Big Friendly Grape

Domaine de l'Horizon

Rouge Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Carignan Syrah 2017

This was really unique and special. A nose that has some proper wild hints, like a natural wine, but with big bold fruits and an underlying musk, like a wet mulch, that playing in the background. Medium bodied with a deep red/purple color, the palate is more red fruit than the blue on the nose, with hardly any tannins to speak of. The palate has no sign of age, with prominent tart cranberry, rich minerality, slight smoke, and hints like Concorde grape, and some jammy raspberry or blueberry in there as well. Dry, fruity with a mineral spine, with a weight that plays lighter than it looks or smells. — 18 days ago

Nugan Estate

Alfredo Dried Grape Shiraz 2017

Not a big Shiraz fan but I liked this one full flavoured nice finish would buy again — 4 years ago

The Ojai Vineyard

Roll Ranch Vineyard Syrah 2002

Aromas of dark black fruits - blackberry, plum, blueberry. Bold and big, with soft integrated tannins that draw you into the inner sanctum of the grape varietal. A tinge of age at the ends, but not in the fore front. Nice lovely finish lasting over 30 seconds before it breaks down. Definitely at its peak of performance. Paired well with the bolognese. Even better with the veal chop with figs, pluots, and watermelon radish. As Elizabeth says, this is a gorgeous wine. “It’s a grown up, but not old”. Or as I like to say, like a 40 year old classy lady wearing an evening gown and pearls - just stunning! — 4 years ago

Elizabeth liked this
Elizabeth Olson

Elizabeth Olson

I agree with everything he said. This wine is awesome. Maybe revise to a hot 50 year old in pearls...

Cantina Fratelli Pardi

Sacrantino Montefalco Sagrantino

Spoletino Trebbiano grape Josh almost extinct varietal produce 3000 Nyla per year. Aging on heavy lees big white without being heavy — 4 months ago

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

From a 5 Bordeaux grape blend: 78.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.3% Petit Verdot & 0.3% Malbec, aged 24 months French oak, 84% new, Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe dark fruits, cedar and floral spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, ripe cherry and currants with notes of mushroom, herbs, pepper spice and earthy notes. Fine big sweet tannins, long finish ending with cacao, smoky oak, fruit and mineral tang. Very nice, aging well, but time will reward! — 3 years ago

Juan, Jay and 12 others liked this

Austin Hope

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

1978 Chuck Hope left beverage job, moved to Paso Robles, became farmer, & top grape grower. Working with his father, Austin led family into winemaking in ‘95, creating his label in 2000. #7 on Top 100 list, Grapes from 5 small blocks of Paso Robles AVAs, aged in 75% new French oak, 18 mos. Dark deep Ruby, aromas of sweet ripe black fruits & dried smoky tobacco spices. Flavors of ripe blackberry, sweet cacao, espresso & vanilla oak. Big wine, fine tannins, long fruit finish, vanilla overwhelms fruit. The 15% ABV has slight burn. — 4 years ago

Daniel P., Alex and 2 others liked this

Bodega Comando

La Bruja Avería Rozas de Puerto Real Grenache 2016

Here we have 1st class Garnacha. Very pure red. On nose this has raspberry, strawberry, cherry, some herbs and licorice. Clearly a uptoned note. On palate this has cool but sweet fruit with red berries, spicy note and minerality. Tannins are very fine grape ned and start to add grip towards the end. Excellent fruit acid balance. Medium+ length that ends on pure cherry and red apple peel notes. Highly enjoyable and food friendly wine. Total class — 4 years ago

Vina Belje

Graševina

A fabulous find!! Grasevina is a dry, fresh, aromatic white wine with apple-like notes. It’s typically considered to be a neutral and easy-drinking wine. The everyday wine of Central Europe, Grasevina is also known as Welschriesling. Recognizable features of the grape are its acid and slight almond-like bitterness. Belje began in 1697 when Roman Emperor Leopold gifted the estate to Prince Eugene of Savoy. The wine is straw yellow with hints of light green. The wine itself is beautifully fruity and flowery, fresh and crisp acidity that resembles citrus with the slightest hint of sweetness. This wine is well balanced, finishes with a beautiful orange peel note and a nice bite. An exceptional food-friendly wine that is unfairly overlooked and underappreciated.  Surdyks March 2023 $13.99 (Reg $16.99) — 2 years ago

Herdade dos Grous

Moon Harvested Vinho Regional Alentejano Alicante Bouschet 2015

Another excellent vintage. Teinturier Alicante Bouchet Grape. Deep ruby color. Big aromas and flavors of red/black berry/cherry fruit. Hints of violets and brambly forrest Floor. Oak is well integrated. Nice powerful structure but the tannins are quite silky. Consistently great-Vintage after vintage. — 4 years ago

Ron liked this

Jean-Paul Thevenet

Vieilles Vignes Morgon Gamay 2018

Few Americans understand the depth of Beaujolais due to the market flood by the big producers during the Beaujolais Nouveaux annual festival. The Gamay grape has so much more to offer and Master Sommelier, George Miliotis, shared this great example with me. Dark overripe strawberry and stone minerality. Charcuterie never tasted so good! — 4 years ago

Ira, Alex and 22 others liked this