Vegas wine reviews, including one really special bottle, and a huge new update

First, I've added another page to my blog (which you can access from the tab at the top). All the wine I have reviewed that I gave 95 points or better...the "Best of the Best", all in one spot, for easy access to the really really good stuff.

We will resume our Okanagan trip report next time, but tonight I'm going to post reviews of the wine we enjoyed during our Vegas trip last week.

Hartford Court 2010 Velvet Sisters Pinot Noir ($160 at restaurant)

What a treat it was to see this on the menu at La Cave. Regular readers will know we recently enjoyed the 2013 vintage of this wine, reviewed here.

Another real beauty here. Brooding aromas of blood orange, mushroom, forest floor, earth and tobacco. The palate features a hint of cherry cola, black cherry, earth and just a touch of cigar box on the long, lovely finish. It doesn't quite compare to the beauty of the 2013 vintage, but it's still very, very good. 94.




A slightly cheaper bottle....

Chateau St. Michelle 2014 Riesling ($9.00)

This was given a "Best Buy" rating by Wine Enthusiast magazine and they are on the money. Possibly the best under-$10 wine I've ever had.

Green apple dominates the nose and palate with notes of minerality as well. Slightly off-dry. 86,





La Crema 2014 Monterey Chardonnay ($20.00)

Apple and citrus notes intermingling with a touch of butterscotch. Rich and full mouthfeel, flavors of tropical fruit and red apple. Slight buttery notes. 88,









Belpoggio 2010 Brunello di Montalcino ($105 at restaurant)

Intoxicating aromas of dark berries, leather, dark chocolate, mushrooms, smoke and nutmeg. The wine opens up with herbal notes, black pepper, licorice, nutmeg and dark berries. Drinking well now but aerate and decant if you can't leave it in the cellar for a little while longer. 92.







Pine Ridge 2014 Chenin Blanc/Viognier ($17.00)

Aromas of lemon, melon and citrus. Flavors of tangerine, lychee, grapefruit, key lime and apple mingle effortlessly. Another really good vintage of a go-to white. 88.








Other than the beautiful 2003 Silver Oak that we had at our first dinner (previously reviewed here), that's actually all the wine we had for the entire week.

Next up: Back to the Okanagan tour!