Quarter One Wines Promoted

Quarter One: 2021 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Quintessence, 2017 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah In the Rocks, 2008 Anderson’s Conn Valley Eloge, Result of a Crush 2017 & 2021 Syrah,  2020 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor, 2021 Idda Etna Rosso- Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC.

Quarter Two Wines Promoted

Easy one here. This is one of the best Merlot’s I have tasted from Washington. Off the charts from the poor 2020 vintage. No smoke taint here!

  • 2020 Mark Ryan Merlot Little Sister – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (6/8/2025)
    Day 1: Diam 10. Second time tasting this wine and no smoke taint. Sour cherry, dust, minerals, wood, earth, cigar and dark currants. Outstanding quality. One of the best merlots from Washington. 93 points
    Day 2: This will be a long term cellar wine for sure. Minerals, dust, sour cherry, wood, cigar, dark chocolate, earth and blueberries. Super balanced wine and nice acidity. One of the better Merlots I have tasted from Washington in many years. 94 points
    Day 3: Bold statement here that this is top 3 if not top Merlot in Washington. This is off the charts on day 3 and would give a lot of $300 plus Right Bankers a run blind. Cherry, minerals, dust, earth, cigar, wood, rose petals, stone, dark chocolate and pencil lead. Medium plus finish and top 20 wine of the year for sure. 95 points
    Recommendation: Back up the truck on a six pack and enjoy over 20 years. (95 points)

Well when you know when you open a bottle and it will be wine of the night you know you picked a winner. 1998 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz delivered at an event last weekend. Here you go.

  • 1998 Fox Creek Shiraz Reserve – Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (5/25/2025)
    Aussie, Aussie, Aussie at Lori’s House (St. Paul, MN): Wine of the night by almost everyone. This is an amazing effort and one of the great Shiraz wines from Australia. Other vintages are not even close to this level. Natural cork and 14.5% alcohol. Black licorice, eucalyptus, black pepper, tar, red currants, dust and spice. Medium to long finish. 30 minute decant and had to removed sediment. Seek some out as it has another 5 plus years of enjoyment. (96 points)

Amazing Wine under $35 at Total Wine Bloomington. Well not many Bordeaux style blends better than this one and improved over 3 days and will continue to improve over time in the cellar.

  • 2020 Achával-Ferrer Quimera – Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo (5/15/2025)
    Day 1: Natural cork. 14.6 alcohol. 48% Malbec, 19% Cabernet, 18% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot & 2% Petit Verdot. Blueberries, spice, pepper, earth, mild oak, dark chocolate and floral notes. Medium plus finish. 92 points
    Day 2: This wine is better on day 2 and 3 and is a 15 year wine from vintage. Blueberries, cherry, minerals, spice, mild oak, vanilla, floral and dust. Medium plus finish and very balanced wine. Outstanding. 93+
    Day 3: Beautiful. Coffee beans, blueberries, cherry, earth, minerals, mild oak, dark chocolate, floral and dust. A wonderful blend from one if not the best producers in Argentina. 94 points
    Recommendation: Under $35 so back up the truck.
    Wines promoted Wine Disruptors: https://winedisruptors.com/wines-promoted/ (94 points)

Amazing value from WineBid under $40.00 with shipping.

  • 2011 Sheridan Vineyard L’Orage – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (4/18/2025)
    Day 1: Natural cork. Well, this is off the charts. Sheridan is top five in Washington, and no one can deny. Funk, cherry, dust, minerals, earth, mild spice and lavender. This is super complex and one of the most polarizing wines I have had in years. 95+
    Day 2: Well not surprised this dropped off a bit so consume within the next few years for maximum enjoyment. Funk, sour cherry, dust, earth, spice, lavender, minerals and dried rose petals. Excellent wine. 93 points
    Recommendation: Drink now to 2027 for maximum enjoyment but what a great wine. (95 points)

Amazing Value at Haskell’s Buy One Get One Free $19.99 with tax.

  • 2023 Hartford / Hartford Court Chardonnay Russian River Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (4/15/2025)
    Day 1: About impossible today to get a Chardonnay under $20 with tax but local sale and case purchase coming. Pear, mild oak, sour apple, dust, lemon and a touch of spice. Short to medium finish and nice acidity. Nothing off the charts but great value here. 90 points
    Day 2: Better on day 2 with lemon, minerals, dust, pear, sour apple, mild oak, stone and spice. Medium finish. Nice acidity and amazing value. 91+ points
    Recommendation: https://winedisruptors.com/wines-promoted/ at a local shop for $19.99 on sale. (91 points)
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2012 MTR Productions Syrah Memory Found – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (4/2/2025)
Day 1: Natural cork. 13.1% alcohol. A very flavorful yet elegant wine. Green olives, white pepper, raspberries, sour cherry, minerals, tar, mild spices and dried flowers. Medium to long finish and nice acidity. Picks up a perfume flavor on the finish which also adds to the excellence of this wine. A truly outstanding effort that still will drink well for at least 5 more years. 94 points
Day 2: Hard to believe a wine that is over 10 years old can improve this much on day 2 but its true. White pepper, smoked meats, green olives, stone, tar, spice, dark fruits, raspberries, smoke and earth. Super long finish and a true masterpiece. For sure top 20 of the year. 96+
Recommendation: Find this wine and buy! (96 points)