• About Caspernick
  • Star Ratings
  • The Master tasting list

Wine reviews

~ My personal wine tasting notes

Wine reviews

Author Archives: caspernick

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2020, Marlborough, New Zealand

14 Sunday Jul 2024

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

$22, 5 stars, 90 points, marlborough, new zealand, pinot noir


Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of barnyard, roses, baking spices, dusty bramble, cherry and black raspberry.  On the  palate it is dry with medium acidity, medium (-) tannins and a medium body. I get flavors of funky barnyard, cherry, raspberry, roses and deft oak that lead to a medium length finish. 90 points from me for this $22 effort makes it a 5 star wine.  Drink till 2028.  (It got 86 pints on release but I feel it has developed nicely, if you like a meatier, heavier style of Pinot with lashings of oak).  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Groth Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Napa Valley, California

14 Sunday Jul 2024

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$34, 4 stars, 91 points, california, Napa, Sauvignon blanc, semillon


Pale lime colored with platinum highlights and a watery sheen (14% ABV). The nose has intense aromas of cut grass, passion fruit, guava, papaya, lemon, jalapeno, lemon verbena and white blossom. The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium body. Medium (+) intensity flavors echo the scents. A medium (+) length finish makes me reach for more. 91 points from me for this $34 bottle makes it a 4 star effort to drink till 2029.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Gabriel Meffre Tavel Saint-Ferreol Rose 2022, Rhone, France

09 Tuesday Jul 2024

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$25, 3 stars, 89 points, france, grenache, rhone, rose, syrah, Tavel


Medium strawberry in color with high viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium intensity aromas of strawberry, tangerine, cranberry, pomegranate and orange blossom.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and hint of tannic grip due to the slightly longer skin contact this region is known for (hence the darker color).  Strawberry, cranberry, pomegranate and a touch of orange/tangerine are the flavors I get that lead to a medium (-) length finish.  Rosé is a summer wine but the structure of the Tavel wines makes them more versatile with seasons and food.  Our pairing tonight is Tacos, should work nicely.  89 points from me for this $25 bottle makes it a 3 star effort to drink till 2027.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Bodegas Balbas ‘Pagos de Balbas’ 2021, Ribera del Duero, Spain

08 Monday Jul 2024

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$23, 4 stars, 89 points, Ribera del duero, spain, tempranillo


Deep ruby colored with light staining and a high viscosity (15% ABV).  Medium (-) intensity aromas of charred oak, black cherry, blackberry, coconut and dill plus a generous wafting of alcohol that is noticeable.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body and medium tannins that dissipate rapidly.  Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, coconut, dill, mint, coffee and some char lead to a medium (-) length finish.  This is a young wine but is drinking nicely now and will develop over time.  It gets 89 points from me as I feel the alcohol throws it out of balance.  This Tempranillo runs $23 and gets 4 stars.  Drink till 2029.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Kysela Pere et Fils Picpoul de Pinet H.B. 2023, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

07 Sunday Jul 2024

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$9, 5 stars, 89 points, france, languedoc, picpoul de pinet


Pale lemon/lime colored with a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of peach, white pear, sea salt, green apple, lemon zest, grapefruit and waxy lanolin.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  Tart flavors of lemon zest, green apple, peach, sea spray and white pear.  The finish is tangy, zesty and medium in length.  This $9 stunner is a dead ringer for Albarino imo- cutting acidity, sea spray, peach and lemon zest remind me of that grape.  I am pairing it with steamed King Crab, seems like the natural thing to do.  89 points from me makes this a 5 star effort that I will pound this summer- after all it runs under a tenner.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Vinedos y Bodegas Gormaz ‘Catania’ Reserva 2017, Ribera del Duero, Spain

06 Saturday Jul 2024

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$20, 5 stars, 91 points, Ribera del duero, spain, tempranillo


Deep ruby with some copper and orange highlights and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of black plum, blackberry, vanilla, baking spice, coconut shavings, mint, tobacco, loam and leather.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are a still quite grippy after 7 years.  Ripe black fruit with healthy yet well done oak treatment which gives me vanilla, coconut, baking spice and coffee.  Dried herbs with loam, mint, leather and tobacco round out the flavor profile.  The finish is long yet a touch astringent and tangy from the acidity.  It’s still youthful in structure even thought the aromas and flavors are developing nicely- it’s a bit disjointed.  I would love to revisit in a year or two, I think it has lots of potential and will score it accordingly at 91 points.  For under $20 it’s worth stocking the cellar with this Spanish Tempranillo that gets 5 stars.  Drink from 2025 till 2030.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Wagner Vineyards Caywood East Vineyard Dry Riesling 2014, Finger Lakes, New York

05 Friday Jul 2024

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$25, 5 star, 93 points, finger lakes, New York, riesling


Pale lemon colored with gold highlights and a watery sheen (12.3% ABV).  The nose has intense aromas of petrol followed by waxy lanolin, white grapefruit, nectarine, lime zest and a hint of- dare I say, milk chocolate.  Bizarre, I know.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a light body.  Flavors of white grapefruit pith, lemon zest, petrol, peach, nectarine and a flinty note.  The finish is long and mouthwatering, simply delicious with wafts of petrol, something I love in developing/developed Rieslings.  The acidity is en pointe with this delicious bottle, it cuts, but makes me beg for another sip.  93 points for this wine which I purchased ex-cellar.  Newer vintages run $25, which would make this a 5 star wine.  It has loads of cellaring capacity left and should develop even more.  Lovely stuff.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Muirwood Unoaked Chardonnay 2022, Arroyo Seco, California

02 Tuesday Jul 2024

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$15, 4 stars, 89 points, arroyo seco, california, chardonnay


Pale lemon with some green highlights and a watery sheen (13.5% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon, peach, pineapple, white grapefruit and orange blossom. The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body. Flavors of white pear, pineapple, white grapefruit, orange blossom with a hint of lemon/lime. The finish has a touch of bitterness- perhaps a little bit of phenolics. It’s medium (+) in length and sits nicely on the palate. There are times when I feel like enjoying an un-oaked Chardonnay that hasn’t gone through any MLF or Sur Lie treatment, like today. We are pairing it with Chicken Divan after a hot day in the sun. 89 points.  This bottle ran me $15 and therefore it gets 4 stars.  Drink now.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827 Sweet Sherry NV, Andalucia, Spain

30 Sunday Jun 2024

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$32, 5 stars, 92 points, andalucia, dessert wine, Pedro Ximenez, sherry, spain


Deep amber colored with heavy staining and a high viscosity (17% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of stewed prunes, dried nuts, desiccated blueberry, vanilla thread, raisins, Christmas cake and cherry cola syrup.  The palate is very sweet, with medium acidity and a full body that sits heavily on the tongue.  The flavors echo the nose with a touch of heat interfering on the back end.  It’s a luscious wine for sure that has a medium to long finish.  I would pair it with vanilla ice cream or a cheese board with some stinky blue on it.  Delicious stuff but a thimble-full will go a long way.  92 points, and for $32 it gets 5 stars.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Hermann J. Wiemer Cabernet Franc 2020, Finger Lakes, New York

30 Sunday Jun 2024

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$30, 4 stars, 91 points, Cabernet franc, finger lakes, New York


Medium garnet colored, nearly deep in opacity with medium viscosity (13% ABV).  On the nose I get medium intensity aromas of black plum, grilled fig, purple licorice, cracked pepper, blackcurrant and brambleberry.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body and medium tannins that are polished.  Flavors of black plum, blackcurrant, brambleberry, fig, cracked pepper and a charred note, perhaps some charcoal.  It finishes with long length and is a touch bitter at the very end.  Lovely balance and nice concentration.  I have had poorer vintages from the Finger Lakes that look thin and taste runny.  This is a much more staid version and has cellared nicely, albeit only 4 years.  It should develop further and drink well till 2030.  I’m ordering pizza to pair.  91 points and for $30, it’s worthy of 4 stars.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...
← Older posts
Newer posts →

RSS Me!

RSS Feed

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 199 other subscribers
Follow Wine reviews on WordPress.com

Archives

Tags

$3.50 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8 $9 $10 $11 $12 $13 $14 $15 $16 $17 $18 $19 $20 $21 $22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30 $31 $32 $33 $34 $35 $36 $37 $38 $39 $40 $41 $42 $43 $44 $45 $46 $47 $48 $49 $50 $51 $52 $54 $55 $56 $57 $58 $60 $62 $63 $64 $65 $67 $70 $72 $74 $75 $77 $80 $85 $89 $90 $92 $95 $100 $104 $105 $110 $118 $120 $125 $130 $135 $140 $145 $150 $155 $160 $175 $180 $200 $230 $250 $257 $300 $330 $450 0 stars 1 star 2 stars 3 stars 4 stars 5 star 5 stars 22 points 70 points 75 points 78 points 80 points 82 points 83 points 84 points 85 points 86 points 87 87 points 88 points 89 points 89 poitns 90 points 90points 91 points 92 points 93 points 94 points 95 points 96 points 97 points 98 points 100 points abruzzo Aconcagua valley aerating wine Agiorgitiko aglianico Aglianico del Vulture agrelo albarino Aldi alentejo alexander valley alfrocheiro Alicante Bouschet aligote almansa alsace alvarinho Amador county amarone amber wine American amontillado amur Amyndaio andalucia Andalusia anderson valley Apalta valley aperitif appassimento apple wine aragon aragonez areni Argentina Argentina wines argentine arinto armenia arneis arroyo seco assyrtiko asti Aussie Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon aussie shiraz australia austria baga bandol banyuls Barbaresco barbera barbera d'alba barbera d'asti barolo Barossa Barossa Shiraz Basilicata basque country bastardo batroun beamsville bench beaujolais beaumes-de-venise Beaune beira atlântico bekaa valley Bierzo big green egg big green egg grill Blatina blaufrankisch blaufrankish blend bonarda bordeaux bordeaux blend bordeaux superier Bosnia-Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina botrytis bright cellars brouilly brunello Bulgaria bulgarian wine bulllas Burgenland burgundy cabernert franc Cabernet Cabernet franc cabernet merlot blend cabernet sauvignon cabernet suavignon cachapoal valley cachet Cadillac cahors caladoc calaveras county calchaqui valley Cali cab califiornia california campania Campari campo de Borja canada carignan carinena carmenere carneros carneros pinot noir carnuntum Carpano classico Castelão Castilla Castilla y leòn catalan catalayud catalonia Catalunya catarratto cava central coast central otago central valley central victoria chablis Chalk Hill chambolle-musigny chambourcin Champagne charbono chardonnay Chateauneuf-du-pape cheap and cheerful cheap and nasty wine chehalem mountains chenin blanc chianti chianti classico chile chiles valley chili chinon Cinsault citrusdal mountain clare valley clarksburg Cleveland coastal region cocktail colchagua columbia valley condrieu constantia consult cooked coombsville coonawarra corked cortese corvina corvinone cote de Beaune cote de nuits cotes de castillon Cotes de catalanes cotes de nuits cotes de Provence Cotes du rhone cotes du roussillon counoise crete crianza croatia crozes-hermitage cru bourgeois curico valley del venezie dessert wine dolcetto Dolin dornfelder Douro dry creek valley dundee hills eden valley eden valley barossa eger Egervin Egri Bikaver Bulls Blood Eger England entre deux mers eola-amity hills fiano finger lakes firstleaf fitou fleurie fortified fortified wine france Franschhoek friulano Friuli Friuli Venezia Giulia fronsac Furmint gamay gamza Garda garganega garnacha garnaxa peluda gavi georgia germany getariako txakolina gevrey-chambertin gewurtzraminer gewurztraminer gibbston Gigondas gimblett gravels gimlet gravels gin glera godello graciano gran selezione greece grenache grenache blanc grenache noir grencahe gros manseng grüner veltliner gsm haut medoc Hawkes Bay Hermitage hondarabi zuri Hondarrabi Zuri horse heaven hills Howell mountain hungary hunter valley iberian peninsula Ice wine IG Lisboa inalai istria Italy itata Japan jerez Jumilla jura kakheti Kekfrankos Kentucky kerner Kisi kotsifali kremstal lagrein lake county wine Lalande de Pomerol langhe langhorne creek languedoc lebanon leg of lamb lemberger leoville barton lillet Limoux lirac livermore Ljubuski Lodi loire loire valley Los Chacayes Loudoun County loupiac lujan de cuyo Lynch bages macabeo Macedonia macon madeira maipo valley malaga malagouzia Malbec malbec-syrah Malbec blend Maldonado malvasia Manhattan cocktail Manhattan recipe manzanilla margaret river margaux marlborough Marquette Marsanne marselan Martinborough mataro maule valley Mavrodaphne mazuelo mclaren vale mcminnville medoza melon de bourgogne mencia mendocino Mendoza mercurey meritage merlot Merwah moldova monastrell montefalco montepulciano Montepulciano d'Abruzzo monterey Monterey county Pinot noir Monticello montsant moscatel moscato moschofilero mosel moulin-a-vent moulis mourvedre Mourvèdre Mstvane mtsvane Muscadelle muscadet muscardine muscat muscat blanc a petite grains muscat of Alexandria Muscat of Frontignan muscat ottonel médoc Naked Wines naoussa Napa napa blend napa cab napa cabernet Napa Cabernet franc napa petite Sirah napa syrah napa valley navarra nebbiolo negroamara Negroni recipe nemea Nerello Mascalese nero d'avola New Jersey New York new zealand niagara on the lake niagara peninsula niederosterreich Nieuwoudtville Nobile di Montepulciano North Coast northern rhone north macedonia Norton nouveau oak knoll Oakville obaideh Obeideh off-dry Ohio old vine cabernet sauvignon old vine monastery Old vine Zinfandel Ontario Oporto orange muscat orange wine oregon organic grapes organic wine otago outer coastal plain paarl Padthaway Pais pais nantais palomino papillae Parellada paso robles paso robles cabernet sauvignon patagonia patras pauillac pays d'oc Pedro Jimenez Pedro Ximenez peljesac penisola peloponnes Peloponnese Pennsylvania pessac leognan petite sirah petite verdot petit verdot pfalz picpoul de pinet Piedmont piesporter Pinotage pinot blanc pinot grigio pinot gris Pinot Meunier pinot noir pinout noir piémonte plavac mali podravje pomerol pommard port porto portugal pouilly-fuise primitivo Priorat prosecco provence puemo Puente alto puglia pyrenees rapel rapel valley rara neagră Rasteau Ravat 51 re-taste Recas Castle red blend refosk retsina Rheinessen Rheingau rhone rhone blend rhone valley rias baixas Ribbon Ridge Ribera del duero Ribera del Jucar riesling rioja ripasso rkatsiteli robertson rogue valley Romania rondinella rose Roussane Roussanne royal maiden Russian River Russian river valley rutherford rutherglenn sabre sagrantino saint-emilion saint estephe saint jean de minervois saint julien sake salta Sam Plunkett Gentle Annie Cabernet 2019 Sancerre sangiovese sanlucar de barracuda santa barbara Santa Cruz Mountains Santa cruz Pinot noir Santa Cruz wine santa lucia highlands Santa Maria Valley Santa Rita hills santa Ynez saperavi sauternes Sauvignon blanc semillon seneca lake sevre-et-maine sherry shiraz shiraz cabernet sicility siciliy sicily sierra foothills Simonsberg-Paarl slovenia soave sola-amity hills Sonoma Sonoma Cabernet sonoma coast Sonoma coast Pinot noir sonoma county sonoma mountain Sonoma Pinot noir sonoma valley sousao South Africa South African Cabernet Sauvignon south australia southern rhone souzao spain sparkling shiraz Sparkling wine splash wines spring mountain district st. Emilion st. julien stags leap stags leap district stefan vodă stellenbosch stellenbosch wine st estephe Strathbogie ranges sumoll super tuscan sur lie sussex swan valley swartland sweet white wine Sylvaner syrah Syrah/Tempranillo syrah blend Tannat taurasi Tavel TCA tejo tempranillo Terra Alta texas Thracian valley Tina Roriz Tinta Barroca tinta cao tinta de toro tinta negra Tinta Roriz tokaji toro Torrontes toscana igt touriga Touriga Franca Touriga Nacional touring touring nacional trebbiano trentino-alto Adige trincadeira tupungato turkey Tuscan tuscany Uco Valley umbria uno valley uruguay Vacqueyras valdeorras Valdiguié Valdigué valpolicella vayots dzor veneto ventoux verdejo verdelho Vermont vermouth Victoria vidadillo Vidal Vidal Blanc vignoles vin de pays vinho verde vino verde vino Volo vin santo vinturi viognier virginia virus viura volnay vouvray vranec VR Lisboa VWTC Wachau Wagram Waiheke Island Wairarapa walla walla valley wanaka washington Weinviertel wellington western cape white grenache white port white zinfandel willamette valley Williamsburg winery visit winetasting WSET Xarel-lo Xinomavro yakima valley Yamhill-Carlton District Yarra valley yountville zinfandel Zinfandel blend zweigelt

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Wine reviews
    • Join 187 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Wine reviews
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d