08 Wednesday May 2024
Posted in Wine reviews
Deep purple, slight staining and medium viscosity (14% ABV). Medium (+) intensity aromas of dusty earth, black plum, black raspberry, cedar, smoked meat, vanilla, baking spice, creme de menthe and green herb garni. On the palate- medium acidity, medium body and medium tannins. Gorgeous mouthfeel with dark fruit, supple structure, excellent integration and a medium length finish. 91 points- drink till 2028. $ 20 makes this a 5 star wine to buy in bulk. Salut….
02 Thursday May 2024
Posted in Wine reviews
Bright lemon colored with a watery sheen (11.5% ABV) and evidence of gas. The nose of this Hondarabbi Zuri has medium intensity aromas of lemon zest, lemon, white grapefruit, green almond, white blossom, white pepper, saline and minerality. The palate is dry with a slight spritz, high acidity along with a light body- very refreshing. Flavors of lemon, white grapefruit, white blossom, green almonds and some salty spice. The very slight amount of effervescence is typical for this varietal/region and makes the wine just dance on my tongue. It’s delicious and will pair beautifully with my North African spiced seafood dish. 91 points for this $20 bottle makes it my new 2024 summer slammer. It gets 5 stars- drink soon. Salut….
23 Tuesday Apr 2024
Posted in Wine reviews
Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14.5% ABV). The nose of this Xinomavro, Merlot and Syrah blend has medium (-) intensity aromas of black raspberry, black plum, lilac, mulberry, licorice, coffee, vanilla and bilberry. It’s quite an interesting nose that gains some power as it opens. The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are a touch green. Flavors of blackberry, bilberry, black raspberry, plum with coffee, vanilla and a hint of purple licorice are balanced by the firm structure of tannins and acidity. It’s a pretty bold wine with nice fruit that lingers on a medium length finish. The tannins are the last to bow out leaving my mouth slightly dried out but wanting more. I am mixing up some Chimmichurri to go with cast-iron prepared Hanger steaks with Korean sweet potatoes and green beans, should work a treat. 92 points from me for this $20 effort makes it a 5 star wine to buy again. Drink till 2028. Salut….
30 Saturday Mar 2024
Posted in Wine reviews
Medium ruby colored with slight bricking, some staining and a high viscosity (15% ABV). The nose of this Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend has medium intensity aromas of black raspberry, vanilla, baked red apple, rhubarb crumble, blueberry pie, coffee, baking spice and garrigue. The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body and medium (-) tannins that are plush. The baked nature of the fruit comes out on the initial attack and then I start to get oak nuance by way of coffee, vanilla and baking spice followed by that earthy garrigue note and some meaty hints of game. The red and blue fruit are ripe and slightly desiccated but then I get a tart finish that is medium in length, intriguing. The high alcohol hits on the back end, I normally don’t sense it but this case is different. I like it all things considered- 92 points and for a wine that is already 12 years old, it’s just starting to show methinks. Drink till 2030 with stews, lighter grilled meats or even pasta. At $20, worth looking out for this 5 star effort. Salut….
23 Saturday Mar 2024
Posted in Wine reviews
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$20, 5 stars, 91 points, gewurztraminer, oregon, VWTC, willamette valley
We held our 35th Virtual Wine tasting last night and it was one of the best yet. Kicking it off was this Gewurztraminer from Oregon that we tasted chilled and then at room temp. Normally, I have found more expression and wider appeal with the room temp versions of white wines, but that was not the case. Pale lemon colored with high viscosity (13.7% ABV). You could smell the aromas from a mile away- so intense! Lychee, yellow apple, nectarine, peach, red grapefruit, rosewater, apricot and honey- quite a melange. On the palate this wine was dry with medium (-) acidity and a medium (+) body. This varietal is often made in an off-dry style but this one was fully dry and slightly viscous in the mouthfeel. Notes of apricot, honey, lychee, rosewater, grapefruit and pear went on to a medium to long finish. It was delicious and got 17.5 points on our scoring sheet.
The room temp version was far less aromatic, which is counterintuitive. More lychee but less overall aromas that consisted of grapefruit, cotton candy, apricot, (Laundry detergent- in a fresh sense), crayon (not my words btw). On the palate it was fuller in body but the acidity was somewhat even less pronounced. Primarily honey and lychee driven, we also got cotton candy and some apricot. I gave it 13 points on our sheet.
Overall this wine was a success, but drink it chilled! I scored it at 91 points and for $20 it’s an excellent intro to this highly aromatic and wonderful grape. 5 stars. Drink till 2027. Salut….
20 Wednesday Mar 2024
Posted in Wine reviews
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$20, 4 stars, 89 points, chianti classico, Italy, sangiovese, tuscany
Medium ruby colored with high viscosity (14% ABV). The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of cherry, pomegranate, red licorice, rose, dusty earth and dried green herbs. It’s kinda muted and one-dimensional. The palate is dry with high acidity, a medium body with medium (+) tannins. Flavors of red cherry, rhubarb, pomegranate and dusty earth dominate with some chalky tannins bringing grip to the tart, medium length finish. To me this is an 89 point Sangiovese that runs $20 making it a 4 star effort. Drink till 2028. Salut….
16 Saturday Mar 2024
Posted in Wine reviews
Medium garnet with a touch of bricking, light staining and a high viscosity (13.5% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of dusty earth, desiccated plum, dried coconut slivers, dried dill, black plum reduction, blueberry jam and a bacon streak. The palate is dry with medium acidity,medium body and medium tannins that are fully integrated. Flavors of dried/desiccated blue and black fruit combined with oak nuance and dusty earthiness that is a telltale off the region and of the Tempranillo grape. The finish is medium (-) in length and focuses on tertiary notes of tobacco, tar, dust and dried herbs. I fear this wine is just past peak so I had better drink up. I like it, but the points will reflect the lack of further development. I paid $20 per bottle and will give it 89 points making it a 4 star effort. It’s grilled lamb for the pairing btw. Drink now. Salut….
13 Tuesday Feb 2024
Posted in Wine reviews
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$20, 5 stars, 91 points, chianti classico, Italy, sangiovese
This Sangiovese was served blind at our tasting group and it stumped us all. Medium ruby colored with slight staining and medium viscosity. The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of dusty black cherry, purple licorice, vanilla, baking spice, strawberry pie, caramel, açaí berry and roses. The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium body and medium (+) tannins. Flavors of black cherry, licorice, baking spices and vanilla are prominent, the dusty note faded. The strawberry shows up later in the game with the acai berry. It finishes medium in length and not as tart as expected from a Chianti. It’s a young wine whose tannins need to settle down with time or vigorous decanting. This bottle was a brute last night but has since mellowed out very nicely. It should drink well till 2030 and gets 91 points from me. At $20 it’s a definite 5 star wine to load up on. Salut….
13 Tuesday Feb 2024
Posted in Wine reviews
Pale lemon with gold highlights and a medium viscosity (13% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of peach, white blossom, saline, grapefruit, lemon pith and a hint of papaya. The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium body. Flavors of white blossom, sea spray, peach, papaya, lemon pith and grapefruit zest with a medium to long finish. It runs about $20 and gets 90 points from me. I like the crispness and tangy acidity coupled with the saline notes. Drink this 5 star wine with seafood till 2027. Salut….
07 Sunday Jan 2024
Posted in Wine reviews
Inky colored and opaque with some wall staining and high viscosity (14.7% ABV). The nose of this Shiraz has aromas of ripe blackberry, vanilla, black cherry, baking spice, eucalyptus, violets and bramble berry. The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium (+) tannins plus a full body. Ripe dark fruit dominates with some eucalyptus and baking spices supporting. Vanilla makes its entrance on the mid palate as well as some rooibos tea. The finish is long with bramble featuring plus some spice. The tannins- they are well integrated and I just realized they are so well balanced. This is a lovely drop that will drink nicely till 2030 and pair with grilled meat, Sunday roast or hearty stews. 91 points and for $20 it’s a 5 star effort. Salut….
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