Tara Bella Cabernet Sauvignon Al Di La 2018, Sonoma County, California

05 Thursday Sep 2024

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Deep purple colored with slight staining and high viscosity (13.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blackberry compote, cassis, eucalyptus, mint, tobacco, cigar box, coffee, vanilla, black raspberry and licorice.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body and medium (+) tannins that are nicely integrated.  Ripe berries with vanilla, mint, oak, eucalyptus and tobacco highlight the flavors with a medium intensity.  The finish is decently long in length and turns a touch tart whilst thinning out a bit.  The richnesss and intensity of this wine is a touch shy of where I was expecting it to be considering the other bottles I have tried from this winery.  It’s a good drop mind you and gets 91 points from me.  Listing at $80 it becomes a 3 star effort in IMHO.  I think it has some cellaring capacity and should drink nicely till 2028.  Salut….

Winzer Krems Kellermeister Privat Blauer Zweigelt 2022, Niederosterreich, Austria

03 Tuesday Sep 2024

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Medium garnet colored with high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of sour cherry, cranberry, tomato stalk, white pepper, red licorice and a hint of strawberry right at the end.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins that are a touch astringent.  Flavors of red fruit with that crispy greenness and some spice make for a very interesting and refreshing taste profile.  The finish is tart and carries on for a decent length.  A delicious wine that is counter to heavy, oaked, tannic wines- this one will pair beautifully with my leftover BBQ Ribs and smoked chicken wings.  The acidity will sort out the sweet and tangy sauces and temper the smoke.  90 points from me for this $24 effort makes it a 4 star wine to drink till 2028.  Salut….

Vina Requingua ‘Toro de Piedra’ Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Curico Valley, Chile

02 Monday Sep 2024

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Medium ruby colored with slight staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of mint, graphite, black plum, black cherry, blackberry, bramble and vanilla.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body and medium (+) tannins that are chalky.  The herbal notes take center stage followed by black fruit and then some coffee, oak, vanilla, and dark chocolate.  The finish has a very nice mouthfeel with the chalky tannins interwoven with fruit.  It’s a very decent drop and will develop with some cellaring.  Drink this 91 point effort till 2028.  I paid $15 which makes it a 5 star wine.  Salut….

Fox Run Vineyards Silvan Riesling 2021, Seneca Lake, New York

31 Saturday Aug 2024

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Pale gold with a watery sheen (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of petrol, tangerine pith, peach, apricot, white and orange blossom.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  Flavors of peach, apricot, tangerine pith (with its associated bitterness), some toast and white blossom.  I was hoping for some petrol notes, but alas I may have to wait a few years for that to develop on the palate.  The acidity is cutting on the back-end where the finish is medium in length and a touch astringent.  It’s a nice drop for sure- 91 points worth and for the $20 price point it gets 5 stars.  Drink till 2030.   Salut….

Errazuriz Max Reserva Carmenere 2020, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

30 Friday Aug 2024

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Deep ruby colored, bordering on ink with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of coffee, black plum, green asparagus, dark chocolate, cracked pepper and baking spices.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and medium tannins that are soft and caressing.  Flavors of black plum, cracked pepper, coffee, dark chocolate, green olive and baking spice along with the varietal telltale- a slight green vegetal note.  The finish is medium in length and has rich coffee and dark chocolate notes.  It’s a perfect wine for Peppercorn Steak.  91 points from me for this  $14 bottle makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2028.  Salut….

Tara Bella Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Sonoma County, California

28 Wednesday Aug 2024

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Deep ruby, almost inky in color with light staining and high viscosity (13.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blackberry, cassis, mint, vanilla, eucalyptus, black plum compote, coffee, charred oak, acai berry, dried green herbs and a hint of caramel.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body and medium (+) tannins that are youthful and grippy. Mouth-coating ripe black fruit with vanilla, mint, eucalyptus and oak feature predominantly with some dried herbs on the back end.  The tannins are delightful, they grip and then fade gently, allowing the fruit to shine through to a long finish.  This is a pretty silky and luscious wine that I am thoroughly enjoying.  My pairing is pepper steak and French fries.  93 points for this $80 bottle makes it a 4-5 star effort.  It has some cellaring capacity- I would drink till 2032.  Salut….

Kia Ora Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand

27 Tuesday Aug 2024

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Very pale lemon colored with titanium highlights and a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose has intense aromas of lime zest, lime, cut grass, asparagus, white blossom, orange blossom, hints of peach, grapefruit and sea spray.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  The citrus driven nose is echoed on the palate with some green notes, stone fruit and florals.  It’s a flavor driven wine for sure- delicious and refreshing with the cutting acidity.  The finish is quite long and tangy.  I paid $14 for this bottle that gets 91 points from me making it a 5 star effort to drink in the near term.  I’m frying up some Mahi Mahi and roasted veggies to pair.  Salut….

Bodegas Neo ‘Sentido’ 2020, Ribera del Duero, Spain

26 Monday Aug 2024

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Deep ruby colored, almost inky- with high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of ripe blackberry, bramble, dusty earth, elderberry, coconut, charred oak and pine needles.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are slightly chalky.  Flavors of ripe black berries with that telltale dust combine with American oak nuance of coconut and dill.  The oaky charred note is there but diminished.  The finish is medium (+) in length but turns a bit hot at the end.  I like this Crianza level wine- it’s charming, structured and tasty.  92 points.  I am pairing this Tempranillo with some half-smoke sausages and fried potatoes.  For under $20, this one gets 5 stars.  Drink till 2029.  Salut….

Barboursville Vineyard visit

26 Monday Aug 2024

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I just dropped my youngest off at UVA and decided to re-visit this iconic Virginia winery on the drive home.  I had a great time tasting through their offerings and my hostess was most gracious and fun.  I ended up purchasing some of their Philleo dessert wine- delicious and reasonably priced.  I previously tasted their 2007 Malvaxia so another bottle was secured to do a follow-on tasting in addition to the current release, which is now called Paxxito from the 2019 vintage.  Should be interesting.  Two vintages of the top-level Octagon are also going to be tasted in the near future, such a silky and delicious ageworthy red blend, I can’t wait.  If you’re ever in the central Virginia area or have a free day in the Metro DC suburbs- it’s only a 2 hour drive to visit one of the finest wineries in the Commonwealth.  Salut….

Cartlidge & Browne Pinot Noir 2018, North Coast, California

21 Wednesday Aug 2024

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Pale garnet colored with copper highlights and medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of red currant, cherry jubilee, red raspberry, baking spice and rose.  It’s a bit muted.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a light body and low tannins.  Medium (-) intensity flavors of red fruit with a touch of spice and some minimal floral hints- quite a thin wine.  The finish is where it picks up steam- more red currants and some spice with gently increasing acidity and a medium length ending.  Not a stellar wine- drink now as it has no capacity to age further.  83 points for this $14 bottle makes it a 2 star effort.  Salut….