Black Slate Gratallops 2021, Priorat DOCa, Spain

14 Wednesday Aug 2024

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Deep ruby colored with slight staining and a high viscosity (15% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, black licorice, grape bubble gum (!), coffee, vanilla, baking spice, blueberry compote and mint.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins. The fruit quality is very good and I get layers of dark red fruit intertwined with oak nuance.  Thankfully the bubble gum is nowhere to be found, an interesting note on the nose tho.  The texture of the tannins is sublime- slightly grippy yet silky making for a delightful mouthfeel that lasts medium length.  A well-balanced blend of Garnacha and Carignena that gets 92 points from me.  I paid $18 for this beaut and give it 5 stars.  My pairing is rack of Lamb.  Drink till 2030, Salut….

Bodega Gaintza ‘Gaintza’ 2021, Getariako Txakolina, Spain

13 Tuesday Aug 2024

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Pale to medium lemon colored with high viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of lanolin, lemon curd, grapefruit zest and pith, orange blossom, salted caramel, peach, melon and cantaloupe.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a light body.  I don’t see any spritz in the glass but the wine tingles my tongue ever so slightly which is a feature of this region/varietal.  Citrus dominates with sea spray, blossom, peach and melon supporting.  It has a zingy finish that lasts medium in length for the flavor but long with the acidity.  It’s a very refreshing wine to pair with seafood, especially on a hot day.  I’m baking Mahi Mahi filets and this is going to work a treat.  Overall, this $20 gets high marks with me at 91 points and 5 stars.  I would drink till 2026.  85% Hondarrabi Zuri, 15% Gros Manseng.  Salut….

Tara Bella Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Russian River Valley, California

12 Monday Aug 2024

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Deep ruby colored with blue highlights, slight staining and medium viscosity (13.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum, blackberry compote, charcoal, black olives, black cherry akin to Luxardo, a hint of green herb and some medicinal notes from oak.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (+) body and medium tannins that are melded.  The quality of fruit is ripe and tantalizing, which initially had me wonder if there was any RS.  Ripe black cherry, blackberry, black plum, mint, oaky warmth with that medicinal note alongside cocoa powder.  It’s delicious and finishes medium in length with a silky mouthfeel.  I like it, a lot.  92 points for this $80 bottle makes it a 4 star wine to drink till 2030.  Salut….

Glenelly Estate Reserve Red 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

09 Friday Aug 2024

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Deep ruby, inky in fact, with high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of cassis, blackberry compote, mint, violets, tobacco, coffee, vanilla, baking spice, Rooibos tea, acai berry, blueberry and a medicinal note.  Quite layered and developing.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium tannins that have melded nicely.  Charred oak is the first thing I taste followed by ripe blackberry, cassis, blueberry, acai berry, vanilla, mint, Rooibos tea and that medicinal note (from oak).  The finish is medium (+) in length and focuses on the charred oak notes.  I like this blend of 43% Cab Sav, 21% Merlot, 15% Syrah, 11% Petit Verdot and 10% Cab Franc- it’s silky and layered reminding me of an aged Bordeaux.  It will develop more and last till 2030 methinks, getting 92 points and for $20- 5 stars.  It begs for a meat stew or grilled game.  Imma stock up on this beauty.  Salut….

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2019, Marlborough, New Zealand

08 Thursday Aug 2024

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I recently tasted the 2020 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir and like it, here goes with its older sibling, the 2019.  Medium ruby colored with a watery sheen (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of red raspberry, red cherry compote, baking spice, vanilla, oak plank, peppermint and granite.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins.  The flavors echo the nose in both intensity and descriptors, not that much going on unfortunately.  The finish is a touch tart and medium (-) in length.  Overall this is not as good as the younger bottle and I would drink it right away, there is not enough intensity or structure for development.  85 points from me for this $20 effort makes it a 2 star wine.  Salut….

Domaine Bernard Serveau Les Sentiers 2009, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru, Burgundy, France

06 Tuesday Aug 2024

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I took this bottle to a meeting of fellow sommeliers where one of our own was practicing for a presentation exam.  No notes were taken but I will say that this wine has finally hit its stride.  Beautifully balanced with gentle acidity, fully melded tannins, a medium (-) body and loads of tertiary notes alongside plenty of primary and secondary notes.  It is probably close to peak and will age gracefully for another decade.  Delicious stuff that I reviewed three other times, with different scores each tasting.  I feel this is the time for this wine, it is hitting on all cylinders.  92 points from me for this $70 bottle makes it a 4 star effort.  Salut….

Doolhof Dark Lady of the Labyrinth Pinotage 2020, Wellington, South Africa

04 Sunday Aug 2024

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Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of coffee, dark chocolate, blackberry, bramble, creosote, red licorice and acai berry.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium body and medium tannins.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of coffee and dark chocolate greet me followed by less prominent dark fruit notes and some red licorice.  The tannins are silky yet textured and have a delightful mouthfeel.  The finish is medium (+) in length and focuses on coffee and acai berry flavors.  It turns a touch tart right at the end.  Yummy stuff I am pairing with roast Duck.  91 points, drink till 2026.  For $22, this is a delicious wine worthy of 5 stars.  Salut….

Kobal ‘Roots’ Blaufrankisch 2022, Podravje, Slovenia

28 Sunday Jul 2024

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Pale to medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of black cherry, pomegranate, acai berry, white pepper, chocolate licorice, orange peel and kirsch.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium (-) body and medium tannins.  Flavors of acai berry, red and black cherry, pomegranate along with white pepper and orange peel.  The fruit is somewhat tart, perhaps the acidity is driving the bus?  The finish is medium in length and tart, but refreshing.  This wine has a light structure but a piercing personality.  It’s a conundrum that I am enjoying.  I picked it to pair with Jerk Lamb, something with spice is a difficult pairing for reds but I feel the higher acidity of this grape with the lower tannins might work.  90 points for this $19 bottle makes it a 5 star wine to drink till 2028.  Salut….

J. Navascues ‘Cutio’ Garnacha – Carinena 2019, Carinena, Spain

27 Saturday Jul 2024

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Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose of this Garnacha (Grenache)/Cariñena (Carignan) blend has medium (-) intensity aromas of black plum, black raspberry, mulled blackberry, licorice, coffee, dried green herbs and charred oak.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body and medium tannins that are chalky.  Confirming dark berry and plum flavors with a dose of oak and some licorice.  It has a medium (-) finish with quite a bit of heat on the back end.  It’s quite tasty but the slight imbalance of high alcohol detracts a bit.  I am grilling beef and lamb kabobs to pair, should go nicely.  90 points and for $13 it won’t break the bank.  5 stars.  Salut….

Yacoubian-Hobbs Dry Areni 2018, Vayots Dzor, Armenia

27 Saturday Jul 2024

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A new-to-me variety, the Areni from Armenia was simply stunning.  I had no idea what to expect and this wine/varietal is now on my list of favorites.  Pale ruby bordering on garnet with slight staining and high viscosity (14% ABV).  At first whiff I got a blast of pepper, followed by floral notes, raisins and walnuts.  I was a bit perturbed by the lack of obvious fruit and concerned that I had picked an over-the-hill bottle to sample.  Alas the palate showed us what this wine is all about.  Low acidity, medium body and low tannins made for a gorgeous mouthfeel.  Very delicate yet enticing.  Raisins, stewed raspberry, walnuts, baked plum, leather and spice showed me this wine is maturing nicely and developing tertiary notes whilst shedding its youthful fruit. The finish was medium (+) in length and beckoned for me to taste more.  It’s not gonna last so drink this 92 point beauty now, alone.  If you must pair it then do so delicately.  Pork, chicken or other low fat, neutral flavored food would do the trick.  For $35 it gets 5 stars.  Loved it.  Salut….