2013 Rubattorno Winery Chianti Montalbano D.O.C.G.

Wine: 2013 Rubattorno Winery Chianti Montalbano D.O.C.G.
Estate: Rubattorno Winery

Region: Montalbano, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Winemaker: Carmine Potenza

Elevage: 12 months in stainless steel tanks, 3 months in the bottle prior to release.

Varietals: 100% Sangiovese

Decant: Drank over two days.

Location: Rubattorno Tasting at home on 1/29/2016

Tasting Note:

Bright ruby red. Slightly higher intensity than the color of the Riserva. Way too tight on day one. Sealed the bottle back up and tried again on day two. Nose opened up with some moldy cheese. dried herbs and developed into a few savory notes of smoky meats. Definitely has some earthy notes too with some bell peppers (vegetal notes) and wet stones. Finished off with some red cherries and cranberries. Moderate plus body that leads to a very dry acidic finish. This wine needs more time to open up, even after three days it was too tight. Hopefully in the future we get to try this bottle again and see how it has developed!

Dates: N/A
Rating: 84
Price: Supplied by wine estate for tasting, no price listed. If you want to get your hands on this wine, email Eleonora Potenza at info@vinicolarubattorno.it for more details!

2011 Rubattorno Winery Chianti Montalbano Riserva D.O.C.G.

Wine: 2011 Rubattorno Winery Chianti Montalbano Riserva D.O.C.G.
Estate: Rubattorno Winery

Region: Montalbano, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Winemaker: Carmine Potenza

Elevage: 24 months in barrels, 6 months in the bottle prior to release.

Varietals: 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo

Decant: Drank over two days.

Location: Rubattorno Tasting at home on 1/29/2016

Tasting Note:

Ruby red but definitely clearer and more see-through than the regular 2013. Very tight to start with dark chocolate and black cherries. We sealed the bottle for day two. Nose did not change much except for only a subtle hint of black cherries. Definitely smoother and more integrated than the 2013 but still very dry with moderate acidity. Very tight on the palate, dry with paper-like qualities. Finish is almost moderate in length. A little shorter than expected. Definitely drink this wine with something along the lines of pasta or stew, significantly improves.

Dates: Drink till 2020
Rating: 86
Price: Supplied by wine estate for tasting, no price listed. If you want to get your hands on this wine, email Eleonora Potenza at info@vinicolarubattorno.it for more details!

2014 Rubattorno Winery Bianco di Toscana

Wine: 2014 Rubattorno Winery Bianco di Toscana (IGT White Wine)
Estate: Rubattorno Winery

Region: Montalbano, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Winemaker: Carmine Potenza

Elevage: 6 months in stainless steel tanks, 3 months in the bottle prior to release.

Varietals: 100% Tuscan Trebbiano

Decant: Drank over two days.

Location: Rubattorno Tasting at home on 1/29/2016

Tasting Note:

First time trying Tuscan Trebbiano, we did not know what to expect. Chilled the wine for a little bit and decanted for 30 minutes prior to tasting. Wine was bright and clear straw yellow, almost like a straw wine. The nose started off tight with some nutty notes like roasted almonds and some earthy notes of wet stones. As it opened up the nose continued to become more complex with some intense floral notes of hydrangeas and white flowers. Then the nose tapered off with hints of honeysuckle and lime. Very balanced body that is matched with a solid balance between sweetness and moderate acidity. Moderate plus body with hints of tangerine and acidity throughout. Slight minerality in the moderate finish. This is one of our favorite white wines to date. Can easily last another few years for further enjoyment. On a side note this is not a white wine for people who like light whites. The complexity and body are definitely for those who enjoy red wines or heavier whites.

Dates: Drink till 2019.
Rating: 91
Price: Supplied by wine estate for tasting, no price listed. If you want to get your hands on this wine (which we highly recommend), email Eleonora Potenza at info@vinicolarubattorno.it for more details!

2010 Maze Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine: 2010 Maze Cabernet Sauvignon

Estate: Maze Wines
Region: Napa Valley, California
Winemaker: Mark Herold
Elevage: 100% New French Oak.
Varietals: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Decant: Coravin.
Location: Trying out some new wines on 1/26/2016.

Tasting Note:

Second time trying this wine. First time as at Mark Herold's Wines in downtown Napa where it had been given a 24 hour plus decant. Today we gave it seven hours out of a coravin. Bright ruby red with violet hues and dark red foam. Lots of chalk and bell peppers. Overall still very tight even with seven hours, but slowly began to open up with a little cassis. Moderate plus tannins (6.5/10) and moderate body with dust and cassis with a touch of cinnamon. Rich and slightly extracted. Moderate plus dry finish. We noticed that this wine was not insanely fruity like most Napa Cabs, but still insanely strong and young.

Dates: Drink till 2025 easily.
Rating: 92
Price: $$ - $60.00 at MacArthur's Beverages in Washington, D.C.

2006 August Cellars Hawks View Vineyard Pinot Noir

Wine: 2006 August Cellars Hawks View Vineyard Pinot Noir
Estate: August Cellars 

Region: Chehalem Mountains AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Winemaker: Jim Schaad

Elevage: Unknown

Varietals: 100% Pinot Noir.

Decant: 2 hour decant.

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

Tasting Note:
Gave this bottle a two hour decant before trying. Wine was garnet red and very close to brick red especially around the edges. Very floral and full of lilacs. A little bit of raspberries and metal near the end. Moderate tannins (5/10) and light refreshing body coated with some solid acidity. Moderate finish that is slightly metallic and tangy. Light red berries. Very smooth and fresh. Just what we expected a well made Oregon Pinot Noir to be like. Could improve past 90 if the metal wears off. 
Dates: Drink till 2017.

Rating: 90+
Price: $ - $24.00

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 Burgess Cellars Merlot

Wine: 2012 Burgess Cellars Merlot
Estate: Burgress Cellars
Vineyards: Triere Vineyard

Region: Oak Knoll District AVA, Napa Valley, California

Winemaker: Kelly Woods and Matt Reid

Elevage: Unknown

Varietals: 100% Merlot.

Decant: Day two.

Location: Tasted at home on 1/20/2016.

Tasting Note:

Deep red with violet hues. Complex nose that started with lots of earthy and woody notes. Such as tobacco leaves, wet barrels, dirt, acorns, and a cigar box. Additionally had some red cherry undertones. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Slightly savory with lots of red and black cherries that add a refreshing acidity to the long lingering finish. Great body and could easily last for another five years.

Dates: Drink now till 2023.
Rating: 90
Price: $ - $24.99