• About Caspernick
  • Star Ratings
  • The Master tasting list

Caspernick's Blog

~ My personal wine tasting notes

Caspernick's Blog

Tag Archives: 4 stars

Cade Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, California

16 Friday Oct 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$80, 4 stars, 90 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa, napa cabernet


Dark purple in the glass with nice legs belaying the 14.7% alcohol.  On the nose it bursts with notes of blackberry, caramel (yes, caramel) and cola.  On the palate it is quite refreshing, lighter than expected but still chock full of flavor- typical Napa Cab.  Blackberry pie meets Dr. Pepper and a stave of oak.  The mid palate is really lush with layers of fruit, ripe tannins, charcoal and tar.  The tannins creep up and are balanced nicely on the finish with a touch of acidity.  The black fruit theme continues as does the cola note.  Very nice and balanced- this wine drinks nicely now and will go till 2023.  90 points from me, 91 from the pros. It retails for $80, making it a 4 star wine for me. I would pair with Filet, perhaps a well seasoned Cornish hen or even braised Beef rib. Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Chateau Montelena The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Napa Valley, USA

16 Friday Oct 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$140, 4 stars, 92 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa, napa cabernet


Super purple in the glass, inky and opaque AF.  On the nose I get black currants, smoky oak, vanilla and a touch of cassis.  On the palate it’s fresh, young and layered.  Black fruits galore with a hint of licorice.  The fruit is sweet yet the wine is dry- like ripe and sun drenched.  The tannins creep in very slowly and I start to pucker at the mid palate and am fully aware of their presence by the finish.  They are really well integrated and fine grained.  Gobs more black fruit, a hint of eucalyptus and some oak round this wine out.  The finish is long and dry.  Delightfully rich, decadent even- this wine has a really nice mouthfeel and is brimming with Napa charm.  92 points from me and at $140 it’s a 4 star gem.  Drink till 2030 with grilled meat, rich cheeses. A super yummy wine. Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Libellas Pinot Grigio 2019, DOC Garda, Italy

13 Tuesday Oct 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$16, 4 stars, 89 points, firstleaf, Garda, Italy, pinot grigio


This Pinot Grigio is a very light shade of yellow in the glass. The nose is zesty with grapefruit, lemon peel and green apple. On the palate it is not as cutting as I was expecting, the acidity is a little more demure allowing the rich lemon curd and grapefruit to shine. It has a really full mouthfeel as it transitions to the mid palate. The fruit is in full swing and the acidity is just starting to show up. Lanolin, honeysuckle and the citrus notes all carry the wine to a medium length finish. It’s really a pleasant drop, if not a bit atypical in style. I am enjoying it as I prepare Shrimp Creole, which begs for this style of white. 89 points from me. Listed at $16, it gets 4 stars from me. Drink till 2023. Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Henry’s Drive Magnus Shiraz 2017, Padthaway, Australia

08 Thursday Oct 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$30, 4 stars, 90 points, australia, Padthaway, shiraz


Dark purple and fully opaque in the glass.  The nose is rich with jammy blackberry, black licorice and toasty oak.  On the palate I get what I was expecting from this Aussie Shiraz- rich, layered black fruit with some black tea and more licorice.  The tannins are definitely present, but not overpowering.  There is a nice dryness to the mid palate and some juicy acidity- very balanced.  The finish is very fruit driven with thick, jammy black berries, nuances of oak and that tannic thrust that has been present all along.  A delightful, full bodied wine that is hitting the spot on this chilly Fall evening where I am serving up a Rib Roast with Yorkshire puddings and horseradish.  Drink till 2027.  90 points and 4 stars for this $30 stunna from downunda. Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Mercouri Estate Kallisto 2018, Peloponnese, Greece

28 Monday Sep 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$16, 4 stars, 90 points, assyrtiko, greece, peloponnes, VWTC


Kicking off the 9th Virtual Wine tasting was this Greek wine.  I have never tried Assyrtiko before and was very intrigued.  As usual, we tasted both room temperature and then chilled versions of the same bottle.  The nose gave us honeysuckle, cedar, citrus, pear and rose water.  I personally found the wine to be very floral, aromatic and buttery with hints of persimmon.  The palate was honeyed with some lemon, pear, melon and pepper notes all being reported by the group.  To me it continued that floral, aromatic angle and had a touch of acidity but was also a smidge sweet.

The chilled version was much more muted on the nose and the palate.  Members noted cat pee, lemon, squash blossoms, Pez candy and florals.  I added Passion fruit to my descriptors.  It was much better at room temperature where the flavors were abundant but I did enjoy the chilled version and would certainly serve it that way with some seafood, a salad Niçoise or some charcuterie.  Overall this $16 wine is worthy of 90 points and 4 stars.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Patricia Green Cellars Reserve Pinot Noir 2018, Willamette Valley, USA

25 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$23, 4 stars, 90 points, oregon, pinot noir, willamette valley


This Oregonian Pinot is quite dark and nearly opaque, very extracted and brooding.  On the nose I get cinnamon, cherry and black currants.  It’s an interesting mix for this varietal.  The initial palate is telling- very fruity with tannic grip right off the bat.  This is not your typical Old World Pinot folks, it’s full throttle with all the bits and pieces.  Cherry cola, sassafras and a hint of oak are all present.  The mid palate is a continuation of the theme but there is now a hint of acidity showing up.  It’s quite nice if you like this style of Pinot.  The finish is a dry affair, tannins and black tea alongside the red fruits and spice.  It’s not my cup of tea but it will certainly appeal to many.  Technically speaking I would give this $23 wine 90 points and 4 stars.  Drink till 2027 with lighter fare.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Arabella Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Western Cape, South Africa

22 Tuesday Sep 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

$13, 4 stars, 89 points, cabernet sauvignon, Naked Wines, South Africa, western cape


This South African Cab is a dark shade of reddish purple and is semi opaque.  The nose is steeped in dark fruit compote, a touch of mint perhaps and coffee bean.  The initial palate is very smooth with some nice blackberry notes along with espresso and chocolate powder.  Very gentle, lithe tannins make it very easy to drink but conversely- it lacks structure for the long haul.  The mid palate is more blueberry and plum.  The finish is very fruity with nice black and blue berries to go with vanilla.  There is a hint of oak influence that I am enjoying.  The mouthfeel is really pleasing and I am thoroughly enjoying this wine as an aperitif.  It will pair nicely with lighter fare and drink well till 2024.  89 points from me and 4 stars for this $13 effort.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Pfaffl ‘Vom Haus’ Zweigelt 2015, Niederosterreich, Austria

10 Thursday Sep 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$15, 4 stars, 89 points, austria, zweigelt


I have never tasted a Zweigelt before- so I am excited.  This one rolled in at $15 but I am concerned about seepage.  I know screw caps are supposed to be invincible but this one was wet with a thick purple liquid on the inside of the screw cap.

The color is nice- rich purple.  The nose is interesting, a melding of black cherry, charred oak, red currants and rhubarb.  On the palate it is very fruit forward with very lithe tannins.  It’s quite focused on red fruit flavors and some star anise.  Mid palate-wise there’s a new twist with some cocoa dust, rhubarb and juicy acidity.  The finish is decent in length and has a nice tannic streak that leaves my mouth a touch dry.  Very nicely balanced.  It’s not a very complex wine but it drinks well and would pair great with Duck l’Orange, marinated Sirloin or Lamb chops.  My inexperience with this Austrian varietal makes it difficult to score but I would say it gets 89 points, with a drinking window until 2025.  4 Stars, Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Mt. Luxxe Vineyards Zinfandel 2017, Lodi, California

09 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$40, 4 stars, 91 points, california, Lodi, Old vine Zinfandel, zinfandel


I don’t drink Zins very often, but when I find one I like- I remember it and revisit.  I was not a huge fan initially of the last Zin I drank, the Turley Zin turned out much better after a day or so.

This one shows semi opaque in the glass and has a lovely reddish hue to the purple color.  On the nose I get raspberries, red currants and cinnamon stick.  The palate is very rich with a nice thrust of raspberry coulis and mulling spices.  There’s a really nice set of tannins that caress the gums without stripping the enamel off my teeth alongside a juicy acidity that hits the mid palate.  The red fruit theme continues with some steeped rhubarb and spices.  This is not a jammy Zin, but is full bodied with rich flavors and a really nice, long finish.  The warmth I get on the backend is also very interesting.  Really tasty with a decent level of complexity and aging capacity make this a 91 point wine IMHO.  I paid a paltry $9.99 for it but it normally retails for $40.  4 stars with a drinking window till 2027.  I’m flash cooking some thin Ribeyes that will pair nicely.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Turley Wine Cellars Old Vines Zinfandel 2017, California, USA

30 Sunday Aug 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

$35, 4 stars, 91 points, california, VWTC, zinfandel


The last wine of our Virtual tasting #8 was this highly regarded Zin which rolls in at $35.  I selected it because I really like this winery and was thinking it would be interesting to have two wines from the same winemaker, albeit different varietals to showcase the winemaker’s style and skill.  There were 8 different groups tasting this wine and I recorded their collective notes.

The wine starts off with a nice purple shade of medium opacity.  Fine legs on the sidewalls gave away the 15.5% alcohol, which was not evident on the palate- well disguised!  The immediate reaction to the nose was ‘Grandmothers attic!  A good swirl and more traditional aromas of baked cherries, rhubarb, cherry, currant, plum and dusty mocha were mentioned alongside descriptors of svelte, brooding, jammy and finally mothballs.  Back to the closet I guess!

On the palate members of the group noted sassafras, huckleberry, cinnamon and Jalapeño.  I found the wine to be complex but the finish brought up some interesting comments.  Stinky Brie, green and bitter notes were mentioned but I thought the wine was balanced between lithe tannins and gentle acidity.  Pepper was the predominant feature for me.  I was not overly impressed by this wine on night one and will re-taste tonight.  For now I’m going with 89 points, a stark contrast fro the 92 it got from some of the pros.  3 stars initially.  Drink till 2025.  Salut….

UPDATE- I re-tasted the wine after a 24 hour period and have revised my score to 91. It improved dramatically.  The complexity was evident- 4 stars.

 

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...
← Older posts
Newer posts →

RSS Me!

RSS Feed

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 199 other subscribers
Follow Caspernick's Blog on WordPress.com

Archives

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Caspernick's Blog
    • Join 187 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Caspernick's Blog
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d