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Tag Archives: $40

Castelli Martinozzi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015, Tuscany, Italy

20 Wednesday Jan 2021

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$40, 5 stars, 92 points, brunello, Italy, sangiovese, tuscany


I am looking forward to this Sangiovese, which will pair with grilled Lamb chops, Prosciutto wrapped asparagus and boiled carrots. It shows a deep red yet see-through hue in the glass which can be expected of the varietal. On the nose I get loads of cherry, strawberry and red licorice. The palate is stupendous- rich red fruit compote, leather, great acidity and very fine grained tannins. The cherry component is very red, the strawberry giving way to pomegranate and cranberry. Oak use is very deft and the juiciness of the acidity is on pointe. The mid palate adds a spicy component and some tar. The tannins are starting to grip as well. On the long finish I still get red cherry and that tartness from currants and cranberries. This is quite a rich, layered wine with much complexity. I am really enjoying it and the thought of charred Lamb with the cut of this wine- it’s going to be amazing. Whilst a touch young, if you like them a little dry and fresh then drink now. Cellaring for a few years will reward and I will imagine this wine can last till 2030 at the least. 92 points from me and 5 stars for this $40 stunner. Salut….

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Peake Ranch Chardonnay 2015, Santa Maria Valley, California

06 Sunday Dec 2020

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$40, 4 stars, 91 points, california, chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, VWTC


Our 13th Virtual Wine Tasting finished the year off with a bang. I had ordered some sleepers that really hit the high notes. This Chardonnay was tasted both chilled and at room temperature. I would say it’s 60/40 that the warmer versions of our white series have done better. The tasters are often amazed at how much better the wines show when not chilled. For me this wine was very different when presented at different temps but at the end, received the same score albeit for different reasons.

In the glass it is quite dark yellow/gold. Some initial smells of old sock, banana, pear, apple and buttered popcorn were noted. On the palate it had a buttery mouthfeel with butterscotch, apple and a touch of citrus. The finish was long after a warm honey aftertaste.

The chilled version had a stronger nose, which is counter to past experience. Pound cake, some funk, pear tart, vanilla and honeydew were all observed on the nose. The palate was really tasty but some reckoned it was lighter than the warm version. The baking spice/yeasty notes were interesting to me and combined with the apple and citrus notes made for a really nice flavor profile. The wine is 5 years young at this point and will develop for another 5 years at the least. It gets a respectable 91 points from me, just shy of the pros. At $40 a pop, it’s a pricy treat that gets 4 stars. I would pair with Chicken Cordon Bleu or even grilled fish. Salut….

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Domaine Paul Autard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011, Rhone, France

21 Saturday Nov 2020

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$40, 3 stars, 89 points, Chateauneuf-du-pape, Cinsault, counoise, france, grenache, mourvedre, muscardine, rhone, syrah


Dark purple and semi opaque.  The nose is rich, spicy with black pepper and gamy with bacon fat plus plum reduction. On the palate this wine is mature- rich plums, raspberry extract, gamy notes and earthiness.  Slightly stewed prunes hint at the age of this wine.  Bakers spice and super fine grained tannins highlight the midpalate but it’s the flavor of dried mushrooms being reconstituted with a salty umami component that really carry the moment.  The finish is rather short but l get sour cherry, raspberries and dark chocolate.  This wine will appeal to lovers of mature old world wines that are earthy, loaded with terroir and have tones of tertiary flavors.  For me- 89 points but drink sooner rather than later.  A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Muscardin and Counoise that runs $40 and gets 3 stars. Salut….

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EnRoute Les Pommiers Pinot Noir 2017, Russian River Valley, USA

28 Monday Sep 2020

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$40, 3 stars, 91 points, california, pinot noir, Russian river valley, VWTC


This wine was part of the #9 Virtual Wine tasting. I made some notes from others at the event.

It is very extruded and rich looking in the glass- a dark shade or red/purple and nearly opaque.  On the nose I sense a sweet cherry pie note with a touch of Vanilla, black licorice and coffee.  It’s very interesting, that’s for sure.  On the palate I first get black cherry concentrate, chocolate and dare I say- overripe Reb berries?  The mid palate continues the theme with more dark chocolate, Dr. Pepper, licorice.  There is a modicum of tannins and a nice dose of acidity.  The finish is dark and dry.  The wine seems to be a touch sweet and getting more so as it airs out.  It’s not my favorite style of Pinot but it did well at the tasting and for me it’s a 91 point wine.  The complexity and depth are worthy of high marks.  At $40+ it’s a pass for me, but others who enjoy the new world boldness will dig this wine.  It got higher marks from the pros BTW.  3 stars in my book.  Drink till 2029.  Salut….

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Mt. Luxxe Vineyards Zinfandel 2017, Lodi, California

09 Wednesday Sep 2020

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$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….

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Bodegas Muga Seleccion Especial Reserva 2015, Rioja DOCa, Spain

28 Friday Aug 2020

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$40, 5 stars, 92 points, garnacha, mazuelo, rioja, spain, tempranillo


It’s a very bright, shimmery purple in the glass with thin legs showing off the potent 14.5% kick.  The nose is classic Rioja- dark plums, bramble, well integrated oak and currants of the black kind.  The palate is very smooth, with delicious black fruit components, leather, well ingrained tannins and a touch of acidity.  The earthiness of the wine is somewhat subdued, making way for the concentration of black currants, blackberries and mouth coating tannins.  The mid palate is really full bodied with black fruits galore, dry mouthfeel from the beautiful tannins and just enough acidity to make my jaw water.  The finish is longish and really dry.  Iodine and plum reduction come to mind.  Oak is ever present and the tannins go on forever.  This is a well made wine built for the long haul and some serious, juicy steaks.  Drink till 2035.  92 points and for $40, 5 stars.  Read all about the 2010 vintage here.  Salut….

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Domaine Pascal & Mireille Renaud Pouilly-Fuisse Cuvee Vieilles Vignes 2017, Maconnais, France revisited

12 Sunday Jul 2020

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$40, 4 stars, 91 points, burgundy, chardonnay, pouilly-fuise


This is the second go at this Pouilly-Fuissé.  It is tasty as before and has evolved somewhat with new flavors evident.

Light gold in the glass.  Pineapple, white peach and honeycomb on the nose.  The palate is round with notes of almond, pineapple, melon and that honey twist.  The mid palate is plump with nice honeyed tones, some lemon marmalade, a waxy component and lanolin.  The finish is quite long and pleasing.  There is a touch of lingering acidity but it doesn’t cut, the rounder mouthfeel is evident and very pleasant.  It lacks much minerality, focusing more on fruit flavors with a touch of wood influence.  91 points and for $40, a great intro to Burgundy and the hallowed Chardonnay.  Drink this 4 star effort till 2027.  Salut….

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La Rioja Alta S.A. Vina Ardanza Reserva 2010, Rioja DOCa, Spain

05 Tuesday May 2020

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$40, 5 stars, 92 points, rioja, spain, tempranillo


I’m concerned for this bottle.  The cork was extruded, indicating possible heat damage.  The color looks good, dark purple, opaque.  The nose is reassuring, sublime.  Classic aged Rioja.  Oaky, earthy, damson and plum reduction.  The palate shows some heat damage unfortunately and is a bit thin.

I will try my best here considering- flavors of ripe fig, blueberry and plum come at me with a noticeable amount of earthiness.  The mid palate is very much textbook- bramble, dirt, tart acidity and iodine.  The finish is decent in length but has some stewed fruits that I think are from the heat.  Nice tannins and some bracing acidity all form up at the end.  It’s a shame because it could potentially be a 92 point wine.  I paid $40 for this Tempranillo which would have made it a 5 pointer.  Salut….

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Bodegas Casa Primicia Vina Diezmo ‘GR’ Gran Reserva 2012, Rioja DOCa, Spain

01 Wednesday Apr 2020

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$40, 2 stars, 88 points, rioja, spain, tempranillo


Moderate shade of purple and nearly opaque. I leaves long, thin legs on the glass.  The nose is raspberries, cherry and iodine.  On the palate is grips right away with acidity, masking the red fruit salad that I finally get. There’s also a rooibos tea component, calming amongst the flurry of tartness.  The mid palate is cutting, this acidity is actually bothering me.  It’s too much, without fruit to offset it or much tannic bite to balance it.  The finish is more of the same.  86 points.  A shame really as it got good reviews .  Bottle #2 is much better- less cut, more fruit. Still very tart but I will go with 88 points.  For the advertised price of $40, this is a 2 star Tempranillo.  Sorry folks, nothing to see here.  Salut….

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Refugio Ranch Petite Sirah 2016, Santa Ynez Valley, USA

25 Wednesday Mar 2020

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$40, 4 stars, 90 points, california, petite sirah, santa Ynez


Dark and dense, totally opaque.  The nose gives me blackberry jam, florals, cinnamon, but just a touch.  On the palate it’s as rich as it smells.  Full throttle with the black fruits, a touch of sour black cherry and a definitive tea component.  There is an upfront astringency that goes head to head with a brisk acidity.  Somewhat overpowering but balanced. The midpalate is all about the to-and-fro with these two components.  The finish is really juicy, black fruited and tannic.  Petite Sirah is typical of these notes.  90 points and 4 stars for this $40 wine.  Pair with Moussaka or Bangers and Mash and drink till 2025.  Salut….

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