Tag Archives: 88 points

Cono Sur Bicicleta Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Chile

07 Monday Aug 2017

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If you read my previous post on the 2015 Cono Sur Cab, you will recall that I ended up with two different vintages from the store.  The 2016 is much darker purple, more extracted with heavier oak on the nose which disappoints me.  I don’t like too much of the stuff.

On the palate, a much different story.  Rich, thick plums alongside blackberry jam and oak shavings.  The midpalate offers up black fruits and a tapenade note.  The finish is short, with some black fruits and gentle tannins.  This version is not as balanced and smooth as the 2015.  It’s still a good deal though and should be on everyone’s party stocking list.  I’m thinking dry rubbed ribs, burgers or even shish kebabs would pair nicely here.  88 points form me and for $9, 4 stars all day long.  No picture taken BTW.  Salut….

Puramun Reserva Malbec 2013, Uco Valley, Argentina

28 Wednesday Jun 2017

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A very purply purple, quite distinctive.  The nose is very fruity with plums, black berries and cedar shavings.  On the palate I get more black berries, but also some red currants and a vanilla bean component.  The mid palate has more of the black berries and some bracing acidity.  Tannins are very integrated and mild, when they appear on the tail end.  There is a slight bitterness to the wine that I find odd.  It’s not tannin related, which is unfortunately a distractor.  This wine is going to rock the Strip roast I am cooking in the smoker, along with some Artichokes and a tarragon mayo.  I am going with 88 points on this wine, which I paid $20 for.  A decent wine once past the bitterness.  It may just be me as it got 91-94 points from various pros.  It gets 2 stars from me unfortunately.  Salut….

paramount malbec

 

Clayhouse Adobe White 2011, Central Coast, USA

27 Tuesday Jun 2017

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I don’t exactly recall buying this wine, but I think it was a last minute grab at the wine store.  It looked interesting with its blend of 49% Viognier, 26% Sauvignon Blanc, 19% Grenache Blanc and 6% Princess (Never heard of her).

A golden yellow color in the glass.  The nose is what I was expecting, very similar to Conundrum White, another blend of similar grapes.  Melon, grapefruit, and a touch of lemon are the key components.  On the palate I am tasting raw almond, citrus and kiwi fruit.  The acidity is very mild and the wine has a nice mouthfeel.  There is a certain butteriness that hits on  the mid palate.  The finish is rather short, but leaves a trail of acidity that carries on for a while.  I am really enjoying this wine, it was made for sipping, summer and cold cuts with an olive tray.  I will go 88 points on this $15 wine which makes it a 3 star wine in my books.  Drink now till 2019.  Salut….

playhouse wines adobe white

Cosentino Sangiovese 2014, Carneros, California

24 Wednesday May 2017

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It’s pasta night and I need a Sangiovese.  This one happens to be ready to go on my daily drinking shelf and I am excited.

In the glass, the color is a pale, see through reddish purple- reminiscent of Pinot Noir.  On the nose, strawberry and cherry, just like Pinot.  The palate introduces me to delicious strawberry and capsicum flavors, but I get a dose of heat right away.  A quick glance reveals a 14.5% lurker here.

The wine transitions on the mid palate to more strawberries and a red raspberry jam.  The alcohol still permeates though and I am not sensing much in the way of tannins, until the very end.  The finish is where they appear, very well integrated but lacking a good dose of acidity, just more heat.  The wine is delicious, yet unbalanced and I fear it will not hold out well in the cellar, which is a shame as I would love to revisit this one in 10 years.  88 points, the structure and excessive alcohol being detractors.  I really do enjoy the flavors though.  For $28 it is a 2 star wine for me.  Salut….

consentino sangiovese

Chateau Miraval Cotes de Provence Rose 2015, Provence, France

13 Thursday Apr 2017

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I’m not a huge Jolie-Pitt fan, but when they teamed up with the French Perrin Family they caught the wine world by surprise.  I have only just seen this wine for sale and had to try it.  The last time I drank a Rose was…..  no idea.  I must say I am way out of my comfort zone when it comes to drinking this style of wine, which I do not really like nor dislike.

Orangy pink in the glass, it reminds me of peach juice.  A nose of- you guessed it, peach!  I also get some citrus, of the tangerine variety. Intriguing.  On the palate, this wine is offering strawberry, lemon zest and pineapple.  It has very little acidity yet packs a certain bitterness I can’t quite put my finger on.  The mid palate is generous with more fruit and the finish is long.  More strawberry with flower notes on the tail end.  88 points, served with panko/parmesan crusted chicken.  I paid $21 for this light and refreshing wine.  It gets 3 stars from me but scored really well with the pros.  Salut….

Chateau Miraval Cotes de Provence Rose

Nederburg The Winemasters Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Paarl, South Africa

13 Thursday Apr 2017

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Dark purple in the glass.  Nose of black cherry and dark fruits.  The palate is somewhat muted, but notes of tar, black currants and cedar abound.  The wine possesses a certain level of acidity that balances the very mild tannins, which leave a drying sensation on the finish.  This wine is decent, but somewhat boring.  It does not transcend into anything different.  It is good, yet plain.  88 points is where I feel this wine sits and I would pair it with lamb chops, venison and perhaps roast Guinea fowl.  It can be found for about $12, which make it a 3 star wine in my books.  Salut….

Cono Sur Bicicleta Carmenere 2015, Central Valley, Chile

13 Thursday Apr 2017

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It has been a while since I have bought this brand.  Chilean value is what I think of when I see it.  Let’s see how this Carmenere fares. Very purple hues in the glass make for a good beginning.  On the nose I am getting candy, some oak and black currants.  My first taste is quite nice.  The wine is fresh, fruity, upbeat and charming.  Black berries and twizzlers come to mind.  The acidity pops up and there is a very slight trace of tannins on the back end.  This is not a complex wine but would rock a BBQ party, perhaps some pizza or even hamburgers.  It will keep everyone happy with its $10 price tag and it get 88 points from me.  This 4 star wine should be a staple, especially if you have parties and barbecues.  Salut….

Cono Sur Bicicleta Carmenere

Vinedos y Bodegas Pablo Menguante Garnacha 2012, Carinena, Spain

09 Thursday Mar 2017

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I have been on a bit of a shopping spree lately, looking for deals and trying to expand my palate.  This Spanish Grenache was a reasonable $12, came with a 91 point rating and fit the bill for me to sample.  It was see through purple in the glass.  A nose of plums and black berries with some ocean spray and a very slight trace of oak.  On the palate- black berries, iodine, and some medium level tannins. The mid palate shows off some black cherry and coffee notes that continue through to the finish.  It doesn’t end there, the tannins really hit hard on the back end and leave me with a dry sensation on the gums.  I would think this wine will last a while.  Pair with some hearty pasta dishes or a big burger on brioche.  88 points from me and 3 stars.  Salut….

MENGUANTE GARANACHA

Beyer Ranch Merlot 2013, Central Coast California

21 Tuesday Feb 2017

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This was on special at my local wine store, regularly $11, on sale for $10.  I had to try it.  It is vinted and bottled by the Wente Family Estate, which is a rather big and well know operation.

A good shade of purple in the glass, with a nose of black berry and kirsch.  On the palate, black stone fruits and black berries.  Very nice and supple mouthfeel, not overly acidic with very subtle tannins.  A pop’n’pour wine that is sure to please- for the price, it is a really outstanding effort.  88 points and 5 stars for its price to quality ratio.  Drink by itself or pair with pretty much anything!  Salut….

beyer ranch merlot

Matua Valley Pinot Noir 2014 Marlborough New Zealand

16 Thursday Feb 2017

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Lovely nose of strawberry, some green pepper and iodine. On the palate- sour cherry, vanilla cake and red twizzler. The mid palate piles on some strawberry and more creamy vanilla. The finish is a touch acidic, fresh and of decent length. I like this New Zealand wine and think it is worthy of 88 points.  For $13, it’s a pretty good deal and gets 3 stars from me.  Salut….

matua valley pinot noir