Neil Ellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa

06 Monday Sep 2021

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This South African Cabernet is a deep purple color with thin legs in the glass.  On the nose I get black plum, smoke, blackcurrants, Ribena, cassis and espresso.  The palate has an upfront astringency that gives me pause.  The fruit is trying to come out but the greenness is overwhelming.  I’m going to give it a rest and try later…..

Okay- after a two hour break this wine has opened up tremendously.  The dark fruit compote has finally come through with gentle acidity and firm, yet sidelined tannins holding the whole show together.  I am starting to see why the pros rated it upwards of 92 points.  Young, yet with structure and fruit to weather some cellaring- this wine will drink nicely from 2023-2028.  It went nicely with my Tri-tip roast.  At $20, It’s worth a look for sure, holding some for the drinking window.  5 stars for sure.  Salut….

Mil Pesetas Manzanilla Sherry NV, Spain

05 Sunday Sep 2021

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As part of my wine education I have purchased all the major types of Sherry to try.  It started out with an Amontillado, then I tried Fino and Oloroso.  Now it’s time for a Manzanilla.  This is a dry, fortified white wine that is aged under Flor and is served chilled.

This particular bottling is very pale lemon in the glass and has a nose of green almonds, yeast, baked bread, sea spray and citrus rind.  The palate is quite dry and bitter.  The Flor gives these wines a definitive bread component, yeast and all.  The characteristic flavors of lemon in whites is somewhat muted by the saline and baking notes.  I’m starting to get my head around what a dry sherry is supposed to taste like- certainly not like a sweet Cream Sherry.  It has a nuttiness and it begs for food.  Tapas, cold appetizers and certainly olives are fit for the role.  I can’t even score something I am completely unfamiliar with but I’m enjoying the experience of expanding my palate and slowly getting accustomed to this unique flavor profile.  $17 gets you an intro to a unique taste that the pro’s gave 90 points.  Salut….

Penley Estate ‘Tolmer’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Coonawarra, Australia

04 Saturday Sep 2021

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In my wine course I had to write about the Coonawarra region in Australia.  I learned quite a bit about this tiny appellation- a bevy of high end Cab Savs come from here so when I saw this bottle, I had to give it a try.

It’s pretty opaque with a nice shade of ruby in the glass with thin legs belying it’s 14% ABV.  The nose is stacked with black fruits, charred wood, bell pepper, black pepper and something rich that I cannot put my finger on.  The palate is dry with generous tannins coating my gums right off the bat. The fruit is having a hard time competing for attention until the mid palate where the blackberry, black plum, black currant, cedar and charred oak finally get a say.  The grip of those tannins re-emerges on the finish where my teeth are now rough and my gums are begging for mercy.  This is a young wine folks, it needs time or a good run through the aerator.  The richness of the fruit is somewhat lost, hidden by the cloak of structure.  There is ample acidity to balance the tannins in due course and I think the whole package will come together nicely.  Save this young-un for a few years and drink from 2025-2030. I think it warrants 91 points and at $22 it’s a steal worthy of 5 stars.  I loaded up on a few bottles, and will cellar the remaining ones.  Salut….

Tremblay-Marchive Vau de Vey 2019, Chablis Premier Cru, France

03 Friday Sep 2021

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As summer comes to a close I am looking forward to some hearty reds yet still have a few chilled whites to taste- here goes as we are having sushi tonight and this Chablis might just fit the bill.

It’s a medium intensity lemon color with a nice citrus nose compounded with pineapple, blossom and wet stone- it’s a steely affair as expected from this region.  The palate is crispy with juicy acidity.  This Burgundian Chardonnay is a dry wine that has a good body and quite pronounced flavors of lemon, lime, grapefruit and pineapple.  The stony, mineral component is most definitely apparent on the mid palate and the wine finishes with good length.  I like the floral notes throughout and nearly wince at the acidity- it’s very crisp and tangy.  A perfect match for seafood, especially a Mackerel sushi.  I am thinking it is a 91 point wine and at a retail price of $65, it’s a rather steep but delicious white to enjoy till 2028.  4 stars from me, Salut….

Cooper and Thief Red Blend 2018, California

29 Sunday Aug 2021

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I could not pass this wine up, aged 3 months in Bourbon Whiskey Barrels… That had my name all over it, but I’m not excited about the 16% ABV, seems over the top.  Let’s try some.

It is bright purple and opaque AF.  I can smell it a mile away, the waft is pretty serious.  Once I get stuck in- the nose is very rich with blackberry, blackcurrants, black plum, alcohol, eucalyptus, caramel, vanilla, minty greeness and some black espresso.  Did I mention alcohol?  I have to blow that stuff out of the glass or else I will get drunk sniffing.

The palate has a sweetness to it right off the bat, but when I did my soon-to-be trademarked dryness test, I confirmed it is a dry wine.  That must be from Bourbon, which is known to have caramel sweetness rather than residual sugar.  I get gobs of rich black fruits that I picked out on the nose, plus really integrated, lithe tannins and medium acidity.  This fruit bomb is very smooth and enticing, buyer beware of the formidable punch which is deftly hidden.  If you like them big, bold and jammy then this one is right up your alley.  I really am enjoying this 91 point blend of 38% Merlot, 37% Syrah, 11% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Other Red Blenders.  It’s not a daily drinker for sure, especially at $30 but it gets 5 stars from me and worth a try if you see it.  Drink till 2026 with some Filets.  Salut….

Tom Shula Merlot 2019, California

29 Sunday Aug 2021

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About 75% opaque, it sports a nice ruby color with thin legs in the glass.  The nose offers up plum, blackcurrants, licorice and smoky oak.  The palate is smooth with gentle tannins, rich flavors and medium acidity.  There’s a smokiness that I’m really enjoying alongside the black fruit components.  The finish is mid length and the wine has a great mouthfeel.  I picked this to pair with pork chops, I think the softness of the wine with the lower tannic grip will do the trick.  89 points and 5 stars for this $10 wine.  Drink till 2025.  Salut….

Chateau Freybernat 2020, Bordeaux, France

29 Sunday Aug 2021

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This Sauvignon Blanc is pale lemon in the glass. Medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon zest, geranium, grapefruit, grass and passion fruit.  It is still youthful with a dry palate and medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol, medium (-) body and medium intensity flavors of citrus and some floral notes.  I like the medium (-) length finish, it’s very refreshing and crisp.  Something to drink now as it won’t age much longer.  89 points and for $10 it’s a good deal that gets 4 stars.  Salut….

Angove ‘Family Crest’ Grenache – Shiraz – Mourvedre 2016, McLaren Vale, Australia

29 Sunday Aug 2021

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Medium ruby with watery legs.  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of blackberry, raspberry, red plum, violet, black pepper, charred wood, cedar and is meaty.  It is quite complex and developing. The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium tannins, high alcohol, medium body and medium (+) intensity flavors of raspberry, red plum, coffee, black pepper, cedar and that meaty note.  There is nice complexity to this wine that has a medium (-) finish.  Overall I really like this blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre that is drinking well now but has potential for aging.  91 points for this $22 bottle make it a 5 star effort.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Domaine Sangouard-Guyot Pouilly-Fuisse Authentique 2020, Maconnais, France

28 Saturday Aug 2021

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Medium gold color. Pronounced aromas of lemon, lime, apricot, biscuit and bread.  The palate is dry with citrus and floral flavors plus more of that bakery hint and some nice toasty oak notes.  Medium acidity keeps the wine fresh and the finish is medium in length.  There’s a flavor that most Chardonnay’s have that I get on the back end, I’m not a huge fan but it is to be expected.  Overall a very nice tipple on a hot summer evening that gets 91 points from me.  I’m pairing it with grilled chicken, rice pilaf and Marsala sauce.  Drink till 2025.  I think you can find it for around $20, pretty reasonable and worthy of 5 stars. Drink till 2025.  Salut….

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte ‘Le Petit Haut Lafitte’ 2015, Pessac-Leognan, France

28 Saturday Aug 2021

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The second wine of Chateau Smith Haut Lafite, this vintage is highly rated so I had to pick up this bottle.  It’s a deep garnet, showing a bit of bottle age.  The nose is quintessential Bordeaux- graphite, plum, cassis, blackberry, smoky oak and black tea. The palate is a little awkward at first, the somewhat green tannins are fighting me with a hint of astringency.  Once I get past the onslaught of black tea on my gums I get the classic fruit flavors along with medium acidity.  The finish is mid length but the grip of those tannins is ferocious, lingering for a good minute.  This wine is a bit young and disjointed right now but it holds promise for cellaring.  Overall I think it warrants 89 points and for $45, it is a good introduction to the Graves appellation.  3 stars, drink from 2024-2030.  Salut….