Tag Archives: 90 points

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

Michel-Schlumberger Chardonnay Reserve Russian River Valley 2014

27 Saturday Feb 2016

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Pale gold color with long legs in the glass and a nose of apples, pears and honey. The first impression is of a somewhat flabby wine, mouth filling and full of charm. The mid palate comes alive with quince, gooseberries and a touch of vanilla. The acidity is restrained and the wine has a decent finish.  Very Cali-styled wine that got 91 points from the pros.  I’m just not that into the level of Malolactic fermentation and the weight of the oak used.  Some might love this style.  I am going with 90 points and for $38 retail it gets 3 stars.  I think it needs some fresh fish, perhaps oysters Rockefeller. Salut…..

michel schlumberger chardonnay russian river

Chateau Guiraud Sauternes 2006

03 Wednesday Feb 2016

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I do love me some dessert wines…  I couldn’t resist this one, it got high marks and the price was right.

It started with an interesting nose of cork (not in a bad way), apricot jam and tangerine peel.

An initial taste of orange marmalade, honey and almond seeds. Golden color was intriguing. Orange peel and candied almonds hit on the middle palate and the finish gives way to the same marmalade notes I sensed on the front end. A definite botrytis tinge throughout. Best described as orange treacle. I’m going 90 points on this wine versus the pros. It’s decent, but not my favorite sticky.  Pro ratings up to 93 points and costing $37, I was somewhat caught off-guard.  This is a 3 star wine in my opinion and needs to be drunk before 2022.  Salut….

guiraud sauternes

Norton Reserva Malbec 2012

20 Sunday Dec 2015

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On our recent trip to the Cape we had dinner with friends at a restaurant where this wine was listed as one of their top offerings.  We shared a bottle and I was impressed with the quality of this Mendoza Malbec.  It has a nose of plums, cedar and earth. Initial attack of black cherry, blackberries and some iodine. Fresh tannins and balanced acidity make for a fresh mouthfeel. Mid length finish of dark fruits and a lashing of tannins on the back end mingle with some tobacco hints. I agree with WS, 90 points and 4 stars for this $16 offering.  Salut….

norton reserva malbec

Familia Mayol ‘Finca Pircas’ Malbec 2011

08 Tuesday Dec 2015

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From Argentina comes this beauty.  A nose of black damson/dark plums, possibly a hint of sagebrush. Nice dark purple color with long legs in the glass, not something I comment on normally. Full on attack of black and blue fruits with ample tannins up front. Mouth watering acidity set this wine up for a long cellar potential. Mid palate hints of violet and plum offset by the edgy tannins. There is a longish finish that indicates the level of alcohol. 14.5% is hard to hide, but it is done rather well in this offering, with just some back end heat showing up. The wine is a little closed right now but will open up in 2017-2018 and cellar well for another 7-8 years. 90 points from me and 3 stars for this decent $30 offering from Mendoza, the capital of Malbec. I reckon it will rock a steak and do justice to some BBQ ribs. The structure is perfect for something sweet and spicy or marbled like a ribeye.  Salut….

familia mayor finca pircas malbec

Chateau Hanteillan 2009

18 Sunday Oct 2015

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From Haut Medoc comes this charming, meaty wine that needs to be on your shopping list. Very dark and murky in the glass with a nose of really sweet bramble, cherry and blackcurrant. My first impressions are good. Very pleasing initial attack of black kirsch, blackcurrants and a gradual introduction of some well integrated tannins. The acidity hides in the background yet balances the wine very well. Primary fruit is fully evident but I suspect that this wine has some evolution in it’s near future. It drinks well today but I reckon it will get better in 2-3 years. This 09 Bordeaux sums up the vintage well. Early drinking pleasure coupled with a decent cellaring potential make this wine a must have at $15 per bottle. I am going with 90 points and 5 stars. Roast game is screaming to be paired with this as are some stinky blue cheeses and don’t rule out a braised beef rib.  Salut….

chateau hanteillan

Domaine B. Serveau et fils Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers 2009

18 Sunday Oct 2015

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Light purple, typical for the varietal and region. Nose of cherry, earth, a hint of oak and some funk. On the initial attack it is somewhat basic with raw flavors of cherry, strawberry and sour cranberry. This wine is way too young as it only exhibits primal features. Edgy tannins will smooth out and meld with the acidity. I reserve judgement but give it 90 points for now.  I will aerate and try again.
Much softer after double decant with more cherry and some blueberry hints. Still tannic and edgy and the acid hits right in the cheeks.  Sticking with the 90 points initially and for $70, this is a 3 star effort that may need some cellaring to really shine.  Burgundy can be a tricky pick.  Salut….

Domaine B. Serveau et fils Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers

Mystery label from Montepulciano 2011

07 Friday Aug 2015

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I drank this over the 4th of July weekend, took notes, a picture but forgot the name.  No idea of pricing either as it was my friend’s offering.  It was good, but young.

Nearly black in the gas with a nose is of blackberry and tar.  More black fruit, tar and earth on the initial attack. Tannic and brooding. Mid palate had some vegetal, herbaceous and acidic components. Longish finish of black cherry and tannins. 2017-2025, 90 points.  I can’t give it a star rating as I don’t know the price.  If you have seen this or know it’s name please comment!  Salut….

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Chateau Gaudin 2010

19 Tuesday May 2015

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Every once in a while I like to just drink the wine, no notes, no sucking air between my teeth- just the pleasure of the grapes.  This past weekend my best friend from childhood came over for dinner.  In his usual style he showed up with a decent bottle of wine.  He was raised well and has class.  His offering was this 2010 Bordeaux from the Pauillac commune which I happen to love.  He also brought some pretty hefty cheeses and salami shavings to get the evening going.

Without notes I cannot tell you the specifics, only that this wine reaffirms my statements about 2009 and 2010 Bordeaux.  Run, don’t walk to the shops.  The next three vintages offer wines much lower in quality without reflection in price.  This wine retails at $40 or so dollars and is a notch below the Cru Classe in terms of quality.  It had everything going for it with regard to flavor, structure and cellaring potential.  Others have given it 90 points, I won’t argue.  3 stars and well worth looking for.  Salut….

chateau gaudin