Tag Archives: 4 stars

Domaine Baptiste Boutes Minervois 2016, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

28 Tuesday Sep 2021

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I must admit- I shop the bin ends and any closeouts.  I have found some great bargains but more importantly, aged wine that someone else has fronted for and held on to so I can swoop in and get it at its prime.  So I had to chuckle when I finally red the label on this 2016 vintage blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre.  It says “to be kept between one and two years of age’.  Whoops!

In the glass it’s a medium intensity ruby in color with watery legs.  On the nose- it still smells fresh!  Red currants, raspberry, blueberry, red plum and licorice.  The palate is delightful- medium acidity, lithe tannins and good expression of red fruit, a hint of oak and some black licorice.  I get a tea component on the mid palate and the finish is medium in length with charred oak, red fruit and stewed red plum. The structure is holding on and will allow this wine to be enjoyed for another few years, perhaps with Cassoulet, braised meats or a roast duck dish- it needs a rustic pairing.  89 points from me and at $14 it’s worth buying if you bump into it- 4 stars.  Salut….

Bodegas Manzanos Voche Reserva 2013, Rioja DOCa, Spain

23 Thursday Sep 2021

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I find Spanish wine to be the most consistent.  You always know what to expect and you know it will taste great- it’s my go-to in a pinch.  This particular bottle is short and squat, unlike any other wine bottle I have seen so I had to try it.  The wine is semi opaque and a nice shade of ruby.  On the nose it’s a medium intensity with aromas of stewed black plum, graphite, blackberry and that earthy/dusty quality I love in Riojas. The palate is dry and offers up rich blackberry, black plum, dust, charred wood and chocolate.  The tannins are grippy and the acidity is quite lithe.  I get black tea and earthy bramble on the mid plate and the finish is a dry affair with medium length.  Overall its a decent wine that I would cellar for another year or two unless you like them tannic.  It should drink well after that till 2028.  I’m pairing mine with Honey Bourbon London Broil.  90 points for this $40 wine makes it a 4 star effort.  Salut….

Two Hands Wines Bella’s Garden Shiraz 2016, Barossa Valley, Australia

21 Tuesday Sep 2021

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I’ve been a fan of this winery for many years.  In fact I have written about several wines from them and each one got a glowing review.  I just realized that this bottling  is named after the founder’s daughter who is but 3 days older than my youngest son, Jet.  This vintage runs a little less ABV than previous, 14.2%.  In the glass it is deep purple and showing youth rather than maturity.  The nose is very pronounced with aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant and white pepper.  There’s oak for sure, it’s just seamless and presents itself in vanilla and perhaps some chocolate notes.  As I swirl the flavor profile shifts towards blue fruit- think blueberry and plum.  There is a sweetness to this wine that might manifest into a jammy component on the palate- let’s see.

On the initial attack I get blueberry cobbler, vanilla, grippy tannins, juicy acidity and ever so slight jamminess.  It’s not overly thick like some Aussie Shirtaz-bombs can be, more subtle.  I get a distinct smoky note which is actually not playing well into my aspirations, it’s a bit disjointed.  The mid palate is quite dry and the finish is definitely where the tannins are showing up.  It’s quite a long affair with plenty of fruit flavors, but the grip is very present.  I like it.  This wine will pair well with my char-grilled strip steak and Chorizo sausages.  I think it drinks nicely now and will continue to evolve and get better with time.  Cellar or drink till 2028 for this 91 point wine that gets 4 stars for it’s $55 entry fee.  Salut….

Tremblay-Marchive Vau de Vey 2019, Chablis Premier Cru, France

03 Friday Sep 2021

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As summer comes to a close I am looking forward to some hearty reds yet still have a few chilled whites to taste- here goes as we are having sushi tonight and this Chablis might just fit the bill.

It’s a medium intensity lemon color with a nice citrus nose compounded with pineapple, blossom and wet stone- it’s a steely affair as expected from this region.  The palate is crispy with juicy acidity.  This Burgundian Chardonnay is a dry wine that has a good body and quite pronounced flavors of lemon, lime, grapefruit and pineapple.  The stony, mineral component is most definitely apparent on the mid palate and the wine finishes with good length.  I like the floral notes throughout and nearly wince at the acidity- it’s very crisp and tangy.  A perfect match for seafood, especially a Mackerel sushi.  I am thinking it is a 91 point wine and at a retail price of $65, it’s a rather steep but delicious white to enjoy till 2028.  4 stars from me, Salut….

Chateau Freybernat 2020, Bordeaux, France

29 Sunday Aug 2021

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This Sauvignon Blanc is pale lemon in the glass. Medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon zest, geranium, grapefruit, grass and passion fruit.  It is still youthful with a dry palate and medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol, medium (-) body and medium intensity flavors of citrus and some floral notes.  I like the medium (-) length finish, it’s very refreshing and crisp.  Something to drink now as it won’t age much longer.  89 points and for $10 it’s a good deal that gets 4 stars.  Salut….

Domaine Bourillon Dorleans Vouvray La Coulee d’Argent Vieilles Vignes 2019, Loire, France

02 Monday Aug 2021

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Bright yellow in the glass.  Nose of floral and tropical fruits with some elderflower.  It almost smells sweet….

On the palate it is dry, crisp and full flavored.  Stone fruit, flower blossoms and pineapple.  There’s a green almond hint on the mid palate and medium acidity on the jaw.  I picked this wine to pair with Sous Vide chicken confit- the crispy skin is going to go beautifully with this rich, full bodied Chenin Blanc that gets 89 points and for $ 20- 4 stars.  Drink till 2024.  Salut….

 

 

Matt Parish Trevino 2018, California

27 Tuesday Jul 2021

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Inky, with big legs in the glass showing off the 14.5% alcohol.  On the nose I get red plum, raspberry, strawberry and cedar- not at all what I was expecting.  The palate is super smooth and inviting- gentle tannins, red fruits galore and crispy acidity on the back end.  Coffee shows up on the mid palate and I sense a tar component on the finish.  Lovely mouthfeel on this one folks.  It’s built to drink now and might take to a few years of cellaring but why wait.  88 points from me.  Serve with strip steaks! For $20, it gets 4 stars.  Salut….

Chris Baker Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 2019, Willamette Valley, Oregon

27 Tuesday Jul 2021

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This Pinot is pretty opaque for the varietal.  A lovely shade of ruby with watery legs that give clue to the low 13% ABV.  On the nose I get spice box, red cherry, pomegranate and cranberry.  On the palate this wine is a touch tart and lacks any discernible tannins- not that I am complaining.  I like Pinot with a touch of sourness and no dryness, makes for a crisp mouthfeel.  The red fruit flavors are quite pronounced and balanced but I also get blueberry on the mid palate.  I like the weight but the finish is a touch short.  This bottle has what I really like in Pinot Noir- elegance and lightness with freshness and not too much oak influence.  It is seductive and lithe, maybe not very complex but it delivers lots of fruit flavors.  I would drink this one till 2025, perhaps pairing with Duck or Strip steak.  89 points from me and at $20 it’s a good deal that gets 4 stars.  Salut….

Chateau Musar White 2010, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

21 Wednesday Jul 2021

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Here is my class note on a wine I have tasted before that is divine and should feature in any cellar worth its salt. For $55, it’s not a cheap intro to these two unique grapes that make the blend, but this winery has done something very special here and it needs to be tried. I am going with 91 points and 4 stars. Salut….

Chateau Musar White 2010, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon 12.5% ABV

  • Appearance- deep gold.
  • Nose- pronounced aromas of lemon, grapefruit, quince, wet stones, passion fruit, blossom, acacia and nuts.  Developing.
  • Palate- dry, medium acidity, medium alcohol, medium (+) body, medium (+) intensity flavors of lemon, grapefruit, quince, wet stones, passion fruit, blossom, acacia and nuts with a long finish.
  • Conclusion- very good quality wine that can be drunk now, but has potential for aging.

An amazing blend of Merwah and Obaideh from my native Lebanon.  These two grapes are thought to be closely related to Semillon and Chardonnay.  This is a young wine at 10 years of age from this iconic winery who make whites that will outlast their reds.  A cellar tour in 2008 showed thousands of bottles that were vinted in the 1930’s and ‘40s.  Their wines are long lived even though the acidity is not high, a strange phenomenon.  The body is quite weighty even though the alcohol is relatively low.  Delicious now, this will no doubt start to gain more tertiary flavors and aromas and continue to evolve for many years to come.  Unique stuff.

Guardians Rkatsiteli 2019, Kakheti, Georgia

15 Thursday Jul 2021

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A medium lemon-green in the glass with watery legs. The nose of this indigenous Georgian wine is very crisp and refreshing with lemon, lime, apricot and a floral component. On the palate it is dry and tart, with crisp flavors of citrus, sour green apple and elderflower. The acidity is medium but the palate is definitely tart. I get a medium finish that is very refreshing, perfect for a hot evening. I am pairing mine with grilled shrimp on a bed of salad. It will go well with a charcuterie board, tapas or just by itself poolside. Delicious and reasonable at $13 it gets 88 points from me making it a 4 star wine. Drink soon. Salut….