Beaulieu Vineyard
BV Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
This is so good for $20! More opulent on black fruits and firmer in tannins than other similarly priced 2015 Napa cabs I’ve tasted, but still possesses fine balance for aging potential. 2015 vintage delivers again!
This one contains 5% Touriga National, I undoubtedly adds the boldness of the wine. — 16 days ago
Au Pied du Mont Chauve
Montagny 1er Cru Chardonnay 2015
Montagny is southern-most commune of Cote Chalonnaise. It has a whopping 49 premier crus so it might not mean much if Montagny Premier Cru on the label. Yet this bottle is really good. Apple, pear, honeysuckle, pomelo, and touch a gunpowder. Round and refined palate with fresh acidity and some oak spice to lift the finish. — 23 days ago
Quinta das Carvalhas
Tinto Douro 2013
Have not had Portuguese wine for awhile. A sip of this took me down to the memory lane of my visits to this beautiful country. And sometimes wine is just that: spending good time with family and friends. — 9 days ago
Charles Krug
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Magnum. Sandwiched between the 2 great vintages of 2013 and 2015 in Napa, 2014 seems to be the forgotten one, yet this generous Napa cab looks to be very promising. Fruit forward, but with good layer and structure. Maybe 2014 is where one can find better value. — 10 days ago
Pride Mountain Vineyards
Napa County Sonoma County Merlot 2015
My favorite Merlot! I knew 2015 would be too young for this wine, but when I saw it on the wine list at a very reasonable price, I could not resist.
Expressive aroma from the get-go with black berry, plum, cedar, red cherry, and hint of mint. Then comes dark chocolate, herbs, incense, and touch of smoke. Taste echoed the smell but with a sweet undertone. Firm and chewy tannins balanced by bright acidity. Very layered, complex, and structured.
For 2015 it was blended with unusually high 12% CS. — 18 days ago
Chateau Montelena
Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
It took more than 2 hours to open up properly, but once there, it was smooth sailing. Concentrated but in a restrained way. Black and blue fruits followed by cedar, smoke, a bit fresh mushroom, and subtle vanilla. Palate is soft yet with plenty of backbone. Long lingering spicy finish.
My first Cab from Calistoga AVA. And it seems that Montelena replaces this cuvée with a Napa Cab in the current release. — 23 days ago
Long Meadow Ranch
Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Pomelo, lime, green apple, with hint of tropical fruits. Not as exotic as Kiwi SB, but this is very clean and zesty. Very nice. — 9 days ago
Cillar de Silos
Crianza Ribero del Duero Tempranillo 2013
From magnum. 30 minutes decant. I was amazed by the understated elegance from such an inexpensive wine. From the initial aroma of red cherry, cedar, raspberry, and blackberry to the secondary note of dried herbs, smoke meat and roasted coffee beans, from the warm and smooth palate to the long finish, everything was done subtly. Amazing value. — 10 days ago
Sonoma-Loeb
Carneros Envoy Chardonnay 2015
Nice mix of stone fruits, citrus, and tropical fruits with hint of white flower. Light creamy mouth feel highlighted by vanilla and key lime pie with lively acidity and chalky minerals. Touch of saltiness. Very balanced and immensely enjoyable.
Sonoma-Loeb, now part of Chappellet, is a small winery specializing PN and Chard from the Sonoma side of the Carneros AVA. Envoy is their limited production Chard with grapes from selected blocks from 1 or 2 vineyards. For 2015 it’s 100% from Sangiacomo Vineyard. — 23 days ago
Ming Liang
Was looking for an inexpensive bottle to cook with ox tails, and man I sort of regret using it as a cooking ingredient. What a fine bottle it is! Mild nose of plum, blueberries, vanilla, and continue to develop aroma smoked meat, and black tea after two hours. On the palate it feels round and plush, with chewy and a bit bitter tannins. 48%/40%/12% CS/Merlot/CF. Up to 6 weeks maceration, and mature in stainless steel tank only. This punches way above its weight. — 3 days ago