Tag Archives: 4 stars

Ernesto Catena Vineyards Tikal Patriota 2018, Mendoza, Argentina

27 Saturday May 2023

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A 60/40 Bonarda/Malbec blend, this was the second wine in our lineup at the 31st virtual wine tasting.  It showed deep purple with lots of staining and medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  On the nose- blackberry, black cherry, black currant, pomegranate and caramel.  Others noted candied cherry, twizzlers, fig, slate and violet.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and high tannins.  The dark, ripe fruit flavors were echoed on the palate along with some oak influence- coffee, charred wood and an oaky hint.  The finish on this medium bodied wine was decent in length and really honed in on the ripe, black berries.  I gave it 13 points on our scoring sheet and would assign it 90 points.  For $20 this wine gets 4 stars with a drinking window of 2025-2030 unless you like them tannic AF.  Salut….

Prelude a Grand-Puy Ducasse 2015, Pauillac, France

22 Monday May 2023

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Last night Moxie and I celebrated our 30th anniversary.  We dined at our favorite restaurant, L’Auberge Chez François in Great Falls, Virginia.  They have a decent wine list with emphasis on their French, more specifically, Alsatian heritage.  I was to dine on Wagyu Beef cheeks for appetizer and Rack of Lamb for mains, with a few extras in between.  Choosing a hearty Bordeaux was a no-brainer.  This wine is the Second label of the Classed Growth Grand-Puy Ducasse of Pauillac and comes from a fine vintage.  At 7 years of age it is showing primary, secondary and some tertiary flavors.  Dark brambly fruit, plums, integrated oak, medium acidity and chalky tannins greeted us.  The wine has a medium body and good length.  I was hoping for more cassis but alas, it turned out just fine.  The wine runs $40 at retail and gets 90 points from me.  Drink till 2028.  4 stars for this 60/40 blend of Cab Sav and Merlot..  Salut….

Man O’ War Island Blend 2019, Waiheke Island, New Zealand

16 Tuesday May 2023

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Medium ruby with wall staining and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black and red plum, black berry, cinnamon, vanilla, lavender and tomato leaf.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (+) tannins that hit the mid palate.  Flavor-wise I get blackberry, plums and açaí berry with vanilla, baking spices and coffee. The wine is medium (+) bodied but it thins out on the back end a touch.  The finish has some charred wood notes along with roasted coffee and black fruit but I also get a green herbaceous hint.  It’s a nice blend of Cabernet Franc 48%, Malbec 25%, Merlot 19% and Petit Verdot 8% that has a medium length ending.  I like this style of wine and think it is drinking nicely now and will cellar for the short term.  90 points from me for this $25 effort makes it a 4 star wine.  Salut….

Fontanafreda ‘Ebbio’ Langhe Nebbiolo 2020, Piedmont, Italy

13 Saturday May 2023

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Pale ruby colored with some slow moving legs (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of cherry, roses, tar, cranberry, dried thyme, red licorice.  The palate is dry with high acidity and high tannins.  Medium to full bodied, this Nebbiolo has classic red fruit notes with dried herbs, red flowers and earthy tar nuance.  The finish is tart and medium in length.  This is a scaled down version of Barolo that is easier to drink when young- it begs for pasta dishes which is what I’m pairing it with.  It is very smooth and balanced with the high levels of structure that will reward some cellaring.  It gets 90 points from me and for $26 it gets 4 stars.  Drink till 2026.  Salut….

Hugl Wimmer Gruner Veltliner Classic 2021, Niederosterreich, Austria

09 Tuesday May 2023

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Pale lemon/lime colored with medium viscosity legs (13.5% ABV).  Medium intensity aromas of white pepper, lanolin, lime, pear, red apple and wet stone.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium body.  Flavors of silky lanolin with spicy white pepper and Bartlett pear mix with slightly underripe red apple and zingy citrus.  The finish is medium in length and a touch tart from the high acidity.  It’s refreshing, yet the full body is counterintuitive.  This comes in a 1 litre bottle for $16 and gets 88 points from me.  I’m pairing this 4 star wine with Thai Beef Kaprow and a vegetarian Green Curry.  Drink now.  Salut….

Marietta Cellars OVR Old Vine Red NV, California

04 Thursday May 2023

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Deep ruby, not quite opaque but with high viscosity legs (13.5% ABV).  The nose has aromas of purple licorice, black pepper, candied plum and Luxardo cherries.  There’s a hint of gaminess as well.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and silky smooth medium tannins that make for a creamy mouthfeel.  The body is medium to full and I get a dichotomy of ripeness- tart blueberries coupled with super ripe plum and black cherry.  There is a phenolic bitterness that hits mid-palate which leads to a rather long finish where the fruit melds together.  The candied nature of the aromas dissipated on the palate (thank goodness).  There is very little oak noted on this Zinfandel blend.  I like it and would pair it with BBQ, smoked meats or even a deep fried Turkey.  88 points from me for this $12 offering makes it a 4 star wine to buy in bulk for those summer parties.  Drink now.  Salut….

Chateau Lascombes 2004, Margaux, France

30 Sunday Apr 2023

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Dinner at a friend’s house revealed this impeccably stored Margaux.  It was so fresh and youthful I would never have guessed 18 years old in a blind tasting.  I took very basic notes:

Fresh, youthful. Deep ruby. Medium acid with smooth, silky tannins. Graphite, pencil lead, cassis, cedar, blackberry, vanilla bean and charcoal on a medium weight body ending in a long, tart finish.  91 points for this $90 bottle makes it a 4 star effort, drink till 2028.  Salut….

Lustau Dry Oloroso Don Nuno Sherry NV, Jerez, Spain

28 Friday Apr 2023

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Medium amber, a beautiful hue with high viscosity legs showing off the 20% ABV.  The nose has medium intensity aromas of dried mixed nuts, desiccated plum, raisins, prunes and a salty herbal combo.  The palate is dry with high alcohol and medium (+) acidity.  Full bodied, this wine has loads of rich nutty flavors with dried fruit and a slightly bitter almond note with caramel and umami.  The finish is a touch hot from the alcohol but I get lovely warmth from the heat- picture a mound of warmed nuts and some dried black fruit.  The back end is medium in length and makes me reach for more from the glass.  This wine needs to be chilled and served as an aperitif with some charcuterie along with olives and nuts.  I like this oxidative style of sherry and am giving this $30 offering 91 points.  4 stars.  Salut….

Anne De K Pinot Blanc 2019, Alsace, France

21 Friday Apr 2023

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Medium lemon colored with a watery sheen (12.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of lemon zest, lime peel, white geraniums pear, yellow apple and an interesting peanut scent on the top rim of the glass.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (-) body.  It’s a refreshing wine with crisp citrus notes coupled with some florals and a touch of pithy bitterness.  The finish is short and clean- making me yearn for the next sip.  This is going to be categorized as a summer pool-pounder to be drunk chilled and paired with steamed shellfish on ice with sides of lemon wedges and cocktail sauce.  A tasty and uncomplicated bottle that runs $18.  I’m going with 88 points and 4 stars.  Drink now.  Salut….

Broadbent Rainwater Medium Dry NV, Madeira, Portugal

15 Saturday Apr 2023

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Medium amber with high viscosity legs (19% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of dried prune, nuts, raisins, saline and an almost Flor-like note.  The palate is off-dry with high acidity and a full body.  The alcohol is noticeable right off the bat, but then I start to get flavors of warm nuts, dried raisins and prunes, an oxidized character with some dried lemon peel and pith.  The wine has weight yet is very sprite- the lightness is refreshing in a strange way.  The finish is medium in length and a touch hot, which is to be expected from a fortified wine of this level.  At $18 it is a great aperitif alternative that gets 88 points from me and 4 stars.  Drink this non-vintage Tinta Negra wine on purchase.  Salut….