2013 Judge Palmer Sauvignon Blanc Ellis Alden Vineyard

Wine: 2013 Judge Palmer Sauvignon Blanc Ellis Alden Vineyard
Estate: Judge Palmer
Vineyard: Ellis Alden Vineyard
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California

Location: Judge Palmer Sample Tasting at home on 2/25/2016

Tasting Note:
We do not have much experience with Sauvignon Blanc, but from our tiny bit of research this seems to fit the bill perfectly! Bright straw yellow and completely clear. Very complex nose covered in floral and fruity notes. Started off with a few white floral notes and honeysuckle. Followed by lots of tree and tropical fruit like apricots, white peaches, pears,  a little bit of green apples. After breathing in the glass for around 30 minutes it started to open up even more with some slightly earthy notes of hay or straw. Moderate plus acidity (6.5/10), with some slight orange peel and a few other tropical fruits such as honeydew melon. Great moderate plus body that worked well with the level of acidity. Started to develop some secondary notes that were a little savory and green. Long crisp and refreshing finish, seemed slightly toasted. Can tell there is a little bit of oak in this bottling. Great with dinner! (General Tso's). Tried this wine again on the second day. Acidity was definitely more integrated and so smooth. Did not know this wine could get more balanced. Highly recommended and an exceptional Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now till 2020.
Rating: 93

Price: $$ - $35.00 from the Estate.

2012 Judge Palmer Malbec Bavarian Lion Vineyard

Wine: 2012 Judge Palmer Malbec Bavarian Lion Vineyard
Estate: Judge Palmer
Vineyard: Bavarian Lion Vineyard
Region: Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California

Location: Judge Palmer Sample Tasting at home on 2/25/2016

Tasting Note:
Wine was bright ruby red with moderate intensity and clear edges. Tight nose to start, had a few floral notes like violets, some vanilla, and some interesting dark fruits that we could not put our finger on, it was not black cherry but similar with quite a bit of acidity. Undertones seemed a little creamy with cinnamon and some ashes. Light initial attack that started out thin and got thicker as it moved across the palate. Moderate plus tannins (7/10) with solid moderate body that pulls itself together near the finish. Lots of acidity. Crisp and refreshing with a long finish. The strength of the acidity was honestly very surprising for a malbec out of California, not something we were use to. We decanted for an hour and a half prior to tasting. Drink till 2023.
Rating: 91+
Price: $$ - $40.00 from the Estate.

2012 Lyeth Meritage

Wine: 2012 Lyeth Meritage
Estate: Lyeth Estate

Location: Sonoma County, California

Winemaker: Katie Carter
Elevage: Unknown
Varietal: 35% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot 

Decant: PnP

Location: Drank at home on 2/7/2016

Tasting Note:

Lyeth is a winery out in Sonoma County that specializes in Meritage wines. Pure ruby red and bright foam. Slightly savory and earthy to start on the nose with a little bit of black cherries. Really enjoyed the nose on this one. Light overall mouthfeel with moderate tannins (5/10) and crisp light to medium body. Soft black cherries throughout that changes to cassis as it breathes. Short to moderate finish with slight acidity that dies off quickly. Overall a great wine for under $15.00, would use this as a great refreshing, lighter, everyday drinker. We really want to try to find their other wines to give them a shot.

Dates: Now

Rating: 88

Price: $ - $14.83 at Total Wine & More

NV Marietta Cellars Lot Number 3

Wine: NV Marietta Cellars Christo Lot Number 3
Estate: Marietta Cellars

Region: Sonoma County, California

Winemaker: Chris Bilbro

Elevage: Unknown.

Varietals: 70% Syrah, 17% Petite Sirah, 10% Grenache and 3% Viognier.

Decant: Coravin.

Location: Tasted at home on 1/18/2016.

Tasting Note:

Decided to coravin something new tonight. Come out of the coravin a think purple that coated the sides of the glass. Nose started with lots of red fruits like red cherries. As it opened there were a ton of floral and perfume notes such as lavender and lilacs. Very refreshing with solid acidity from beginning to end. Moderate plus tannins (7/10) with a moderate body. Lots of red berries throughout. Slightly savory near the finish with a little dark cocoa. Furry and dry moderate length finish. Insanely refreshing. This could easily age for a few years or good to go now with a short decant.

Dates: Drink now till 2022.
Rating: 91+
Price: $ - $17.59

2004 Pax Syrah Cuvee Christine

Wine: 2004 Pax Wines Syrah Cuvee Christine
Estate: Pax Wines
Location: Sonoma County, California
Winemaker: Pax Mahle
Elevage: 17 months in mostly new French oak.
Varietals: 100% Syrah.
Decant: PnP.
Location: Drank at Home on 1/2/2016.

Tasting Note:

This wine was a garnet Red with some bricking beginning to start. The nose was very complex. Started off with some slight meaty notes. Very light notes of cinnamon, caramel and baking spices. Smokey. Lots of wood, chalk and black olives. Very earthy and green tastes. Woody, white pepper, olives and undertones of red fruit. Nice and savory in the attack. Moderate tannins (5.5/10) and moderate body. Slightly dry in the finish. Moderate but thins out. Very well integrated and well balanced. We read up a little bit on this wine before hand and honestly oyr expectations were low on this one. Wine Advocate said drink by 2011, Wine Spectator by 2012. Very smooth and a little light. 

Dates: Drink Now.
Rating: 91
Price: $$ - $32.99

2012 Two Shepherds Syrah Saralee's Vineyard

Wine: 2012 Two Shepherds Syrah Saralee's Vineyard
Estate: Two Shepherds

Vineyards: Saralee's Vineyard

Location: Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California

Winemaker: William Allen
Elevage: 10 months in neutral French Oak.
Varietal: 100% Syrah

Decant: Thirty minutes in the glass, this was a coravin.

Location: At home on 12/05/2015.

Tasting Note:
Color: Dark and opaque crimson red.
Nose/Smell: Love the nose on this.  It continued to change,  started with cinnamon and baking spices.  Then went to blueberries,  violets and forest foliage. Finished of the nose with charred meat after about an hour in the glass.
Palate/Taste: Palate was smooth with notes of herbs and olives. Low tannins (4.5/10) with a light body.  Slight acidic and crisp finish that lingers for a while.
Opinion: Can tell it has had limited oak exposure.  Very relaxing and easy to drink. Excited to crack this open next weekend. We can easily see this going up a couple points with a proper decant, just to let that nose fully open up! Could last a few years, not that you would want to wait that long!
Dates: Now till 2017
Rating: 90+

Price: $$ - $38.00