2013 Wirra Wirra Wines Church Block

Wine: 2013 Wirra Wirra Wines Church Block
Estate: Wirra Wirra Wines
Sub-Regions: Whites Valley, McLaren Flat, Blewitt Springs and Seaview
Region: McLaren Vale, Fleurieu, South Australia, Australia

Location: At home on 3/3/2016

Tasting Note:

We have been on an Australian wine binge of late and are continually looking for QPR/Value Aussie wines. Wine was dark crimson red. Slightly savory on the nose to start with some grilled herbs and lots of red cherries. Definitely needs a year or two to fully integrate but great potential. Moderate tannins (6/10) and rustic on the palate. Slight heat. Slightly dry finish and moderate plus in length and with a moderate body. Will not touch the next bottle till 2017 for another touch point. Very excited to see how this wine develops! Great value australian wine!
Rating: 89+

Price: $ - Purchased at Costco in Pentagon City for $15.81.

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 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

2009 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine: 2009 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon
Estate: Vasse Felix Wines
Region: Wilyabrup, Margaret River, South West Australia

Location: Drank at Eno Wine Bar on 2/19/2016

Tasting Note:
This wine was a deep garnet red. Loved the nose from the start. As some of you might know, we love a slightly stinky nose. It is not off putting to us at all. Nose started off dirty with a slight barnyard nose and moldy/smoked cheese. It developed into charred wood, smoke and a few vegetal notes such as green bell peppers. Heavy tannins (7/10), such a beautiful bite to it that we were not expecting. Solid acidity complemented the tannins and moderate plus body. Slightly savory on the palate with some light vegetal notes. Long and lingering dry finish. Would love to find some of this to buy. If this retailed for the price at Eno Wine Bar, it is still worth that, great QPR! Drink till 2027.

Rating: 93

Price: $$ - Purchases at Eno's Wine Bar for $67.00 but you can find the 2012 at Pearson's Wines for $39.99

2009 Vital Vineyards California Syrah

Wine: 2009 Vital Vineyards California Syrah
Estate: Vital Vineyards
Region: Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California

Location: Drank at home on 2/18/2016

Tasting Note:
Very hard to find details about this estate online. From the limited information found online about Vital Vineyards we discovered a few things. Firstly the grapes for this wine come from Santa Barbara County in California but is made by Vital Vineyards which is located in Dundee, Oregon. Secondly it is made by the winemaker of Lillian Wine Estate, Maggie Harrison. Thirdly, this is a killer QPR!

Wine was bright ruby red. Initially started off very tight and closed off with just a few notes of boysenberries and plums. Once it started to open up the complexity grew. A few earthy and vegetal notes started to appear, like herbs (oregano and thyme) and red bell peppers. Finished off with a little bit of red cherries. Moderate tannins (5/10) with a moderate body. Lots of red cherries and grilling herbs. As it opened up the heat turned into a light and soft cherry liquor. Undertones of vegetal notes like dried up jalapenos and light dark fruits. Slightly dry and moderate finish. Tried twice (day one and day two). Definitely more complex on day two with a vinturi aerator. Definitely worth the price and a great QPR wine! Drink now till 2022.

Rating: 91

Price: $ and $$ - $23.23 from Garagiste can be found for $25.99 from GetWineOnline.com

2009 Raats Cabernet Franc

Wine: 2009 Raats Cabernet Franc

Estate: Raats Family Wines

Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Winemaker: Bruwer Raats

Elevage: 18 months in 25% new French Oak.

Varietals: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Decant: One hour

Location: Tasted at home on 2/3/2016.

Tasting Note:

Always a huge fan of Raats Cabernet Franc. Deep crimson red. Beautiful Cabernet Franc nose, with a ton of bell peppers to start. Followed by undertones of savory spices and herbs. Moderate tannins (6/10), with a moderate plus body that is quite furry on the tongue. Good weight on the body as it carries through till the mid palate. Moderate plus finish that the dryness lingers after the finish subsides. Great Cabernet Franc, as always one of our favorites!

Dates: Drink till 2022.
Rating: 91
Price: $$ - around $35.00

2008 Ruston Family Vineyards La Maestra Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine: 2008 Ruston Family Vineyards La Maestra Cabernet Sauvignon
Estate: Ruston Family Vineyards

Region: St. Helena AVA, Napa Valley, California

Winemaker: Joshua Krupp

Elevage: Unknown.

Varietals: Unknown.

Decant: 4 hour decant.

Location: Tasted at home while watching James Bond on 1/21/2016.

Tasting Note:

Dark purple red. Nose was covered in blackberries and blueberries. Light cassis and slight acetone. Nose finished with a little chalk. Moderate tannins (5.5/10) with a moderate body. Solid acidity in this body, with black cherries and creme de cassis. Slightly sharp in the moderate finish, lingers for around 10 or so seconds. Solid wine for the price point, we might have to grab another one or two just to put away. Can hold together until 2019.

Dates: Drink till 2019.
Rating: 91+
Price: $$ - From MacArthur's Beverages for $27.49

2012 Sparkman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Holler

Wine: 2012 Sparkman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Holler
Estate: Sparkman Cellars
Vineyards: Dionysus, Klipsun, Olsen and Obelisco Vineyards

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State

Winemaker: Linn Scott and Chris Sparkman

Elevage: 22 months in 33% new French oak.

Varietals: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc.

Decant: Coravin.

Location: Tasted at home on 1/19/2016.

Tasting Note:

Guessing this is the week of coravinning some new wines. Deep garnet red. Nose started out a little savory with some light meaty notes. The savory notes changed and became a little Aussie Shiraz like with a ton of dark berries, light brown sugar and some cinnamon. Very refreshing with great acidity. Moderate tannins (6/10) and a moderate body with quite a bit of dark berries. A little bit of heat in the finish. Hopefully with another year in the bottle this wine will become more fully developed and integrated. This could easily age for a few years or good to go now with a long decant.

Dates: Drink 2017 till 2022 or with a three hour plus decant.
Rating: 90+
Price: $$ - $34.00

2007 Ruston Family Petit Verdot Stagecoach Vineyard

Wine: 2012 Ruston Family Petit Verdot Stagecoach Vineyard

Estate: Ruston Family Vineyards

Vineyards: Stagecoach Vineyard

Region: Atlas Peak AVA, Napa Valley, California

Winemaker: Joshua Krupp
Elevage: Unknown
Varietal: 100% Petit Verdot

Decant: Day Two with Vacuvin

Location: At home on 1/2/2016.

Tasting Note:This was way too tight on day one so we left it till day two. Rich garnet red. Even on day two the nose is still very tight. Started out with a little dark fruit like light cassis. Then became slightly savory and something like a hint of yeast. But definitely more fruity notes than savory ones. As a Petit Verdot should be, there are heavy tannins (7.5/10) backed up by a full bodied. This wine coats your mouth and contains some nice fur texture. Finish sticks with a full body and is long. A good amount of cassis in the finish. Our first time with an 100% Petit Verdot,  even thou we have two others in the cellar, and we were happily surprised. This definitely needs a couple more years to fully develop and open up. Great QPR!

Drink Dates: Until 2022.

Rating: 90+

Price: $ - $15.39