Benjamin Darnault Côtes du Rhône Plus 2020, Rhone Valley, France

25 Tuesday Oct 2022

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This Grenache/Syrah blend is deep ruby colored with thick, slow moving legs (14.5% ABV).  The nose has nice aromas of red plum, black raspberry, red licorice, herbs, candied cherry and rose.  It’s quite complex once you swirl it around.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins- the grip I got initially quickly faded.  Flavors of plum, black raspberry, charred oak, some red licorice and earthy florals/herbs.  It is medium (+) bodied with a medium finish of dark red fruit plus a healthy dose of heat.  Made from very ripe fruit, it is flavorful but at a price- the alcohol is quite noticeable on the back end.  We are pairing this bold wine with spiced burgers and potato wedges.  It would also go well with hearty BBQ, maybe smoked brisket with a rich sauce.  89 points from me for this $15 effort makes it a 4 star wine to drink till 2026.  Salut….

Domaine de la Potardiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie 2021, Loire, France

24 Monday Oct 2022

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Pale lemon colored this Sur-lie aged wine has bright aromas of lemon curd, white blossom, vanilla bean and a hint of brioche.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and a medium (-) body.  It’s quite tart with flavors of lemon, grapefruit, white flower blossom and linalool.  I was hoping for some more vanilla bean and brioche but alas, it’s more of a citrus event.  The finish is medium to long in length and tangy with some fresh acidity.  I am really starting to like the Melon grape and how they make it in the Pais Nantais of the Loire Valley.  91 points for this outstanding white that I’m pairing with baked Cod and spiced rice.  For $12 this is a 5 star effort to drink the near term.  Salut….

Maxville Lake Winery ‘Maxville’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Napa Valley, California

23 Sunday Oct 2022

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Deep ruby colored with a touch of staining on the walls and slow moving legs (14.5% ABV).  The nose has pronounced aromas of cassis, menthol, blackberry, blueberry coulis, chocolate dust, açaí berry and some baking spice- very complex but primal in nature.  The palate is dry with medium (-) acidity and really grippy medium (+) tannins that are very fine-grained.  Full bodied, this wine coats my mouth with cassis, blackberry, açaí, blueberry jam and some hints of oak.  The finish is long with a slightly bitter vein.  I like this wine- it screams Cali sunshine in it’s ripeness and fullness.  91 points for this $56 effort makes it a 4 star wine.  I’m pairing it with roasted Sirloin Cap and a mushroom gravy.  Drink this relatively cellar-worthy wine till 2028.  Salut….

i-Latina La Armonia Vineyard Syrah 2019, Curico Valley, Chile

21 Friday Oct 2022

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Medium ruby in the glass with thick legs (13.5% ABV).  On the nose I get eucalyptus, menthol, black plum, perfume, super-ripe black currants and vanilla.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, gorgeously smooth medium (+) tannins and a full body.  Flavors of blackcurrant, black plum, vanilla and a hint of menthol all intertwine around a lovely mouthfeel.  This is a very tasty Syrah folks, with good structure built for the medium term.  With a medium length finish I get loads of fruit and fading tannins.  It begs for Pepper Steak and a side of gratin potatoes.  I would drink this 92 point Syrah till 2027.  For $17 it gets 5 stars and possibly a cellar stock-up.  Salut….

Osborne Fine White Port NV, Porto, Portugal

19 Wednesday Oct 2022

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Another new one for me- white Port.  This one is medium gold colored with really slow moving legs (19.5% ABV).  Floral aromas galore followed by some saline, orange marmalade and nuts.  The palate is sweet and full bodied with medium acidity.  Marzipan, flowers, orange marmalade and nuts come to mind on the flavor profile.  The salinity is not apparent.  There is a touch of bitterness on the finish which is medium length.  It reminds me of biting into an unripe almond or the seed of an apricot.  For my first go at white port I must say I like it, it’s different yet familiar.  For $25 this is a tasty dessert wine that could be served as an aperitif if chilled.  Salut….

Hermes Retsina NV, Peloponnese, Greece

18 Tuesday Oct 2022

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This is yet another style of wine I have never tried- Retsina from Greece.  This one is pale lemon colored and has a very unique set of aromas.  Resin, pear drop, wet wood, lemon verbena and dare I say it….vomit?  The palate is bone dry with high acidity and a light body.  The flavors are also very unique, starting with that resinous note along with freshly sawed green wood, lemon, pine needles and green pear.  The finish is short to medium in length and tart.  An interesting wine, probably not something I will rush out to replenish but it was worth the try.  I can’t score this $11 offering at this point but you should really get one for yourself.  I am pairing it with tacos, the spices will do well with the dryness and acidity of this unique wine.  Salut….

Solara Amber Natural NV, Viile Timisului, Romania

17 Monday Oct 2022

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Amber wine is a new one for me, and this bottling is touted as a natural wine- no added yeast or sulphur.  The color is….amber, shocker.  The nose has pronounced aromas of apricots, marzipan and white blossom.  The palate is dry with some toothsome tannins and medium (-) acidity.  It’s a strange sensation to smell something that conjures up thoughts of sweetness and then taste something completely different.  The flavor profile of this medium bodied wine includes apricot, peach, green almonds and white flowers.  The finish is a touch bitter from the skin contact that a white wine gets when made into an orange wine.  It is quite lengthy btw, and the astringency falls off faster than the fruit.  An interesting intro to this style of wine, especially since it is made with minimal intervention.  I cannot score it as this is unfamiliar territory, but for $12 it is worth trying if for nothing else than to expand your palate.  I am simmering up a pot full of spicy chili, I think this pairing will work.  Salut….

Maxville Lake Winery ‘Maxville’ Petit Sirah 2016, Napa Valley, California

15 Saturday Oct 2022

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Inky purple in the glass with noticeable stains on the side walls.  Aromas of very ripe blackberry, charred oak, black cherry coulis, dark chocolate, a medicinal note (Oak?) and cracked pepper.  Th palate is dry with medium acidity and high tannins.  Full bodied and oozing with rich flavors of ripe black fruit and charred oak.  The medicinal note I got is there as is the dark chocolate.  The teeth staining tannins are very persistent throughout to a medium length finish.  I love this varietal and really enjoy this winery- a winning combination that makes this a 92 point wine imho.  You can find it for $53 online, making it a 4 star wine.  I am pairing with Rib Roast and all the trimmings.  Drink till 2030.  Salut…..

Sorby Adams Jellicoe Shiraz 2017, Eden Valley, Australia

14 Friday Oct 2022

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Medium ruby turning garnet color from this 5 year old wine.  The nose has aromas of black raspberry, red plum, menthol, licorice, coffee and some ripe blackberry.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) tannins and a full body.  It coats the mouth with richness and flavors of black raspberry, coffee, anise, plum and blackberry.  It ends with some charred oak notes alongside the dark red/black fruit.  The finish is medium length with some tingle from the alcohol (14% ABV) and tannins.  I like this style of wine, not over-top-top jammy.  It is a more restrained Shiraz that obviously has ripe fruit and good structure.  90 points from me for this $17 effort makes it a 5 star wine.  I’m pairing with stewed leg of lamb and roasted aubergine.  Drink till 2016.  Salut….

Chateau De La Huste 2019, Fronsac, France

13 Thursday Oct 2022

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Rich ruby colored and about 75% opaque.  The nose has enticing aromas of black plum, cassis, blackberry, menthol, vanilla, coffee, mocha.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (+) tannins.  They are well integrated but still grippy.  Flavors of cassis and plum dominate but I get blackberry with oak influence and some green pepper alongside the menthol.  Full bodied it carries on to a long finish.  This is textbook Right Bank Merlot with a dash of Cabernet Franc- delicious and reasonably priced at $25.  I like it and think it is worthy of 92 points and 5 stars.  I’m searing some Hangar steaks with Gratin Potatoes to pair.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….