Tag Archives: 90 points

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

18 Saturday Mar 2017

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Trivento Amado Sur 2014, Mendoza Argentina

29 Sunday Jan 2017

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I am a big fan of Trivento, as can be seen in my write-ups.  The Amado Sur is a blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Syrah.

Dark purple in the glass.  A nose of black currants, oregano, chocolate powder.  On the palate- currant, cinnamon stick and crunchy tannins.  On the mid palate there are some plum notes as well the currants.  The tannins are really apparent in the finish, and give off a dry mouthfeel.  This wine is balanced and tasty, but perhaps young.  It will reward some cellaring but offers good flavors and structure right now to pair with prime rib, eggplant moussaka or even roast duck with orange sauce- or some cheese and chorizo like I did.  I like it and am going 90 points.  For $14, this is a really good deal.  4 stars.  Salut….

amado sur

 

David Noyes Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2013

15 Sunday Jan 2017

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The last time I wrote about this winery was over 4 years ago, on the Russian River Valley 2009 David Noyes Pinot Noir. I loved it then and gave it high marks, so when an opportunity came along to get more from this winery, I jumped.

Very pale, see-through purple that shows off elegance and subtlety.  On the nose mainly strawberry with hints of cherries jubilee.  I also get a very faint touch of cinnamon.  Interesting.  On the initial attack- very subdued and mild. Flavors of cherry, red currants and Rooibos tea.  The wine transitions through the mid palate with cherry pie and a lashing of very fine grained tannins.  The finish runs long and is composed of tannins under some nice tart strawberries where the acidity finally shows up!  I’m going with 90 points, not quite as rich as I had hoped but a fine bottle.  You can find it for around $22 and I am giving it 3 stars.  I paired it with slow cooked pork tenderloins in an asian braise.  It worked really well.  Salut….
david noyes sonoma coast pinot noir

Dona Paula Estate Malbec 2014

11 Wednesday Jan 2017

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I can’t even tell you how many bottles of this wine I have drunk in my day.  I was introduced to it at an Argie steak house in Anchorage, Alaska of all places.  We used to go there in small groups and empty their supply every time.  I saw this bottle when I was in Boston with the family on a skating trip.  I couldn’t resist.

In the glass, a paler version of purple was on display.  On the nose- black berry and nutmeg come to mind.  The initial palate consists of really delicious dark fruits, some plum ganache and some very tart tannins.  The wine shows off a dryness that takes over the mid palate and finish but still allows flavors of blue and black currants to peek through.  There are not many tertiary flavors but that is okay, this is a primal wine that begs for steak.  It offers one stop shopping if you are in the market for a reasonably priced wine that bangs it with grilled meat, does well alone and will make charcuterie sing. This is one for you to look for.  At $13 this is a good deal and gets 90 points from me making it a 5 star wine.  Drink till 2020 and buy in bulk.  Salut….

dona paula estate malbec

Clos du Bois Marlstone, Alexander Valley, USA 2012

23 Friday Dec 2016

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I started to suffer ‘Palate Fatigue’, otherwise known as getting tipsy when we finally got around to this sleek Meritage blend from California’s Alexander Valley.  Very dark extracted purple in the glass.  A nose of mulled plum, black stone fruits and violet.  The initial taste is plums, blueberry and a floral bouquet.  The mid palate shows off more blue fruits and a generous tannic backbone that hold this wine together.  The acidity is very subdued and the finish is medium in length.  I love this style of Bordeaux blend with a large majority (72%) Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot for roundness, 5% Petit Verdot for some tannic backbone, a smidge of Malbec and some Cabernet Franc for the softness and floral notes.  90 points from me make this $40 offering a 3 star wine and a serious contender for space in the cellar.  Drink now till 2022 and pair with any roasted meats, hearty pasta dishes or even some charcuterie beside a winters fire.  Salut….
clos du bois marlstone

Cliff Lede Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, USA 2012

23 Friday Dec 2016

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An invite to my old college buddy’s house revealed this bad boy waiting to happen.  We started with a Merlot I had brought and moved into this one shortly thereafter.

Nearly black in the glass with a nose of black berries, black cherries and oak, but in a mild mannered way.  The initial attack is bold, bright and tannic.  Tons of dark fruit, cassis and espresso.  The mid palate is somewhat muted by the tannins which push through to the finish where they really shine.  The balance is slightly off between the acidity and fruit being overcome by the tannins- give this wine a few years in the cellar.  90 points from me which coincides with WS.  RP gave it 93 points, I can’t see that personally. Delicious wine but pricey at $60 per bottle make this a 3 star effort and worthy of cellaring for that special occasion.  It would rock a well marbled Ribeye, Leg of Lamb or in our case- homemade Meatballs in a Marinara sauce.  Salut….

cliff lede cabernet sauvignon