Leverage Wines Trajectory 2017, Paso Robles, California

Dark purple in color with a purple/ reddish rim.

Strong nose of blueberries, black cherries, black plums, earth, wood, light vanilla, spices, herbs, tobacco, coffee, dark chocolates and black pepper.

Full bodied and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked strawberries, spices, pencil lead, tobacco, chocolates, earth, herbs, oak, licorice, dark coffee, pencil lead, cloves, light vegetables and peppercorn.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a wonderful GSM blend from Paso Robles. Nicely balanced, rich and fruit forward. Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Still young and needs a few years in the bottle, but already delicious. Would age nicely in the next 5 years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime. Complexity comes in in the decanter.

Spicy and interesting to drink by itself, and good with food too. Delicious and approachable.

I paired it with a Charcuterie board meats, cheeses and crackers. Goes very nicely with the aged Brie cheese.

A blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre. Aged for 18 months in (40% New) French Oak barrels. A small production of only 175 cases.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$56.

RD Winery Hundred Knot Grenache 2019 Sonoma Valley, California

Purple in color with a wide reddish rim.

Sweet nose of cherries, blueberries, sweet strawberries, licorice, oak, tobacco, vanilla, chocolates, spices and black pepper.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, red currants, oak, tobacco, earth, spices, licorice, peppercorn, chocolates and coffee.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very enjoyable Grenache from Sonoma Valley. Nicely balanced and fruit forward. Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

Showing mild complexity with a nice, soft mouthfeel. Light and engaging and a good summer wine. A nice light chill would be a good idea.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up and brings in more structure.

Alcohol is nicely integrated already, so watch out.

Would be nice to see how this evolves in the next 3 years.

I had it by the pool with some dried meats, fresh berries and cheeses.

A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months (20% new).

15% alcohol by Volume.

91 points.

$53.

New Napa Winery

Falset Marca Etim Seleccion 2006, Spain

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish, cloudy rim.

Pretty nose of cherries, blueberries, wood, earth, spices, tobacco leaf, chocolates, metals, acetone, wet leaves, leather, forest floor, mushrooms and light black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with cherries, red currants, oak, stewed strawberries, earth, light vegetables, tobacco, dark coffee, licorice, spices, forest floor and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a nice surprise. A very enjoyable 14 year old red wine from Spain. Drinking very nicely now with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Needs an hour to open up properly and show nice structure and tannins. Tasty and easy drinking.

Thank you David and Elvira for sharing.

Robert Parker 91 points.

A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan.

I paired it with light appetizers.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

Notre Vue Estate GSM Rosé 2019 Chalk Hill, California

Pretty salmon in color.

Nose of citrus, limes, light raspberries, spices, earth, vegetables and minerals.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity, crisp and refreshing.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, strawberries, cherries, limes, grapefruits, citrus, green apples, herbs, spices and white pepper.

Nice finish with spices and almonds.

This is a very enjoyable Rosé from Chalk Hill, Sonoma County. Fruit forward and refreshing with nice complexity.

Nicely balanced with a buttery mouthfeel. Better when properly chilled.

Good by itself or with food. I had it by the pool with soft cheeses.

A blend of 34% Grenache, 33% Syrah and 33% Mourvedre.

12.7% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$29.

Bodegas Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva Rioja 2006, Spain

Dark ruby in color with a wide brick/ reddish rim.

Great nose of black currants, sweet cherries, blueberries, wood, cloves, vanilla, espresso, cola, light vegetables, tobacco leaf, cumin, saffron, graphite, herbs, Indian spices, earth and dark chocolates.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with currants, cherries, sweet raspberries, tobacco, oak, spices, earth, dark chocolates, graphite, peppercorn and leather.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a delicious 14 year old Rioja Gran Reserva. Drinking very nicely now, but still a little hot at the back of the throat. Tangy and soft with great complexity especially on the nose.

Needs 2 hours open up, and even better after 3 hours.

A nice wine to pair with food, but definitely good by itself too. Loved smelling on it for a long time.

Thank you Scott for sharing this with me. Really enjoyed it.

Robert Parker 96 points. Wine Spectator 92 points.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 10% Mazuelo and Graciano.

14% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$75.

Cellar de Capcanes Flor de Primavera Peraj Ha’abib Montsant 2017, Spain

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, cooked cherries, light wood, vanilla, licorice, tobacco, spices, herbs, earth, dark coffee, dark chocolate and black pepper.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, licorice, sweet cherries, oak, light vanilla, spices, light vegetables, peppercorn, tobacco, chocolates, light vinaigrette, pencil lead and herbs.

Long spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Spanish blend. Smooth and buttery, with nice acidity and balance. Showing nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Very pleasant and easy drinking already. Fruit forward, spicy and interesting. Would be nice to try it again in 3 to 5 years.

Needs 90 minutes to open up properly, so please be prepared. It’s worth the wait. Last glass was so much better.

I paired it a young Gouda cheese and crackers.

A blend of 35% Garnacha, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Samsó. Aged for 12 months in French Oak barrels. Kosher. Not Mevushal.

15% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$70.

Tranche Estate Blue Mountain Vineyard Pape Blanc 2017, Walla Walla Valley Washington State

Pale lemon in color.

Very aromatic nose of pears, peaches, white flowers, spices, apricots, yellow apples, light earth, white pepper and herbs.

Light to medium in body with medium plus acidity. Crisp and refreshing.

Dry on the palate with grapefruits, limes, lemons, green apples, bitter herbs, earth, vegetables, wet leaves and white pepper.

Nice spicy finish with white pepper.

This is a nice and interesting Rhône blend from Walla Walla Valley in Washington State.

Spicy with nice complexity and a tangy finish. The nose is fruit forward, yet the palate is much earthier, which is always interesting.

This Single Vineyard is tangy and refreshing. I loved smelling on it for a while. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine and good with food. Would pair nicely with oysters. I had it by the pool and paired it with Brie cheese.

A blend of 32% Viognier, 19% Grenache Blanc, 15% Roussanne, 15% Marsanne, 15% Picpoul Blanc and 4% Clairette Blanche.

13.7% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$25.

Dusty Nabor Wines Grenache Rosé 2018 Santa Rita Hills, California

Pale lemon in color with a touch of pink.

Gentle nose of citrus, lemons, light raspberries, spices and white pepper.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity. Crisp and refreshing.

Dry on the palate with yellow apples, apricots, citrus, lemons, limes, white pepper and spices.

Tangy and spicy finish with limes.

This is an easy drinking Rosé from Santa Rita Hills in California. A good food wine and good by the pool too.

Interestingly enough, I could not get any red fruits on the palate.

Gentle and tangy without too much bitterness. Nice and engaging.

I paired it with cheeses and olives.

100% Grenache grapes. All stainless steel.

14% alcohol by volume.

87 Points.

$25.

Folded Hills Estate Grenache 2017 Santa Ynez Valley, California

Reddish in color with medium intensity.

Fruity nose with bing cherries, sweet strawberries, raspberries, spices, earth, milk chocolates and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, strawberries, red currants, spices, minerals, earth, river rocks and peppercorn.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and red chili powder.

Here is a very nice Grenache from California. Showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel, and spicy finish. Well-balanced and easy drinking. The mid palate is not spicy at all, but boy it is lingering on the finish.

A Grenache for the Pinot Noir lover. Well made wine.

Good right out of the bottle and even good with a slight chill. More structure comes in after an hour of airtime.

This is not in the style of a Spanish Grenache, but rather more like a Southern Rhône Style.

A good sipping wine to drink by itself.

100% Grenache grapes were aged for 11 months in neutral French Oak barrels.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$67.

Folded Hills August Red Wine 2017 Santa Ynez Valley, California

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of bing cherries, blueberries, spices, barnyard, earth, vegetables, coffee and peppercorn.
Smells like a California Pinot Noir.

Medium bodied with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, cherries, strawberries, light oak, spices, vegetables, herbs and black pepper.

Medium finish with soft tannins and cherries.

This Is a very nice Rhône blend from Santa Ynez Valley, in California. Nicely balanced with a nice and soft mouthfeel.

Easy drinking and fruit forward. Good right out of the bottle and good by itself or with food.

I paired it with cheeses and crackers, and was very nice with the Brie cheese.

A blend of 67% Grenache and 33% Syrah.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$43.