Tag Archives: $13

Carmen Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Maipo Valley, Chile

16 Wednesday May 2018

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Pretty purple color with a nose of raspberry, mint, violets.  The palate is fresh, with bright plum and  red berry flavors, hazelnut, juicy tannins and a crisp acidity.  The ph of this wine is substantial yet balanced with the well integrated tannins.  More mint notes come through on the finish along with some oak and raspberry.  The wine leaves my mouth very dry, I kinda like it!  Pairing it with super thick Strip steaks, Chorizo, roasted Brussel Sprouts and chargrilled baby onions.  89 points and 4 stars for this $13 wine- drink till 2020.  Salut….

King Estate Pinot Gris 2015, Willamette Valley Oregon, USA

04 Wednesday Apr 2018

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I bought Moxie a few bottles of Pinot Gris at Christmas, she was making white Sangria.  As usual, I overbought.  This one broke the bank at $13.  It has a peachy yellow color to it and a nose of lemon peel, pineapple and ginger.  On the palate it is very approachable.  Refreshing citrus, not overly acidic with hints of beeswax and more of that ginger, but like ginger-ale, not the sliced and raw version.  The wine slides nicely without being tart or bitter.  It offers a nice mid palate waxiness and the finish is medium in length and packed with pineapple curd.  I am really enjoying this wine after being in the car all day.  Serving it up with some fish filets, smoky bacon Quinoa and buttered Brussel Sprouts.  It firing on all cylinders.  90 points and 5 stars, buy it by the dozen for the summer.  Drink now till 2020.  Salut….

Tenoira Gayoso ‘Tenoira’ Tinto 2104, Bierzo, Spain

20 Monday Nov 2017

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The Mencia grape, grown in Spain primarily, yields fresh early drinking wines. They say it is a fragrant varietal that mimics Cabernet Franc, which I love.  This particular wine is indeed aromatic, but not in a very fruity way, it kinda stinks to be honest.  I cannot pinpoint the aroma, but it smells like wet socks.  I fear for the worst- TCA, which is a cork taint.  It is harmless, theoretically.  The wine itself is decent, showing off red fruits including raspberry, red currants and some slate.  The wine is steely, as in no oak.  It has a nice minerality and shows the red fruit streak throughout.  It is easy drinking and not built for the long haul.  What it lacks in tannic structure, it makes up for freshness.  The acidity is but a hint.  This wine will pair nicely with pizza, grilled lamb chops with mint sauce, or even Chorizo.  I am going 88 points on this corked wine and hope you all get a better example.  For $13, it is a potential steal but for now, 3 stars.  Salut….

Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Western Cape, South Africa

26 Tuesday Sep 2017

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This wine was a perennial favorite many years ago.  I gravitated to reds and rarely bought it, until I saw it on sale the other day.  I’m making Sizzling Hoisin Shrimp tonight so I figured a Sauvignon Blanc would do the trick.

This wine is faint gold in color, not quite yellow, nor deep.  The nose is bright, charming and packed with citrus notes.  Grapefruit being the major player here.  The initial taste is very refreshing, quince and citrus battling it out for dominance.  The wine has a nice balance, not overly acidic yet a touch dry and offering a hint of bitterness.  I get Almond seed on the mid palate which is probably how I sense the bitterness, it is unique.  The finish is all lemon and persimmon.  I am glad I bumped into this bottle, it really is tasty while remaining relatively modest in price.  It refreshes and will go well with my dinner but I am thinking it may take on some spicy foods as well if you are in a pinch.  89 points and 4 stars for this $13 wine.  Salut….

The Sizzling Shrimp

Papa Nui Reserve Pinot Noir 2014, Chile

03 Sunday Sep 2017

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A very opaque and delicate looking Pinot Noir from Chile.  The nose is a combination of Old and New World.  I get cherry, strawberry and funk.  Mushrooms and game also take a turn on my senses.  On the palate, I get a fresh cherry attack with some cola and a touch of the gaminess I sensed earlier.  The mid palate exposes a very lively acidity that keeps me on my toes.  The flavors are decidedly New World from here on in.  Strawberry and cherry on the mid translate to a nice red berry finish with just a touch of tannic dryness.  The acidity is the dominant force but is not overwhelming.  A nice wine with good mouthfeel and balance in my opinion.  Serve with roasted chicken in garlic marinade or perhaps Filet Mignon with Bearnaise and roasted asparagus.  89+ points, and for $13 it’s a steal worthy of 5 stars.  Salut….

Xanadu Next Of Kin Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Margaret River, Australia

31 Thursday Aug 2017

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Very bright purple in the glass.  The nose has blackcurrants, oak and cherry reduction.  Intriguing.  On the palate I get a very delicious attack of black fruits- berry, plum, cherry.  The tannic structure is good, bracing yet not too dry.  The mouthfeel is really refreshing with some sharp acidity.  The mid palate has yet more of the dark fruits plus a mocha component.  The winemaker has skillfully managed to hide the 14.5% alcohol and slides some deft tannins in that really grip on the back end.  The finish is very dry, with black cherry and cassis.  The oak that I got on the nose has seemed to disappear up till the very end.  This is a very easy drinking wine that is ready to go right now and will last for another 3-4years.  I would pair it with lamb chops, roasted veg and perhaps Beef Ribs slow cooked in a wine reduction.  I’m going 90 points and 5 stars for this $13 wine.  Buy it by the case.  (One critic went 94 points, but then again he always rates high.)  Salut….

Stone Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand

28 Monday Aug 2017

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Very pale greenish yellow in the glass.  The nose is delicious- passion fruit and mango.  The initial palate reveals a cleat slate on which I get citrus, mainly grapefruit, with some pear.  The passion fruit comes around again on the mid palate which is absolutely intriguing me.  It brings along some nice acidity and freshness.  The tartness begins halfway through and builds into the finish, where it leaves me with a nice fresh mouthfeel and some lingering tartness on the gums.  This wine is really interesting, from a flavor profile to the way it morphs on the palate.  I pulled it from the fridge as Moxie is making Stir Fried Shrimp and something else, I figured a Sauvignon Blanc would pair well.  I was right.  This wine gets 90 points from me and for the $13 I paid, a sure thing 5 star effort.  Drink now and for the next two years.  Salut….

 

Substance Cs Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Columbia Valley, USA

27 Thursday Jul 2017

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As I was pouring this wine I couldn’t help but notice the rich purple color, mesmerizing.  On the nose I get gorgeous plum meets an oak shaving.  This wine smells amazing.  There is an intensity to the aroma that is really pure and focused.  This pureness continues on to the initial taste.  This is a great wine folks.  It tastes amazing, has very fine grained tannins, is balanced and has got me grabbing for more.  Plums continue to the mid palate and are joined with coffee beans, Ribena and a crescendo of tannins.  They really hit on the back end with a really nice dryness that hits my gums in the right way.  The wine finishes with cassis, espresso and a swath of tannins, delicious.  An extremely well crafted wine that gets 92 plus points from me.  I am a huge fan of Charles Smith, his winemaking is always on pointe.  In fact, I search out his wines-looking for absolute gems like this one.  I paid $13, and rate this as one of my all-time best buys.  5 Stars for sure and I am buying a case.  Drink it alone or pretty much with everything from now till 2022.  A steal, literally.  Salut….

Edna Valley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Central Coast, USA

17 Monday Apr 2017

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Deep purple yet see-through.  Nice nose of plums, eucalyptus and blackberry.  On the palate I’m getting really nice black berry, super smooth tannins and a hint of black Cherry liquor.  The mid palate boasts more berries and a roundness that gives this wine a really nice mouthfeel.  The finish is smooth, with a nice drying feeling that coats the gums.  90 points form me although the pro’s were down at the 86 level with this one.  I disagree.  For $13, this is a 4 star wine that I will be buying again.  I would pair it with Roast Chicken, perhaps meatloaf and definitely with some charcuterie out on the patio now that the weather has turned.  Salut….

edna valley cabernet sauvignon

Chakana Maipe Reserve Malbec 2012, Mendoza, Argentina

13 Thursday Apr 2017

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Dark purple in the glass.  A nose of black cherry, black currants and plum.  A spice is there too, but I can’t pinpoint it.  On the palate, very juicy with plum jam, blackberry tort and cassis.  This is a very smooth wine that shows great fruit expression, silky tannins and a mild dose of acidity.  The mid palate has dark plums and the tannins start to dry the gums.  On the finish, another dose of plum and the final lashing of tannins with a taste of oak. 91 points is what I came up with but others only went 88. For $13, you cannot go wrong with this 5 star wine.  Salut….

Chakana Maipe Reserve Malbec