Yalumba
The Y Series Viognier 2014
Incredibly balanced wine. Clean, refreshing, nice minerality and just the right amount of oak for an entry level
Australian Viognier — 10 years ago
Podernuovo A Palazzone
Therra Sangiovese Blend 2010
Solid value. It lacked expression the first 20 minutes, but opened up nicely as the night went on. Crushed violet, bing cherry and a hint of prune (especially after the 1 hour mark). 88pts — 9 years ago
Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite
Los Vascos Valle de Colchagua Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Very nice sub $15 Chilean cab from Rothschild. Balanced, soft and fruit-forward. 89pts+. Paired surprisingly well with dark chocolate — 10 years ago
Ransom
Reds Rogue Valley Red Bordeaux Blend 2012
My first Oregon cab franc. Succulent layers of deep dark fruit with a hint of barnyard funk. Slight essence of cumin and Moroccan spices. More fruit-forward than French cab francs, but this is an interesting new world interpretation. Nice use of oak makes it feel like an older vintage. 90pts — 9 years ago
Caymus Vineyards
Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
What an incredible wine. This showcases how big, yet subtle and complex a Napa cab can be. Elegant and silky oak with deep notes of vanilla,
nutmeg and lush dark berry. Double the price of other high-end Napa cabs, but this one is worth it. 94pts. — 10 years ago
Danny Aliaga
Dark and intense. I'm not much of a Malbec guy, but this is a beautifully made wine. This would have been a very difficult blind taste test because the dark fruit, inky mouthfeel and age made it seem like a Bordeaux (and to a lesser extent super tuscan), but the spice and grip made it clear that lots of Malbec was involved. Will definitely pick up more of this while it's still around. 92 pts. — 9 years ago