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Tag Archives: $20

Artazu Pasos de San Martin Garnacha 2016, Navarra, Spain

05 Sunday Jan 2025

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$20, 3 stars, 89 points, garnacha, grenache, navarra, spain, VWTC


Tasted at our 38th virtual wine tasting- this Garnacha performed decently for many in the group.  It had a a medium garnet complexion with medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  On the nose we smelled lavender, smoke, peat, barnyard funk, cranberry, blackberry, raspberry, black olives, and some funky blue cheese.  The palate had medium (-) acidity, a medium body, and medium (+) tannins that are nicely integrated.  Green peppercorn flavors with black olives, red raspberry, black cherry, black pepper, and that funky blue cheese led to a medium length finish.  This wine was just okay for me and got 11 points on our tasting sheet but scored 89 points for technical merit.  At $20, I would like to revisit this 3 star effort and give it a chance to open up and release the funk.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Artazu Pasos de San Martin Garnacha

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Babylonstoren Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Simonsberg-Paarl, South Africa

16 Saturday Nov 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 92 points, cabernet sauvignon, Simonsberg-Paarl, South Africa


Deep purple colored with slight staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has  medium (+) intensity aromas of blackberry, black plum, vanilla, coffee, acai berry, mint, cedar plank and charred oak.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body, and medium (+) tannins.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of black fruits with nicely integrated oak – giving vanilla, coffee, cedar and charred oak notes.  It has a medium (+) ending that wraps the fruit and oak into a focussed finish.  The tannins resolve quickly btw leaving a nice mouthfeel.  I dig this $20 effort and think it’s a 92 point wine to drink till 2028.  5 stars for the price/quality ratio.  Salut….

babylonstoren Cabernet Sauvignon

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Raats ‘Red Jasper’ 2021, Stellenbosch, South Africa

03 Sunday Nov 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 91 points, bordeaux blend, Cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, Malbec, merlot, petit verdot, South Africa, stellenbosch


Medium ruby colored with moderate staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of black plum, capsicum, black cherry, acai berry, vanilla, coffee, baking spice, charred oak, peppermint and dusty dried wheat (I know).  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that hit on the tip of my tongue.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of black plum, black cherry, espresso, Lapsang Souchong tea, vanilla, baking spice and charred oak.  The back end is very powerful with tea, black coffee, and charred oak being prominent.  The finish is quite dry with the tannins holding their own all the way through to a medium length ending.  It’s a different profile but very delicious if paired with food.  It’s Sunday roast so the meat and gravy will sort this delicious wine out nicely.  91 points from me for this $20 effort makes it a 5 star wine to drink till 2030.  Mainly Cabernet Franc (53%) it also has Malbec, Cab Sav, Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot- the Classic Bordeaux blend.  Salut….

Raats Red Jasper

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Fox Run Vineyards Silvan Riesling 2021, Seneca Lake, New York

31 Saturday Aug 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 91 points, finger lakes, New York, riesling


Pale gold with a watery sheen (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of petrol, tangerine pith, peach, apricot, white and orange blossom.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  Flavors of peach, apricot, tangerine pith (with its associated bitterness), some toast and white blossom.  I was hoping for some petrol notes, but alas I may have to wait a few years for that to develop on the palate.  The acidity is cutting on the back-end where the finish is medium in length and a touch astringent.  It’s a nice drop for sure- 91 points worth and for the $20 price point it gets 5 stars.  Drink till 2030.   Salut….

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Bodegas Neo ‘Sentido’ 2020, Ribera del Duero, Spain

26 Monday Aug 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 92 points, Ribera del duero, spain, tempranillo


Deep ruby colored, almost inky- with high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of ripe blackberry, bramble, dusty earth, elderberry, coconut, charred oak and pine needles.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are slightly chalky.  Flavors of ripe black berries with that telltale dust combine with American oak nuance of coconut and dill.  The oaky charred note is there but diminished.  The finish is medium (+) in length but turns a bit hot at the end.  I like this Crianza level wine- it’s charming, structured and tasty.  92 points.  I am pairing this Tempranillo with some half-smoke sausages and fried potatoes.  For under $20, this one gets 5 stars.  Drink till 2029.  Salut….

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Bodega Gaintza ‘Gaintza’ 2021, Getariako Txakolina, Spain

13 Tuesday Aug 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 91 points, getariako txakolina, gros manseng, hondarabi zuri, spain


Pale to medium lemon colored with high viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of lanolin, lemon curd, grapefruit zest and pith, orange blossom, salted caramel, peach, melon and cantaloupe.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a light body.  I don’t see any spritz in the glass but the wine tingles my tongue ever so slightly which is a feature of this region/varietal.  Citrus dominates with sea spray, blossom, peach and melon supporting.  It has a zingy finish that lasts medium in length for the flavor but long with the acidity.  It’s a very refreshing wine to pair with seafood, especially on a hot day.  I’m baking Mahi Mahi filets and this is going to work a treat.  Overall, this $20 gets high marks with me at 91 points and 5 stars.  I would drink till 2026.  85% Hondarrabi Zuri, 15% Gros Manseng.  Salut….

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Glenelly Estate Reserve Red 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

09 Friday Aug 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 92 points, Cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot, South Africa, stellenbosch, syrah


Deep ruby, inky in fact, with high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of cassis, blackberry compote, mint, violets, tobacco, coffee, vanilla, baking spice, Rooibos tea, acai berry, blueberry and a medicinal note.  Quite layered and developing.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium tannins that have melded nicely.  Charred oak is the first thing I taste followed by ripe blackberry, cassis, blueberry, acai berry, vanilla, mint, Rooibos tea and that medicinal note (from oak).  The finish is medium (+) in length and focuses on the charred oak notes.  I like this blend of 43% Cab Sav, 21% Merlot, 15% Syrah, 11% Petit Verdot and 10% Cab Franc- it’s silky and layered reminding me of an aged Bordeaux.  It will develop more and last till 2030 methinks, getting 92 points and for $20- 5 stars.  It begs for a meat stew or grilled game.  Imma stock up on this beauty.  Salut….

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Vinedos y Bodegas Gormaz ‘Catania’ Reserva 2017, Ribera del Duero, Spain

06 Saturday Jul 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 91 points, Ribera del duero, spain, tempranillo


Deep ruby with some copper and orange highlights and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of black plum, blackberry, vanilla, baking spice, coconut shavings, mint, tobacco, loam and leather.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are a still quite grippy after 7 years.  Ripe black fruit with healthy yet well done oak treatment which gives me vanilla, coconut, baking spice and coffee.  Dried herbs with loam, mint, leather and tobacco round out the flavor profile.  The finish is long yet a touch astringent and tangy from the acidity.  It’s still youthful in structure even thought the aromas and flavors are developing nicely- it’s a bit disjointed.  I would love to revisit in a year or two, I think it has lots of potential and will score it accordingly at 91 points.  For under $20 it’s worth stocking the cellar with this Spanish Tempranillo that gets 5 stars.  Drink from 2025 till 2030.  Salut….

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J. Hofstatter Steinraffler Lagrein 2020, Alto Adige Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

16 Thursday May 2024

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$20, 4 stars, 89 points, Italy, lagrein, trentino-alto Adige


Deep garnet colored with low viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of açaí berry, blueberry, fennel stalk, violets, charred wood and perfumed bramble.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, light to medium body and medium (-) tannins- a very easygoing mouthfeel.  Flavors of blueberry, açaí berry, bramble with some green but not vegetal notes alongside bright florals.  It’s a nice, light wine with good aromatics and flavors that finishes with a medium (+) length.  If you are a red fan but don’t like tannic monsters, this one’s for you.  89 points and 4 starts for this $20 bottle to drink till 2028.  Salut….

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Trivento Golden Reserve Black Series Malbec 2021, Uco Valley, Argentina

15 Wednesday May 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 92 points, chile, Malbec, Uco Valley


Deep ruby with high viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of mulberry, pie crust, vanilla, oak and steeped black plum.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (+) body and medium (-) tannins.  The flavors are quite pronounced with dark fruit dominating the very well integrated oak treatment- it’s a pleasure.  Charcoal and Lapsang Souchong tea add a new dimension.  It’s a young wine with some cellaring capacity that will reward over the medium term.  I’m loving it, even more so than when previously drinking gallons of this brand, always delicious.  92 points from me for this $20 bottle makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2030.  Salut….. 

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