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….

Trivento Golden Reserve Black Series Malbec 2021, Uco Valley, Argentina

15 Wednesday May 2024

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Deep ruby with high viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of mulberry, pie crust, vanilla, oak and steeped black plum.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (+) body and medium (-) tannins.  The flavors are quite pronounced with dark fruit dominating the very well integrated oak treatment- it’s a pleasure.  Charcoal and Lapsang Souchong tea add a new dimension.  It’s a young wine with some cellaring capacity that will reward over the medium term.  I’m loving it, even more so than when previously drinking gallons of this brand, always delicious.  92 points from me for this $20 bottle makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2030.  Salut….. 

Casillero del Diablo Reserva Carmenere 2021, Central Valley, Chile

15 Wednesday May 2024

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I just got back from a week in Florida where I got to taste a few wines, albeit not under the greatest conditions or with the correct glasses.  Here goes nothing…

Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  Medium (-) intensity aromas of capsicum, bilberry, fresh cut oak, juniper and white raspberry.  On the palate I get medium acidity, medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins.  Medium (-) intensity flavors of the aforementioned aromas resulting in a short finish.  Pleasant but not complex or memorable- good if you’re looking for a greenish Carmenere without being too vegetal.  85 points for this $10 bottle made by Concha Y Toro makes it a 3 star effort to drink soon.  Salut….

Clos de los Siete by Michel Rolland 2020, Mendoza, Argentina

08 Wednesday May 2024

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Deep inky purple with slight staining and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of baked blackberry cobbler with vanilla, warm spices and nicely browned crust.  Mulberry and açaí berry follow with some mint and black tea notes.  The palate has medium acidity, a full body and medium tannins.  Medium (+) flavors of dark fruit, toasty oak, a slight bitterness from the tannins that have finally gripped and some heavy layers of mint/acai/vanilla that go on to a medium (-) finish.  A very delicious wine with decent structure – 90 points. Drink till 2028 with grilled tenderloins.  A blend of 50% Malbec, 24% Merlot, 11% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot makes this $20 bottle a 5 star effort.  Salut….