Brecon Estate Grenache 2020, Paso Robles, California

Light ruby/ reddish in color with light intensity.

Spicy and fruity nose of blueberries, cherries, raspberries, milk chocolates, light tobacco, spices and black pepper.

Light to medium in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, sweet cherries, light oak, vanilla, citrus, spices, chocolates and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and raspberries.

This is a very tasty Grenache from Paso Robles. Spicy and entertaining. Fruit forward and Interesting.

Nicely balanced and easy drinking with nice complexity.

Good right out of the bottle, and gets spicier after 2 hours of airtime.

Feels like a Zinfandel blend with a Pinot Noir touch.

While some people may assume that screw-top wines are of lower quality, this is definitely not the case with this wine. It also makes it easy to take with, making it an excellent choice for a picnic.

Still young, but already very enjoyable. Tasty and good by itself. A good quality wine. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years.

A great sipping wine. If you like something lighter, and Pinot Noir is not your favorite taste profile, then this is a great choice.

Paired nicely with light appetizers.

A blend of 93% Grenache, 2% Petite Sirah, 2% Mourvedre, 2% Syrah and 1% Viognier. A small production of less than 2,800 bottles.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$55.

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Zwebner Estate Vineyard Judean Mountains 35.40.2 Red Blend 2015, Bethlehem

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

Pretty nose of blueberries, black plums, currants, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, Mediterranean spices, peppercorn, chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs and dark coffee.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black plums, cherries, oak, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, earth, cloves and peppercorn.

Long spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 8 year old GSM blend from Bethlehem is drinking wonderfully now. Showing nice balance with a great mouthfeel.

Feels like a Napa Cabernet on the nose, but definitely not on the palate.

Peaking now and will continue to drink nicely in the next 3 years.

Loved the nose right out of the bottle, and the alcohol is nicely integrated now.

Delicious right out of the bottle and good by itself.

I had this vintage 4 years ago, and it is drinking beautifully now.

A blend of 47% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 18% Mourvedre. Grapes are grown in the Judean Mountains at 2,500 feet elevation, and aged for 12 months in (100% new) French oak barrels. Kosher.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$50.

Mount Bullion Vineyards Casto Oaks The Dream Mourvèdre 2019, Calaveras County, California

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim and medium intensity.

Strong nose of black cherries, black plums, black currants, cherry pie, light oak, spices and milk chocolates.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity and long skinny legs.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light oak, licorice, spices, light alcohol, chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs and peppercorn.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a very tasty Mourvedre from california. Spicy and entertaining. Feels like an elegant California Zinfandel. Interesting stuff.

This 3 year old is already showing nice complexity, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 3 to 5 years.

Fruit forward and tangy. Elegant and very pleasant.

Easy drinking and good right out of the bottle. A good party wine as well. Good by itself or with food.

A blend of 93% Mourvedre with 7% Syrah. Aged for 21 months in neutral French Oak barrels. A small production of only 115 cases.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$25.

Toca Madera Winery Toca Madera Vineyard GSM 2015, California

This 7 year old GSM from California is still drinking nicely, although definitely not at its peak any longer.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blackberries, plums, cooked cherries, light oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, espresso, peppercorn and pencil lead.

Short finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Single Vineyard is easy drinking now, and good for the pool or beach.

A blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Viognier and Grenache.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$32.

Leverage Wines Trajectory 2017, Paso Robles, California

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

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

Dry and very fruity on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blackberries, black currants, blueberries, oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, vanilla, coffee, tobacco, earth and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins, tangy raspberries and red chili pepper.

This 5 year old GSM blend from Paso robles is drinking very nicely now.

Showing nice complexity with a soft, smooth mouthfeel. Creamy and tangy. Fruit forward and spicy.

Will continue to age nicely in the next few years. A delicious wine.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and good with food too. I paired it with 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 7 barrels.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$64 (current vintage).

Buccella Winery Mixed Blacks 2014, Amador County, California

Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black plums, sweet cherries, light cedar, licorice, Indian spices, wild flowers, tobacco leaf, peppercorn, tar and earth.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, vanilla, licorice, cedar, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, earth, mint and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious GSM blend, with a twist of Petite Sirah. Fruit forward and complex with a nice mouthfeel.

Right out of the bottle it feels like a Cabernet blend from Napa. Only after 3 hours of airtime, it changes and feels more like a Napa Merlot. Interesting stuff. Peaking now and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine and good with food too. I paired it with a Brie cheese and Duck Pâté.

A blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah, 14% Grenache and 6% Mourvedre. Aged for 22 months in (50% new) French oak barrels. Unfiltered and unfined. A tiny production of less than 1,500 bottles.

14.4% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$130.

Optio Vineyards Inmesceo 2020, Paso Robles, California

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

On the nose blueberry jam, black currants, plums, baked cherries, light oak, spices and light pepper.

Full bodied and soft, with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blueberries, currants, cooked cherries, light oak, spices, light alcohol, peppercorn, chocolates and light tobacco leaf.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Mourvedre blend from Paso Robles. Easy drinking and good by itself. Feels like a Spanish Monastrell with a new world twist.

Better after 90 minutes of airtime, but good right out of the bottle as well.

Still young and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 years.

Already showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Tangy and rich. Fruit forward and smooth.

Good by itself or with food. Would pair nicely with burger and fries.
I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend 50% Mourvedre, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petite Sirah. Aged for 17 months in (15% new) oak barrels. A tiny production of only 63 cases.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$58.

Toca Madera Winery GSM 2015, California

Light ruby/ brick in color.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blue and black fruits, light oak, alcohol, spices, chocolates, coffee and dried fruits.

Very spicy on the finish with soft tannins.

This seven-year-old is still drinking nicely, although on its last leg. I had it two years ago, and it was peaking then, but I forgot it in the cellar. (wine collector problems).

Lost its balance a bit, but showing nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle, easy drinking and good by itself. I enjoyed it by the pool with a light chill.

A blend of 55% Syrah, 17% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and 13% Viognier.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$32.

Crux Winery Russian River Valley GSM 2014, California

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Great nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, light cedar, earth, licorice, spices, chocolates, coffee, tobacco, light vanilla, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Medium bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, plums, cooked cherries, oak, herbs, vanilla, licorice, cloves, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn and tobacco leaf.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Grenache blend from Russian River Valley. Showing nice complexity now, with a great nose.

This 8 year old is peaking now. Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Elegant and extracted. Fruit forward and spicy.

Easy drinking, good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

I had it 3 years ago, and it is definitely better now. Tangy and interesting.

I gave it a light chill, and had it all by itself.

A blend of 58% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah and 2% Petite Sirah.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$46.

Famille Gonnet Font du Vent Cuvée Tradition Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019, France

Dark cherry in color with a wide reddish rim.

On the nose raspberries, strawberries, cherries, light oak, spices, herbs, earth, dried meats, wild flowers, garrigue, tobacco leaf and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, black currants, blueberries, light wood, earth, dark coffee, light bitter herbs and peppercorn.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Grenache blend from Southern Rhone. Elegant and interesting.

Tangy and spicy with lots of fruits. Nicely balanced with nice complexity.

This 3-year-old is drinking very nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 years.

Easy drinking and better after 90 minutes in the decanter.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$50.