Tag Archives: 89 points

Januik Red 2015, Columbia Valley, USA

16 Sunday Sep 2018

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Bright purple.  The nose is fruity, vibrant and full of blackberry and black cherry.  On the palate- delicious rendition of dark berry compote meets vanilla bean and coffee reduction.  The wine exhibits some dryness with slight tannins appearing midpalate.  The dryness opens up on the finish and leaves the back cheeks somewhat astringent.  The mid plate concentrated on black fruits and the finish carries it through with some cedar plank to boot. 89 points and 4 stars for this $20 blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah and Franc.  Drink now with tapas, grilled Pork chops or pasta.  Salut….

Failla Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2016, California, USA

16 Sunday Sep 2018

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I stepped into a wine store in Cali where they had an extensive list of wines available to taste.  I took the opportunity to do so, but my notes were rushed and very brief, please bear with me.

Very new world Pinot Noir on the nose- strawberry, cherry.  Very light on the palate but tasty with red fruits, very lithe and fresh. There is a tartness that presents itself on the medium length finish that I am enjoying.  89 points from me for this $34 offering make it a 3 star wine to drink now through 2021.  Salut….

Gundlach-Bundschu Estate Vineyard Mountain Cuvee 2016, Sonoma Valley, USA

26 Sunday Aug 2018

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A mellow blend of the traditional Bordeaux varieties- this wine is a pretty purple in the  glass with long legs showing.  The nose is plump with dark fruits, some cherry cola and a touch of cinnamon.  The initial palate is very rounded, soft and smooth.  It features black currants, black olives, oregano.  It has a great mouthfeel due to the very slight tannic structure which is really balanced well with the gentle acidity.  This is a quaffing wine for sure, with a drink now date.  The finish is medium in length and dark fruit dominated.  It has a hint of charcoal on the end and some plum tart.  I really like this wine for what it is, the 89 points are not a slam- it just lacks the backbone to cellar and evolve which detract from a numerical score.  This would be great with light appetizers or as a base for a wine sauce.  It really has a lovely fullness to it.  $19 and 4 stars.  If I had to blind taste it, the soft and supple mouthfeel scream Merlot.  Salut….

Chateau Leoville-Las Cases ‘Clos du Marquis’2006, Saint-Julien, France

17 Friday Aug 2018

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I have had the 2005 Close Du Marquis, twice.  This vintage is not as solid and lacks depth.  My Danish buddy brought it to our tasting and we saved it for the finale.  Unfortunately, the best was not saved for last- the best was the Pioneer Pinot that we tasted first.

Very dark and opaque in the glass.  The nose resonates with plums, Kirsch and Pepsi cola.  The palate has a definitive edge- plums, gripping tannins, acidity and pencil lead.  Cassis appears on the mid with a blue fruit and cedar component.  The finish is somewhat short, but pleasant with kirsch and cassis dominating while the  tannins recede.  89 points and for $55, 3 stars.  Salut….

Marques de Riscal Reserva 2014, Rioja DOCa, Spain

17 Friday Aug 2018

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I have a long history with Marques de Riscal.  I enjoy the wines and appreciate them for what they are.  This one is nearly black in the glass.  The nose is huge- lots of black berries, blue fruits and a wallop of charcoaled oak.  Violets and spice round it out.  On the palate it shows off black fruits, sassafras, vanilla and an oaky component.  Delicious but a touch of bitterness on the midpalate detracts.  Violets and blueberry really take over on the finish alongside medium tannins.  The bitterness is the only detractor that unbalances this otherwise delicious wine.  89 points and 4 stars for this $15 effort which is solidly produced and made from Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo.  Salut….

Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Alexander Valley, USA

23 Saturday Jun 2018

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Some more Kirkland Signature wines are on the horizon in my search for value priced offerings.  This one cost $10.  It shows nicely in the glass with a see-through medium hued purple.  The nose is mostly plum with a hint of nutmeg.  The palate is very inviting, easy to drink and fresh.  Blue fruits dominate with a touch of tannic vibrancy that tickles the gums.  Acidity is present and the wine has a really nice balance.  The mid palate has a core of plum that carries through to the finish.  There’s not much complexity here, but it does serve the purpose.  This wine is great value for a Sonoma County Cabernet that drinks easily, will handle burgers, pizza and make an awesome coq au vin.  I would buy it up, serving all summer long out by the grill.  Drink till 2020.  89 points and 5 stars.  Salut….

Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Washington, USA

31 Thursday May 2018

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A perennial favorite and surefire go-to wine that delivers consistency, value and widespread availability.  It shows off a deep purple in the glass.  The nose is full of blue fruit, coffee bean, a touch of oak.  On the palate I sense some very lithe tannins that are very ingrained with blueberry, elderberry, cedar.  The wine transitions very nicely to the mid palate and the finish gives me a definitive red currant note.  The mouthfeel is very smooth, balanced and easygoing, making this a very flexible wine to pair with a variety of dishes.  Cheese comes to mind as do the Sirloins I am grilling, with some Steamed Artichokes.  The tannins are the longest running portion of this wine, leaving a definitive dry streak on the gums for quite a while.  Not a hugely complex wine, it serves its purpose as an everyday drinker, capable of pairing with meats, pasta, cheese or all by its lonesome.  Drink now.  89 points and 4 stars for this $14 wine. Salut….

Carmen Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Maipo Valley, Chile

16 Wednesday May 2018

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Pretty purple color with a nose of raspberry, mint, violets.  The palate is fresh, with bright plum and  red berry flavors, hazelnut, juicy tannins and a crisp acidity.  The ph of this wine is substantial yet balanced with the well integrated tannins.  More mint notes come through on the finish along with some oak and raspberry.  The wine leaves my mouth very dry, I kinda like it!  Pairing it with super thick Strip steaks, Chorizo, roasted Brussel Sprouts and chargrilled baby onions.  89 points and 4 stars for this $13 wine- drink till 2020.  Salut….

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz 2016, South Australia

20 Tuesday Mar 2018

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Very purple in the glass with a nose of Ribena, sweet oak, white pepper and blackberry jam.  On the palate it is smooth, supple and has tons of blackberry, silky tannins, cedar slate, vanilla bean and ripe acidity.  The mid palate stresses the vanilla component and allows the tannins to really shine.  The finish focuses on dark fruits and the astringency of the tannins.  The wine is decent, full bodied and quite tasty.  89 points and 4 stars for this $11 wine.  Salut….

Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Paso Robles, California

06 Tuesday Mar 2018

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It was a birthday celebration at Texas De Brazil that put this wine on the table, it was the special offer.  They were ‘giving’ it away for $56, regularly $70.  It retails for $20.

Plums, cinnamon stick and blackberry on the nose.  The palate is juicy with plum torte, cedar plank, rich tannins, juicy acidity. The finish is dry where the tannins are in full force but not obtrusive. Black cherry notes round it all out.  89 points and 3 stars from me.  It did well with the abundance of meat served in various styles and cuts from a classic (expensive) Churascarria.  Serve all day long with grilled meats.  Salut…..