Tag Archives: 87 points

Herdade Do Esporao Monte Velho 2015, Alentejano, Portugal

04 Wednesday Oct 2017

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See through in the glass is this blend of 40% Aragonez, 35% Trincadeira, 20% Touriga Nacional and the balance of Syrah.  On the nose it it musty- with some oak, blueberry and green pepper.  Kinda funky and different if you ask me.  The palate is a different story with primal flavors of blueberry, cedar, and graphite.  As the wine gets to the midpalate it adds some acidity and juiciness by way of rhubarb, (which I hated as a kid BTW).  Tannins are very fine grained and perceptible mainly on the finish.  A dryness envelops the gums and I feel balance.  The cedar I mentioned earlier comes out again on the back end and mingles with some more blue fruits.  There is an astringency that hits right at the very end that detracts a bit but overall this is a decent wine for the $6.88 I paid for it.  That’s right, under 7 bucks for a decent weekday quaffer that gets 87 points from me, therefore making it a 4 star wine.  Salut….

Concannon Vineyard Founder’s Petite Sirah 2014, San Francisco Bay, USA

25 Sunday Jun 2017

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A lighter purple color which kinda surprised me.  I get fig, black cherry and dates on the nose, a strange combination but I write ’em as I see ’em.  The initial taste consists of a lighter set fruits, mostly blueberry, with some currants.  Gentle tannins and mild acidity give this a nice easy mouthfeel while the mid palate shows off black berries and spice.  The wine stays true to form on the finish with more blackberry and some very slight tannins.  Not a blockbuster, but certainly an easy going wine to pull out at parties, barbecues or just a lazy evening.  It will pair with many summer dishes and I would even use it for Coq au Vin.  I think it merits 87 points and for $11 will be a repeat purchase worthy of 3 stars.  Salut….

colcannon petite sirrah san francisco bay

Bodegas El Porvenir de Cafayate ‘Amauta Absoluto’ Tannat 2016, Cafayate, Argentina

15 Thursday Jun 2017

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Pretty dark purple in the glass.  Nose of plum and blackberry, but it’s hard to coax the flavors as this particular bottle has been chilled.  The initial taste is more blackberry with some spice box.  The tannins are very subdued as is the acidity, which is atypical for this varietal.  I get tar and creosote on the mid palate, with some blackberry.  The finish is more black berries and some fig paste.  87 points for this $15 offering make it a 2 star wine.  Salut….

National Park Foundation Yosemite White Artisan Blend NV

06 Monday Feb 2017

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This is an interesting wine, made by Adler Fels winery and sold with a cause in mind.  Some of the proceeds go to the National Park Foundation.  It is a blend of Viognier, Moscato, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.  Very rustic in the glass, it is a very dark gold in color.  An interesting nose of green guava, melon and pear.  On the palate, grapefruit, melon and more pear.  This wine is not overly acidic and the mouthfeel is quite warm, medium bodied.  It drinks nicely and will go well with the pan roasted Cod I am preparing.  It runs $13 and gets 87 points from me making it a 3 star wine.  Salut….

yosemite artisan white wine

Nederberg The Winemasters Shiraz 2014

31 Saturday Dec 2016

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I am currently in Asia and this was the last wine I drank in 2016.  We couldn’t resist the price, $11.50 for one bottle or $13 for two.  We bought two…
Medium purple in the glass.  A nose of plum torte, black berry jam and a touch of oak.  On the palate a very delicious, fresh offering of black fruits, spice and a very mellow set of tannins with opposing acidity.  A medium length finish caps off a subtle mid palate of plum and blackberry.  Overall a nice basic Shiraz that is not over the top but offers good value and would drink well with burgers, BBQ ribs or the kebab sandwiches we eventually ordered!  87 points from me make this a solid 3 star wine.  Salut….
nederburg the winemaster shiraz

Clos La Coutale Cahors 2013

25 Wednesday May 2016

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I do love me some Cahors- the Black Wine of the French Southwest region made primarily from Malbec grapes.  This one was not as tannic and in-your-face as other Cahors I have tried.  A dark purple color in the glass with a nose of plum, blackberry and oaky vanilla. On the palate, very smooth intro to blueberry ganache, some purple plums and a certain spice that I can’t pinpoint. The tannins are integrated yet somewhat green. They show up on the back end with more force. The finish is decent with tannins hitting the gums and a purple fruit finish. I think this wine is at peak with another year or two before it’s too late. 87 points.  It retails for $12 and gets 3 stars from me.  Salut….

clos la coutale cahors

Wente Beyer Ranch Zinfandel 2012

25 Wednesday May 2016

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A funny thing happened on the way home.  I was on the return flight across the country, flying on United Airlines when I decided to try their other premium offering.  I asked for the Pinot Noir and was given a Chardonnay.  I returned it for something a little more red and ended up with a Zin.  The wait was excruciating, I had already paid my $15.99 for a 375 ml and was now forced to endure the flight attendant’s attempts to open the bottle.  It took a good 5 minutes longer than it should, for a good reason.  See below….

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The real story is the wine…which was served in a plastic cup again.  The notes:

I get some “nothing” on the nose, the cup does this wine no justice.  The initial taste is pleasing with black plum, some bramble and dark cherry cola. A spiciness hits the mid palate and I get some very integrated tannins on the finish. The wine is quite tasty and flows well with good mouthfeel. The 14.5% alcohol is well masked as is a touch of acidity. This wine is 4 years old and drinking at peak now. This is United’s other premium red wine offering and is worth the trade up from two smaller bottles of their regular $7.99 offerings. I’m finding Zins from Livermore are getting better and more refined. I’m glad I tried this one. 87 points and 3 stars.  The average score across the web is 84-86 points and retails for $13, I guess I was enamored!  It went great all by itself but would pair nicely with some Osso Bucco, perhaps a spicy sausage pasta or even some roasted chicken.  Salut….

wente beyers ranch zinfandel

Yup, she really did try it!!!

 

Grape Grinder Pinotage 2013

27 Saturday Feb 2016

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We went out to dinner with friends and I was intrigued by this South African offering.  It retails for $13 in stores but did not get great peer reviews.

Coffee. Lots of it, on the nose, palate and finish.  Earth and dark mocha in the initial surge with sour cherries on the mid palate. Typical pinotage but with a gruff ending. I made brief comments about Iodine and Beef Jerky flavors.  87 points from me and 3 stars.  Salut….

grinder pinotage

Deakin Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Series 2013

07 Friday Aug 2015

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Nice purple color. Nose of black currants, cinnamon and elderberries.  Initially some slight tannins and a good presentation of dark berries and brush. Some earthy elements come across in the mid palate. A very basic wine that provides enjoyment and will drink well with barbecue, roast game and pizza. Nice acidity counters the gentle tannins and it leaves you with a nice mouthfeel. 87 points. 2015-2017.  I paid $11 making it a 4 star wine.  Salut….

deakin estate cabernet sauvignon

La Boheme Act 4 Syrah Gamay Yarra Valley 2013

14 Sunday Jun 2015

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Indeed, a blend of Syrah and Gamay.  Best known as the key ingredient in Beaujolais, the Gamay grape is lighter and more perfumed than most.  It can be made in several styles from the easy drinking Nouveau to the cellar worthy Cru Beaujolais.  I have fond memories of drinking it in the cafe’s of Paris and long to return- slightly chilled and always refreshing with a lunch of steak frites.  When I saw the two varietals combined and from Australia no less I felt obliged to spend $10, my curiosity was immense.

Interesting nose of grape jelly with a touch of oak.  Light and refreshing, like Gamay should be. Tart and tannic like a syrah can be. Very unique attack with some plum, purple skittles, and violets. Medium finish and a tannic exit. A must try just to see how the two grapes intertwine. 87 points. 3 stars. $10. 13.5%  make it a tidy number for an al fresco lunch without being too heady.  I will be buying more soon, as I feel this one might develop some interesting hints in the short term.  Salut….

La boheme syrah gamayIMG_2691