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Tag Archives: 3 stars

Domaine Clavel Pic Saint-Loup Bonne Pioche 2010

26 Thursday Sep 2013

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$22, 3 stars, 87 points, gsm, languedoc


It’s Fall and there’s a chill in the air.  What better than a nice hearty Beef Stew?  Precisely what I thought.  Searching for a pairing, I needed something rugged, fruity, slightly tannic and perhaps earthy.   Enter the wines from the Languedoc.  Southern France produces some exceptional values that are downright delicious and don’t have the airs or the prices of their northern cousins.  The main varietal in this blend is Syrah, with near equal parts Grenache and Mourvedre balancing it all up.  It came in at 14% alcohol, which did not factor.

Dark purple in the glass, it had aromas of earth and black fruits.  On the palate; cherry, blackberry and cassis.  The earthy component was still evident but also some flowers, perhaps lavender came rising up.  There is a fine set of tannins lurking here, sitting quietly on the sidelines.  I wonder what this wine will be like in two years?  I reckon it may be worth cellaring a few to try it out.

I picked right.  Comfort food needs a hearty companion.  This wine fit the bill right on the money and didn’t break the bank at about $22.  87 points and 3 stars.  Explore the Languedoc if you have never tried them, fascinating combinations and great wines.  Salut….

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Firriato Nero d’Avola Harmonium 2010

23 Monday Sep 2013

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$35, 3 stars, 89 points, nero d'avola


For tonight’s dinner, I prepared a Chicken Alfredo with seasonal salad and garlic bread (yummmm)  I first thought a Chianti would be a good match, but alas there is a new wine in my cellar from Sicily that begs to be opened.  Nero D’Avola is native to Sicily and means Black of Avola.  I didn’t get much on the nose, perhaps a hint of blue fruit but some alcohol mixed in there.  This particular wine is not very dark but shows off really sweet tannins with plum compote on the palate.  Spiciness and a certain rock minerality show through and there is definite acidity here.  I think the structure will bode well for short term cellaring and the wine could mellow somewhat and hide that 14.5% alcohol.  My guess is that the volcanic soils of Sicily perhaps influence the secondary flavors??

I am always on the hunt for new and exciting wines.  Another varietal that comes to mind is Aglianico.  Very tannic but delicious, you should be on the lookout for some if you hanker for some mouth puckering juice fit to sort any cut of meat out.

At $35 this wine is not a bargain and only gets 3 stars from me due to the price.  Technically speaking, I would rate it 89 points. I do like the label though!  Salut….

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Caves Saint-Pierre Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Mitre 2010

21 Saturday Sep 2013

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$54, 3 stars, 89 points, Chateauneuf-du-pape


A basic CDP, with straightforward fruit of Black Cherry, Earth, Green Pepper and Stones.  A razor minerality and some fine grained tannins bring structure.  A decent level of acidity balance the package, yet I am not feeling the love.  I tried the bottle straight from the opening, and then poured it through the Vinturi for the second glass.  It came across smoother and more fruity, which speaks well for aerating this bottle.  It could probably use 2-3 years in the cellar and should last until 2018.  I opened it for a Roast Beef dinner, figuring it would have the right tannins to sort out the beef and horseradish.  I was right.  89 points, and 3 stars for this $54 offering of 60% Grenache, balanced with Mourvedre, Cinsault and Syrah.  Salut…

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Valle Dorado Merlot 2011

15 Sunday Sep 2013

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$10, 3 stars, 85 points, chile, merlot


From the Echeverria winery comes this Chilean Merlot priced at around $10.  Very Merlot-like and typical of the region.  Plummy, with currants and oak in the nose and  palate.  Not very complex, but for the price it’s a nice wine.  Good structure and easy to drink.  This was our second bottle in the tasting and was far better than the first.  I would drink this wine casually, but can’t seem to pinpoint an ideal pairing.  If you enjoy Merlot, try it.  85 points and 3 stars.

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Bodega Carmen Rodríguez Toro Caro Dorum Seleccion Especial 2005

09 Monday Sep 2013

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3 stars, 90 points, crianza


A Tempranillo from the Toro region of Spain that got very high marks from the pro’s. My take- very beautiful purple hues in the glass. The nose offered up plums and jam. On the palate, very rich and tannic. Initially sweet, this component subsided after 30 minutes. Blueberries, plums and coffee were the primary flavors. A biting tannic component made my gums dry out. Heavy lashings of oak are evident, but not overbearing. In Spain, the Crianza level of wine requires 6 months minimum in oak and 2 years of aging before release. I think the 6 months was plenty, any more would be over-kill. This is a serious wine, but just not my favorite. For $40, there are others I prefer. Like I said, the pro’s raved about it with anywhere from 91-94 points. I think it’s a 90 pointer and only 3 stars. Salut….

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Lang & Reed Cabernet Franc 2010

01 Sunday Sep 2013

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3 stars, 90 points, Cabernet franc


A tannic Cabernet Franc from Napa Valley that brims with dark cherries and anise. Dark purple in the glass hints to the seriousness of the wine. I can sense some complexity evolving, but it is overwhelmed by the youthful tannic grip that has closed this one down. I think it needs at least 3-4 years to be approachable and will drink for another 10. Potential for 90 points and 3 stars for this $43 offering. It does offer an extended finish though… Salut

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Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz 2011

31 Wednesday Jul 2013

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3 stars, 88 points, shiraz


A decent bottle of Barossa Shiraz that won’t break the bank.  Unlike many jammy wines from this region, the Yalumba was more refined, perhaps a little leaner.  Chocolate and plums on the nose translated into dark fruits and gentle tannins in the mouth.  Good balance and acidity made this an easy wine to drink.  I’m not sure it could handle a big fatty steak, but it should pair well with Veal chops or roasted chicken.  88 points and 3 stars for me…

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Chateau Bordenave Sauternes 2010

22 Monday Jul 2013

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3 stars, 85 points, dessert wine, re-taste, sauternes


A dessert style wine from Bordeaux that is golden yellow in the glass.  On the nose, apricots and golden apples that move onto the palate with some honey and a touch of acidic bite.  Generally decent wine, but the tinge in the mid-palate was worrisome.  The wine was not overly sweet, but had a balanced residual sugar content.  Dessert wines are generally pricier due to the methods involved, yet I cannot remember how much I paid for this bottle.  85 points and if it was under $20, 3 stars.

(re-tasted on 10/20/13)

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Estancia Estates Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

13 Saturday Jul 2013

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3 stars, 85 points, california


Dark fruit on the nose and purple in the glass.  Not overly fruity, this wine was decent and a good value for the price.  On the palate I got some earth, dark berries and a touch of oak.  Good mouthfeel, balanced and slight tannins made it easy to drink.  A basic California Cabernet for quaffing that I think should get 85 points and 3 stars in my books.

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Fleurie Cuvee Prestige Les Chambards 2011

30 Sunday Jun 2013

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3 stars, 87 points, beaujolais, fleurie, gamay


Our trip to Bali took us via Hong Kong, and the final leg was a lunchtime flight in Business class for just over 4 hours.  I sampled all they had and started with this little gem.  If you have ever had Gamay grapes, they were probably in some cheap and nasty Beaujolais Nouveau.  Fleurie is an appellation within the Beaujoulais region which straddles the Rhone and Burgundy regions in France.  The grape itself is thin skinned and low in tannins.  Fleurie is considered a step up from traditional wines of the region and has some aging capacity.

This particular cuvee was textbook Gamay; light, pungent and floral on the nose with some strawberry and rose on the palate. Very delicate in the mouth, it is a very smooth and easy wine to drink.  No marked tannins and a good acidic structure made this well suited to the lighter fare I chose.  I would not pair it with red meat, but rather salmon, roast chicken or a cobb salad would do the trick.  I’m not sure how widely available this wine is nor do I know the price.  Technically speaking i would guess at 87 points and think it would be a 3 star wine if priced under $15.  Worthy of a try if you come across it.  Of note, this style of wine is one of my preferred summertime lunch wines when chilled slightly.

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