Tag Archives: 90 points

Pichon Longueville Comtesse De Laland 2003, Pauillac, France

24 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , ,


I bought two Magnums of this wine many moons ago and was waiting for the right time…  How about my birthday party.  I opened and poured without decanting.  I was surprised there was no sediment.  The 2003 Bordeaux vintage was very hot and produced many short lived wines, and many wines that were very stewed in taste.  The Pichon Laland from this vintage got a surprisingly high 95 points from several top critics.  The drinking window suggested between 2014 to 2026.  I am glad I opened my first bottle now, it is ready.

Cassis, leather, plum on the nose.  On the palate lively tannins, tobacco, plum and an earthy component.  The tannins are thoroughly in control of this wine, from beginning to end.  The midpalate shows stewed plums and the finish has some lingering notes of more leather and plum.  The fruit on this wine has made way for the secondary flavors sought after in aged Bordeaux.  This does not detract from the wine, it only strengthens its pedigree by the fact that it will mature in such a way.  I really enjoyed this wine for what it was and look forward to the next bottle, perhaps within the year.  90 points from me but 4 stars even though it will set you back $150 or so.  We drank it before dinner, which was a whole roasted beef tenderloin.  It would have rocked the meal, but we thoroughly enjoyed it with some appetizers of cheese and olives.  The greatest part of the whole thing was the ability to pull something out of the cellar that I have had for over a decade, and watch it give others pleasure.  Salut….

Saint Clair Premium Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2014, New Zealand

20 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


I’m a fan of this winery as can be seen in my two tastings of their Pinot Noir.  I came across this wine at the local store near my hotel and it was priced as a deal for two, I could not resist.

Medium to dark purple.  Nose of minerals, plum and sasparilla.  On the initial attack I get really smooth plums, with some red chili pepper hints- intriguing, sans the heat!  On the midpalate the plums continue but I start to appreciate some oak use and the intro to black fruits.  I’m thinking of Ribena on the finish along with some vanilla.  Very smooth all throughout with very melded tannins and a balanced acidity.  This is my first Merlot/Cabernet from the famed Gimblett Gravels, I’m digging the minerality and think this wine is a 90 point effort.  I think they normally retail at $18, which makes this a solid 4 star wine.  Availability in the States may be limited, but keep a lookout for this winery on your travels.  This wine would pair nicely with Beef short ribs or a hearty stew.  I’m getting more!  Salut….

saint clair premium cabernet merlot

Edna Valley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Central Coast, USA

17 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Deep purple yet see-through.  Nice nose of plums, eucalyptus and blackberry.  On the palate I’m getting really nice black berry, super smooth tannins and a hint of black Cherry liquor.  The mid palate boasts more berries and a roundness that gives this wine a really nice mouthfeel.  The finish is smooth, with a nice drying feeling that coats the gums.  90 points form me although the pro’s were down at the 86 level with this one.  I disagree.  For $13, this is a 4 star wine that I will be buying again.  I would pair it with Roast Chicken, perhaps meatloaf and definitely with some charcuterie out on the patio now that the weather has turned.  Salut….

edna valley cabernet sauvignon

Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Merlot 2013, California, USA

23 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , ,


No nose- I’m sitting in an airplane with a plastic cup.  The initial impression I get is of mellow plums, really nice acidity and some earthiness.  The mid palate is generous with the dark fruits and I am enjoying the very mild dryness the tannins are giving.  On second thought, it is really packed with plum flavors.  The finish is shortish but tasty.  The strength of this wine lies on the generous mid palate, which is where the flavors and technical components all seem to materialize.  Considering I am cooped up in a pressurized tube I think the winemakers have a winner here.  They have crafted something I am really enjoying.  90 points and kudos.  I paired it with pasta and meatball, courtesy of United Airlines.  For $19 this wine gets 4 stars and is widely available.  Salut….

kendall jackson merlot

The meatball and pasta

 

Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2013, Stellenbosch, South Africa

18 Saturday Mar 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Dark and brooding in the glass it shows off Blackberry and mint on the nose.  The palate is very interesting.  Black cherry pie meets blackberries and licorice.  The tannins are delightful, packed just right.  The mid palate gives off some plum jam but is quickly overriden by the tannins.  The finish is decent in length and I am getting charcoal, blackberry and dark cherry notes.  A well made wine that has some cellaring potential.  We are pairing it with Flank steak and roasted asparagus.  90 points and for $19 is it a 4 star effort.  It is a true Bordeaux blend, comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.  Salut….

Mulderbosch Faithful Hound

Dei Principi di Spadafora Don Pietro Rosso Sicilia IGT 2012, Sicily, Italy

18 Saturday Mar 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Reddish purple and opaque in the glass.  Nose of rhubarb and Swiss chard leaves.  I’m not going to lie- it’s a bit off putting.  The palate is a whole different story, thank god.  Vibrant cherry and red raspberry notes with juicy acidity and balanced tannins.  The mid palate is really delicious, yet supremely dry from the tannins.  More red fruits emerge with some hints of nutmeg.  The finish is medium in length and offers more raspberries.  I found out it is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Nero D’Avola, which is a grape I hold near and dear.  Overall a very juicy and decent wine that gets 90 points from me.  I paid $20 and am going with 4 stars.  Salut….

Dei Principi di Spadafora Don Pietro Rosso

Muirwood Merlot 2014, Monterey, USA

06 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


See through lighter shade of purple.  Stunning nose of mulberry, warm berry compote and a hint of cedar wood.  The palate shows off red berries, fine grained tannins and a mouthful of warm brioche notes.  There’s an underlying level of acidity that continues the whole length of this delicious wine.  It just smacks of warm California fruit, nicely integrated with oak, balanced tannins and a freshness I’m really enjoying.  90 points and for $15 I’m giving it 4 stars and getting some more!  Salut….

muir wood merlot

Bollina Corte Medicea ‘Athos’ Rosso Toscana IGT 2013, Tuscany, Italy

19 Sunday Feb 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Have you ever had Ribena?  That is exactly what this blockbuster looks like in the glass.  It is a 100% Merlot from Tuscany that got huge marks from some pros. I bought in on the hype and could afford the $20 entry fee.

The nose is rich with blackberry and stone.  The initial taste is really delicious, with more black berries and plum mixing it up with gorgeous tannins and acidity.  I also get smoky mineral notes.  These flavors transcend the mid plate and meet up with dried blueberry on the finish.  The tannins are lush in this wine and give off a nice mouthfeel all the way through the finish.

I must be missing something about the 97 points given by an Italian critic, for me this is a solid wine that should get 90.  For the price paid it is a really good Merlot that I will be serving with Sunday Roast- 4 stars.  Salut.

ethos corte medic toscano merlot

Bollina Tavros Primitivo di Manduria 2014, Puglia, Italy

17 Friday Feb 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Right off the bat I know this is going to be a rich, extracted wine.  It is nearly black in the glass and possesses a nose of ripe, dark berries.  Some oak and black anise are also present.  Onto the palate- a very interesting initial attack of blackberry, tar, and spice with cedar shavings.  Really nice tannins greet the palate right off the bat and they continue through the mid palate and onto the drying finish which also features berry jam and cedar.  This wine packs some heat, 14.5% to be precise.  It is well masked but appeared right at the end for me, which made me search the label for the exact number.  Be careful!  This wine will do wonders for a Chicken Alfredo dish, or even roast Duck with root vegetables.  I don’t get the ratings this wine got- they range from 84-98.  I am thinking it is a solid 90 point wine on my scale and for $22, it’s a 3 star effort.  I might buy some more for the cellar.  Salut….

Bollina Tavros Primitivo di Manduria

Bello Family Vineyards Megahertz Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Napa Valley

29 Sunday Jan 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


A rich opaque purple in the glass with a beautiful nose of Black and Blue berries. On the palate- very smooth, like buttah… A delicious mix of blue berry , cherry, and ginger spice. Fine grained tannins and a touch of acidity give this wine a great mouthfeel, easy to drink. This wine is made in a very elegant, understated style. The fruit is allowed to express itself, the tannins are not pumped up and the acidity is gentle yet balanced. Very delicious wine with medium term aging potential. Tonight I will pair it with Roasted Beef Tenderloin, probably the best cut for such a lithe wine that isn’t overly tannic. 90 points and 3 stars for this $24 effort. Salut….
megahertz cabernet sauvignon