Marques de Monistrol Cava Reserva Selección Especial NV, Spain

16 Wednesday Oct 2024

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Pale gold colored with large bubbles and a watery sheen (11.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of yellow apple, tangerine zest, pineapple, white blossom, a touch of brioche and lemon peel.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  The mousse has disappeared from the glass but there is an effervescence on the palate- I am dubious about the provenance here.  The flavors are not as prominent as the nose but I do get the yellow apple, citrus and white blossom, no sign of the brioche that I was hoping for.  The finish is pleasant and medium (+) in length making it a refreshing and enjoyable wine.  I would like to revisit another bottle I was given as this one may have seen better days and without disgorgement dates I have no idea how old it is.  Under $8, it gets 85 points from me and 3 stars.  Drink on purchase.  Salut….

De Toren Fusion V 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

13 Sunday Oct 2024

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Deep ruby colored with slight staining and medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blackberry, mulberry, smoke, coffee, dark chocolate, licorice, violets, caramel and ripe black plum.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are melding nicely.  The flavors consist of slightly tart black fruit with dark chocolate, coffee, licorice, some smoky hints and silky caramel.  The finish is long but the tartness of the fruit is noticeable yet refreshing even though this wine has got some heat.  Already 9 years old, it has plenty more cellaring capacity and should evolve with more tertiary notes developing from this classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.  I’m going with 93 points and for the princely sum of $65 it gets 4 stars.  It’s pairing with Sunday Roast.  Salut….

Buttonwood Grove Winery Pinot Noir 2020, Finger Lakes, New York

02 Wednesday Oct 2024

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Very pale garnet colored with copper/orange highlights and a watery sheen (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of barnyard, funk, red cherry compote, ripe strawberry, rhubarb, baking spice, violets, green stalk and lingonberry.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a light body and low tannins.  The flavor intensity is medium (-) but very delicate and seductive.  Red fruit coupled with some funky notes and some baking spice make for an enticing and lithe wine that has great balance.  The finish is medium (-) in length which makes me grab the glass for another quick sip.  It’s a delightful sipper, not sure what I would pair with it so as to not overpower.   It ran me $25 at the winery and gets 92 points making it a 5 star effort to drink till 2030.  (I scored it 90 at the winery btw).  Salut….

Connell Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Chalk Hill, Sonoma County, California

01 Tuesday Oct 2024

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Deep purple colored with red highlights on the rim, medium staining and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of black cherry, black plum, blackberry, mint, acai berry, singed alder, capsicum and a medicinal note.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and high tannins that are grippy.  The alcohol shines through easily and overpowers me on the first sip.  Letting that blow off I get ripe black and blue fruit, some green notes from mint and bell pepper with a hint of oak integration by way of that medicinal note and coffee.  The finish is a dry affair that lasts medium in length.  It’s a young wine for sure, but I see promise once the tannins sort themselves out.  Hopefully the heat integrates better with the whole package as I think it can cellar nicely and gets 91 points from me.  From their website you can order this limited production Bordeaux blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot for $75.  That makes this a 3 star effort to pair with Ribeyes or a hearty Lamb dish.  Salut….

Barboursville Vineyards Octagon 2016, Monticello, Virginia

27 Friday Sep 2024

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Deep garnet with copper highlights and medium viscosity (13.7% ABV).  The nose of this Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot blend has medium (-) intensity aromas of rich black plum, black cherry, cassis, bramble berry, espresso, chocolate, menthol, anise and violet.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body and medium (+) tannins that are very fine grained.  The wine hits with a bit of tannic grip but opens to layered dark fruit, mainly plum.  The coffee, anise, menthol and chocolate notes are present but there is a black tea note, along with its astringency that has popped up.  The finish is quite dry and medium (+) in length.  I like it but think a little air will benefit the tannins and help smooth out the mouthfeel.  When I tasted this vintage at the winery it was poured from a sealed case, but obviously had some air- it was stunning.  I hope this one opens up tonight for our guest dinner of grilled Strip steak and roasted veggies.  I am going with a potential 93 points on this $65 bottle that gets 4 stars.  Drink till 2033.  Salut….

Bodegas Escudero Vidau 2004, Rioja DOCa, Spain

26 Thursday Sep 2024

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Deep ruby colored with chocolate highlights and medium viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of tobacco, black cherry, blackberry compote, coconut, vanilla, bramble berry, dusty earth, menthol, a medicinal note, orange peel and coffee.  The palate is dry with a full body and medium (+) tannins that are fine-grained and integrating nicely.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of ripe black cherry, blackberry cobbler, tobacco, dust, vanilla, menthol and coffee.  It’s quite layered and delicious, ripe and smooth.  The finish is medium (+) in length and silky, everything is in balance.  This is a 93 point wine imho that I paid $25 making it a 5 star effort that is still youthful after 20 years and will provide pleasure for many more years to come.  Salut….

Tara Bella Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Russian River Valley, California

25 Wednesday Sep 2024

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Deep purple colored with slight staining and medium viscosity (13.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe blueberry, blackberry compote, cassis, eucalyptus, chocolate powder, oak, violets, coffee, caramel and sweet plum.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body and medium (+) tannins that are chalky.  I am a bit unnerved by the tannins tbh, they detract from the whole package and force me to consider them before I can delve into the fruit flavors.  Once over the hurdle- it’s ripe, rich dark fruit with some interesting florals and nicely exercised oak treatment.  The finish is medium in length but quite astringent, the tannic grip is a little much methinks.  I loved the 2020 Estate Cabernet  and gave it 92 points- this one only gets 89.  For the same price point of $80, it only gets 2 stars unfortunately.  I have another bottle and will re-evaluate in the near future.  Meanwhile, this one looks to last till 2030 or so, but give it time or an aeration to try and soften the tannins.  Salut….

Cosmologist Red Wine Knights Valley 2020, Sonoma County, California

24 Tuesday Sep 2024

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Deep ruby colored with slight staining and medium viscosity (15.2% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of black cherry, bramble berry, black plum, mint, eucalyptus, vanilla, licorice, fresh linen and cocoa powder.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body and medium tannins that are a touch astringent and green.  Flavors of black plum, bramble berry, black cherry, licorice, oversteeped black tea, eucalyptus, and a hint of vanilla.  The finish is hot right off the bat, detracting from the flavors I seek.  The length is medium (-) and a bit astringent, akin to black tea that has been made too strong. To me this is a bit disjointed, albeit the fruit is nice and ripe, the tannins are a bit underripe and the high alcohol is a detractor.  I would give this wine 87 points and for the $28 price point it gets 3 stars.  Drink this blend of 53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon till 2028 with steak or stew.  Salut….

Ketcham Estate Five Clone Pinot Noir 2021, Russian River Valley, California

20 Friday Sep 2024

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Pale garnet colored with a watery sheen (14.9% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity  aromas of rhubarb, pomegranate, cherry cobbler, baking spices, steeped strawberry, earth, forest floor and anise.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body and medium (-) tannins.  My first impression is funk with some bitterness.  A cardboard note hits on the second taste and now I’m a bit worried.  After several minutes I gave it another go- it’s pretty one-dimensional unfortunately.  Undefined red fruit, bitterness and a fair amount of heat make this quite unpleasant.  I will give this wine another try as I bought two bottles.  The reviews, even the color don’t jibe with my experience.  For now this $65 bottle gets 84 points and 1 star.  Drink ??  Salut….

Beaulieu Vineyard BV Reserve Tapestry 2016, Napa Valley, California

18 Wednesday Sep 2024

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Deep ruby colored with slight staining and a high viscosity (14.9% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of blackberry, cassis, black plum, vanilla, toasty oak,  coffee, caramel, acai berry, eucalyptus, wet stone, graphite and baking spices.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins.  Silky layers of dark, ripe fruit interlaced with loads of secondary notes of oak which has been deftly applied alongside some interesting eucalyptus and caramel hints.  The wet stone is not present but there is a dried tobacco note coming on.  The tannins are polished and are integrating nicely.  The finish is long, centered on blackberry and cassis with a woodsy note.  It’s delicious , still young and worthy of 94 points.  A classic Bordeaux blend of Cab Sav, Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.  It runs $65 for the latest vintage, unsure of pricing for this one.  5 stars IMHO to drink till 2030.  Salut….