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Tag Archives: 89 points

Tara Bella Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Russian River Valley, California

25 Wednesday Sep 2024

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$80, 2 stars, 89 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Russian river valley, Sonoma


Deep purple colored with slight staining and medium viscosity (13.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe blueberry, blackberry compote, cassis, eucalyptus, chocolate powder, oak, violets, coffee, caramel and sweet plum.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body and medium (+) tannins that are chalky.  I am a bit unnerved by the tannins tbh, they detract from the whole package and force me to consider them before I can delve into the fruit flavors.  Once over the hurdle- it’s ripe, rich dark fruit with some interesting florals and nicely exercised oak treatment.  The finish is medium in length but quite astringent, the tannic grip is a little much methinks.  I loved the 2020 Estate Cabernet  and gave it 92 points- this one only gets 89.  For the same price point of $80, it only gets 2 stars unfortunately.  I have another bottle and will re-evaluate in the near future.  Meanwhile, this one looks to last till 2030 or so, but give it time or an aeration to try and soften the tannins.  Salut….

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Precision Wine Co. Gait Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Napa Valley, California

14 Saturday Sep 2024

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$25, 3 stars, 89 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa


Deep purple with light staining and medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of black plum, black raspberry, eucalyptus, chocolate powder, coffee, violets and acai berry.  The palate is dry with medium (-) acidity, a medium body and medium (-) tannins that are gritty. Flavor intensity is higher than the nose and I get the dark blue fruit again with coffee and chocolate notes.  The florality is more pronounced with violets alongside anise.  The finish is a mixed bag for me- the fruit fades as the tannins finally smooth out and get interesting.  A bit disjointed methinks.  I paid $25 for this bottle that scored very highly, for me it’s an 89 pointer that gets 3 stars.  Drink till 2028.  My pairing is grilled Lamb kabobs and lemon potatoes.  Salut….

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Clos de Luz Massal 1945 Carmenere 2021, Central Valley, Chile

09 Monday Sep 2024

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$23, 4 stars, 89 points, carmenere, central valley, chile


Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of funky green pepper, smoke, licorice, black cherry, mint, espresso, dark chocolate, blackberry and black raspberry.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium body and medium (-) tannins.  The flavor profile is more fruit driven versus the nose, which was funky and oak derived.  Black plum, black raspberry and coffee dominate with the greeness finally appearing on the mid palate.  There is less complexity here but the easy drinking structure makes it pleasant.  The finish is of decent length and I am actually enjoying the pyrazine sourced green notes, which I used to dislike immensely.  This is a $23 bottle that scored big, I am going with 89 points and therefore 4 stars.  We are pairing it with Lamb chops- I was hoping for more acidity and tannins but it will do.  Drink till 2026.  Salut….

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Ochavado Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Castilla, Spain

14 Sunday Jul 2024

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$18, 4 stars, 89 points, Castilla, Sauvignon blanc, spain


Pale gold colored with low viscosity (12.2% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of white blossom, peach, nectarine, papaya and honeysuckle.  The palate is dry with a light body and is packed with tropical fruit flavors.  Mango, papaya, soursop with nectarine and peach present.  The white blossom was predominant on the nose but sorta wafted away.  It’s a very interesting wine that may be at or past peak (7 years old) but it is intriguing to say the least.  I am giving it 89 points and I paid $10 as a bin-end which makes it a 4 star wine to drink now.  I’m grilling Yuzu marinated chicken thighs to pair.  Salut….

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Gabriel Meffre Tavel Saint-Ferreol Rose 2022, Rhone, France

09 Tuesday Jul 2024

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$25, 3 stars, 89 points, france, grenache, rhone, rose, syrah, Tavel


Medium strawberry in color with high viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium intensity aromas of strawberry, tangerine, cranberry, pomegranate and orange blossom.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and hint of tannic grip due to the slightly longer skin contact this region is known for (hence the darker color).  Strawberry, cranberry, pomegranate and a touch of orange/tangerine are the flavors I get that lead to a medium (-) length finish.  Rosé is a summer wine but the structure of the Tavel wines makes them more versatile with seasons and food.  Our pairing tonight is Tacos, should work nicely.  89 points from me for this $25 bottle makes it a 3 star effort to drink till 2027.  Salut….

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Bodegas Balbas ‘Pagos de Balbas’ 2021, Ribera del Duero, Spain

08 Monday Jul 2024

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$23, 4 stars, 89 points, Ribera del duero, spain, tempranillo


Deep ruby colored with light staining and a high viscosity (15% ABV).  Medium (-) intensity aromas of charred oak, black cherry, blackberry, coconut and dill plus a generous wafting of alcohol that is noticeable.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body and medium tannins that dissipate rapidly.  Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, coconut, dill, mint, coffee and some char lead to a medium (-) length finish.  This is a young wine but is drinking nicely now and will develop over time.  It gets 89 points from me as I feel the alcohol throws it out of balance.  This Tempranillo runs $23 and gets 4 stars.  Drink till 2029.  Salut….

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Kysela Pere et Fils Picpoul de Pinet H.B. 2023, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

07 Sunday Jul 2024

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$9, 5 stars, 89 points, france, languedoc, picpoul de pinet


Pale lemon/lime colored with a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of peach, white pear, sea salt, green apple, lemon zest, grapefruit and waxy lanolin.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  Tart flavors of lemon zest, green apple, peach, sea spray and white pear.  The finish is tangy, zesty and medium in length.  This $9 stunner is a dead ringer for Albarino imo- cutting acidity, sea spray, peach and lemon zest remind me of that grape.  I am pairing it with steamed King Crab, seems like the natural thing to do.  89 points from me makes this a 5 star effort that I will pound this summer- after all it runs under a tenner.  Salut….

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Muirwood Unoaked Chardonnay 2022, Arroyo Seco, California

02 Tuesday Jul 2024

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$15, 4 stars, 89 points, arroyo seco, california, chardonnay


Pale lemon with some green highlights and a watery sheen (13.5% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon, peach, pineapple, white grapefruit and orange blossom. The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body. Flavors of white pear, pineapple, white grapefruit, orange blossom with a hint of lemon/lime. The finish has a touch of bitterness- perhaps a little bit of phenolics. It’s medium (+) in length and sits nicely on the palate. There are times when I feel like enjoying an un-oaked Chardonnay that hasn’t gone through any MLF or Sur Lie treatment, like today. We are pairing it with Chicken Divan after a hot day in the sun. 89 points.  This bottle ran me $15 and therefore it gets 4 stars.  Drink now.  Salut….

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Boutari Agiorgitiko 2021, Nemea HQ, Greece

21 Friday Jun 2024

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$18, 4 stars, 89 points, Agiorgitiko, greece, nemea


Medium garnet colored with high viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity  aromas of black cherry, earth, licorice, bramble berry, caramel, blackcurrant, baking spice, cracked black pepper and singed alder.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (+) body and medium (+) tannins that are quite astringent.  Flavors of black cherry, bramble berry, black currant, caramel and licorice dominate with some charred wood and black pepper notes alongside baking spices.  The finish is medium in length and the astringency disappears, leaving some generous fruit notes.  It all balances out in the end after the dry opening that was a bit disjointed.  I like this super dry wine and will be pairing it with grilled Sirloins.  89 points from me for this $18 effort makes it a 4 star wine to drink till 2029.  Salut….

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Mary Taylor ‘Annamaria Sala’ Sicilia 2022, Sicily, Italy

06 Thursday Jun 2024

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$19, 4 stars, 89 points, Italy, nero d'avola, sicility


Deep purple colored with some staining and medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose of this Nero d’Avola has medium intensity aromas of game, black plum, cracked pepper, purple licorice, violets, charred oak and blueberry compote.  It’s very uplifting and quite floral once past the initial waft of gaminess.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium body and medium tannins that tickle the front of my tongue.  Flavors of black cherry, black plum and ripe blueberry with somewhat muted florals and oak.  The bitterness I get on the mid palate is noticeable yet enjoyable.  The finish is medium (-) in length and trends toward earth and bitterness.  The game note I got on the nose never showed.  I like this $19 effort and think it gets 89 points which makes it a 4 star wine to drink till 2028.  My pairing tonight is cast iron steaks with baked yams and roasted asparagus.  Salut….

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