Don Benigno Medium Dry Amontillado NV, Jerez, Spain

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Pale amber colored, with high viscosity (17.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of dried nuts, prune, sea salt, yeast, burnished oak, dryer sheet (I know….), and Brazil nut.  The palate is dry (even though the name says medium dry), with medium acidity, and a full body.  There’s an interesting amalgamation of flavors at play- the nutty notes including Brazil and dry roasted nuts combine with the stewed fruit and oak derived nuance.  The proximity to the sea is evident by the ocean spray notes and the yeast component is a telltale that this wine started out life as a Fino under a layer of Flor.  I love the style.  At $15, you really can’t go wrong with this aperitif wine that gets 88 points from me and 4 stars.  Salut….

Don Benigno medium dry Amontillado SherryDon Benigno

Wagner Vineyards Caywood East Vineyard Dry Riesling 2021, Finger Lakes, New York

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Pale straw colored with a watery sheen (11.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of petrol, lanolin, lemon zest, pomelo, white blossom, green almond, wet rock, strawberry leaf (I know…), nectarine, and green apple.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  Medium intensity flavors of lemon zest, white grapefruit, white blossom, wet rock, and lanolin with a slight astringency on the mid palate.  The finish is quite tart, the acidity still very much in play.  Lemon, grapefruit and petrol carry through to a rather long finish.  It’s a young Riesling, with plenty of cellaring capacity and the ability to develop tertiary notes.  I paid $25 at the cellar door for this 90 point wine that gets 4 stars.  My pairing is a baked Halibut with beurre blanc.  Salut….

Wagner Vineyards Caywood East Vineyard Dry Riesling

F. Stephen Millier Black Label Petite Sirah 2021, California

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Deep purple colored with medium staining, and a high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  Medium  intensity aromas of ripe blackberry, cassis, grilled black plum, eucalyptus, cocoa powder, tomato leaf, and a hint of shredded coconut.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body, and medium (+) tannins.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of ripe blackberry, black currant, black plum, spice, eucalyptus, cocoa powder and that green note which I am enjoying.  The finish is lush- gobs of ripe fruit with the silky tannins make for a delicious medium length ending.  Lovely stuff that I am pairing with pan-seared ribeyes.  91 points.  Drink this $14 wine till 2028.  5 stars.  Salut….

F. Stephen Millier Black Label California Petite Sirah

Sharon Weeks Cattoo Malbec 2021, Paso Robles, California

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Deep purple colored with medium viscosity (14.3% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum, dark chocolate, blackberry, black raspberry, black cherry and tomato stalk.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium tannins that are powdery.  Medium intensity flavors of dark berries, chocolate, black cherry, and that green note I got on the nose.  Malbec is a very easy variety to love, its structure and mouthfeel are very user friendly and this is no exception.  The finish is medium (+) in length- showing off the lovely fruit as well as the gorgeous tannins.  I like this $15 effort a lot.  90 points and 5 stars.  It’s a very nice wine that we’re pairing with roast beef sandwiches.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

Sharon Weeks Cattoo Malbec

Fiuza Premium Alicante Bouschet Reserva 2019, Vinho Regional Tejo, Portugal

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The Alicante Bouschet variety is one of the select group of Teinturier grapes, the pulp being red in color.  This produces a dark wine that used to be a blending partner to lighter wines.  Nowadays, single variety bottling are more common and can be truly delicious, usually at a reasonable price point.

Deep ruby colored with very slight staining, and high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black raspberry, black plum, brambleberry, eucalyptus, black currant, chocolate, spice box and vanilla.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (+) body, and medium (+) tannins that are integrating nicely.  Rich, ripe black fruits coat the gums whilst the spicebox, vanilla, chocolate and some green herbs add nuance.  The finish is quite long and refined.  The fruit and tannins work well together and are very balanced.  I love this wine- especially at the $15 price point.  It gets 92 points from me and 5 stars.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….

Fiuza Premium Alicante Bouschet

Basilisco ‘Fiordimarna’ 2017, Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG, Italy

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Inky purple colored with slight staining, and high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of pipe tobacco, charred oak, ripe black plum, acai berry, vanilla nib, espresso, brambleberry, smoke, granite, and a medicinal note.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (+) body and high tannins that literally coat my whole mouth- wowza.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of ripe black fruit with several oak influencers including vanilla, coffee, medicinal notes, smoke, tobacco and obviously the charred oak.  The tannins may be ferocious but they melt away to a powdery finish that lasts medium length and includes some black tea.  It’s a young bottle for sure that needs some hefty steaks or a rich Ragu.  93 points from me for this $35 bottle makes it a 5 star wine that either needs a few years in cellar or a serious aerating.  Drink till 2035 easily.  Salut….

Basilisco Fiordimarna Aglianico del Vulture

Marcelo Pelleriti ‘Signature’ Cabernet Franc 2021, Mendoza, Argentina

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Medium ruby colored with light staining, and a high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blackberry, black plum, green pepper, purple licorice, spice box, cocoa powder, and a forest woodsy note.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body, and medium (+) tannins that hit my cheeks more so than the front palate.  The fruit intensity is medium and mirrors the nose with the addition of a charred oak note.  The finish is medium in length where I also get a black tea hint- along with its astringency.  A tasty wine that averages $18 a bottle.  This to me is a 91 pointer that gets 5 stars.  It’s good and may cellar nicely till 2031.  I’m pairing with rack of lamb.  Salut….

Marcelo Pelleriti 'Signature' Cabernet Franc

Fox Run Vineyards Dry Riesling 2021, Finger Lakes, New York

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Pale golden yellow with low viscosity (12.6% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of petrol, bruised apple, lemon zest, petrichor, peach, nectarine, orange blossom, and candle wax.  (I know….).  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  Medium (+) intensity flavors coupled with the cutting acidity and lithe body make for a refreshing mouthfeel.  The finish is acid-dominant but the apple, lemon, and petrol notes do continue to medium length.  I like this style of Riesling, dry and fresh yet it offers the telltale petrol I search for in this variety.  90 points for this $18 effort makes it a 5 star wine that I believe could cellar nicely.  I’m pairing with seared scallops and steamed asparagus.  Salut….

Fox Run Vineyards Dry Riesling

Martinez Gassiot Late Bottled Vintage Port 2018, Porto Portugal

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Deep, inky-ruby colored, with moderate staining, and high viscosity (19.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum ganache, fresh prune, blueberry jam,  cocoa powder, baking spice, leather, old oak, and a touch of juniper leaf.  The palate is sweet, with high acidity, a full body, and high levels of silky tannins that coat my gums.  The intensity of the fruit is medium (+) and mimics the nose.  It’s ripe, rich, opulent and delicious.  There’s a charcoal note on the mid palate that adds intrigue.  The finish is long and a touch astringent, which is kinda nice.  I’m thoroughly enjoying this $20 bottle that gets 91 points from me and 5 stars.  Drink till 2030 with a nice cheese tray.  Salut….


Martinez Late Bottled Vintage Port

Patrice Grasset Chenin Blanc 2022, Vouvray, France

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Pale lemon colored with strawberry highlights, and a high viscosity (12.5% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon zest, tangerine, wax, wool, grapefruit pith, quince, slate, white blossom, and white pepper.  The palate is a hint off-dry with medium (+) acidity, and a medium (+) body.  The flavors are quite pronounced- quince, grapefruit pith, lemon and tangerine with some interesting wool notes.  There is a waxy feel to this wine which is varietally correct.  The finish is medium (+) in length and weighty.  I am enjoying this $17 bottle that I will be pairing with baked Mackerel.  It gets 90 points from me and 5 stars.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Patrice Grasset Vouvray Chenin Blanc