2016 2nd Half Summary - Reds

Haruru Falls, NZ '03

The 38 Reds tasted during July 1st through December 31st of this year are listed below. These are sequenced by their 100 point ranking and the month of each wine’s tasting is shown in brackets. There are 14 wines rated 90 and above. These are considered not lacking in any aspect and are excellent to sip and/or as a complement to an appropriate meal. Another twelve in the 85 to 89 range are enjoyable but lack in minor degrees of fullness, varietal character or some other element, perhaps introduced by terroir or process.

Ten wines rated 84 and below although consumable are not enjoyable in some way - some will see this as a defect, others may describe it as a pecularity of the grape, the terroir or the winemaker’s process. The side panel has more background for this blog’s opinion.

Given that the selection is from a lower price range, mainly from Vintages stock and somewhat arbitrary/personal, there's about a 75% chance of choosing a reasonable red.

Attached to the 100 point ranking a second number indicates whether, in this taster’s opinion, a wine is 'worth the price' , one that I'd buy in 'multiples', or one I'd buy in 'quantity'. Click here to go to the 2016 2nd Half Summary - WHITES+ .

Cheers, Ww

Reds: (38)

1. Byron & Harold Rose & Thorns Shiraz 2013  95-3  --  V, Western Australia, #453183  $19.95 (Jul)
2. Undurraga Sibaris Gran Reserva Syrah 2013,  94-3  --  V, Cachapaol, Chile, #443556  $16.95(Aug)
3. Domaine Santa Duc Roaix les Crottes 2010,  93-3  --  V, Cotes du Rhone Villages, France, #437491  $17.25(Aug)
4. Tapiz Alta Collection Malbec 2013,  93-3  --  V, Uco Valley, Argentina, #450155   $19.95  (Aug)
5. Wits End Luna Shiraz 2014,  92-2   --  V,  McLaren Vale, Australia, #311258  $17.00(Sep)
6. Zonte's Footstep Baron Von Nemesis Shiraz 2013, 92a-c  --  V, Barossa Valley, Australia, #212936  $17.95(Jul)
7. Lamadrid Single Vineyard Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2013,  92-2  --  V,  Mendoza, Argentina, #223206  $19.95(Oct)
8. Catena Malbec 2014,  91-2 --  V,  Mendoza, Argentina, #478727  $17.95*(Oct)
9. Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot 2013,  91a-2c  --  V,  McLaren Vale, Australia, #024034  $19.95(Jul)
10. Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2013,  91-1  --  V, Clare + Coonawarra Valleys, #142398  $24.95 (Nov)
11. Santa Duc les Vieilles Vignes Côtes du Rhône,  90-2 --  V,  Rhone, France, #101543  $16.95(Aug)
12. H. J. Fabre Barrel Selection Malbec 2014,  90-2  --  V,  Patagonia, Argentina, #455741  $18.95 (Dec)
13. Sledgehammer Zinfandel 2014, 90-2  --  G, California, USA,  #230466  $16.95(Nov)
14. Dandelion Lioness of McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014, 90-1  --  V,  South Australia, #357475  $21.95   (Dec)
15. Susana Balbo CRIOS Pinot Noir 2014,  89-2  --  V, Mendoza Argentina, #450098  $14.95 (Jul)
16. Corte Majoli Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2013,  89-1  --  V, Verona, Italy, #084061  $16.25(Oct)
17. Chateau Terra Mare Rhône Paradox Côtes du Rhône Homini 2012, 89-1 --  V, Rhône, France, #447912  $16.95 (Jul)
18. Gérard Bertrand Cap Insula 2013, 89-1 --  V, Languedoc, France, #474973  $17.00
19. Château Pégau Cuvée Maclura Côtes-du-Rhône 2013,  89-1  --  V,  Rhône, France, #452250  $19.95 (Jul)
20. Mirasso Winery Pinot Noir 2014,  88-2  --  G, Modesto, California, #185249  $11.95* (Jul)Edge Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, 88  --  V, Napa Valley, USA, #034223  $37.95(Oct)
21. Protea Merlot 2014, 87a-1  --  V, Western Cape, South Africa, #443481  $14.95 (Jul)
22. Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Petit Verdot 2013, 87-1  --  V, Valle del Rapel, Chile, #007484 $15.95(Dec)
23. Heirloom The Velvet Fog Pinot Noir 2015, 87  --  V, Adelaide Hills, South Australia,  #464693  $24.95(Nov)
24. Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni 2013,  86  --  V, Tuscany, Italy, #145920  $21.95*(Oct)
25. ZIG ZAG ZIN Zinfandel 2013, 86  --  V, Ukiah, California, #039982   $22.95(Nov)
26. Chateau Peyros Madiran Tannat/Cabernet Franc 2010,  85  --  V, Corbere Aberes, France,  #208249  $15.95 (Aug)
27. Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, 85 --  G, Modesto, California, #392647  $17.45(Dec)
28. Montecillo Crianza Tempranillo 2011,  84a  --  G, Rioja, Spain, #144493   *$13.10(Nov)
29. Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2014,  84  --  G, Hopland, California, #461053  $16.45(Dec)*
30. Alamos Seleccion Malbec 2013,  84 --  V,  Mendoza, Argentina, #322800  $16.95 (Aug)
31. Tessellae Old Vines Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre Côtes du Roussillon 2014, 84 -- V,  Midi, France, #343517  $18.95(Dec)
32. Susana Balbo CRIOS Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, 83  --  V, Mendoza, Argentina, #640979  $12.75 (Aug)
33. Ménage a Trois Silk Red Blend 2014,  83  --  G,  Lodi, California, #462853  $13.95  (Dec)
34. Clayhouse Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, 83  --  V, Pasa Robles, California, #057869 $17.00(Dec)
35. Ortas Cave de Rasteau la Domelière Rasteau 2014,  82  --  V, Cotes du Rhone, France, #222927  $16.95 (Aug)
36. de Bortoli GS. Pinot Noir 2015,  82  --  V,  Yarra Valley, Australia, #015511  $19.95(Nov)
37. Josef Chromy Pepik Pinot Noir 2014,  81  --  V,  Tasmania, Australia, 13.0%  XD  5g/L,  #162990   $21.95 (Sep)
38. Monte Zovo Sa' Solin Ripasso Valpolicella 2014, 81  --  V, Verona, Italy, #650713  $17.95(Oct)