Ray Vanderhoff

8.8

Vin de France GSM blend. Dark garnet color with a ruby core. Aromas of red and black fruit, forest floor, purple flowers and sweet spices. Vibrant red cherry/raspberry/plum fruit on the palate along with notes of cloves, Chinese 5-Spice, black pepper and cola. Medium finish, body and medium-plus acidity. No sign of oak aging. Fresh and bright. Chill-able. Thank you for sharing, Curt E! — 5 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.5

Blend of Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%) Methode Ancestrale Pet Nat. Interesting Texas Orange color. Nose is extremely yeasty, earthy and very funky. Not much in the way of fruit aromas. (Maybe a hint of mango or guava.) Flavors of wet clay, blood orange zest, spent yeast and dried peach. Plenty of mineral notes on the medium finish. Exuberant bubbles (a quarter of the bottle jet out upon opening the crown cap…. No, I did not shake the bottle.) and a creamy mousse. Medium acidity. Way too funky and earthy for me. Cannot think of a food to adequately pair this wine with. Not CBW’s best effort. — 7 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.7

Refreshing Cru Beaujolais! Bright garnet color with some ruby highlights. Aromas of red fruit, moss, orange zest, graphite and wet stones. Muted flavors of red raspberry/currant/cherry/cranberry fruit, subtle baking spices and a mineral backbone. Long and lingering chalky finish. Somewhat hollow in the mid-palate. Extremely light bodied with zesty acidity and subtle powdery tannins. Earthy, well layered and refined. Solid but not spectacular summertime red. — 9 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.6

Blend of Tempranillo and Syrah grapes. Dark ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas of red and black fruit, earthy spices and salty beef jerky. Flavors of red and black cherry/raspberry/plum fruit, cumin spice, black tea, roasted meat and a bit of vanilla. Bit of black pepper spice on the medium finish. Medium bodied and no sign of oak aging. Quite young and fresh. Low acidity. Very basic. Thanks so much for the taste, Curt E. — 5 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Blend of Muscat Ottonel and Muscat d’Alsace. Light golden color. Very expressive nose of ripe tropical fruit, peach blossoms and ripe orchard fruit. Flavors of apricot, lime, blood orange, lychee and peach fruit along with notes of sweet spices and crisp minerality. Hint of spice on the long and tangy finish. Crisp acidity, bone dry, a silky texture and quite refreshing. Medium-minus body, nicely layered and well structured. Great complexity. Sooooo interesting. — 7 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Another solid vintage of this Teroldego (90%) Syrah (10%) blend. Purple/ruby color with a dark core. Fragrant aromas of jammy black and blue fruit, dark cocoa and black pepper. Flavors of black berry/plum/raspberry fruit, blueberries, black licorice and fresh herbs. Long lasting and very earthy finish. Medium bodied and bright acidity. Slightly chewy (well integrated) tannins and relatively low (12.5%) alcohol. Nicely complex and well structured. Much riper tasting (probably warmer) vintage than in prior years. Such excellent quality for the price. Thanks for the taste, Chris B! — 13 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Single Vineyard Washington State Cabernet fruit vinified in Pennsylvania. Dark ruby color. Aromas of plush dark fruit, violets, spices and smoky oak. Flavors of black berry/cherry/plum/currant and ripe pomegranate fruit, savory herbs, toasted baking spices and a touch of baker’s chocolate. Long luxurious finish and well balanced acidity. Great complexity and Old World in style. Solid effort. Bring on the beef! Enjoyed with Chris and Curt. — 5 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Valdobbiadene Prosecco. Cloudy white gold color. (Looked like a wheat beer). Aromas of orchard fruit, honeysuckle, and a pleasant yeasty quality. Flavors of crab apples, white peach, green pears and apples and a bit of lemon zest. Lovely saline/mineral note on the extensive finish. Mouth watering acidity, creamy mousse, and vibrant/extensive bubbles. Made in the Col Fondo style and completely unfiltered. Totally refreshing and quite the crowd pleaser. 11.5% ABV. Solid value, even in a restaurant. Enjoyed with the Soltis Family at Il Capricio in Whippany, NJ. — 7 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Another solid vintage of this FLX Dry Riesling. Light gold color. Aromas of orchard fruit, honeysuckle, citrus and wet stones. Flavors of green apples and pears, lemon/lime, white peach and a consistent note of wet slate. Long and crisp mineral laden finish with mouth watering acidity. Light bodied, refreshing and bone dry. Very well balanced and totally food friendly. — 12 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Light golden color. Aromas of orchard fruit, citrus, white flowers and an intense petrol note. Bright flavors of green apple, lemon/lime, grapefruit and white peach. Hint of wet slate on the long finish. Vibrant acidity and nicely balanced. So fruit forward that bottle seemed just a touch flabby. Crisp and refreshing. Thanks for sharing, Chris B! — 13 days ago