Tag Archives: $11

Charles Smith Wines ‘The Velvet Devil’ Merlot 2015, Washington, USA

27 Monday Nov 2017

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If you read my post about the Eve Chardonnay, you will know I am a fan of Charles Smith Wines.  I couldn’t help myself and bought this Merlot for the tasing.

It appears as a very light purple with low opacity.  The nose gives off candied plum, not my favorite profile mind you.  There’s a bit of oak in there as well.  I am leery going in for the first sip.

All is good- it is a decent wine, not overly oaked and offering ripe tannins, juicy acidity and plums galore.  I get Blackberry on the mid palate transition after the initial plum injection.  The wine is somewhat one dimensional but it will appeal to many for its smoothness and bracing tannins.  The dryness is great if you are into that kinda thing.  Overall, refreshing and tasty.  An easy going wine that will do well with grilled New York Strip, perhaps a hearty baked ziti.  I paid a mere $11 for it and am going with 89 points and 4 stars.  You may want to sit on a few bottles until 2019 to see how they develop.  Salut….

Adega Cooperativa de Cantanhede Marques de Marialva Reserva 2013, Bairrada, Portugal

27 Wednesday Sep 2017

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I have said it recently and i will affirm it again- Portugal is a go-to wine source.  In tonight’s case, I needed something full of flavor to go with Braised Lamb Shanks in Rosemary Mint sauce.  Sounds fancy huh?  Costco…

This particular wine rings in at $11 and was worth a punt when I saw it with free shipping.  Here goes-  It comes in at 13% and is a blend of 50% Touriga Nacional, 30% Tinta Roriz and 20% Baga.  It is of medium shade in the glass and has no ‘legs’.  The nose is of dark fruits and wood smoke.  I also get some spice, like cinnamon.  On the palate, this wine is very soft, gentle and supple.  The flavors of black cherry, plum and espresso are very tasty.  The mid palate shows off some very fine tannins and an earthiness along with cherry.  The finish is somewhat tart, with acidity coming through as cherry and rhubarb.  This wine is rocking the full flavored Lamb and has just the right amount of acidity to cut the fat while the flavors complement the herbs of the dish.  I am going 90 points and 5 stars for this bargain.  Drink now till 2022.  Salut….

Mooiplass Langtafel Red 2014, Stellenbosch, South Africa

26 Tuesday Sep 2017

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A pleasant purple with medium density.  On the nose I get plums, a faint hint of cinnamon, black cherry and creosote thanks to the 9% addition of Pinotage.  The balance is Cabernet Sauvignon.  The initial taste is very Pinotage heavy, with more plums, some dark fruits and the telltale chemical note, often likened to nail polish remover.  I like it.  The wine transitions nicely and some very delightful tannins caress throughout.  The flavor profile doesn’t change much throughout and the acidity is very fine, barely noticeable.  The finish is relatively long, with the dark fruit balancing nicely with a hint of oak.  The bitterness of the tannins is apparent right at the end but is not detracting.  This is a tasty weekday wine that I would pop with stew, chili, grilled sausages and even burgers.  89 points and 4 stars for this $11 wine.  Salut….

Dao Sul Paco dos Cunhas de Santar ‘Nature’ 2012, Dao, Portugal

26 Tuesday Sep 2017

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Portugal is where it’s at in the value wine market today.  Inky, dark and brooding in the glass.  The nose is of black berries, iodine.  The palate is full of dark fruits, a hint of oak, sweet black grapes and an earthiness.  The mid palate transcends that profile and adds some very integrated tannins to the mix.  The finish is long, dry and inky.  Black berry pie finishes it all off at the end.  It is a blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro.  91 points, and an amazing 5 stars for this $11 marvel.  To be bought by the case in my opinion.  Drink till 2024.  I’m having mine with grilled kale salad and London broil.  Salut….

CVNE ‘Cune’ Crianza 2013, Rioja DOCa, Spain

01 Tuesday Aug 2017

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See through purple, not what I was expecting from a Tempranillo out of Rioja.  The nose is however right up that alley.  Red currants, earth and a tar component greet me. The telltale creosote is alive and kicking in this wine, as is a touch of vanilla.  On the palate, I get a brutish, young and cocky wine full of red fruit, with raspberries, strawberries and currants popping.  The acidity is vibrant and the tannins are lithe.  The mid palate carries the red fruit theme and amps up the acidity factor.  On the tail end the finish is fresh with tannins and strawberry extract.  More red currants sneak in right at the close.  Very smooth and nicely balanced, but I don’t get a hint of the yearlong oak maturation after the initial whiff.  Might be well integrated, who knows.  This wine is a great summer addition to a party, serve it with dry rubbed ribs, perhaps a bourbon glazed pork chop on the grill or even just a basic Mezze.  I’m going with 90 points on this $11 stunner that makes it a 5 star wine.  Drink now till 2022.  Salut….

CVNE 'Cune' Crianza

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