Tag Archives: 5 stars

Ballatore Cellars Gran Spumante NV, California

22 Saturday Jun 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


Pale to medium lemon/golden colored with big bubbles and low viscosity (8% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of yellow apple, melon, grapefruit pith, honeysuckle, apricot and peach. On the palate it is semi sweet with medium acidity, a nice mousse and light bodied. Flavors of pineapple, peach, melon, apple, grapefruit, and honeysuckle. The finish is delightful with some sweet notes and good vibrancy from the acidity and the mousse. It lasts short to medium and begs for another sip. The provenance of this particular bottle is actually quite poor yet it has survived years of abuse and neglect in somebody’s garage. I’m quite impressed and give it 86 points.  At $10 a go, this cheery sparkler gets 5 stars- we are pairing it with Vietnamese rolls tonight.  Salut….

Domane Wachau – Freie Weingartner Bruck Riesling Federspiel 2021, Wachau, Austria

11 Tuesday Jun 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Pale lemon colored with medium viscosity (12.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of petrol, white blossom, lime pith, lemon zest, grapefruit, peach and crunchy yellow apple.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  Crisp flavors of lemon zest, grapefruit, white peach, petrol, flint and melon.  The finish is zesty and refreshing with nice cut and medium length flavors that caress.  It’s a delicious and lithe expression of Riesling that I have chilled nicely to pair with baked Salmon and Tortellini salad.  92 points from me for this $38 effort makes it 5 star wine to drink till 2035.  It should evolve nicely.  Salut….

Chateau Guiraud ‘Le G de Chateau Guiraud’ Blanc Sec 2022, Bordeaux, France

31 Friday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Pale lemon colored with a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose of this Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend is intense. Aromas of lemon, lime, cut grass, nectarine, cat pee, tangerine zest, lanolin and orange blossom.  It’s full on and stunning.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium body with some phenolic bitterness.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of lemon, tangerine, nectarine, cut grass, lanolin, orange blossom and green herbs.  The finish is long in length and mouthwatering from the acidity- lovely and cutting.  I loved this wine when tasted at the chateau prior to release and am ecstatic that I scored a case recently.  It should develop over the next few years but I may not have the patience.  93 points from me and for $19- 5 stars.  Salut….

 

Txomin Etxaniz Txakoli 2022, Getariako Txakolina, Spain

26 Sunday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Pale lemon with gold highlights, some spritz and low viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose of this Hondarabbi Zuri has medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon, lanolin, seaweed, saline, white grapefruit, lemon pith, brioche and peach.  The palate is off-dry with an ever-so-soft hint of effervescence to go along with a light body and high acidity.  Citrus, sea breeze, minerality and a touch of peach round out the very refreshing flavors that linger on a medium finish, making me want to sip more. The Brioche I smelled is very feint on the palate and is a result of some Sur-lie aging. It’s a delicious summer sipper and at a relatively low 12 % alcohol, it’s easy going.  I was planning to pair with Alfredo, good thing there’s shrimp going in as well plus the Caeser salad.  Anything heavier would not work, this wine needs lighter fare and perhaps something from the sea.  90 points from me for this $19 effort makes it a 5 star stunner to buy in bulk- summer is here.  Salut….

Domaine Nicolas Rossignol Clos de Verger 2017, Pommard Premier Cru, France

20 Monday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Second up at the 36th virtual tasting was this stunning Pinot from Burgundy.  Pale garnet colored with low viscosity (13.5% ABV).  On the nose we got medium (+) intensity aromas of cherries jubilee, barnyard, roses, mushroom, stewed strawberry, baking spice, chocolate powder and Rooibos tea.  On the palate it is dry with medium acidity, light body and low tannins.  Cinnamon, Allspice, black cherry, mushroom, funk, forest floor and strawberry compote featured with a long finish.  This was a memorable wine that was enjoyed by everyone- I gave it a perfect 20 points on our tasting scale.  Technically speaking this is a 94 pointer that gets 5 stars and can be found for $80.  I would savor this with Roast Quail, Filet with béarnaise or even a mushroom tart.  I believe there is plenty of development in this wine’s future so cellaring a few bottles will be a fun adventure to visit till 2034.  Salut….

A to Z Wineworks Oregon Pinot Noir 2021, Oregon

16 Thursday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


Pale to medium ruby colored with low viscosity (13.5% ABV).  Medium intensity aromas of funky strawberry, pomegranate, rooibos tea, cherry cola, rose and sassafras.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a light to medium body and medium (-) tannins.  Flavors of red pomegranate, ripe strawberry and cherry cola pop right off the bat.  Funk, rooibos and rose come next.  It has an interesting finish- medicinal meets ginger.  Never had that before.  The acidity is marked yet the diminutive tannins seem to hold balance.  A medium length finish is enjoyed whilst savoring the red fruits.  90 points, and a steal at $15 which makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2029. Salut….

Trivento Golden Reserve Black Series Malbec 2021, Uco Valley, Argentina

15 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Deep ruby with high viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of mulberry, pie crust, vanilla, oak and steeped black plum.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (+) body and medium (-) tannins.  The flavors are quite pronounced with dark fruit dominating the very well integrated oak treatment- it’s a pleasure.  Charcoal and Lapsang Souchong tea add a new dimension.  It’s a young wine with some cellaring capacity that will reward over the medium term.  I’m loving it, even more so than when previously drinking gallons of this brand, always delicious.  92 points from me for this $20 bottle makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2030.  Salut….. 

Clos de los Siete by Michel Rolland 2020, Mendoza, Argentina

08 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,


Deep inky purple with slight staining and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of baked blackberry cobbler with vanilla, warm spices and nicely browned crust.  Mulberry and açaí berry follow with some mint and black tea notes.  The palate has medium acidity, a full body and medium tannins.  Medium (+) flavors of dark fruit, toasty oak, a slight bitterness from the tannins that have finally gripped and some heavy layers of mint/acai/vanilla that go on to a medium (-) finish.  A very delicious wine with decent structure – 90 points. Drink till 2028 with grilled tenderloins.  A blend of 50% Malbec, 24% Merlot, 11% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot makes this $20 bottle a 5 star effort.  Salut….

 

Esk Valley Merlot – Cabernet Sauvignon – Malbec 2020, Gimblett Gravels, New Zealand

08 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Deep purple, slight staining and medium viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of dusty earth, black plum, black raspberry, cedar, smoked meat, vanilla, baking spice, creme de menthe and green herb garni.  On the palate- medium acidity, medium body and medium tannins.  Gorgeous mouthfeel with dark fruit, supple structure, excellent integration and a medium length finish.  91 points- drink till 2028.  $ 20 makes this a 5 star wine to buy in bulk.  Salut….

 

Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina 2022, Spain

02 Thursday May 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Bright lemon colored with a watery sheen (11.5% ABV) and evidence of gas.  The nose of this Hondarabbi Zuri has medium intensity aromas of lemon zest, lemon, white grapefruit, green almond, white blossom, white pepper, saline and minerality.  The palate is dry with a slight spritz, high acidity along with a light body- very refreshing.  Flavors of lemon, white grapefruit, white blossom, green almonds and some salty spice.  The very slight amount of effervescence is typical for this varietal/region and makes the wine just dance on my tongue.  It’s delicious and will pair beautifully with my North African spiced seafood dish.  91 points for this $20 bottle makes it my new 2024 summer slammer.  It gets 5 stars- drink soon.  Salut….