Tag Archives: $11

Concannon Vineyard Founder’s Petite Sirah 2014, San Francisco Bay, USA

25 Sunday Jun 2017

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A lighter purple color which kinda surprised me.  I get fig, black cherry and dates on the nose, a strange combination but I write ’em as I see ’em.  The initial taste consists of a lighter set fruits, mostly blueberry, with some currants.  Gentle tannins and mild acidity give this a nice easy mouthfeel while the mid palate shows off black berries and spice.  The wine stays true to form on the finish with more blackberry and some very slight tannins.  Not a blockbuster, but certainly an easy going wine to pull out at parties, barbecues or just a lazy evening.  It will pair with many summer dishes and I would even use it for Coq au Vin.  I think it merits 87 points and for $11 will be a repeat purchase worthy of 3 stars.  Salut….

colcannon petite sirrah san francisco bay

Proemio Malbec 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

30 Tuesday May 2017

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A lighter shade of purple than I was expecting from an Argentinian Malbec.  On the nose I am getting blueberries and and fruit cake.  My initial taste is of blue fruits with very ripe mashed plums.  Strange, I know.  As the wine transitions to the mid palate I am getting a touch of tannins with a hint of dryness, some blueberry compote and a touch of spice box.  The finish has a flavor that I cannot even begin to describe, banana meets wet paper.  It is interesting, yet so unfamiliar.  I am not sure this wine is    what I was expecting.  It is a little disjointed, lacks a long term structure and is kinda meh.  86 points is all I can go, which is a shame as I am rocking a Porterhouse tonight that was begging for a hearty, tannic red full of bold flavors.  It got a monster 94 points from Ultimate Beverage Challenge, I’m just not seeing it, but for $11 it is a decent weekday quaffer.  3 stars only because the price is so good.  Salut….

proemio malbec

Jacob’s Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Coonawarra, Australia

17 Monday Apr 2017

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Beautiful purple color- nose of candied plums, oak and mint.  On the palate I get pepper, plums and a red component which is intriguing.  Tannins peek through in the second half of this intro and the acidity is very mild.  89 points and 4 stars for this $11 offering.  Salut….

Jacob's Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Beyer Ranch Merlot 2013, Central Coast California

21 Tuesday Feb 2017

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This was on special at my local wine store, regularly $11, on sale for $10.  I had to try it.  It is vinted and bottled by the Wente Family Estate, which is a rather big and well know operation.

A good shade of purple in the glass, with a nose of black berry and kirsch.  On the palate, black stone fruits and black berries.  Very nice and supple mouthfeel, not overly acidic with very subtle tannins.  A pop’n’pour wine that is sure to please- for the price, it is a really outstanding effort.  88 points and 5 stars for its price to quality ratio.  Drink by itself or pair with pretty much anything!  Salut….

beyer ranch merlot

Riebeek Cellars Pinotage 2011

05 Sunday Feb 2017

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We want to my mate Mel’s 60th birthday bash last night and being from South Africa they had this on offer.  I love the varietal and had to try it.

See-through purple in the glass with a nose of burnt cherry and creosote, very enticing.  The initial taste is black cherry, smoke, espresso bean and some lithe tannins.  The 14% alcohol peaks through on the midpalate and promptly goes away.  The finish is of medium length and is laced with tannins and dark fruit.  88 points make this $11 wine a decent value, especially if you like the unique taste of Pinotage.  3 stars from me.  Salut….

riebeek cellars pinotage

Beringer Founders Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

05 Thursday Jan 2017

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If you read my last post on the Beringer Pinot Noir you may put two and two together to figure out that this is the second bottle we bought that took the price up to $18 for 2 instead of $11 for one.  I saved the heartier wine for later, and I am glad I did.  I really enjoyed the Pinot and was hoping for a repeat performance with this Cab.  I was not disappointed.

Purple with a nose of plums, eucalyptus, black currant.  On the initial attack, more plums, chocolate powder and currants.  Medium tannins arise on the mid palate and complement the gentle acidity for a nice mouthfeel.  The finish is medium in length and offers star anise, plum ganache and black currant.  I’m going with another 89 points for the Beringer twins and give this one a thumbs up 4 stars.  Pair with steaks, pizza, pasta and drink till 2020.  Salut….

beringer founders estate cabernet sauvignon

Beringer Founders Estate Pinot Noir, California 2014

03 Tuesday Jan 2017

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I picked up two bottles for $18, but it really should be priced at $11 per.  The wine is  a see through light purple in the glass, commensurate with the varietal.  On the nose I am getting strawberry, cherry and pomegranate.  All three primal flavors are typical for the Pinot grape.  On the initial taste there are more cherries and some really nice strawberry candy notes.  In and amongst the mid palate flavors there lurks some tannins.  If you have read my notes for a while, you may recall that I have a hard time distinguishing tannin levels in Pinot Noir, but when I sense they are present then there must be a boatload of ’em.  This wine drinks in a dry style and is leaving the telltale sensation on my gums.  There is an acidity that comes out as sour cherry on the mid to finish that I am digging.  On my second go at this wine I got a very strong hit of rock candy on the front end, interesting.

This wine drinks very nicely and is a definite bargain for Pinot Noir.  It will do nicely with some Roast Chicken, a killer pairing with Coq Au Vin and it will ride nicely with my mother’s Steak and Kidney Pie.  (She’s very British you know…).  Drinking window is wide open from 2017-2022.  89 point and 4 stars from me.  Salut….

bringer founders estate pinot noir

Tall Dark Stranger Malbec, Argentina 2014

31 Saturday Dec 2016

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My buddy brought this over in November and I finally managed to open it.  When I say my buddy, he is a 6ft+ redheaded black man who is larger than life and always manages to dress or find something appropriate for every occasion.  A real hoot…

For about $11 this wine delivers the goods!  Medium purple in the glass with a nose of black currant and cola.  The initial palate gives off plum and rhubarb.  The mouthfeel is really nice with smooth tannins gliding along with some barely perceptible acidity.  The mid palate continues with the cola and currant theme that ends in a shortish finish of cherry and cola.  This is a very nice quaffing wine that I’m enjoying with dry rubbed beef ribs.  A good combo that brings out the best of the wine and the meat.  89 points all day long and 4 stars from me for its value and quality.  Salut….

tall dark stranger malbec

Finca Antigua Crianza la Mancha, Castilla, Spain 2009

08 Monday Aug 2016

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I bought this on sale for $11 and couldn’t be happier.  I got three bottles but may have to re-order by the case!  Opaque dark red/purple from this 50% Tempranillo, 20% Merlot, 20% Cab, 10% Syrah blend. The nose gives up mint, capsicum and a touch of blueberry. On the palate an interesting mix of blueberry, earth and pomegranate. The wine exhibits some forward acidity which explains the pomegranate component. It finishes nicely with a healthy, balanced dose of tannins that rest in the gums and make me reach for the glass. This is a yummy wine that defies the typical Spanish profile yet provides juicy, interesting flavors that should evolve and mature. 90 points and 5 stars for this great quality to price ratio.  Salut….

finca antigua crianza

Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2011

02 Saturday Apr 2016

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This is the second wine I have had from this South African winery.  The first was  similar blend but with Cabernet Franc thrown in as well.  Vergelegen Cab/Merlot/Cab Franc.

Back to this wine….  Dark purple in the glass spelt out what to expect.  A nose of black plums, earth and iodine.  The initial taste is amazing.  A hint of violets come over after the waves of black berry, plum jam and spicebox.  A fine set of tannins swirls around at the finish to leave a nice mouthfeel.  The mid palate is balanced and smooth with some acidity that balances the whole thing out.  I am really enjoying this wine!

The judicious use of oak is apparent.  A finish of coffee and a touch of vanilla make this an easy drinking red that will go great all by itself or hang in there with a juicy New York strip, even some pasta with a spicy sauce.  I would guess a drinking window up to 2020 at least, with it open for business right now.

It was on sale for just over $11 and gets an easy 91 point score from me.  I will be buying this in bulk, a stunner and worthy of 5 stars easily.  Salut…..

vergelegen cabernet sauvignon merllot 2011