What Would Mikey Drink

Deep, dark color. Roasted, Christmastime aromas of figs, pine, roasted nuts, and cedar. Full and teeth staining with layers of fruitcake, cracked peppercorn, plums and grape jam. Long, powerful finish. This is a real treat, especially at $25 direct from the Turley list. Kapow but it works. Grade: A-

Dark ruby. Deep serious mentholated cherry juice aromas. Balanced and even palate, with layers of spice cake, cola, ame dried fruits , and salty meats. This was a lastbottle.com purchase at under $30, but the lowest retail price is $50. Great at the price I paid, only decent at the current retail. My grade reflects my price. Grade :A

Teeth-staining, Inky purple. Floral, very ripe with sweet flowers 15.7%. Thumping bass and really long. Nice tension and rocks. Super fun. Candy. Watermelon jolly rancher. Grade: A. Thanks Don!

Iron and rust, earth and chestnut aromas. Amazing complexity. Not as closed as I expected. Dirty mushrooms. . Ruby to the core. Tomato and beef bullion. Incredible cristilline complexity. Long and pure. Outrageously delish. This is the real deal clos vougeot. Multi minute finish. Among my favorite clos vougeot. A/ A+

Cork is perfect.  Cam out in one shot.  At first very funky with old very dusty book flavor.  But even at first there’s a delicious core of fruit.    Still ruby red.  I’ve had this open an hour now.  Aromas of funky a little stinky sweaty funk.  Then totally tasty palate.   Dark fruits, earth, and outstanding balance.  Long, long finish. Fun!   Lots of sediment.  Who says Zinfandel can not be aged?  Grade: A

Lovely burnt amber with some bricking.   Gorgeous, classic Bordeaux nose of cedar/ cigar box ,wild strawberries, and peppers.    Very nice texture, comes across as creamy and sticky.  Classic aged cabernet dill and bell pepper laced plums.   All perfectly harmonious and balanced.     Very interesting, weaving, long finish.   In a sweet spot at age 30.

The cork crumbled and I am thrilled this wine is in such nice shape.  Thanks Josh!    Grade: A

Dark ruby.  Darker than I’d expect from a Rhys.  Brooding, muted aromas of cherry.  Cool wild strawberry palate.  Nice long, even finish.   This is quite tasty but not among the best from this producer.    I would guess a Burgundy blind, possibly a Chambolle villages from the ripe 2009 vintage.  Grade: A-

Dark quite young purple.  Like it is only a year or two old.    Lovely aromas of pure dark fruits.  Vanilla-kissed deep dense new world flavors with plums, cherries, and chocolate covered blueberries.    30+ second finish.  Totally delicious.    I know I am on a string of all A ratings, and wanted to grade this lower but it is really tasty.  I deduct only a slight bit as at this price, I expect a little more terrior.      The great thing about this is Jill loves it and usually doesn’t like California Cabernet.  She loves the balance, chocolate and depth.

Original retail, $45 but now more like $80.  Grade: A-

Teeth staining purple.  Classic modern Brunello tar, flower and dark fruit aromas.  Very full body with such pure delicious fruit and an incredibly long finish.    At first it is like a block but after a strong decant and a pour through the Venturi, its starts to show its stuff.  This is no where near ready to drink but it is brimming with extract and potential.    Will age forever given its density and balance.  Thanks Don!  Grade: A

Lighter ruby- looks like riper pinot!   Knock out aromas of menthol, blueberry, crushed black pepper, and spring flowers.  Perfect early summer fruits.  Dripping ripe and a tending toward blackberry and cranberry with some roasted espresso notes.    Showing a restrained, feminine,  floral side of Syrah.  12.5% alcohol.  The amazing thing is how much depth it has given its lighter style.   Sneaky, long finish.  A pinot drinker’s syrah.    I would happily drink this every day.     I wonder how long it will age?   Grade: A