Wine Reviews and News for Passionate Wine Lovers

Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2004, 91 points

2004 Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain (USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain) Soft and velvety with an explosion on the palate. Solid wine and is worth a try at 60 bucks a bottle. Solid deep purple inky color. A few more years on this 04 and it will be a superstar. The wine is jammy and [...]

Palazzo 2005, 90 points

2005 Palazzo (USA, California, Napa Valley) The best part of this wine is the nose. Very complex dark fruits with oak and floral. It was enjoyable sniffing and it lasted. Color was a medium purple. The palate was good but not outstanding. It is a solid wine though. Dark fruits loads of oak which was nice and [...]

Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot 2004 , 90 points

2004 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot (USA, California, Napa Valley) This Duckhorn Merlot 2004 was definitely more velvety and softer than the 05 and 03. Nicely done on this one. Intense yet well balanced. Love the dark fruits and floral on the nose with hints of tobacco. Full bodied with plum, chocolate, mocha, and vanilla on the nose. [...]

Quintessa 2005, 90 points

2005 Quintessa (USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford) Really solid wine every time I have it. Has an old world feel that I really like. I like the 04 a little better th at the 05 just because the 04 was a touch smoother. Dark purple on the color with brown around the fringes. Vanilla and plumb on the [...]

Chateau Ausone 1995, 90 points

1995 Château Ausone (France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru) This Chateau Ausone was consistent for a St Emillion bordoux. Quality wine and this 1995 was ready for drinking. The color was on the brownish side. The palate started thin and was strong on the oak side but then it transitioned into a good quality Bordeaux. The [...]

Chateau de La Tour Clos Vougeot 1997, 87 points

1997 Chateau de La Tour Clos Vougeot (France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru) This chateau was earthy. Color was on the brownish side from the age and producer. Pretty typical burgundy that could probably use about 20 years. However I did not feel like this one would come around. The nose was smokey [...]

E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2003, 89 points

2003 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) This wine was a little surprising in that it was one of the better rhones for the price. The nose had green pepper, ceder, coco, and a touch of floral lavender. Had a hit of dirty dippers. The color was a little thin, kind of [...]

Bennett Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - 88 points

2004 Bennett Lane Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley) Nose very dark and foggy. little meaty and interesting and a step up from an everyday wine. a little minty on the tail end. The palate was of good quality, this is a good wine; good flavor; the tannins were a little hot and a touch disjointed;got [...]

Lancaster Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, 90 points

2005 Lancaster Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley) This Lancaster was a serious contender. Very solid and complex wine. Strong earthy feel to it. The color was deep purple hinting on brown. The nose was very dark and mysterious with strong notes of black olive, blueberry and ceder/oak. The palate was smooth and [...]

Jakes Fault Winery Shiraz 2005, 85 points

2005 Jakes Fault Winery Shiraz (USA, California, Sonoma County) I try and try on the 10 dollar wines but very rare to hit one. This wine was no different. This wine is very industrial to me and feel fake. The nose had loads of fruit and the palate had lids of fruit but hinted on new [...]