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2016 Nanclares y Prieto, Albarino “Dandelion” Rias Baixas, Galicia Spain. Beautiful pure and almost Kabinett/Feinherb Riesling like (intensity of form) with generous flavors in the mouth this gloriously delightful Albarino…

2014 Piedrasassi, Syrah, Rim Rock Vineyard, Arroyo Grande Valley. Sashi Moorman’s Rim Rock Syrah might just be his signature wine with it’s edgy stemmy intensity and deep layers of black…

2015 Ampeleia, Alicante Nero, IGT Costa Toscana, Italy. Wildly sweet and sour this Alicante Nero (True Grenache or Alicante Bouschet?) from Elisabetta Foradori tastes like Cru Beaujolais meets Jura Trousseau/Poulsard…

2016 Le Temps des Copains, Fratis “Love & Grapes” Project, Syrah, Vin de France. This 100% Syrah from Philippe Viret, in the Southern Rhone Valley, who practices Cosmoculture, an energy…

2012 Weingut Dr. Loosen, Riesling Trocken, Grosses Gewachs Reserve, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Alte Reben, Mosel Germany. Ernst Loosen is an innovator and a traditionalist, he is a constant force in the…

2015 Joyce Vineyards, Grenache, Ventana Vineyard, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County. A wine that really delivers for the price, as do all of the new Joyce releases, this Ventana Vineyard Grenache…

nv Silwervis, Chenin Blanc “Smiley V2” Western Cape, South Africa. Paardeberg mountain fruit forms the soul of Ryan Mostert’s, Silwervis winemaker, natural old vine non-vintage Chenin V2 Smiley, coming off…

2014 Domaine de l’Écu, Cabernet Franc “Mephisto” Vin de France, Loire Valley, France. The wild Fred Niger amphora raised Cabernet Franc Mephisto Rouge is a thrill ride of deep red…

2016 Weingut Carl Loewen, Riesling Trocken, Ritsch, Grosses Gewachs, Mosel Germany. Christopher Loewen is on a roll, his 2015 and 2016 wines are spectacular and he and the Loewen winery…

2015 Drew Family Cellars, Syrah, Ornbaun, Mendocino Ridge. A blend of two vineyards, both on silty clay and loam soils, west of Anderson Valley, one Valenti Ranch at 1,350 feet…