Tag Archives: 5 stars

Anton Bauer Zweigelt Feuersbrunn 2019, Wagram, Austria

29 Monday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Medium to deep purple colored with a watery sheen (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of acai berry, blueberry, vanilla, black cherry, a medicinal note, black raspberry and coffee.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins giving this wine a very light and carefree mouthfeel.  The flavors mimic the nose with blue and dark red fruit coupled with a bit of oak nuance- it’s a very delightful package imho and more than I was expecting after the somewhat one-dimensional nose that I was greeted with.  I like it and would pair with pork chops, grilled chicken, veal dishes and even Moussaka.  90 points for this $18 effort makes it a 5 star wine to drink till 2027.  Salut….

Chateau Pontet-Canet 2000, Pauillac, France

26 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


It’s my birthday week so we had friends over for dinner- best friends, so it warranted a nice bottle.  I have been sitting on this 5th Growth Bordeaux for 20 years, it’s time.

Deep garnet with bricking, slight staining, and a high viscosity (13% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of Cassis, cedar, leather, baking spices, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, ripe blueberry pie, acai berry and is somewhere between youthful and mature, which is surprising. On the palate it’s dry with medium acidity, medium-to-full body and medium (+) tannins that are fully integrated. Absolutely lush flavors of Cassis, baked blueberry, acai berry, cedar, leather, tobacco, baking spices, vanilla and blackberry compote.  The finish runs a good length and shows off the wonderfully refined tannins mingling with the remnants of fruit alongside tertiary notes.  It’s a stunner that has rewarded my patience for sure. 96 points for this $160 bottle that gets 5 stars from me. Drink till 2030.  A treat for sure, Salut….

Kir-Yianni ‘The Fallen Oak’ 2019, PGI Imathia, Macedonia, Greece

23 Tuesday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose of this Xinomavro, Merlot and Syrah blend has medium (-) intensity aromas of black raspberry, black plum, lilac, mulberry, licorice, coffee, vanilla and bilberry.  It’s quite an interesting nose that gains some power as it opens.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are a touch green.  Flavors of blackberry, bilberry, black raspberry, plum with coffee, vanilla and a hint of purple licorice are balanced by the firm structure of tannins and acidity.  It’s a pretty bold wine with nice fruit that lingers on a medium length finish.  The tannins are the last to bow out leaving my mouth slightly dried out but wanting more.  I am mixing up some Chimmichurri to go with cast-iron prepared Hanger steaks with Korean sweet potatoes and green beans, should work a treat.  92 points from me for this $20 effort makes it a 5 star wine to buy again.   Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Jaume Serra Brut Cava NV, Catalonia, Spain

16 Tuesday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Pale gold colored with medium intensity bubbles and low viscosity (11.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of white pear, brioche, grapefruit pith, white blossom and salted caramel.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a light body and a medium (-) mousse.  Flavors of citrus pith, brioche, white blossom, ripe white pear and lanolin.  The mouthfeel is very smooth as the mousse has tamed itself with plenty of aging whilst the acidity is still bright and refreshing.  The finish is a tasty affair that is medium in length and very satisfying- some spritz, some zing and fresh fruit surrounding the bready, brioche notes.  This bottle has dubious provenance, it sat in my buddy Rewt’s basement for god-knows-how-long yet is shows decent quality and aging capacity.  As with most Non Vintage Cava, it is hard to tell the disgorgement date so I have no idea how long this bottle has slumbered.  A curious web search made my jaw drop- $9.  Yup, under 10 bones and you are drinking a very serviceable and delicious sparkler that is made in the traditional method out of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo grapes. I would be looking to stock up for the summer, this is a porch-pounder for sure.  88 points, and 5 stars.  Salut….

Izadi Seleccion Blanco 2021, Rioja DOCa, Spain

10 Wednesday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


A vibrant hue of lemon with a watery sheen (13.5% AVB).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon zest and pith, grapefruit, beeswax, white blossom, crunchy green apple, slate, vanilla thread and petrichor.  The palate is dry with a medium to full body and medium (+) acidity.  Flavors of lemon zest, grapefruit zest, white flower, tart green apple and that mineral note like licking a piece of granite.  There is a slight waxy feel to it that I am intrigued by, it’s delicious.  There is obviously some oak attention here, which explains some of the heaviness and also the slight vanilla character I am picking up.  The finish is moderate in length and sits nicely on my palate- an interesting dichotomy of freshness from the acidity yet weight from the treatment.  I like it.  92 points worth, and at $22, it gets 5 stars.  Drink till 2029.  I am pairing it with Yuzu marinated grilled chicken.  It’s a blend of Viura (60%) with support from Malvasia, Torrontes, Garnacha Blanc and others.  Salut….

Opolo Vineyards Petite Sirah 2019, Paso Robles, California

09 Tuesday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Deep purple colored with medium staining and a high viscosity (14.4% ABV).  The nose has intense aromas of vanilla, black cherry, spices, black plum, ripe mulberry, black licorice, toasty oak and hint of alcohol.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are silky.  Powerful, mouth coating black fruit- mulberry, black plum, black cherry and blackberry kick things off followed by a hefty dose of vanilla, some spices and black licorice finishing long with some toasty oak notes.  This is a powerful and thick wine- perfect for my Lamb dish.  It is youthful yet shows structure for the long haul, it is heady yet graceful.  I love it.  93 points from me for this $25 bottle makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2030.  Salut….

Bodegas Juan Gil Plata – Silver Label Monastrell 2020, Jumilla, Spain

05 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Medium garnet colored with high viscosity (15% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum, vanilla, blackberry, game, bramble, dried herbs, baking spice, ripe black cherry and wildflowers.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium tannins.  This is a rich wine with layers of dark, ripe fruit interlaced with oak nuance, telltale game and some dried herbal notes.  It has a medium (-) length finish as far as the fruit goes, but the tannins are super fine and caress my gums for quite a while.  This is a $15 Monastrell, aka Mourvèdre that really brings value and gets 91 points from me making it a 5 star effort.  Drink till 2029 with steaks or even stews, like the Goulash I am whipping up tonight.  Salut….

Domaine Thierry Mortet Gevrey-Chambertin 2005, Cote de Nuits, France

31 Sunday Mar 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Pale garnet with brick highlights and a medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of chocolate covered cherry, barnyard, orange peel, vanilla bean, mushroom, Rooibos tea, caramel, desiccated strawberry, petrichor, a touch of leather and some dried cranberry.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and medium (-) tannins that are fully integrated.  Surprisingly fresh after 19 years of resting, this wine still shows loads of primary red fruit with deft oak and great structure.  The tertiary notes are still developing and this beauty has tons of aging capacity left.  The finish is sublime- a touch tart from the cranberry, there’s also a baked cherry pie thing going on.  Stunning stuff that gets 94 points from me.  I bought this bottle so long ago, I cannot remember pricing.  Modern vintages run $90, which would make it a 5 star wine.  I’m pairing this Pinot Noir with Rack of Lamb on this glorious Easter Sunday.  Salut….

Xavier Vignon – Barbare ‘Cuvee XL Premier’ 2012, Turkey

30 Saturday Mar 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Medium ruby colored with slight bricking, some staining and a high viscosity (15% ABV).  The nose of this Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend has medium intensity aromas of black raspberry, vanilla, baked red apple, rhubarb crumble, blueberry pie, coffee, baking spice and garrigue.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body and medium (-) tannins that are plush.  The baked nature of the fruit comes out on the initial attack and then I start to get oak nuance by way of coffee, vanilla and baking spice followed by that earthy garrigue note and some meaty hints of game.  The red and blue fruit are ripe and slightly desiccated but then I get a tart finish that is medium in length, intriguing.  The high alcohol hits on the back end, I normally don’t sense it but this case is different.  I like it all things considered- 92 points and for a wine that is already 12 years old, it’s just starting to show methinks.  Drink till 2030 with stews, lighter grilled meats or even pasta.  At $20, worth looking out for this 5 star effort.  Salut….

Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz 2021, Barossa Valley, Australia

23 Saturday Mar 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


The third wine at our tasting event was this Shiraz from the Barossa Valley.  I picked it as I have tasted this wineries offerings in the past and feel they exemplify Aussie Shiraz.  I was not disappointed.  Deep ruby colored with medium staining and medium viscosity even though it sports a 15% ABV!  High intensity aromas of game, prune, coffee, licorice, dark chocolate, and chocolate covered blueberries were the comments from the crowd.  It’s technically a dry wine that shows off ripeness on the palate with a sweet sensation- medium (-) acidity, medium (+) body and medium tannins.  Ripe blueberry and blackberry, coffee, creamy chocolate, oak notes and very nicely melded tannins.  The finish was medium (+) in length.  A beautiful wine that scored 17 points on our sheet.  For $23, this wine is a steal that gets 91 technical points from me and therefore a 5 star rating.  Drink till 2029.  Salut….