Tag Archives: 4 stars

Il Roccolo Sangiovese Rubicone IGT Italy NV

12 Monday Dec 2016

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


I bought two bottles from this producer for a grand total of $8.  One was a Nero D’Avola and this one being a Sangiovese.  I was not expecting much, but really enjoyed the Nero poolside watching my daughter splash around at a hotel we just stayed in.  I took no notes but decided I should do so with this bottle now that I am home and not reeking of chlorine.

A pale purple color shows typicity of the varietal as does the nose of faint cherries and cinnamon.  I’m not expecting complexity or depth here but am pleasantly surprised so far as the wine comes across very smoothly on the intro and gives some cherry notes along with a cola thing.  The wine has more acidity than tannins and lacks any  semblance of wood.  The finish is decent in length and leaves me with a slightly drying sensation, hinting at some minuscule level of tannins being offered up.  Like I said- this is a basic wine.  It drinks easily and is a serious contender for a backyard BBQ, a poolside quaff or even a light pizza partner.  For $4 or even $6 this wine rocks it and I am giving it 84 points and 4 stars.  (I have had far worse wine in the First Class sections of many airlines).  Salut….

il roccolo sangiovese

 

Concha Y Toro Grand Reserva Series Ribera del Cachapoal Carmenere Chile 2014

03 Saturday Dec 2016

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


Dark purple. Nose of earthy plums and black currant.  On the palate – blackberry, plum and dusty tannins.  Half way through I’m getting some blueberry hints and the telltale earthy component that Tempranillo often shows.  The acidity is a little off for me but the tannins are ever present and leave the finish a nice shade of dry.  WS gave this wine 90 points.  I’m going with 88.  A decent drop for a pop-n-pour night at home with some spaghetti, maybe a thin crust pizza.  $12 make this a 4 star wine.  Salut….

concha y toro gran reserva carmenere

Clos Pegase Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

29 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Another Napa Cabernet that I got to taste at the AMEX Centurion Lounge at SFO airport.  This one was a dazzler, but give it time.

Portlike nose with honeyed blueberries and some juniper hints.  The initial attack is all blue fruits and a crescendo of brooding tannins. This is one heck of a monster, built for the long run or a trip through the vinturi.  The mid palate shows darker fruits with plum torte, espresso and a delicious minerality.  The finish carries on with the tannic structure and leaves the gums bone dry.  Give this wine a wide berth until 2019 but buy lots, it will run for many years after that. 92 points from me even though the pros gave it 90 and said drink now.  I found it online for $39 which make it a 4 star, perhaps even 5 star wine in my books.  This wine epitomizes Napa Cabernet for me.  Enjoy with a hearty pasta dish, steak with asparagus or a grilled leg of lamb.  Salut….
clos pegs napa cabernet sauvignon

Raymond Reserve Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2013

29 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


I have not visited the American Express Centurion Lounge at San Francisco airport in two months but the bartenders remembered me and offered up some special tastings. This was one of them, and boy was it good.

Expressive nose of dark fruits and cola.  Plums and black tea fight with the tannins for control of the initial attack.  The mid palate shows off more dark fruits that tail off with some herbs and oak on the mid length finish.  This wine needs another 2 years in cellar to really shine. Drink 2018-2025 with pretty much any grilled meat dish.  90 points from me and 4 stars for this yummy $34 bottle.  Salut….

raymond reserve selection napa valley cabernet sauvignon

Cosentino Petite Sirah Napa Valley 2014

26 Saturday Nov 2016

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Blackish purple in the glass. Nose of cedar, black plums and tea. On the palate this wine immediately lets you know it is well built with hefty tannins. The flavors of plum, black cherry and pepper are fighting for control with the amazing tannins. I am loving this wine’s mouthfeel today in particular because it will pair beautifully with the ribeyes on the grill. If the dryness is overpowering for you I suggest a trip through a vinturi or decanting. The wine has a nice finish and the tannins go on forever. I really love this varietal and this is one excellent example.  92 points and 4 stars for this $40 offering.  Salut….

cosentino petite sirah

First Drop Mothers Milk Shiraz Barossa 2014

16 Wednesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


I have tasted the 2010 Mothers Milk before and really enjoyed it, so much so that I have been on the lookout ever since.  Moxie and I were in New Jersey this past weekend and I took the opportunity to visit The Wine Library, a wine store I have shopped from online and have been following for some time.  They used to have a great podcast on wine tastings and they started http://cinderellawine.com.

I was super excited to revisit this wine.  On the nose- cherry and blackberry with red licorice.  On the initial attack there is raspberry coulis and black cherry juice flavors.  Really slight tannins open up after a while on the mid palate through to the finish, where I’m getting sour cherry from the acid.  Easy to drink and delightful, this wine is not complex but offers a balanced mouthfeel and hides the 14.5% alcohol beautifully.  This is an easy wine to quaff but would pair nicely with pizza, grilled lamb chops or a hearty winter stew.  89 points and 4 stars for this $13 effort.  Salut…

first drop mothers milk 2014

Peters Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Mountain 2006

16 Wednesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


I tasted the 2006 Peters Family Cabernet exactly three years ago and am impressed that it has evolved more and gotten a higher score from me.

A nose of black currant preserves, pine needles and tar.  On the palate a beautiful intro of plum, black berries and dried mint.  The mid palate shows off some great tannins that are persistent yet subdued.  The acidity is somewhat muted, overshadowed by the fruit and tannins.  The finish is short to medium in length but ends with the tannic dryness.  This wine has a great mouthfeel that I really like and the fruit is still vibrant.  A mostly Cabernet Sauvignon wine that has 23% Merlot mixed in.  Secondary flavors are evident and I’m excited about this wine’s development.  Drink till 2022 with pasta, steaks and roasted game.  92 points and 4 stars for this $55 effort.  Salut….

peters family cabernet sauvignon

Cosentino ‘The FRANC’ Cabernet Franc Lodi 2014

24 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


A see through purple that indicates to me a textbook amount of extraction for this seductive and silky grape.  A nose of black fruits, oak and black cherry.  I have come across this profile before, but not in a Cabernet Franc.  On the palate there is a really delicious black cherry component that mixes it up with violets.  The tannins are well integrated yet offer a certain dryness that goes well with many foods.  The mid palate and finish continue the tastes found initially and the wine rounds out with a decent mid length finish that has a tar component.  I am really enjoying this wine, not just because I love Cab Franc, but because it adheres to some of the basic tenets of the grape yet goes into uncharted territory for me.  89 points from me and for $13 it is a good deal worth 4 stars.  Salut….
cosentino the franc

Cosentino Semillon Napa Valley 2015

24 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


Gorgeous pale gold color gives way to a nose of persimmon, ginger root and cut grass.  On the palate it introduces lemons, star fruit and a waxy component.  Sharp and cutting, it rounds out the midpalate with hazelnut.  Vanilla bean is present on the finish, which is of medium length.  This wine is racy and easy to drink.  It would pair well with oysters on the half, perhaps a middle eastern mezza, or you can be adventurous like me and serve it with Chili.  I’m a member of this winery and get an allotment twice a year, this one was a good surprise!  It retails at $24 and gets 89 points.  4 Stars from me and a repeat buy on the next order!  Salut….
cosentino semicolon napa valley

Charles Smith ‘Eve’ Chardonnay Columbia Valley Washington 2014

08 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Pale yellow and offering apple, quince and lemon notes on the nose.  Somewhat subdued on the palate on day one, I am writing this on day two where the wine has really opened up.  The mouthfeel is really nice, not flabby or overly acidic.  Yellow apples are the key ingredient and they are backed up with lemon zest and nutmeg.
This is a relatively ‘clean’ chard that provides good balance without going heavy into the buttery side or steely on to the minerally side.  88 points and a great wine for sipping or pairing with some cajun seafood.  I’m going 4 stars on this $10 effort.  I am a big fan of this winery, they produce very consistent wines at several price points.  Salut….
eve chardonnay