Pakravan Papi Prunicce di Riparbella Super Tuscan 2020, Toscana, Italy

26 Tuesday Sep 2023

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Medium ruby with some staining and high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose of this Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon blend has aromas of leather, cherry, rose, vanilla extract, iron, plum and red licorice.  The palate is dry with high acidity and medium (+) tannins that are a touch gritty.  The body is medium with flavors of rose, leather, red fruit, oak nuance and a graphite/iron streak.  The finish is medium in length and the tannins are more appealing on the back end, they caress rather than attack.  I like this $25 wine that will get better with a touch of cellaring.  Drink with pasta dishes from 2024-2030.  89 points makes it a 4 star effort.  Salut….

Aldi ‘The Exquisite Collection’ Malbec 2023, Uco Valley, Argentina

25 Monday Sep 2023

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Deep ruby colored with staining on the walls and medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of macerated blackberry, a touch of black plum, raspberry and whiff of asparagus.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium tannins that lead to a medium body.  The fresh black fruit is more evident on the palate and there is a hint of rooibos tea, some mocha and raspberry- the green note is nowhere to be tasted.  The finish is short in length but refreshingly tart.  This is not a complex wine by any stretch, but for $8 from ALDI…. I’ll drink it on a weekday with grilled burgers, pizza or pasta.  It’s funny to drink a wine that is a 2023 vintage when most of the northern hemisphere has not even begun to pick their 2023 grapes.  This 86 point wine gets 3 stars from me and should be drunk by 2027.  Salut….

Los Noques Cabernet Franc 2020, Uco Valley, Argentina

24 Sunday Sep 2023

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Deep ruby with medium viscosity (15.1% ABV).  Aromas of menthol, green pepper, blackcurrant and black raspberry.  It’s a bit tough to overcome the high alcohol on the nose but I finally let it blow off and get some notes of dried fig and tamarind.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (+) tannins that are quite raw and green.  The body is medium to full and has blackcurrant, raspberry, fig, dusty earth and underripe blueberry.   The finish is astringent and medium in length.  A somewhat disjointed wine that needs some time to settle and let the tannins smooth methinks.  The alcohol is noticeable and bothersome unfortunately which further lowers the score of this wine.  86 points from me and at $14, it’s a 2 star effort.  Drink from 2025-2029.  Salut….

Casillero del Diablo Reserva Carmenere 2021, Central Valley, Chile

23 Saturday Sep 2023

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Medium ruby colored with slight staining and a medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has telltale pyrazines with some green veggie notes along with blackberry, black raspberry, menthol, vanilla, cocoa and charred oak. The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and lithe tannins.  A medium body is layered with blackberry and black raspberry.  The green note has faded but the oak nuance is present.  The finish is a touch tart and goes on for a medium length.  Not overly complex- this is a weekday pleasure that will go great with Beef and Ale pie, lamb chops or grilled sausages.  88 points for this $8 effort makes it a 5 star wine to load up on and drink till 2025.  Salut….

Specially Selected Vidal Icewine 2021, Niagara-on-the-lake, Canada

23 Saturday Sep 2023

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I must say I’m intrigued- a sub $15 Icewine from ALDI?  Yup, Moxie and I went shopping there yesterday and I came across this little gem from Canada.  It has a beautiful pale gold color with high viscosity (10.5% ABV, but plenty of RS).  The nose has intense aromas of honey, apricot, orange peel, candied/sugared citrus rings, white blossom and yellow apple.  The palate is sweet with high acidity and a full body.  Rich flavors of honey, desiccated apricot, orange zest and a tropical note like candied pineapple.  It’s silky smooth and unctuous with the acidity really dominant throughout the journey to a medium length finish.  It’s a real treat, something that will go well with an apple tart or almond cake.  This wine may last a while, the structure is there and for the price- you may as well buy a case and watch its evolution.  I’m off to buy more in the morning.  Delicious stuff that gets 91 points from me and an obvious 5 star rating.  Salut….

Carmen Stevens Red Blend 2020, Western Cape, South Africa

22 Friday Sep 2023

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Medium purple with hints of ruby and high viscosity (14.9% ABV).  The nose has ripe aromas of blackberry, black cherry, vanilla bean, blueberry cobbler, capsicum, lavender and baking spices.  It’s a very enticing nose- can’t wait to taste.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (+) tannins.  The ripe fruit I got on the nose is a touch subdued but the dark berry and cherry is evident as is the oak influence.  The tannins turn a touch chalky on the mid palate but this full bodied wine delivers a nice mouthfeel.  The heat is a bit noticeable on the back end which has a medium length finish.  I like it!  I’m going with 89 points for this $13 blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon making it a 5 star effort.  I would pair it with BBQ, perhaps a stew or even Osso Bucco.  Drink till 2026.  Salut….

TYKU Red Flower Sake

18 Monday Sep 2023

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I honestly cannot recall the last time I drank Sake.  I do remember reading about it in one of my wine courses so when I saw this bottle at my local Costco I figured WTH.  It starts out clear, as can be expected with a watery sheen showing off a low viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose is interesting- I get some herbal notes, vegetal aromas, yellow pear and a bit of perfume like incense.  The palate is dry with some tongue twisting component- acid?  If so, it’s a different feel from wine.  Very smooth- this drink delivers pear, vegetal and floral flavors with virtually no heat on the back end that is medium in length.  I’m searing some Ahi tuna so this is the natural pairing.  Serve chilled and drink on release.  I paid $15, a great price to introduce yourself to this lighter style of Sake.  Salut….

Camille Benitah Limite Red 2020, Paso Robles, California

16 Saturday Sep 2023

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Medium ruby colored with high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of red plum, pomegranate, violet, meat, blackberry jam and a creme de menthe hint.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium tannins that are plush.  This blend of Cabernet, Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Mourvedre, Carignan and Primitivo is very smooth with ripe fruit and subtle nuances from each grape.  It shows the warmth of the region in the way the fruit is sweet but there is no residual sugar.  The full body is lush and coats my palate with beautiful layers- delicious stuff.  The finish is long and somewhat dry but not astringent, the tannins are en pointe.  This $15 offering gets 92 points from me and will be paired with grilled burgers tonight.  5 stars, drink till 2027.  Salut….

True Oak Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Oak Knoll, California

14 Thursday Sep 2023

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Deep purple/ruby with medium viscosity (13.8% ABV).  The nose has intense aromas of mint, blackberry, black plum, anise, baking spice and cocoa.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins.   The fruit is very ripe so the flavors of this medium bodied wine are almost sweet but I doubt there is any RS.  Blackberry, cassis, black plum, mint and dark chocolate are cloaked in very supple and smooth tannins that carry this wine to a long finish.  I like it- 92 points worth.  This $40 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Oak Knoll region of Napa Valley.  It is delicious and gets 5 stars from me.  I’m pairing it with rack of Lamb.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….

Clos des Fous Pour Ma Gueule 2019, Maule Valley, Central Valley, Chile

14 Thursday Sep 2023

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Pale ruby colored with a bit of haze and medium viscosity ((13% ABV).  The nose needs a bit of coaxing but once there- red and black cherry, baking spice, blueberry pie and herbs.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and low tannins.  A medium body that reveals a smooth mouthfeel with flavors of cherry, a medicinal note, coffee and herbs.  The finish is short to medium in length and ends on a bit of a sour note.  It’s a decent drop that gets 87 points from me and should drink nicely till 2027.  For $15 it gets 3 stars. This Cinsault blend has some Pais and Carignan.  It got 91 points from others, I don’t see how.  Salut….