Huge catch up entry, finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been so long since I did one of these random catch-up entries, but I figure I better get one done before my notes get eaten.

No, that's not a typo. We don't have livestock or anything, but we do have one of these.

That is a Sidra. She's real, and she's spectacular. And she loves to eat paper.

So, I better get to it while I can still read (most of) my notes.

Shafer Vineyards 2011 Merlot ($80.99)

Aromas of chocolate, oak, smoke, cassis, blueberry, vanilla and sage. Juicy palate features blackberry, chocolate, forest floor and cedar. Medium finish. Nice effort in what was a pretty poor year in Napa. 92.





Black Hills 2012 Addendum ($55.00)

So, Black Hills decided to do a test run by putting their 2012 Nota Bene back into the bottles for an extra 6 months to see how it worked. The result was this beauty. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry and a touch of smoke. Juicy blackberry flavors, with a touch of vanilla and black tea. Finishes very long. 93.


Turnbull 2014 Bonne Vivant Winemaker's Blend ($75.00 USD)

Blackberry, blueberry, eucalyptus, red fruit and a touch of spice on the nose. Complex palate of black cherry, dark chocolate, toasty oak, smoke, and juicy blueberry notes come up at the end as it opens. Lovely. 93.





Cedarcreek 2016 Platinum Block 1 Pinot Noir Rosé ($24.99)

Strawberry, cranberry, watermelon, a touch of pink grapefruit and some vegetative notes on the nose. Is that a soupcon of asparagus, perhaps? Strawberry, a touch of watermelon and herbs de Provence on the palate. This is juicy and delicious and a top-notch Rosé. 92.




The Hatch 2016 Lifecycle of a Hobo Muller-Thurgau ($25.99)

This hybrid is enjoying a renaissance due to the crazies at the Hatch. Aromas of red apple, papaya, guava and lemon. Citrus flavors dominate. Intriguing. 88.



The Hatch 2016 Gobsmacked Sweet P ($17.99)

Blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Auxerrois.

Light aromas of tropical fruit, pineapple and white flowers. Flavors of guava, banana, honeysuckle and red apple. Balanced acidity. 88.





Tinhorn Creek 2013 Oldfield Series Kerner Icewine ($57.99)

Aromas of lemon, white flowers, honey and apricot. Pear, citrus rind, honey and pineapple on the palate. 89.








Paul Hobbs 2012 Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($75.00)

Tropical fruit and buttery citrus abound on the nose. Butterscotch, hazelnut, pineapple and ripe apple on the palate. Finishes long. 93.








Chateau Montelena 2013 Chardonnay ($75.00)

The wine that won the Judgement in Paris in 1973, aromas of butterscotch, citrus, hazelnut, sweet oak and ripe apples. The flavors are similar to the nose, with a long finish, and vibrant acidity. 93.







Quilceda Creek 2013 CVR ($39.00 USD from winery)

This is a blend of declassified lots that don't make it into their flagship wines, and the quality of this wine is a good indication of just how good their flagship wines will be. Aromas of dark chocolate, black plum, licorice and graphite. Rounded texture, ripe tannins, juicy flavors of rich cherry and a long finish. 92.



Black Hills 2015 Roussanne ($24.99)

Light aromas of pear and melon. Creamy mouthfeel, white flowers, toasted coconut, apple and almond flavors. Delicious first effort. 89.





Ego Bodegas 2014 Goru ($21.95)

Blend of Monastrell, Syrah and Petit Verdot

Aromas of violets, blueberry, leather and sweet cedar. Herbaceous notes on the palate, with blackberry flavors and a juicy mid-palate. Short finish. 88.




Turnbull 2012 Oakville Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($85.00)

Beautiful aromas of eucalyptus, coffee, mushroom, tobacco leaf and black fruit. Beautiful, complex flavors of dark chocolate, leather, cigar box and red cherry. Really special. 94.








d'Arenberg 2009 The Laughing Magpie Shiraz/Viognier ($41.99)

92% Shiraz, 8% Viognier

Mushroom, black fruit, forest floor and tobacco on the nose. Black cherry, leather, tobacco and mushroom on the palate. Juicy and lovely finish. 92.







Culmina 2015 Decora ($24.95)

Aromas of papaya, honeysuckle, wet slate. A touch of minerality on the palate is framed by papaya, orchard fruit. Still young and will age gracefully. 89-91.








Church & State 2014 Coyote Bowl Chardonnay ($34.99)

Pretty nose of buttered toast, hazelnut and white flowers. Intense flavors of toasty oak, caramel and hazelnut. Lovely. 91.








Cedarcreek 2014 Amphora Project Meritage ($45.00)

Graphite, forest floor, red berries and wild mushroom on the nose. Black fruit and mushroom on the palate. Finishes short, and lacks some power and finesse. 86.















OK that will do it for now! Some great stuff. Next up: Germany night!