Tag Archives: $16

Marchesi Antinori Santa Cristina 2014, Chianti Superiore DOCG Tuscany, Italy

31 Wednesday May 2023

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Every so often I’ll buy a bin-end wine to hopefully give it one last shot at stardom.  This Chianti is pretty old and perhaps over the hill.  In the glass it is medium garnet with high viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose shows it’s age- stewed plum, baked cherry, dried herbs, porcini mushrooms, a touch of vanilla and coconut along with some coffee.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium tannins that are pretty well integrated.  The fruit notes are somewhat subdued and center around tart cherry pie with some baking spices and vanilla.  The stewed/cooked nature of the fruit is not as pronounced on the palate as the nose.  The body is medium in weight and carries through to a shortish finish.  It’s not a bad drop all things considered as I only paid $11 for it.  List was originally $22.  As for a score- 88 points from me and a drink by 2024 window, it’s getting tired and the structure won’t hold up much more.  4 stars considering what I paid.  I found this Sangiovese online for $14 for current vintages.  Salut….

Weingut Winzer Krems Ried Sandgrube Gruner Veltliner 2021, Kremstal DAC, Austria

15 Monday May 2023

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Pale lemon/lime colored with very slight petulance and a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose starts off with a spritzy lime zest, I can almost smell the effervescence.  White pepper, white peach, an amazing floral note of tropical flowers and orange blossom plus some vanilla thread at the very end.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium body.  This is a crisp wine with cut and a burst of verve from the pettilance.  I still get white stone fruit and some citrus but the florals are missing.  I can feel rather that taste the white pepper which is an interesting opening.  The finish features the effervescence as it tingles the underside of my tongue.  It goes on for a while and is intriguing.  I picked this wine to pair with grilled Peri Peri Prawns- I think the spice of the dish will balance out the sharp acidity.  Lovely stuff- this is $16 per bottle and gets 89 points from me making it a 5 star effort to drink in the near term.  Salut….

Hugl Wimmer Gruner Veltliner Classic 2021, Niederosterreich, Austria

09 Tuesday May 2023

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Pale lemon/lime colored with medium viscosity legs (13.5% ABV).  Medium intensity aromas of white pepper, lanolin, lime, pear, red apple and wet stone.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium body.  Flavors of silky lanolin with spicy white pepper and Bartlett pear mix with slightly underripe red apple and zingy citrus.  The finish is medium in length and a touch tart from the high acidity.  It’s refreshing, yet the full body is counterintuitive.  This comes in a 1 litre bottle for $16 and gets 88 points from me.  I’m pairing this 4 star wine with Thai Beef Kaprow and a vegetarian Green Curry.  Drink now.  Salut….

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

29 Wednesday Mar 2023

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Medium lemon colored with a watery sheen (12% ABV).  The nose gives me classic Sur-lie aromas of brioche and yeast along with bruised pear, white blossom, orange peel and chamomile.  The palate has a rounded mouthfeel of medium acidity and a medium (-) body. Flavors of citrus and brioche with pear and florals are evident.  The finish is a touch astringent but has a saline twang as well.  It carries on for a decent length.  I think this $16 wine gets 86 points and 3 stars from me.  Drink with seafood till 2024.  Salut….

Stepp Gewurztraminer 2020, Pfalz, Germany

04 Saturday Feb 2023

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Medium lemon colored with medium legs (13.5% ABV).  The nose is very aromatic with lychees, rose, orange peel, lemon and some grapefruit.  Hints of ginger and white blossom come later.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body.  The flavors are delicious- tropical fruit interlaced with citrus and floral notes, a touch of ginger snap and some slight bitterness.  The finish is medium in length and a bit one dimensional.  Not overly complex, this is a very tasty wine that I am going to pair with some spicy shrimp tacos.  I paid $16 for this bottle that gets 89 points from me and 4 stars.  Drink till 2025 as an aperitif or with Asian dishes, perhaps some charcuterie.  Salut….

Sorby Adams Jellicoe Shiraz 2017, Eden Valley, Australia

14 Friday Oct 2022

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Medium ruby turning garnet color from this 5 year old wine.  The nose has aromas of black raspberry, red plum, menthol, licorice, coffee and some ripe blackberry.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) tannins and a full body.  It coats the mouth with richness and flavors of black raspberry, coffee, anise, plum and blackberry.  It ends with some charred oak notes alongside the dark red/black fruit.  The finish is medium length with some tingle from the alcohol (14% ABV) and tannins.  I like this style of wine, not over-top-top jammy.  It is a more restrained Shiraz that obviously has ripe fruit and good structure.  90 points from me for this $17 effort makes it a 5 star wine.  I’m pairing with stewed leg of lamb and roasted aubergine.  Drink till 2016.  Salut….

Franc Dusak Moon Mountain Viognier 2021, Sonoma County, California

04 Tuesday Oct 2022

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Pale straw colored with thick legs (13.5%ABV).  The nose has pronounced aromas of lemon curd, honeysuckle, white flower blossom, dill, fleur de sel and stone fruit.  The palate is barely dry with medium acidity and a medium (+) body.  Really nice flavors of citrus and florals with a wax and honey note alongside some briny minerality that makes this a delicious wine.  It ends with a mid length finish that is lush and waxy.  Yum.  This 91 pointer sells for $16 and gets 5 stars from me.  I’m pairing it with steamed mussels and garlic, you could try grilled mackerel or salmon.  Drink till 2023.  Salut….

Forte Incanto Primitivo 2020, Salento IGT Puglia, Italy

01 Saturday Oct 2022

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Primitivo is also known as Tribidrag and Crljenak Kasteljanski in Croatia, but more common to us- Zinfandel.  This Italian bottle has a deep ruby coloring and thick legs.  The nose is pronounced with aromas of black cherry, licorice, charcoal, black pepper, black plum and dark currants.  The palate is dry with bracing tannins and a good dose of acidity.  There is an astringent and green sensation that is immediate on the attack, downplaying the fruit.  When I finally get to the flavors- dark fruit with charred oak notes and licorice.  Medium to full bodied it has a medium length finish.  It’s a young wine that needs cellaring or decanting/aerating.  I am pairing it with spaghetti and meat sauce, probably the best choice for this very dry and tannic red.  88 points from me and for $16 it gets 3 stars.  Drink from 2024-2028.  Salut….

Antonio Díez Martín Tempranillo Crianza 2017, Ribera del Duero, Spain

26 Monday Sep 2022

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This wine is deep ruby colored with thin, piercing legs that move slowly indicating a high alcohol level (14.5% ABV).  The nose gives me vanilla and dust right off the bat. Pomegranate, black plum, açaí, clove and sarsaparilla come next.  The palate is dry with medium (+) tannins and medium (+) acidity.  This full-bodied wine has flavors of bramble, black plum, pomegranate and oak by way of vanilla, clove and a charcoal note.  Typical for the region I get dusty, earthy hints and the wine goes on to a medium length finish.  The fruit doesn’t taste fully ripe to me, it’s somewhat green unfortunately and this will cost it a point or two.  The structure is there but the finish is  quite astringent.  Perhaps a decant is in order?   I’m roasting a Rump Steak with all the trimmings, it should pair nicely.  For $17 this 88 point wine gets 4 stars.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

Quinta Das Carvalhas Tinto 2017, Douro, Portugal

18 Thursday Aug 2022

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A blend of 60% Touriga Nacional with the balance between Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) from the Douro, it is medium to deep purple colored.  The nose has a bit of heat initially but then I get aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, saddle leather, vanilla, a touch of raisin and star anise. The palate is dry with medium (+) tannins and medium acidity.  Think black tea meets charcoal with a melange of very sun-ripened black fruits.  It’s a full bodied wine that sports a hefty 14.5% ABV (which I noticed on the nose) and carries through to a medium length finish.  For $16 this is a delicious wine that will cellar well till 2028 and drink nicely now if you like a touch of dryness.  91 points and 5 stars.  Salut….