Tag Archives: 4 stars

Conde Bel Varela Gran Reserva 2010, Rioja, Spain

16 Saturday Mar 2024

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Medium garnet with a touch of bricking, light staining and a high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of dusty earth, desiccated plum, dried coconut slivers, dried dill, black plum reduction, blueberry jam and a bacon streak.  The palate is dry with medium acidity,medium body and medium tannins that are fully integrated.  Flavors of dried/desiccated blue and black fruit combined with oak nuance and dusty earthiness that is a telltale off the region and of the Tempranillo grape.  The finish is medium (-) in length and focuses on tertiary notes of tobacco, tar, dust and dried herbs.  I fear this wine is just past peak so I had better drink up.  I like it, but the points will reflect the lack of further development.  I paid $20 per bottle and will give it 89 points making it a 4 star effort.  It’s grilled lamb for the pairing btw.  Drink now.  Salut….

Trapiche Oak Cask Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Mendoza, Argentina

13 Wednesday Mar 2024

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Deep ruby colored with slight staining and a medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  Ugh nose has somewhat muted aromas of black plum, blackberry, cedar, charcoal and baking spice.  The palate is dry with a medium body and medium tannins.  The lush black fruit is laced with baking spices and charred wood notes.  I get a hint of coffee and a licorice note.  The finish is surprisingly long for what started out as a fairly basic wine.  What it lacked in complexity on the nose, it makes up for on the palate with some decent structure and ripe fruit.  89 points from me for this $10 effort gets it 4 stars.  Drink till 2026 with burgers, pizza, grilled steak or even some charcuterie.  Salut….

Massaya Classic – Le Colombier Rouge 2020, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

27 Tuesday Feb 2024

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Medium ruby with medium viscosity (14.5% ABV) and it looks unfined/unfiltered.  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black raspberries, licorice, charred oak, coffee, cardamom, red plum and white pepper.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium body and medium (+) tannins.  Flavors of black raspberry and licorice dominate with plum, pepper, coffee, cardamom and violet supporting.  The alcohol is quite noticeable btw.  The tannins are very fine grained and quite prominent throughout.  The finish is long with red fruit and some spice.  It says to serve this blend of 35% Grenache Noir, 35% Cinsault, 30% Tempranillo slightly chilled….  I like it just fine at room temp and think it gets 89 points.  For  $22 it gets 4 stars from me.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Silk & Spice ‘Spice Road’ Intense Red Blend 2020, Portugal

26 Monday Feb 2024

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Deep ruby (inky) with slight staining and a medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, baking spices, camphor (?), ripe blueberry, vanilla thread, boysenberry and Rooibos tea. The palate is slightly off-dry with medium (+) acidity, medium body and medium (+) tannins that are youthful. I get flavors of boysenberry, black cherry, a green vegetal note, dark chocolate, vanilla and baking spices. The finish is slightly tart and quite long.  The camphor note I previously smelled has returned on the back end. A blend of 40% Touriga Nacional, 30% Alicante Bouschet and 30% Baga that gets 88 points from me and for $12- 4 stars.  Drink now with hearty stews and grilled meats. Salut….

Bodega Aleanna ‘El Enemigo’ Cabernet Franc 2020, Mendoza, Argentina

25 Sunday Feb 2024

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Deep purple with moderate staining and a high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of capsicum, black cherry, black plum, licorice, coffee, burnt sugar, clove, violets and acai berry.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium tannins and a medium body.  Flavors of acai berry, black plum, black cherry, coffee, violets and smoky clove lead to a medium (+) length finish that has a nice tannic dryness and some caressing black and blue fruit.  Retasting- the body is medium (-) in weight and the density of the fruit is a little diluted. I can’t say I agree with the trio of 93 points from others, more like 90 to me. I am pairing it with Pot Roast and Yorkshire puddings, I think the tannic grip will do nicely with the fatty nature of the dish. At $22 it’s a 4 star wine to drink till 2027. Salut….

Brezza Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2018, Piedmont, Italy

24 Saturday Feb 2024

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Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of cranberry, raspberry, black cherry and pomegranate. The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (-) tannins and a medium body.  Flavors of red fruit with cedar, red licorice and dusty earth to a medium length finish.  89 points for this $24 effort makes it a 4 star wine to drink till 2028 with pasta, Cornish hen or grilled/plank salmon. Salut….

Fox Run Vineyards Kaiser Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay 2021, Seneca Lake, New York

08 Thursday Feb 2024

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Pale lemon colored with medium viscosity (12.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of lemon zest, marzipan, brioche, white blossom, grapefruit pith, vanilla thread and white pear.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body.  Flavors of acacia, white blossom, lemon zest, marzipan and brioche with a hint of white pear.  The finish is medium in length and centers on the brioche and white blossom.  I liked this bottle at the winery and I like it now in my tasting cocoon.   It gets 89 points from me and for $17- 4 stars.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

Fox Run Vineyards Lemberger 2021, Finger Lakes, New York

05 Monday Feb 2024

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Pale ruby with a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose of this Lembereger (aka Blaufrankisch) has medium intensity aromas of black raspberry, blueberry, smoky spice, vanilla bean and red cherry.  It’s not overly complex but rather pleasing.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium (-) tannins and a lightweight body.  The cherry hits first followed by that smoky note.  Blueberry, vanilla, red raspberry and tart strawberry play supporting roles.  The finish is juicy and delicious, medium in length.  This wine is light in body but full of deliciousness that made me buy three bottles at the winery when we visited .  I drank one the same night and polished off the second when we got home.  I felt obliged to restrain myself on the third bottle until I was ready to review it.  90 points from me ( I originally went 88, but I’m digging it more now).  My pairing tonight is charcoal grilled Sirloin, a low fat cut that will do well from this low tannin yet silky charmer.  It can be found for $18 and gets 4 stars from me.  Drink till 2027.  (I might have to order some more!).  Salut….

Jean-Paul Brun Domaine des Terres Dorees Moulin-a-Vent 2020, Beaujolais, France

30 Tuesday Jan 2024

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My tasting group reconvened last night after a 9-month hiatus.  It was good to be back!  This little gem went under the radar.  No one guessed Cru Beaujolais!  I decided to bring the rest home and retry it under less stressful conditions.  The wine is medium ruby colored with slight staining and medium viscosity (13% ABV).  On the nose I get medium intensity aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, cola and pepper.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium tannins and a medium (-) body.  It has settled down since last nice, the tannic grip far smoother and less intense.  Flavors of dark red fruit coupled with cola, pepper and a granitic minerality coat my mouth ever so.  The finish is medium in length and has a slightly sour cherry note, keeping things fresh.  A delightful Gamay wine that could drink nicely till 2028.  I’m going with 89 points and for $25- 4 stars.  Salut….

Osborne Medium Sherry NV, Andalucia, Spain

17 Wednesday Jan 2024

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Pale amber colored with high viscosity (17% ABV).  The nose of this sherry has medium intensity aromas of nuts, green almonds, a touch of yeast, seaspray and burnt sugar.  The palate is off-dry with high acidity and a full body.  Medium intensity flavors of warmed cashews, green almonds, caramel, yeast and caramel/burnt sugar carry throughout to a long finish that has a bit of lingering heat.  It’s a tasty drop for sure that could use chilling (I’m tasting at room temp btw).  In case you missed it- Medium Sherry is an Amontillado (partial Biological age then Oxidatively aged) base wine that is sweetened to between 5-115 g/l of sugar.  I like it and think it deserves 89 points.  For $13 it gets 4 stars.  Salut….