Tag Archives: 3 stars

Arraigo Benegas Estate Wine Cabernet Franc 2021, Mendoza, Argentina

12 Tuesday Dec 2023

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Deep purple colored with slight staining and medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blueberry pie, with vanilla and baking spices really prominent.  Acai berry and black plum support alongside bell pepper and mint.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium (-) tannins.  A medium body shows off ripe blue fruit, vanilla, spices and a hint of greeness.  The finish is a little bit tart with the blueberry tending to slightly underripe which is interesting.  The length is short to medium and very pleasant.  I like this somewhat basic wine for what it is- a $20 weekday quaffer.  It gets 87 points from me and 3 stars.  Drink till 2026.  Salut….

Benjamin Darnault Domaine De Montahuc Vin Doux Naturel 2019, Saint Jean de Minervois, France

11 Monday Dec 2023

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Pale lemon colored with high viscosity (15% ABV).  The nose of this dessert wine has intense aromas of honey, orange marmalade, bruised red apple, a hint of apricot and a touch of vanilla bean. The palate is sweet with medium (+) acidity and a full body.  The wine starts out bitter right off the bat, the astringency is akin to candied grapefruit pith.  The marmalade and honey notes come along with some vanilla and red apple.  The mid palate is where the wine settles down and the honey, marmalade and apricot come to the forefront.  The finish is long and sweet, syrupy and delicious.  I think it needs a bit of air TBH.  Right now, it gets 88 points from me but it could improve with some time.  Cellaring capacity is probably good- say till 2030.  I paid $19 for a 500 ml bottle, making it a 3 star effort.  Salut….

Chamonix Reserve Pinot Noir 2014, Franschhoek Valley, South Africa

09 Saturday Dec 2023

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Medium garnet colored with a watery sheen (13.5% ABV).  The nose of this aged Pinot has medium (+) intensity aromas of dried cherry, baking spice, earthy forest floor, dried mushroom, vanilla bean, blueberry (?), desiccated cranberry and a woodsy note reminiscent of wet tree bark.  It’s certainly developing nicely.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium (-) tannins.  A lightweight body allows the seductive nature of this varietal to shine.  Whilst the nose was very complex, the palate is not as prominent.  I get dried/stewed red cherry, cranberry and strawberry along with some earthy funk and oak influence. The baking spice is not as pronounced, nor is the vanilla.  The wine finishes medium in length with some tartness but no trace of any tannins. It is at or just past peak, drink up.  I’m pairing it with roast Pork shoulder and au gratin potatoes.  It would rock a Cornish game hen nicely as well.  For $57, it’s a treat wine that gets 90 points from me and 3 stars.  Salut….

Neethlingshof Estate Pinotage 2021, Stellenbosch, South Africa

02 Thursday Nov 2023

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Deep ruby colored with some light staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black cherry, dark plums, dried coconut, violets and baking spice.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins.  A medium to full-body ensues with some tartness that hits me right off the bat.  The dark fruit I got on the nose are present as is the violets and baking spice, not so much the coconut though.  The finish is tart with some charcoal notes along with the cherry and plum notes.  It’s a bit disjointed for me, the tartness plays agains the ripeness of the fruit.  I am pairing this 87 point wine with grilled Tri-tip and Greek potatoes.   Drink till 2025.  Salut….

Famille Bougrier Vouvray V ‘Douce France’ 2020, Loire, France

20 Friday Oct 2023

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Medium lemon, bordering on light gold with medium viscosity legs (12% ABV).  The nose of this Chenin Blanc has medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon pith, wool, grapefruit zest, orange blossom and honeysuckle.  The palate is off-dry with some high acidity and a medium body.  The citrus melange and floral notes are of good intensity and the wine begs to be drunk.  It finishes with a medium (-) length but it entices me back for more.  A delicious aperitif which I will pair with Peruvian chicken in the air fryer and a Middle Eastern rice dish laced with cinnamon. It gets 87 points from me and at $16, 3 stars.  Drink now.  Salut….

William Heritage Chardonnay Reserve 2022, Coastal Plains, New Jersey

18 Wednesday Oct 2023

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Pale lemon in color with medium viscosity legs (12.9% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of pineapple, Yuzu, lemon pith, lime zest, white blossom and baking spices.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body. I’m starting to get some signs of malolactic fermentation but it’s not overwhelming. Citrus and tropical fruit dominate but I’m wondering if there’s been a little bit of lees stirring.  I doubt there’s a great deal of new oak. I like it for its freshness and weight. 89 points and for $38 ex-cellar it gets 3 stars. Drink with grilled salmon or a Cobb salad. Till 2026.  Salut….

 

Chateau Valandraud ‘Virginie de Valandraud’ 2015, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France

05 Thursday Oct 2023

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Deep ruby, inky in fact with medium viscosity (14.5% ABV) and some staining.  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum, cassis, mint, charred oak, black tea, cigar tobacco, a hint of vanilla and some iron.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium (+) tannins that are fine grained but firm.  A full body with black fruit along with oak influence and a definite minty note carry through to a medium length finish that is a touch hot from the high alcohol.  I was hoping for more development and tbh- more depth here.  The second wine of this famed winery, it has a 70/30 split of Merlot and Cab Franc that gets 90 points from me and for $67, it’s a 3 star effort to drink till 2029.  I’m pairing with chargrilled steaks and peppercorn sauce.  Salut….

Au Contraire Chardonnay 2019, Russian River Valley, California

28 Thursday Sep 2023

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Pale lemon colored with a watery sheen (14.2% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of lemon pith, lemon, melon, brioche, raw almond, honeysuckle and orange blossom.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a full body.  My first impression:  this wine has seen all the treatments- MLF, Sur lie aging and loads of oak.  The citrus fruit is overpowered by the effects of such treatment- butter, brioche and vanilla are all foremost and then I get a hint of lemon, pineapple and melon.  If you like this style of Cali Chard then grab some- I paid $11 on sale at Costco.  You can find it closer to $20.  It gets 86 points from me and 3 stars.  I’m pairing with roasted Cornish hens and glazed carrots with hot honey and garlic.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

Aldi ‘The Exquisite Collection’ Malbec 2023, Uco Valley, Argentina

25 Monday Sep 2023

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Deep ruby colored with staining on the walls and medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of macerated blackberry, a touch of black plum, raspberry and whiff of asparagus.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium tannins that lead to a medium body.  The fresh black fruit is more evident on the palate and there is a hint of rooibos tea, some mocha and raspberry- the green note is nowhere to be tasted.  The finish is short in length but refreshingly tart.  This is not a complex wine by any stretch, but for $8 from ALDI…. I’ll drink it on a weekday with grilled burgers, pizza or pasta.  It’s funny to drink a wine that is a 2023 vintage when most of the northern hemisphere has not even begun to pick their 2023 grapes.  This 86 point wine gets 3 stars from me and should be drunk by 2027.  Salut….

Clos des Fous Pour Ma Gueule 2019, Maule Valley, Central Valley, Chile

14 Thursday Sep 2023

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Pale ruby colored with a bit of haze and medium viscosity ((13% ABV).  The nose needs a bit of coaxing but once there- red and black cherry, baking spice, blueberry pie and herbs.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and low tannins.  A medium body that reveals a smooth mouthfeel with flavors of cherry, a medicinal note, coffee and herbs.  The finish is short to medium in length and ends on a bit of a sour note.  It’s a decent drop that gets 87 points from me and should drink nicely till 2027.  For $15 it gets 3 stars. This Cinsault blend has some Pais and Carignan.  It got 91 points from others, I don’t see how.  Salut….