Tag Archives: $17

Barista Pinotage 2016, Paarl, South Africa

08 Thursday Feb 2018

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I’m always on the lookout for new stuff.  I love Pinotage, finding it rather unique and somewhat inconsistent in flavor profiles between producers.  That is not necessarily bad, it just adds to the different variations I can try of a unique to SA grape, grown in a rather limited geographical area.

This one is medium depth purple in the glass.  The nose is delicious.  Just what I was hoping for when I purchased this $17 bottle.  Tar, violets, plum and that rubber smell that squarely denotes Pinotage.  The palate is very rich, warm and full bodied.  It gives off mocha, chocolate dust, star anise, blackberry, creosote and plum on the palate.  Tannins are very refined, subdued and well integrated.  The acidity is on pointe, not overbearing.  The finish is medium in length and consists of mainly plum and that tar component I seek in this varietal.  Good stuff!  I am drinking this by itself but would pair it with roast chicken, wild game, steak and moussaka.  I am going with 89 points and 4 stars.  I have to disagree with the 86 point rating it got from one trade magazine, this wine belongs in my cellar for the short to medium term, drinking till 2022.  Salut….

WillaKenzie Estate ‘Estate Grown’ Pinot Gris 2015, Willamette Valley, USA

04 Sunday Jun 2017

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My folks are in town for JJ’s Ballet performance.  Mum likes the whites and I figured some Pinot Grigio/Gris would work well for a warmish weekend.  This one was a very pale yellow- which is a good thing for this varietal.  Nose of lemons, pomelo and green apples.  The initial taste is rather surprising- more body than I imagined with hints of wax, lemons, bergamot.  The mid palate exhibits a citrusy component that I’m enjoying.  The acidity is very mild and doesn’t really hit the palate until the finish.  Speaking of which, it is mid length and laden with more citrus in the form of lemon peel and a hint of lanolin.  89 points and a great opener to a Friday night!  $17 buys this charmer all day long and it gets 3 stars from me, I’m buying more!  Salut….

willakenzie pinot gris

Quinta do Crasto ‘Crasto’ 2015, Douro, Portugal

13 Saturday May 2017

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Really bright opaque purple in the glass.  The nose is inky with a touch of plum.  The palate starts off with plums, a raisin component and some oak.  A deft hand has been at work here with the tannins, they are powerful yet well integrated.  There is a freshness that I am enjoying on the mid palate along with the dryness of the tannins.  A finish of bright blueberry, tannins and a touch of heat carries on for a while.  Surprising really as this wine only weighs in at 13.5 %.  A blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and some Tinta Barroca.  It is actually very yummy and will rock the pork tenderloins roasting in the oven with onions and some sautéed Kale.  I’m going 90 points on this one.  Paid $17 which makes it a 4 star wine.  I have always thought of Portuguese wine as being very tasty, affordable and a go to if in a pinch.  Salut….

Quinta do Crasto 'Crasto', Douro, Portugal

La Croix Barton 2011 Bordeaux Superieur

22 Sunday Jan 2017

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I have drunk a ton of La Croix Barton, the underwhelming 2008 vintage, followed by the far better 2009.  I have not seen the 2010 but found the 11 waiting for me!

A see through purple in the glass with a nose of black currant, violet and coffee.  The initial tastes are muted by the forward tannins, but I eventually get dark fruits, green pepper and plum.  Very young and hiding behind the mouth searing tannins, this wine needs decanting or aerating.

The travel aerator

The travel aerator

I ran it through the aerator and voila… nowhere near as tannic, with approachable berry fruits, some tobacco, and still some green peppers. The wine carries these primal flavors through the mid palate and onto the finish. It is somewhat one dimensional as far as flavors go, but it should evolve given a few years. I paid around $17 for it and am giving it 88 points for now. I think it may get better with some age, and I will certainly re-visit it. 3 stars. Salut….

la croix-barton 2011

Albert Bichot Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes 2006

14 Saturday May 2016

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I bought this bottle at a wine shop that was closing and sat on it (forgot about it) until recently.  Nice, rich looking see-through purple in the glass. A nose of cherry, cola and earth. On the initial taste I got blue berries, lingonberry and a swath of swirling acidity. After a few minutes of air time the wine opens up even more, with sharper concentration of fruit with some tannins mingling with the acidity. A mid palate of plum puree hits me now and the tannins are defined, which for Pinot is rare. This wine is 10 years young and has much life left in it, I reckon maturity will hit in 2020 at the earliest. An entry level Burgundy that I really enjoyed. 88 points. $17 or so make this 3 stars in my books.  Salut….

albert bichot bourgogne vielille vignes

Domaine Carrette Pouilly-Fuisse 2014

14 Saturday May 2016

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Very light yellow with a citrus infused nose of lemons and slate.  Fresh and zesty on the palate with lemon, green apple and flint. Very focused and clean. Moxie thought it was too tart but I am enjoying it’s minerality. The wine needs raw clams, steamed shrimp or some Alfredo. 90 points and for $17 it’s a 4 star wine to buy for the summer.  Salut….

domaine carrette pouilly fuise

Jettlynn Black Label Gout De Miel NV

18 Saturday Apr 2015

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The third wine from Jettlynn that I purchased at Costco for about $17.  Pale yellow with a citrus nose and perhaps a touch of yeast welcomed me.  A creamy mouthfeel of green pear, yellow apple and cardamom. An interesting blend of 65% Grenache Blanc, 15% Muscat, 10% Chardonnay and 10% Riesling.  Mild acidity and a decent finish for 87 points make it a solid 3 star wine in my books.  12.9% alcohol was light and refreshing.  This wine would rock some blackened fish, perhaps a brick oven white pizza….mmmm.  Non-vintage from Paso Robles.  Salut….

jettlynn gout de miel

Jettlynn Winery Mon Couer Masters Blend

05 Sunday Apr 2015

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I forgot to not the vintage and the picture does not show it so I am going with NV.  I bought it at Costco for $17, but the winery advertises it at $70.  Wow.

Anyway, I have tried the Jettlynn Cabernet Sauvignon before and was happy with it.  I was looking forward to this bottle as it blends together many of my favorites, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah amongst the staples of Cab Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.  Purple hued with a nose of violets, blackberry jam and eucalyptus.  A fresh and tannic intro of black berries, cinnamon, plum and orange peel. Young tannins are still integrating but it won’t stop you from popping it with some grilled lamb. Not much acidity, which makes me curious about its cellaring potential. 5 years?? 89 points and very tasty.  For the $17 its a no-brainer 3 star wine.  Get some if you see it for that price.  Salut….

jettlynn mon couer

Charles Smith Boom Boom Syrah 2013

05 Sunday Apr 2015

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If you have been following the last several posts you will know I went on a California adventure with my son.  Apart from the two wineries that we visited, I made sure I was stocked with wine for each evening.  I was super excited to find numerous different Charles Smith wines, of which we cannot seem to get on the East Coast.  This was actually the second bottle that I opened.  The first was a Charles and Charles Merlot, out by the hotel fire pit while my son was making s’mores.  I took no notes, just enjoying the moment of father/son time and relishing the fresh evening breeze of the Monterey Peninsula.  The  Boom Boom is a Syrah from Washington State with pretty purple hues and a nose of candies, plum and oak.  Whilst not my favorite profile it appeals to many so I will not let that detract from the score.  A gentle entry of plum sorbet and dark cherry with a touch of heat. It’s a very easy drinker with slight tannins and a hint of acidity. This is an everyday drinker that will please many when paired with burgers, beef brisket, even barbecued chicken with a tangy sauce. 88 points from me and therefore 3 stars for this $17 effort.  Salut….

charles smith boom boom syrah

The Boom Boom

Charles and Charles Merlot- not reviewed

Charles and Charles Merlot- not reviewed

The fire pit, just at the edge of the golf course

The fire pit, just at the edge of the golf course

Erath Pinot Gris 2013

04 Wednesday Mar 2015

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Wow, it’s been a busy month around here with broken water pipes, a busted 15 year old dishwasher, kids getting surgeries (yes multiple), I broke my foot and Moxie got a spike in the sidewall of a new tire (Why did I decline the insurance two months ago when I bought the damned thing?).  Oh, son number 3 hit his head ice skating today (quick trip to the urgent care).  So, I decided to heat up some leftovers, pour myself a big glass of this bad boy and try to relax.

My first impression was that the wine had a beautiful yellow/golden color but with a pinkish tinge, very unique.  On the nose- Pear/quince, very pinpoint…A crispy entrance of green pears, kumquat and ginger kept me on the edge.  The mid palate offered up some sweet plantain and lime, mesmerizing.  This wine is fresh with an acidic sting and a balanced mouthfeel. 89 points from me and at $17 this is a great wine to pair with oysters, chicken salad or even a tuna sandwich.  3 stars and definitely a repeat purchase for me.  Salut….

erath pinot gris