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Tag Archives: 4 stars

Cigar Box Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Central Valley, Chile

06 Tuesday Jan 2026

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$13, 4 stars, 88 points, cabernet sauvignon, central valley, chile


Deep ruby colored, with slight staining, and a high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of – you guessed it- cigar box, along with blackberry, black plum, cassis, chocolate, coffee, and an initial green vegetal note which thankfully blew off.  The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium (+) tannins that are quite chalky and somewhat green.  Medium intensity flavors of black fruit and oak nuance with a focus on the tobacco note alongside black tea.  The tannins are really starting to hit under my tongue, but seem to have lost the green streak, they are just grippy and young.  The ripeness of the fruit is somewhat concerning, even though the label promotes ripeness- I feel otherwise.  The finish is driven by the tannins, it’s hard to get away from them.  The length of the fruit is quite short.  I picked up this bottle for around $13.  It gets 88 points from me making it a 4 star effort to drink till 2030, perhaps with a hunk of steak.  Salut….

Cigar Box Old Vine Hand Harvested Cabernet Sauvignon

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Clos Pissarra El Riu 2011, Priorat DOCa, Spain

05 Monday Jan 2026

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$35, 4 stars, 92 points, carignan, Priorat, spain


Pale garnet colored, with a medium (-) viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of fig, prune, nuts, stewed strawberry, cherry reduction, leather, and vanilla thread.  The palate is dry, with medium (+) acidity, a medium body, and medium(-) tannins that are fully melded.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of dried orange peel, prune, figs, desiccated cherry, stewed strawberry, leather, and a smoky hint.  The finish is long and caressing but the alcohol is noticeable, with a burn happening on the back end.  I was a little put off by the nose, thinking it was over the hill, but I think we rescued this bottle just in time as it’s really delicious, and different.  I would have thought it to be a 92 point wine back in the day.  It needs to be drunk soon as there is virtually no structure left and the fruit is hanging on by a thread.  It’s 100% Carignan, aka Samso in the region.  I paid $35, but it lists for far more.  4 stars.  Salut….

Clos Pissarra El Riu

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Chateau Musar Blanc 2013, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

25 Thursday Dec 2025

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$55, 4 stars, 91 points, bekaa valley, lebanon, Merwah, Obeideh


Pale gold in color with a watery sheen (11.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of Quince, Meyer lemon, lanolin, green almond, grapefruit pith, white blossom, and a zesty minerality.  The palate is dry, with medium (+) acidity, and a medium (-) body.  Medium intensity flavors mimic the nose, but especially the pith- giving a touch of bitterness.  On the mid palate I get the Quince, followed by a medium (+) length finish that’s got a refreshing dose of acidity.  This is a 12 year young wine that probably needs another decade before it starts to flesh out and develop tertiary notes.  I picked it for Christmas dinner of Lobster tails and baked potatoes- a good pairing.  I like this blend of Merwah and Obeideh from my native Lebanon.  It gets 91 points and for $55- it’s a 4 star effort.  Salut….

Chateau Musar Blanc

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Nyetimber Classic Cuvee Sparkling NV, Sussex, England

28 Friday Nov 2025

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$55, 4 stars, 91 points, chardonnay, England, Pinot Meunier, pinot noir, Sparkling wine, sussex


 

Pale lemon colored with gold highlights and large bubbles (12% ABV).  The nose has subtle hints of yellow apple, brioche, lemon pith, green almond, lanolin and then some bruised red apple. The palate is dry, with medium (+) acidity, a nice mousse, and light bodied. Refreshing and zesty with some brioche notes and yellow apple. The lemon notes are very faint, it’s more driven towards the apple flavor. The finish is medium (-) in length. It gets better with air, and I revised my score from 89 to 91 points.  Albeit non-vintage, I have sat on this bottle for over two years and think it has rewarded me nicely.  Bought at the London Duty Free, it runs about $55 now, making it a 4 star wine.  A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.  Salut….

Nyetimber Classic Cuvee Sparkling

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Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Marlborough, New Zealand

19 Wednesday Nov 2025

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$13, 4 stars, 89 points, marlborough, new zealand, Sauvignon blanc


Pale stars colored, with a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of lemon/lime, grapefruit pith, peach, green almond, cut grass, and orange blossom.  The palate is dry, with high acidity, and a medium (-) body.  Medium intensity flavors of citrus with tropical notes and a green grass overlay.  The acidity is cutting and fresh.  The finish is medium (-) in length and I notice the wine taking on a bit of weight here.  It’s making my jaw water for sure, making me reach for another sip.  A delicious and typical Kiwi Sav Blanc that will provide much enjoyment, especially if paired with seafood.  It’s worthy of 89 point from me and at $13, it gets 4 stars.  Drink now.  Salut….

 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc

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Bodegas Caro ‘Aruma’ Malbec 2022, Mendoza, Argentina

14 Friday Nov 2025

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$15, 4 stars, 89 points, Argentina, Malbec, Mendoza


Deep purple colored, with moderate staining, and a medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of black plum, brambleberry, mint, eucalyptus, charred oak, coffee, iron, and grape licorice.  The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium (-) tannins that are pretty astringent.  Medium (+) intensity flavors mirror the nose with a silky mouthfeel.  The bitterness of the tannins hits on the finish, which is medium in length, somewhat detracting from an otherwise delicious and easygoing wine.  89 points from me for this $15 effort gets it 4 stars.  Drink till 2028 with game, duck or even roast chicken.  Salut….

Bodegas Caro Aruma Malbec

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Boedecker Cellars Distinction Pinot Noir 2019, Willamette Valley, Oregon

12 Wednesday Nov 2025

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$50, 4 stars, 92 points, oregon, pinot noir, willamette valley


Pale ruby colored, fading to pale garnet, with medium viscosity (13.8% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of black cherry, baking spices, ripe pomegranate, orange peel, black raspberry, toasty oak, and Turkish coffee.  The palate is dry, with medium (+) acidity, a medium (-) body, and medium (-) tannins.  The flavors are medium in intensity and hone in on dark red fruit. The oak influence is not as evident as the nose,  with the focus being on black raspberry and black cherry.  I like it- the zesty tartness of the acidity makes for a lively mouthfeel.  The finish is medium (+) in length and juicy.  92 points from me for this $50 bottle gets it 4 stars.  Drink till 2033.  Salut….

Boedecker Cellars Distinction Pinot Noir

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King Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2023, Monticello, Virginia

09 Sunday Nov 2025

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$30, 4 stars, 90 points, Cabernet franc, Monticello, virginia


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

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Castelli del Grevepesa Coltifredi Riserva 2020, Chianti Classico DOCG, Italy

04 Tuesday Nov 2025

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$25, 4 stars, 89 points, chianti classico, Italy, sangiovese, tuscany


Medium ruby fading to a watery meniscus, with slight staining, and high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of red cherry, leather, dried herbs, pomegranate, black currant, and an iron note.  The palate is dry, with medium (+) acidity, a medium body, and medium (+) tannins that seem to dominate the mouthful.  Flavors are medium in intensity and I get dried red cherry, leather, iron, blood, dried herbs and overly dry tobacco leaf.  The finish is medium (-) in length and a touch tart.  The tannins go on for ages, drying up the gums in the process.  It’s a serviceable Sangiovese, nothing special.  A bit youthful, it will reward cellared for a few years to tame the tannic imbalance.  89 points from me for this $25 effort making it a 4 star wine.  The obvious pairing for me is pasta tonight.  Salut…..

Castelli del Grevepesa Coltifredi Riserva
Chianti Classico

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Carmen Stevens Angels Reserve Shiraz 2022, Swartland, South Africa

31 Friday Oct 2025

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$11, 4 stars, 88 points, Naked Wines, shiraz, South Africa, swartland, syrah


Medium garnet colored, with slight staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV).  The wine has a slightly murky look, perhaps it’s not filtered?  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of plums, pomegranate, blackberry, smoke, game, and cracked pepper.  The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium tannins that fade quickly.  The flavors are medium in intensity and echo the nose, but with some added astringency, perhaps over-steeped black tea.  The finish is medium (+) in length and shows off some sweetness of fruit.  It’s a decent bottle that ran me $11 and gets 88 points, making it a 4 star effort.  It has some cellaring capacity, perhaps till 2030.  I am pairing it with smoked duck breast.  Salut….

Carmen Stevens Angels Reserve Shiraz

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