Tag Archives: $15

Chateau du Jaunay Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie 2021, Loire, France

27 Thursday Oct 2022

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Pale lemon-lime colored with a watery sheen on the wall (11.5% ABV).  The nose is of medium intensity with aromas of green pear, lemon/lime, white blossom, brioche and firm pineapple.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and a medium (-) body.  Tart fruit with lemon and lime kick off the show with pear and flower petals rounding it out.  I’m a little surprised that this wine is so crisp and lightweight considering it was aged Sur-lie.  I don’t get any autolytic flavors, just the initial aroma of brioche from this Melon De Bourgogne varietal.  Must be from a cool vintage that struggled to ripen, hence the lower alcohol and sharp acidity.  Overall a tasty drop to pair with pan roasted Pork cutlets and potato puree.  88 points.  For $15 it’s a 3 star effort in my books to drink till 2025.  Salut….

Benjamin Darnault Côtes du Rhône Plus 2020, Rhone Valley, France

25 Tuesday Oct 2022

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,


This Grenache/Syrah blend is deep ruby colored with thick, slow moving legs (14.5% ABV).  The nose has nice aromas of red plum, black raspberry, red licorice, herbs, candied cherry and rose.  It’s quite complex once you swirl it around.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins- the grip I got initially quickly faded.  Flavors of plum, black raspberry, charred oak, some red licorice and earthy florals/herbs.  It is medium (+) bodied with a medium finish of dark red fruit plus a healthy dose of heat.  Made from very ripe fruit, it is flavorful but at a price- the alcohol is quite noticeable on the back end.  We are pairing this bold wine with spiced burgers and potato wedges.  It would also go well with hearty BBQ, maybe smoked brisket with a rich sauce.  89 points from me for this $15 effort makes it a 4 star wine to drink till 2026.  Salut….

Luis Vieira Montaria Tempranillo-Alicante Bouschet 2019, Lisboa, Portugal

11 Tuesday Oct 2022

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


This wine is a blend of Tempranillo and Alicante Bouschet which is a Teinturier grape (flesh is also red).  It’s a deep shade of purple in the glass and it stains the walls.  On the nose- ripe red plums, black cherry, menthol, vanilla and almond pith.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and high tannins (remember the stained walls of the glass?).  The flavors are rich and ripe- dark red fruit, charcoal, vanilla, menthol and an espresso strength coffee note right at the end.  Full bodied, it finishes with medium length along with some very tannic grip.  It is a rather complex wine for $15 that gets 91 points from me and 5 stars.  If you like ’em dry, pop-n-pour or else cellar this wine for a few years but drink up by 2030.  I am pairing with grilled meat and roasted cauliflower rubbed with Chorizo seasoning.  Salut….

Hermes Mavrodaphne Of Patras NV, Greece

08 Saturday Oct 2022

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,


I went looking for Port and this bottle popped onto my radar.  A sweet red Greek wine that has a pale garnet hue.  The nose is interesting, unlike any other wine I have smelled.  Baking spices with stewed black cherry and baked plum.  There’s also a cola component that is throwing me off!  The palate is obviously not dry- I would say off-dry but not cloying.  The first thing I notice is the heat (15%ABV).  Next up I get medium (-) acidity and low tannins.  Flavorwise- loads of stewed/baked/cooked dark fruit with spice and cherry cola.  A medium to full body on this delight leads me to a medium length finish that also shows off the alcohol.  I like the flavor profile, the mouthfeel and the structure.  I just think the alcohol is presenting itself too much.  This wine reminds me of a lightweight Tawny Port.  I might use some to bolster a stock I am making for Sunday roast, burning off the alcohol to reveal the fruit and spice better.  I might also pour some with my cheese course.  This is my first try of this style so I will not grade it- but you should try for yourself.  At $15, it’s an easy buy.  Salut….

Greek Wine Cellars – GWC Flowers Agiorgitiko 2019, Nemea, Greece

07 Friday Oct 2022

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Medium ruby colored in the glass with medium intensity aromas of cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, dill and sea air.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium tannins.  I get tart flavors of red fruit with some zippiness alongside some green dill notes and the saline component.  This wine is medium bodied and carries through to a dry, medium length finish.  It’s crisp and refreshing and I like it.  90 points from me for this $15 bottle makes it a 5 star effort.  Pasta, kebabs, kofta or cheesy casseroles would pair nicely.  Drink till 2026.  Salut….

Marc Dupas Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie ‘Les Parcelles’ 2019, Loire, France

29 Thursday Sep 2022

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Medium lemon colored, it takes on a touch of gold in the glass.  On the nose- aromas of lemon curd, grapefruit, yellow pear, blossom, brioche and almond.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and a medium (+) body.  This Melon de Bourgogne varietal shows a fullness that is a result of the Sur Lie aging that I am enjoying.  In addition to the citrus, pear and floral notes I also get flavors of baking spice and yeast.  At 12% ABV, it is a nice aperitif to serve with olives and charcuterie. The acidity would also lend itself to soft cheese and seafood for sure. It has a medium length finish emphasizing the baking spice, brioche and cream notes.  I like this $15 wine that gets 89 points and 5 stars from me.  Drink soon.  Salut….

Chateau Lamothe Blanc 2021, Bordeaux, France

16 Friday Sep 2022

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Bright lemon colored this is the third vintage of Lamothe that I have tasted.  A blend of 87% Sauvignon Blanc with 13% Semillon it has intense aromas of cut grass, gooseberry, flint, bell pepper, lemon zest, stone fruit and underripe strawberry.  The palate is dry, crisp and tart with medium (+) acidity.  Texturally speaking there is an oily component that gives this wine a medium (+) body.  The citrus takes center stage on the palate with the stone fruit backing it up.  The telltale cut grass and gooseberry are not as pronounced.  The finish is medium in length, perhaps the aromatics of this varietal linger longer.  Delicious and refreshing to say the least.  I’m impressed by this $15 wine that gets 90 points and 5 stars.  Drink with lighter fare including chicken and seafood.  It begs for oysters and clams on the half shell.  Salut….

Lapis Luna Wines Zinfandel 2020, Lodi California,

16 Friday Sep 2022

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Medium ruby colored this Zinfandel was amazing.  Rich, smooth aromas and flavors of ripe plum, blackberry, blueberry pie and baking spice with a hint of vanilla.  Low acidity, medium (-) tannins and a full body lead to a long finish.  Amazing value at $15 for this 91 pointer that gets 5 stars.   I would drink this in the shorter term with stews, game and hearty pasta dishes with rich red sauces.  Salut….

ZINFANDEL 2020 - LAPIS LUNA

Bodegas Olarra Reciente Reserva 2017, Rioja DOCa, Spain

12 Monday Sep 2022

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Deep ruby colored this Tempranillo has medium (-) intensity aromas of baked plums, earth, blackberry pie, leather, baking spice and bramble.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium tannins.  The body is full and I get the expected dry earth, bramble, blackberry and spice flavors- it’s nearly textbook Rioja minus a bit of intensity and a touch more acidity.  They back end has a charred cedar note and it finishes a bit astringent on the gums.  It’s a serviceable wine that runs $15 and gets 88 points from moi- 4 stars to drink by 2026.  Salut….

Raats Original Unwooded Chenin Blanc 2019, Stellenbosch, South Africa

06 Tuesday Sep 2022

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Pale straw colored with medium intensity aromas of tangerine, pear, yellow apple and persimmon.  The palate is dry with high acidity and medium (+) body.  The flavors I get are very interesting- mandarin oranges, soft pear, yellow apple and passion fruit.  There is a medium length finish that turns a bit bitter, like almond seed.  I like the fact that is is labelled as an unwooded wine, allowing the purity and character of the varietal to shine.  For $15 this 89 point wine gets 4 stars from me.  I’m at the beach so a seafood pairing is obvious.  Salut….