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Tag Archives: $15

Sandeman Fine Tawny NV, Porto, Portugal

03 Thursday Feb 2022

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$15, 5 stars, 91 points, port, portugal


I am preparing Lamb Shanks- which will braise in a new recipe that calls for Port wine.  I bought three different bottles but selected this $15 Tawny for the job.  I’m hoping it makes for a rich and silky gravy when I am finished.  In the glass this fortified wine is pale tawny (LOL) in color, the 19.5% ABV evident by the thick legs running down the inside of the glass.  The nose gives me dried nuts, stewed plum, prunes, cooked rhubarb, raisins and a dusty wood component.  The palate is off-dry with very rich cooked fruit as mentioned, dried nuts and very integrated tannins.  Medium acidity coupled with the richness of the fruit and structure from the tannins makes for a very nice mouthfeel that is medium to full bodied.  The finish is medium in length but the tannins grip for a long while.  I like this bottle, a lot.  I did not care as much for the Tawny style when I last tried it but this producer has crafted a very rich offering that gets 91 points from me.  Can’t wait to see how it transforms the sauce.  5 stars, worthy of keeping a few bottles laying around for an after-dinner tipple.  Salut….

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Boutari Nemea 2017, Peloponnese, Greece

15 Saturday Jan 2022

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$15, 4 stars, 89 points, Agiorgitiko, greece, nemea, Peloponnese


I’m cooking Lamb Chops with olive oil, lemon, garlic and other sundry Mediterranean spices so I figured a Greek wine would pair nicely.  I have never tried Agiorgitiko before and am looking forward to this pale ruby colored wine that carries a relatively light 13% ABV.  The nose has some interesting spices- nutmeg, crushed black pepper and cinnamon.  Red fruit notes from pomegranate, red plum and black cherry try to compete for space but the spices dominate.  Some oak is present but very faint.  On the palate this wine has sweet fruit and the obvious spices.  It’s a dry wine (ie. no residual sugar) that has really smooth, integrated tannins that balance nicely with juicy acidity.  Medium (-) body and a svelte finish that is medium in length makes for a delightful mouthfeel.  If this is what the varietal is like I am thinking of many possible pairings.  Not a blockbuster but well made and enjoyable in the near term.  Drink with grilled meat, rich pasta dishes or some charcuterie.  89 points and for $15- 4 stars.  Salut….

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Ricitos de Oro Black Garnacha & White Garnacha 2013, Navarra, Spain

03 Monday Jan 2022

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$15, 4 stars, 89 points, garnacha, grenache, navarra, spain


Semi opaque ruby in the glass- this is a blend of black and white Grenache (Garnacha).  The nose is a bit tart with red currants, sour red cherry and raspberry.  Orange peel (oak influence) and pomegranate also come to mind.  There is a leathery component but it is faint.  The palate is very unique.  First off, it is dry ie. not sweet, and has some lithe tannins.  Medium acidity and medium weight body carry the red fruit flavors to a decent length finish.  I totally get the orange peel on the palate alongside what I could best describe as strawberry soda pop.  It tastes almost sweet but there is no residual sugar here.  It may be the ripeness of the fruit at play.  Very nice, easygoing mouthfeel makes this a pleasure to sip.  It doesn’t have terrific structure left but it is holding out pretty well at 8 years old.  Perhaps till 2025 and pair it with lighter steaks, maybe roast duck, or even vegetables tossed with pasta and Olio.  89 points from me makes this $15 wine a 4 star effort.  Salut….

 

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Chateau Kefraya Les Breteches 2018, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

28 Tuesday Dec 2021

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$15, 4 stars, 89 points, bekaa valley, cabernet sauvignon, Cinsault, lebanon, syrah, tempranillo


I am cooking Middle Eastern fare so this blend of 40% Syrah, 25% Cab Sav, 20% Tempranillo and 15% Cinsault should go nicely.  It’s a deep ruby, almost opaque.  I get spices and brambly fruit on the nose.  Black currants, blackberry, plum and licorice.  There is also a smell that I can only describe as ‘purple fruit’.  It is mesmerizing.  The palate is dry with juicy acidity, nicely integrated tannins and lots of brooding dark fruit.  The purple factor is missing but I do get some meaty undertones along with some oak nuance by way of charred wood and the spices I caught on the nose.  Medium weight body and decently long finish.  The tannins are a little more grippy on the back end and balance out the acidity nicely, which is exactly what I need for the fatty lamb kofta skewers.  I like this wine, the varietals each contribute nicely to the package and it has good mouthfeel, even though it is still youthful.  I would drink till 2028 at the least.  This $15 wine gets 89 points from me and 4 stars.  Salut….

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The Flying Winemaker Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Wairarapa, New Zealand

11 Saturday Dec 2021

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$15, 4 stars, 89 points, new zealand, Sauvignon blanc, Wairarapa


Pale gold in the glass.  Strong aromas of lemon zest, lime, cut grass, cat pee, passion fruit and green apple.  A very predictable nose and exactly what I was looking for.  The palate is dry, crisp and tangy.  Citrus, grass, green apple and passion fruit flavors- thank god there’s no pee on the palate.  I find this wine to be light bodied and refreshing.  The finish is quite long and mouthwatering.  Good stuff to go with our Chinese takeaway.  89 points for this $15 Kiwi makes it a 4 star effort.  Serve chilled and drink by 2023.  Salut….

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Cantine di Ora ‘Kellerei Auer’ Pinot Grigio Sudtirol – Alto Adige 2019, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

09 Thursday Dec 2021

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$15, 4 stars, 89 points, Italy, pinot grigio, trentino-alto Adige


Pale gold in the glass this Pinot Grigio has aromas of pineapple, lemon curd, peach and a floral note.  On the palate this dry wine has medium intensity acidity and brims with tropical fruit flavors interlaced with citrus notes giving it a juicy finish.  The wine is medium bodied and has a medium finish which has an almond tinge to it.  I’m drinking it at room temperature but will chill it some for the Shrimp Jambalaya that is getting pieced together.  It would also pair well with fresh oysters or grilled fish.  I like it and for $15 this 89 pointer gets 4 stars.  Drink now.  Salut….

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Vieux Chateau Lamothe Blanc 2020, Bordeaux, France

17 Wednesday Nov 2021

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$15, 3 stars, 88 points, bordeaux, france, Muscadelle, Sauvignon blanc, semillon


This Bordeaux blend consists of 40% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Muscadelle.  It is a medium gold in the glass and the 12.5% ABV leaves barely a sheen of watery legs in the glass. On the nose it has all the makings of a classic Sav Blanc- gooseberry, cut grass, cat’s pee and pineapple with some waxy notes from the Semillon.  The palate is refreshing with medium acidity, light weight body and fresh flavors of gooseberry, pineapple, honeysuckle and that waxy note I got on the nose.  The finish is medium in length and is a touch tangy from the acidity.  I like this lightish wine that sports good fruit-forward notes with a nice mouthfeel that is easy to drink.  I would pair it with fresh seafood, lighter chicken dishes and salads.  For $15 it is a good one to stock up on for the short term, 88 points.  3 stars from me.  Salut….

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Chateau Pegau Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Maclura 2019, Rhone, France

27 Wednesday Oct 2021

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$15, 5 stars, 91 points, Cotes du rhone, france, grenache, mourvedre, syrah


I have a bottle of the famous Pegau from CDP in my cellar so when I saw this little brother- I had to try it.  A blend of Grenache 60%, Syrah 20%, Mourvèdre 10%, Cinsault 10% it is opaque ruby.  Nose is medium intense with raspberry, red plum, black pepper, game, black currant, vanilla and clove.  The palate has medium (+) tannins, medium acidity and medium body.  The fruit flavors are medium intensity and carry through to a decent length finish that is laced with grippy tannins.  This is a young, delicious Rhone wine that can be drunk young or cellar till 2030.  91 points gets this $15 bottle 5 stars.  Drink with rustic foods, stews or Venison.  Salut….

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Legado de Farro Godello 2018, Castilla y León, Spain

16 Saturday Oct 2021

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$15, 4 stars, 89 points, Castilla y leòn, godello, spain


Trying to pair a spicy Pork dish requires thought.  I’m gonna take a punt on this Godello which a grape from Spain.  It’s pale golden and shows no legs (12.5% ABV).  On the nose I get pronounced aromas of ripe tangerine, lemon, peach, acacia and perhaps a touch of buggle gum?  Exquisite smells.  On the palate it is dry, crisp with medium (+) acidity, low alcohol as mentioned, medium body and medium (+) flavors as on the nose, except the bubble gum!  It is very floral and aromatic, but it doesn’t pack a big punch- it’s more of a crisp wine.  The finish is medium length and tapers off with a nice minerality.  I like this wine and think it will work well with the pairing.  89 points and for $15 it gets 4 stars.  Drink now with seafood, or Jerk Pork!  Salut….

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Château Lamothe Bordeaux Blanc 2020, Bordeaux, France

06 Wednesday Oct 2021

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$15, 5 stars, 90 points, bordeaux, france, Sauvignon blanc, semillon


I recently tried the 2019 Lamothe and enjoyed it- so when the latest bottling came out I had to give it a go.  I’m banging up some clams in garlic and butter, this crisp wine is hopefully the perfect pairing.  It is quite a deep lemon color in the glass. The aromas are quite pronounced and I get lemon zest, honeysuckle, asparagus, geranium and pineapple.  The palate is dry, with medium acidity and medium weight body.  The alcohol is low at 12.5% which makes for a crisp mouthfeel.  The flavors are quite pronounced and echo the nose although I also get some lychee and other tropical notes.  It’s quite complex for a basic white Bordeaux blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc that runs $15.  I am thinking 90 points and 5 stars, drink now for the freshness. Salut….

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