I tasted over 300 wines this quarter and these six stood out.
- 2013 Familia Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita – Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Altamira (9/26/2024)
Bodega Zuccardi Valle de Uco (Eagan, MN): Well friends this is not boring as one user said. Top wine at the industry tasting. Super complex wine featuring coffee beans, dust, minerals, dark berries, earth and dark chocolate. Long finish and super concentrated. Wonderful effort. (96 points) - 2020 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor – Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto (8/30/2024)
Day 1: Natural cork. Been down lately on Don Melchor but figured at $79.99 let’s give this vintage a shot as reviews have been good and let me tell you they are accurate. By far the best vintage of this wine in years. Powerful wine with blueberries, dark cherry, oak, spice, mild dill, charcoal and tobacco. Long and complex finish and nice acidity. This is amazing on a pop and pour but will age for 15 plus years. Buy!!! 95 points
Day 2: Wow! Cigar, oak, blueberries, dark cherry, menthol, spice, gravel, earth and bell pepper. Super complex wine and this will drink well for 20 plus years if you can be that patient. Amazing now. 96 points
Day 3: Wow again. Holding form from day 2 with some really nice Bordeaux like character. Gravel, cigar, dust, cherry, blueberries, menthol, spice, mild oak and earth. 96 points
Recommendation: This wine will be drinking well as a pop and pour or aging for 15 to 20 years. (96 points) - 2016 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah In the Hills – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (8/13/2024)
Last bottle of wine as selling my dad’s house and my friend Tom came over to enjoy this and some pizza. Brimming with deliciousness. Black olives, stone, dark fruits, black pepper, spice, roasted meat and tar. Super complex and a true benchmark wine of what is going on in the Rocks District. 96 points
Day 2: Finished this off today and still amazing. Black olives, tar, roasted meats, minerals, ripe cherries, black pepper and earth. Medium plus finish and super complex wine. Personally for the money The Rocks is where it is at for US Syrah. 96 points
Recommendation: Winebid my friends. (96 points) - 2016 Andrew Will Sorella Champoux Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills (8/3/2024)
Day 1: One of the best parts of being an independent wine critic (one who gets no free samples) is that I can accurately review wines. This wine right here is one of the best Bordeaux style blends whether it is domestic or from Bordeaux in the world for the price. 80% Cabernet, 8% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Beautiful fruit on this one with blueberries, cassis and blackberries. Also featuring spice, dust, oak, menthol and earth. Long finish and concentrated wine. Amazing stuff. 95 points
Day 2: Vibrant and powerful wine without the massive oak and heat you get from some Napa Blends. Blackberries, blueberries, menthol, spice, earth, plum, crushed rock and violets. Just a beautiful wine. 95+ points
Day 3: So much life ahead on this wine. Just bought some 2000s via auction. This offers intensity of a Napa Valley Blend without the heat/oak you sometimes get. Blueberries, blackberries, dark cherry, spice, menthol, violets, minerals and perfume. Long finish and just one of the better wines I have tasted under $100 in a while. 96 points
Recommendation: Throw this in a blind tasting and it will be top 3 for sure. (96 points) - 1936 Château d’Yquem – France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes (8/2/2024)
Big Style Wines (Jason’s House, MN): This was amazing and an off the charts treat to try. The oldest wine I have ever tasted. Still amazing acidity with Carmel, marmalade jam, subtle dill and honey. Amazing finish on this wine. What a treat. (96 points) - 2011 Sine Qua Non Syrah Dark Blossom – USA, California, Central Coast (8/2/2024)
Big Style Wines (Jason’s House, MN): As a critic of SQN for its over the top nature I will say this wine was stellar and my wine of the night. Rich wine with spices, blackberries, black pepper, black licorice, Garrigue and stone. Long finish and super complex. While drinking amazing now I could see some cellar improvement. (96 points)
Posted from CellarTracker