Author Archives: caspernick

Millbrook Chardonnay Lake Placid 2021, Central Coast, California

01 Tuesday Aug 2023

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


We are in Lake Placid for an ice skating competition so when I saw this branded wine I had to pick it up.  Made from Californian Central Coast Chardonnay -I was expecting what I tasted.  Medium lemon colored with medium viscosity (13% ABV). The nose shows some butter, a little cream, a touch of pear and green apple- obviously MLF derived. The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and that buttery diacetyl taste associated with malolactic fermentation. The pear and apple fruit is round and warm with some baking spices and carries through to a medium length finish. The label says that this line is exclusively available in New York.  At $18 this 88 point wine gets three stars. Drink till 2025.  Salut….

Carmen Gran Reserva El Secano Vineyard Carignan 2021, Maule Valley, Chile

25 Tuesday Jul 2023

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Deep purple colored with medium viscosity legs (13.5% ABV) and slight staining.  The nose is gamy, peppery and loaded with black fruit- dark plums, blackberry.  Cinnamon, charred oak and more game by way of smoked bacon.  The palate is dry with tingly tannins that are medium intensity to go along with medium acidity.  This wine has a medium body and the black fruit coupled with smoke and game makes for a delicious if not unique flavor profile.  I really like it and think it’s a good expression of the Carignan varietal coupled with a Chilean twist of terroir and winemaking.  91 points from me and at $18- well worth the effort to try this 5 star wine.  Drink till 2028.   Salut….

Lustau ‘Solera Reserva’ Deluxe Cream Capataz Andres Sherry, Andalucia, Spain

25 Tuesday Jul 2023

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Medium amber colored with high viscosity (20% ABV).  The nose has intense aromas of yeasty bread, green almonds, warmed cashews, dates, and coffee.  The palate is sweet with medium (+) acidity and a full body.  It shows off more nuts and fruit than bread/yeast-  Dates, raisins, smoky oak, dried figs and cashew.  A luscious dessert wine to enjoy with a cheese board or some Baklava.  91 points from me and at $20- a 5 star deal.  Salut….

Massaya Cap Est 2018, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

25 Tuesday Jul 2023

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Medium garnet with high viscosity and staining on the walls (14.5% ABV).  I can smell the alcohol on the first whiff but it blows away to reveal- red currants, pomegranate, exotic spices, game, red peppercorn and baking spices.  Dry with medium (+) acidity, medium tannins that are well rounded and a medium-full body.  The palate echoes the nose with delicious red fruit and silky tannins.  A medium to long finish makes this Grenache/Mourvedre blend an enjoyable 91 point wine to drink till 2034.  For $40, it gets 4 stars from me.  We drank it at a traditional Lebanese feast!  Salut….

Arabella Reserve Shiraz – Viognier 2020, 91Western Cape, South Africa

20 Thursday Jul 2023

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Deep ruby colored with medium viscosity legs (14.1% ABV).  The nose has a gamy hint alongside ripe black cherries, black raspberry, plum, cloves, a hint of menthol, black pepper and coffee. The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium tannins that are pretty smooth.  Medium to full bodied- I get flavors that mimic the nose, with a touch less game.  There’s also a licorice component coming through that I quite like.  The finish is medium in length and nicely balanced. The 1% Viognier addition to this Syrah/Shiraz is a Northern Rhone trick to deepen the color (yes, adding the juice of a white grape to Syrah will make it deeper and more enticing), smooths out the rough tannins (which it has achieved nicely) and adds a floral note (which at this low percentage has slipped by me).  Overall this $12 is a screamingly good deal that gets 91 points from me.  Drink this 5 star effort til 2025.  I’m pairing my bottle with shish kebabs and pepper-crusted pork tenderloin.  Salut….

Castellani Sangiovese Toscana IGT 2019, Tuscany, Italy

09 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Medium ruby colored with a touch of staining and medium viscosity legs (13.5% ABV).  Aromas of lavender, violet, charred oak, dried plum, tar, black cherry and some bramble.  The palate is dry with high acidity and medium tannins.  Medium bodied- it has flavors that echo the nose- cherry, oak, florals and tar.  The tannins are interesting, they grip on the underside of my tongue rather that on the palate.  The finish is surprisingly long with red fruit and oak nuance.  Not overly complex- this is a great party wine that will pair nicely with pasta, burgers and stews.  It’s drinking nicely now and will cellar till 2028.  89 points for this $15 quaffer makes it a 4 star wine.  Salut….

Milani 1985 Sangiovese Primitivo 2022, Puglia IGT, Italy

02 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Deep ruby with hints of garnet- the depth of color coming from the Primitivo (Zinfandel) that is blended with the usually pale Sangiovese.  Medium viscosity legs (13.5% ABV) and very little staining on the walls.  The nose has medium intensity aromas of red cherry, raspberry, dusty bramble, violets and orange peel.  The palate is  slightly off-dry with juicy acidity and lithe tannins that are well integrated.  Medium body which is supporting the red fruit and fresh florals.  There is a hint of oak usage, perhaps used French barrels with the focus on freshness and verve.  This 89 point wine is going to go really well with our sausage laden pasta and Endive salad.  For $15 this is not a bad drop that gets 3 stars from me.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

David Akiyoshi Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, California

01 Saturday Jul 2023

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Deep ruby colored, this Cali Cab has medium viscosity (13.9% ABV)m and slight staining.  The nose has aromas of bright red fruit with some candied notes along with some floral and oak notes.  Cherry candy, ripe red raspberry, red plum, licorice, mocha powder and lavender.  It’s an interesting mix.  The palate is dry? Dare I say a touch of RS?   Medium acidity with medium tannins that are very smooth and integrated.  The medium body of this wine carries the red fruits forth along with some slight oak notes.  It tastes like very ripe red fruit plus I can’t get past the residual sugar thought.  The finish is short to medium in length.  From a technical standpoint- this wine gets 87 points. For $12, it’s a decent bargain that gets 3 stars from me.  I’m grilling Try-tip to pair.  Drink till 2025.  Salut….

Caldwell Vineyard Society of Smugglers Chardonnay 2017, Coombsville, California

30 Friday Jun 2023

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Deep lemon colored with medium viscosity legs (13.5% ABV).  It looks brooding and ready to deliver a mouthful.  On the nose- intense aromas of pineapple, lemon pith, melon, soursop, fennel, almond skin and orange blossom.  It is very complex, unique and has piqued my interest.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and a full body.  Layers of exotic tropical fruit intertwined with some fresh citrus coupled with green herbs and florals.  It’s somewhat tart on the mid palate after the introduction of ripe fruit- the acidity keeping this big boy fresh and lively.  I’m very curious as to the oak treatment, if any and the lack of any butter notes by way of Malolactic fermentation.  I could have sworn that visually this was going to be an oaky, buttery Napa chard- alas I was wrong.  It is light-footed with great structure and finesse.  The finish is long and refreshing, making me go back for another sip whilst the acidity is making my mouth water.  Beautiful stuff, 94 points from me and for $65 from the winery mailing list- it gets 5 stars.  Drink till 2030, we are pairing ours with fresh Vietnamese rolls.  Ps. Check out the coordinates on the cork, nice touch.  Salut….

 

Jean-Marc Lafont Domaine de Bel Air Brouilly Briante 2020, Beaujolais, France

26 Monday Jun 2023

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Medium purple colored with medium viscosity (13% ABV). The nose reminds me of Paris, where I drank this style of Beaujolais by the bucketful in the cafes and restaurants.  I get aromas of candied black cherry, tons of florals, strawberry and redcurrant.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins that are powdery and integrated.  Medium to full bodied- this Gamay based wine takes on a touch of bitterness right off the bat that is offset by ripe red fruit- strawberry, black cherry and currants.  The main floral component is lavender but there is a black tea note coming through on the mid palate.  The wine finishes a touch tart but its length is quite impressive.  The tannins very gently caressing and the acidity ever-present.  This bottle is a magnum and will last till 2028, regular bottles retail for $25.  It gets 90 points from me- 4 stars.  Salut….