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Tag Archives: $34

Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas ‘Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes’ 2017, Rhone, France

21 Thursday Oct 2021

Posted by caspernick in Wine

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$34, 5 stars, 93 points, france, Gigondas, grenache, mourvedre, rhone, southern rhone


I’m grilling Beef Tri-tip tonight so a hearty French red will do the trick.  This blend of Grenache and Mourvedre is semi opaque ruby with watery legs which is a bit suspect as the label clearly states 15% ABV!  The nose has got good red fruit flavors of raspberry, redcurrant, oak nuances of charred wood and clove alongside pepper, cinnamon and some meaty characteristics-perhaps from the dash of Mourvedre?  Anyways, the palate is super smooth with gorgeously integrated tannins, medium acidity and medium body.  The mouthfeel is stupendous.  All the aromas I got are mirrored on the palate with some Rooibos tea as well.  The mid palate and finish are where the tannins start to grip a touch, nothing overdone.  The back end is very smooth and it lasts a good long while.  A very impressive wine that is ready to go and will last till 2030 at the very least.  93 points from me and at $34 it is a great intro to yummy Southern Rhone wines.  5 stars.  Salut….

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G.D. Vajra Albe 2016, Barolo DOCG, Italy

21 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by caspernick in Wine

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$34, 2 stars, 89 points, barolo, Italy, nebbiolo, VWTC


I asked the group to decant this Nebbiolo for several hours before we met for tasting #15. I did not want to fight with a tannic beast and felt it best to go against my norm and give it a chance to soften. As expected from this varietal it was see-through with nice legs and showing a touch of bricking already. On the nose we got truffle, pepper, chocolate, dried cherry, tobacco, earth and it smelled ‘dry’. On the palate it was kinda blah. Tart cherry, tobacco and not much else going on. It was very disappointing from the hype generated by the reviews. I was hoping for a rich, beefy wine that would show off the grape but was let down. Overall I will go with 89 points and 2 stars for this $34 wine. Drink till 2028. Salut….

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Failla Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2016, California, USA

16 Sunday Sep 2018

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ 1 Comment

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$34, 3 stars, 89 points, california, pinot noir, sonoma coast, Sonoma coast Pinot noir


I stepped into a wine store in Cali where they had an extensive list of wines available to taste.  I took the opportunity to do so, but my notes were rushed and very brief, please bear with me.

Very new world Pinot Noir on the nose- strawberry, cherry.  Very light on the palate but tasty with red fruits, very lithe and fresh. There is a tartness that presents itself on the medium length finish that I am enjoying.  89 points from me for this $34 offering make it a 3 star wine to drink now through 2021.  Salut….

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Famille Perrin Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Sinards 2015, Rhone, France

15 Saturday Sep 2018

Posted by caspernick in Wine

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$34, 4 stars, 91 points, Chateauneuf-du-pape, france, grenache, rhone, syrah


Medium opacity with a lighter purple hue.  On the nose it screams black currants with some bacon fat and oregano.  There is a hint of forest floor at the back end of the nose.  On the palate – berries, medium intensity tannins, tea and olives.  The wine transitions nicely to the mid palate with the tannins providing a nice dryness to the mouthfeel.  The flavors are consistent through to the finish where I also get some licorice.  The balance is nice for a wine that is made for medium term drinking.  Perfect for a game dish, even a seasoned Cornish Hen.  Drink now till 2033.  91 points and 4 stars for this $34 blend of mainly Grenache mixed with Syrah and Mouvedre.  Salut….

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Raymond Reserve Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2013

29 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by caspernick in Wine

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$34, 4 stars, 90 points, cabernet sauvignon, Napa, napa cabernet


I have not visited the American Express Centurion Lounge at San Francisco airport in two months but the bartenders remembered me and offered up some special tastings. This was one of them, and boy was it good.

Expressive nose of dark fruits and cola.  Plums and black tea fight with the tannins for control of the initial attack.  The mid palate shows off more dark fruits that tail off with some herbs and oak on the mid length finish.  This wine needs another 2 years in cellar to really shine. Drink 2018-2025 with pretty much any grilled meat dish.  90 points from me and 4 stars for this yummy $34 bottle.  Salut….

raymond reserve selection napa valley cabernet sauvignon

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