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Tag Archives: $12

Bodega Tapiz ‘Zolo’ Malbec 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

13 Thursday Apr 2017

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$12, 2 stars, 86 points, Argentina, Argentina wines, Malbec, Mendoza


Disclaimer- this was served on a United flight (No one was hurt BTW).  For an airplane wine-  Dark and brooding in the glass.  Barely a nose due to cabin air and plastic cup but I’m getting black currants, plum tart.  At first I get plums, iodine and a dose of oak.  The mid palate shows off the rather dry tannins that balance out the acidity.  On the finish I sense mostly tannins, not much fruit.  Overall, an enjoyable airplane wine to go with my pasta and meatball.  86 points from me and I was able to find it for $12 which make it a 2 star wine in my opinion.  Salut….
Bodega Tapiz 'Zolo'

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Nederburg The Winemasters Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Paarl, South Africa

13 Thursday Apr 2017

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$12, 3 stars, 88 points, cabernet sauvignon, South Africa, South African Cabernet Sauvignon


Dark purple in the glass.  Nose of black cherry and dark fruits.  The palate is somewhat muted, but notes of tar, black currants and cedar abound.  The wine possesses a certain level of acidity that balances the very mild tannins, which leave a drying sensation on the finish.  This wine is decent, but somewhat boring.  It does not transcend into anything different.  It is good, yet plain.  88 points is where I feel this wine sits and I would pair it with lamb chops, venison and perhaps roast Guinea fowl.  It can be found for about $12, which make it a 3 star wine in my books.  Salut….

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Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, California

13 Thursday Apr 2017

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$12, 5 stars, 91 points, cabernet sauvignon, Sonoma, Sonoma Cabernet


Dark purple, but not as ‘heavy’ as I was expecting.  A nose of black currant and blackberry with hints of vanilla.  On the palate- really soft and supple profile that offers up delicious black fruit sorbet, juicy acidity and very fine grained tannins.  This wine makes my mouth water, it’s bizarre.  I am really enjoying it!  The mid palate is more down to earth with plain Jane blackberry and some oak.  The finish gets ramped up with the tannins that linger for a long time while more dark fruits emerge.  This is a tasty little number that begs for Osso Bucco, eggplant parm or even a hearty stew.  91 points from me and drink till 2022.  All yours for $12 which makes this a 5 star wine.  Salut….

Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

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Vinedos y Bodegas Pablo Menguante Garnacha 2012, Carinena, Spain

09 Thursday Mar 2017

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$12, 3 stars, 88 points, grenache, spain


I have been on a bit of a shopping spree lately, looking for deals and trying to expand my palate.  This Spanish Grenache was a reasonable $12, came with a 91 point rating and fit the bill for me to sample.  It was see through purple in the glass.  A nose of plums and black berries with some ocean spray and a very slight trace of oak.  On the palate- black berries, iodine, and some medium level tannins. The mid palate shows off some black cherry and coffee notes that continue through to the finish.  It doesn’t end there, the tannins really hit hard on the back end and leave me with a dry sensation on the gums.  I would think this wine will last a while.  Pair with some hearty pasta dishes or a big burger on brioche.  88 points from me and 3 stars.  Salut….

MENGUANTE GARANACHA

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J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2014

21 Saturday Jan 2017

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$12, 4 stars, 89 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, paso robles, paso robles cabernet sauvignon


A buddy of mine brought this along.  He paid $12 at Costco for it and I was impressed.

Nose of sweet cassis, blackberry and pepper.  The palate shows dark fruits, solid tannins and juicy acidity.  The mid palate gives plum, dark cherry and a hint of cedar. The finish is laced with mouth drying tannins and plum torte.  I would pair it with many different dishes, pasta, steak, cheese plate.  A really decent drop for a party and something to buy by the case.  89 points and 4 stars from me.  Salut….

img_1490

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Nederberg The Winemasters Shiraz 2014

31 Saturday Dec 2016

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$12, 3 stars, 87 points, shiraz, South Africa


I am currently in Asia and this was the last wine I drank in 2016.  We couldn’t resist the price, $11.50 for one bottle or $13 for two.  We bought two…
Medium purple in the glass.  A nose of plum torte, black berry jam and a touch of oak.  On the palate a very delicious, fresh offering of black fruits, spice and a very mellow set of tannins with opposing acidity.  A medium length finish caps off a subtle mid palate of plum and blackberry.  Overall a nice basic Shiraz that is not over the top but offers good value and would drink well with burgers, BBQ ribs or the kebab sandwiches we eventually ordered!  87 points from me make this a solid 3 star wine.  Salut….
nederburg the winemaster shiraz

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Concha Y Toro Grand Reserva Series Ribera del Cachapoal Carmenere Chile 2014

03 Saturday Dec 2016

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$12, 4 stars, 88 points, carmenere, chile


Dark purple. Nose of earthy plums and black currant.  On the palate – blackberry, plum and dusty tannins.  Half way through I’m getting some blueberry hints and the telltale earthy component that Tempranillo often shows.  The acidity is a little off for me but the tannins are ever present and leave the finish a nice shade of dry.  WS gave this wine 90 points.  I’m going with 88.  A decent drop for a pop-n-pour night at home with some spaghetti, maybe a thin crust pizza.  $12 make this a 4 star wine.  Salut….

concha y toro gran reserva carmenere

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Clos La Coutale Cahors 2013

25 Wednesday May 2016

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

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$12, 3 stars, 87 points, cahors, france, Malbec


I do love me some Cahors- the Black Wine of the French Southwest region made primarily from Malbec grapes.  This one was not as tannic and in-your-face as other Cahors I have tried.  A dark purple color in the glass with a nose of plum, blackberry and oaky vanilla. On the palate, very smooth intro to blueberry ganache, some purple plums and a certain spice that I can’t pinpoint. The tannins are integrated yet somewhat green. They show up on the back end with more force. The finish is decent with tannins hitting the gums and a purple fruit finish. I think this wine is at peak with another year or two before it’s too late. 87 points.  It retails for $12 and gets 3 stars from me.  Salut….

clos la coutale cahors

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Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2012

18 Sunday Oct 2015

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$12, 3 stars, 88 points, australia, cabernet merlot blend, margaret river


A Margaret River presentation with very dark purple appearance in the glass and a nose of ginger, plum, clove and vanilla. On the palate, youthful and bursting with blue fruits and plums. The mid palate shows off some wood notes and much more meaty plums. Mid range tannins and a very slight acidity make it an easy drinker right off the bat. $12, 88 points and 3 stars.  Salut….

clairault cabernet sauvignon merlot

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Chateau Trocard 2010

19 Tuesday May 2015

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$12, 4 stars, 88 points, bordeaux, bordeaux superier


A wise man will try any 2009 or 2010 Bordeaux, they are consistently good.  Winemakers had an amazing back-to-back set of vintages that offer short term approachability with some wines that will cellar for 30-40 years.  This particular Bordeaux Superiore was ready for the corkscrew.  I only took basic notes as we were tired when this bottle was opened.

Rich plum, tart blackberries and some juicy acidity.  Bramble and dusty tannins on the mid palate. Decent finish of plum compote mixed with tannins and blueberry pie. My friend claims yum! 88 points and 4 stars for this $12 steal.  I plan on buying more for the near term.  2015-2019.  Salut….

chateau trocard

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