Tag Archives: 89 points

Kotrotsos Moschofilero 2021, Pelopennese, Greece

14 Monday Nov 2022

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Pale lemon colored with medium intensity aromas of lush tropical fruit- pineapple, papaya and kiwi fruit intermingled with pear, rose petals and bruised red apple.  The palate is dry with medium (-) acidity and medium body.  Flavors of papaya and pear dominate with kiwi and bruised red apple supporting. The papaya and apple both have a unique, overripe accent that makes this quite interesting and adds to the body of this lush wine.  It has a medium length finish with a touch of astringency from almond seed that I find intriguing.  This is an interesting varietal that I am thoroughly enjoying.  Tonight I am pairing it with Chinese inspired dishes including some spicy chili infused plates.  I believe the wine will stand up to the heat and complexity of the fare.  89 points for this $18 wine makes it a 4 star effort to try out.  Drink now.  Salut….

Juicy’s Shiraz Assemblage 2020, South Australia

10 Thursday Nov 2022

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This blend of Shiraz is a medium shade of garnet in the glass with defined legs (15% ABV).  The nose has pronounced aromas of black plum, black raspberry, blackberry, cinnamon and dill.  The palate is dry with medium (-) acidity and very supple tannins.  Medium bodied- this delicious wine has very ripe fruit flavors of plum, dark raspberry and black cherry with some licorice, pepper and cedar.  The alcohol shows up on the back end with a touch of heat on the throat, which was to be expected.  The finish is medium in length and I get dark red and black fruit with some oak notes.  Really delightful wine that gets 89 points from me and at $13 it’s a steal worthy of 5 stars.  Drink over the short term with some braised beef ribs or perhaps a roast leg of lamb.  Salut….

Benjamin Darnault Côtes du Rhône Plus 2020, Rhone Valley, France

25 Tuesday Oct 2022

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This Grenache/Syrah blend is deep ruby colored with thick, slow moving legs (14.5% ABV).  The nose has nice aromas of red plum, black raspberry, red licorice, herbs, candied cherry and rose.  It’s quite complex once you swirl it around.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins- the grip I got initially quickly faded.  Flavors of plum, black raspberry, charred oak, some red licorice and earthy florals/herbs.  It is medium (+) bodied with a medium finish of dark red fruit plus a healthy dose of heat.  Made from very ripe fruit, it is flavorful but at a price- the alcohol is quite noticeable on the back end.  We are pairing this bold wine with spiced burgers and potato wedges.  It would also go well with hearty BBQ, maybe smoked brisket with a rich sauce.  89 points from me for this $15 effort makes it a 4 star wine to drink till 2026.  Salut….

Doolhof Dark Lady of the Labyrinth Pinotage 2020, Wellington, South Africa

12 Wednesday Oct 2022

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Medium ruby colored with fast moving legs (14% ABV).  The nose pops out at me with chocolate and coffee.  Dark plum, blackberry, açaí berry and a green herb note follow.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium tannins and a medium body.   Pinotage is a bit of a chameleon grape- shifting flavors and aromas dependent on oak treatment.  This one has a lot of chocolate and some coffee that are straight out of the barrel.  Black fruit plays second fiddle- not that I’m complaining.  The green herb note hits on the back end.  The finish is a semi dry, tart affair that lasts medium length.  This is a unique wine that I am really going to enjoy with roasted duck and orange sauce.  It gets 89 points from me and for $14 it’s worthy of 5 stars- get a bottle or two.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Pica Pau Red Blend 2019, VR Lisboa, Portugal

10 Monday Oct 2022

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Inky ruby colored, this opaque wine looks nearly purple in the glass.  The nose has an interesting combination of (French?) oak derived aromas alongside red cherry, pomegranate and raspberry notes.  I smell subtle perfume along with spices and a green leaf note.  The palate of this blend of Castelão, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional wine is bone dry with medium (+) acidity and high tannins.  Flavors of black raspberry, cherry cola, pomegranate along with smoke, spice and tomato leaf.  Medium bodied it finishes medium length with some tartness and loads of tannic grip. If you like a dry wine or need something to cut through a fatty cut of Ribeye, this one is right up your alley- or else decant/aerate it for a while.  Drink till 2028.  89 points and 5 stars for this $12 effort.  Salut….

Marc Dupas Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie ‘Les Parcelles’ 2019, Loire, France

29 Thursday Sep 2022

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Medium lemon colored, it takes on a touch of gold in the glass.  On the nose- aromas of lemon curd, grapefruit, yellow pear, blossom, brioche and almond.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and a medium (+) body.  This Melon de Bourgogne varietal shows a fullness that is a result of the Sur Lie aging that I am enjoying.  In addition to the citrus, pear and floral notes I also get flavors of baking spice and yeast.  At 12% ABV, it is a nice aperitif to serve with olives and charcuterie. The acidity would also lend itself to soft cheese and seafood for sure. It has a medium length finish emphasizing the baking spice, brioche and cream notes.  I like this $15 wine that gets 89 points and 5 stars from me.  Drink soon.  Salut….

Barista Pinotage 2020, Paarl, South Africa

16 Friday Sep 2022

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As the name implies- this is a very coffee-driven wine.  Pinotage takes to heavily toasted oak barrels like a fish to water- this is where the winemaker can add the definitive coffee notes if they so choose.  This particular bottle is a pale-to-medium ruby with a blue tinge (lower acid).  On the nose I got pronounced aromas of coffee, some dark chocolate, tar, blackberry compote, forest floor and mulberry.  My notes include a ‘fish?’ notation, might have been a passing moment.  On the palate the wine has medium (-) acidity (remember the blue tinge?), medium (+) body and medium tannins.  I noted it was quite earthy but the structural components made for a great mouthfeel and it ended with a decent length finish.  For $13, this 89 point wine earns a respectable 4 stars from me and could pair nicely with Venison, BBQ, Pulled Pork or any other highly flavored dish.  See my notes on the 2016 Barista.  Drink till 2026.  Salut….

Sokol Blosser ‘E – Evolution’ Pinot Noir 2020, Willamette Valley, Oregon

15 Thursday Sep 2022

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After the disastrous Pinot I just tasted at the wine bar I needed redemption- this 89 pointer helped.  Pale ruby colored it had a slight funk to the nose alongside spice box, cherry, earthy cinnamon and stewed raspberry which made me wonder if this was yesterdays unprotected bottle??  The palate had medium (+) acidity, medium body and medium (-) tannins- all to be expected for this varietal.  For $14 this is not a bad drop of Oregonian Pinot that you could pop-n-pour any night of the week and pair with roast Chicken or even use in Boeuf Bourguignon.  Drink this 4 star effort till 2025.  Salut….

Marchese di Borgosole Appassimento 2020, Puglia IGT, Italy

14 Wednesday Sep 2022

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Medium ruby colored this IGT level wine comes in at 14.5% ABV which is contrary to the fast moving legs on the glass walls.  I get aromas (muted btw) of dark cherry, lavender, iron, crushed rock, blackberry and violets.  The palate is dry with high acidity and medium tannins.  Ripe black cherry, blackberry coulis, purple florals and some stoney minerality mix with a blackened cedar slate component.  The body is full and the wine finishes medium (+) in length with a touch of heat which is unusual for me to sense.   I like this rather silky brute, it presents itself with structure and fruit alongside some oak influence and unabashedly does so for $13.  It gets 89 points from me and 4 stars.  Drink till 2028 with hearty dishes.  A blend of Malvasia and Negroamara that has been air-dried on mats and then pressed after the grapes have raisined.  Salut….

 

Raats Original Unwooded Chenin Blanc 2019, Stellenbosch, South Africa

06 Tuesday Sep 2022

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Pale straw colored with medium intensity aromas of tangerine, pear, yellow apple and persimmon.  The palate is dry with high acidity and medium (+) body.  The flavors I get are very interesting- mandarin oranges, soft pear, yellow apple and passion fruit.  There is a medium length finish that turns a bit bitter, like almond seed.  I like the fact that is is labelled as an unwooded wine, allowing the purity and character of the varietal to shine.  For $15 this 89 point wine gets 4 stars from me.  I’m at the beach so a seafood pairing is obvious.  Salut….