26 Sunday Apr 2020
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$29, 3 stars, 90 points, central otago, new zealand, pinot noir
This was the opener at my first virtual Wine tasting. It was pretty full bodied and New World in it’s fruit forward approach. Delicious but somewhat atypical for the varietal. Very meaty and gamey with some interesting minerality. I went with 90 points. 3 stars for this $29 Pinot Noir. Salut….
04 Tuesday Feb 2020
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$29, 4 stars, 91 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa, napa cabernet
Quite dark and brooding in the glass, nice legs. On the nose it shows bright fruit notes of blackberry, plum jam and vanilla. The palate starts of with a gob full of tannins, which part ways to reveal Ribera, singed plum and some eucalyptus leaf. The mid palette continues that dark fruit motif but is very channeled by the searing tannins. Young. Very young. The fruit is really masked by the big underlying structure of this wine. I’m going to run some through the Vinturi before I proceed.
Nope- that monster is still lurking. I’ll need to let this bottle breathe overnight to see if it softens. For now- 91 points but don’t touch it till 2023. Drink till 2030.
Day two- much softer but those tannins are still formidable. Blackberry jam, espresso and a touch of oak are the main players today. I’m sticking with 91 points and the drinking window I mentioned. $29, 4 stars and a pretty good deal on Napa Cab IMHO. Salut….
18 Monday Mar 2019
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$29, 3 stars, 90 points, bordeaux, bordeaux blend, cabernet sauvignon, france, margaux, merlot
A slightly dull purple in the glass, gives me concern. On the nose however- violets, black currants, a touch of oak. On the palate it is much darker- blackberry, cherry extract, graphite and singed oak. There is a leather component too, it just comes along later, towards the mid palate. The wine transitions very nicely with good tannic structure that is not obtrusive and acidic enough to balance. This is the third wine of Brane Cantenac, a Second Growth Margaux. They use the young plots for source fruit, giving us an approachable young wine that drinks very nicely with good mouthfeel and medium term cellaring potential. 90 points from me for this $29 effort that gets 3 stars. Drink now till 2024. Salut….
26 Saturday Jan 2019
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Very dark in the glass. Nose of black jam, eucalyptus and charcoal. On the palate there’s a rich warm black currant note with lithe tannins and a fruitcake hint. The mid palate is very smooth with a tannic bite that kicks in. The finish is gentler, mid length and chock full of black jam, cedar and a touch of vanilla bean. 91 points and 4 stars for this $29 effort. Drink till 2030. Salut….
27 Saturday Feb 2016
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$29, 5 stars, 92 points, rioja, spain, Spanish wine, tempranillo
After my initial tasting of Muga’s Reserva I was bound to find more of their wines. I bought six bottles on sale for $29 each and was very happy with my purchase.
Dark purple color with no legs in the glass even though there is 14% alcohol. Nose of graphite, plum jam and some earth. On the palate a beautiful intro to plums, black cherry and spicebox. Upfront tannins grip the teeth and some sharp acidity checks it back in place. This wine is somewhat awkward yet comes together nicely on the mid to back end. Powerful yet youthful, it will be better after 2018, once the Tannins meld and the acidity recedes. It will drink well if needed now with a run through the Vinturi. Otherwise hold on, let the secondary flavors evolve and enjoy till 2024 at least. 92 points from me even though some pros went as high as 96! I’m sitting on my other 5 bottles. A blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 7% Mazuelo and 3% Graciano. 5 stars for the quality to price ratio here. Salut…..
12 Sunday Jan 2014
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I was excited to open this Burgundy with some appetizers last night, it’s been sitting in my ‘to drink’ rack for a few months now. I was expecting Old World nuances in this Pinot Noir, but was greeted with bright cherries and strawberries on the nose. Quite light in the glass as to be expected- but it was really light in the mouth as well. Very delicate flavors of white cherries, some cranberry and floral notes plus a touch of herbs. I sensed some tannic intrusions and the acidity was crisp yet the wine was very light in mouthfeel. My mate ‘Johnny’ was over for the feast and he agreed that it lacked any body. I think this wine needs another 5 years in cellar before it comes around. I am hoping it gains a few pounds, picks up some funk and rewards me for the patience I am bestowing onto it! One critic went as high as 92, I’m going with a preliminary 88 points for now and 3 stars for this $29 offering. Salut….
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