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Tag Archives: $130

Bodegas Neo Punta Esencia 2004, Ribera del Duero, Spain

10 Sunday Aug 2025

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$130, 5 stars, 94 points, Ribera del duero, spain, tempranillo


Deep garnet with slight copper edges, and a medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of baked cherry, fig, prune, dusty earth, vanilla, iodine, baked blueberry pie, leather, and dried herbs.  The palate is dry, with medium (+) acidity, a medium (+) body, and medium (+) tannins that are still grippy but integrating nicely.  The flavors are very persistent and echo the nose.  This is a classic Tempranillo, aged in  French oak is my guess.  The finish is long and silky.  It’s still vibrant with years of cellaring capacity.  I opened it for my daughter’s 21st birth month and I’m glad I held on to it for so long.  It gets 94 points from me and can found online for about $130, making it a 5 star wine for a special occasion.  Salut….


Bodegas Neo Punta Esencia

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Clos Apalta 2013, Colchagua Valley, Chile

05 Sunday Jan 2025

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$130, 5 stars, 96 points, cabernet sauvignon, carmenere, chile, colchagua, merlot, petit verdot


Closing out the series at our 38th virtual wine tasting was this stunner.  I ordered it months before in anticipation of going out with a bang and I was not disappointed.  The group loved it and the notes were as follows: deep ruby fading to garnet colored, with slight staining and a high viscosity (15% ABV).  The nose started out funky- “Donkey butt in a barn” was the initial call, followed by aromas of green pepper, black cherry for days, a combo of red and black licorice, cedar, Jujubes, sassafras akin to root beer, layers of ripe black fruits, smoke, and vanilla on the finish.  The palate had medium acidity, a medium (+) body, and medium (+) tannins that are well integrated.  A spectacular wine whose flavors echoed the nose- we all just sat there and stopped taking notes, savoring the complexity and finesse. The only loss of points for me was the medium finish, I had hoped for longer.  It would have scored a perfect 20 if so.  I will rate this $130 bottle at 96 points and award it 5 stars.  What a treat!  Carmenere based at 70% with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot supporting.  Drink till 2035.  Salut….

Clos Apalta

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Chateau Larcis Ducasse 2009, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France

07 Monday Aug 2023

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$130, 5 stars, 95 points, 96 points, bordeaux, france, merlot, st. Emilion, VWTC


This stunning Bordeaux was the last wine of the 32nd virtual tasting- everyone loved it (except the lawyer, she’s funny).  Deep ruby/garnet with high viscosity legs and slight staining (14.5% ABV).  The nose blew me away- leather, tobacco, forest floor, stable yard, stewed tomato, dried blackberry and that tell-tale aroma I love…. Cassis.  The palate had medium acidity, medium tannins that were so finely integrated and a full body- it was super rich.  The flavors and aromas matched and this wine was seamless and balanced.  A real treat to drink a 14 year old wine that is at peak and delivers such ethereal sensations.  By far one of my most memorable bottles.  I gave it 20 points on our score sheet and would echo the pro’s- this is a 95-96 point wine for sure.  It will drink beautifully over the next decade.  I would pair this Merlot based blend with braised beef cheeks or another hearty dish worthy of its power.  At $130, it’s a bit pricy but hey…. you only live once.  5 stars. Salut….

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Chateau Montelena ‘The Montelena Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Napa Valley, California

15 Sunday May 2022

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$130, 5 stars, 93 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa


An iconic Napa Cabernet that we drank with monster Tomahawk steaks.  This inky colored wine is beautiful to look at and even better to drink.  Aromas and flavors of Iodine, black fruit (blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, bramble), dust, menthol, eucalyptus.  Seriously complex and intriguing.  The palate is smooth- medium acidity, fine grained tannins that are fully integrated, full bodied with great mouthfeel and a long finish.  What a stunning wine that is en pointe and will continue to develop for several more years.  93 points for this $130 effort makes it 5 star worthy.  Salut….

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