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Tag Archives: 3 stars

Ricossa Antica Casa Barbaresco DOCG 2014, Piedmont, Italy

18 Thursday Jul 2019

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$25, 3 stars, 90 points, Italy, nebbiolo, Piedmont


See through but with slight bricking.  I noticed the cork had signs of possible seepage which gives me cause for concern.  Here goes….

On the nose – it’s corked.  I even tasted it….done.  Luckily I’m not far from the shop so I returned it .

The second bottle looks much better in the glass.  Light, see through purple.  On the nose it is not very open.  I’m struggling to swirl some life into it and all I get is faint cherries, some capsicum and carrot.  Yes, carrot.  On the palate this Nebbiolo starts off with some lush, medium tannins and a dollop of cherry juice.  It’s not subtle.  The mid palate has more breadth with cherries, currants, a touch of fresh oak and sassparilla.  The finish is quite dry with the tannins still in full force.  There is a woody note alongside red fruits and cinnamon.  Tasty but restrained, I feel this wine might be hibernating.  It should improve with age and drink nicely till 2028.  90 points and 3 stars for this $25 effort.  Salut….

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Château Vieux Barrail Bordeaux Supérieur 2015, France

09 Tuesday Jul 2019

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$15, 3 stars, 88 points, bordeaux, france, merlot


Very thick purple color.  On the nose it’s all blackberries with a hint of nutmeg.  A strange one for sure but I like it.  On the palate it is a touch thin but tasty.  Blackberries and black currant make me think this wine will develop into a cassis laden beaut if cellared for a few years.  There is a delightful tannic grip that builds as I transition to the mid palate.  An oak component that hits me on the mid to back end, adding depth to the black fruits that are still prominent.  However, a touch of black tea alongside some astringency on the finish that makes me wonder.  Overall this is a nice wine with potential.  It’s drinking young right now unless you fancy a pretty dry drop.  Cellar till 2022 then drink for seven more years with steaks, pot roast or even moussakka.  88  points and 3 stars for this $15 wine.  Salut….

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Vinedos y Bodegas Gormaz 12 Linajes Reserva 2012, Ribera del Duero, Spain

07 Sunday Jul 2019

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$30, 3 stars, 90 points, Ribera del duero, spain, tempranillo


Opaque, deep purple in the glass with fast disappearing legs.  On the nose I get bramble, iodine and blackberry.  On the palate it is very appealing with a gorgeous mouthfeel of lush black fruits, lithe, yet integrated tannins and a nice acidity.  The iodine note reappears on the midpalate alongside that telltale creosote that I love in Tempranillo.  On the back end it is more subdued with black cherry jam and those delightful tannins finishing me off with a nice dry tinge on my gums.  Well made but not long in the cellar.  Drink now till 2024 with charcuterie.  90 points and 3 stars for this $30 Tempranillo.  Salut….

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Murrieta’s Well Port 2017, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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$40, 3 stars, 91 points, california, livermore, port, souzao, touriga


Opaque and very dark in the glass.  Super concentrated nose of plum, almond and strangely enough- lemon peel (only a touch).  Currants and raisins pop in as well but in a supporting role.  On the palate this is a refreshing style of Port that gives me blackcurrants, espresso and mocha dust.  It’s delicious and fruity with a nice yet lithe set of tannins that very gently apply a dryness right on the finish.  This is a nice treat.  Absolutely pair this with soft, ripe cheese or perhaps a chocolate ganache.  91 points. $40 and 3 stars.  Salut….

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Murrieta’s Well Zarzuela 2016, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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$64, 3 stars, 91 points, california, livermore, souzao, tempranillo, touriga


Nearly black and definitely opaque in the glass, this wine promises to be a brooding monster.  On the nose I get charcoal, iodine, black cherry, olive and bacon fat. On the palate this is such an atypical wine- intriguing.  Twizzler meets black currants and Rooibos tea.  Delightful tannins and great mouthfeel. It’s got a long finish that keeps on giving. I’m actually at a loss for descriptors on this unique blend.  It’s not everyone’s cup of vino but it is well made, tasty and worthy of a try.  91 points for this blend of 45% Touriga, 35% Tempranillo, 20% Souzao make it a 3 star effort at $64.  Drink with charcuterie, steak and wild boar until 2028.  Salut….

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Murrieta’s Well Merlot 2016, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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$46, 3 stars, 90 points, california, livermore, merlot


Dark purple, semi opaque in the glass. On the nose there’s a  very concentrated plum core with a touch of oak and espresso.  On the palate it introduces blackberries and tannin right off the bat.  There is a black fruit component that carries through the slightly hollow midpalate into the finish of violet, black olive and plum.  It lasts a while.  I would cellar this baby till 2021 and then drink till 2026 with venison, roast squab or a hearty pasta dish…. steaks are an obvious pairing btw.  90 points  and 3 stars for this $46 bottle.  Salut….

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Murrieta’s Well Chardonnay 2016, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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$48, 3 stars, 90 points, california, chardonnay, livermore


Golden yellow in the glass.  The nose is chock full of citrus and pineapple.  On the palate I get a tinge of butter alongside the citrus notes and elderberry.  90 points, $48 makes this a 3 star wine.  Sip with grilled prawns.  Salut….

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Chateau Garraud 2015, Lalande-de-Pomerol, France

19 Wednesday Jun 2019

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$30, 3 stars, 89 points, bordeaux, france


I have drunk tons of the 95 and 96 Garraud vintages and when I saw this I got excited.  It is of medium darkness and opacity, with nice legs showing.  On the nose I get plum, charcoal and currants.  The palate is young and slightly corky, not in the ‘corked’ way, it just tastes like cork.  Iodine is also present as are black plums and licorice.  The mid palate is really where this wine opens up- black fruits melding with a tannic dryness that builds slowly.  The tannins are still a little green, I hope they soften a touch.  There is a black olive note and more of that iodine on the finish that make this a brooding wine that I hope will mature like it’s predecessors.  With a bit of bottle age this winery has turned out some great Bordeaux beauties that drink well for 10-15 years.  I think this one has the stuffing, it comes from a great vintage- I just think it needs cellaring for a while.  Drink from 2022 till 2030.  Pairings will change as the wine matures, for now- if you pop and pour, stick with red meats and hearty cheeses to pair.  I’m going with 89 points for now, with a possible upgrade in the future depending on the tannins and how they assimilate. 3 stars for this $30 Bordeaux wine.  Salut….

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Fattoria Vignavecchia Odoardo Beccari 2014, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Italy

09 Sunday Jun 2019

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$40, 3 stars, 90 points, chianti classico, Italy, sangiovese


Quite dark and opaque for a Sangiovese.  On the nose it’s quite purply ( is that even a word?). Plum pie, black currants and a dose of chocolate cake.  On the palate it is quite fresh, young in presence and fruit forward.  Cherry essence is the first on a list of palate notes- rhubarb comes in second.  There are some strawberry hints as well as kirsch- but no dark fruits.  Very strange, I was expecting more black notes and ended up with red.  The mid palate has some heat and the comings of some young tannins.  The dryness hits the base of my teeth.  Nice.  On the back end it’s all red fruits and some acidic charm to counter the tannic pinch.  Overall a decent wine that will drink nicely to 2024.  90 points and 3 stars for this $40 wine.  Salut….

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Chateau Los Boldos Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Cachapoal Valley, Chile

28 Sunday Apr 2019

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$15, 3 stars, 88 points, cabernet sauvignon, cachapoal valley, chile


I have previously drunk two or three bottles of this stuff without taking notes.  I figure it’s time as this is the last bottle I have.  It has a medium purple complexion and is mostly see-through.  On the nose I get black berries, Ribena and tar.  On the palate it is very straightforward Cabernet.  Dark fruits, good tannic backbone and some juicy acidity.  There is a plum tart component that hits me on the mid palate which is quite nice.  The tannins really grip on the back end and give me that dry gum sensation.  A decent drop for quaffing that is rather limited in dimension yet is approachable and drinkable right away with some cellaring potential.  Pair with burgers, steaks and pasta.  Not bad for $15.  88 points makes it a solid 3 star wine.  Salut….

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