Tag Archives: 5 stars

Geil 1760 Gewurtztraminer Kabinett 2021, Rheinessen, Germany

25 Wednesday Jan 2023

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Pale to medium lemon/lime colored with a watery sheen (8.5% ABV!).  The nose is intensely aromatic with rose water, apricots, ginger snaps, grass, honeysuckle, curry powder (yup, curry powder), lychees and crushed stone.  The palate is off-dry as expected but has medium acidity and hint of bitterness.  I feel the body is quite full, as the wine coats my palate but the low alcohol defies that logic.  The fruity, aromatic, perfumed flavors echo the nose with emphasis on ginger and lychees.  The finish is quite long, the perfume just lingers on the palate.  It’s a delicious wine and I picked it to pair with spicy tacos- I think the level of sugar, acidity and big aromatic qualities will do well in the combination.  I am thinking 91 points for this $20 wine, making it a 5 star effort.  I can see myself loading up on this low alcohol, slightly sweet wine that will pour easily all summer long and pairing it with all manner of lighter fare- even some spicy dishes like mine.  Drink till 2025.  Salut….

Michel Rolland and Javier Galarreta Clos d’En Ferran’ 2017, Priorat DOCa, Spain

24 Tuesday Jan 2023

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Inky purple in the glass this blend of 62% Carinyena & 38% Garnacha has got slow moving legs (14.5% ABV).  The nose is stunning.  Intense aromas of toffee, coffee, and chocolate interlaced with ripe blueberry, blackberry, plums, black cherry, mint and cassis- there is a decadent richness about this wine that I get right off the bat.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium tannins that are fine-grained.  Flavors of dark, bold fruits with loads of French oak nuance make for a delicious flavor profile.  Whilst the nose is driven by the toffee/coffee etc, the palate is opposite.  Layers of ripe fruit are now in charge, followed by the toffee, caramel, mint and medicinal notes from the barrels.  The finish is long and soft.  Stunning stuff that got up to 96 points from the pros.  I would have to agree.  The aging capacity of this well structured, full bodied wine is good, say till 2035.  You can find it for under $40 making it a monster 5 star effort.  I’m simmering a pot of rich, hearty goat stew with some creamy truffle infused acorn squash pureé.  Can’t wait.  Salut….

Cataldi Madonna Malandrino Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2020, Abruzzo, Italy

23 Monday Jan 2023

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Moxie and I just dropped off our daughter at university in NYC.  We had a last dinner with her at this amazing Italian restaurant.  I dined on herb-infused papardelle with an oxtail ragout that screamed for a juicy, yet not overly tannic red.  My choices included this $20 (at retail) bottle of Montepulciano.  No notes were taken but from memory I recall it being the perfect choice.  Red fruit driven with medium (+) acidity, a modicum of tannic grip and a medium body.  The freshness of the fruit was evident as was a touch of spice, some herbs and a hint of oak.  The finish was medium in length with red fruit driving the flavors.  It was thoroughly enjoyed and I will be looking for more, at that price-point this 90 point wine is getting 5 stars.  I would drink it with all manner of pasta until 2025.  Salut….

Quevedo Family Alegria Vineyard Touriga Nacional 2018, Douro, Portugal

17 Tuesday Jan 2023

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Deep purple colored it stains the walls and has a slight bluish tinge on the edges.  On the nose it is very heady with aromas of dark, ripe blueberry, black currants, blue plum, violets, mint and a touch of oak by way of baking spices and chocolate powder.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and high tannins that are fine grained.  This full bodied wine has plenty going on flavorwise.  Blueberry, cacao, blackcurrant, plum, florals and some spices.  The question of balance comes into mind as the alcohol (15% ABV) is noticeable on the nose and the mid palate.  I will get over it but buyer beware.  The finish is medium in length and blue fruited.  The tannins having vanished, leaving a touch of refreshing acidity.  The Douro Valley and this varietal, Touriga Nacional are well known to Port lovers worldwide.  They make delicious and full throttle fortified wines, so having ripe, sun-drenched grapes to make a still wine is not an issue.  The results are in this bottle- a yummy delight to pair with hearty dishes.  Mine is Steak and Ale pie tonight but it will do well with grilled leg of Lamb or even Osso Bucco.  I would drink this wine till 2030, it has the structure needed to cellar.  90 points (the slight imbalance alcohol cost a point) and for $19- 5 stars.  Look for this wine or even this varietal and region when you are searching for something new.  Salut….

Ca’ Rome Romano Marengo Vigna Cerretta 2011, Barolo DOCG, Italy

15 Sunday Jan 2023

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I was promised a dinner of Beef Short Ribs alongside this Barolo by some old friends.  No formal tasting notes were taken but from memory- medium garnet in the glass with some bricking on the edges and a slow moving set of legs on the walls.  The nose was seductive with aromas of red cherry, mushroom, leather, tobacco, cloves and forest floor.  The palate was showing layers of tertiary flavors alongside a crisp acidity and very svelte tannins.  This 12 year old Nebbiolo has matured beautifully and the earthy, savory notes have started to overtake the once powerful tart cherry notes I know this wine had in youth.  It’s still there, but not so fresh, not so prominent.  The mushroom component was quite exciting to me, it’s not very often I get to notice this development.  Forest floor, tobacco and leather complement the umami note.  On the mid palate, this medium weight wine has great transition and the faint cherry note reappears.  Adding some acidity on the finish, what is left of the fruit balances the earthy tertiary notes whilst the last vestiges of tannin balance out the acidity.  It’s a magnificent wine that once got 94 points from the pros.  I would agree.  It can still be found for under a hundo on the www.  Drink soon with some rich, layered stews or pastas.  5 stars.  Salut….

Maxville Lake Winery ‘Maxville’ Cabernet Franc 2015, Napa Valley, California

12 Thursday Jan 2023

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Deep ruby with rim variation to garnet plus some slow moving legs (14.5% ABV).  The nose has varietally true aromas of green pepper, blackberry, black raspberry and some menthol perfume.  Very faint notes of oak alongside some coffee, crushed rock and vanilla.  It smells gorgeous.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and delightfully fine grained tannins that caress.  Full bodied, I get flavors of black raspberry, blackberry, menthol, oak nuance, coffee, chocolate.  The green pepper aromas don’t show up on the palate btw.  The finish is a touch smoky and medium (+) in length with the tannins completely melded and the acidity softening.  A very balanced and somewhat complex wine that really coats my mouth with delicious, ripe fruit.  I like it a lot and give it 93 points.  I’m searing some Sous Vide Strip steaks, this is going to pair beautifully.  For $50 its a treat-night wine that gets 5 stars from me.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….

Nova Cadamatre Reserve Riesling 2021, Finger Lakes, New York

11 Wednesday Jan 2023

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Medium lemon colored with a medium (+) intensity nose.  Right off the bat I get aromas of creamy tropical flowers- bizarre, I know.  Then…. Nougat mixed with tangerine, more bizarreness.  Followed by saline and some pithy citrus as well as a touch of petrol.  I am really perplexed by this wine.  The palate is dry and slightly bitter with medium body and high acidity, which I was expecting.  Flavors of subdued citrus and florals alongside the bitterness from pith carry through to the medium length finish.  I must say this is not what I was expecting, the flavors and aromas are off my normal path for this varietal.  I like the precision, minerality and cut of this wine- it’s like a laser, I just need to recalibrate to these new flavors and aromas.  I would give this $18 wine 90 points and drink with charcuterie or oysters on the half shell.  Be ready for some mouth puckering vibrancy- 5 stars.  Salut….

Phebus Torrontes 2021, Mendoza, Argentina

09 Monday Jan 2023

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Pale straw colored this aromatic grape has an intense nose.  Aromas of grape, orange zest, lemon, lime, florals and wet slate.  The palate is dry with cutting medium level acidity and a medium body.  Citrus driven with a hint of pith layered in floral notes make for a very delicious flavor profile.  The finish is quite long, concentrating on orange pith and lemon zest, the acidity doesn’t stop.  I like this wine- 90 points worth and for $14 it’s a 5 star porch-pounder that rings in at 12.5% ABV.  Get some in preparation for summer.  I would pair this with spice laden dishes, seafood or a crisp salad with grilled chicken.  Salut….

Sam Plunkett Forest Hut Vineyard Shiraz 2019, Pyrenees, Australia

06 Friday Jan 2023

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Somewhat hazy (unfiltered?) but a very opaque shade of ruby in the glass with medium legs and slight staining on the walls.  The nose is intense with gorgeous aromas of blueberry, blackcurrant, black cherry, menthol, elderberry, coffee bean and chocolate powder.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium (+) tannins.  Really ripe flavors of black cherry, blueberry, blackcurrant and elderberry meld beautifully with the menthol and coffee notes.  Rich and full bodied this is a delicious wine that only rings in at 13.6% ABV, surprising to me.  The tannic structure is excellent, giving a nice and silky dryness to the mouthfeel while fading gently as the fruit continues to roll on to a long finish.  This is an outstanding Shiraz if you like them big and bold, which suits me fine for the Lamb chops I am grilling to pair with.  I would say this one has some cellaring capacity but is drinking beautifully now and will last until 2028.  92 points from me for this $17 wine makes it a hard to beat 5 star effort.  Salut….

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine 2016, Constantia, South Africa

01 Sunday Jan 2023

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Part of our New Year’s Eve lineup, this iconic sweet dessert wine from South Africa is a deep gold color.  The nose blows me away with intense aromas of honey, Soursop (aka Guanabana), mango, apricot, quince and orange marmalade.  The palate is sweet and silky with medium acidity and a full body.  Ripe flavors of apricot, quince, mango candied ginger and soursop are enveloped with honey and white flower notes.  Unctuous without being cloying, this is a delicious yet young wine that slips down so easily.  The finish is long and silky with richness and a hint of almond to go along with the apricots and marmalade.  A stunning wine that runs $63 per 500ml bottle.   It gets north of 97 points from the pro’s.  I would have to agree.  Drinking window…. I love it now but will savor the other bottles I have over a period of time, till 2045 if you are patient.  5 stars for this Muscat of Frontignan varietal.  Stunning.  Salut….