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.

Yatir Winery Yatir Creek 2018 Judean Hills, Israel

Dark inky in color with a reddish rim.

Strong nose of plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, black plums, barnyard, earth, vegetables, peppercorn, dark chocolates and bitter herbs.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with plums, currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, bitter herbs, earth, vegetables, black tea, chocolates dark coffee and black pepper.

Nice finish with fine grained tannins and raspberries.

This is a unique Syrah based blend from Israel. Nicely balanced and still young. Earthy and stinky, in a good way. Feels like a Northern Rhône Syrah.

This 4 year old is starting to drink nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 7 years.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly, but good right out of the bottle too.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with dried meats.

A blend of 73% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 7% Mourvedre and 3% Grenache. Aged for 12 months in large oak barrels. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$45.

La Célestière TraditionChâteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2013, France

This is a very nice Grenache blend from Southern Rhone.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, bell pepper, oak, barnyard, vegetables, spices, bitter herbs, wet leaves, earth and black pepper.

Tangy finish with soft tannins and tangy cranberries.

Has a very pretty color now, and the nose is really stinky, even after 4 hours in a decanter, with lots of barnyard and animal notes.

Wine Enthusiasts 93 points.

Feels more like a Northern Rhone red. The Syrah seems to be very dominant.

A very enjoyable food wine that I paired with braised beef short ribs in red wine sauce.

A blend of 55% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and 15% Cinsault.

15% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$40 (current vintage).

Epoch Estate Wines Ingenuity 2013, Paso Robles, California

Deep ruby in color with a short brick rim.

Beautiful nose of stewed plums, cherries, raisins, dried figs, black currants, wildflowers, cedar, vanilla, alcohol, licorice, spices, tobacco, light earth, chocolates and dark coffee.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, cooked plums, sweet cherries, figs, raisins, cedar, licorice, cola, chocolates, vanilla, coffee, tobacco, peppercorn and espresso.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and red chili powder.

This is a wonderful Syrah blend from Paso Robles. Rich and elegant. This 8 year old is Showing great complexity with a great mouthfeel.

Peaking now and will be good in the next couple of years, so drink up if you have any.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 30 minutes of airtime.

Drinks like an aged Napa Petite Sirah. Delicious.

Robert Parker 96 points. Wine Enthusiasts 94 points.

Thank you Scott for sharing this with me.

A great wine to have all by itself and talk about. I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 54% Syrah, 21% Mourvèdre, 16% Grenache and 9% Petite Sirah. Aged for 17 months in 49% new French oak barrels.

15.8% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$70 (current vintage).

Galil Mountain Winery Ela 2014, Israel

This 7 year old red blend from Israel is very unique. Over the hill by now, by still very drinkable.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blueberries, sweet cherries, light chocolates, light oak, spices, vinaigrette, mold, light linoleum and black pepper.

Short finish with very soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This was not meant to be had as a 7 year old, but nice to try. Drinks like a much older wine.

Lasted for about 90 minutes. I paired it with cheeses and crackers.

A blend of 61% Barbera, 5% Syrah, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Grenache. Aged for 12 months in French Oak barrels. Grapes are grown in the upper Galilee region. Kosher.

14% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$18.

Xavier Vignon Ange Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2001, France

Ruby in color with a wide red rim.

Nose of blueberries, plums, light wood, spices, coffee, nail polish remover, tobacco, earth, light wet leaves, herbs and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body and elegant, with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, light wood, earth, vinaigrette, tobacco, bitter herbs, spices, vegetables, dark coffee and black pepper.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty and nicely aged Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Elegant and smooth.

Good by itself or with food and a little stinky on the nose. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly and show the complexity.

Thank you Scott for sharing.

Great all by itself. Yummy and interesting.

This unique wine was held in oak barrels until 2010, at which point it was blended. Bottled only in 2019.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$100.

Netofa Winery Latour Red 2018, Galilee, Israel

Dark purple in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, plums, blueberries, oak, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, light herbs, earth and black pepper.

Medium plus in body and elegant, with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with black currants, cherries, light earth, oak, vanilla, chocolates and spices.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very nice Syrah blend from Israel. Feels like a Côtes du Rhône red, with a new world twist.

Nice and elegant with a great buttery mouthfeel. Easy drinking and good by itself.

This 3 year old shows nice complexity already, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 years.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly and show the complexity.
I paired it with cheeses and olives.

A blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre. Aged in French oak barrels for 13 months. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$30.

Booker Vineyard Oublie 22 2016 Paso Robles, California

This is a delicious GSM Blend from Paso Robles. Soft and smooth with nice complexity.

Showing a great nose, very flowery and complex.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, currants, light oak, spices, vanilla, light barnyard, peppercorn, tobacco leaf, chocolates, coffee, cola, earth and black tea.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 5 year old is drinking very nicely now and will continue to age in the next 10 years.

Good right out of the bottle and better after 2 hours of airtime. Peaked after 3 hours, showing nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Thank you Scott for sharing this with me.

I paired it with a Charcuterie board. Very tasty.

A blend of 55% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre and 5% Syrah. Aged in French oak barrels for 22 months.

15% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$85.