Tag Archives: 5 stars

Raats ‘Red Jasper’ 2021, Stellenbosch, South Africa

03 Sunday Nov 2024

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Medium ruby colored with moderate staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of black plum, capsicum, black cherry, acai berry, vanilla, coffee, baking spice, charred oak, peppermint and dusty dried wheat (I know).  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that hit on the tip of my tongue.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of black plum, black cherry, espresso, Lapsang Souchong tea, vanilla, baking spice and charred oak.  The back end is very powerful with tea, black coffee, and charred oak being prominent.  The finish is quite dry with the tannins holding their own all the way through to a medium length ending.  It’s a different profile but very delicious if paired with food.  It’s Sunday roast so the meat and gravy will sort this delicious wine out nicely.  91 points from me for this $20 effort makes it a 5 star wine to drink till 2030.  Mainly Cabernet Franc (53%) it also has Malbec, Cab Sav, Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot- the Classic Bordeaux blend.  Salut….

Raats Red Jasper

Buttonwood Grove Winery Pinot Noir 2020, Finger Lakes, New York

02 Wednesday Oct 2024

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Very pale garnet colored with copper/orange highlights and a watery sheen (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of barnyard, funk, red cherry compote, ripe strawberry, rhubarb, baking spice, violets, green stalk and lingonberry.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a light body and low tannins.  The flavor intensity is medium (-) but very delicate and seductive.  Red fruit coupled with some funky notes and some baking spice make for an enticing and lithe wine that has great balance.  The finish is medium (-) in length which makes me grab the glass for another quick sip.  It’s a delightful sipper, not sure what I would pair with it so as to not overpower.   It ran me $25 at the winery and gets 92 points making it a 5 star effort to drink till 2030.  (I scored it 90 at the winery btw).  Salut….

Bodegas Escudero Vidau 2004, Rioja DOCa, Spain

26 Thursday Sep 2024

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Deep ruby colored with chocolate highlights and medium viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of tobacco, black cherry, blackberry compote, coconut, vanilla, bramble berry, dusty earth, menthol, a medicinal note, orange peel and coffee.  The palate is dry with a full body and medium (+) tannins that are fine-grained and integrating nicely.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of ripe black cherry, blackberry cobbler, tobacco, dust, vanilla, menthol and coffee.  It’s quite layered and delicious, ripe and smooth.  The finish is medium (+) in length and silky, everything is in balance.  This is a 93 point wine imho that I paid $25 making it a 5 star effort that is still youthful after 20 years and will provide pleasure for many more years to come.  Salut….

Beaulieu Vineyard BV Reserve Tapestry 2016, Napa Valley, California

18 Wednesday Sep 2024

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Deep ruby colored with slight staining and a high viscosity (14.9% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of blackberry, cassis, black plum, vanilla, toasty oak,  coffee, caramel, acai berry, eucalyptus, wet stone, graphite and baking spices.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins.  Silky layers of dark, ripe fruit interlaced with loads of secondary notes of oak which has been deftly applied alongside some interesting eucalyptus and caramel hints.  The wet stone is not present but there is a dried tobacco note coming on.  The tannins are polished and are integrating nicely.  The finish is long, centered on blackberry and cassis with a woodsy note.  It’s delicious , still young and worthy of 94 points.  A classic Bordeaux blend of Cab Sav, Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.  It runs $65 for the latest vintage, unsure of pricing for this one.  5 stars IMHO to drink till 2030.  Salut….

Albert Bichot Bourgogne Aligote 2022, Burgundy, France

11 Wednesday Sep 2024

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Medium lemon colored with medium viscosity (12% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon, lemon zest, white blossom, yoghurt, baked apple, toasty oak and sea spray.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of yellow apple, lemon zest, lemon, yoghurt and toasty oak.  It has a mineral core that is surrounded by zesty citrus, warm apple notes and a touch of oak.  The finish is medium (-) in length.  I like this wine- 90 points and for $15 it gets 5 stars.  I would roast a chicken any day to pair with this little gem.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Vina Requingua ‘Toro de Piedra’ Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Curico Valley, Chile

02 Monday Sep 2024

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Medium ruby colored with slight staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of mint, graphite, black plum, black cherry, blackberry, bramble and vanilla.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body and medium (+) tannins that are chalky.  The herbal notes take center stage followed by black fruit and then some coffee, oak, vanilla, and dark chocolate.  The finish has a very nice mouthfeel with the chalky tannins interwoven with fruit.  It’s a very decent drop and will develop with some cellaring.  Drink this 91 point effort till 2028.  I paid $15 which makes it a 5 star wine.  Salut….

Fox Run Vineyards Silvan Riesling 2021, Seneca Lake, New York

31 Saturday Aug 2024

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Pale gold with a watery sheen (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of petrol, tangerine pith, peach, apricot, white and orange blossom.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  Flavors of peach, apricot, tangerine pith (with its associated bitterness), some toast and white blossom.  I was hoping for some petrol notes, but alas I may have to wait a few years for that to develop on the palate.  The acidity is cutting on the back-end where the finish is medium in length and a touch astringent.  It’s a nice drop for sure- 91 points worth and for the $20 price point it gets 5 stars.  Drink till 2030.   Salut….

Errazuriz Max Reserva Carmenere 2020, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

30 Friday Aug 2024

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Deep ruby colored, bordering on ink with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of coffee, black plum, green asparagus, dark chocolate, cracked pepper and baking spices.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and medium tannins that are soft and caressing.  Flavors of black plum, cracked pepper, coffee, dark chocolate, green olive and baking spice along with the varietal telltale- a slight green vegetal note.  The finish is medium in length and has rich coffee and dark chocolate notes.  It’s a perfect wine for Peppercorn Steak.  91 points from me for this  $14 bottle makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2028.  Salut….

Tara Bella Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Sonoma County, California

28 Wednesday Aug 2024

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Deep ruby, almost inky in color with light staining and high viscosity (13.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blackberry, cassis, mint, vanilla, eucalyptus, black plum compote, coffee, charred oak, acai berry, dried green herbs and a hint of caramel.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body and medium (+) tannins that are youthful and grippy. Mouth-coating ripe black fruit with vanilla, mint, eucalyptus and oak feature predominantly with some dried herbs on the back end.  The tannins are delightful, they grip and then fade gently, allowing the fruit to shine through to a long finish.  This is a pretty silky and luscious wine that I am thoroughly enjoying.  My pairing is pepper steak and French fries.  93 points for this $80 bottle makes it a 4-5 star effort.  It has some cellaring capacity- I would drink till 2032.  Salut….

Kia Ora Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand

27 Tuesday Aug 2024

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Very pale lemon colored with titanium highlights and a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose has intense aromas of lime zest, lime, cut grass, asparagus, white blossom, orange blossom, hints of peach, grapefruit and sea spray.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  The citrus driven nose is echoed on the palate with some green notes, stone fruit and florals.  It’s a flavor driven wine for sure- delicious and refreshing with the cutting acidity.  The finish is quite long and tangy.  I paid $14 for this bottle that gets 91 points from me making it a 5 star effort to drink in the near term.  I’m frying up some Mahi Mahi and roasted veggies to pair.  Salut….