh, with generous oak and butter/butterscotch, citrus, nectar, orchard fruit, tropical fruits, white flowers, spice, hazelnut, and a touch of stone/mineral. On the palate, prominent citrus upfront, with pineapple, a touch of pear/apple, ripe peach / apricot, papaya, and passion fruit, with a touch of honey/nectar, oak, butterscotch, spice, and mineral. Full bodied and opulent, viscous in texture (might be just a bit off dry), but supported by prominent citrusy acidity, and the underlying substance is very good. An impressive California Chard in the oaky style that also has some Burgundian character specifically Meursault. 5 solid years ahead. 3 Stars. [5/17/19]
Barnard Griffin, Rose of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley 2018
Nice medium-light coral, with hints of magenta at the edges. Lovely nose of fresh strawberry and watermelon, with plum and violets. On the palate, a core of Sangiovese style savory black cherry, with generous strawberry, a hint of watermelon, a touch of meaty red currant, all with a touch of citrus, a hint of tobacco leaf / green succulents, and some earthy stone/mineral. Medum-full bodied (very full bodied for a rose), savory but fresh and juicy, with lovely underlying minerality. Like a good sangria. I love it! Drink now or in the next few years. 3.5 Stars [5/25/19]
Illahe, Estate Gruner Veltliner, Willamette Valley 2016
Very nice light gold color. Shy nose, but with rich stone fruits, lemon, ginger, and GV’s sauerkraut-like notes; good sense of depth. On the palate, white peach and apricot upfront, followed by green pineapple (in a good way), and citrus (lemon, lime, perhaps some orange), with ginger and white pepper that linger on the finish, all with a note of fresh but mild sauerkraut, and abundant mineral giving very good depth. Medium-full bodied, rich but tangy, with steely acidity, and a slightly fat texture. Excellent combination of freshness and depth; this is driven as much by its texture and substance as by its fruit. Good quality. This will appeal to both fans of Austrian GV and Oregon Chardonnay. Will go with a wide variety of foods. Very satisfying, one of the best GVs I’ve had. Drink now. 3 Stars [6/2/19]
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heaven Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills 2017
Pale silvery yellow. Lovely, aromatic nose of rich orchard and tropical fruit, with generous citrus, gooseberry, grass / fresh mown hay, generous mineral, and and hint of white pepper. On the palate, loads of exuberant peach, pink grapefruit, tropical fruits (pineapple, papaya, kiwi), all with a nectary quality, a bit of peppercorn, and a backbone of generous citrusy acidity and mineral. Medium-full with excellent presence and length, sweet and succulent in texture, with its exuberant fruit balanced by generous acid and minerality. Like a New Zealand Sauv Blanc in its exuberant fruit, but like a Bordeaux Sauv Blanc in its balance. Exceptional. Drink now or in the next few years. 3.5 Stars [6/9/19]