Author Archives: caspernick

Precision Wine Co. Gait Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Napa Valley, California

14 Saturday Sep 2024

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Deep purple with light staining and medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of black plum, black raspberry, eucalyptus, chocolate powder, coffee, violets and acai berry.  The palate is dry with medium (-) acidity, a medium body and medium (-) tannins that are gritty. Flavor intensity is higher than the nose and I get the dark blue fruit again with coffee and chocolate notes.  The florality is more pronounced with violets alongside anise.  The finish is a mixed bag for me- the fruit fades as the tannins finally smooth out and get interesting.  A bit disjointed methinks.  I paid $25 for this bottle that scored very highly, for me it’s an 89 pointer that gets 3 stars.  Drink till 2028.  My pairing is grilled Lamb kabobs and lemon potatoes.  Salut….

Albert Bichot Bourgogne Aligote 2022, Burgundy, France

11 Wednesday Sep 2024

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Medium lemon colored with medium viscosity (12% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon, lemon zest, white blossom, yoghurt, baked apple, toasty oak and sea spray.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of yellow apple, lemon zest, lemon, yoghurt and toasty oak.  It has a mineral core that is surrounded by zesty citrus, warm apple notes and a touch of oak.  The finish is medium (-) in length.  I like this wine- 90 points and for $15 it gets 5 stars.  I would roast a chicken any day to pair with this little gem.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Clos de Luz Massal 1945 Carmenere 2021, Central Valley, Chile

09 Monday Sep 2024

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Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of funky green pepper, smoke, licorice, black cherry, mint, espresso, dark chocolate, blackberry and black raspberry.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium body and medium (-) tannins.  The flavor profile is more fruit driven versus the nose, which was funky and oak derived.  Black plum, black raspberry and coffee dominate with the greeness finally appearing on the mid palate.  There is less complexity here but the easy drinking structure makes it pleasant.  The finish is of decent length and I am actually enjoying the pyrazine sourced green notes, which I used to dislike immensely.  This is a $23 bottle that scored big, I am going with 89 points and therefore 4 stars.  We are pairing it with Lamb chops- I was hoping for more acidity and tannins but it will do.  Drink till 2026.  Salut….

Tara Bella Cabernet Sauvignon Al Di La 2018, Sonoma County, California

05 Thursday Sep 2024

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Deep purple colored with slight staining and high viscosity (13.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blackberry compote, cassis, eucalyptus, mint, tobacco, cigar box, coffee, vanilla, black raspberry and licorice.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body and medium (+) tannins that are nicely integrated.  Ripe berries with vanilla, mint, oak, eucalyptus and tobacco highlight the flavors with a medium intensity.  The finish is decently long in length and turns a touch tart whilst thinning out a bit.  The richnesss and intensity of this wine is a touch shy of where I was expecting it to be considering the other bottles I have tried from this winery.  It’s a good drop mind you and gets 91 points from me.  Listing at $80 it becomes a 3 star effort in IMHO.  I think it has some cellaring capacity and should drink nicely till 2028.  Salut….

Winzer Krems Kellermeister Privat Blauer Zweigelt 2022, Niederosterreich, Austria

03 Tuesday Sep 2024

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Medium garnet colored with high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of sour cherry, cranberry, tomato stalk, white pepper, red licorice and a hint of strawberry right at the end.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins that are a touch astringent.  Flavors of red fruit with that crispy greenness and some spice make for a very interesting and refreshing taste profile.  The finish is tart and carries on for a decent length.  A delicious wine that is counter to heavy, oaked, tannic wines- this one will pair beautifully with my leftover BBQ Ribs and smoked chicken wings.  The acidity will sort out the sweet and tangy sauces and temper the smoke.  90 points from me for this $24 effort makes it a 4 star wine to drink till 2028.  Salut….

Vina Requingua ‘Toro de Piedra’ Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Curico Valley, Chile

02 Monday Sep 2024

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Medium ruby colored with slight staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of mint, graphite, black plum, black cherry, blackberry, bramble and vanilla.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body and medium (+) tannins that are chalky.  The herbal notes take center stage followed by black fruit and then some coffee, oak, vanilla, and dark chocolate.  The finish has a very nice mouthfeel with the chalky tannins interwoven with fruit.  It’s a very decent drop and will develop with some cellaring.  Drink this 91 point effort till 2028.  I paid $15 which makes it a 5 star wine.  Salut….

Fox Run Vineyards Silvan Riesling 2021, Seneca Lake, New York

31 Saturday Aug 2024

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Pale gold with a watery sheen (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of petrol, tangerine pith, peach, apricot, white and orange blossom.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  Flavors of peach, apricot, tangerine pith (with its associated bitterness), some toast and white blossom.  I was hoping for some petrol notes, but alas I may have to wait a few years for that to develop on the palate.  The acidity is cutting on the back-end where the finish is medium in length and a touch astringent.  It’s a nice drop for sure- 91 points worth and for the $20 price point it gets 5 stars.  Drink till 2030.   Salut….

Errazuriz Max Reserva Carmenere 2020, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

30 Friday Aug 2024

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Deep ruby colored, bordering on ink with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of coffee, black plum, green asparagus, dark chocolate, cracked pepper and baking spices.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and medium tannins that are soft and caressing.  Flavors of black plum, cracked pepper, coffee, dark chocolate, green olive and baking spice along with the varietal telltale- a slight green vegetal note.  The finish is medium in length and has rich coffee and dark chocolate notes.  It’s a perfect wine for Peppercorn Steak.  91 points from me for this  $14 bottle makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2028.  Salut….

Tara Bella Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Sonoma County, California

28 Wednesday Aug 2024

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Deep ruby, almost inky in color with light staining and high viscosity (13.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blackberry, cassis, mint, vanilla, eucalyptus, black plum compote, coffee, charred oak, acai berry, dried green herbs and a hint of caramel.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body and medium (+) tannins that are youthful and grippy. Mouth-coating ripe black fruit with vanilla, mint, eucalyptus and oak feature predominantly with some dried herbs on the back end.  The tannins are delightful, they grip and then fade gently, allowing the fruit to shine through to a long finish.  This is a pretty silky and luscious wine that I am thoroughly enjoying.  My pairing is pepper steak and French fries.  93 points for this $80 bottle makes it a 4-5 star effort.  It has some cellaring capacity- I would drink till 2032.  Salut….

Kia Ora Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand

27 Tuesday Aug 2024

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Very pale lemon colored with titanium highlights and a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose has intense aromas of lime zest, lime, cut grass, asparagus, white blossom, orange blossom, hints of peach, grapefruit and sea spray.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  The citrus driven nose is echoed on the palate with some green notes, stone fruit and florals.  It’s a flavor driven wine for sure- delicious and refreshing with the cutting acidity.  The finish is quite long and tangy.  I paid $14 for this bottle that gets 91 points from me making it a 5 star effort to drink in the near term.  I’m frying up some Mahi Mahi and roasted veggies to pair.  Salut….