CATCHING UP ON RECENT NOTES - (4/1/2012-5/1/2012)
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2010 Dönnhoff Riesling - Germany, Nahe (4/9/2012)
I buy these every year. It usually take a few years from vintage to peak and I think this will also improve. Light golden in color. The nose is not big, but very clean. Minerals. On the palate, very slightly sweet with minerals. With air, it expands and shows some complexity. Very nice cut that worked better with food. Nice finish. Easy to drink. (88 pts.) -
2009 Edmunds St. John Gamay Noir Bone-Jolly - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado County (4/9/2012)
Screw capped. Ruby in color and very transparent. The nose has some cranberries and rhubarb. On the palate, this is light weight and tart. Some cranberries. I wasn’t crazy about it at first, but with air and food, it seemed to work much better. A nice acidity that actually worked well with some very good 'Buffalo" Brussels Sprouts. It handled the heat very well. For $15 Ohio, it was a fun wine. (87 pts.) -
2010 Sineann Abondante - USA, Oregon/Washington, Columbia Valley (4/9/2012)
Always one of my favorite wines. This too will probably improve a bit with some age. It just arrived last week. Its a blend of a whole bunch of different varietals and sell for around $24. Purple in color. The nose has black cherries, cherries, and some licorice. On the palate, full bodied with some complexity. Nice balance. Worked well with food. A crowd pleaser for sure. (89 pts.) -
2008 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (4/9/2012)
I don’t think I have had any 08’s yet. I spent a few hours putting in a patio and wanted something that did not require contemplation and that was delicious. This qualified. Awesome wine that need a few more years. It took a couple of hours to open in the bottle with the last being the best. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, leather, grilled meats, black cherries and black pepper. On the palate, tons of fruit, boysenberries, black raspberries, dark cherries. Thick and juicy. Each sip begets another sip. Yet, despite the size, this is not heavy or difficult to drink. No heat or sign of alcohol, at least until, I got up to go to bed. I love these wines. (96 pts.) -
2004 Paolo Scavino Barolo Carobric - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (5/1/2012)
First glass was terrible. Smelled of aquarium. Tried a different glass. Must have been dishwasher residue, because the rest of the bottle was great. Pale ruby in color. The nose has a floral note like older roses, with some cherries and a bit of hot tar. Medium bodied. This is still on the youthful side but entering maturity. Nice tight layering. Cherries mostly with a bit of dried cherries. Nice acidity. Long finish. No hurry on this, but certainly drinking well now. (92 pts.) -
2010 Jaffurs Syrah - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (5/1/2012)
Love this wine and from a .375, it works great. Inky purple in color. The nose is powerful and raw with black raspberries, grilled meats and black pepper. On the palate, this drinks so easily. Its a huge wine, but I don’t mind. It is deliciouos. Fun stuff. (91 pts.) -
2006 Tercero Syrah Tierra Alta Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley (5/1/2012)
This is in a nice place right now. Purple in color. The nose has boysenberries, leather and some grilled meats. Medium bodied. i don’t know this vineyard, but it tastes more cool climate than I expected. Nice acidity. Good texture. Nice boysenberry fruit. My last one of these, provided good value. (90 pts.) -
2005 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (5/1/2012)
Ruby in color. The nose has raspberries, cherries and some floral (violet?) notes. Medium bodied. The palate is really starting to unwind and show some complexity. Not yet at peak maturity, this is progressing nicely and worth drinking now with some air. It has a good backbone of acidity and works much better with food. Nice finish. (93 pts.) -
2008 Dehlinger Claret - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (5/1/2012)
Nice wine. Ruby in color with some purple swirls. The nose has some cassis, some dark cherries and some leather. Also some oak. This is young but accessible. Nice cassis flavors. Some complexity. Easy to drink. Hopefully it gets more complex with some age. I will hold my remaining bottles. (88 pts.) -
2004 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (5/1/2012)
Nice wine. From a 375, this bottle seems mature and I don’t think it gets much better. Cherries, dried cherries, spice and floral notes on the nose. The palate is layered and complex from the start. It keeps unwinding with air. Nice acidity. Worked well with food. (92 pts.)
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