The Flying Winemaker Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Wairarapa, New Zealand

11 Saturday Dec 2021

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Pale gold in the glass.  Strong aromas of lemon zest, lime, cut grass, cat pee, passion fruit and green apple.  A very predictable nose and exactly what I was looking for.  The palate is dry, crisp and tangy.  Citrus, grass, green apple and passion fruit flavors- thank god there’s no pee on the palate.  I find this wine to be light bodied and refreshing.  The finish is quite long and mouthwatering.  Good stuff to go with our Chinese takeaway.  89 points for this $15 Kiwi makes it a 4 star effort.  Serve chilled and drink by 2023.  Salut….

M Plouzeau Chateau de la Bonneliere Chinon Les Cornuelles 2016, Loire, France

10 Friday Dec 2021

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Chinon is a region in the Loire Valley of France where Cabernet Franc is the primary red grape.  You know how I love the varietal so I couldn’t pass this one up, especially when it was on sale for $14.  The wine itself is semi opaque and tending to garnet rather than ruby, I guess age is playing a factor here.  The nose is developed with stewed plums, black cherry, black currant pie, leather, mint and violet.  It is quite an interesting waft that got better as I swirled the glass.  On the palate this dry wine has upfront tannins, good acidity and flavors of plum, black currant, black cherry, licorice, mint and violets.  The leather and stewed plum notes are nowhere to be seen.  The tannic grip is pronounced on the back end where I get some dry gums.  It is a raw, primal wine with good fruit and structure but it is not for a big night.  A serviceable weekday wine that gets 88 points from me and should be drunk by 2026, it gets 3 stars and would go nicely with hearty stews.  Salut….

Cantine di Ora ‘Kellerei Auer’ Pinot Grigio Sudtirol – Alto Adige 2019, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

09 Thursday Dec 2021

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Pale gold in the glass this Pinot Grigio has aromas of pineapple, lemon curd, peach and a floral note.  On the palate this dry wine has medium intensity acidity and brims with tropical fruit flavors interlaced with citrus notes giving it a juicy finish.  The wine is medium bodied and has a medium finish which has an almond tinge to it.  I’m drinking it at room temperature but will chill it some for the Shrimp Jambalaya that is getting pieced together.  It would also pair well with fresh oysters or grilled fish.  I like it and for $15 this 89 pointer gets 4 stars.  Drink now.  Salut….

Cakebread Cellars Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Howell Mountain, California

09 Thursday Dec 2021

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Opaque ruby in the glass.  Blueberry, charcoal, sasparilla, vanilla and blackberry pie.  A stunning nose that also includes some black licorice and a mineral note.  The palate of this Napa Cab is super smooth- blue and black fruits, oak nuance, spice and beautiful structure await.  The tannins are so well integrated it’s obscene.  The acidity balances but doesn’t overpower the whole melange of fruit, tannic grip and tartness.  This wine has mouthfeel out of this world with gobs of primary fruit and structure that will make it cellarworthy till 2028 but why wait?  You can taste and smell the California sunshine in this one folks.  It’s stunning right now and gets 96 points from me.  Probably one of the best Cabs I have come across.  Pricy at two bones, it’s a treat to behold.  5 stars for its near perfection.  Salut….

Jean Biecher et Fils Sommerberg Grand Cru Riesling 2019, Alsace, France

08 Wednesday Dec 2021

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This Alsatian Riesling is a deep shade of gold in the glass.  The nose is exquisite- tropical fruits, citrus, hints of petrol and a touch of minerality.  The aromas are very precise and clean.  The palate is dry but it has a sweetness from the tropical fruit flavors of pineapple, mango, kiwi and persimmon.  Grapefruit, lemons and tangerine round out the citrus notes and the petrol is but a faint memory.  This wine has great acidity that lurks, keeping the wine fresh yet not cutting.  I like the way the fruit flavors are layered, showing good complexity whilst the acidity is barely noticeable until the back end, where I find my jaw watering.  This is a very refreshing wine with depth that will cellar nicely yet provides immediate satisfaction.  I’m sizzling up some shrimp with garlic and asparagus on a bed of Fettuccine.  Yum.  93 points, and for $40 it’s a steal that got 96 points from the pros.  5 Stars.  Salut….

Tamarack Cellars ‘Balancing Act’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Walla Walla, Washington

07 Tuesday Dec 2021

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This Cab is an opaque purple in the glass with no legs showing- strange considering it sports 14.2% ABV.  The nose is reminiscent of a purple fruit medley.  Blackcurrants, plums, blackberry and blueberry all mixed up.  A spicy note like bakers spices hits me as well as some minty earthiness.  The palate is delicious- the fruit compote with spice, oak nuances and very nicely integrated tannins make for a delicious flavor profile that has a great mouthfeel.  The acidity is present, balanced and not overly tart.  The wine has medium to full body and it lasts a decent amount on the finish.  I’m liking it, a lot.  90 points for this $20 gem makes it a 5 star wine.  I’m giving some Strip steaks a cast iron treatment alongside sweet potato fries and sautéed spinach.  Should work a treat, drink till 2027.  Salut….

Chateau Bellevue 2016, Medoc, France

06 Monday Dec 2021

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This Bordeaux blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cab Sav and 5% Cab Franc is opaque and garnet in color.  At 5 years of age, that is to be expected.  The nose is starting to develop tertiary notes alongside black plum, blackcurrant, tobacco, earth, barnyard, cassis and bramble.  Oak nuance by way of coffee and smoke are present.  The palate is yummy and developed.  Stewed black plum, blackcurrant, cassis, leather and barnyard.  Very earthy and smoky with well integrated yet persistent tannins and a touch of back end acidity.  The wine is medium bodied and shows a mid length finish.  It dries up on the finish and will go beautifully with my braised Lamb shanks which will have plenty of rich gravy and Yorkshire puddings.  91 points for this $25 effort makes it a 5 star wine to drink till 2026.  It is mature now and will last a few years.  Salut….

Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 2014, Clare Valley, Australia

01 Wednesday Dec 2021

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Ahh you little beauty.  Back in the day I used to drink gallons of this stuff and wrote about the 2015 McRae Wood I recently tasted.  This one, being a year older is still opaque ruby in the glass.  The nose is quite pronounced with gorgeous aromas of sweet blackberry, black plum, vanilla laced blueberry pie, baking spice, red licorice and orange peel.  The palate is as hoped for- dry with great acidity, smooth tannins, full body and a long finish.  Pronounced flavors of the above mentioned primary fruit, secondary nuance from oak and perhaps a dash of tertiary influence from leather notes.  I feel like I am missing out on the traditional jammyness usually found in Aussie Shiraz but I don’t miss it.  This wine is chock full of complex flavors and I am enjoying the melding of said flavors with the structural components.  93 points from me for this $45 wine will get it 5 stars.  Drink till 2030 with steaks, lamb chops or a hearty stew like short ribs.  Salut….

Casalforno Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2017, Tuscany, Italy

30 Tuesday Nov 2021

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I would say this wine is of medium opacity and has purple to ruby color.  I can smell it a few feet away but as I nose in I get red cherry, leather, dried herbs, smoke and pomegranate.  The palate is sour, as expected from this varietal.  Juicy acidity and medium tannins give way to flavors of cherry, leather, dusty herbs and oak influences from smoke.  This wine is still primal, the red fruit is very prominent whilst the tertiary and secondary flavors and aromas are muted.  The sourness is evident till the back end yet the tannins recede somewhat from the opening push.  The wine is medium bodied and has a short finish.  I think it needs to flesh out a little, it will improve with age.  I would eventually pair this wine with Schnitzel, stuffed green peppers or any pasta with red sauce.  89 points from me for this $13 wine make it a 4 star effort.  Drink from 2023-2028.  Salut….

Xavier Vignon ‘Arcane VI Les Amoureux’ 2016, Cotes du Rhone, France

30 Tuesday Nov 2021

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I like this brand, they offer unique Rhone blends with different names for each vintage and varietal.  This Grenache happens to be a $30 wine that scored 94 points with several pros- I loved it too!

Opaque.  Bright aromas of plum, blueberry, black cherry, licorice, raspberry, white pepper, earth, cloves and charred wood.  The palate is very smooth with a hint of sweetness from the fruit, albeit a dry wine.  There are some very integrated tannins and a balanced acidity.  Yummy flavors of raspberry, blueberry, black cherry, white pepper spice, cloves and some smoke from the oak with a touch of licorice.  Medium bodied. This wine hides its 14.5%ABV nicely.  The finish is mid length and dry as the tannins grip a bit more.  91 points/5 stars, drink with steaks till 2028.  Salut….