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Sullivan Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

19 Tuesday May 2015

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$85, 3 stars, 85 points, cabernet sauvignon, napa cab


Mocha and plum nose that entices.  Initial taste of dark plum and black cherry with some ganache. Still young with firm tannins and crunchy acidity. Mid palate hints of  coffee and chocolate powder. Very dry finish that coats the teeth and gums which tells me this wine is a keeper.  I may have poured too soon.  It got 94 points from the pro’s but I’m going with 90 for now. 2017-2025 would be a suggested window to let the tannins meld more.  It lists at $85, which is rather steep making it a 3 star wine in my books.  Salut….

Sullivan 2013  Rutherford Napa Valley  Cabernet Sauvignon

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Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2013

01 Friday May 2015

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$28, 4 stars, 91 points, Cabernet franc, Sonoma


If you read much of my blogging you will know that I love this varietal.  It exudes a softer sexier side to the Cabernet grape while showing off floral notes.  This winery is where my son and I took a tour when we were in the Valley this past Spring.  The wine is a crimson purple and has a stunning nose of blackberry and chocolate with some violet hints.  Super smooth introduction of black and blue berries with a smidgen of oak and a tasty coating of lithe tannins. The mid palate is dark and brooding whilst the finish is decently long and caressing with tannic dryness and a touch of acidity. This is a super delicious wine which technically gets 91 points from me, bravo. 2015-2022.  $28 make it a 4 star effort in my books.  Salut….

alexander valley vineyards cabernet franc

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Laleure-Piot Les Tuvilains 2009

01 Friday May 2015

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1 star, 85 points, Beaune, burgundy


If you read my first tasting note on this Beaune Premiere Cru you will recall that I hated it, giving it 80 points and 1 star.  I have a few more in the cellar and pulled one out for a comparative tasting after two more years of cellaring.  Not much has changed, unfortunately. I did some research and I must say I am confused.  It scored 91 points on average by peers on cellar tracker.  Vivino peeps gave it a good write up yet I can’t get my head around the muted nose of rhubarb and cherry pie which is too tart still with little fruit depth. Red currants and cinnamon finally showed up. I was kinder this time with 85 points, but that is generous.  A major 1 star pass for the money.  Salut….

IMG_2465

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Vineyard at Point Breeze Chardonnay 2012

18 Saturday Apr 2015

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88 points, chardonnay


A friend gave us some of his brother’s homemade wine which I believe comes from Virginia.  This wine won a gold in Indianapolis.  Since it was a gift and comes without any labelling it is hard to tell much more about it.  No pricing either.

Dark yellow, reminiscent of aged Riesling it has a nose of sweet apple, quince and sea air. Initial attack of pear and yellow apples with good mid palate acidity and a decent finish . I don’t sense much oak use and no malolactic fermentation. This is a cutting Chardonnay with a nutty ending. I’m drinking it with some green and black olives, a dab of hummus and some green onions. A good pairing but it begs for oysters or clams on the half though. 88 points. Salut….

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Turley Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard 2008

18 Saturday Apr 2015

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$80, 3 stars, 91 points, Napa, napa petite Sirah


This is my second Turley from this vineyard.  It was given to us as a very generous gift.  This Napa Valley offering is a black wine in the glass hinting to some deep extraction.  You know how I love this varietal, especially when it is rich and coating.  It boasts a thick nose of black fruits, bramble and violets.  The initial attack consists of black berries, cherry and some Pomegranate.  Tannic yet balanced with some bracing acidity, this should cellar well. Medium finish and a well hidden 15.4% alcohol. 2015-2020. 91 points for this $80 offering make it a 3 star effort.  Wish I had more.  Salut….

turley hayne petite syrah

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Jettlynn Black Label Gout De Miel NV

18 Saturday Apr 2015

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$17, 3 stars, 87 points, grenache blanc, muscat, paso robles, riesling


The third wine from Jettlynn that I purchased at Costco for about $17.  Pale yellow with a citrus nose and perhaps a touch of yeast welcomed me.  A creamy mouthfeel of green pear, yellow apple and cardamom. An interesting blend of 65% Grenache Blanc, 15% Muscat, 10% Chardonnay and 10% Riesling.  Mild acidity and a decent finish for 87 points make it a solid 3 star wine in my books.  12.9% alcohol was light and refreshing.  This wine would rock some blackened fish, perhaps a brick oven white pizza….mmmm.  Non-vintage from Paso Robles.  Salut….

jettlynn gout de miel

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Merryvale Merlot Napa Valley 2008

18 Saturday Apr 2015

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$45, 4 stars, 92 points, merlot, Napa


I like this winery’s style.  Merryvale gets the right balance of extraction and finesse.  I tried to visit their tasting room last month in Napa but it was not my scene.  Dark and crowded with drunks falling off the bar stools, it reminded me of the old west or Georgetown on a Friday night during my college days.  I didn’t let that detract from my impressions and enjoyment of their wine though.  This Merlot is very dark and brooding in the glass with a nose of black currants, oregano and dried herbs.  A crisp linear initial attack of currant, stewed plum and dark berry compote. Immense tannic thrust on the gums is delightful and balanced by mouth watering acidity. Wowsa. This wine has a long finish and good cellaring potential. I enjoyed it with Cajun rubbed ribeyes, a perfect combination. 2015/2022 would be a good estimate.  92 points make this $45 wine worthy of 4 stars.  Salut….

merryvale merlot napa valley

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Alouette Pinot Noir Sonoma County 2012

08 Wednesday Apr 2015

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$25, 4 stars, 91 points, pinot noir, Sonoma Pinot noir


Lovely, pure and exotic.  A darker Pinot with a heavier body to it.  Meaty nose with dark fruits- it is neither old nor new world. A thicker, more extracted Pinot with game and dark cherry notes on the palate which opens up to some strawberry and root beer notes.  Very well integrated tannins and precisely balanced acidity make for easy drinking that is smooth beyond belief.  Easily a 91 point wine this one garners 4 stars from me for it’s $25 price.  I will stock up on some of this as it will do well as a summer drinker in addition to being capable of handling a big heavy wintertime stew.  Salut….

alouette pinot noir sonoma county

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Alexander Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir 2013

08 Wednesday Apr 2015

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$26, 4 stars, 91 points, california, pinot noir, Russian river valley


If you recall reading about my trip to California with my son, this is the winery that we took a tour of.  I was so impressed with the warmth the staff showed and the casual way in which they took great care of us on our tour.  The winery is located off the beaten path and has cellars cut into the hillside.  The Pinot was an interesting balance of styles.  Quite a bit heavier than most Pinots, it also had a delicacy about it.  Nose of new world Pinot with strawberries and bing cherries. Initial hints of white cherry and strawberry with some nutmeg and spice on the palate. Very smooth mouth feel which includes very slight tannins and a touch of acidity. Nice and rounded for a balanced profile that drinks well by itself but begs for some smoked salmon and capers. Roasted chicken and a risotto would take a close second. 2015/2020 91 points. 4 stars for this $28 effort.  Thanks for the tour and the memories!  Salut….

alexander valley vineyards pinot noir

Me and Jet, checking out the cellar

Me and Jet, checking out the cellar

The entrance to the cellar

The entrance to the cellar

Alexander Valley Vineyards

Alexander Valley Vineyards

The unofficial tour guide that Jet loved

The unofficial tour guide that Jet loved

The Russian River, from above

The Russian River, from above

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Cosentino The Chard 2013

08 Wednesday Apr 2015

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$16, 4 stars, 89 points, chardonnay, Lodi


On my recent trip to Napa I ended up the Cosentino winery where Moxie and I visited two years ago.  Funny thing is she had a broken foot on that trip and I had one on this.  I digress.  I ended up tasting everything I could get my hands onto and ordering a case of wine to be shipped home- I also joined their mailing list, a first for me.

I was thinking of my parents when I ordered a few bottles of the Chard, which is made from Lodi fruit.  They like it crisp, not buttery and certainly not sweet.  This one filled all the requirements.  Medium gold in color with a nose of fresh citrus, green apples and quince. The first impression is of a medium weight wine with pear, apple and lemon. Not overly worked- this wine has a slight hint of malolactic fermentation and a deft use of oak. Very crafty. Generous mouthfeel and a touch of acidity make it easy to drink.  My member pricing was $16.  I’m going with 88 points and 4 stars.  Time to order more methinks, summer is coming and one needs a constant supply of chilled whites to pop at a moments notice!  It will go awesomely with some grilled shrimp, perhaps salmon mousse and cucumbers on melba toast- you get the drift.  Salut….

causation the chard

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