Adolph Mueller Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett Riesling 1982 Mosel, Germany

Here is another great taste of history. This 37 year old is surprisingly, still very drinking nicely. Showing lots of complexity on the nose and palate.

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

Off dry on the palate with citrus, honey, ripped apples, light maple, tropical fruits, pineapples, citrus and Indian spices.

Tangy finish with spices and honey.

Very Stinky right out of the bottle, and better as it opens up (30 minutes).

Very enjoyable by itself or with food. I paired it with a spicy Tuna Tataki dish.

10% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

Elvi Wines Clos Mesorah 2015 Montsant, Spain

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

On the nose, black plums, red cherries, blueberries, light oak, licorice, spices, peppercorn, earth, dust, vegetables, alcohol and black tea.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate and spicy on the attack with blueberries, cherries, strawberries, wood, licorice, spices, vegetables, bitter herbs, graphite, dark chocolates and peppercorn.

Medium on the finish with fine tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a nice Spanish Red Blend. Spicy, tangy and easy drinking. Showing mild complexity and mouthfeel.

Good by itself and better with food.

A little hot, but very drinkable. Might need a few years in the bottle to mature. I let it open up for 2 hours.

A good quality wine. Elegant and spicy. I’d like to revisit it in 3 years.

I had it blind, and called Priorat Garnacha/Syrah blend.

I paired it with cheeses, crackers and fresh berries.

A blend of 40% Carignan, 30% Garnacha, and 30% Syrah. Old Vines. Kosher. Not Mevushal.

15% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$68.

Artiste Winery Countemplation Non Vintage, Santa Barbara County, California

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim. A very pretty color.

Fruity nose with bing cherries, blueberries, plums, wood, vanilla, red candy, spices and black pepper.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, strawberries, currants, barnyard, light vegetables, oak, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates and peppercorn.

Spicy finish with soft tannins and tangy citrus fruit.

This is a very interesting Pinot Noir blend from Santa Barbara County. A nice surprise, a Pinot Noir with a twist. Smells like a Pinot Noir from California, tastes like a fruity Pinot Noir with a touch of Syrah. Spicy, unique and interesting.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food. A good wine to sip on with friends and talk about.

Although very enjoyable now, it should get even better in 3 to 5 years. (This Non-Vintage was bottled in 2019).

Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Interesting and engaging.

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

A blend of 70% Pinot Noir, 24% Syrah and 6% Chardonnay.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$38.

Yatir Winery Yatir Creek 2016 Judean Hills, Israel

A pretty color of dark ruby with a nice reddish rim.

Stinky nose of black currants, blueberries, barnyard, vanilla, oak cloves, spices, earth, wet leaves, black pepper, black tea, dark coffee, pencil lead, vegetables and bitter herbs.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, bell pepper, oak, licorice, cloves, earth, vegetables, vanilla, spices, coffee, herbs, tobacco leaf and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a very nice Syrah blend from Israel. Feels like a good quality Chilean Red Blend.

I let it open up for 3 hours, and the stinky nose was still there. As it opens up it becomes tastier, so be patient.

Still young and needs 3 to 5 years in the bottle to mature properly.

An interesting wine to drink and talk about. If you are familiar with their Yatir Forest, this is its baby brother. This has the potential to get to 92+ points in 5 to 7 years.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with Brie cheese and crackers.

A blend of 76% Syrah, 12% Tannant and 12% Malbec. A very unique blend from this area. Aged for 12 months in oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$50.

Château Montbrun Cru Bourgeois Margaux 1983 Bordeaux, France

It’s time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a nice surprise from Margaux, Bordeaux.

Dark brown in color with a wide brick rim.

Great complexity on the nose with blueberries, black currants, potpourri, raspberries, earth, wood, spices, peppercorn, green vegetables, vinaigrette, black tea, mashrooms, forest floor, smoke, tobacco leaf, spices and graphite.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, dried fruits, wood, cloves, forest floor, tobacco leaf, spices, black pepper, earth, black tea, vinaigrette, mushrooms, wet leaves, herbs and graphite.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

What a great experience this is. This 36 Year old, Cabernet based Bordeaux, is drinking very nicely now. Showing great complexity on both the nose and palate, with a soft mouthfeel. Resembles a 40 year old Barolo.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up. Took 90 minutes to peak.

Not from a great vintage, but it is still holding great.

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

I can’t say what the alcohol level is, but it feels like 12.5%.

91 points.

Joel Gott Wines California Merlot 2016, California

It’s time for #MerlotThursday. Here is one from California.

Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.

Sweet nose of blackberries, black plums, maple, brown sugar, spices, milk chocolates, tobacco, vanilla and toasted oak.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity.

Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with black plums, cherry pie, dried figs, tobacco, spices, wood, vanilla, cloves, dark coffee, chocolates, herbs and peppercorn.

Short finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a very extracted Merlot from California. Tastes like it was aged in Bourbon Barrels.

Good right out of the bottle and good for parties, with lots of caramel and maple notes.

Thank you Wendy for sharing.

100% Merlot grapes were aged in French and American oak barrels, 25% New.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

86 points.

$18.

Michael David Winery Inkblot Cabernet Franc 2015 Lodi, California

Here is a beautiful wine to celebrate Cabernet Franc Day.

Dark ruby in color with a cloudy reddish rim.

Fruity nose of dried figs, blackberries, cooked cherries, raisins, vanilla, oak, licorice, spices, coffee, cola, pencil lead, peppercorn, chocolates, tobacco and light alcohol.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, blackberries, cooked cherries, dried figs, tobacco, raisins, vanilla, oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, herbs and coke.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a great Cabernet Franc from Lodi, California. Fruit forward, extracted and tasty, with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle and better after 2 hours of airtime, when the tannins show up.

Delicious, but might be too sweet for some. I’d like to revisit it in a year or two.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food. I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$35.