Tag Archives: 4 stars

San Antonio Winery San Simeon Viognier 2018, Paso Robles, California

22 Sunday Nov 2020

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At the 12th virtual wine tasting we drank this Viognier at room temp first and then chilled. As usual there is a marked difference in both smell and taste, but this time I preferred the chilled version- it seemed more focused on fewer key flavors, the warm version was all over the place. Here are some of the notes I recorded from the group.

Pale gold, straw or even Goldenrod in the glass. The nose has a sweetness to it with orange, honey, apricot, pear and floral notes. On the palate we got apricots, orange rind, bakers spices, ‘Icewine’ and a yeasty/bready flavor. The chilled version had melon, pineapple and that bread component on the nose. The palate was softer and smoother with tangerine, honeysuckle and gingerbread with good acidity. One of the tasters remarked that it tasted like good Riesling. Overall it scored decently and I would give it 90 points. Drink till 2022. For $17, it’s a nice intro to the varietal and gets 4 stars from me. Salut….

Patrice Grasset Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Loire Valley, France

12 Thursday Nov 2020

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Pale gold in the glass with weepy legs. The nose is bright citrus, cut grass and green apple. It smells fresh and inviting. On the palate it is quite rounded and full. Nice flavors of Pomelo, lemon zest and green apple are kept fresh with a touch of acidity. The mid palate cuts more with lemons and a herbaceous note. The finish is a delight- long and generous with the citrus notes whilst not too tart. There is a warmth to this wine even though I am tasting it chilled, the mouthfeel is great. I am enjoying it thoroughly and will pair with Beef Bulgogi, a Korean dish. The spices will work well with the lower acidity of this Sauvignon Blanc. 90 points and 4 stars for this $26 wine that you should drink till 2023. Salut….

Tintoretto Sangiovese 2019, Sicily, Italy

11 Wednesday Nov 2020

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Semi opaque with deep red color and thin legs in the glass.  On the nose I get cherry,  cinnamon, juniper and oak.  The palate has got cherry juice, blood orange and fruit cake notes with some lovely tannins to give it a touch of dryness.  There’s a hint of astringency on the mid palate that quickly fades into a juicy finish that gives me rhubarb and cherry flavors along with that touch of wood.  A delicious, lighter style of Sangiovese that will drink well into 2025.  I’m pairing it with Chicken Alfredo.  89 points and 4 stars for this $17 wine. Salut….

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Chateau Lynch-Bages 2007, Pauillac, France

10 Tuesday Nov 2020

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Dark purple and opaque.  The nose has a dusty waft to it that took a bit of swirling to dissipate.  Cedar shake, plum reduction and toasted pine nuts finally come through. On the palate it is very smooth with a concentrated core of blueberry, cassis, cedar, tobacco and leather- classic Pauillac.  The wine picks up some dusty tannins on the mid palate and the fruit gets concentrated and focused.  The tertiary flavors take a back seat temporarily while the blueberry and cassis really shine.  The finish is a touch tart with some rooibos tea along with the fruit theme that has persisted along with some oaky vanilla.  It’s still young with staying power .  Drink till 2027.  92 points and 4 stars for this $135 Fifth Growth. Salut….

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Tenuta Vitanza Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015, Tuscany, Italy

09 Monday Nov 2020

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Semi opaque dark red in the glass. On the nose I get cherries, dried herbs, almond and rhubarb.  The initial palate shows off sour cherry, more nuts and red currants.  Juicy acidity hits me right off the bat.  There’s a nice core of tannins that are present but not obtrusive.  Red fruits dominate the mid palate and the finish – which is medium length.  I like the cut of this wine and think it will drink nicely till 2028.  91 points and 4 stars for this relatively young Sangiovese that goes for $50. Pasta would be a great pairing. Salut….

Cakebread Cellars Estate Vineyards ‘Vaca’ Red Blend 2015, Napa Valley, USA

09 Monday Nov 2020

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Inky and opaque in the glass.  The nose is spicy and layered with black fruit, graphite and violets.  On the palate it is very fruit driven but packs a nice tannic punch.  Black currants, Blackberry jam, coffee bean and some vanilla.  The tannins are quite present but not overly dry.  The midpalate shows off layers of fruit, complexity and structure.  The black theme continues but the tannins are really starting to grip.  The finish is long, nuanced and full of flavor.  There’s a definite oak influence and I’m sensing the alcohol- which turns out to be 15.4%. It’s not an issue but just be careful!  I’m loving this wine for its bright Cali sunshine, it’s fruit forward style and it’s structure.  Drink till 2030.  92 points and 4 stars for this limited production charmer that normally retails for $75. It’s mainly Cab Sav with 6% Cab Franc and 3% Merlot. Pair with Steaks. Salut….

Jen Pfeiffer The Rebel Shiraz 2019, Australia

02 Monday Nov 2020

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This Shiraz is a rich purple and is nearly opaque. On the nose I get plum extract, blackberry and espresso. It’s very fruit driven but there is a touch of oak as well. On the palate is shows tar, plum and raspberry jam. It’s very tasty with a very nice balance. The tannins are present but are very fine grained and unobtrusive. The acidity on the other hand is quite pronounced leaving my jaw dripping. The mid palate has a vanilla component as well as the black fruits. The finish turns slightly dry from the crescendo of tannins that finally grip. It’s not a typical Aussie Shiraz, it’s more restrained yet still fruit forward. I like it. 89 points and 4 stars for this $21 effort. Drink till 2024. Salut….

Ken Deis Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Napa Valley, California

01 Sunday Nov 2020

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This Cab Sav is dark purple and fully opaque in the glass. On the nose I get some plum, blueberry and black currant. It’s a touch subdued but I am able to coax it along. The palate is very fruity with steeped black berry, rich blackcurrants and iodine. The tannins are fine grained and work themselves up to a pretty dry midpalate. The fruit holds on and I also get some eucalyptus and lapsang souchong tea. The finish is quite dry with the tannins really kicking it into high gear. Gentle acidity makes for a nice mouthfeel. At the very end I get elderberry to carry the decent length finish. Very delicious wine with judicious use of oak, but the nose is quite perturbing. Maybe it likes a smaller glass (I’m using a BAG btw). Tonight’s pairing is Tenderloin and all the British Sunday roast accoutrements, it’s gonna rock. 91 points from me for this $58 effort that gets 4 stars. Drink till 2028. Salut….

Gerard Bertrand ‘Cote des Roses’ Rose 2019, Languedoc, France

19 Monday Oct 2020

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Gorgeous pale orange color.  Nose of strawberries, lemon peel and some clementine.  On the palate it is bright with those same flavors, a touch of acidity and a long finish.  It’s got a great mouthfeel and just the right amount cut to keep it refreshing, light and flavorful.  A delicious way to start the evening.  Drink this blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault now with appetizers.  88 points and 4 stars, $12. Salut….

Lagar de Cervera 2018, Rias Baixas, Spain

18 Sunday Oct 2020

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The 10th Virtual Wine Tasting featured this Spanish wine as the lone white, which we tasted both chilled and at room temperature. I made a prediction right after I tasted the room temp version that this wine would be better chilled, contrary to the usual. I was correct.

The wine showed nicely in the glass with a pale yellow color and fine legs. The tasters noted melon, citrus, ‘soapy’, pear and honey. On the palate it was considered ‘mild’, ‘light’, with notes of grapefruit and apricot coming through. The chilled version gave me a sharper nose, was more vibrant and had notes of Granny Smith apples, pear and citrus. I found it more dry, acidic and having flavors of ginger and grapefruit on the palate. One taster mentioned it had ‘Zing’ from the acidity.

As I have said before it’s hard to run a virtual tasting and make my own notes when there’s 20 other people chiming in with their own opinions, but I do try to write down what the common theme is that we are all tasting. Overall this was a nice intro to the varietal and I really enjoyed it the next night as an aperitif with some Lebanese Mezza. It hit the thirst spot right on and was refreshing with it’s acidity and that Zing! Overall I would give this Albariño 89 points, but drink it chilled. 4 stars for this $19 effort. Salut….