Tag Archives: $17

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

Jettlynn Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

18 Thursday Dec 2014

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I bought several variations of this winery’s offerings at my local Costco.  $17 for a Paso Cabernet, I had to try it!  I was a little concerned at first, the cork was very stained almost to the top.  My fears were later put to rest.  Bright purple color in the glass.  Blackberry and iodine nose which was very unique.  Interesting mix of raspberry and oregano with black fruits on my first sip.  Good acidity gives this wine structure while the tannins are subdued. It finishes with raspberry and cherry cola flavors.  Tasty and fun Cabernet that gets 89 points and 3 stars from me.  Check them out some time.  Salut….

The offending cork, turned out to be okay after all.

The offending cork, turned out to be okay after all.

jettlynn cabernet sauvignon

Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz 2012

18 Sunday May 2014

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The third varietal in the Wolf Blass trilogy that was recently on sale is this Shiraz.  I enjoyed the Merlot and was impressed by the Cab Sav so I did not hesitate to buy this one for $10, list price being $17.  It opened up with plums and licorice on the nose, an interesting combo for this varietal. Blueberry and sour cherries came across on the palate with some nutmeg and leather rounding it out.  I was concerned about the balance and noticed some greenness in the tannins.  Whilst neither Rhone-like nor typical Aussie Shiraz, it had an interesting edge to it.  I think the tannin component has lowered the score and contributed to it’s imbalance.  Im going with 87 points and 3 stars.  Salut….

wolf glass yellow label shiraz

Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

17 Saturday May 2014

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Originally priced at $17, this was the other Wolf Blass I mentioned yesterday that was on sale for $10.  A steal, and tasty to boot.  This one came out of the gate with all cylinders firing.  It was inky purple in the glass and showed off a delightful nose of black currants and star anise.  My initial impression was very positive when I got Blackberry pie and some interesting vanilla on the first sip.  I enjoyed the ‘crispy’ tannins as they carried the wine to the mid palate where I tasted plums with a touch of acidity.  A very enjoyable wine that is a good buy at it’s regular price, making it a steal at the sale price.  It had a good amount of length and the mouthfeel was just right.  I would easily serve this up with beef stew on a cold night, or a juicy NY strip on the grill in the summer time.  I am going 90 points and 4 stars for this easy to find wine.  Salut….

wolf glass yellow label cabernet sauvignon

McCarthy & Schiering Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

31 Tuesday Dec 2013

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Brought to the table by my Seattle friend, whom we shall call Mr. Leebering.  I believe he paid $17 for this wine a few years back and has cellared it perfectly.  Very New World in profile but showing a hint of Bordeaux style maturity.  Multi-layered blueberry, dark cherry and leather swirl around with some earth and shaved pencil.  I enjoyed the smoothness of the tannins and the overall roundness of the wine.  Great balance and power.  I would imagine this wine is hitting peak right now and still has another 4 years minimum.  91 points and 5 stars for this outstanding effort.  Salut….

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