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Tag Archives: $14

F Stephen Miller Black Label Old Vine Zinfandel, 2021, Lodi, California

29 Saturday Nov 2025

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$14, 5 stars, 89 points, california, Lodi, Naked Wines, Old vine Zinfandel, zinfandel


Medium garnet colored, with high viscosity (15.9% ABV) !  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black cherry, black plum, anise, blackberry, black raspberry, green herbs, and cracked pepper.  The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a full body, and medium (+) tannins that are chalky.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of blackberry, black cherry, black plum, iron, cracked pepper, and dark purple twizlers but no green herbs.  The wine turns a bit juicy and the finish is medium (+) in length.  The high alcohol is pretty well hidden but it finally sneaks up on the back end.  This is a pretty silky wine, once the chalky tannins dissolve.  The ripeness of the fruit is evident.  I like it, but buyer beware, this one has a kick!  I’m pairing it with smoked Duck breast.  89 points  for this $14 wine makes it a 5 star effort.  Drink till 2030.   Salut….

F. Stephen Millier old vine zinfandel

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Luis Vieira Reserva Capital 2020, Portugal

18 Sunday May 2025

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$14, 4 stars, 88 points, Naked Wines, portugal, syrah, tempranillo, trincadeira


Deep ruby colored, with medium viscosity (13.5 % ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum, blackberry, licorice, coffee, mint, a hint of game, and cracked pepper.  The palate is dry, with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and medium tannins.  Medium intensity flavors of blackberry, black plum, kirsch, licorice, coffee and black pepper.  The finish is medium in length.  Overall this is a well made wine that will drink nicely till 2028 and pair great with steaks, burgers, and pasta.  It gets 88 points from me and for $14- 4 stars.  An interesting blend of Trincadeira (40%), Syrah (40%), and Aragonez, aka Tempranillo making up the balance.  Salut….

Luis Vieira Reserva Capital

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F. Stephen Millier Black Label Petite Sirah 2021, California

03 Monday Feb 2025

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$14, 5 stars, 91 points, california, Naked Wines, petite sirah


Deep purple colored with medium staining, and a high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  Medium  intensity aromas of ripe blackberry, cassis, grilled black plum, eucalyptus, cocoa powder, tomato leaf, and a hint of shredded coconut.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body, and medium (+) tannins.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of ripe blackberry, black currant, black plum, spice, eucalyptus, cocoa powder and that green note which I am enjoying.  The finish is lush- gobs of ripe fruit with the silky tannins make for a delicious medium length ending.  Lovely stuff that I am pairing with pan-seared ribeyes.  91 points.  Drink this $14 wine till 2028.  5 stars.  Salut….

F. Stephen Millier Black Label California Petite Sirah

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Scott Peterson Rumpus Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, California

19 Sunday Jan 2025

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$14, 4 stars, 87 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Naked Wines


Medium ruby to garnet colored with slight copper highlights, light staining, and high viscosity (14.8% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum, blackberry, ripe black raspberry, a hint of twizzlers, some smoke, coffee, black tea, and violet. The palate seems dry, but I suspect a touch of residual sugar. Medium acidity, a medium (+) body, and medium (-) tannins. Flavors of very ripe black raspberry- almost candied, black plum, pomegranate, black tea, coffee, smoke, and that floral violet note I got on the nose. There’s a strange astringency that hits me on the mid palate, not sure where that comes from. The finish is medium in length and pleasant, with a nice mouth feel. 87 points for this $14 effort makes it a 4 star wine to drink till 2026.  (It opened up nicely after 30 or so minutes).  Salut….

Scott Peterson Rumpus California Cabernet Sauvignon

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Domaine Clavel Régulus 2023, Côtes du Rhône, France

07 Saturday Dec 2024

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$14, 5 stars, 91 points, Cotes du rhone, france, grenache, marselan, syrah


Medium garnet colored with high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of red raspberry, red plum, smoke, game, tomato stalk, red licorice, pomegranate, and blackberry.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium  body, and medium tannins.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of dark raspberry, plum, blackberry, pomegranate, with some less intense red licorice, smoke, game and green from the stalk.  The finish is quite short but well received- it’s certainly fruity and has some nice juiciness thanks to the acidity.  This is a very delicious wine that drinks nicely now and could perhaps evolve till 2028.  It gets 91 points from me and at $14- a 5 star winner.  A blend of Grenache 60%, Syrah 30% and Marselan 10%.  Salut….

Domaine Clavel Régulus cotes du rhone

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Errazuriz Max Reserva Carmenere 2020, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

30 Friday Aug 2024

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$14, 5 stars, 91 points, Aconcagua valley, carmenere, chile


Deep ruby colored, bordering on ink with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of coffee, black plum, green asparagus, dark chocolate, cracked pepper and baking spices.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and medium tannins that are soft and caressing.  Flavors of black plum, cracked pepper, coffee, dark chocolate, green olive and baking spice along with the varietal telltale- a slight green vegetal note.  The finish is medium in length and has rich coffee and dark chocolate notes.  It’s a perfect wine for Peppercorn Steak.  91 points from me for this  $14 bottle makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2028.  Salut….

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Kia Ora Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand

27 Tuesday Aug 2024

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$14, 5 stars, 91 points, marlborough, new zealand, Sauvignon blanc


Very pale lemon colored with titanium highlights and a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose has intense aromas of lime zest, lime, cut grass, asparagus, white blossom, orange blossom, hints of peach, grapefruit and sea spray.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  The citrus driven nose is echoed on the palate with some green notes, stone fruit and florals.  It’s a flavor driven wine for sure- delicious and refreshing with the cutting acidity.  The finish is quite long and tangy.  I paid $14 for this bottle that gets 91 points from me making it a 5 star effort to drink in the near term.  I’m frying up some Mahi Mahi and roasted veggies to pair.  Salut….

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Cartlidge & Browne Pinot Noir 2018, North Coast, California

21 Wednesday Aug 2024

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$14, 2 stars, 83 points, california, pinot noir


Pale garnet colored with copper highlights and medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of red currant, cherry jubilee, red raspberry, baking spice and rose.  It’s a bit muted.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a light body and low tannins.  Medium (-) intensity flavors of red fruit with a touch of spice and some minimal floral hints- quite a thin wine.  The finish is where it picks up steam- more red currants and some spice with gently increasing acidity and a medium length ending.  Not a stellar wine- drink now as it has no capacity to age further.  83 points for this $14 bottle makes it a 2 star effort.  Salut….

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Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2022, Stellenbosch, South Africa

16 Friday Aug 2024

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$14, 5 stars, 90 points, chenin blanc, South Africa, stellenbosch


Medium lemon colored with gold highlights and high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon verbena, lemon peel, white acacia, orange blossom, vanilla pod, melon, mango, rosewater and perhaps a touch of lychee.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium (+) body.  Exotic flavors of mango, melon, lemon zest with florals of orange blossom and acacia mixed with a definitive vanilla-like quality.  The finish is medium (+) in length and a touch bitter, perhaps some skin contact?  There is a hint of oak usage here that I am enjoying alongside the weighty mouthfeel.  Tonight’s pairing is grilled Swordfish with beurre blanc- show hold up to that.  90 points, and for $14, a 5 star effort indeed.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

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Errazuriz Max Reserva Carmenere 2020, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

17 Sunday Mar 2024

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$14, 5 stars, 90 points, Aconcagua valley, carmenere, chile


Deep ruby with slight staining and a medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of bell pepper, black cherry, black plum, licorice, espresso, vanilla, baking spice and blueberry ganache.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium body and medium (-) tannins.  Flavors of plum, black cherry and blueberry with green pepper and oak derived accents.  There is a charred note on the mid palate where the green, herbaceous note fades.  The finish is medium (-) in length but very pleasing.  I like the structure of this wine- not too heavy, not too serious, not too tannic or tart- a perfect accompaniment to my Corned Beef dinner where the meat is soft in texture and slightly fatty served with a mustard gravy.  Drink this 90 point wine till 2027.  For $14 it’s a 5 star bottle to stock up on.  Salut….

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