2008 Tetra ARTET Premiere Napa Valley

Wine: 2008 Tetra ARTET Premiere Napa Valley
Estate: Tetra Wine
Vineyard: Tourmaline Vineyard, Broken Rock Vineyard, Sugarloaf Mountain East, Suscol Bench Vineyard
Region: Napa Valley, California

Location: Sunday Funday at home on 3/13/2016

Tasting Note:

First Premiere Napa Valley wine, all we could think to compare it too was a similar auction in South Africa known as the Cape Winemaker's Guild. Wine was a deep crimson red close to ruby. Lots of red cherries on the nose, with some undertones of light spices like nutmeg and mint or ecalyptus. Moderate plus tannins (7/10) and moderate body. Palate was full of red fruits, cherries and raspberries. Cherries were plush. A little dry in the moderate plus finish. Easily has a few more years in the bottle. Would be really nice around 2018 or so to help it integrate a little further. Drink till 2023. 

Rating: 92
Price: $$$ - Purchased for $68.53 from Wally's Wine and Spirits.

1998 Bryant Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Proprietor Grown

Wine: 1998 Bryant Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Proprietor Grown
Estate: Bryant Family Vineyards
Vineyard: Bryant Family Vineyard
Region: Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley, California

Location: Sunday Funday at home on 3/13/2016

Tasting Note:

First time trying the Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon. Was very excited to crack this and try it out. Wine was garnet red, no bricking on the edges yet. Definitely had an aged nose to it. Olive and truffles on the nose to start. Has some secondary earthy notes underneath. Touched by some dark spices and light dark cherries in the finish. Moderate tannins (5.5/10) and moderate body. Palate was herbaceous but no vegetal notes, and some light dark cherries. Very well integrated and balanced, literally melts in your mouth. Finish is still long and lingers for 10 or so seconds. Overall still holding on with a great body and complexity for an 18 year old bottle. If you are looking for a classic Napa Cab this is not fruity enough for you, but if you love complex wines definitely try one of these if you can find one! Drink till 2017.

Rating: 93
Price: $$$$ - Purchased for around $170.00 from Wine Liquidators.

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 World's End Cabernet Sauvignon Money Talks Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Wine: 2013 World's End Cabernet Sauvignon Money Talks Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard
Estate: World's End
Vineyard: Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley, California

Location: At home on 2/28/2016

Tasting Note:

Bright ruby red with violet core. Insanely tight on the nose. A lot of dust and chalk with a few hints of dark fruits and black cherries. Tight on the palate as well, initially started with light cassis. Then opened up slightly with red cherries carrying through the finish. Moderate plus tannins (6.5/10) with a moderate to long, lingering, slightly dry finish. Grips the front of the palate.  and down the sides. Moderate body with good acidity. Definitely needs to be left alone for two years. Jonathan Maltus (winemaker) is definitely completing what he set out to do, which was make old world wines in the new world. Drink from 2018 till 2025 +. One fun fact about all of the wines in Maltus' World's End line up are named after hard rock songs, such as 'Money Talks' by ACDC.

Rating: 91+
Price: $$ - Purchased for $58.30 from Wine Access but we believe it goes for double that at the Estate.

2011 Judge Palmer Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III

Wine: 2011 Judge Palmer Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III
Estate: Judge Palmer
Vineyard: Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley, California

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

Tasting Note:

Wine was garnet red with brownish edges. Very interesting nose. For us it has some clear signs it was from a wetter and cooler vintage. Started off a little stinky/dirty we like to say. Notes of cheese, slight mold, and subtle chalk. It also had a vegetal element to it with some bell peppers and possibly a little more greenery. Solid undertones of cassis. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and moderate plus body. This wine definitely has some oak characteristics such as vanilla. The palate was very complex, in addition to vanilla there were notes of cassis, dark berries, cinnamon, baking spices, dark chocolate and a little mint. Slightly vegetal undertones as well. Long lingering finish supported by more cassis. Our first wine from any of the Beckstoffer Vineyards and it did not disappoint. We can only imagine how good the 2012 or 2013 will be after trying the 2011. Hopefully we will get to try those out once they are released! Drink till 2028.

Rating: 93+
Price: $$$ - $115.00 from the Estate.

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.