Tag Archives: 90 points

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz – Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, South Australia

16 Wednesday May 2018

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Very opaque purple.  Nose of blackberry, oak and plum purée.  The palate is nothing what I was expecting.  Lush, but lithe with dark blackberry pie notes, loads of acidity with some very fine grained tannins.  The mid palate exudes smoothness with more dark fruit compote, a small dose of wood and very drinkable tannins/acidity.  The finish is rather dry with some plums appearing amongst the dark berries.  I also come away with mocha, tobacco and a touch of jam. 90 points and 5 stars for this $11 wine.  Salut….

Beringer Vineyards ‘Beringer Bros.’ Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, California, USA

07 Monday May 2018

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Quite dark and very opaque.  The nose is lush, with plums, sweet oak and vanilla bean.  Makes sense, seeing as the label says Bourbon Barrel aged.  On the palate it is slightly sweet- more dark blue fruits, a molasses component and plums galore.  The mid palate shows off some very integrated tannins as well as some blueberry pie and a nutty component.  The wine builds nicely into a long finish that has a certain dryness from the tannins that mingle with more plum, some cherry and coconut notes.  The mouthfeel of this wine is amazing, not overly dry, not too acidic.  The finish is really smooth and as mentioned, quite lengthy.  This is a sipping wine but I would also pair it with chorizo and sautéed kale.  90 points from me for this $16 effort.  4 stars.  Salut….

Pinot Evil Pinot Noir NV, Chile

07 Monday May 2018

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A non-vintage wine as far as I can see that I purchased for $9.  The name and label sold me.  It is see-through as expected from a Pinot Noir.  The nose drums up strawberry, cinnamon and a baked pastry note that I find really interesting.  The palate is very warm, with flavors of red berries, strawberry and cherry extract.  The wine has a juicy acidity to it and the tannins are ever so faint.  The mid palate shows off a touch of heat, even though this wine only clocks 12.5%.  The medium length finish rounds out with red currants and a chalky component.  More cherry hits right at the end.  I have to state that it’s a delicious wine that gets 90 points from me and for the price- it deserves 5 stars.  An exceptional bargain in the world of Pinot Noir.  Well done!  Buy it by the bucketful.  Salut…

PS.  Turns out there is a French wine of the same exact name and label.  The Chilean one is what I tasted.

Chateau Branaire-Ducru 2008, Saint-Julien, France

22 Sunday Apr 2018

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Continuing on with the Birthday weekend celebration Moxie took us out for the most enjoyable dinner at my favorite restaurant.  L’Auberge Chez Francoise has been a local fixture for over 40 years and is consistently the best dining I have ever had.  Their wine list is extensive and meets all needs, but I really wanted to take two bottles from my cellar for the momentous occasion.  We started out with the 2008 Brainaire-Ducru, which runs about $65 currently.  I did not write notes on the wines, only a memory of the experience.

I was a little dismayed at the thinness of this wine.  It should have been at peak but instead I found it lacking much fruit, secondary flavors or even much tannic structure. I enjoyed it for what it was and would give it 90 points and 3 stars.  We drank it with Braised Wagyu Beef Cheeks, then the salad course.  Salut….

Mollydooker The Scooter Merlot 2012, McLaren Vale, Australia

05 Thursday Apr 2018

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In the glass this Merlot shows a slightly paler purple than I was expecting.  The nose, after I performed the ‘Shake‘ exhibits gorgeous black berry and cinnamon notes.  On the palate I am greeted with a really smooth dose of Ribena, some meaty notes, and a fresh ensemble of tannins that are ever present but not cloying.  The wine is full flavored, make no mistake- but it does so with a very gentle build-up.  Extraction is at its fullest and with that comes a well hidden 14.5% alcohol.  The mid palate is somewhat muted after the initial uptake, the finish is where it’s at.  More dark berries emerge as well as a blueberry pie component.  I hate to say it, but this wine needs a touch more oak.  Yup, I said it.  Not lashings, but a tiny more vanilla, perhaps a little more tannic bite.  At one point I’m sure the wine had plenty of it, perhaps just fading at this point.  The structure is good though and the wine is balanced.  I would drink up as the wine is at peak and there is not much in the way of tertiary flavors.  It is relatively easy-going and will do well with a variety of dishes.  I am going with 90 points and 4 stars for this $28 effort.  Salut….

King Estate Pinot Gris 2015, Willamette Valley Oregon, USA

04 Wednesday Apr 2018

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I bought Moxie a few bottles of Pinot Gris at Christmas, she was making white Sangria.  As usual, I overbought.  This one broke the bank at $13.  It has a peachy yellow color to it and a nose of lemon peel, pineapple and ginger.  On the palate it is very approachable.  Refreshing citrus, not overly acidic with hints of beeswax and more of that ginger, but like ginger-ale, not the sliced and raw version.  The wine slides nicely without being tart or bitter.  It offers a nice mid palate waxiness and the finish is medium in length and packed with pineapple curd.  I am really enjoying this wine after being in the car all day.  Serving it up with some fish filets, smoky bacon Quinoa and buttered Brussel Sprouts.  It firing on all cylinders.  90 points and 5 stars, buy it by the dozen for the summer.  Drink now till 2020.  Salut….

Sandeman Founder’s Reserve Port, Portugal

27 Tuesday Feb 2018

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I opened this bottle up last week but kept forgetting to make notes (I was really tired).  I nearly finished the dregs before realizing my faux pas, so pardon the brief outline- it was a good drop of Port that I bought for the initial Port taste test.

Rich, tannic, dry.  Nose of dry oak, blueberry syrup and red raspberry reduction.  The palate is very thick- blueberry, cedar slate, a long, dry finish. This wine is attractive, if young.  It begs for a cheese tray.  90 points for this $15 bottle.  I yet again disagree with the big boys…. oh well.  5 stars, you can’t beat the quality to price here folks, go get some if you like Port wine.  Salut….

Yalumba Triangle Block Shiraz – Viognier 2013, Eden Valley, Australia

15 Friday Dec 2017

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Wow, this is one bright purple wine, it almost looks like Ribena.  The nose offers up gorgeous aromas of black cherry, blackberry, a hint of oak and some figs.  On the palate it is very smooth with blackberry notes, a sour cherry kicker, some tobacco and smoke.  The wine reminds me of Lapsang Souchong tea- smoky and earthy yet somehow mild and alluring.  An acquired taste for sure.  The wine have very integrated tannins and relatively low acidity.  I would drink now till 2020 and pair with lighter fare.  It begs for Moussaka, roast chicken or even a thick Reuben sandwich.  90 points and 4 stars for this $22 effort.  Salut….

Charles Smith Wines ‘Eve’ Chardonnay 2015, Columbia Valley, USA

26 Sunday Nov 2017

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I am a fan of this winery.  They produce good quality wine that is fairly priced.  Always a go to in a pinch.  I just ordered a bunch for my folks in Florida, they loved the variety that I sent.

This Chardonnay is from Washington state.  It exhibits a bright yellow color and offers a nose of apples, pear, a hint of almond.  On the palate I get a really creamy mouthfeel with green apple, Bartlett pears and more nuttiness.  The flavor profile continues throughout the mid palate and ends up on the finish with some very faint acidity.  A very generous and inviting wine, it is really easy to drink and fits the bill when you don’t want something too steely, loaded with minerality or overly tart with acidity.  This wine will drink well with Lobster!  I think it also could pair nicely with white pizza, fettuccine Alfredo and stuffed Portabello.  Drink now as it doesn’t have the stuffing to go for cellaring.  90 points from me and for $12 this is a super amazing 5 star wine.  Buy it by the case.  Salut….

Herdade do Esporao 4 Quatro Castas 2015, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal

01 Wednesday Nov 2017

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In my continued quest to to discover Portuguese wines, I have come across this $14 effort that piqued my interest.  It is an equal blend of Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet.  My first hint is the 14.5% alcohol.  The second is the deep, dark purple color in the glass.  Both, to me, indicate an extracted, powerful wine that will grab me and not let go.  I’m ready for it.

On the nose, I get the telltale Syrah notes- Plum, oak, cocoa.  The wine has amazing ‘legs’ indicative of the alcohol content.  The initial taste is as predicted, full on, powerful and alluring.  The wine starts off with black berry, black currants and a delightful set of tannins that prop the wine up rather than detract from the fruit.  The mid palate shows off more dark fruit and some earthiness.  Tannic structure is great and they start to peak on the finish where menthol and anise flavors intertwine with berries.  I am digging this wine and like the flavor profile.  It has the correct structure to age for 2-5 years and is drinking well now if you like them a touch dry.  I have to go 90 points and 5 stars for this wine.  Salut….