SIX EIGHTY Cellars Cabernet Franc Carbonic 2021, Finger Lakes, New York

20 Monday May 2024

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This is an interesting take on Cabernet Franc- Carbonically macerated versus traditional maceration which has resulted in a very pale crimson colored wine with low viscosity (11.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of raspberry, earth, funk, macerated strawberry, wildflower and green pepper- very unique.  The palate is dry with medium (-) acidity, a light body and low tannins.  It’s a fruit forward wine with red raspberry, strawberry, red licorice, florals and a hint of green pepper.  The green note sticks out on the medium length finish, which I am really liking.  It’s not an overly complex wine, nor is it ageworty but it’s a fun and light representation of the varietal that gets 88 points from me.  At $ 28 it’s a 3 star effort to try out with some lighter fare.  Salut….

Pecchenino Botti Langhe Nebbiolo 2021, Piedmont, Italy

20 Monday May 2024

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I wanted to introduce our tasting group to young Nebbiolo without the price tag of a Barolo, nor the monster structure of one that is not yet ready to drink.  The answer lay in Langhe where this grape is made in a more approachable and affordable style.  Pale garnet colored with high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose had medium (+) intensity aromas of forest, messy floor (!), stinky feet (not my descriptors!), chocolate covered cherry, strawberry, flint, anise, tobacco, smoke, green and floral.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium body and medium (+) tannins that are starting to soften.  Cherry tart, tobacco, black tea, forest floor and mushrooms with a long finish.  At $27, it’s an excellent value bottle to showcase the wonderful tastes and structure of this alluring grape.  I gave it 18/20 points on our grading scale making it my #2 wine of the night.  Technically speaking I scored it 92 points and 4 stars.  Drink till 2030 with pasta.  Salut….

Inama Carmenere Piu 2021, Veneto Rosso IGT, Italy

20 Monday May 2024

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A Carmenere from Italy was next up at the 36th virtual wine tasting.  This one had a dab of Merlot added but still showed plenty of greeness, especially on days 2/3.  Our tasters found this wine to be medium garnet colored with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  On the nose we got toasted marshmallows (!), vanilla, white pepper, toasted nuts, black cherry, plum, black raspberry, tobacco, the telltale capsicum, cedar and tomato leaf.  The pallet was dry with medium (-) acidity, a medium body and medium tannins.  Leather, tobacco, green pepper, black cherry, prune and some toasty notes were tasted.  The finish was medium in length.  I scored it 14 points on our tasting scale.  Technically speaking I think this is a 90 pointer with good potential.  For $22, it gets 4 stars from me with a drink by 2028 window.  Salut….

Domaine Nicolas Rossignol Clos de Verger 2017, Pommard Premier Cru, France

20 Monday May 2024

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Second up at the 36th virtual tasting was this stunning Pinot from Burgundy.  Pale garnet colored with low viscosity (13.5% ABV).  On the nose we got medium (+) intensity aromas of cherries jubilee, barnyard, roses, mushroom, stewed strawberry, baking spice, chocolate powder and Rooibos tea.  On the palate it is dry with medium acidity, light body and low tannins.  Cinnamon, Allspice, black cherry, mushroom, funk, forest floor and strawberry compote featured with a long finish.  This was a memorable wine that was enjoyed by everyone- I gave it a perfect 20 points on our tasting scale.  Technically speaking this is a 94 pointer that gets 5 stars and can be found for $80.  I would savor this with Roast Quail, Filet with béarnaise or even a mushroom tart.  I believe there is plenty of development in this wine’s future so cellaring a few bottles will be a fun adventure to visit till 2034.  Salut….

Bodegas Agro de Bazan Granbazan Etiqueta Verde 2022, Rias Baixas, Spain

20 Monday May 2024

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We kicked off the 36th virtual wine tasting with this delightful Albarino, tasted chilled first and then at room temperature for comparison.   I picked this bottle as we had tasted the 2018 Gran Bazan Ambar and loved it.  Pale lemon in color with a watery sheen (13% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of cantaloupe, melon, yellow apple skin, peach and saline were noted by the members.  On the palate we got medium (+) acidity and a medium (-) body.  Minerality was a key component of the taste with saline, cantaloupe, melon, honeydew, lemon pith and peach all present.  The finish was medium in length leading to a 17 point award on our tasting scale.

The room temperature version was very muted on the nose and palate but it had more minerality, less fruit and was waxy on the mouthfeel.  There was a pithy bitterness on the back end that we did not get with the chilled version.  It showed a shorter finish as well making it a 12 point effort.

Overall I love this wine and gave it 89 points which makes it a 4 star bottle considering its $19 price point.  I would pair it with grilled Swordfish or a Paella.  Drink now.  Salut….

Vinarija Skegro Krs Crni Suho Blatina 2020, Ljubuski, Bosnia-Herzegovina

19 Sunday May 2024

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Deep garnet colored with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum, charcoal, licorice, coffee, bramble berry, dill and cocoa.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium body and medium (+) tannins.  Flavors of blackberry, black plum, cocoa, dill, licorice and coffee wrap around the firm structure.  The finish is medium in length and nicely balanced between fruit, acidity and tannin.  I like this $ 22 bottle of Blatina- something new for me.  I will go with 89 points and 4 stars.  Drink till 2027 with steaks and grilled asparagus.  Salut….

Leo Hillinger Blaufrankisch 2021, Burgenland, Austria

16 Thursday May 2024

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Medium ruby fading to a silver rim with medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blueberry, violet, blackberry, white pepper, baking spice and marzipan.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and medium tannins.  Flavors of slightly green blueberry, blackberry, baking spice and some florals with a tart medium length finish.  It’s an interesting drop- the structure leans towards the tart which keeps it fresh and lighter on the palate.  Suggested pairings would be pasta, grilled mackerel or even a heavily seasoned chicken roast.  88 points for this $17 bottle makes it a 3 star wine to drink till 2027.  Salut….

A to Z Wineworks Oregon Pinot Noir 2021, Oregon

16 Thursday May 2024

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Pale to medium ruby colored with low viscosity (13.5% ABV).  Medium intensity aromas of funky strawberry, pomegranate, rooibos tea, cherry cola, rose and sassafras.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a light to medium body and medium (-) tannins.  Flavors of red pomegranate, ripe strawberry and cherry cola pop right off the bat.  Funk, rooibos and rose come next.  It has an interesting finish- medicinal meets ginger.  Never had that before.  The acidity is marked yet the diminutive tannins seem to hold balance.  A medium length finish is enjoyed whilst savoring the red fruits.  90 points, and a steal at $15 which makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2029. Salut….

J. Hofstatter Steinraffler Lagrein 2020, Alto Adige Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

16 Thursday May 2024

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Deep garnet colored with low viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of açaí berry, blueberry, fennel stalk, violets, charred wood and perfumed bramble.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, light to medium body and medium (-) tannins- a very easygoing mouthfeel.  Flavors of blueberry, açaí berry, bramble with some green but not vegetal notes alongside bright florals.  It’s a nice, light wine with good aromatics and flavors that finishes with a medium (+) length.  If you are a red fan but don’t like tannic monsters, this one’s for you.  89 points and 4 starts for this $20 bottle to drink till 2028.  Salut….

Stokes’ Ghost Petite Sirah 2020, Monterey, California

16 Thursday May 2024

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Deep purple color with medium staining and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blackberry jam, eucalyptus, smoke, vanilla, espresso and iodine.  The palate is dry with medium (-) acidity, medium to full body and high tannins that are a touch green.  Medium intensity flavors of blackberry, blackcurrant, smoke, coffee and eucalyptus.  Medium (+) length finish with some lingering astringency.  89 points and for $30m 3 stars.  Drink till 2028 with grilled steaks and a blue cheese sauce.  Salut….