17 Thursday Aug 2017
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$20, 4 stars, 90 points, Ribera del duero, spain, tempranillo
Dark purple in the glass. An intriguing nose of Cloves, black pepper and blackberry. On the palate- dark berries, ink, dust. Delicious. The mid palate is a smooth transition to some blue fruits including a plum reduction. The finish has some very fine grained tannins and blueberry compote. A very intricate wine that needs a cellar imho. Drink from 2018 to 2025. 90 points and 4 stars for this $20 effort. Salut….
13 Sunday Aug 2017
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Very dark purple for a Pinot? On the nose- it screams heavy duty new world Pinot Noir- Except it isn’t. I was misled by the bartender who stated it was PN, not a blend of Zin, Syrah and Pinot Noir. No wonder I was confused!
Strawberry, raspberry, a touch of wood, and some espresso bean comes across on the nose. On the palate it’s a whole lotta strawberry meets cherry jam and reb currant coulis. Very rich and flavorful. This is not a subtle wine, more like ‘HELLO, IT’S ME!’
I like this wine, a lot- albeit it’s not my preferred style. It offers depth, muscle, extraction and is not afraid to show it. The mid palate continues the same theme as does the long finish. Some would say this is one -dimensional, I like it every so often. It is focused on its core elements and sticks with it. The tannins are barely perceptible as is the acidity. Drinking beautifully now, I would pair it with Filet Mignon and creamed Swiss Chard, perhaps a roasted duck with earthy veggies. Deelish and worthy of 92 points from me. I think it can be found for around $20, which makes it a steal. (My rating was way higher than others, I guess I must see something in this wine.) 5 stars. Salut….
22 Saturday Jul 2017
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See through dark purple. Nose of vibrant dark cherry, some oak and blueberry pie. On the palate this wine is young, with vibrant blue fruits and spice box. The mid palate shows some very lithe tannins and more blueberry notes. The wine has a minerality to it that I am enjoying. Zest is the word that best describes the mouthfeel, the 13.5% alcohol providing just a slight bite while the acidity gives it cut. The tannins are hitting the gums on the finish with more blueberries on tail end. Refreshing and decent for $20, 90 points and 4 stars. Drink now, but some cellaring will reward. Till 2025. Salut….
03 Monday Jul 2017
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$20, 5 stars, 92 points, Ribera del duero, spain, tempranillo
It’s been a while since I have had any 2004 Miros, but I came across this bottle when I was cellar diving. It’s a fun sport, I recommend it all the time! The wine has held up well from the looks of the ever so gently bricking colors. The purple is still evident, with just a touch of orange on the edges. On the nose, I am delighted to report some very earthy Tempranillo overtones, mixed with blueberry pie. My initial taste is fantastic, this wine has aged well. The blueberry fruit is still forthright but there is a strong sense of earth, some funky dirt and a lashing of nice acidity to go with the very fine grained tannins still swirling about. This wine is at peak. The mid palate exhibits more blue fruits and a slight dryness to go along with the layers of flavor. The finish is mostly a tannic affair with some black cherries and a tar component. Really a well made wine that I have enjoyed over the years. Drink it on its own or with some charcuterie. It will drink well for a few more years, no rush. 92 points all things considered. I paid $20 back in 2011, wishing I had bought more than just the case plus two Magnums. 5 stars for sure. Salut….
28 Wednesday Jun 2017
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A very purply purple, quite distinctive. The nose is very fruity with plums, black berries and cedar shavings. On the palate I get more black berries, but also some red currants and a vanilla bean component. The mid palate has more of the black berries and some bracing acidity. Tannins are very integrated and mild, when they appear on the tail end. There is a slight bitterness to the wine that I find odd. It’s not tannin related, which is unfortunately a distractor. This wine is going to rock the Strip roast I am cooking in the smoker, along with some Artichokes and a tarragon mayo. I am going with 88 points on this wine, which I paid $20 for. A decent wine once past the bitterness. It may just be me as it got 91-94 points from various pros. It gets 2 stars from me unfortunately. Salut….
10 Saturday Jun 2017
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$20, 4 star, 90 points, carneros, carneros pinot noir, Napa, pinot noir
I travel a ton through the San Francisco airport where there is an American Express Centurion lounge. This particular lounge has a wine tasting machine that includes some very delectable offerings such as this lovely Carneros Pinot Noir. Sorry about the poor image quality but I had to shoot through the glass of the vending machine.
Very opaque, on the lighter side of purple. The nose is very much New World- strawberries, nutmeg and a touch of anise. The initial taste is very easygoing, delicate and fruity with framboise, strawberry and barely a trace of acidity or tannins at this stage. The mid palate has a slightly green edge to it and this is where I detect some tannic components as well as a balancing acidity- both of which are very mild. This wine has elegance and seduction, is very understated yet somewhat complex and nicely crafted. The finish has a decent length to it and comprises of more strawberry and now a touch of bing cherry. Tannins are present till the very end. 90 points, $20 make this a 4 star wine to drink from now till 2022 with grilled salmon, veal scallopini or just some good cheese and meat cuts. Salut….
24 Monday Apr 2017
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Dark purple in the glass, very dense. The nose sports some really delicious aromas of blueberry, spice box and some oak. I also get a whiff of twizzlers right at the end.
On the palate the blueberry theme continues, laced with a ton of tannins that leave the gums all dry. The wine has some juicy acidity, which is needed considering the dryness I am encountering. The blue fruits continue onto the finish, which is quite long. A certain floral hint hits the mid palate that melds well with the berry component. I am digging this wine and reckon it would really do well with Ribeye and roasted sweet potato rounds. It begs for a fatty cut to offset the tannins, which are very tightly wound and help build the backbone of this wine. I would drink till 2024. 90 points from me, but I just looked up my order and noticed it got 95 from Decanter, that’s a big score. I paid $20, but it was on sale from $40. 3 stars for retail pricing but a 4 star effort for the sale price! Salut….
18 Saturday Mar 2017
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$20, 4 stars, 90 points, cabernet sauvignon, Italy, merlot, nero d'avola
Reddish purple and opaque in the glass. Nose of rhubarb and Swiss chard leaves. I’m not going to lie- it’s a bit off putting. The palate is a whole different story, thank god. Vibrant cherry and red raspberry notes with juicy acidity and balanced tannins. The mid palate is really delicious, yet supremely dry from the tannins. More red fruits emerge with some hints of nutmeg. The finish is medium in length and offers more raspberries. I found out it is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Nero D’Avola, which is a grape I hold near and dear. Overall a very juicy and decent wine that gets 90 points from me. I paid $20 and am going with 4 stars. Salut….
10 Friday Mar 2017
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$20, 2 stars, 86 points, cabernet sauvignon, Italy, sangiovese, Tuscan
I just saw the 95 point sticker on the label, it must be good or this particular critic is dead to me…
Dark purple color, from the 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Lets see what the 50% Sangiovese brings. Olives, plum jam and seaweed hit the nose. On the palate I get a very intriguing flavor. I can’t quite put my finger on it…Black plums, dark, dark stone fruits and perhaps black tea leaves. I am getting a very one dimensional hit of tannins as well. The mid palate is all black tea and tannins. The finish is bitter, with faint notes of black plum and oversteeped tea. I don’t get it. This wine was hyped by a pro, written up by the seller as soft and supple, with gentle tannins. Quite the opposite for me, and bottle variation doesn’t count here. This wine is barely 86 points in my book and for $20 I think I will look elsewhere. 2 stars. Salut….
19 Sunday Feb 2017
Posted in Wine
Have you ever had Ribena? That is exactly what this blockbuster looks like in the glass. It is a 100% Merlot from Tuscany that got huge marks from some pros. I bought in on the hype and could afford the $20 entry fee.
The nose is rich with blackberry and stone. The initial taste is really delicious, with more black berries and plum mixing it up with gorgeous tannins and acidity. I also get smoky mineral notes. These flavors transcend the mid plate and meet up with dried blueberry on the finish. The tannins are lush in this wine and give off a nice mouthfeel all the way through the finish.
I must be missing something about the 97 points given by an Italian critic, for me this is a solid wine that should get 90. For the price paid it is a really good Merlot that I will be serving with Sunday Roast- 4 stars. Salut.
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