Tag Archives: $17

Ravines Wine Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Finger Lakes, New York

25 Thursday Sep 2025

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Pale straw colored with lowish viscosity (12.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of cut grass, lemon/lime soda, passion fruit, papaya, and cut green herbs.  The palate is dry, with high acidity, and a medium (-) body.  The flavors are medium in intensity and mirror the nose ending with a medium length finish.  There’s nothing too exciting going on, it’s a subtle approach to Sauvignon Blanc.  I am pairing it with Lobster Scampi, I think the acidity will go nicely with the buttery garlic.  88 points from me for this $17 effort makes it a 3 star wine to enjoy in the short term.  Salut….

Ravines Wine Cellars Sauvignon Blanc

Williamsburg Winery Semi-dry Rosé 2023, Williamsburg, Virginia

19 Monday May 2025

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Pale strawberry colored, with a watery sheen (12% ABV). The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of red grapefruit pith, strawberry, red cherry, tangerine, fresh green herbs, and white blossom.  The palate is barely off-dry, with medium (+) acidity, and a medium (-) body.  Medium intensity flavors of red cherry, strawberry, tangerine, grapefruit pith and a lovely, airy, floral note.   The finish is medium in length- crunchy with great acidity coupled with red fruit flavors.  The residual sugar (1.5g/l) is just noticeable and really balances out the rather high acidity, making the wine taste fresh and zippy.  It’s a great aperitif and would pair nicely with a salmon salad, shrimp cocktail or a hard-cheese board.  I like it.  88 points and for $17- it gets 4 stars.  An interesting blend of 52% Tinta Cao, 32% Vidal Blanc and 16% Roussanne that will drink well until 2028.  Salut….

Williamsburg Winery Semi-dry Rose

Fram Cinsault 2021, Citrusdal Mountain, South Africa

14 Wednesday May 2025

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Pale ruby colored, with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of cranberry, rhubarb, red cherry, vanilla, coffee, singed alder, and a slightly green herb note.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium (-) body, and medium (-) tannins.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of rhubarb, cranberry, red cherry, and charred wood.  The finish is medium in length, slightly tart and very delicious.  This wine started off with a muted nose, attacked with really enjoyable red fruit and has a delightful structure that is very appealing.  This varietal is normally blended or used in rosé production.  Seeing it as a stand alone was a no-brainer.   Really yummy and worthy of 90 points.  I would drink it till 2028 with lighter meat dishes, the delicacy of this wine does not need a big fatty Ribeye.  For $17 a bottle, you gotta grab a few.  5 stars.  Salut….

Fram Cinsault

Domaine la Soumade Rasteau 2019, Rhone, France

06 Sunday Apr 2025

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Deep purple colored with copper highlights, slight staining, and a high viscosity (15% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of red and black raspberry, black cherry, violets, game, blackberry, black licorice, and saline.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body, and medium (+) tannins that are youthful and frontal.  The intensity of the palate is slightly less than the nose but echoes the varied red and black fruit, spice nuance and gamy note.  It’s a touch astringent, the tannins feel a bit green and persistent.  The alcohol is noticeable, not only on the nose, but on the mid palate and finish.  It eventually blows off.  The finish is medium (+) in length and concentrates on the black raspberry and game notes. I picked this wine to pair with rack of lamb, I think it will work out nicely, the tannins should resolve with the fat of the dish.  89 points from me for this Southern Rhone blend of Grenache (70%), Syrah (20%), and Mourvèdre (10%).  At $17, it gets 3 stars from me.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….

Domaine la Soumade Rasteau

Patrice Grasset Chenin Blanc 2022, Vouvray, France

21 Tuesday Jan 2025

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Pale lemon colored with strawberry highlights, and a high viscosity (12.5% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon zest, tangerine, wax, wool, grapefruit pith, quince, slate, white blossom, and white pepper.  The palate is a hint off-dry with medium (+) acidity, and a medium (+) body.  The flavors are quite pronounced- quince, grapefruit pith, lemon and tangerine with some interesting wool notes.  There is a waxy feel to this wine which is varietally correct.  The finish is medium (+) in length and weighty.  I am enjoying this $17 bottle that I will be pairing with baked Mackerel.  It gets 90 points from me and 5 stars.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Patrice Grasset Vouvray Chenin Blanc

Gerd Anselmann Dornfelder 2023, Pfalz, Germany

18 Monday Nov 2024

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Deep purple colored with moderate staining and a medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of candied raspberry, red licorice, candied red apple, grape bubble gum, spice box and green asparagus.  The palate is slightly off-dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium (-) body, and low tannins.  It’s super easy to sip this wine- the mouthfeel is made for easy drinking. The flavors are red fruit in nature, either ripe or I think the residual sugar is messing with my taste buds.  The green notes make way for a slightly bitter hint, akin to steeped black tea.  There is a smoky note and also some spice.  The finish is short and concise.  It’s a very interesting wine that is rather simple yet very pleasing- I like it as much as the 2020 vintage I tasted recently.  87 points for this $17 bottle make for a 3 star wine to pop-n-pour.  Pair with lighter meats or vegetarian pasta dishes.  Salut….

Gerd Anselmann Pfalz Dornfelder

Leo Hillinger Blaufrankisch 2021, Burgenland, Austria

16 Thursday May 2024

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Medium ruby fading to a silver rim with medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blueberry, violet, blackberry, white pepper, baking spice and marzipan.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and medium tannins.  Flavors of slightly green blueberry, blackberry, baking spice and some florals with a tart medium length finish.  It’s an interesting drop- the structure leans towards the tart which keeps it fresh and lighter on the palate.  Suggested pairings would be pasta, grilled mackerel or even a heavily seasoned chicken roast.  88 points for this $17 bottle makes it a 3 star wine to drink till 2027.  Salut….

Finca Nueva Crianza 2018, Rioja DOCa, Spain

15 Thursday Feb 2024

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Deep ruby, inky with slight staining and high viscosity (14% ABV).  Aromas of vanilla, baking spices, ripe blackberry, violets, blackcurrant ganache, mocha and blueberry pie.  Dry with medium acidity, medium tannins and a full body. Flavors of  blackberry, dusty earth, violets, blackcurrant, blueberry and vanilla lead to a medium (+) length finish that has some baking spice warmth.  The tannins are delightful and silky.  91 points for this Tempranillo that runs $17 makes it a 5 star wine.  Drink till 2030.  Salut…. 

Fox Run Vineyards Kaiser Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay 2021, Seneca Lake, New York

08 Thursday Feb 2024

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Pale lemon colored with medium viscosity (12.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of lemon zest, marzipan, brioche, white blossom, grapefruit pith, vanilla thread and white pear.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body.  Flavors of acacia, white blossom, lemon zest, marzipan and brioche with a hint of white pear.  The finish is medium in length and centers on the brioche and white blossom.  I liked this bottle at the winery and I like it now in my tasting cocoon.   It gets 89 points from me and for $17- 4 stars.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

Anton Bauer Gruner Veltliner Ried Gmirk 2021, Wagram, Austria

11 Monday Dec 2023

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Pale platinum lemon colored with a watery sheen (12.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of wool, white pepper, lemon zest, grapefruit pith, saline and petrichor.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a light body.  The pepper and wool notes resonate right away followed by the citrus peel, pith and zest.  Wet stone is prevalent on the mid palate with a touch of bitterness.  The back end is tart with citrus and carries on for a medium finish that is quite refreshing.  I’m baking some lemon/ butter Barramundi and rice to pair, should work quite well.  Drink this light and lively number till 2025.  89 points from me for this $17 bottle makes it a 4 star effort.  Salut….