Byron C Mayes

8.4

Pale straw gold. Full nose of tropical fruits and dried grass. Medium-bodied palate echoes the nose adding a bit of underripe fig and that classic SA “oiliness” that you either love or hate (full disclosure: I love it… in the right place). This is a good drink, though I believe there are more solid examples of the SA SB style out there (including Spier’s own “reserve” Vintage Selection). That said, at this price point, one is mostly just looking for a good glass of wine that will compliment appropriate foods. At ten bucks, this is that wine. Drink now. — a day ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark ruby garnet in the glass. Abundant nose of cassis and other purple fruit with a menthol base. Palate is full-bodied and dark with black currant, prune, and old violets. Medium acidity and just enough (medium minus) tannins to keep it food friendly; burgers to Porterhouse. Just make sure the food is flavorful. It needs the competition. Still holding up well 14 years on with maybe five or ten years left. — 11 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.7

Pale straw to watery in color with coarse white quickly-dissipating mousse. Nose is kinda shy but yields a minerally citrus rind and saline honey. Echoed on the palate with a bit of satsuma and medium plus acidity. Finish is clean and reminiscent of all that went before; none of that weird “darkness” that finishes a certain better La Marca-ted Prosecco. And what a steal! At seven bucks, the QPR is through the proverbial roof! Quaff now. — 21 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.6

Dark, glass-clinging ruby purple in the glass. Abundant nose of black- and blueberry pie. Medium full palate of blackberries , blueberries, and pie crust with medium acidity (enough for food) and a hint of tar on the lengthy finish. Medium tannins are a bit less aggressive than I prefer, but that makes it more approachable to the masses I guess. Solid and well worth the price. Enjoy with cookout fare, barbecued ribs, or a light cut of beef. — 2 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.8

A blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. Clear ruby red. Nose of red and black cherries and rhubarb. Fruit driven palate echoes the nose with hints of strawberry (to offset that rhubarb), medium acidity, and medium tannins. Finish is short-ish, but feels appropriate. A good fruity intro to the Burgundy region that will compliment a number of foods. — 14 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.4

Clear, bright ruby. Nose and palate of dark red cherry and rooibos. Medium acidity and medium tannins developing after some air. I’m not as big a fan of Rioja as I am of Ribera del Duero and Toro, so it’s hard to judge this beyond “okay.” Good fruit and good structure yield a good wine that will nicely accompany good food. Nothing seismic enough to change my opinion about the region. — 24 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Bright gold in the glass. Abundant nose of baked quince and spices. Echoed on the rich full-bodied palate with butterscotch and a slim but sturdy backbone of acidity. Priced low enough for fried chicken. Built voluptuous enough for boiled lobster. Enjoy with either or anything in between. — 5 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Slightly hazy garnet in the glass. Abundant, bosomy nose of black cherry and cigar box. Full-bodied, juicy palate of black cherry, cured tobacco, and balsamic all supported by sturdy medium-plus tannins and medium acidity. Wow! This is what Rioja should be all of the time! Holding up incredibly well 17 years on and seems to still have maybe another five years (at least) left. Steak and game seem like naturals, but don’t miss out on pairing with Southwestern cuisine. — 9 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.8

Slightly hazy garnet color. Abundant nose of raspberry tea. Echoed on the palate with violets, dark plum, and patent leather. Firm tannins and medium plus acidity still rule, but neither gets in the way of the fruit. The whole “leather and lace” thing that I get from good Fronton is still putting this in a quite enjoyable space; a great change from your typical beef or barbecue wines. I’m enjoying it with pork ribs and broccoli slaw. — 19 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.6

Clear ruby in the glass. Red fruit and weak tea on the nose. Echoed on the palate with dark red cherry, an herby mid-palate, and a dark peaty finish. Smooth on entry giving way to sneaky medium tannins after some air. And you definitely want to give it some air, especially if you’re having this with a meal. I’ve gotten used to the higher-end stuff from Byron (Nielsen Vineyard, Monument, etc.) so this shocked me at first with a candy-like countenance. This blew away after essentially an in-glass decanting and the wine showed its true, mealworthiness. The acidity and structure just might hang on long enough for the fruit to settle back into something worth the wait (a reward at the ten-year mark?). Still, you won’t be faulted for drinking up now while you give your Monuments another year or two. Just be sure you decant. No, really. Decant. — a month ago