Tag Archives: $22

Anthony Road Cabernet Franc – Lemberger 2020, Finger Lakes, New York

12 Tuesday Mar 2024

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Pale garnet with a copper tinge and medium viscosity (13.8% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of red cherry, baking spice, pomegranate, cranberry, violets and crushed rock.  The palate is dry with high acidity, a medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins.  Red fruit coupled with some spice, minerality and a touch of violet makes for a refreshing and crisp wine with very little astringency and a nice mouthfeel.  The finish is surprisingly long on this aromatically challenged wine that I quite like.  I picked it as a lighter pairing for a traditional Lebanese dish of chicken and rice.  I think the crunchy red fruit will do nicely with the spiced rice (caraway seed) whilst the lithe tannins and zippy acidity will accentuate the chicken along with the toasted pine nuts and almond slivers.  This is an even blend of Pinot Noir and Lemberger (aka Blaufrankisch).  88 points from me for this $22 bottle makes it a 3 star wine to drink till 2028.  Salut….

Bodega Aleanna ‘El Enemigo’ Cabernet Franc 2020, Mendoza, Argentina

25 Sunday Feb 2024

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Deep purple with moderate staining and a high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of capsicum, black cherry, black plum, licorice, coffee, burnt sugar, clove, violets and acai berry.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium tannins and a medium body.  Flavors of acai berry, black plum, black cherry, coffee, violets and smoky clove lead to a medium (+) length finish that has a nice tannic dryness and some caressing black and blue fruit.  Retasting- the body is medium (-) in weight and the density of the fruit is a little diluted. I can’t say I agree with the trio of 93 points from others, more like 90 to me. I am pairing it with Pot Roast and Yorkshire puddings, I think the tannic grip will do nicely with the fatty nature of the dish. At $22 it’s a 4 star wine to drink till 2027. Salut….

Chateau Ksara Red 2018, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

18 Thursday Jan 2024

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Deep ruby, bordering on inky garnet with slight staining and high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose of this Cab Sav/Merlot and Petit Verdot blend has medium intensity aromas of vanilla, mint, black cherry, cassis, açaí, black raspberry, leather and espresso.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) tannins and a medium body.  The palate starts off with açaí berry, followed by the cassis, black raspberry, vanilla and mint.  The tannins are very polished and chalky leading to a nice mouthfeel.  The finish is medium in length and tends towards the raspberry, leather and vanilla.  The structure of this wine is really approachable which is nice.  I find many Lebanese wines that are age worthy need a few extra years before the pieces integrate into a nice drinking wine.  This one is performing nicely and will continue to do so till 2032.  I would pair it with grilled kebabs, some roast Lamb or Filet Mignon with peppercorn sauce.  I paid $22 and would give this beaut 91 points making it a 5 star wine in my books.  Salut….

Le Pre Vaujour Chinon 2020, Loire, France

09 Tuesday Jan 2024

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Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose of this Cabernet Franc has medium intensity aromas of green pepper, licorice, blackberry, blackcurrant and tomato leaf.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium tannins and a medium body.  On the palate I get medium intensity flavors of black currant, blackberry, licorice, green pepper and charred oak.  The finish is medium in length and a touch tart yet refreshing.  Lovely and lithe, this wine will pair nicely with duck, grilled sweetbreads or bangers and mash.  Drink till 2028.  89 points and for $22- 3 stars.  Salut….

Chateau Ksara Cuvee Speciale Cabernet Sauvignon Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

03 Wednesday Jan 2024

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Deep ruby colored with minimal staining and high viscosity (13.5% ABV). The nose has dusty aromas of black plum, blackberry, baking spices, black raspberry and Cassis. There’s a touch of charcoal on the very end as well. The pallet is dry with medium acidity and medium (+) tannins that are very silky and powdery. Medium to full bodied- the wine has flavors of Cassis, plums, black raspberry, baking spices, vanilla and a touch of eucalyptus. It finishes a touch tart, but I’m liking that refreshing aspect.  It’s a medium length affair that is enjoyable with some licorice, dark fruit and ripe raspberry to end. 90 points from me for this $22 bottle makes it a five star wine to drink till 2028.  Salut….

Remhoogte Vantage Pinotage 2019, Stellenbosch, South Africa

01 Monday Jan 2024

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Deep purple colored with medium staining and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black currants, black plum, vanilla, mint, baking spices, blackberry coulis and cocoa powder.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium (+) tannins that are slightly green.  Full bodied- this wine has flavors of ripe black fruit with oak integration by way of vanilla, baking spices, cocoa powder alongside a charred note.  Some anise pops up on the mid palate but the mint never showed.  There’s a mineral streak that I am enjoying, almost granitic.  The finish is a touch tart and medium in length.  I’m going to enjoy pairing this bottle with a roast Pork shoulder and lemon potatoes.  It gets 91 points from me with a drinking window till 2029.  At $22 it gets 5 stars.  Salut….

Rustenberg Chardonnay 2021, Stellenbosch, South Africa

31 Tuesday Oct 2023

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Pale lemon with a watery sheen (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of marzipan, white blossom, persimmon, yuzu, brioche, lemon pith and orange zest.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body.  Fresh citrus mingled with airy florals, marzipan, a hint of brioche and some stone fruit.  It’s really crisp and refreshing and finishes medium in length.  I paid $22 and give it 92 points.  Tonight it gets paired with Shrimp Creole and gets 5 stars from me.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Tenuta di Renieri Chianti Classico DOCG 2019, Tuscany, Italy

29 Monday Aug 2022

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Pale ruby colored, this Sangiovese has lovely aromas of red cherry, tar, rose petals, orange peel, leather, green herbs (dill) and sandalwood.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium (+) tannins.  Medium to full bodied- I get flavors of tart red cherry, leather, rose petal and that dill component.  A slight charred oak note follows on at the mid palate and the finish is short.  A serviceable Chianti that lacks a real oomph, it gets 89 points from me and for $22 it is a 3 star effort to drink till 2027.  Salut….

Lucien Albrecht Riesling Tradition 2020, Alsace, France

09 Tuesday Aug 2022

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Medium lemon colored, this rather young Riesling has pronounced aromas of citrus, apple, pineapple, ginger and acacia.  The palate is dry (at 13% ABV that was an obvious assumption) with bracing acidity and a medium body.  Lemon, grapefruit, green apple, pineapple and some spice coat my palate to a medium length finish that is jaw watering.  This is a very refreshing thirst quencher that I am enjoying immensely.  Tonight’s pairing is fish and chips so this will work out quite well.  I would think this wine can age for a few years, say till 2030 and hopefully pick up some tertiary notes.  91 points from me makes this $22 bottle a 5 star quaffer to look for.  Salut….

Jumble Sale Merlot 2018, Columbia Valley, Washington

29 Friday Apr 2022

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Deep ruby colored, this Merlot shows off its 15% ABV with thick legs in the glass.  The nose has rich aromas of ripe raspberry, black cherry, vanilla, caramel and red licorice.  The palate is dry with slightly green tannins, medium acidity and medium intensity flavors.  The body is medium (+) on this juicy wine.  The mid palate is a touch astringent that also shows some charcoal notes.  The finish is dry and somewhat tart, reminiscent of sour cherries and black tea.  It’s a decent drop that gets 89 points from me.  I would imagine this will drink till 2025 and pair well with grilled meats and charcuterie.  $22 makes this a 3 star wine in my books.  Salut….