Tag Archives: 90 points

Penfolds Club Tawny Port, Australia

26 Friday May 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


The last time I had an Australian Port was in 1999, in Sydney.  It never really dawned on me to search them out.  I recently got back into Port drinking and just ordered 10 different bottles to try out.  This is the first of them and I am looking forward to this adventure.

The newly arrived Ports

In the glass it resembles it’s style-tawny…  It has a brownish, purply tinge to the see-through base.  The nose is nutty, with plum reduction and a hint of oak.  There is a certain youth to go along with the mellowed out nuances in the nose of this aged wine.    On the palate- orange marmalade, raisins and hazelnut mingle with a plum base.  The wine is slightly syrupy and shows nice legs in the glass.  The 18% alcohol is well masked and there is a trace of very fine grained tannins running through the mid palate and on to the long finish.  Speaking of which, the finish has more of the orange notes I got on the opening as well as some oak, almond and raisin.  It lasts a while, with not much sign of the alcohol at all.  Overall this is a very tasty dessert wine that has aged nicely and is ready for business.  I’m going with 90 points and for $19 this is a 4 star effort.  Salut….

enfolds club tawny port

F E Trimbach Riesling 2013, Alsace, France

13 Saturday May 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


Very pale yellow, almost surreal.  On the nose a really fresh expression of lemon, grapefruit, lanolin.  On the palate- very fresh with a tartness of lemons, zesty acidity and a certain minerality I am quite enjoying.  On the mid palate I get some more grapefruit, more like pomelo.  The finish is very tart, which keeps this wine interesting, on a fine edge.  It would pair really well with some spicy dishes methinks.  The acidity would cut right through Thai beef salad.  Oysters Rockefeller come to mind as does Moules with a heavy cream broth.  My mouth is watering.  90 points.  It is a steal at $12 which make it a 5 star effort.  Salut….

F E Trimbach Riesling, Alsace, France

Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2010, Franschhoek Valley, South Africa

13 Saturday May 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


I just recently had a birthday, not quite the big one, but just shy.  I had a few mates over for what turned out to be a large night.  We hit many regions and varietals, really hard.  Anyway, this was a gift from one of my South African friends, I did not drink it that night, saving it for a proper tasting night.  I’m glad I did!

A pretty purple color.  Gorgeous nose of blueberries, oak, plums and leather.  The initial taste consists of a very smooth dollop of blueberries, some fig paste and a dash of funky dryness that I can’t pinpoint.  Tannins are well integrated but there is a nagging bitterness that troubles me.  The midpalate has some very nice plums, a generous dose of acidity and some oak.  The wine finishes strong with a dusty component and more blue fruits.  This wine has a nice ‘spice meets leather and earth’ combo.  I’m digging it if not for that irksome bitterness at the front end, which drops the score to a 90.  The pros went high on this one, up to 94, but the consensus amongst the amateur crowd is in line with my rating.  This wine is pricy if bought in the US, $50+, but a very sexy and seductive version of Syrah that should be enjoyed with a nice Filet.  3 stars.  Salut….

Boekenhoutskloof Syrah, Franschhoek Valley, South Africa

Quinta do Crasto ‘Crasto’ 2015, Douro, Portugal

13 Saturday May 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Really bright opaque purple in the glass.  The nose is inky with a touch of plum.  The palate starts off with plums, a raisin component and some oak.  A deft hand has been at work here with the tannins, they are powerful yet well integrated.  There is a freshness that I am enjoying on the mid palate along with the dryness of the tannins.  A finish of bright blueberry, tannins and a touch of heat carries on for a while.  Surprising really as this wine only weighs in at 13.5 %.  A blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and some Tinta Barroca.  It is actually very yummy and will rock the pork tenderloins roasting in the oven with onions and some sautéed Kale.  I’m going 90 points on this one.  Paid $17 which makes it a 4 star wine.  I have always thought of Portuguese wine as being very tasty, affordable and a go to if in a pinch.  Salut….

Quinta do Crasto 'Crasto', Douro, Portugal

Solo Contigo Affaire Reserva Malbec 2014, Mendoza, Argentina

24 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Dark purple in the glass, very dense.  The nose sports some really delicious aromas of blueberry, spice box and some oak.  I also get a whiff of twizzlers right at the end.

On the palate the blueberry theme continues, laced with a ton of tannins that leave the gums all dry.  The wine has some juicy acidity, which is needed considering the dryness I am encountering.  The blue fruits continue onto the finish, which is quite long.  A certain floral hint hits the mid palate that melds well with the berry component.  I am digging this wine and reckon it would really do well with Ribeye and roasted sweet potato rounds.  It begs for a fatty cut to offset the tannins, which are very tightly wound and help build the backbone of this wine.  I would drink till 2024.  90 points from me, but I just looked up my order and noticed it got 95 from Decanter, that’s a big score.  I paid $20, but it was on sale from $40.  3 stars for retail pricing but a 4 star effort for the sale price!  Salut….

solo continuo affaire reserve mallbec

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