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Tag Archives: 3 stars

SIX EIGHTY Cellars Cabernet Franc Carbonic 2021, Finger Lakes, New York

20 Monday May 2024

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$28, 3 stars, 88 points, Cabernet franc, finger lakes, New York


This is an interesting take on Cabernet Franc- Carbonically macerated versus traditional maceration which has resulted in a very pale crimson colored wine with low viscosity (11.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of raspberry, earth, funk, macerated strawberry, wildflower and green pepper- very unique.  The palate is dry with medium (-) acidity, a light body and low tannins.  It’s a fruit forward wine with red raspberry, strawberry, red licorice, florals and a hint of green pepper.  The green note sticks out on the medium length finish, which I am really liking.  It’s not an overly complex wine, nor is it ageworty but it’s a fun and light representation of the varietal that gets 88 points from me.  At $ 28 it’s a 3 star effort to try out with some lighter fare.  Salut….

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Leo Hillinger Blaufrankisch 2021, Burgenland, Austria

16 Thursday May 2024

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$17, 3 stars, 88 points, austria, blaufrankisch, Burgenland


Medium ruby fading to a silver rim with medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blueberry, violet, blackberry, white pepper, baking spice and marzipan.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and medium tannins.  Flavors of slightly green blueberry, blackberry, baking spice and some florals with a tart medium length finish.  It’s an interesting drop- the structure leans towards the tart which keeps it fresh and lighter on the palate.  Suggested pairings would be pasta, grilled mackerel or even a heavily seasoned chicken roast.  88 points for this $17 bottle makes it a 3 star wine to drink till 2027.  Salut….

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Stokes’ Ghost Petite Sirah 2020, Monterey, California

16 Thursday May 2024

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$30, 3 stars, 89 points, california, monterey, petite sirah


Deep purple color with medium staining and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blackberry jam, eucalyptus, smoke, vanilla, espresso and iodine.  The palate is dry with medium (-) acidity, medium to full body and high tannins that are a touch green.  Medium intensity flavors of blackberry, blackcurrant, smoke, coffee and eucalyptus.  Medium (+) length finish with some lingering astringency.  89 points and for $30m 3 stars.  Drink till 2028 with grilled steaks and a blue cheese sauce.  Salut….

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Casillero del Diablo Reserva Carmenere 2021, Central Valley, Chile

15 Wednesday May 2024

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$10, 3 stars, 85 points, carmenere, central valley, chile


I just got back from a week in Florida where I got to taste a few wines, albeit not under the greatest conditions or with the correct glasses.  Here goes nothing…

Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  Medium (-) intensity aromas of capsicum, bilberry, fresh cut oak, juniper and white raspberry.  On the palate I get medium acidity, medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins.  Medium (-) intensity flavors of the aforementioned aromas resulting in a short finish.  Pleasant but not complex or memorable- good if you’re looking for a greenish Carmenere without being too vegetal.  85 points for this $10 bottle made by Concha Y Toro makes it a 3 star effort to drink soon.  Salut….

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Louis Boillot Clos De La Chapelle 2008, Volnay, France

26 Friday Apr 2024

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$55, 3 stars, 89 points, burgundy, france, pinot noir, volnay


Pale garnet with copper highlights, some bricking and a medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  On the nose this aged Pinot has medium (+) intensity aromas of cherries jubilee, strawberry compote, earth, rose, baking spice, vanilla thread, Goji berry, Rooibos tea and baked lingonberry.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium body and medium (-) tannins that are fully integrated.  The flavors are somewhat tart but I get cherry, strawberry, baking spice, rose and Rooibos.  It’s a rather stark difference from the power and intensity of the nose- I was hoping for a grand slam but the unripe nature of the fruit is a little underwhelming.  The finish is long which makes up a point or two and the structure is still there for more aging yet I doubt the fruit will shine, perhaps more tertiary development is possible.  This is the third bottle I have tasted of this wine in 12 years, it still does’t quite live up to my desires- 89 points and for $55 it’s a 3 star effort.  Cellar at your own discretion.  Salut….

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Luis Pato Baga – Touriga Nacional 2016, Vinho Regional Beira Atlantico, Portugal

22 Monday Apr 2024

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$18, 3 stars, 85 points, baga, beira atlântico, portugal, Touriga Nacional


Slightly cloudy, medium garnet colored with a low viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe raspberry, black cherry, boysenberry, dried wheat and a touch of earthiness.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium (-) body and medium tannins.  The fruit is somewhat tart, red in nature and melded with some  earthy undertones.  The finish is short-lived but lively with acidity and tart red fruit popping all over the palate.  I was expecting a tannic, brooding wine based on the Baga, but this is a relatively mild affair with the Touriga Nacional also not contributing much to the structure.  There’s plenty of acidity but not much else that we expect from these two grapes.  I guess the 8 years of age may have mellowed some of the pieces to the puzzlebut it is not complete.  85 points from me, even though I am enjoying this $18 bottle tremendously before we embark on making home-made pizza.  It gets 3 stars with a drink now window.  Salut….

 

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Torrevento ‘Barbuto’ Primitivo 2020, Puglia IGT, Italy

15 Monday Apr 2024

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$18, 3 stars, 87, Italy, primitivo, puglia, zinfandel


Deep ruby colored with light staining and high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of black plum, baking spice, rose, licorice, coffee, vanilla and dried green herbs.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body and medium tannins.  Medium intensity flavors of black plum, black cherry, vanilla, baking spice, purple licorice and black pepper.  The finish is slightly tart with the tannins starting to show more prominence.  It lasts for a good 20 seconds.  My pairing for this $18 bottle is a meat lovers pie from our local wood oven pizzeria.  It gets 87 points from me making it a 3 star effort to drink till 2025.  Salut….

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Winzergenossenschaft Kallstadt Kobnert Dornfelder Rotwein Trocken 2019, Pfalz, Germany

08 Monday Apr 2024

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$15, 3 stars, 86 points, dornfelder, germany, pfalz


Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of game, infused blackberry, funk, macerated black cherry, baking spice, elderberry and over-ripe papaya (yes, I know, but there’s a definite funkiness).  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (-) tannins on a lithe medium (-) body.  It’s an interesting melange of ripe dark fruit with some funk, game and spice.  My first foray into this relatively new grape variety that happens to be a cross of two other varietals from Germany.  The spiciness really kicks in on the medium (+) finish- very interesting.   I picked this wine to pair with grilled Pork Tomahawks, I think it will work nicely.  The funky game note will pair up with the rosemary infused Dijon mustard that will glaze the meat.  Lower acidity and low tannins will allow the fruit to shine on the white meat.  For lack of experience I will give this wine a generous 86 points, and for $15, it gets 3 stars.  Try the varietal if you are in an adventurous mood or just want to expand your palate.  This one probably needs drinking sooner rather than later.  Salut….

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Botromagno Primitivo 2021, Puglia IGT, Italy

07 Sunday Apr 2024

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$15, 3 stars, 86 points, Italy, primitivo, puglia, zinfandel


Medium to deep red-ruby colored with slight staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of bramble, mulberry, vanilla, cracked black pepper, mint, black plum and a medicinal note.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (-) tannins.  It’s quite bitter right off the bat but then I get muted black fruit, vanilla, mint, and black pepper.  There is a coffee note to go along with a touch of the medicinal hint I got on the nose- both from oak treatment.  The astringency is cloying and sticks with me to the bitter end, which is relatively short in nature.  This wine is a bit disjointed and the bitterness is out of balance with the fruit and structure.  86 points from me for this Zinfandel that I will be pairing alongside Bison steaks.  At $15 it gets 3 stars.  Drink till 2026.  Salut….

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Sena 2015, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

23 Saturday Mar 2024

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$140, 3 stars, 94 points, Aconcagua valley, Cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, carmenere, chile, merlot, petit verdot, VWTC


The penultimate wine at our 35th virtual tasting- medium ruby to garnet colored with a high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose had medium (+) intensity aromas of barnyard, Sweet Baby Rays (from a fellow taster!), capsicum, cardamom, licorice, coffee, bramble, blackberry, smoke, leather, vanilla, baking spices and green pistachios.  Quite a complex array of aromas!  The palate was dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that were fully integrated.  Flavors of tobacco, coffee, cranberry, bramble, blackberry, leather, vanilla and creamy milk chocolate that led to a medium (+) length finish.  Everyone loved this wine- they should.  It was $140 and got 100 points from one pro.  For me, it fell short on the finish so I gave it 19/20 on our score sheet.  Technically speaking it got 94 points and therefore it is a 3 star wine.  Lovely and age-worthy, this is an iconic Chilean blend that is right up my alley.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….

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