17 Monday Apr 2017
Posted in Wine reviews
Beautiful purple color- nose of candied plums, oak and mint. On the palate I get pepper, plums and a red component which is intriguing. Tannins peek through in the second half of this intro and the acidity is very mild. 89 points and 4 stars for this $11 offering. Salut….
17 Monday Apr 2017
Posted in Wine reviews
Deep purple yet see-through. Nice nose of plums, eucalyptus and blackberry. On the palate I’m getting really nice black berry, super smooth tannins and a hint of black Cherry liquor. The mid palate boasts more berries and a roundness that gives this wine a really nice mouthfeel. The finish is smooth, with a nice drying feeling that coats the gums. 90 points form me although the pro’s were down at the 86 level with this one. I disagree. For $13, this is a 4 star wine that I will be buying again. I would pair it with Roast Chicken, perhaps meatloaf and definitely with some charcuterie out on the patio now that the weather has turned. Salut….
13 Thursday Apr 2017
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It has been a while since I have bought this brand. Chilean value is what I think of when I see it. Let’s see how this Carmenere fares. Very purple hues in the glass make for a good beginning. On the nose I am getting candy, some oak and black currants. My first taste is quite nice. The wine is fresh, fruity, upbeat and charming. Black berries and twizzlers come to mind. The acidity pops up and there is a very slight trace of tannins on the back end. This is not a complex wine but would rock a BBQ party, perhaps some pizza or even hamburgers. It will keep everyone happy with its $10 price tag and it get 88 points from me. This 4 star wine should be a staple, especially if you have parties and barbecues. Salut….
23 Thursday Mar 2017
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No nose- I’m sitting in an airplane with a plastic cup. The initial impression I get is of mellow plums, really nice acidity and some earthiness. The mid palate is generous with the dark fruits and I am enjoying the very mild dryness the tannins are giving. On second thought, it is really packed with plum flavors. The finish is shortish but tasty. The strength of this wine lies on the generous mid palate, which is where the flavors and technical components all seem to materialize. Considering I am cooped up in a pressurized tube I think the winemakers have a winner here. They have crafted something I am really enjoying. 90 points and kudos. I paired it with pasta and meatball, courtesy of United Airlines. For $19 this wine gets 4 stars and is widely available. Salut….
The meatball and pasta
18 Saturday Mar 2017
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$19, 4 stars, 90 points, bordeaux blend, meritage, South Africa
Dark and brooding in the glass it shows off Blackberry and mint on the nose. The palate is very interesting. Black cherry pie meets blackberries and licorice. The tannins are delightful, packed just right. The mid palate gives off some plum jam but is quickly overriden by the tannins. The finish is decent in length and I am getting charcoal, blackberry and dark cherry notes. A well made wine that has some cellaring potential. We are pairing it with Flank steak and roasted asparagus. 90 points and for $19 is it a 4 star effort. It is a true Bordeaux blend, comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Salut….
18 Saturday Mar 2017
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$20, 4 stars, 90 points, cabernet sauvignon, Italy, merlot, nero d'avola
Reddish purple and opaque in the glass. Nose of rhubarb and Swiss chard leaves. I’m not going to lie- it’s a bit off putting. The palate is a whole different story, thank god. Vibrant cherry and red raspberry notes with juicy acidity and balanced tannins. The mid palate is really delicious, yet supremely dry from the tannins. More red fruits emerge with some hints of nutmeg. The finish is medium in length and offers more raspberries. I found out it is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Nero D’Avola, which is a grape I hold near and dear. Overall a very juicy and decent wine that gets 90 points from me. I paid $20 and am going with 4 stars. Salut….
06 Monday Mar 2017
Posted in Wine reviews
See through lighter shade of purple. Stunning nose of mulberry, warm berry compote and a hint of cedar wood. The palate shows off red berries, fine grained tannins and a mouthful of warm brioche notes. There’s an underlying level of acidity that continues the whole length of this delicious wine. It just smacks of warm California fruit, nicely integrated with oak, balanced tannins and a freshness I’m really enjoying. 90 points and for $15 I’m giving it 4 stars and getting some more! Salut….
06 Monday Mar 2017
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I just spent some time in Asia on vacation. The flights to and from offered an opportunity to try some interesting wines. I made the most of it! If you have never had a Gruner Veltliner, I highly recommend them. I had this one with a seafood terrine and salad. It was a great match.
Golden dark yellow in the glass. Nose of pineapple and ripe papaya. The initial taste is quite refreshing, a cutting acidity introduces some pineapple spritz, with hints of lemon zest and pomelo. Nice mouthfeel! 89 points and for $15 a really solid wine that gets 4 stars from me. Salut….
19 Sunday Feb 2017
Posted in Wine reviews
Have you ever had Ribena? That is exactly what this blockbuster looks like in the glass. It is a 100% Merlot from Tuscany that got huge marks from some pros. I bought in on the hype and could afford the $20 entry fee.
The nose is rich with blackberry and stone. The initial taste is really delicious, with more black berries and plum mixing it up with gorgeous tannins and acidity. I also get smoky mineral notes. These flavors transcend the mid plate and meet up with dried blueberry on the finish. The tannins are lush in this wine and give off a nice mouthfeel all the way through the finish.
I must be missing something about the 97 points given by an Italian critic, for me this is a solid wine that should get 90. For the price paid it is a really good Merlot that I will be serving with Sunday Roast- 4 stars. Salut.
19 Sunday Feb 2017
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A gift from a neighbor, I was not sure what to expect. A slight bricking on the edges of an otherwise pale purple sheen. On the nose, a beautiful bouquet of mushroom, cherry and bacon. On the palate, strawberry, cherry and upfront tannins. The mid palate reveals more cherries, but darker this time. The tannins are really starting to grip and the wine finishes very dry indeed. The gaminess I sensed on the nose has all but disappeared, taken over by brutish tannins. This is not a delicate wine, nor is it very fruit forward anymore. But it is good. In its own way, this wine exudes power and poise at the expense of fruit and finesse. I am going with 91 points for this $50 wine. 4 stars. Salut….
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