Byron C Mayes

8.9

Rose des Riceys, though produced in the Champagne region, is not “Champagne” d the word appears nowhere in the appellation. Not sure why Delectable calls it that. Anyway…
Transparent dark ruby. Inviting nose of Marasca cherries. Fruity (evidence of carbonic maceration) medium palate confirms the nose adding a very slight hint of tannin on the short-ish finish. Medium- acidity: just enough to keep it food friendly. This limited production still rose (actually a light red) shows well in this iteration. The style lends itself well to spicy foods (we had tandoori chicken and salmon) and light snack fare. Drink now. — 5 days ago

Byron C Mayes

Byron had this 5 months ago

Byron C Mayes

8.2

Dark ruby with near black core. Classic anticipation-building nose of blackberry and graphite. Medium palate is disappointing and unstructured with moderate acidity and barely any tannins. Mercifully short finish. Everything they say about 2021 is true. It's drinkable but not what you want from commune-level Bordeaux. Did you buy a Wagyu burger? Drink now with that and pretend you're living it up! — 5 months ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Bright, deep gold. Shy but inviting nose of baked stone fruit and big white flowers. Echoed on the medium full palate adding a hint of stone. Varietally appropriate medium low acidity, but still enough to take on rich fare like crab cakes, lobster mac and cheese, or roasted chicken with stuffing. Excellent French presentation of the variety. Is it Condrieu? Of course not. Does it punch way above the ten bucks paid for it? Most certainly. Drink now. — a month ago

Byron C Mayes

8.8

Dark, glass-clinging reddish purple. Deep dish dark berry cobbler on the nose. Full-bodied palate yields that cobbler with an herbal note and a slightly burnt crust. Medium acidity. Dusty, medium minus tannins. Moderate finish. A classic "Cal-Ital" red with just enough backbone for lighter meals, but not too much for sipping or a cheese plate. Drink now through 2029. Sooner is better. — 4 months ago

Byron C Mayes

8.5

Burnished gold in the glass. Shy nose and full palate of ripe red apples and canned cling peaches. Acidity is quite low for this variety and style (but this is New York, not Canada or Germany, so…). Finish is present. If the acidity co ULS balance the fruit and RS this would be great. As it is, pour it over some fruit (those canned peaches?) and enjoy it in a tipsy fruit cup, or use it to sweeten fresh lemonade. — 6 months ago

Byron C Mayes

8.7

Star bright rose gold. Inviting nose and medium palate of ripe pear and Royal Anne cherry adding a hint of wooden tongue depressor (that's French oak to you snobs) on the palate. Medium acidity; no tannins to speak of. Moderate finish. A satisfying alternate presentation of Pinot Noir that doesn't come off as just a big Pinot Grigio. Drink now where you'd have Chardonnay. — a month ago

Byron C Mayes

8.7

Dark, glass-clinging purple. Near opaque core. Ripe blackberries and plum on the inviting nose and full-bodied palate which adds a surprising bit of graphite. Medium acidity and medium tannins. Nicely fruit-forward California Merlot that's soft and fruity enough for by the glass, but with enough structure for a meal. Drink now through 2028. — a month ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark transparent ruby. Abundant nose of rubbery new leather. Backgrounded on the medium palate by juicy black cherry and ripe cranberry. Medium plus acidity. Faint, "just enough" tannins. Classic NZ Pinot Noir with a good balance of fruit and earthy characteristics, though missing the slight salinity I normally find. Made for seafood, particularly salmon or firm crustaceans. Drink now — 6 months ago

Byron C Mayes

8.8

Dark red purple. Abundant(!) nose of blueberry plum compote in a wooden bowl. Medium palate of juicy plums and blueberries supported by moderate tannins and surprisingly bright acidity. Moderately short finish. This is still a very good wine despite the overall weakness of the '21 vintage showing in all of its light bright glory. Prices make this an opportunity buy that'll show well with lighter cuts of beef, lamb, or even pork. Drink now and say that you had Clinet. — 7 months ago