Byron C Mayes

8.9

Rich gold. Baked quince and ripe lemon on the inviting nose. Echoed on the medium palate with firm French oak structure. Moderate finish. A bit softer on the next day, but the oak is still prominent in tones of white pepper. Definitely a good wine built for hearty white wine fare: pork, game fowl, rich sauces, etc. Drink now through 2032. — 3 days ago

Byron C Mayes

Byron had this a month ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark ruby. Inviting nose of baked black cherry and hints of leather. Brighter cherry and softer leather on the medium full palate adding red apple peel, light tannins, and medium acidity. Finish is moderate and continues the palate before a quick drop off. Very nice and a value at under $50. Drink now through 2030. — 2 months ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Bright straw yellow. Inviting nose of stony dried apple and citrus rind. Lean (with a touch of the rich) palate echoes the apple but leaves behind the citrus, replacing it with toasted fine white bread. Finish is moderately long and continues the palate. Excellent starter, but with enough heft for a main meal of seafood, pork, or poultry. Drink when you buy it. — 4 months ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Star bright pale straw. Honeysuckle and ripe peaches in the inviting nose. Bright acidity on the medium palate which confirms the nose with a slight hint of smoke. Finish is naturally lengthy given the richness. Classic Mosel Kabinett Riesling from a well established and highly regarded producer. Drink now through 2038 with almost any fare, pork being its natural match. — 19 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Light yellow gold. Abundant nose of baked quince in a wooden bowl. Smooth, medium palate confirms the nose adding fried banana and wilting magnolia blossom. Medium acidity. Lengthy, palate-continuing finish. Classic example of the ultimate Chardonnay expression. Ready for escargot, shellfish in cream sauce, or any hearty white wine fare. Drink now through 2029. — a month ago

Byron C Mayes

8.7

Vibrant cherry pop in the glass. Pale pink mousse and fine persistent bubbles. Inviting nose of musty dried cherry. Confirmed on the medium palate which adds dark toast with bright acidity. Not much of a finish but what's there continues the palate before the sudden drop. Not a complex rosé Champagne, but sometimes that's what one wants. Drink now with shrimp cocktail or complex dishes like curry. It won't get in the way. — 3 months ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Vibrant pink. Shy but inviting nose of cherry-strawberry bubble gum. Light-bodied palate is (of course) drier than the nose suggests yielding ripe strawberry and melon, balanced by medium acidity. No tannins but a little hint of French oak adds structure. Classic French Pinot Noir rosé with fruit (subdued), flavor, and freshness. Drink now with outdoor dinner. I had it with salmon (of course 😉). — 24 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.8

Dark amethyst in the glass. Shy nose and medium palate of black cherry and patent leather. Hint of bitterness back palate. Bright, medium+ acidity. Very low tannins that only assert on the finish. Finish is moderate and continues the palate. Classic Sonoma PN lodged right in-between sipper and dinner wine. Will serve either purpose nicely -- especially if dinner has a bit of spice or heat -- though one could do better at the price for either. Drink now through 2029. — 2 months ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Pale, water clear straw in the glass. Characteristically abundant nose of white flowers with an undertone of very ripe white peach. Firm acidity leads the light palate of honeysuckle and budding magnolia. The white peach remains subtle but present entry to flowery finish. A just off-dry (between Trocken and Kabinett) Muscat that's an excellent match for a wide range of foods. Cheeses, pork dishes, spicy Asian fare, fresh fruit… it's all good. Drink now with any of the above. — 4 months ago