Brothers Miller Thankfulness Red 2022, Central Coast, California

05 Saturday Apr 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,


Medium ruby colored, with medium viscosity (14.1% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, acai berry, a touch of game, and red licorice.  The palate is dry (perhaps a touch of RS? ), with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium tannins that are crunchy.  Medium intensity flavors of black cherry, acai berry, charred oak, baking spice, black raspberry, and a medicinal hint.  The finish has quite a bit of tannic grip but the fruit flavors go on mid length.  My initial reaction to the nose was not overly favorable, but after a few sips I find myself enjoying it quite a lot.  It has an interesting bitterness to it yet the fruit is quite ripe.  Somewhat one-dimensional it lacks much complexity yet it delivers on what it has.  I like it, 89 points worth.  It came as part of a mixed case from a club and runs $15. This blend of Pinot Noir, Barbera, Grenache, and Valdigué gets 4 stars from me.  I would drink it till 2028 and pair it with corned beef, filet or even a roast chicken.  Salut….

Brothers Miller Central Coast Thankfulness Red

Cantine del Notaio Il Sigillo 2011, Basilicata, Italy

24 Monday Mar 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


The star of the 39th virtual wine tasting was this mature Aglianico.  Deep garnet colored with definitive bricking, slight staining, and medium viscosity (14%V ABV).  The nose had medium (+) intensity aromas of prune, dried nuts, desiccated cherry, swisher sweet cigars, raisins, musty barnyard, leather, and Absinthe.  The plate was dry with medium (-) acidity, a medium body, and medium (-) tannins that were fully integrated.  Sipping this wine was ethereal- the flavors echoed the nose and the silky presentation had a long finish.  I would not cellar this wine any further as it’s at peak/slightly past peak and needs to be enjoyed to its fullest now.  A perfect 20 points were awarded by more than one taster and I gave this $80 bottle 94 points.  A super treat to drink this 5 star effort.  Salut….

Cantine del Notaio Il Sigillo Aglianico

Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino 2019, Tuscany, Italy

24 Monday Mar 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


The third wine of our virtual wine-tasting was this Sangiovese Grosso that was a little one-dimensional.  It started off with the color- pale garnet, with medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose gave us medium intensity aromas of anise, sage, musty leather, red cherry and orange peel.  The palate was dry with medium (+) acidity, medium (+) body, and medium (+) tannins.  Green leaf, slightly unripe red cherry, leather, barnyard, and pencil lead all took us to a medium length finish.  I was a bit underwhelemed by this $40 offering, giving it 15 points on our scoring sheet and 90 technical points, thus making it a 3 star effort.  It may be in a dumb phase as it did open up on night 2.  We paired it with leftover pepper steak and mashed potatoes.  I would cellar a bottle or two for a few years and drink by 2030.  Salut….


Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso 2022, Sicily, Italy

24 Monday Mar 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Tasted at our virtual wine tasting- this Nerello Mascalese was pale ruby colored with high viscosity (14.8% ABV).  The nose had medium intensity aromas of green pepper, blackberry, vanilla, leather, black raspberry, cigar, coffee and a herbal, medicinal note.  The palate was dry with medium acidity, a medium (-) body, and medium (+) tannins.  The aromas carried through to the palate and it ended on a medium length finish.  I scored it 14 points on our sheet but gave it 91 points on technical merit.  It ran $28, making it a 4 star effort to drink till 2030.  Salut….

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Rosso

Dona Maria White 2022, Alentejo, Portugal

24 Monday Mar 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


My tasting group kicked off this session with this Arinto from Portugal.  We tasted it chilled and then at room temp.  We noticed it was medium lemon colored with low viscosity (12.5% ABV).  The nose had medium intensity aromas of grapefruit, honeysuckle, apricot, nectarine, pineapple, sea spray, and wet rock lending it a touch of  minerality.  The palate was dry with medium (+) acidity, and a light body.  It was more tart than I was expecting with flavors of grapefruit, slightly unripe pineapple, honeysuckle, nectarine and apricot as well as some salinity.  The finish was rather short yet inviting.  I gave it 13 points on our scale.

The room temperature tasting was surprising.  Less intense aromas that kicked off with a wet wool smell.  Someone mentioned acetone- Gosh I hope not.  A more intense pineapple alongside lanolin, less intense honeysuckle, saline, wet rock and stone fruit.  The palate seemed less acidic but heavier in body.  Apricot featured the most with honeysuckle, yellow apple, and lanolin supporting.  The finish was more pronounced and longer yet I scored this one lower at 11 points on our scale.  Overall- this is a 90 point wine that I thoroughly enjoyed the following night, well chilled.  It runs $18 therefore I consider it a 4 star effort to drink by 2028.  Shrimp scampi comes to mind.  Salut….

Dona Maria White arinto

Perroud ‘Amethyste’ Brouilly 2018, Beaujolais, France

21 Friday Mar 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Medium ruby tending to garnet colored, with medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of violets, spring flowers, grape, acai berry, boysenberry,  red raspberry, and some baking spice.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body, and medium (-) tannins.  The flavors start off a little tart but they build into decently ripe fruit- red raspberry, acai berry, boysenberry and grape.  The florals I got on the nose are feint, as is the spice.  The whole package melds into a rather short, watery finish that leaves a touch of bitterness and tartness on the back end.  It’s an interesting wine as it keeps drawing me in for another sip.  Not one to argue- I oblige and find myself liking this wine even more by the sip even though it doesn’t merit a high technical score.  88 would be fair and for $20 it gets 3 stars.  I’m baking a  half duck to pair with this Gamay based wine.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

Les Freres Perroud Amethyste Brouilly

Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir 2021, Martinborough, New Zealand

16 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Medium ruby colored, slightly hazy (Unfined/unfiltered?), with a medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe cranberry, red cherry compote, vanilla bean, baking spice, rhubarb pie, and lingonberry preserves.  It’s quite dense and ripe.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and medium tannins.  The red fruit flavors are quite pronounced, the vanilla and accompanying oak influence is very subtle and well integrated.  The tannins melt away beautifully and give this wine a lovely mouthfeel.  The finish has a touch of charred oak alongside some ever so slight tart and bitter notes.  It’s a really nice rendition of Kiwi Pinot- extracted a bit more than Burgundy, not as jammy as a Cali and showing off its own unique terror.   Nicely done- 93 points worth for this $100 offering which makes it a 4 star effort in my books.  I’m pairing it with roast duck breast, sugar snap peas and some boiled potatoes.  Drink till 2036.  Salut….

Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir

Villa Mora Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2014, Umbria, Italy

15 Saturday Mar 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Deep garnet colored with a copper highlight, slight staining, and high viscosity (15% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of brambleberry, black cherry, roasted licorice, eucalyptus, singed alder, smoky dried herbs, vanilla, coffee, and old railroad ties.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and high tannins that grip.  The flavors are somewhat muted by the aggressive tannins which are stripping the enamel off my teeth.  I do finally coax black berries, black cherry and a myriad of oak nuances- coffee, vanilla, smoke, etc.  The high alcohol is well masked and the balance (apart from the tannins) is very nice.  I will aerate the rest of the bottle for a smoother sip.  I reckon this wine has quite a bit of life left and should cellar nicely till 2035.  I’m going with 91 points for this $35 bottle, making it a 4 star wine to pair with juicy steaks, pasta or grilled game.  Salut….

Villa Mora Montefalco Sagrantino

Signature des Princes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2023, Rhone, France

14 Friday Mar 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,


Medium ruby colored, with medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of red raspberry, rhubarb, cranberry, acai berry, violet, orange peel, dusty oak (reminiscent of sawdust), licorice, and some spice box.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body, and medium tannins.  Medium (+) intensity flavors with a touch of bitterness lead to a red-fruit dominated finish that is medium in length with some obvious heat coming through.  It’s quite nicely balanced except for the alcohol hit at the end. A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre- typical for the region.  89 points from me and for $35, it gets 3 stars.  It will cellar nicely till 2028 and pair with lighter game, filet mignon or a hearty stew.  Salut….

Signature des Princes Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Substance Chardonnay 2021, Columbia Valley, Washington

01 Saturday Mar 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Pale lemon colored with gold highlights, and medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of lemon zest, butter, vanilla, melon, orange blossom, and a trace of peach.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium (+) body.  Medium intensity flavors of lemon curd, melon, butter, vanilla, orange blossom, and peach.  The mouthfeel is round and pleasing, not cutting or lithe.  It begs for some grilled shrimp, Mackerel filets or smoked salmon.  The finish is medium (+) in length and gives me a salted caramel note.  It’s always a pleasure to drink wines from the house of Smith, they offer tremendous quality to price ratios and are consistent.  This one gets 92 points from and for $13 it’s a screaming good 5 star deal.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Substance Chardonnay