Tag Archives: $30

Domaine du Grand Montmirail Gigondas ‘Vieilles Vignes’ 2020, Rhone, France

28 Friday Nov 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,


Deep ruby colored that is slightly cloudy, with high viscosity (15% ABV). Medium intensity aromas of black and red raspberry, licorice, green herbs.  The palate has medium acidity, a full body, and medium tannins.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of charcoal, ripe raspberry, licorice, lavender, stone and iron.  The long finish makes this a delicious wine which is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, hence the deep color. 91 points from me for this $30 effort makes it a 5 star wine to drink till 2030.  Salut….

Domaine du Grand Montmirail Gigondas 'Vieilles Vignes'

Reputation Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, Napa Valley, California

15 Saturday Nov 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Deep ruby colored with an inky core, moderate staining, and a high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of cassis, blackberry jam, black plum, mint, eucalyptus, coffee, blueberry, and a hint of oak.  The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a full body, and high tannins.  The fruit is ripe indeed, with cassis running the show.  Blackberry coulis, blueberry pie, some herbal notes and a trace of oak.  The tannins really grip on the mid palate and stay there for a prolonged period, the finish itself is medium in length and delicious.  This wine is a bit young, but could be decanted or aerated for immediate pleasure or cellared for a few years. Drink by 2035, with a juicy steak or lamb chops.  93 points from me for this $30 bottle that’s on sale at Costco for $15 makes it a no brainer 5 star effort.  Salut….

reputation cabernet sauvignon

 

King Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2023, Monticello, Virginia

09 Sunday Nov 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Medium ruby colored with slight staining, and high viscosity (12.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of licorice, green pepper, blackberry, cassis, acai berry, fresh green herbs, a hint of oak, chocolate powder, and vanilla.  The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium tannins.  Medium intensity flavors of acai berry, anise, green pepper, herbs, and some blackberry.  The finish is medium (-) in length and turns a touch tart- refreshing.  It’s a nice bottle that we picked up at the winery, which is a must-visit if in the area.  It runs $30 ex-chateau and gets 90 points from me, making it a 4 star effort to drink over the next five years.  Salut….

King Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc

Sebastien Dampt Cote de Lechet 2022, Chablis Premier Cru, France

09 Monday Jun 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


We tasted this Burgundian Chardonnay at the 40th virtual wine tasting.  Per normal,  it was served chilled first followed by a room temperature glass for comparison.  The chilled version scored far better for me which is unusual.  Pale gold in color with medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose gave us citrus, nectarines, honey, melon, peach and pink grapefruit.  The palate was dry with medium (+) acidity, and a medium (-) body.  The flavors are very terroir driven with loads of minerality and a long finish.  I scored this one a 16 on our tasting scale with a 91 point technical score.  The room temperature version was far less aromatic on the nose which surprised me.  It was more broad with lemon and grapefruit pith notes coupled with some honey and peach.  The palate was fuller in body but less powerful, not as complex and lacking focus.  The peach note remained alongside some ripe Honeycrisp apple notes and a slight bitterness.  The finish was only medium at this temperature.  I scored it a mere 10 points on our sheet.  Overall, I really enjoyed this wine well-chilled on night two.  At $30, it’s a treat bottle that gets 4 stars from me.  I believe it has some decent cellaring capacity with potential to evolve.  Salut….

Sebastien Dampt Cote de Lechet

Red Tail Ridge Pinot Noir 2020, Finger Lakes, New York

08 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Pale ruby colored with medium viscosity (12% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of potting shed, dried cranberry, red cherry, baking spice, lingonberry, and a slight medicinal note.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a light body, and medium (-) tannins.  The flavor intensity is medium (-) but I get some nice cranberry, red cherry, lingonberry, and spice notes.  The finish is a touch sour but medium in length.  Overall a nice, lightweight rendition of Pinot Noir that will pair nicely with our Turkey dinner.  I would drink till 2028.  88 points for this $30 effort makes it a 3 star wine.  Salut….

Red Tail Ridge Pinot Noir

Bodegas Balbás Ardal Cuvée Especial Crianza 2020, Ribera del Duero, Spain

16 Monday Dec 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Medium-to-deep ruby colored with slight staining and high viscosity (15% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe blackberry, dusty earth, oak stave, acai berry, menthol, a medicinal note, tomato stalk, black licorice, and a whiff of tobacco.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body, and high tannins that are gritty and young.  The fruit is more intense on the palate than it was on the nose.  Dark berries with nuanced oak and some grippy tannins that carry on for an eternity.  The finish, albeit quite dry, lasts for a medium length and is begging for some food.  I’m guessing the 20% addition of Cabernet Sauvignon has beefed up the normally tame Tempranillo- it makes for an interesting and structured wine that has managed to hide its high alcohol nicely.  I would give this one a wide berth and cellar till 2026, with a drinking window into 2030.  92 points from me for this $30 effort makes it a 5 star wine.  Salut….

Bodegas Balbás Ardal Cuvée Especial Crianza

Fanal Madeira Rainwater Old Reserve 10 year NV, Madeira, Portugal

06 Wednesday Nov 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


Pale amber with purple and copper hues and high viscosity (18% ABV).  The nose has intense aromas of walnuts, caramel, raisins, prune, desiccated lemon peel, dried flowers and railroad tie shavings.  The palate is medium sweet with a full body and medium (+) acidity.  An intriguing set of flavors layer themselves on the tip of my tongue- a melange of dried nuts, dessicated fruit, dried lemon pith and that unique shaved railroad tie note.  The finish is long but the wine is a touch thinner than other styles of Madeira so it runs lean and slightly tart from the acidity.  Unique stuff with history as to how it is made and why this style evolved.  My boss brought it from Madeira.   Price-wise I believe it was in the $30 range.  Getting 91 points from me makes it a 5 star effort to search out if you want to try something different.  Drink for the next 50 years!  Salut.

Fanal Madeira Rainwater

Red Tail Ridge Estate Grown Pinot Noir 2020, Finger Lakes, New York

18 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Pale ruby colored with a medium (-) viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of potting soil, cherry, strawberry, pomegranate and floral undertones with some smoky spice in the background.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a light body and medium (-) tannins.  It’s silky and tasty!  The red fruit and earthy notes I got on the nose are prevalent with some floral hints and a bit of minerality/granite.  This is an interesting wine that sways between light and airy with a delightfully lithe mouthfeel to a weighty Pinot that shows me it has some heft before cresting back to dancing on my tongue.  It finishes long and begs for another sip.  Delicious and worthy of 93 points.  I paid $30 at the winery for this 5 star wine that can be savored till 2035.  Salut….

Hermann J. Wiemer Cabernet Franc 2020, Finger Lakes, New York

30 Sunday Jun 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Medium garnet colored, nearly deep in opacity with medium viscosity (13% ABV).  On the nose I get medium intensity aromas of black plum, grilled fig, purple licorice, cracked pepper, blackcurrant and brambleberry.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body and medium tannins that are polished.  Flavors of black plum, blackcurrant, brambleberry, fig, cracked pepper and a charred note, perhaps some charcoal.  It finishes with long length and is a touch bitter at the very end.  Lovely balance and nice concentration.  I have had poorer vintages from the Finger Lakes that look thin and taste runny.  This is a much more staid version and has cellared nicely, albeit only 4 years.  It should develop further and drink well till 2030.  I’m ordering pizza to pair.  91 points and for $30, it’s worthy of 4 stars.  Salut….

Stokes’ Ghost Petite Sirah 2020, Monterey, California

16 Thursday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


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….