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Tag Archives: $38

Bernard Baudry Chinon Le Clos Guillot 2018, Loire, France

07 Saturday May 2022

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$38, 5 stars, 91 points, Cabernet franc, chinon, france, loire valley, VWTC


The red wine theme for our 27th VWTC tasting was Cabernet Franc.  We kicked it off with this classic Chinon from the Loire valley.  As I opened the bottle and took a sniff I was very worried about the wine’s acceptance into our group.  It was very, very funky with loads of herbaceous aromas- not everyones cup of tea mind you.  This wine is deep purple colored with pronounced aromas of green pepper, dried herbs and earth.  We also got funk, cave moss, overripe blackberry, sea salt, lavender, violet, plastic band aid, overripe cherry and sarsaparilla.  There was definitely some minerality in this very complex wine.  The palate was dry with medium (+) tannins, medium (+) acidity and was full bodied.  In addition to the herbaceous notes we also got flavors of tart cherry on the plate, especially towards the back end.  Oak was present by way of svelte cinnamon and nutmeg flavors and the wine finished to a medium length. I was pleasantly surprised how this $38 monster developed in the glass and became one of the group’s favorite wines.  Some just love the funk!  I gave it 91 points and would drink this over a 10 year window with hearty steaks, venison or rich stews.  It gets 5 stars from me, just beware of the herbaceous quality of this varietal- times 10.  Salut….

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Ondine Chattan Pinot Noir 2019, Russian River Valley, California

30 Monday Nov 2020

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$38, 5 stars, 91 points, california, Naked Wines, pinot noir, Russian river valley


Reddish purple and semi opaque in the glass. The nose gives me pomegranate, strawberry, black pepper and rich cherry extract. On the palate it is silky smooth with a very gentle intro to the fruit- it’s more a melange of ripe red fruits that are melded together. Bright acidity and a touch of tannin all make this a pretty full bodied wine. The mid palate has a purple streak, like damson plum jam. There’s a nutmeg spice note as well. The finish is quite dry and still loaded with those purple fruit notes. It’s an interesting take on New World Pinot that I am enjoying. If you like them full-throttle, this one is up your alley. 91 points from me and 5 stars for this $38 gem. Drink till 2026. Salut….

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Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 2015, Clare Valley, Australia

18 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by caspernick in Wine

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$38, 5 stars, 93 points, australia, clare valley, shiraz


To say I am excited about today’s tasting would be an understatement.  Many years ago, I discovered this Shiraz in a wine shop in Anchorage, Alaska.  The local restaurant also carried it so it was easy to avail myself of this heady Shiraz, the little brother to the iconic Armagh.  I have searched high and low for over 10 years, until today.  Nestled into a corner of the local wine shop in Hong Kong were 5 bottles.  I’m trying this one out and will return for the others if it works out.  Here goes….

It has changed with the absence of a cork, replaced with the ease of a screw cap.  Fully opaque, dark and brooding…  Like I remember.  The nose offers up sweet damson,  charred oak, plums and lilac.  I get a little blackberry jam note as well.  The palate is as I remember- rich, deep, layered and chock full of flavors.  It’s a lighter, less jammy version of the older ones which makes it a bit fresher and easier to drink.  Blackberries, delicious oak, blueberry pie and vanilla all swirl around the palate.  There is a very gradual introduction to the tannins, which are super fine grained and not very obtrusive.  This wine has a very lush mouthfeel, it coats my gums and palate with delicious dark fruits from the front to the back.  The astringency is well in check and there is a touch of acidity that keeps it fresh.  This wine is a pleasure to drink, I am loving it.  I would imagine it would pair beautifully with Filet and Bearnaise, or you can just sip it alone like I am.  93 points from me for this $38 effort that gets 5 stars from me.  Drink till 2029.  Salut….

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Murrieta’s Well Dry Orange Muscat 2018, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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$38, 4 stars, 90 points, california, livermore, orange muscat


Very pale yellow.  Blood oranges, gardenia, rose water all hit my nose- from a foot away.  This is very aromatic.  On the palate it tastes just it smells- plus lychee.  Delicious and tight. 90 points and 4 stars even though it’s a bit pricey at $38, it’s a treat.  Salut….

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Murrieta’s Well Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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$38, 2 stars, 89 points, california, livermore, Sauvignon blanc


Very light gold in the glass. A sweet nectar nose with honeysuckle, peach stone and cut grass.  On the palate it is a touch biting with some nice acidity to go along with the grapefruit.  89 points and 2 stars for this $38 white.  Salut….

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Kanonkop Pinotage 2013

16 Saturday Jul 2016

Posted by caspernick in Wine

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$38, 4 stars, 91 points, Pinotage, South Africa, stellenbosch wine


Nearly black in complexion showed me that this is a very extracted wine.  The nose is somewhat muted but a few swirls in the glass begin to reveal some black cherries and the telltale tar/creosote that makes Pinotage so unique.  It is a cross breed of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut only found in South Africa.

The first taste is all I expected.  Smoke, bramble and cherry hints are all present.  Licorice presents itself halfway through.  The wine offers a short burst of tannin followed by that tarry mid palate taste that I really enjoy from this varietal.  It has a nice mouthfeel, crossing from the tannic thrust over to a slightly tart acidic finish that carries some earthy components.  I like this wine a lot.  The 14.5% alcohol is well masked, making this a great pairing with some grilled beef.  I would drink this over the next 5 years at the least.  91 points and 4 stars for this $38 offering.  Salut….

kanonkop pinitage

 

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Michel-Schlumberger Chardonnay Reserve Russian River Valley 2014

27 Saturday Feb 2016

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$38, 3 stars, 90 points, chardonnay, Russian river valley


Pale gold color with long legs in the glass and a nose of apples, pears and honey. The first impression is of a somewhat flabby wine, mouth filling and full of charm. The mid palate comes alive with quince, gooseberries and a touch of vanilla. The acidity is restrained and the wine has a decent finish.  Very Cali-styled wine that got 91 points from the pros.  I’m just not that into the level of Malolactic fermentation and the weight of the oak used.  Some might love this style.  I am going with 90 points and for $38 retail it gets 3 stars.  I think it needs some fresh fish, perhaps oysters Rockefeller. Salut…..

michel schlumberger chardonnay russian river

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707 Cabernet Franc Rockpile 2012

21 Wednesday Jan 2015

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$38, 5 stars, 92 points, Cabernet franc, Sonoma


From the northern part of Sonoma comes this gem.  My buddy brought it to the tasting and paid $38 for it.  I was excited to try it as you know how I love the Franc.

We were outside by the fire pit so I could not really make out the color or clarity.  The nose was gorgeous though.  Violets and plum notes with a touch of oak on the first whiff.  Fresh and bracing initial attack with flowers, cinnamon, plum torte and vanilla creme.  Rich acidity and smooth tannins make for a long cellaring potential. This is a well made and deelish wine that gets 92 points from me.  Well hidden 14.4% alcohol and a long finish make this a 5 star wine.  Salut….

707 rockpile cabernet franc

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