Tag Archives: $25

Whitehall Lane Winery & Vineyards Merlot 2014, Napa Valley, USA

04 Wednesday Oct 2017

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Bright purple presentation.  The nose is blackberry, sage, eucalyptus and pine needle.  The initial palate is vibrant, full of black fruit, bright acidity and Ribena.  The mid palate takes a turn.  The fruit is dark and brooding, giving way to the clash between the acidity and the tannins.  They are balanced mind you, just in the forefront.  They taper off on the finish and allow notes of blackberry pie, vanilla bean and blueberries to close it out.  This is a bold wine, full of fruit, structure and a solid mouthfeel.  It really could use some grilled meats, au gratin and a big salad to tone it down a touch.  Impressive if you ask me.  91 points.  $25 and 4 stars.  Salut….

Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz 2015, Barossa, Australia

15 Tuesday Aug 2017

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I splurged, $25 a bottle for Jacobs Creek.  It’s not just any JC though.  In the glass it is dark, brooding and enticing. Rich, ripe plums on the nose with port wine accent.  It smells the business.  On the palate, it is super smooth and exhibits rich blackberries, plum extract, caramel, vanilla and a nice toast.  The midpalate transition is seamless and the wine continues on to a very long finish.  I’m astounded at the depth and purity of this wine. The balance is good but there are barely detectable tannins to go up against the slight acidity.  That’s what gives this wine a great mouthfeel, yet detracts from its cellaring potential.  It is the style of wine that I would use to introduce a novice red-wine drinker to.  Easy on the tannins, the dryness and the acidity.  This wine drinks beautifully now and will run well for another 5 years, till 2022.  I would serve it with a rich stew, grilled lamb chops or perhaps a very well seasoned Cornish Hen.  I’m going 91 points and 4 stars.  Salut….

Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Shiraz

Cooper’s Hawk Super Tuscan NV

05 Wednesday Jul 2017

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This is an interesting concept.  Restaurant/winery that sources grapes worldwide and bottles them under its own label for sale in its own restaurants.  Brilliant.  Why didn’t I think of that?  The food’s not bad either!  This particular bottle was given to me by an old College friend.  There is no vintage on the bottle, just some basic info, ie. 13.5% alcohol, and that it is a blend of Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dark reddish purple in the glass.  I’m not sure what to expect from this blend- I get some red berries and cherry on the nose, but only faint.  The palate reveals currants, red fruits and some chewy tannins.  The wine is obviously young, but has an acidic streak to match the tannins.  The mid palate offers sour cherry and chocolate dust.  The wine finishes nicely with more cherry and some spice.  Not a bad drop- 89 points. $25 make this a 3 star wine that you could pair with Game, Roast Cornish Hens or  maybe some Osso Bucco.  This wine has no vintage so it is hard to say when to drink, but this particular bottle would have lasted till 2020.  Salut….

cooper's hawk super tuscan

Highflyer Doctor’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012, Santa Lucia Highlands, USA

24 Saturday Jun 2017

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Dark purple, brooding and opaque.  The nose is black cherry, dare I say blackberry as well?  The palate is tasty, with the blackberry theme continuing as well as some really fine tannins that are well integrated.  Extraction is obvious with this one, but not overdone.  The mid palate is refrained compared with the initial taste.  I get dark cherry jam and a vegetal note- very interesting.  The finish is smooth with more dark fruits and a hint of acidity.  I would drink this with a filet and roasted veggies or perhaps marinated flank steak.  It needs a lean cut of beef to shine methinks. 90 points and 4 stars for this $25 wine.  Salut….

highflyer pinot noir

Chateau Sigalas Rabaud 2010, Sauternes, France

22 Monday May 2017

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Dark golden yellow.  Honey, apricot jam and grilled pineapple on the nose. The initial tastes are very waxy, oily and full of apricot. This wine is super smooth with balanced acidity, botritized fruit and a delicious flavor profile.  Heaps of apricot jam fill the profile with tertiary flavors of honeysuckle and bee pollen filling in on the mid palate.  The finish shows great tannic structure with a very gentle acidity.   I’m shocked about the tannins on this dessert wine, but they lurk- ever so gently.  This is a solid wine that will last decades.  Drink now till 2030.  It can be found for $25 per half bottle and gets 95 points from me.  5 stars for sure and probably one of the finest dessert treats I have had in a long time.  Salut….
Chateau Sigalas Rabaud, Sauternes, France

Bodegas Resalte de Penafiel Pena Roble Reserva 2004, Ribera del Duero, Spain

13 Saturday May 2017

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Still a dark purple after 13 years.  Nose of figs, earth and violets.  On the initial taste- not what I was expecting.  Plums, blueberries, fresh and zesty.  This wine is so young.  The tannins are very integrated but not dry.  Mid-palate wise there’s blue fruit and cassis.  The finish is where this wine shines- leather, tobacco and blue fruit jam.  Oak peeks through right at the end.  Smooth and sexy, I like this wine from Magnum.  91 points from me and a reward for cellaring it for so long.  I paid $50 per Magnum back in 2014 for this Tempranillo.  4 stars!  Salut….

Bodegas Resalte de Penafiel Pena Roble Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Riglos Gran Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Tupungato, Argentina

13 Saturday May 2017

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Dark, brooding purple in the glass, no way to see through it. On the nose I get black currant, mint and vanilla. On the palate this wine is lush, full and tastes of black berries, vanilla bean and coffee. The mid palate is a seamless continuation with the introduction to some very fine grained tannins that leave the finish just a touch dry. This wine is really smooth, full bodied and delicious. Very well balanced if I might say so. A perfect match to any grilled meats, pasta. 91 points from me which is close to the 92 that the pro’s are going with.  I paid $25, but it normally retails for $35.  4 stars.  Yummy.  Salut….

Riglos Gran Cabernet Sauvignon, Tupungato, Argentina

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Pinot Noir 2015

13 Thursday Apr 2017

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I love this wine, so every time I see a bottle, it’s in the bag.  This latest vintage is no exception.  I forgot to take a picture so have had to use a stock photo.

Dark purple, nearly see-through.  Nose is gorgeous, a mix of strawberry, cherry and the key component….vanilla cherry cola.  The palate is amazing- black cherries, strawberry pie and super smooth acidity.  There are just a hint of tannins, perfect for a Pinot Noir.  This wine is 100% New World, totally awesome and necessary for any cellar.  This is a spectacular wine that gets 93 points from me and 5 stars.  If you can find it, buy it.  My sources are coming up at $25.  Drink this wine all by itself to truly appreciate its nuances, or if you must pair it- Lamb chops, Venison, Steak au Poivre.  Salut….

Montalbera Ruche Di Castagnole Monferrato Laccento 2014

07 Tuesday Feb 2017

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I have never tried or even heard of the Ruche grape, so I just had to give it a go.  I’m winging it here with ratings and recommendations as I am flying blind and don’t know what to expect or what is typical.

A see through lighter purple in the glass.  Nose of candy, strawberry and red licorice, very reminiscent of California Syrah.  The initial tastes are peppery strawberry, red currants and some rather astringent tannins.  The mid palate changes it up and introduces some tar, more red fruits and a very dry mouthfeel.  Interesting to say the least.  The tannins keep going through to the end where they mix it up with more strawberry.  Somewhat one dimensional in my opinion.  I bought it for $25 and it apparently got 98 points from a critic.  I cannot agree nor can I argue, I just don’t know this grape- but for my money it comes in at 89 points and 2 stars.   I would pass unless you like the lighter style of California Syrah, with some perky tannins thrown in.  Salut….

Montalbera Ruche Di Castagnole Monferrato Laccento

Mollydooker Miss Molly Sparkling Shiraz, South Australia 2010

31 Wednesday Aug 2016

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I first opened a Miss Molly in January of 2014.  This second bottle has been cellared in hopes of seeing evolution.  I only drank it in a flute, rather than tasting it as I did the first time.

Nose of cassis syrup, with an effervescent plum component.  On the palate is where it all starts- pepper, spice, black berries, plum jam and cassis.  The mousse keeps bringing back the blackberry and cassis throughout the mid palate and on to the finish.  The wine ends with a white pepper and cassis note in a somewhat short fashion.  I don’t detect any tannins but there is a definite acidity that keeps the wine fresh and bracing.  I previously gave this wine 90 points, but at this stage it gets 88 points.  We drank it with grilled salmon and Caeser salad.  It would rock some raw clams or perhaps roasted quail.  3 stars for this $25 offering.  Salut….
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