Tag Archives: 84 points

David Akiyoshi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Clarksburg, California

15 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Medium ruby with garnet highlights, slight staining, and a high viscosity (14.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of candied raspberry, red plum, cranberry jam, cedar, tomato leaf, and pomegranate- decidedly red fruit driven.  The palate is ever-so slightly off-dry, with medium acidity, medium (+) body, and medium tannins.  The red fruit is sweet in nature and off-putting tbh.  It tastes a little manufactured and will likely appeal to many, just not me.  The structure is decent with some neat tannins, but nothing that screams ‘I’m a Cabernet Sauvignon’.  The finish is a little hot and medium (-) in length.  Whilst pleasant to drink, it will pair nicely with lighter meats or BBQ.  I would drink this 84 pointer till 2027.  For $12, it gets 3 stars from me.  Salut….

David Akiyoshi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Ketcham Estate Five Clone Pinot Noir 2021, Russian River Valley, California

20 Friday Sep 2024

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Pale garnet colored with a watery sheen (14.9% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity  aromas of rhubarb, pomegranate, cherry cobbler, baking spices, steeped strawberry, earth, forest floor and anise.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body and medium (-) tannins.  My first impression is funk with some bitterness.  A cardboard note hits on the second taste and now I’m a bit worried.  After several minutes I gave it another go- it’s pretty one-dimensional unfortunately.  Undefined red fruit, bitterness and a fair amount of heat make this quite unpleasant.  I will give this wine another try as I bought two bottles.  The reviews, even the color don’t jibe with my experience.  For now this $65 bottle gets 84 points and 1 star.  Drink ??  Salut….

Pardon et Fils Beaujolais Nouveau 2022, Beaujolais, France

18 Friday Nov 2022

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


My second Nouveau of the season, following on from the delicious Georges DuBœf on release night.  This one is medium purple, a touch less opaque that the previous.  The nose has pronounced aromas of grape bubble gum, banana, red cherry candy (red licorice) and a touch of spice.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and very low tannins.  Medium (-) bodied, I get flavors of grape bubble gum, grape jelly, cherry candy, and red licorice.  It is a bit one-dimensional compared to the previous bottle.  The finish is short but the tartness rolls on for a while.  Not my favorite.  84 points and for $12, 2 stars.  Drink now.  Salut….

Vignobles Andre Lurton Chateau Bonnet Cabernet Sauvignon – Merlot 2018, Bordeaux, France

06 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Tasted blind, this Bordeaux blend of Merlot and Cab Sav was a deep ruby color with thin legs.  Medium (-) intensity nose with aromas of red cherry, red raspberry, wet wool and purple grape- I found it to be very youthful and simple. (Plus disgusting).  The palate was dry with medium acidity, medium tannins, medium alcohol and light bodied.  Medium (-) intensity flavors of the above led to a medium (-) finish.  I called this wine poor but was corrected to- acceptable; a point for balance was deserved(?).  This wine is to be drunk now, not suitable for aging.  I did not care for it and was surprised that I couldn’t even get the varietal right.  For me this $14 wine gets 84 points with a 1 star rating.  Salut….

Peachy Canyon Cirque du Vin Red 2017, Paso Robles, California

23 Sunday Jan 2022

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,


Almost opaque, this dark ruby colored ‘Red Wine’ is a blend of Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah that rings in at 13.9% ABV.  The nose has rich black plum, blackberry coulis, licorice and vanilla.  The palate is meh…  Tart, dry and lacking depth of fruit.  I do get some blackberry and plum but I’m missing the oak nuance, the licorice and am distracted by the sourness.  The tannins are medium (+) and the wine is mid weight.  The finish is short, TG.  Not impressed by this $18 wine (I paid $10) that gets 84 points from me.  1 star and a major pass. I’m pairing it with leftover Lasagna.  Salut….

La Croix-Barton 2015, Bordeaux, France

20 Thursday Jun 2019

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , ,


Pale purple and seethrough in the glass.  The nose is black kirsch and charcoal.  On the palate it has a definitive woodsy note that opens up the initial palate.  Black berries appear alongside rooibos tea, but it’s a little thin.  On the midpalate I get some juicy acidity alongside some dark fruits.  The finish has some tannic bite, albeit slightly green.  Overall I’m quite disappointed in this vintage.  84 points and 1 star for this $15 wine, a major pass I’m afraid.  Salut….

Il Roccolo Sangiovese Rubicone IGT Italy NV

12 Monday Dec 2016

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


I bought two bottles from this producer for a grand total of $8.  One was a Nero D’Avola and this one being a Sangiovese.  I was not expecting much, but really enjoyed the Nero poolside watching my daughter splash around at a hotel we just stayed in.  I took no notes but decided I should do so with this bottle now that I am home and not reeking of chlorine.

A pale purple color shows typicity of the varietal as does the nose of faint cherries and cinnamon.  I’m not expecting complexity or depth here but am pleasantly surprised so far as the wine comes across very smoothly on the intro and gives some cherry notes along with a cola thing.  The wine has more acidity than tannins and lacks any  semblance of wood.  The finish is decent in length and leaves me with a slightly drying sensation, hinting at some minuscule level of tannins being offered up.  Like I said- this is a basic wine.  It drinks easily and is a serious contender for a backyard BBQ, a poolside quaff or even a light pizza partner.  For $4 or even $6 this wine rocks it and I am giving it 84 points and 4 stars.  (I have had far worse wine in the First Class sections of many airlines).  Salut….

il roccolo sangiovese

 

Piccini Chianti DOCG Tuscany Italy 2014

09 Wednesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


I’m in Japan and wanted to enjoy something red in my hotel room.  I found this bottle at what looked like an Import Gourmet shop.  I paid 1280 Japanese Yen for it, but it can be found for $8 USD.  The notes:  See-through pale purple that gives away the extraction of this wine.  On the nose- subdued hints of dark cherry fruit and a touch of leather.  Very hard to discern from a straight glass (no wine glasses in the hotel room!).  On the palate I’m getting some black fruit and telltale Sangiovese notes.  The wine has a refreshing acidity and a slight dryness from the well camouflaged tannins.  The finish is short but decent, leaving behind some tannic components that grip the gums.  This wine is relatively light in extraction, easy to quaff and a decent sundowner.  84 points make this a 2 star wine.  Would I buy it again?  Negative.  Salut….

puccini chianti

Domaine de Beausejour Chinon 2010

05 Sunday Apr 2015

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


On my California grand adventure with my son, I managed to stop into a Whole Foods and take advantage of their sale on six packs of wine that day, they threw in a carrier for free!

I wanted a Chinon as soon as I saw the region represented.  I was dying for a good Cabernet Franc, I figured the French would deliver.  I was hoping for sexy, alluring violets, a dash of perfume, some silky tannins and perhaps a dollop of cassis for good measure.  I was sadly disappointed.  It was a lighter purple than expected with a very subtle nose of violets and damson.  Light plums and some flower essence on the palate.  The wine was dry yet not very tannic with a mid palate transition to darker berries and some acidity that is offset by some heat. Not an easy drinker nor was it my favorite flavor profile.  84 points and only 2 stars for this $16 effort.  Pass and salut….

domaine de beausejour

Sterling Vintner’s Collection Aromatic White 2011

27 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


Moxie bought this bottle to make some white Sangria, plans changed so the bottle was left untouched.  This past weekend I returned home from Asia for two weeks of staycation and a much needed break from flying.  This bottle was opened on Saturday evening for some friends, Moxie and I finished it the next night.  It’s a blend of several white grapes, reminding me of the Conundrum White, but in a different league.  I’m guessing Viognier, perhaps some Gewurtztraminer with a backbone of Sauvignon Blanc.  There is no info on the label or the web, so I am relying on my palate.  I did not take notes on this bottle, simply enjoying it for what it is.  Refreshing, charming, inexpensive and unique.  Perfect for an afternoon aperitif, perhaps even with some light fare.  This one will please many and for the $8 price it get 3 stars for a modest 84 points.  Salut….

sterling vintner's collection aromatic white