Author Archives: caspernick

Trivento Golden Reserve Black Series Malbec 2021, Uco Valley, Argentina

15 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Deep ruby with high viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of mulberry, pie crust, vanilla, oak and steeped black plum.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (+) body and medium (-) tannins.  The flavors are quite pronounced with dark fruit dominating the very well integrated oak treatment- it’s a pleasure.  Charcoal and Lapsang Souchong tea add a new dimension.  It’s a young wine with some cellaring capacity that will reward over the medium term.  I’m loving it, even more so than when previously drinking gallons of this brand, always delicious.  92 points from me for this $20 bottle makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2030.  Salut….. 

Casillero del Diablo Reserva Carmenere 2021, Central Valley, Chile

15 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


I just got back from a week in Florida where I got to taste a few wines, albeit not under the greatest conditions or with the correct glasses.  Here goes nothing…

Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  Medium (-) intensity aromas of capsicum, bilberry, fresh cut oak, juniper and white raspberry.  On the palate I get medium acidity, medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins.  Medium (-) intensity flavors of the aforementioned aromas resulting in a short finish.  Pleasant but not complex or memorable- good if you’re looking for a greenish Carmenere without being too vegetal.  85 points for this $10 bottle made by Concha Y Toro makes it a 3 star effort to drink soon.  Salut….

Clos de los Siete by Michel Rolland 2020, Mendoza, Argentina

08 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,


Deep inky purple with slight staining and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of baked blackberry cobbler with vanilla, warm spices and nicely browned crust.  Mulberry and açaí berry follow with some mint and black tea notes.  The palate has medium acidity, a full body and medium tannins.  Medium (+) flavors of dark fruit, toasty oak, a slight bitterness from the tannins that have finally gripped and some heavy layers of mint/acai/vanilla that go on to a medium (-) finish.  A very delicious wine with decent structure – 90 points. Drink till 2028 with grilled tenderloins.  A blend of 50% Malbec, 24% Merlot, 11% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot makes this $20 bottle a 5 star effort.  Salut….

 

Esk Valley Merlot – Cabernet Sauvignon – Malbec 2020, Gimblett Gravels, New Zealand

08 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Deep purple, slight staining and medium viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of dusty earth, black plum, black raspberry, cedar, smoked meat, vanilla, baking spice, creme de menthe and green herb garni.  On the palate- medium acidity, medium body and medium tannins.  Gorgeous mouthfeel with dark fruit, supple structure, excellent integration and a medium length finish.  91 points- drink till 2028.  $ 20 makes this a 5 star wine to buy in bulk.  Salut….

 

Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina 2022, Spain

02 Thursday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Bright lemon colored with a watery sheen (11.5% ABV) and evidence of gas.  The nose of this Hondarabbi Zuri has medium intensity aromas of lemon zest, lemon, white grapefruit, green almond, white blossom, white pepper, saline and minerality.  The palate is dry with a slight spritz, high acidity along with a light body- very refreshing.  Flavors of lemon, white grapefruit, white blossom, green almonds and some salty spice.  The very slight amount of effervescence is typical for this varietal/region and makes the wine just dance on my tongue.  It’s delicious and will pair beautifully with my North African spiced seafood dish.  91 points for this $20 bottle makes it my new 2024 summer slammer.  It gets 5 stars- drink soon.  Salut….

Anton Bauer Zweigelt Feuersbrunn 2019, Wagram, Austria

29 Monday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Medium to deep purple colored with a watery sheen (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of acai berry, blueberry, vanilla, black cherry, a medicinal note, black raspberry and coffee.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins giving this wine a very light and carefree mouthfeel.  The flavors mimic the nose with blue and dark red fruit coupled with a bit of oak nuance- it’s a very delightful package imho and more than I was expecting after the somewhat one-dimensional nose that I was greeted with.  I like it and would pair with pork chops, grilled chicken, veal dishes and even Moussaka.  90 points for this $18 effort makes it a 5 star wine to drink till 2027.  Salut….

Chateau Pontet-Canet 2000, Pauillac, France

26 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


It’s my birthday week so we had friends over for dinner- best friends, so it warranted a nice bottle.  I have been sitting on this 5th Growth Bordeaux for 20 years, it’s time.

Deep garnet with bricking, slight staining, and a high viscosity (13% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of Cassis, cedar, leather, baking spices, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, ripe blueberry pie, acai berry and is somewhere between youthful and mature, which is surprising. On the palate it’s dry with medium acidity, medium-to-full body and medium (+) tannins that are fully integrated. Absolutely lush flavors of Cassis, baked blueberry, acai berry, cedar, leather, tobacco, baking spices, vanilla and blackberry compote.  The finish runs a good length and shows off the wonderfully refined tannins mingling with the remnants of fruit alongside tertiary notes.  It’s a stunner that has rewarded my patience for sure. 96 points for this $160 bottle that gets 5 stars from me. Drink till 2030.  A treat for sure, Salut….

Louis Boillot Clos De La Chapelle 2008, Volnay, France

26 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Pale garnet with copper highlights, some bricking and a medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  On the nose this aged Pinot has medium (+) intensity aromas of cherries jubilee, strawberry compote, earth, rose, baking spice, vanilla thread, Goji berry, Rooibos tea and baked lingonberry.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium body and medium (-) tannins that are fully integrated.  The flavors are somewhat tart but I get cherry, strawberry, baking spice, rose and Rooibos.  It’s a rather stark difference from the power and intensity of the nose- I was hoping for a grand slam but the unripe nature of the fruit is a little underwhelming.  The finish is long which makes up a point or two and the structure is still there for more aging yet I doubt the fruit will shine, perhaps more tertiary development is possible.  This is the third bottle I have tasted of this wine in 12 years, it still does’t quite live up to my desires- 89 points and for $55 it’s a 3 star effort.  Cellar at your own discretion.  Salut….

Kir-Yianni ‘The Fallen Oak’ 2019, PGI Imathia, Macedonia, Greece

23 Tuesday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose of this Xinomavro, Merlot and Syrah blend has medium (-) intensity aromas of black raspberry, black plum, lilac, mulberry, licorice, coffee, vanilla and bilberry.  It’s quite an interesting nose that gains some power as it opens.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are a touch green.  Flavors of blackberry, bilberry, black raspberry, plum with coffee, vanilla and a hint of purple licorice are balanced by the firm structure of tannins and acidity.  It’s a pretty bold wine with nice fruit that lingers on a medium length finish.  The tannins are the last to bow out leaving my mouth slightly dried out but wanting more.  I am mixing up some Chimmichurri to go with cast-iron prepared Hanger steaks with Korean sweet potatoes and green beans, should work a treat.  92 points from me for this $20 effort makes it a 5 star wine to buy again.   Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Luis Pato Baga – Touriga Nacional 2016, Vinho Regional Beira Atlantico, Portugal

22 Monday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Slightly cloudy, medium garnet colored with a low viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe raspberry, black cherry, boysenberry, dried wheat and a touch of earthiness.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium (-) body and medium tannins.  The fruit is somewhat tart, red in nature and melded with some  earthy undertones.  The finish is short-lived but lively with acidity and tart red fruit popping all over the palate.  I was expecting a tannic, brooding wine based on the Baga, but this is a relatively mild affair with the Touriga Nacional also not contributing much to the structure.  There’s plenty of acidity but not much else that we expect from these two grapes.  I guess the 8 years of age may have mellowed some of the pieces to the puzzlebut it is not complete.  85 points from me, even though I am enjoying this $18 bottle tremendously before we embark on making home-made pizza.  It gets 3 stars with a drink now window.  Salut….