Category Archives: Wine reviews

Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz 2015, Barossa, Australia

15 Tuesday Aug 2017

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I splurged, $25 a bottle for Jacobs Creek.  It’s not just any JC though.  In the glass it is dark, brooding and enticing. Rich, ripe plums on the nose with port wine accent.  It smells the business.  On the palate, it is super smooth and exhibits rich blackberries, plum extract, caramel, vanilla and a nice toast.  The midpalate transition is seamless and the wine continues on to a very long finish.  I’m astounded at the depth and purity of this wine. The balance is good but there are barely detectable tannins to go up against the slight acidity.  That’s what gives this wine a great mouthfeel, yet detracts from its cellaring potential.  It is the style of wine that I would use to introduce a novice red-wine drinker to.  Easy on the tannins, the dryness and the acidity.  This wine drinks beautifully now and will run well for another 5 years, till 2022.  I would serve it with a rich stew, grilled lamb chops or perhaps a very well seasoned Cornish Hen.  I’m going 91 points and 4 stars.  Salut….

Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Shiraz

Dutton-Goldfield Spectrum Red NV, Russian River Valley, USA

13 Sunday Aug 2017

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Very dark purple for a Pinot?  On the nose- it screams heavy duty new world Pinot Noir- Except it isn’t.   I was misled by the bartender who stated it was PN, not a blend of Zin, Syrah and Pinot Noir.  No wonder I was confused!

Strawberry, raspberry, a touch of wood, and some espresso bean comes across on the nose.  On the palate it’s a whole lotta strawberry meets cherry jam and reb currant coulis.  Very rich and flavorful.  This is not a subtle wine, more like ‘HELLO, IT’S ME!’

I like this wine, a lot- albeit it’s not my preferred style.  It offers depth, muscle, extraction and is not afraid to show it.  The mid palate continues the same theme as does the long finish.  Some would say this is one -dimensional, I like it every so often.  It is focused on its core elements and sticks with it.  The tannins are barely perceptible as is the acidity.  Drinking beautifully now, I would pair it with Filet Mignon and creamed Swiss Chard, perhaps a roasted duck with earthy veggies.  Deelish and worthy of 92 points from me.  I think it can be found for around $20, which makes it a steal.  (My rating was way higher than others, I guess I must see something in this wine.)  5 stars.  Salut….

Dutton-Goldfield Spectrum Red

Domaine Louis Boillot Clos de la Chapelle 2008, Volnay Premier Cru, France

11 Friday Aug 2017

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I wrote about the 2008 Louis Boillot Volnay back in 2012 and promised to re-taste.  It was not a year later, but several.  Anyway, here goes.

Almost an orange purple see-through complexion.  Signs of middle age perhaps?  The nose has an earthiness to it alongside cranberries, strawberries and some wheat kernels.  You probably never saw that one as a descriptor!  The wine tastes much better than I remember, with a nice intro to some strawberry, barnyard and green peppers. It is very smooth with barely perceptible tannins until they reach a crescendo on the finish.  The wine’s acidity is on pointe with a nice cut to it.  The mid palate is all about secondary flavors.  The development is a treat.  This wine has evolved very nicely from what I thought was atypical Burgundy, into the quintessential Pinot Noir that defines Old World charm and character.  I am loving it!  I paid $40 per bottle back in the day and it looks like I ordered 6 bottles, I am hoping to cellar dive and come up with the other 4!  92 points and 5 stars.  Salut….

louis billet volley Close de la Chapelle

Croft Fine Ruby Port, Portugal

11 Friday Aug 2017

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Nearly black in the glass, which is what I expected from a Ruby Port.  The nose is fresh, full of spice, dark plums and rich leather.  The palate is delicious, with warm plum ganache, spice box and an earthy tobacco note that I am finding very interesting.  The mid palate exhibits a slight bitterness, like almond seed, plus some caramelized plum essence.  The finish is delicious, in fact, the best part of this package.  Nice warm plums, some more earth and a touch of tobacco and cedar.  The spiciness is an interesting addition.  It takes this wine to the 91 point level for me.  At $16 this is a must buy if you  like the Ruby style Ports.  I’m buying more. 5 stars and a great post dinner treat .  Salut….

Cono Sur Bicicleta Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Chile

07 Monday Aug 2017

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If you read my previous post on the 2015 Cono Sur Cab, you will recall that I ended up with two different vintages from the store.  The 2016 is much darker purple, more extracted with heavier oak on the nose which disappoints me.  I don’t like too much of the stuff.

On the palate, a much different story.  Rich, thick plums alongside blackberry jam and oak shavings.  The midpalate offers up black fruits and a tapenade note.  The finish is short, with some black fruits and gentle tannins.  This version is not as balanced and smooth as the 2015.  It’s still a good deal though and should be on everyone’s party stocking list.  I’m thinking dry rubbed ribs, burgers or even shish kebabs would pair nicely here.  88 points form me and for $9, 4 stars all day long.  No picture taken BTW.  Salut….

Cono Sur Bicicleta Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Chile

07 Monday Aug 2017

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I bought two bottles of the Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon but didn’t realize I had two vintages…. so here goes the 2015.

Very nice purple in the glass.  The nose is of ripe plums, bursting violets and a blackberry component.  On the palate I get blackberry, currants, cinnamon and some earthy notes.  The wine is easy to drink with slight tannins, moderate acidity and a good mouthfeel.  The midpalate has some very nice dark cherry notes with a touch of oak.  The tail end is shortish but nice; green olives and cherry come to mind.  Overall a very serviceable wine that gets 89 points from me and 5 stars for its $9 price tag.  Drink now for best results.  Salut….

cons sur bicicleta cabernet sauvignon

Domaine Jean Fery & Fils Les Vergelesses 2010, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru, France

03 Thursday Aug 2017

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I don’t think I have seen a lighter opacity in a wine before.  It is see-through and barely purple, more of a red. After a swirl in the BAG (Big Assed Glass), shaped like a tulip and made specially for Burgundy wines- I get an amazing cherry meets forest floor and mushrooms kinda scent.  Strawberries feature, but only just.  On the palate, super smooth offerings of violet, bing cherry, some acidity and a touch of dryness.  The mid palate has an earthier component to it and the mushrooms pop up again.  The acidity is prevalent here and continues to makes its presence known throughout the rather long finish.  This is an elegant wine that is still too young at 7 years of age.  It will mellow more and develop some nice secondary flavors IMHO.  I would drink until 2025 at the least if not more.  I’m grilling up some bourbon/honey marinated skirt steaks and sauteed creamy Kale.  I think the combo will work.  I reckon this is a 91 point effort that gets 4 stars for its $40 quality to price ratio.  Salut….

Domaine Jean Fery & Fils Les Vergelesses, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru

CVNE ‘Cune’ Crianza 2013, Rioja DOCa, Spain

01 Tuesday Aug 2017

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See through purple, not what I was expecting from a Tempranillo out of Rioja.  The nose is however right up that alley.  Red currants, earth and a tar component greet me. The telltale creosote is alive and kicking in this wine, as is a touch of vanilla.  On the palate, I get a brutish, young and cocky wine full of red fruit, with raspberries, strawberries and currants popping.  The acidity is vibrant and the tannins are lithe.  The mid palate carries the red fruit theme and amps up the acidity factor.  On the tail end the finish is fresh with tannins and strawberry extract.  More red currants sneak in right at the close.  Very smooth and nicely balanced, but I don’t get a hint of the yearlong oak maturation after the initial whiff.  Might be well integrated, who knows.  This wine is a great summer addition to a party, serve it with dry rubbed ribs, perhaps a bourbon glazed pork chop on the grill or even just a basic Mezze.  I’m going with 90 points on this $11 stunner that makes it a 5 star wine.  Drink now till 2022.  Salut….

CVNE 'Cune' Crianza

Monte Degli Angeli Sangiovese 2014, Puglia, Italy

29 Saturday Jul 2017

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I have said it before, Sangiovese reminds me of Pinot Noir. It looks like Pinot, smells like Pinot and in many cases tastes like Pinot.  This particular wine starts off a little different.  It is dark, opaque and and brooding.

On the nose, I am confused.  Tar, dark fruits and a leather component would make me guess Tempranillo, for sure.  The initial tastes confirm what my nose suspected.  This wine acts like it came straight from Rioja.  Earth, gaminess, dark plums and bramble along with the creosote.  It all points to an extraction and aging issue.  This wine has been made in a different style that had me fooled.  It is delicious, no doubt, but atypical.  The mid palate is bursting with blueberry and dark plums along with the earthiness.  The finish is more blue than black fruits.  Tannins are very lithe, acidity is very mellow and the alcohol level is a mild 12.5%.  89 points from me and 5 stars because you can pick it up for $9!  Enjoy alone or with pasta, charcuterie or even veal parmesan.  Drink now till 2020.  Salut….

Monte degli Angeli Sangiovese

Substance Cs Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Columbia Valley, USA

27 Thursday Jul 2017

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As I was pouring this wine I couldn’t help but notice the rich purple color, mesmerizing.  On the nose I get gorgeous plum meets an oak shaving.  This wine smells amazing.  There is an intensity to the aroma that is really pure and focused.  This pureness continues on to the initial taste.  This is a great wine folks.  It tastes amazing, has very fine grained tannins, is balanced and has got me grabbing for more.  Plums continue to the mid palate and are joined with coffee beans, Ribena and a crescendo of tannins.  They really hit on the back end with a really nice dryness that hits my gums in the right way.  The wine finishes with cassis, espresso and a swath of tannins, delicious.  An extremely well crafted wine that gets 92 plus points from me.  I am a huge fan of Charles Smith, his winemaking is always on pointe.  In fact, I search out his wines-looking for absolute gems like this one.  I paid $13, and rate this as one of my all-time best buys.  5 Stars for sure and I am buying a case.  Drink it alone or pretty much with everything from now till 2022.  A steal, literally.  Salut….