Tag Archives: 90 points

Raymond Reserve Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2013

29 Tuesday Nov 2016

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I have not visited the American Express Centurion Lounge at San Francisco airport in two months but the bartenders remembered me and offered up some special tastings. This was one of them, and boy was it good.

Expressive nose of dark fruits and cola.  Plums and black tea fight with the tannins for control of the initial attack.  The mid palate shows off more dark fruits that tail off with some herbs and oak on the mid length finish.  This wine needs another 2 years in cellar to really shine. Drink 2018-2025 with pretty much any grilled meat dish.  90 points from me and 4 stars for this yummy $34 bottle.  Salut….

raymond reserve selection napa valley cabernet sauvignon

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2013

09 Wednesday Nov 2016

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A college friend moved to our area last year and we have been trying to meet up more than just once every six months, so when he suggested bringing over some vino and charcuterie on a beautiful Saturday afternoon….  I lit the outdoor fire and cleared the patio.

First up was this gem from Napa.  Relatively young, I figured it could use decanting.  We drank it with various cold meets and cheeses and talked of the old days.  It was a fun afternoon and the wine certainly made it a memorable experience.  I did not take notes but am relying on my memory.

Color was textbook and the nose had plum, dark fruits and a hint of oak.  On the palate, super smooth.  If nothing else, this wine glides like buttah.  A rounded mouthfeel full of more dark plum and black berries.  The tannins were very integrated and not drying.  Either the decanting really did the trick or the wine is very stealthy with hiding them.  A balanced acidity make this wine very easy to drink now, but I think it will cellar well for a few years (Say till 2022).  Our pairing was excellent with the cold cuts but think this wine will be great with a fall dish like Osso Bucco, Coq au Vin or even Venison stew.  I’m liking it a bunch and will go 90 points on this $42 offering.  3 stars and worthy of splashing out with good friends.  Salut…

stags leap artemis

 

Bulgariana Imperial Red Blend Thracian Valley 2009

19 Wednesday Oct 2016

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I’m not holding my breath on this $8 offering.  I just had to try it, for the sake of seeking out a high QPR wine.  The wine is a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cab Sav and 5% each of Rubin and Mavrud- both of which I have never heard of let alone try.  The wine is 7 years old so I am a little surprised that my local Costco was carrying it in bulk.  Anyway, it begins with a dark purple in the glass and a nose of spices, mulled plums and sushi.   I know that sounds strange but there is a component that is intriguing me and it reminds me of the seaweed in a sushi roll.  I’m kinda digging it!
On the palate this wine is really delicious with some searing tannins.  I am impressed.  Plums, black cherry, a touch of wood and cola syrup.  This wine reminds me of a monster Tannat, thick, brooding and bone dry with tannins running amuck.  It is young and needs several more years to mellow.  I am returning for more and sticking them in the cellar.  I think it would work great with a well marbled steak, Lamb stew or something else needing the tannins to offset fatty dishes.  The wine could also be sent through a Vinturi or decanted but it really is delicious by itself if you like the dry ones.  I’m going 90 points and for sure 5 stars for its exceptional QPR (Quality Price Ratio).  PS.  I searched for it online, it runs $14- still a great value.  Salut….
bulgariana imperial red blend

Michael David Petite Petit Lodi Central Valley California 2014

12 Wednesday Oct 2016

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Moxie and I went to the local Costco yesterday and I steered us into the wine aisle…  I picked up some interesting wines but the label on this one sold both Moxie and me.  She’s a graphic artist by trade and has a good eye for marketing.  This label was a winner.  I glanced at the back label and immediately decided I needed to try this blend of 85% Petite Sirah and 15% Petit Verdot.

Wow, what a beautiful dark purple in the glass.  A nose of twizzlers, strawberry jam and some oak.  It’s not my favorite profile but I’ll wait to taste.  The initial taste is deelish.  This is a rich wine that starts off with black cherries, dark stone fruit and strawberries on the mid palate.  Ripe tannins round it out for a balanced mouthfeel. The wine finishes strong with notes of cherries jubilee laced with some tannins.  I’m loving the flavor profile if not the aromas.  I bought this wine for $12.89 at Costco.  You know I love both Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot which makes this wine really appealing.  It rates a 90 with me and that makes it a must buy and 5 stars.  I’m getting more in the morning.  Drink now till 2019 with red meat, venison and stews.  A perfect fall wine.  Besides, look at that cool label- winner!  Salut….
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Finca Antigua Crianza la Mancha, Castilla, Spain 2009

08 Monday Aug 2016

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I bought this on sale for $11 and couldn’t be happier.  I got three bottles but may have to re-order by the case!  Opaque dark red/purple from this 50% Tempranillo, 20% Merlot, 20% Cab, 10% Syrah blend. The nose gives up mint, capsicum and a touch of blueberry. On the palate an interesting mix of blueberry, earth and pomegranate. The wine exhibits some forward acidity which explains the pomegranate component. It finishes nicely with a healthy, balanced dose of tannins that rest in the gums and make me reach for the glass. This is a yummy wine that defies the typical Spanish profile yet provides juicy, interesting flavors that should evolve and mature. 90 points and 5 stars for this great quality to price ratio.  Salut….

finca antigua crianza

BriO de Cantenac Brown 2010, revisited

28 Thursday Jul 2016

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I last tasted this wine in it’s infancy, with instructions to revisit later.  Eighteen months on and it’s starting to open up, evolve and change in fruit flavors.  When I initially reviewed the BriO I only gave it 88 points.  This time is different.

Deep, rich purple hues with a nose of black currants, violets and cinnamon. The initial attack consists of blackberry, tar, and plum pudding. The wine is still showing some primal tannins, but they integrate well with the acidity. The mid palate and finish offer up more plums and a hint of eucalyptus. A medium length ending that leaves a certain tannic edge that begs for some red meat- good thing I’m doing kebabs tonight. I think this wine is just opening up and will drink well for another 5 years. 90 points and 3 stars for this $40 bottle.  Salut….

brio de cantina brown 2010

Domaine Mazilly Pere & Fils Beaune Vignes Franches 1er cru 2010

26 Tuesday Jul 2016

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Burgundy, and Pinot Noir can seem like such a minefield.  The nuances of the grape coupled with the intricacies of the Burgundian wine system leave me with a headache sometimes.  Having said that, I am trying my hardest to discover and having fun doing it.

See-through pinkish purple, as would be expected of a Pinot Noir. The nose intrigues me- but kinda thin. It offers shades of cherry, straw, dust and perhaps some pomegranate. The initial attack is very subtle and smooth. Cherry for sure, some capsicum, and spices. Violets come to mind as well. The mid palate is where the wine opens up- cherries, berries and some nice juicy tannins show up. The pomegranate re-appears on the finish as the wine closes out in a slightly acidic note. The whole package is quite delicious but lacks depth for now. I’m thinking it may evolve somewhat. 90 points from me (the pro’s gave it 92). Drink from now until 2025 and pair it with Cornish hens, maybe even some Salmon on the grill.  For $50,  it is a pricy wine, but very typical of small production Burgundy.  3 stars.  Salut….

Domaine Mazilly Pere & Fils Beaune Vignes Franches 1er Cru 2010

The cork was really dark and interesting.

The cork was really dark and interesting.

Louis Jadot “Le Vaucrain” Cote de Nuits Villages 2006

19 Tuesday Jul 2016

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Louis Jadot has to be one of the more prominent wineries in our local wine shops.  You can’t glance over the Burgundy section without seeing the telltale label.  They own their own vineyards and also buy in grapes.  I tried to count how many different wines they produce but lost track.  They have numerous labels at all levels of quality and price.  This particular bottle was bought a few years ago for about $25.

An intriguing pale, see-through purple that reminds me of other delicate Pinots I have tried. Quite a deep nose of strawberry and pomegranate. On the palate- still a young and fresh wine with flavors of cherry kirsch, cranberry and a nice acidic touch. It warms up on the mid palate and offers up some strawberry along with sour cherry. The finish is dry with tannins and acidity bracing each other. I have a hard time detecting tannins in Pinot Noir, but this one serves them up, albeit all on the finish.  I’m glad I sat on this wine for as long as I did, it is just hitting its stride now. It offers a mature, refined approach to old world Pinot that I enjoy. It only lacks the earthy components I look forward to in Burgundy. Overall, I like this wine quite a lot. 90 points and 4 stars as this wine is only a Village level yet acts all grown up and has lasted well past it’s recommended drinking window yet shows another 2-3 years at the very least. Newer vintages will run you $35 or so for this delicious offering.  I would pair it with roast Cornish hens or perhaps flank steak with chimichurri sauce.  Salut….

louis jadot le vaucrain

Cosentino ‘The Novelist’ 2013

14 Saturday May 2016

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I’m a fan of this winery and recently went for a wine and cheese pairing.  I ordered a few bottles of this blend.  Pale yellow/hints of gold in the glass. A nose of yellow apple, ginger, lime and a touch of pineapple. Initial tastes of apple, pineapple and a touch of butter. Reminiscent of Napa Chardonnay yet shouting out that it’s a blend. Very nice mid palate with ever so gentle acidity. The finish is nice, with a green apple meets melon twist. That’s also the point that the acidity hits. There’s some mid-palate ring going on as well.  90 points from me and perfectly suited for grilled chicken with roasted veggies, or just drink it chilled on a hot summers day!  A blend of 56% Sauvignon Blanc, 44% Semillon that costs $20 at retail and got 88 points from WE.  A 4 star effort that you need by the case (it’s $16 per if you join the club).  Salut….

cosentino the novelist

Domaine Carrette Pouilly-Fuisse 2014

14 Saturday May 2016

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Very light yellow with a citrus infused nose of lemons and slate.  Fresh and zesty on the palate with lemon, green apple and flint. Very focused and clean. Moxie thought it was too tart but I am enjoying it’s minerality. The wine needs raw clams, steamed shrimp or some Alfredo. 90 points and for $17 it’s a 4 star wine to buy for the summer.  Salut….

domaine carrette pouilly fuise