Tag Archives: $22

Glenelly Estate Reserve Red 2017, Stellenbosch, South Africa

05 Sunday Apr 2026

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The closer at our 43rd virtual wine tasting was this banger from Stellenbosch.  A lovely wine that I have drunk older vintages of and it did not disappoint.  The tasting group noted how opaque it was with a deep garnet color, slight staining, and medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose had medium (+) intensity aromas of floral perfume, thrift shop, mangrove, ocean spray, leather, licorice, coffee, and vanilla.  That’s quite an interesting set of descriptors, but then again, there was a decent sized crowd at this tasting.  The palate was dry, with medium (-) acidity, a full body, and high tannins.  Medium (+) intensity flavors echoed the nose but we also got some blackberry, black cherry, and green pepper- consistent with the blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.  Delicious but young- this wine will cellar nicely till 2037 if it’s at all like it’s older siblings.  91 points from me and 17/20 on our tasting sheet.  We paid $22 last August, making this an amazing deal and worthy of 5 stars.  Salut….

Glenelly Estate Reserve Red

Vina Tarapaca Gran Reserva Carmenere 2021, Maipo Valley, Chile

05 Sunday Apr 2026

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The third wine of our virtual tasting was this delicious Carmenère with a bit of age on it.  We noted a deep ruby color flexing to garnet, with high viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (-) intensity aromas of blackberry, vanilla, baking spice, and green pepper for days.  On the palate it was dry, with medium acidity, a medium (+) body, and medium (+) tannins that were well integrated.  One of the tasters said- “It tastes like salad”.  I guess the green pepper component was obviously driving the bus.  Otherwise- we noted plum, coffee, blackberry, vanilla, and baking spice.  It came alive on the palate and showed off a medium (+) length finish which earned it 91 points.  On our tasting sheet I gave this $22 effort 15/20 points and would drink it over the next 4 years with a juicy steak.  5 stars.  Salut….

 


Vina Tarapaca Gran Reserva Carmenere

Astrolabe Pinot Noir 2020, Marlborough, New Zealand

05 Sunday Apr 2026

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Second up at the virtual wine tasting was this Pinot from New Zealand.  Pale garnet colored, with slight bricking, and low viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose had medium (+) intensity aromas of rose, barnyard, cherry, stewed strawberry, cola, chocolate covered cherries, and rhubarb.  The palate had medium acidity, a light body, and low tannins.  Medium intensity flavors focussed on cherry, cola, and a medicinal note.  Red fruit was the dominant undertone.  A long finish was noted which helped bolster the score to 92 points.  On the tasting sheet- 19/20.  For $22, this is a delicious 5 star wine to seek out if you like a mix of Old/New World Pinot.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….

Astrolabe Pinot Noir

Weingut Markus Huber Terrassen Gruner Veltliner 2023, Traisental DAC, Austria

05 Sunday Apr 2026

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We tasted this wine chilled and then at room temperature at the 43rd virtual wine tasting, held over Zoom.  It was pale lemon colored, with low viscosity, (12.5% ABV).  The nose had medium intensity aromas of pear, lemon, green apple, nectarine, lanolin, lemon pith, and a hint of the telltale white pepper.  The palate was dry, with high acidity, and a medium (-) body.  Medium (-) intensity flavors included pineapple, semi-ripe pear, apricot, green apple and the pepper note.  A medium length finish was noted.  I enjoyed the chilled version, giving it 91 points and on our tasting sheet- 14 points.

The room temperature version was less intense on the nose, with slightly different aromas and flavors.  Honeydew melon, green apple, honeysuckle, white pepper, more pith than when chilled, persimmon, and apricot.  The wine felt less acidic, rounder and more full bodied- waxy.  The finish was slightly longer, yet I did not enjoy it as much.  It garnered 89 points and only 12 /20 on the sheet.  I would drink this $22 wine chilled over the next few years with fresh seafood, perhaps a chicken salad.  4 stars.  Salut….

Huber Terrassen Gruner Veltliner

Chateau Musar ‘Musar Jeune’ Red 2021, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

22 Saturday Nov 2025

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Deep ruby colored with an inky core, and high viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of ripe blackberry, game, bacon, garigue, a medicinal note, brambleberry, black currant, and acai berry.  The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium (+) tannins that are fresh and grippy.  Medium (+) intensity flavors mimic the nose, except that medicinal note, which was quite pronounced when smelling the glass.  It’s a young wine, yet it delivers solid fruit flavors and shows off nice structure.  The finish is a little shorter than I had hoped but the tannins tickle my gums for quite a while.  It’s totally different than an aged bottle of the Grand Vin, but it’s very enjoyable and will pair nicely with my pasta and meatballs.  It’s a blend of Cinsault (35%), Syrah (35%), and Cab Sav (15%).  I’m a fan, going with 91 points for this $22 wine makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2035.  Salut….

Chateau Musar 'Musar Jeune' Red

Ashley Herzberg Petite Sirah 2022, Russian River Valley, California

13 Monday Jan 2025

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Inky purple colored with moderate staining, and a high viscosity (14.7% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe blackberry, black plum, a medicinal note (from oak?), acai berry, grape bubble gum, slate, and faint espresso notes.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body, and high tannins that are somewhat chalky.  Ripe flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and acai berry coupled with that medicinal note, some black tea and an espresso note.  The finish leans heavily on the tannins, they are very grippy but allow the fruit to show off for a medium length ending.  I like this $22 bottle and give it 91 points which makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2030.  I would pair it with hearty beef dishes and stews.  Salut….

Ashley Herzberg Russian River Petite Sirah

Catena Zapata ‘Catena Appellation San Carlos’ Cabernet Franc 2021, Mendoza, Argentina

04 Monday Nov 2024

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Medium to deep ruby colored with slight staining and high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of red plum, ripe raspberry, vanilla, baking spice, capsicum, acai berry, cracked black pepper and mint.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins atop a medium to full body.  The flavors are medium in intensity and mirror the nose.  It’s quite a silky wine with the tannin/acid balance and nice ripe fruit that is enveloped in deft oak.  The finish is medium in length and very smooth.  I like it and for $22 it gets 5 stars for its 91 point rating.  I would drink till 2027 with lighter meat dishes, nothing too fatty.  Salut….

Catena Zapata San Carlos Cabernet Franc

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2019, Marlborough, New Zealand

08 Thursday Aug 2024

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I recently tasted the 2020 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir and like it, here goes with its older sibling, the 2019.  Medium ruby colored with a watery sheen (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of red raspberry, red cherry compote, baking spice, vanilla, oak plank, peppermint and granite.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins.  The flavors echo the nose in both intensity and descriptors, not that much going on unfortunately.  The finish is a touch tart and medium (-) in length.  Overall this is not as good as the younger bottle and I would drink it right away, there is not enough intensity or structure for development.  85 points from me for this $20 effort makes it a 2 star wine.  Salut….

Doolhof Dark Lady of the Labyrinth Pinotage 2020, Wellington, South Africa

04 Sunday Aug 2024

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Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of coffee, dark chocolate, blackberry, bramble, creosote, red licorice and acai berry.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium body and medium tannins.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of coffee and dark chocolate greet me followed by less prominent dark fruit notes and some red licorice.  The tannins are silky yet textured and have a delightful mouthfeel.  The finish is medium (+) in length and focuses on coffee and acai berry flavors.  It turns a touch tart right at the end.  Yummy stuff I am pairing with roast Duck.  91 points, drink till 2026.  For $22, this is a delicious wine worthy of 5 stars.  Salut….

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2020, Marlborough, New Zealand

14 Sunday Jul 2024

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Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of barnyard, roses, baking spices, dusty bramble, cherry and black raspberry.  On the  palate it is dry with medium acidity, medium (-) tannins and a medium body. I get flavors of funky barnyard, cherry, raspberry, roses and deft oak that lead to a medium length finish. 90 points from me for this $22 effort makes it a 5 star wine.  Drink till 2028.  (It got 86 pints on release but I feel it has developed nicely, if you like a meatier, heavier style of Pinot with lashings of oak).  Salut….