2012 Bodegas Volver Monastrell Tarima Hill Old Vines

Wine: 2012 Bodega Volver Monastrell Tarima Hill Old Vines
Estate: Bodega Volver
Region: Alicante, Valencia, Spain

Location: Drank at home on 2/23/2016

Tasting Note:
This note is compiled from two days of tasting this wine. Color was an intense crimson red, with a deep and dark core. Nose started off very savory, with some animal leather and meaty notes. Definitely had some floral notes of lavender, clean and fresh. Some light undertones of dark berries. Creamy attack followed by hints of black cherry. Very earthy with some greenery too. Moderate tannins (6/10) and moderate body that grips the sides of your mouth and dries it out. Some heat in the finish that should wear off given a year or two more in the bottle, making this extremely balanced and smooth. Dry long and lingering finish. Excellent QPR that could easily make it to a 90 - 91 with time. Made of 100% Monastrell (commonly known as Mourvedre) aged in French oak for 14 months. 15% alcohol and 4,000 cases produced. Drink from 2017 till 2022.

Rating: 89+

Price: $ - $12.71 from Costco

2012 Luddite Wines Niels Verburg

Wine: 2012 Luddite Wines Niels Verburg
Estate: Luddite Wines
Region: Bot River, Western Cape, South Africa
Winemaker: Niels Verburg
Elevage: 18 months in 95% French Oak and 5% Hungarian Oak, which 30% was new.
Varietals: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre.
Decant: 30 minutes.
Location: Drank at The Butcher Shop in Sandton City on 12/21/2015.

Tasting Note:

We drank bottle number 708 and 723 at The Butcher Shop. The wine was very intense and deep dark garnet and blood red. The nose was very savory and full of cedar wood and a little smokey. Lots of cassis too. Palate was covered with lots of dark fruits like cassis and blackberries, very thick. Moderate tannins (5/10) with a moderate to light body. Moderate finish that had a solid drying intensity (5/10) that carried through the finish. Well balanced and integrated. Slightly lighter than expected. Drank up against the 2011 Rust en Verde Cape Winemakers Guild Estate and the 2010 Haskell Merlot Cape Winemakers Guild. 

Dates: Drink till 2020.
Rating: 91
Price: $$ - Around $30.00.

2013 Ledge Vineyards Drive

Wine: 2013 Ledge Vineyards Drive
Estate: Ledge Vineyards

Vineyards: James Berry Vineyard and Messina Vineyard

Location: Willow Creek AVA, Paso Robles, California

Winemaker: Mark Adams
Varietal: 45% Syrah, 30% Mourvedre, and 25% Grenache

Decant: Had been open for forty-five minutes prior to us arriving.

Location: The Vineyard in McLean - Ledge Vineyards Tasting on 11/18/2015.

Tasting Note:
Color: Light crimson.
Nose/Smell: Starts off with some dark berries, such as blackberries. and a slight note of violets. 
Palate/Taste: A lot more dark fruits than the previous wines. Lots of blackberries and blueberries. More together than the Adams Ranch or James Berry. Moderate tannins (6/10) and moderate body with a moderate lingering finish.
Opinion: Second favorite of the wines today. This is mainly based off approachability. Time would still help this wine to fully integrate and could cellar for up to ten years.
Dates: Now till 2025
Rating: 92

Price: $$ - $43.99

2013 Ledge Vineyards Syrah Adams Ranch Vineyard

Wine: 2013 Ledge Vineyards Syrah Adams Ranch Vineyard
Estate: Ledge Vineyards

Vineyards: Adams Ranch Vineyard

Location: Willow Creek AVA, Paso Robles, California

Winemaker: Mark Adams
Varietal: Almost entirely Syrah with a bit of Mourvedre and Grenache

Decant: Had been open for forty-five minutes prior to us arriving.

Location: The Vineyard in McLean - Ledge Vineyards Tasting on 11/18/2015.

Tasting Note:
Color: Light purplish red.
Nose/Smell: I do love the nose. Lots of black peppercorn, earthy. Is a little tight and needs time to open up.
Palate/Taste: Moderate tannins and moderate body.  Slight minerality in the finish. A little tight and furry.
Opinion: Very interesting vineyard with sandy soil and is owned by Mark Adams. This wine had its ups and downs. Definite up? The nose, I love the pepper, earthy notes it had going on. Downside? The minerality in the finish. All in all a great wine that needs at least a few years to fully develop and could easily cellar for ten. 
Dates: Now till 2025
Rating: 91

Price: $$ - $53.99