Tag Archives: 5 stars

Joel Gott Wines Merlot 2016, California

23 Thursday Dec 2021

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Deep ruby color which is surprising considering the age of this Merlot (5 years old).  I was expecting a bit of garnet.  The nose is wafting…. and is a bit dusty right off the bat.  A good swirl and aromas of black currant, bramble, cassis, charred oak, stewed black plum, coconut and sweet raspberry pie.  The palate is very smooth, spicy and chock full of fruit.  Flavors of black currants, plum, cassis, dusty bramble with oak hints of coconut and charred wood mingle with some red fruit.  I like it.  The tannins are fully integrated and there is a balancing acidity making for a very smooth mouthfeel that has medium body and a medium finish.  This wine is at peak and I am pairing it with grilled Tri-tip and mashed potatoes alongside some charred eggplant and onion salad.  90 points, drink this $20 wine that gets 5 stars from me till 2024.  Salut….

Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Deux Soeurs 2019, Rhone, France

19 Sunday Dec 2021

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This youthful blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre is semi opaque with a pretty shade of ruby/purple.  The nose is chock full of ripe raspberry, red currants, pomegranate, bacon, evergreen leaf, granite and white pepper- quite complex.  The palate is dry with pronounced flavors of red fruit, minerality, earthiness and game.  Medium bodied, this semi tannic/medium acidity wine has a nice mouthfeel with a decent length finish. Whilst young, it is offering ripe fruit enjoyment with the structure to age and develop.  I would love to have a case to document the evolution over the next 12 years.  It got high marks from the pros, I agree.  93 points for this $55 bottle makes it a 5 star effort.  I am pairing it with Venison tenderloins and an eggplant tagine.  Salut….

Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico Rosso Irpinia 2018, Campania, Italy

13 Monday Dec 2021

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This Aglianico is opaque and murky, a deep shade of garnet with slim legs in the glass.    The nose is showing bottle age- prunes, stewed black fruit, caramel, game, blackberry, coffee bean and black truffle.  The palate is fresher than I thought it would be.  Clean flavors of blackberry, coffee, game (also some bacon fat), caramel and a touch of the prunes/stewed fruits.  The wine is dry and the tannins are pretty integrated now but they have a presence- remember…. this varietal is extremely tannic in youth.  It’s not a very acidic wine but there is balance with the fruit, structure and body (mid to full).  The finish is medium but dominated by the tannins which have by now started to grip. A nice, mature Italian red that has softened with age, picked up tertiary nuance and will drink well till 2025.  I am pairing it with sausage and collard infused Arrabbiata on a bed of garbanzo pasta.  Should be interesting.  92 points for this $40 bottle makes it a 5 star effort.  Salut….

Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2018, Rhone, France

12 Sunday Dec 2021

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Semi opaque and ruby colored, the nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe raspberries, red licorice, red currants, bacon, dried herbs, dusty earth and toast.  The palate is dry with immediate tannic grip, but not overly astringent.  Red fruit compote, plums, herbs, meaty bacon, earthiness and toast from the oak all swirl around my mouth.  It’s quite complex and nicely structured.  Medium to full-bodied, the alcohol (14.5% ABV) is well hidden but contributes to the lushness of the mouthfeel.  The finish is quite decent in length and not too dry, with just a smidge of lingering tannins.  It’s quite young but very approachable, I would estimate a drinking window till 2035.  It’s Sunday Roast Beef for dinner, nearly a perfect match.  94 points and 5 stars for this $50 Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend.  Salut….

Cakebread Cellars Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Howell Mountain, California

09 Thursday Dec 2021

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Opaque ruby in the glass.  Blueberry, charcoal, sasparilla, vanilla and blackberry pie.  A stunning nose that also includes some black licorice and a mineral note.  The palate of this Napa Cab is super smooth- blue and black fruits, oak nuance, spice and beautiful structure await.  The tannins are so well integrated it’s obscene.  The acidity balances but doesn’t overpower the whole melange of fruit, tannic grip and tartness.  This wine has mouthfeel out of this world with gobs of primary fruit and structure that will make it cellarworthy till 2028 but why wait?  You can taste and smell the California sunshine in this one folks.  It’s stunning right now and gets 96 points from me.  Probably one of the best Cabs I have come across.  Pricy at two bones, it’s a treat to behold.  5 stars for its near perfection.  Salut….

Jean Biecher et Fils Sommerberg Grand Cru Riesling 2019, Alsace, France

08 Wednesday Dec 2021

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This Alsatian Riesling is a deep shade of gold in the glass.  The nose is exquisite- tropical fruits, citrus, hints of petrol and a touch of minerality.  The aromas are very precise and clean.  The palate is dry but it has a sweetness from the tropical fruit flavors of pineapple, mango, kiwi and persimmon.  Grapefruit, lemons and tangerine round out the citrus notes and the petrol is but a faint memory.  This wine has great acidity that lurks, keeping the wine fresh yet not cutting.  I like the way the fruit flavors are layered, showing good complexity whilst the acidity is barely noticeable until the back end, where I find my jaw watering.  This is a very refreshing wine with depth that will cellar nicely yet provides immediate satisfaction.  I’m sizzling up some shrimp with garlic and asparagus on a bed of Fettuccine.  Yum.  93 points, and for $40 it’s a steal that got 96 points from the pros.  5 Stars.  Salut….

Tamarack Cellars ‘Balancing Act’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Walla Walla, Washington

07 Tuesday Dec 2021

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This Cab is an opaque purple in the glass with no legs showing- strange considering it sports 14.2% ABV.  The nose is reminiscent of a purple fruit medley.  Blackcurrants, plums, blackberry and blueberry all mixed up.  A spicy note like bakers spices hits me as well as some minty earthiness.  The palate is delicious- the fruit compote with spice, oak nuances and very nicely integrated tannins make for a delicious flavor profile that has a great mouthfeel.  The acidity is present, balanced and not overly tart.  The wine has medium to full body and it lasts a decent amount on the finish.  I’m liking it, a lot.  90 points for this $20 gem makes it a 5 star wine.  I’m giving some Strip steaks a cast iron treatment alongside sweet potato fries and sautéed spinach.  Should work a treat, drink till 2027.  Salut….

Chateau Bellevue 2016, Medoc, France

06 Monday Dec 2021

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This Bordeaux blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cab Sav and 5% Cab Franc is opaque and garnet in color.  At 5 years of age, that is to be expected.  The nose is starting to develop tertiary notes alongside black plum, blackcurrant, tobacco, earth, barnyard, cassis and bramble.  Oak nuance by way of coffee and smoke are present.  The palate is yummy and developed.  Stewed black plum, blackcurrant, cassis, leather and barnyard.  Very earthy and smoky with well integrated yet persistent tannins and a touch of back end acidity.  The wine is medium bodied and shows a mid length finish.  It dries up on the finish and will go beautifully with my braised Lamb shanks which will have plenty of rich gravy and Yorkshire puddings.  91 points for this $25 effort makes it a 5 star wine to drink till 2026.  It is mature now and will last a few years.  Salut….

Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 2014, Clare Valley, Australia

01 Wednesday Dec 2021

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Ahh you little beauty.  Back in the day I used to drink gallons of this stuff and wrote about the 2015 McRae Wood I recently tasted.  This one, being a year older is still opaque ruby in the glass.  The nose is quite pronounced with gorgeous aromas of sweet blackberry, black plum, vanilla laced blueberry pie, baking spice, red licorice and orange peel.  The palate is as hoped for- dry with great acidity, smooth tannins, full body and a long finish.  Pronounced flavors of the above mentioned primary fruit, secondary nuance from oak and perhaps a dash of tertiary influence from leather notes.  I feel like I am missing out on the traditional jammyness usually found in Aussie Shiraz but I don’t miss it.  This wine is chock full of complex flavors and I am enjoying the melding of said flavors with the structural components.  93 points from me for this $45 wine will get it 5 stars.  Drink till 2030 with steaks, lamb chops or a hearty stew like short ribs.  Salut….

Xavier Vignon ‘Arcane VI Les Amoureux’ 2016, Cotes du Rhone, France

30 Tuesday Nov 2021

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I like this brand, they offer unique Rhone blends with different names for each vintage and varietal.  This Grenache happens to be a $30 wine that scored 94 points with several pros- I loved it too!

Opaque.  Bright aromas of plum, blueberry, black cherry, licorice, raspberry, white pepper, earth, cloves and charred wood.  The palate is very smooth with a hint of sweetness from the fruit, albeit a dry wine.  There are some very integrated tannins and a balanced acidity.  Yummy flavors of raspberry, blueberry, black cherry, white pepper spice, cloves and some smoke from the oak with a touch of licorice.  Medium bodied. This wine hides its 14.5%ABV nicely.  The finish is mid length and dry as the tannins grip a bit more.  91 points/5 stars, drink with steaks till 2028.  Salut….