Byron C Mayes

8.7

Bright and clear garnet. Vanilla oak over juicy plum on the nose. Medium body wraps a palate of juicy plum and blackberry. Low tannins. Medium plus acidity. 14.5% abv doesn’t assert itself at all making this a nice easy drinking Zin for burgers on the grill or everyday meals. Drink now. — 11 hours ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark blackish red that slightly clings to the glass. Black fruit and tobacco on the inviting nose. Full bodied palate gives black cherry, black tea, and cigar box. Fine dusty tannins. Medium acidity. Long, luxurious, black velvet finish. Calls out for grilled or roasted meats. Beef will do, but lamb or game would be sublime. Drink now through 2028 or beyond. — 6 days ago

with Jay

Byron C Mayes

8.8

Bright ruby with persistent tiny bubbles. Not much noSe, but then it’s served cold. Tart cherry palate with a hint of creme fraiche wrapping up the taut acidic backbone. What can I say? It’s Brachetto, but not from Acqui (Piemonte DOC). Moscato’s red little brother always satisfies, and Stella Fiore’s presentation is no exception. Enough acidity and not too much sweetness to make a good food wine for any of your weekday fare. Burgers, meatloaf, tacos, spaghetti, all are welcome. Drink now, of course. — 19 days ago

with Jay

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Star bright yellow gold. Abundant nose of yellow apple and banana. Full-bodied palate yields buttered baked apple and banana, all of which is wrapped around a firm (medium plus) backbone of acidity. Amazing balance in this California Chardonnay that’s made for the table. Lobster, roasted poultry, vegetable casseroles, seafood, cream sauces; all will pair wonderfully. Drink now through 2023. — a day ago

Byron C Mayes

8.8

Bright, pale straw gold. Subtle nose of golden apple dumpling. Full-bodied palate of golden apple, light vanilla, and brioche with medium minus acidity. Very nice iteration of the California Chardonnay style. Lush with tempered oak and next to no butter, it’s most at home with richer “white wine” foods. Cream sauces, lobster, or vegetable casseroles would pair nicely. Drink now. — 10 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Bright and clear ruby. Abundant nose of black cherry and light leather. Medium palate gives the same combination plus blackberry and a slight herbal note. Medium plus acidity and medium plus tannins (especially on the medium long finish). A wonderful food wine (as is to be expected) from Sicily’s native DOCG variety that’s light enough for warm weather fare including red-sauced seafood. Enjoy as an alternative to Pinot Noir in similar places. Drink now through 2027. — 23 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark ruby. Nose is shy and yields dark black cherry and black flowers. Palate is medium full(!) and gives up tarry black cherry, strong black tea, and a dark floral element with a medium long, dark finish. Almost New World in style (14% abv), but with a dark herbiness replacing the NW cherry fruit. The legendary 2015 vintage made its mark in Alsace as well! A PN for much heartier fare than you might expect from the Germanic regions. Pinot enough for salmon, but Noir enough for beef and balanced enough for both and more! Drink now through 2025. — 3 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.7

Pale straw. Light nose and dry-ish palate of ripe pear, underripe peach, and a hint of flinty honeysuckle. Firm (medium plus) acidity and shorter finish, even when a bit warm. In short, right where a good value-priced dry Riesling should be: dry but with fruit and flowers. Fried foods (chicken, fish) are especially welcome, though Carolina barbecue would sing Lieder, too! Drink now. Hold the expensive Doctor vineyard stuff. — 9 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.6

Dark ruby. Nose of plum, cassis, and a bit of ash. Medium full palate is fruit forward but darkly fruited: plum, cassis, blackberry. Lengthy dark fruit finish. Medium tannins and medium acidity make for a good wine with “everyday” fare. Upscaled my meatloaf and potatoes quite nicely. Drink now. — 21 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Bright beige with full white mousse and fine persistent bubbles. Highly aromatic nose of red apple and strawberry. Baked apple, dark toast, and red berry on the razor-like palate. Lean for a Blanc de Noirs, but still substantial feeling in the mouth. Medium short dark finish. 100% Pinot Munier gives a nice change or pace from the norm. Very satisfying in all respects both with food and on its own. Support grower producers! This should make it easy. — 25 days ago

with Jay