"Odedi"

9.4

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish/brick rim.

Fruity nose with blackberries, black plums, dried figs, cedar, vanilla, licorice, tobacco, chocolates, spices, herbs, light eucalyptus, light earth, black tea and black pepper.

Full-bodied, soft and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, toast, light vanilla, licorice, light herbs, spices, light earth, chocolates, tobacco, peppercorn, coffee and cola.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa valley. Rich and extracted. Fruit forward and complex. Well balanced and elegant.

An iconic wine that still needs more time in the bottle to mature properly. Although it is 9 years old, it still feels very young. Will continue to age nicely in the next 25 years. This Single Vineyard is showing great potential.

Good right out of the bottle, and so much better after 3 hours of decanting.

Wine Advocate 98 points. Wine Spectator 96 points.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$750. — 4 hours ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Belted Vines Stewart Ranch Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Napa Valley, California

LUNCH WINE

Pale lemon in color.

Nose of citrus, green apples, limes, eucalyptus, light spices and light gooseberries.

Light to medium in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with lemons, melons, green apples, grapefruits, herbs, spices, light earth and minerals.

Nice finish with limes and grapefruits.

This is a very enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley. Easy drinking and good by itself or with food. A good party wine too.

This Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is nicely balanced and fruit forward.

Showing nice complexity and will pair nicely with fresh seafood dishes.

100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes. A small production of only 270 cases.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$38. — 4 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Inky in color with a short purple rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, sweet plums, cedar, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, light earth and black pepper.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with black currants, blackberries, cedar, cola, vanilla, spices, espresso, light herbs, chocolates and peppercorn

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 6 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is drinking beautifully now, and very approachable right out of the bottle.

This Single Vineyard Cabernet is powerful and spicy. Fruit forward and elegant. Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine.

Feels young, but already delicious, and will continue to age nicely in the 10 years and beyond.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in (70% new) French oak barrels for 20 months.

14.4% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$170. — 7 days ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Ruby in color with a wide reddish/brick rim.

Fruit forward on the nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing sweet cherries, raspberries, blueberries, black currants, plums, chocolates, light oak, earth, cola, herbs, spices, light vanilla, licorice, peppercorn and tobacco leaf.

Nice tangy finish with soft tannins.

This 6-year-old Zinfandel blend from Sonoma County is drinking at its peak. Spicy and fruit forward. Elegant and juicy.

Great right out of the bottle, but even better after a few hours of air, when the complexity really comes to life.

The alcohol is very nicely integrated by now. Easy drinking and nicely balanced. A great sipping wine.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$35. — a day ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Kukeri Wines Rosé Nouveau 2024, Sonoma Coast, California

PICNIC WINE

Pretty color of light salmon.

Very aromatic nose of wild flowers, light cranberries, roses, grapefruits, green apples, vegetables, minerals and bitter herbs.

Light to medium in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, strawberries, limes, grapefruits, bitter herbs, spices, light earth and sea salt.

Tangy finish with herbs and bitter almonds.

This is a tasty Rosé from Sonoma. Crisp and refreshing, with lots of earth notes. Feels like a Provence Rosé.

Good right out of the bottle, and better when properly chilled.

A good food wine that paired nicely with my charcuterie board of dried meats and cheeses.

Pinot Noir grapes were aged for 2 months on the lees. A tiny production of less than 1,000 bottles.

13.1% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$28. — 2 days ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Ruby/ brick in color with medium intensity.

Beautiful nose of flowers, raspberries, earth, light herbs, light wood and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with mild complexity and a harsh mouthfeel.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Single Vineyard Barolo feels big and robust, but looks lighter than it feels. Very tasty though.

The 2019 Barolo vintage is less approachable now, but it's only going to get better from this point.

Needs a few years to mature in the bottle, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. A good food wine right now.

100% Nebbiolo grapes were aged in large Slavonian oak barrels for 3 years.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$150. — 5 days ago

"Odedi"

9.3

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Inky in color with a very short reddish rim.

Fruity nose and medium in body with medium acidity.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cola, chocolates, herbs, earth, light tobacco leaf and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Rich and fruit forward. Soft and smooth.

Still very young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, although very approachable right now.

A delicious wine that will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

Needs 3 hours in the decanter to open up properly, which I didn't have, as it was finished too quickly.

Very elegant, and very enjoyable by itself as a sipping wine. Will also pair very nicely with a big piece of steak or Barbecue meats.

A blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. A small production of only 8 barrels.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$170. — 8 days ago

"Odedi"

9.4

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Deep purple in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose with black fruits, cedar, tobacco, vanilla, licorice, cola, spices and chocolates.

Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, blueberries, blackberries, cedar, dried fruits, chocolates, raisins, tobacco leaf, light earth, light herbs, black pepper and Mediterranean spices.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

What a gorgeous Merlot from Napa Valley this is. This 4 year old Merlot is extracted and rich. Velvety and elegant. Fruit forward and nicely balanced. Complex and inviting.

Drinking beautifully right out of the bottle, and so much better after 4 hours in the decanter. Tannins show up after 3 hours of decanting.

I've had this vintage a year ago, and it is drinking better now. Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 to 20 years. Has good potential to become a 95+ point wine.

This Single Vineyard Merlot is spicy and interesting. A great sipping wine that does not need food, but paired beautifully with the Italian prosciutto.

A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. A small production of only 4 barrels made. Aged in (75% new) French Oak barrels for 21 months.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$175. — a day ago

"Odedi"

9.1

#AgedWineTuesday

Light yellow in color.

Strong nose of apples, yeast, spices, bread, minerals and sea salt.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity, and medium plus sized bubbles.

Dry on the palate with citrus, apples, pears, light earth, yeast, vegetables, spices and bitter herbs.

Nice finish with limes and almonds.

This 13 year old Vintage Champagne feels young and needs 5 years in the bottle to mature properly.

Rich and extracted with lots of bread notes. Elegant and robust.

Showing nice complexity, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Paired beautifully with fresh oysters.

A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Disgorged in 2020.

12% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$120. — 3 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Red fruits on the nose with light oak, spices, earth, garrigue and chocolates.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, black cherries, spices, tobacco leaf, dark chocolates, earth and black pepper.

Nice finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 9 year old Grenache blend from Southern Rhone is drinking beautifully now. Powerful, yet elegant. Fruity, rich and smooth.

Still feels very young, and more fruit forward than I expected it to be. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Complex and interesting.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime. Spicy and entertaining.

This 2016 vintage in the Southern Rhône was exceptional. Will continue to age beautifully over the next 10 years.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with food.

A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah.

14% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$140. — 6 days ago