Tag Archives: 5 stars

Chapel Hill Parson’s Nose Shiraz 2011

30 Monday Dec 2013

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My grandfather once told me that The Parson’s Nose was another word for a chicken’s derriere, so when I saw this wine I just had to try it.  He also used to say Yacky Da as a toast, I think it’s Welsh for cheers.  Here’s to grandad…

This wine was a great expression of Mclaren Vale Shiraz.  Not jammy and overdone, but a more restrained offering with blueberry and black fruits showing throughout with generous oak and spice.  Medium tannins are a delight and the wine was easy to drink.  I got some very interesting mid palate flavors similar to mulled wine with cloves and cinnamon.  I really enjoyed the complexity that this very reasonable wine offered.  I paid $13 on sale and give this effort 89 points and 5 stars.  Think Osso Bucco or Sirloin on the grill.  Salut….

 

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d’Arenberg d’Arry’s Original 2010

29 Sunday Dec 2013

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Another winner from the d’Arenberg winery is this Shiraz Grenache blend.  Dark purple in the glass and smelling of plums and lavender with some earth.  A unique flavor that bursts with black currants, raspberry and a floral sweetness that was really interesting.  The structure is good with some tannins residing between the acidity and the fruit.  A good mouthfeel makes this a pleasing wine to drink, it would work all by itself or do battle with a big NY Strip steak.  The wine is 3 years old and has a good cellaring potential but is drinking en pointe right now.  I paid $17 and am giving it 91 points making it a 5 star effort.  Get some.  Salut….

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Meerlust Rubicon 2008

29 Sunday Dec 2013

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The nice thing about Christmas time is that my friends inevitably pull out some good wines.  I have had the 2007 Rubicon before and was treated to the ’08 last night.

Like it’s older brother, a tannic, brooding wine just waiting to be unleashed.  Black in the glass with some serious notes of blackberry and plum jam.  I also got tea, mint and a dose of oak on the palate which was harmoniously balanced and very dry from the huge tannins.  The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot- a classic Bordeaux blend.  The aging potential for this wine is at least 20 years, with it starting to open up in another 3-4 years.  I feel we drank this too young and it will develop into something special with time.  I did a quick price search, it can be had for around $26.  I am giving it 92 points and 5 stars.  I need to get some for the corner of my cellar and hide it away for a few years. Great stuff.  Salut….

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Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Pinot Noir 2009

14 Saturday Dec 2013

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A cross between Old World elegance and New World charm for this delicious Pinot Noir.    I have had some really good wine from the Marlborough region of New Zealand lately and this is no exception.  Pale in color as a Pinot should be, the nose was very bright with cherry and strawberry notes.  Old world funk on the palate with bright fruit made for an interesting taste profile.  Cherry spritz comes to mind with some green peppers mingling about.  Hints of strawberry daiquiri and some cedar came through on the back end and the acidity was great.  This was a very interesting wine and we thoroughly enjoyed it with some Pate and cheeses.  I would also pair it with Turkey and cranberry sauce.  $20 and 90 points make this an outstanding 5 star wine for me. Ps. I love the label, very classy.  Salut….

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Henry’s Drive ‘Parsons Flat’ Shiraz – Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

13 Friday Dec 2013

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‘The Beav’ is my buddy’s nickname.  He is a funny guy and good humored.  We have been partnered together on a month long training course that ends this weekend.  We have eaten together, drunk together, taken daily walks together and gone to the gym together.  We have had a really good time with each other and now the end is nigh, so we went big on some wine purchases last night.  He picked this one because the label was so cool.  Little did he know how good it was going to be.

A blend of Padthaway Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon that have melded together beautifully and have integrated a lovely oak presence with some well crafted tannins.  Dark red in the glass and showing black fruits on the nose.  The taste was of black currants, blackberry and dark plums.  Some mocha and chocolate powder popped out on the back end and the mouthfeel was exceptional.  The structure of this wine was great, balanced and easy to drink.  We happened to have a bunch of cheese and salami at the time but it would go well with Tenderloin or perhaps a roasted Cornish Hen.  I thoroughly enjoyed this 91 point wine that the Beav paid $27 for making it a 5 star wine in my books.  Salut….

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Feudo Maccari Saia 2010

12 Thursday Dec 2013

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If you have never had a Nero D’Avola wine before, you must.  From Sicily comes this black wine with ample tannins and great depth.  This particular wine was as expected.  Bold black cherry and dark fruits with a hefty dose of tannin that was somewhat curbed yet providing a strong backbone.  The use of oak was deftly hidden and the acidity was great.  The wine is slightly rustic and needs a big plate of salami, olives and some hard cheeses to really get it going.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend this $25 offering for the uninitiated.  91 points and 5 stars.  Salut…IMG_0537

First Drop ‘Mother’s Milk’ Shiraz 2010

12 Thursday Dec 2013

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Succulent and smooth yet powerful and unabashed.  This is a great wine, no doubt.  A beautiful shade of purple in the glass with some great plum and spice notes on the nose.  On the palate was an array of svelte asian plums, blackcurrant and cedar box- all interlaced by some fine ingrained tannins.  This wine drinks beautifully and impressed all of us.  More impressive is the price- $18.  You cannot beat the value for money than with this type of 91 point wine that is accessible yet could be cellared for another 5 years.  This is what I imagine when I think of Barossa Shiraz.  Expressive but not over cooked, smooth but biting.  Amazing by itself, it would hold up to any meat dish, perhaps even crispy duck.  5 stars from me.  I need to find more!  Salut….

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Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc 2009

06 Friday Dec 2013

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From South Africa comes this amazing Bordeaux blend for a mere $15.  Inky purple in the glass it showed off dark fruits on the nose with a hint of mintiness.  The flavor was sublime and the finish was nice and dry from the firm tannins.  The purple flavors of plums and blackcurrant were mingled with some slight oak and cassis.  Very balanced and showing complexity, I loved this wine.  I have read about it in several magazines over the years and this is the first time I have seen it in the shops, I  will be back to buy more.  Still young but drinkable, I reckon it will start to peak in 2015 and go for another 5 years.  I would pair this with Venison or Lamb chops all day long.  5 stars for this 91 point effort.  Salut….

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d’Arenberg The Galvo Garage 2008

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

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Another wine from this awesome winery in Mclaren Vale, Australia.  This bottle is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot- the cornerstones of the Bordeaux blend.  I was really excited to try this as the blend is right up my alley.  Bold and beautiful in the glass it showed its power right away.  Plums and Black cherries with a rich and smoky oak  came blasting throughout the gripping tannins.  On the backend came a eucalyptus tinge that was very interesting.  The wine is very young and in need of cellaring, perhaps from 2014- 2020 is where I would think it’s peak is.  Great balance and structure make this $23 wine a bargain.  Think Roast Beef and this wine will sing.  91 points and 5 stars from me.  I think I need to get more for the dungeon. Salut….

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Kate Radburnd Vines Velvet Pinot Noir 2011

03 Tuesday Dec 2013

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From New Zealand comes this stunning Pinot Noir.  Delicate in the glass, it had notes of cherry and cranberry with some earthy mix in there.  On the palate, extremely smooth and luscious with white cherry and raspberry flavors.  Balanced and tart at the same time it was refreshing and medium in body.  The tannins in Pinot are difficult for me to discern, but I felt that this wine was well made and would go the distance.  Made in a New World style that appeals to me I’m going with 91 points and for about $15 this is a must find 5 star wine.  Amazing stuff.  Salut….

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