Beringer Vineyards ‘Beringer Bros.’ Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, California, USA

07 Monday May 2018

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Quite dark and very opaque.  The nose is lush, with plums, sweet oak and vanilla bean.  Makes sense, seeing as the label says Bourbon Barrel aged.  On the palate it is slightly sweet- more dark blue fruits, a molasses component and plums galore.  The mid palate shows off some very integrated tannins as well as some blueberry pie and a nutty component.  The wine builds nicely into a long finish that has a certain dryness from the tannins that mingle with more plum, some cherry and coconut notes.  The mouthfeel of this wine is amazing, not overly dry, not too acidic.  The finish is really smooth and as mentioned, quite lengthy.  This is a sipping wine but I would also pair it with chorizo and sautéed kale.  90 points from me for this $16 effort.  4 stars.  Salut….

Pinot Evil Pinot Noir NV, Chile

07 Monday May 2018

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A non-vintage wine as far as I can see that I purchased for $9.  The name and label sold me.  It is see-through as expected from a Pinot Noir.  The nose drums up strawberry, cinnamon and a baked pastry note that I find really interesting.  The palate is very warm, with flavors of red berries, strawberry and cherry extract.  The wine has a juicy acidity to it and the tannins are ever so faint.  The mid palate shows off a touch of heat, even though this wine only clocks 12.5%.  The medium length finish rounds out with red currants and a chalky component.  More cherry hits right at the end.  I have to state that it’s a delicious wine that gets 90 points from me and for the price- it deserves 5 stars.  An exceptional bargain in the world of Pinot Noir.  Well done!  Buy it by the bucketful.  Salut…

PS.  Turns out there is a French wine of the same exact name and label.  The Chilean one is what I tasted.

EnRoute Les Pommiers Pinot Noir 2015, Russian River Valley, USA

07 Monday May 2018

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A darker purple then expected from Pinot Noir.  Nose gives off gobs of strawberry, cherry pie and cedar plank.  The palate gives me some spicy notes of red fruits, violets and fig paste.  The finish is lengthy with very caressing, smooth tannins that are in perfect balance with the acidity.

This is a delicious wine that will reward instant gratification yet will cellar well for another 10 years.  I paired it with some of the best Lamb Chops I have had in a long time.  91 points and 5 stars for this $40 effort.   I’m buying some for the cellar.  Salut….

Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block 2015, Franschhoek Valley, South Africa

30 Monday Apr 2018

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See-through purple.  Nose is enticing with ripe blueberry, cocoa powder, mint and a touch of oak.  The palate is very interesting with plum ganache, blueberry pie, cacao and super fine grained tannins.  The mouthfeel is delightful, with some pinpoint acidity.  The mid palate is ripe and rich, layered with espresso bean, vanilla and more oak.  The finish is long, dry with tannins and mouthwatering with blueberry.  91 points and 5 stars for this $25 blend of Syrah (71%), Grenache Noir (15%), Cabernet Sauvignon (8%), Cinsault (5%) and Viognier (1%).  It was a gift, but I will be buying more.  Delicious stuff for immediate drinking or cellaring till 2023.  Salut….

Chateau Giscours 2013, Margaux, France

30 Monday Apr 2018

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Purple, nice.  Mint, plums, wintergreen on the palate.  Very interesting.  The palate is fresh, young and tannic.  Blue fruits, sasparilla and cedar dominate.  Fine-grained tannins are evident but not overwhelming.  On the mid palate I get a strong blueberry component along with cedar.  The finish is short to medium in length and offers blue fruits, gentle tannins and some mild acidity.  This wine is rather basic, bland and thin.  It offers short term pleasure but is not age worthy.  Drink now.  88 points and 2 stars for this $50 Third-growth Margaux.  Salut….

Clarendelle 2013, Bordeaux, France

30 Monday Apr 2018

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Dark and murky.  The nose features plums, oak, black cherry.  The initial palate has blueberry, fine grained tannins, more black cherry.  The finish is quite dry, with blue fruits dominating.  87 points and 3 stars for this $15 Bordeaux from a relatively weak vintage.  Drink up.  Salut….

Oberon Merlot 2016, Napa Valley, USA

30 Monday Apr 2018

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Solid, dark and brooding.  On the nose it is somewhat muted in this particular glass but I managed to coax black cherry, olives, cinnamon stick.  On the palate it is much more defined, albeit a bit tannic at first.  Plum and black berries come out with some nuttiness to go along with the mouth drying tannins, which are rather forceful by the mid palate.  Figs, a touch of oak and some more blue fruits tie it up with a mid length finish.  The wine is young, the tannins are quite untamed.  I would give this wine another 2 years in cellar and drink from 2020-2028.  88 points and 3 stars for this $19 effort.  Salut….

Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT 2009, Tuscany, Italy

22 Sunday Apr 2018

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The second wine of the Birthday dinner at Chez Francois.  This one was stunning.  No notes were taken but I remember thinking that this is what being a wine lover is all about.  Near perfection in the bottle.  Rich, ripe, sumptuous, balanced, maturing yet showing youth and verve.  This wine blends some Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with the majority Sangiovese.  It gets 94 points from me and 5 stars, even with its $125 current price tag.  I believe I have one left in storage and will look forward to the next opportunity.  Paired beautifully with Lamb Chops.  Salut….

Chateau Branaire-Ducru 2008, Saint-Julien, France

22 Sunday Apr 2018

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Continuing on with the Birthday weekend celebration Moxie took us out for the most enjoyable dinner at my favorite restaurant.  L’Auberge Chez Francoise has been a local fixture for over 40 years and is consistently the best dining I have ever had.  Their wine list is extensive and meets all needs, but I really wanted to take two bottles from my cellar for the momentous occasion.  We started out with the 2008 Brainaire-Ducru, which runs about $65 currently.  I did not write notes on the wines, only a memory of the experience.

I was a little dismayed at the thinness of this wine.  It should have been at peak but instead I found it lacking much fruit, secondary flavors or even much tannic structure. I enjoyed it for what it was and would give it 90 points and 3 stars.  We drank it with Braised Wagyu Beef Cheeks, then the salad course.  Salut….

Chateau Gloria 2010, Saint-Julien, France

22 Sunday Apr 2018

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My buddy brought this wine, which I was really excited to try.  Unfortunately, it was a major let down.  Color was right but the nose and flavors were earthy with a tar note.  I did not bother to write further as I was really tired and just wanted to relax.  Overall, I would have given this wine 86 points and probably a pass for the $60 price tag….until I read some more posts about it on the web.  It rated very highly with the pros and sells for its price point, so maybe I got an off bottle.  I will reserve further judgement until I get another opportunity.  Too bad.  Salut….