Byron C Mayes

9.0

Consumed 30-Mar-2025. Dark purple red. Nose is abundant and yields blackberry and blueberry compote. Juicy medium full palate echoes the nose with ashy blackberry taking the lead. Juicy acidity. Medium minus tannins. Lingering, dark finish. An Old World feel makes this Washington GSM blend a great choice for hearty meals year round from the grill to the hearth. Rich meat and vegetable stews will shine. Drink now through 2031. — 16 hours ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Bright polished brass in color. Spiced baked quince on the inviting nose. Echoed on the full-bodied palate which adds very ripe lemon and clover honey. Cut through with bright medium plus acidity. Moderate finish continues the palate. Classic CdL that's all set for (British or bread) puddings, fresh or baked stone fruit, or various cheeses with dried fruit on a plate. Drink now through 2040. — a month ago

Byron C Mayes

9.2

Hazy deep yellow gold (unfiltered? skin contact?). Caramelized balsa and menthol peaches in the abundant nose. Confirmed on the medium full palate which adds layers of dried quince, baking spices, pickled watermelon rind, and a host of other subtle flavors. Medium acidity from entry; bitter almond on the lengthy, non-stop finish. More complex than you might be expecting, this is a white for hearty fare. Drink now through 2027. — 3 months ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark red purple. Inviting nose and medium full, fruit-forward (for a European) palate of blueberry-blackberry compote. Bright medium acidity and medium minus tannins that mostly assert back-palate. Dark and slightly bitter finish (Touriga Nacional showing). Fine example of Portuguese non-Porto red. Ready for hearty entrées like roasted beef or pork. Drink now through 2028. — 11 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Deep gold. Ripe yellow tropical fruits and orange juice on the inviting nose. Echoed on the medium palate which layers in fresh and dried stone fruits. Bright acidity balances the rich tropical and oak elements. Balanced like a Burgundy but with New World richness. The one to drink when your food wants New World but you have an Old World palate. Drink now. — a month ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark ruby. Meaty blackberry on the nose. Less meat and more blackberry plus some stewed red apple on the juicy, medium palate. Medium plus acidity. Medium, surprisingly assertive tannins. Moderate finish that continues the complex palate. A food wine out of Austria that's perfect for Germanic fare (pork, sausages, noodles) or the typical American cookout. Drink now through 2027. — 2 months ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark amber. Treacle, toffee, and tangelo on the inviting nose and full, rich palate. "Rich" meaning "sweet," of course, but well balanced with medium, citrusy acidity. Naturally, a lengthy finish. You got cheese? Nuts? Dried fruit? Here's your fourth for dessert. Drink now through whenever. — 16 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Deep gold; color more typical of a dessert white. Inviting nose and medium full palate of white rose, dried peach, and polished balsam. Medium plus acidity wrapped in rich floral fruit. Wonderful Tuscan white for pork, veal, or primavera. Great alternative to middleweight Chardonnay. Drink now. — 19 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.8

Vibrant salmon pink. Montmorency cherry on the nose and slightly oxidized medium full palate. Off-dry residual sugar levels, low acidity, and a lengthy finish. Fun newer category that needs to standardize on some things, sweetness levels in particular. This one is toward the drier end of "off-dry" with tawny style oxidation, while others are bright fruity and candy sweet. Nice over ice or with tonic water as an aperitif. — 2 months ago

Byron C Mayes

9.2

Byron had this 3 months ago