Familia Mayol ‘Finca Pircas’ Malbec 2011

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From Argentina comes this beauty.  A nose of black damson/dark plums, possibly a hint of sagebrush. Nice dark purple color with long legs in the glass, not something I comment on normally. Full on attack of black and blue fruits with ample tannins up front. Mouth watering acidity set this wine up for a long cellar potential. Mid palate hints of violet and plum offset by the edgy tannins. There is a longish finish that indicates the level of alcohol. 14.5% is hard to hide, but it is done rather well in this offering, with just some back end heat showing up. The wine is a little closed right now but will open up in 2017-2018 and cellar well for another 7-8 years. 90 points from me and 3 stars for this decent $30 offering from Mendoza, the capital of Malbec. I reckon it will rock a steak and do justice to some BBQ ribs. The structure is perfect for something sweet and spicy or marbled like a ribeye.  Salut….

familia mayor finca pircas malbec

Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2012

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A Margaret River presentation with very dark purple appearance in the glass and a nose of ginger, plum, clove and vanilla. On the palate, youthful and bursting with blue fruits and plums. The mid palate shows off some wood notes and much more meaty plums. Mid range tannins and a very slight acidity make it an easy drinker right off the bat. $12, 88 points and 3 stars.  Salut….

clairault cabernet sauvignon merlot

Chateau Hanteillan 2009

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From Haut Medoc comes this charming, meaty wine that needs to be on your shopping list. Very dark and murky in the glass with a nose of really sweet bramble, cherry and blackcurrant. My first impressions are good. Very pleasing initial attack of black kirsch, blackcurrants and a gradual introduction of some well integrated tannins. The acidity hides in the background yet balances the wine very well. Primary fruit is fully evident but I suspect that this wine has some evolution in it’s near future. It drinks well today but I reckon it will get better in 2-3 years. This 09 Bordeaux sums up the vintage well. Early drinking pleasure coupled with a decent cellaring potential make this wine a must have at $15 per bottle. I am going with 90 points and 5 stars. Roast game is screaming to be paired with this as are some stinky blue cheeses and don’t rule out a braised beef rib.  Salut….

chateau hanteillan

Domaine B. Serveau et fils Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers 2009

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Light purple, typical for the varietal and region. Nose of cherry, earth, a hint of oak and some funk. On the initial attack it is somewhat basic with raw flavors of cherry, strawberry and sour cranberry. This wine is way too young as it only exhibits primal features. Edgy tannins will smooth out and meld with the acidity. I reserve judgement but give it 90 points for now.  I will aerate and try again.
Much softer after double decant with more cherry and some blueberry hints. Still tannic and edgy and the acid hits right in the cheeks.  Sticking with the 90 points initially and for $70, this is a 3 star effort that may need some cellaring to really shine.  Burgundy can be a tricky pick.  Salut….

Domaine B. Serveau et fils Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers

Havens Black and Blue Napa Valley 2012

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Bright purple edges in the glass. Nose of bramble and blue fruits. Bright and airy initial attack of blueberry pie, iodine and vanilla. Cinnamon and crime brûlée hints come out mid palate. Soft tannins and low acidity make this easy to drink now and in the near future. Full flavored yet somewhat light and lithe- this is an easy wine to enjoy with or without food. 89 points. $19 and 3 stars.  Salut….

havens black and blue

Corymbia 2013

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I am always in search of the unique, the different.  This wine is one of those that I would classify as such.  Not yet available in the US market, I happen to know ‘a guy’ and got to try some.  Start with the label, which is a graphical display of the sunshine and rainfall on the property for the whole year…. who thinks this stuff up?  Brilliant.  The blend itself is quite intriguing.  85% Tempranillo co-fermented with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Swan Valley in Australia.  Atypical for Tempranillo it reminds me of Burgundy in its softness, melded tannins and mouthfeel. The flavor profile is much more new world though with a nose of plums and blueberry. Carbonic maceration gives it a fruit forward approach on the initial attack much like the Gamay wines of Beaujolais. Loads of blue fruit and some gentle acidity combine with the melded tannins to give a nice mouthfeel. The back end is where I get some firmer tannins and a decent finish. 88 points from me. Aus $35, U.S. $25, 3 stars.  A treat if you can find it because it allows for the broadening of the palate.  Truly unique, it drinks well as an aperitif but would go really well with some charcuterie, perhaps some hard cheese. 2015-2018.  Salut….

corymbia wine

 

Leoville Barton 2001

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I bought a case of this many moons ago and have just started to drink the wines of this Bordeaux vintage.  The ’01 Leoville Barton I drank before was sublime.  The consensus was a 2022 peak, I’m not so sure now, or else I had bottle variation.

Still bright purple but a broken cork and low top fill gave me cause for concern.  Classic Bordeaux cassis nose with blueberry and cherry entrance were overshadowed by the fact that the wine was a little thin. Tasty mid palate but it lacked weight. Good acidity and firm tannins. Drink sooner rather than later unfortunately.  89-91 points.  3 stars now but I’m hoping it was a one-off bottle.  Salut….

leoville barton 2001

Mystery label from Montepulciano 2011

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I drank this over the 4th of July weekend, took notes, a picture but forgot the name.  No idea of pricing either as it was my friend’s offering.  It was good, but young.

Nearly black in the gas with a nose is of blackberry and tar.  More black fruit, tar and earth on the initial attack. Tannic and brooding. Mid palate had some vegetal, herbaceous and acidic components. Longish finish of black cherry and tannins. 2017-2025, 90 points.  I can’t give it a star rating as I don’t know the price.  If you have seen this or know it’s name please comment!  Salut….

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Montes Classic Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

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Bright purple. Oaked up nose of blue berries and green peppers. Not my style as it has a strange tinge to it. Much better on the palate with some plums, blue fruits and some mint. A slightly green mid palate with sharp acidity comes through midway. Mild tannins and a shorter finish. 86 points and 3 stars for this $8 offering.  Salut….

montes cabernet sauvignon

Deakin Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Series 2013

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Nice purple color. Nose of black currants, cinnamon and elderberries.  Initially some slight tannins and a good presentation of dark berries and brush. Some earthy elements come across in the mid palate. A very basic wine that provides enjoyment and will drink well with barbecue, roast game and pizza. Nice acidity counters the gentle tannins and it leaves you with a nice mouthfeel. 87 points. 2015-2017.  I paid $11 making it a 4 star wine.  Salut….

deakin estate cabernet sauvignon