Byron C Mayes

8.8

Straw yellow in the glass. Inviting nose and medium palate of baked quince, underripe banana, dried magnolia flower, and white pepper. Lowish acidity appropriate for the variety, but present enough for rich foods. Finish is medium short and continues the palate. A leaner style of New World Viognier that reaches for its Condrieu roots, but doesn't quite make it. That's not a flaw, but a positive placement into its own niche. A solid NW Viognier that's better than most as a dinner wine. Drink now with chicken pot pie or other rich NW fare. — 7 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Star bright pale straw. Honeysuckle and ripe peaches in the inviting nose. Bright acidity on the medium palate which confirms the nose with a slight hint of smoke. Finish is naturally lengthy given the richness. Classic Mosel Kabinett Riesling from a well established and highly regarded producer. Drink now through 2038 with almost any fare, pork being its natural match. — a month ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Light yellow gold. Abundant nose of baked quince in a wooden bowl. Smooth, medium palate confirms the nose adding fried banana and wilting magnolia blossom. Medium acidity. Lengthy, palate-continuing finish. Classic example of the ultimate Chardonnay expression. Ready for escargot, shellfish in cream sauce, or any hearty white wine fare. Drink now through 2029. — 2 months ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark reddish purple. Inviting nose of blackberry cobbler in a new wooden bowl. Confirmed on the full-bodied, fruit forward palate which adds blueberry compote and a hint of ash. Low-ish (medium minus) acidity. Medium minus tannins that only assert just before the moderate finish. Classic big round Aussie Shiraz in a style that's fallen out of favor, but is worth revisiting now and then. Drink now with char-grilled meats. — 10 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Rich gold. Baked quince and ripe lemon on the inviting nose. Echoed on the medium palate with firm French oak structure. Moderate finish. A bit softer on the next day, but the oak is still prominent in tones of white pepper. Definitely a good wine built for hearty white wine fare: pork, game fowl, rich sauces, etc. Drink now through 2032. — 15 days ago

Byron C Mayes

Byron had this a month ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark ruby. Inviting nose of baked black cherry and hints of leather. Brighter cherry and softer leather on the medium full palate adding red apple peel, light tannins, and medium acidity. Finish is moderate and continues the palate before a quick drop off. Very nice and a value at under $50. Drink now through 2030. — 2 months ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Dark purplish ruby. Shy-ish nose (not in ideal nosing glassware) and medium palate of black cherry, and something marzipan-y. Medium acidity, rounded out by used French (or possibly Slovenian?) oak. Light tannins assert mildly on the moderate finish. Excellent Loire PN that's a bit fatter than expected for the appellation, but still in perfect place for foods of all styles. French cuisine is of course the natural. Drink now through 2030. — 13 days ago

with Jay

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Vibrant pink. Shy but inviting nose of cherry-strawberry bubble gum. Light-bodied palate is (of course) drier than the nose suggests yielding ripe strawberry and melon, balanced by medium acidity. No tannins but a little hint of French oak adds structure. Classic French Pinot Noir rosé with fruit (subdued), flavor, and freshness. Drink now with outdoor dinner. I had it with salmon (of course 😉). — a month ago

Byron C Mayes

8.8

Dark amethyst in the glass. Shy nose and medium palate of black cherry and patent leather. Hint of bitterness back palate. Bright, medium+ acidity. Very low tannins that only assert on the finish. Finish is moderate and continues the palate. Classic Sonoma PN lodged right in-between sipper and dinner wine. Will serve either purpose nicely -- especially if dinner has a bit of spice or heat -- though one could do better at the price for either. Drink now through 2029. — 2 months ago