Tag Archives: $24

Montes Alpha Special Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Central Valley, Chile

25 Wednesday Sep 2019

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I walked into a wine shop in Hong Kong and was pushed aside by a woman on a mission.  Five minutes later she checking out with three First Growth Bordeaux- Lafite, Latour and Mouton.  My measly purchase paled in comparison to the thousands she spent.  I digress…  I have always been a fan of Chilean Cabernet.  So, this is the first of two that I bought.  It banged a whopping 94 points from one pro, it says so on the label.  Let’s see how we get on.

In the glass it is a nice rich deep purple with just a hint of legs showing.  On the nose it is very minty  and chock full of black fruits, iodine and charcoal.  It’s actually not my favorite profile.  On the palate it is rich and flavorful.  The kind of richness that covers your whole mouth.  Lovely plums, blackberry and flint.  There is a touch of mint as well as black olive.  It’s quite complex and well made.  The mid palate shows some very integrated tannins and black fruit compote.  The finish is long, dry and very fruit driven.  There is an ample amount of tannins but they are not obnoxious, merely present and persistent.  The finish is medium length and finishes very dry.  This wine is a touch young, but will do well in an aerator or decanter.  Drink till 2030 at least.  I think it gets a legit 93 points and for the price of $23 it gets 5 stars from me.  Salut….

Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2014, Veneto, Italy

31 Sunday Mar 2019

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I’m excited to try the 2014 version of Zenato’s Ripassa.  I reviewed the 2012 version previously.  In the glass it is as expected- dark, opaque, thick.  On the nose- somewhat fresh, with blackberries, raisins, chocolate ganache and sandalwood.  On the palate it is lush, filled with black fruits, purple licorice and mouth coating tannins.  It does however leave me feeling a little short changed.  I remember this wine as being richer, with mouthfuls of fruit, much more upfront and reduced.  This version seems a little more subdued, more mainstream.  It’s plenty flavorful, with good balance between acidity and tannic structure- don’t get me wrong.  Perhaps they have changed styles into a more refined approach.

The mid palate and finish pretty much carry on from the initial palate and let the tannins crescendo at the end.  There is however a slight astringency that hits me on the back end.  I cannot quite pinpoint it.  Serve with charcuterie or grilled steak from now till 2025.  89 points and 3 stars for this $24 effort.  Salut….

Ornellaia ‘Le Volte dell’Ornellaia’ Toscana IGT 2014, Tuscany, Italy

04 Monday Mar 2019

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I bough this wine on its pedigree for $24.  Medium opacity purple in the glass with visible legs.  The nose has kirsch, raspberry and bing cherry by the boatload.  On the palate it is brimming with red fruits, bright acidity and delightful tannins.  Young and vibrant- it needs a little time to settle down.  It is slightly one-dimensional at this time. I hope it evolves and gains tertiary flavors.  The mid palate is more or less the same.  The finish is of medium length with more cherry extract and a dose of rhubarb as well as lingonberry.  The tartness of which shows up at the end.  Overall- a decent wine that gets 89 points from me and 3 stars.  Cab, Merlot and Sangiovese make up this Tuscan red.  Drink from 2022 till 2027.  Salut….

Chateau St Jean Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Alexander Valley, USA

28 Thursday Dec 2017

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Inky purple in the glass.  I am really hoping for an extracted powerhouse, that’s what I am in the mood for.  The nose has black currants, a hint of oak, some cinnamon and fig paste.  On the palate I am ecstatic- it is full bodied, tannic and surely a mouthful. Black fruits intertwine with the brooding tannins, mouthwatering acidity and smoky notes.  A great level of balance even though this wine is very tannic right now.  It needs several years in the cellar to soften unless you need a dry wine right now, or have a Vinturi to run it through.  The wine later exhibits some black cherry and eucalyptus, only to be overshadowed on the finish by the tannins.  I think this wine will develop nicely and am going with 91 points.  For $24 it’s hardly a steal but gets 4 stars from me.  Pair now with hearty game, Prime Rib or a char-grilled Porterhouse.  Salut….

Quinta do Noval Unfiltered Late Bottled Vintage Port 2009, Portugal

23 Monday Oct 2017

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I have harped many times about the quality and price coming out of Portugal.  Always good, rarely pricy- you can count on it in a pinch.  This Port is part of my study into the fortified wines of Portugal.  I am having fun doing it and have discovered some really tasty, near $20 dessert style wines that have really become part of my after-dinner ritual.  This one starts out very dark purple in the glass and has a nose of sweet verbena, dark fruit melange and oaky blueberry reduction.  The palate shows off a slightly lighter style of Port, black cherry, dark fruits and stout oak.  On the mid palate I get cedar plank, dark berry and a tannic streak.  The wine is tasty, but slightly dry and dusty.  I’m enjoying it and hope it develops.  For now, 88 points which is in stark contrast top the whopping 94 points it got from the big boys.  Perhaps it needs some time, or else I need to recalibrate my palate fifty these wines!  I recommend some soft cheese, and maybe something stinky like Cambozola to go with this one.  I might have to get another bottle to cellar.  Priced at $24, it gets 3 stars initially, hoping for 4 at a future tasting.  Salut….

Bello Family Vineyards Megahertz Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Napa Valley

29 Sunday Jan 2017

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A rich opaque purple in the glass with a beautiful nose of Black and Blue berries. On the palate- very smooth, like buttah… A delicious mix of blue berry , cherry, and ginger spice. Fine grained tannins and a touch of acidity give this wine a great mouthfeel, easy to drink. This wine is made in a very elegant, understated style. The fruit is allowed to express itself, the tannins are not pumped up and the acidity is gentle yet balanced. Very delicious wine with medium term aging potential. Tonight I will pair it with Roasted Beef Tenderloin, probably the best cut for such a lithe wine that isn’t overly tannic. 90 points and 3 stars for this $24 effort. Salut….
megahertz cabernet sauvignon

Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2012

14 Saturday Jan 2017

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If you have never had a Ripasso wine before you need to hurry along and get one.  It all starts with the Amarone wines, where the grapes are air dried for several months on wire racks and the fruit loses volume and increases its sugars.  Once they press the grapes what is left over are the skins and seeds, minus the juices but still yielding some tannins and flavors that basic Valpolicella lacks.  Once they ferment the Valpolicella wine they then ‘pass’ it over the remaining Amarone grape skins to impart a deeper color, structure, tannins and a depth of flavor.  Some call them the baby Amarones.  I have been a fan of this particular wine for a long time and was super excited to get a bottle the other day.  Priced at $24, it is a good intro to the style.

Dark purple, with a nose of raisins, funk and plums (all good I assure you).  On the palate I am getting rich plums, black cherry and delightful tannins.  The mid palate shows off dried cherry, oak and more tannins which really hit the gums at this point.  The finish tapers off with plum jam and raisins.  The wine is not as ‘thick and unctuous’ as I remembered nor does it present the depth I have had in other vintages but it is still really good and gets 89 points from me.  85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella and 5% Oseleta.  I had an old colleague over for dinner that saw me pair this with Pasta and Meatballs/Mild Italian Sausage.  It was a great match and even made the Caeser Salad and Garlic bread more on pointe.  The whole evening was a good time but this wine had a special place in our visit.  Drink till 2022. 3 stars.  Salut….

zenato ripassa

 

Cosentino Semillon Napa Valley 2015

24 Monday Oct 2016

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Gorgeous pale gold color gives way to a nose of persimmon, ginger root and cut grass.  On the palate it introduces lemons, star fruit and a waxy component.  Sharp and cutting, it rounds out the midpalate with hazelnut.  Vanilla bean is present on the finish, which is of medium length.  This wine is racy and easy to drink.  It would pair well with oysters on the half, perhaps a middle eastern mezza, or you can be adventurous like me and serve it with Chili.  I’m a member of this winery and get an allotment twice a year, this one was a good surprise!  It retails at $24 and gets 89 points.  4 Stars from me and a repeat buy on the next order!  Salut….
cosentino semicolon napa valley

Alain Roy Givry en Vauvry 2012

30 Thursday Jun 2016

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alain roy givryBurgundian Pinot Noir is a minefield for me.  So many different villages, so many producers, so many vintage variations and so little time to taste them all.  I’m happy to get busy though!

This one started out a pale purple in the glass with a crimson cherry nose with green notes, very fruit forward for a Burgundy.  The thing that makes this region so alluring is the terroir and what it brings out of the finicky Pinot grape.  I always think of earth, barnyard, funk and restrained fruit.  This one is different with initial tastes of strawberry, tart rhubarb and violet. Streaking acidity with gentle tannins balance each other well. A decent, if short finish of floral notes and some cherry with acidity swirling around the gums along with the tannins. I think this one needs some cellar time. 2017-2022. 88 points for this tasty yet atypical Burgundy. 3 stars for this $24 effort.  Salut….

ED Note.  I found this article in drafts from May of 2015 and just now published it.

Alexander Valley Vineyard Wine Club Reserve 2012

19 Tuesday May 2015

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Next in my tasting series from Alexander Valley Vineyard is this gem.  45% Cab Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Merlot makes this a Meritage in anyone’s books.  How I love Cab Franc and more importantly how it melds into the Bordeaux style blend !  This was one bottle I was looking forward to.

Dark purple with a nose of black currant, eucalyptus, wood shavings and pencil lead. On the palate is a vibrant, somewhat tannic attack of currants, black berries and more  graphite. Very young wine with a good cellaring potential. 89 points with a drinking window of 2016-2022. (Or you could run it through a Vinturi and pair it with a ribeye!)  I paid $24 at the winery and give it 3 stars.  Salut….

alexander valley vineyards wine club reserve