Tag Archives: 3 stars

Carpe Diem Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Napa Valley, USA

04 Wednesday Nov 2020

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It’s Election Day in the USA, so I had to pull this wine out- read the label again. In the glass it’s bright purple and semi opaque. On the nose- very interesting. Red berries, cedar and tobacco. Not exactly what I was expecting but fresh smelling. On the initial palate it is very different- rose-hip, strawberry extract and fruit cake all feature. The mid palate is fruit driven and delicious. A touch of acidity and some very lithe tannins are evident giving the wine a nice mouthfeel. The red fruit component continues and I also get violets and black cherry on the decent length finish. An enjoyable drop for short term drinking that gets 89 points from me. I last drank this wine in Napa with Moxie when we were on our way to Bali, with a stop in the Bay Area. At $30 it gets 3 stars. Drink till 2025. Salut….

Rabbit & Spaghetti Cabernet Shiraz Malbec 2018, Australia

30 Friday Oct 2020

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This blend of Cab Sav, Shiraz and Malbec is particularly dark and brooding in the glass. On the nose I get black currant, rose water and spice. The palate is much more focused on darker fruits, mainly blackberry with anise and coffee bean. The mid palate continues the theme with more black licorice poking through. There’s a gentle dose of tannins that give the wine structure but are not obtrusive. The finish is decent in length and tasty with more of the same. The balance in this wine is good and the fruit lingers along with the acidity and tannins. I am enjoying it for what it is- not overly complex but extremely drinkable with nice flavors, good backbone and medium term cellaring potential. Drink till 2025. 88 points and 3 stars for this $28 effort. Salut….

Idlewright Opulent Red 2017, Napa Valley, USA

29 Thursday Oct 2020

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Opaque and dark purple. The nose offers sweet blackberry, ripe black currants and mocha. It’s smells of Cali sunshine. The palate is very nice, but not as full as the nose. Black fruits galore with leather and chocolate powder. The mid palate is tasty with cassis and a bit of dusty bramble. Fine grained tannins ease into the mix and there is a touch of acidity that keeps this wine very balanced. It’s a delicious drop built for immediate pleasure. I would drink till 2024. My pairing tonight is pasta with olives and peppers plus a side of Italian sausage. 89 points and 3 stars for this $23 Grenache/Malbec blend. Salut….

Cellar Works Grenache Sangiovese 2019, South Australia

28 Wednesday Oct 2020

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I read the label, which tells me this wine is 44% Sangiovese, the balance- Grenache. Looking at the see thorough red hued glass I would have guessed it was a New World Pinot. It is so light and vibrant I can’t wait to taste.

The nose gives me red fruits and cedar. The initial palate is quite rich- a mouthful of raspberry pie with some Marashcino cherries. There is a juicy acidity right off the bat that makes this wine fresh. The red fruit theme continues with rhubarb in addition to rooibos tea and very fine grained tannins. The finish is quite tart, my teeth are a bit fuzzy. The raspberry flavors have given way to a sour cherry and rhubarb melange and the acidity is not to be trifled with. This is quite an interesting blend that is tasty yet slightly off balance with a ton of pH. It will drink well with rich sauced dishes or even a Mediterranean dinner. I would enjoy till 2025. 88 points and 3 stars for this $18 wine. Salut….

Fossil Point Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Paso Robles, California

26 Monday Oct 2020

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This Cab Sav is a beautiful dark purple in the glass and is nearly opaque. The nose is lush with black currants, flint and charred oak. On the palate it’s quite tart right off the bat. Black fruits, dark colas, sassafras and enamel searing tannins. The mid palate opens the wine up tremendously- still black fruits and now I get a nice minerality, some black tea, more cola and oak. The finish is surprisingly not as dry as I was fearing, it’s quite balanced with the tannic component really getting checked by the acidity and fruit. Anise, blackberry and vanilla are all present on the medium length finish. Drink till 2027, but if you fear the tannins- decant or aerate the heck out of this one. It’s tasty in the end and I give it 89 points. For $14, it’s a 3 star effort that will go well with my lamb tagine. Salut….

Richard Bruno Pinot Noir 2019, Clarksburg, California

26 Monday Oct 2020

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See through dark shade of red in the glass.  The nose has red currants and pomegranate.  The palate gives me mulling spices, currant reduction and dried red fruit.  There is a healthy dose of slightly green tannins that immediately dry out my gums.  The mid palate is quite astringent with notes of red fruit- mainly currants but a bit of rhubarb adding some acidity to the mix.  The finish is relatively short but I do get some really nice flavors and the tannins tend to mellow pretty quickly.  This one is a touch young and the greeness of the tannins worries me.  It’s not a subtle Pinot nor is it over-extracted, a nice balance of flavor, structure and freshness.  88 points and 3 stars for this $22 wine. Drink till 2027 with roast Chicken, perhaps eggplant parmigiana. Salut….

Cameron Hughes Lot 737 Meritage 2018, Sierra Foothills, California

24 Saturday Oct 2020

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Bright purple, semi opaque in the glass.  On the nose- blueberries, plum and sizzlers red licorice.  On the palate it is rich and inviting with dark blue fruits, some charcoal notes and a touch of effervescence.  It’s slightly off-putting but the flavors of the fruit are very vibrant.  Medium tannins and a nice acidity greet me on the mid palate.  The fruit turns a little darker as it moves to the back end.  On the finish it shows off black licorice and that dark blue fruit melange.  The tannins keep a grip for a decent amount of time and the fruit holds on alongside.  It’s a decent bottle of Cab Franc/Petit Verdot, but the effervescence on the opening detracts and the score reflects.  87 points.  ** UPDATE ** This bottle was flawed, the effervescence an indicator of secondary fermentation. A subsequent bottle was much better, bumping the score up to 89. Drink this $17 till 2025- 3 stars.  Salut…

Clos de Luz Massal 1945 Carmenere 2016, Central Valley, Chile

18 Sunday Oct 2020

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When I started the Virtual Wine Tasting Company I wanted to educate my friends as best I could about as many varietals that we could find. This was the 39th different bottle thus far, and it has taken over as the most controversial wine yet. Some loved, others hated, and I mean with a passion. It stunk, like ass. I will just copy and paste my notes:

Bright purple in glass, nearly opaque. Fine legs.

Smells like the farm, very herbal, hay and cow pies. Funky.  Burnt plastic, bell pepper.

On the palate it offers black cherry, more funk, and is smooth.  Rounded. Not overly tannic nor acidic.  Well with cheese. 

This was an over-the-top expression of Carmenere that I enjoyed to a certain degree. Moxie gave it 1 point on my tasting scale because it was visually pleasing! I tried it on night 2 and it’s as funky as ever, not everyone’s cup of tea. I would give it 88 points from a technical standpoint but I honestly cannot recommend this $21 wine, it’s too much. The pro’s went massive on it with scores ranging from 93-94! Wowsa. Salut….

Badissa Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, IGT, Italy

08 Thursday Oct 2020

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Pale yellow in the glass. The nose is fruity with grapefruit, tangerine and a honeysuckle component.  On the palate it is a touch sweet with warmth from the honey note.  The citrus components are ripe and fresh with just a hint of acidity.  The mid palate is really nice, the mouthfeel being very round and balanced.  The finish is curt, weighing on the tangerine side of things and adds a nutty note at the end.  It’s a tasty wine to pop as you prepare dinner or enjoy it with salad nicoise.  88 points, drink till 2023. 3 stars for this $14 effort. Salut….

EnRoute Les Pommiers Pinot Noir 2017, Russian River Valley, USA

28 Monday Sep 2020

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This wine was part of the #9 Virtual Wine tasting. I made some notes from others at the event.

It is very extruded and rich looking in the glass- a dark shade or red/purple and nearly opaque.  On the nose I sense a sweet cherry pie note with a touch of Vanilla, black licorice and coffee.  It’s very interesting, that’s for sure.  On the palate I first get black cherry concentrate, chocolate and dare I say- overripe Reb berries?  The mid palate continues the theme with more dark chocolate, Dr. Pepper, licorice.  There is a modicum of tannins and a nice dose of acidity.  The finish is dark and dry.  The wine seems to be a touch sweet and getting more so as it airs out.  It’s not my favorite style of Pinot but it did well at the tasting and for me it’s a 91 point wine.  The complexity and depth are worthy of high marks.  At $40+ it’s a pass for me, but others who enjoy the new world boldness will dig this wine.  It got higher marks from the pros BTW.  3 stars in my book.  Drink till 2029.  Salut….