Byron C Mayes

9.2

Clear deep gold. Abundant, genie-like nose of baked apple and birch. Medium palate confirms the nose -- the apple is green -- with a hint of ripe pear and mineral notes with solid, medium-plus acidity tempered by the barrel treatment. The Classique draws from the top vineyards around lower Seneca Lake, and the result is among the best the Finger Lakes has to offer. Excellent all-around white for rich seafood, pork, or poultry dishes, and especially the Thanksgiving table. Drink now 2021 through 2026. — 2 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Clear, pale straw. Abundant nose of saline petrol and raw almonds. Strongly echoed on the lithe but full-flavored palate which enhances the saline notes back palate, and balances with medium acidity. Finish is very long and continues the palate with salinity yielding to nuttiness as it wears off. Manzanilla no longer markets with Sherry, and this is an excellent jumping off point to exploring the wine on its own. Oysters would be a natural pair, of course, but Unagi sushi would also play well as would most stridently "fishy" seafood. Worked surprisingly well with unsauced sausage tortellini. Drink when you open it, but you can hold onto it for a good decade or more. — 10 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.7

Star bright pale yellow. Green apple, citrus rind on the inviting nose, adding a hint of vanilla cream mid palate in the mouth. Medium plus acidity from entry to moderate finish. A classic California SB that's a great match for a host of spring and summer foods, particularly southwest fare. Drink now. — a month ago

Byron C Mayes

8.8

Dark blackish purple. Inviting nose and rich, full-bodied palate of ripe currant, ripe plum, soft licorice, and a hint of vanilla. Acidity is a bit low (medium minus) for my perception of Italian, but that's probably the point of Bolgheri. The New World in the midst of the Old, this is an excellent initial foray into Bolgheri for the New World aficionado. Be sure to explore further though, as the region has more to offer than California duplicates. Drink now through 2026. — 5 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark red purple with near black core. Inviting nose and medium full palate of black currant, burnt plum, and light tar with medium acidity and lip smacking, medium plus tannins, all carried through the medium long finish. That finish is dark and site particularly prominently mid-tongue. A steak wine without question, but also at home with a wide range of hearty and rustic fare. Drink now through 2028. — 9 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Star bright pale yellow with just a hint of beige (from the barrel). Heavenly nose of grapefruit rind and fines herbes. Medium light palate gives the same adding flinty mineral, green apple, and balsa wood all buttressed by moderate, tingly acidity from entry to medium finish. Solidly Marlborough with French finesse, this is what NZ SB aspires to be. Well balanced for sipping or with a surprisingly wide range of meals. Seafood and greens are at the top of the list. Could hold for a year or so, but drink now for optimal experience. — 15 days ago

Byron C Mayes

This is rosê, not Sauvignon Blanc. — 6 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.2

Bright, pale straw. Initially shy, but inviting nose of underripe quince. Echoed on the medium palate with an intense mineral streak and hints of burnt citrus rind on opening. As the wine develops in the glass, the mineral note subside and rustic fruits come to the fore. Medium plus acidity supports it all the way through to the moderate finish. This is a wine that can support the entire meal: mineral notes parallel light starters, fleshy pomes buttress the main course, and more opulent stone fruits finish with soft cheese or pastry. Rustic fare pairs particularly well. Drink now through 2028. — 7 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Transparent garnet red. Violets and black cherries on the abundant nose. Medium full palate confirms the nose, adding hints of patent leather and medium light dusty tannins. Medium acidity from entry to moderate finish. Easy-drinking entry point into Barolo's less assertive twin. Take it anywhere you'd take a midrange Burgundy or premium Tuscan. Drink now through 2028. — 13 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.6

Byron had this a month ago