Famille Bougrier Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Vin de France, France

14 Wednesday Feb 2024

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First time I picked up one of these bottles it was in Phoenix and I was traveling on business.  I needed something easy that was going to bring pleasure without breaking the bank- Decanter gave this 95 points so I figured I could not go wrong.  It’s pale lemon colored with a watery sheen (11.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of lemon, grapefruit zest, green grass, orange blossom, pineapple and wet slate.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and a light body.  It’s a crisp and refreshing wine with flavors of grapefruit zest, lemon, pineapple and a slaty minerality.  The finish is medium in length and zippy- the light body coupled with the level of acidity making it easy to drink and refreshing.  It’s not a 95 pointer but it gets 89  from me and for a mere $12- 5 stars.  Drink now.  Salut….

Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva 2020, Tuscany, Italy

13 Tuesday Feb 2024

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This Sangiovese was served blind at our tasting group and it stumped us all.  Medium ruby colored with slight staining and medium viscosity.  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of dusty black cherry, purple licorice, vanilla, baking spice, strawberry pie, caramel, açaí berry and roses.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium body and medium (+) tannins.  Flavors of black cherry, licorice, baking spices and vanilla are prominent, the dusty note faded.  The strawberry shows up later in the game with the acai berry.  It finishes medium in length and not as tart as expected from a Chianti.  It’s a young wine whose tannins need to settle down with time or vigorous decanting.  This bottle was a brute last night but has since mellowed out very nicely.  It should drink well till 2030 and gets 91 points from me.  At $20 it’s a definite 5 star wine to load up on.  Salut….

Adegas Valminor Albarino 2022, Rias Baixas, Spain

13 Tuesday Feb 2024

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Pale lemon with gold highlights and a medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of peach, white blossom, saline, grapefruit, lemon pith and a hint of papaya.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium body.  Flavors of white blossom, sea spray, peach, papaya, lemon pith and grapefruit zest with a medium to long finish.  It runs about $20 and gets 90 points from me.  I like the crispness and tangy acidity coupled with the saline notes.  Drink this 5 star wine with seafood till 2027.  Salut….

Domaine de Pignan Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2019, Rhone, France

12 Monday Feb 2024

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My college buddy gave me this at Christmas, I was waiting to open it with him to enjoy.  Not exactly the right scene, but it made the pre-Superbowl party more enjoyable!

Medium garnet with slight staining and high viscosity (15.2% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of blackberry, black plums, cracked pepper, violets, purple licorice, blueberry ganache, chocolate powder, baking spices, vanilla bean, coconut and eucalyptus (?).   The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium tannins and a full body. The first thing that comes to my mind is the silky yet slightly chalky texture to the tannins. It’s beautiful. Medium (+) intensity flavors of blackberry, black plums, purple licorice, ripe/rich blueberry paste, vanilla bean, baking spices and cocoa powder- itfinishes long and sensual. Very smooth and delicious. 93 points. Drink now until 2030. Simply amazing.  At $50- it’s a treat for sure that gets 5 stars.  Salut…..

Fox Run Vineyards Kaiser Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay 2021, Seneca Lake, New York

08 Thursday Feb 2024

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Pale lemon colored with medium viscosity (12.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of lemon zest, marzipan, brioche, white blossom, grapefruit pith, vanilla thread and white pear.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body.  Flavors of acacia, white blossom, lemon zest, marzipan and brioche with a hint of white pear.  The finish is medium in length and centers on the brioche and white blossom.  I liked this bottle at the winery and I like it now in my tasting cocoon.   It gets 89 points from me and for $17- 4 stars.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

Anthony Road winery visit, Finger Lakes, New York

07 Wednesday Feb 2024

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Due to the weather on our recent trip to the Finger Lakes, this winery ended up being our last stop.  I was told to visit because they have a “skin-contact Riesling to die for”.  We had already visited three wineries that morning and fatigue was starting to set in so when I saw that they had a blind tasting option, I was all in!

I may be rusty on my blind tastings but I did manage 3/5, not bad for an old man!  I missed the Pinot Blanc and confused the Lemberger for the region’s similar Cabernet Franc.

We ordered a delicious cheese tray and I paired it with the aforementioned Riesling- it was interesting. Seems like Orange wines are the rage these days so I might as well get on board. It was a very relaxing afternoon. We drove to our lakeside hotel and enjoyed a delicious dinner before heading home in the morning. I highly recommend a trip to the region if it’s within driving distance. The weather is great in the summer but the crowds are probably fearsome. Salut….

Buttonwood Grove winery Cabernet Franc 2021, Finger Lakes, New York

06 Tuesday Feb 2024

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Pale ruby colored with medium viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of capsicum, cedar, red cherry, red plum, baking spices, currants and faint licorice.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium (-) tannins and a light body.  The fruit flavors mimic the nose to an extent- currants, pomegranate, red plum with cedar, vanilla, chalky tannins, faint licorice and a hint of green pepper.  The finish has medium (+) length and is slightly tart.  For a $25 wine from a difficult vintage this is a very nice drop- I’m starting to appreciate and understand this varietal when made in the Finger Lakes.  It’s different from Loire or Bordeaux Cab Franc… see-through and much lighter in style.  90 points from me makes this a 3 star effort.  Drink till 2028 with Veal, roast Chicken or baked Ham.  Salut….

Fox Run Vineyards Lemberger 2021, Finger Lakes, New York

05 Monday Feb 2024

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Pale ruby with a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose of this Lembereger (aka Blaufrankisch) has medium intensity aromas of black raspberry, blueberry, smoky spice, vanilla bean and red cherry.  It’s not overly complex but rather pleasing.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium (-) tannins and a lightweight body.  The cherry hits first followed by that smoky note.  Blueberry, vanilla, red raspberry and tart strawberry play supporting roles.  The finish is juicy and delicious, medium in length.  This wine is light in body but full of deliciousness that made me buy three bottles at the winery when we visited .  I drank one the same night and polished off the second when we got home.  I felt obliged to restrain myself on the third bottle until I was ready to review it.  90 points from me ( I originally went 88, but I’m digging it more now).  My pairing tonight is charcoal grilled Sirloin, a low fat cut that will do well from this low tannin yet silky charmer.  It can be found for $18 and gets 4 stars from me.  Drink till 2027.  (I might have to order some more!).  Salut….

Red Tail Ridge Winery tour, Finger Lakes, New York

05 Monday Feb 2024

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What a gem!  We were steered to this modern, new tasting room by a fellow wino who loves Dinosaurs- which is featured on their sparkling wine label.  The place was empty due to the weather and time of year so we were in for a treat, a personalized tasting by the GM.

We started with the aforementioned sparkler, made in the traditional method but with a twist- Solera aging. I was very impressed with this salmon colored wine- 93 points with “a stunning mousse, balanced with subtle brioche”. So delicious was this wine that I bought a bottle on-sight and then ordered a case after I got home.

The 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé Pétillant Naturel was off dry, delicious and juicy with bright red fruit and a decadent mousse, 13 G/L RS.  I gave it 91 points and should have picked up more than the sole bottle I purchased.

The newest bottle we tasted was the 2022 Dry Riesling- delicious and balanced got it 93 points. The 2016 Farmer’s Muse Dry Riesling was beautiful. Petrol notes with pear and spice- 91 points.

From the reds- the stunning 2020 Pinot Noir came from an excellent vintage and it showed. A beautifully balanced wine with litheness. I gave it 95 points, just short of the 96 it got from JS. The 2022 Dorfelder came in with 91 points- in its youth the tannins are showing great structure alongside delicious sour cherry and earthy notes. The Cabernet Franc from the not-so-great 2021 vintage did well at 91 points. Nothing special noted but I did pick up a bottle or two so I must have liked it!

We finished with an amazing 2020 Teroldego. “Young with smoky dark raspberry, great tannic structure, juicy acidity and long lived”. I gave it 94 points and regret not picking us a few bottles to cellar.  We had an excellent visit and look forward to returning once the weather is better to enjoy a bottle and take in the beautiful surroundings.  Well worth the drive.  Salut….

Red Tail Ridge Perpetuelle Change Solera Brut Nature NV, Finger Lakes, New York

02 Friday Feb 2024

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Pale salmon colored with a fine yet aggressive mousse and low viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose is heavenly, unique and inviting.  Medium (+) intensity aromas of papaya, lime, blood orange, rose hip and cranberry.  I get a faint whiff right at the end of yeasty brioche and green almond.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and a light body.   The mousse is delicate and fine- invigorating. Flavors of papaya, lime zest,  tart blood orange, bitter cherry, brioche and pomegranate lead to a medium length finish.  This is an intriguing wine that releases waves of flavors and has a beautiful mouthfeel.  I like it- so much so that I will order more.  92 points from me- at $33 it’s a relative bargain compared to French Champagne of this level.  5 stars.

An aside- this wine is made in the Solera method out of the following:

30% Previous Cuvée
38% Pinot Noir
13% Pinot Blanc
11% Riesling
8% Chardonnay

Salut….