Tag Archives: 91 points

Tremblay-Marchive Vau de Vey 2019, Chablis Premier Cru, France

03 Friday Sep 2021

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As summer comes to a close I am looking forward to some hearty reds yet still have a few chilled whites to taste- here goes as we are having sushi tonight and this Chablis might just fit the bill.

It’s a medium intensity lemon color with a nice citrus nose compounded with pineapple, blossom and wet stone- it’s a steely affair as expected from this region.  The palate is crispy with juicy acidity.  This Burgundian Chardonnay is a dry wine that has a good body and quite pronounced flavors of lemon, lime, grapefruit and pineapple.  The stony, mineral component is most definitely apparent on the mid palate and the wine finishes with good length.  I like the floral notes throughout and nearly wince at the acidity- it’s very crisp and tangy.  A perfect match for seafood, especially a Mackerel sushi.  I am thinking it is a 91 point wine and at a retail price of $65, it’s a rather steep but delicious white to enjoy till 2028.  4 stars from me, Salut….

Cooper and Thief Red Blend 2018, California

29 Sunday Aug 2021

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I could not pass this wine up, aged 3 months in Bourbon Whiskey Barrels… That had my name all over it, but I’m not excited about the 16% ABV, seems over the top.  Let’s try some.

It is bright purple and opaque AF.  I can smell it a mile away, the waft is pretty serious.  Once I get stuck in- the nose is very rich with blackberry, blackcurrants, black plum, alcohol, eucalyptus, caramel, vanilla, minty greeness and some black espresso.  Did I mention alcohol?  I have to blow that stuff out of the glass or else I will get drunk sniffing.

The palate has a sweetness to it right off the bat, but when I did my soon-to-be trademarked dryness test, I confirmed it is a dry wine.  That must be from Bourbon, which is known to have caramel sweetness rather than residual sugar.  I get gobs of rich black fruits that I picked out on the nose, plus really integrated, lithe tannins and medium acidity.  This fruit bomb is very smooth and enticing, buyer beware of the formidable punch which is deftly hidden.  If you like them big, bold and jammy then this one is right up your alley.  I really am enjoying this 91 point blend of 38% Merlot, 37% Syrah, 11% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Other Red Blenders.  It’s not a daily drinker for sure, especially at $30 but it gets 5 stars from me and worth a try if you see it.  Drink till 2026 with some Filets.  Salut….

Angove ‘Family Crest’ Grenache – Shiraz – Mourvedre 2016, McLaren Vale, Australia

29 Sunday Aug 2021

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Medium ruby with watery legs.  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of blackberry, raspberry, red plum, violet, black pepper, charred wood, cedar and is meaty.  It is quite complex and developing. The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium tannins, high alcohol, medium body and medium (+) intensity flavors of raspberry, red plum, coffee, black pepper, cedar and that meaty note.  There is nice complexity to this wine that has a medium (-) finish.  Overall I really like this blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre that is drinking well now but has potential for aging.  91 points for this $22 bottle make it a 5 star effort.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Domaine Sangouard-Guyot Pouilly-Fuisse Authentique 2020, Maconnais, France

28 Saturday Aug 2021

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Medium gold color. Pronounced aromas of lemon, lime, apricot, biscuit and bread.  The palate is dry with citrus and floral flavors plus more of that bakery hint and some nice toasty oak notes.  Medium acidity keeps the wine fresh and the finish is medium in length.  There’s a flavor that most Chardonnay’s have that I get on the back end, I’m not a huge fan but it is to be expected.  Overall a very nice tipple on a hot summer evening that gets 91 points from me.  I’m pairing it with grilled chicken, rice pilaf and Marsala sauce.  Drink till 2025.  I think you can find it for around $20, pretty reasonable and worthy of 5 stars. Drink till 2025.  Salut….

Dr. Loosen Erdener Treppchen Kabinett 2019, Mosel, Germany

12 Thursday Aug 2021

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It is hot outside, like 93F plus.  One can only think of a cool crisp white wine at happy hour, plus I am grilling some spatchcocked chickens on the Weber and think a Riesling will do the trick in tempering the spices I rubbed on the bird.

Medium lemon colored with watery legs, giving away its lithe 9.5% ABV.  On the nose I get pronounced lemon, lime and grapefruit aromas along with blossom and ginger.  The palate is off-dry with good acidity, nice weight on the body and lively flavors of citrus- lemon, tangerine, lime and grapefruit.  The ginger component happens a little later, on the mid palate as does the floral note.  The low alcohol makes this wine a little lighter and fresher with the acidity helping to keep it spry.  Very refreshing, I think the hint of sweetness will meld nicely with the cajun style spice on the bird.  Really yummy stuff that begs for a swimming pool on a hot day to sit by and sip this easy going yet rather complex wine.  91 points from me and for $29 it’s a good intro to this style of Mosel Riesling.  5 stars.  Salut….

Boeckel Zotzenberg Gewurztraminer 2017, Alsace Grand Cru, France

02 Monday Aug 2021

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I’ve been cooking Sous Vide Pork Belly steaks in a fiery Sambal Oelek sauce for the past 18 hours, it’s going on a fried rice dish.  The spice of this dish needs an aromatic white I do believe, so this Grand Cru Alsatian is getting the nod.

It is deep lemon in the glass and has pronounced aromas of lychee, rosewater, strawberry, blossom and some nuttiness.  On the palate it is semi-dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body, medium alcohol and medium (+) intensity flavors of lychee, rose, strawberry, honeysuckle and blossom.  The nutty note comes on the back end, where the finish is medium in length.  It’s a flavorful, yummy wine that has a touch of residual sugar to help offset the chilies in the marinade.  The floral and tropical fruit will meld well with the white meat and veggies.  This wine seems like it will develop some more in the bottle, so there’s no rush to pop’n’pour.  I’m really enjoying it and think it is a 91 pointer.  At $40 it’s a serious player that gets 5 stars.  Salut….

Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 2018, South Australia

02 Monday Aug 2021

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For the finale at our Virtual Wine tasting #20 I selected an oldie but goodie.  It’s been a few years since I drank any Mollydooker wines.  They are a treat but buyer beware- they pack a punch.  It all starts with the obligatory Mollydooker Shake, which is an important part of tasting this wine correctly.  I had all the participants open the screw cap and pour off a half cup of wine into another wine glass.  After re-sealing the bottle we shook vigorously to help release the Nitrogen that these wines are bottled under.  Once done I had them pour regular glasses and we compared the smell of the original wine versus the shaken version- a stunning difference in aroma.

The wine is bright purple, opaque and menacing in the glass once you read the label and realize it has 16% ABV.  On the nose it is jammy with blackberry, raisin, plum, pepper, coffee, black tea and vanilla.  Our group got flavors of coffee, blackberry jam, cinnamon, and someone mentioned ‘grape’.  Lithe tannins and medium (-) acidity make for an easy mouthfeel once you clear the alcohol hurdle.  A decent finish was enjoyed as I reflected on the length and depth of fruit flavor coming out of this bottle. The body is most def full, the grapes being extracted to the max.  This is not a lightweight.  I am a little stumped as to what I would pair it with- the richness will overpower most foods- oh well…drink it all by itself.  91 points from me make this $30 wine a 5 star effort that needs to be on your short list.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Spier 21 Gables Pinotage 2017, Stellenbosch, South Africa

02 Monday Aug 2021

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My wine tasting group has not tried Pinotage yet, so I though it would be appropriate to introduce this unique South African varietal to them.  Spier is well known and produces several different cuvees, ranging from the lighter everyday wines to blockbuster collectables.  This one is middle of the road and offers a glimpse into the style of wine that can be enjoyed over time.  Quite brooding and inky it has a funky nose with forest floor, tar, licorice, fresh cut wood, plantain, creamy coffee, Sel Gris and blackberry.  On the palate it exhibited textbook flavors of coffee, blackberry, Rooibos tea, baked raspberry, blueberry, acetate and raisin.  The word jammy was used.  Tannins were medium as was the acidity.  This cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault is much darker and intense than either of its parents, which surprised many in the group.  Overall it was well received and got 91 points from me.  We paid $36 per bottle making it a 5 star effort that can be drunk now or cellared till 2026.  Salut….

Chateau Mayne Guyon 2014, Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux, France

27 Tuesday Jul 2021

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My friend Tracy got this at Trader Joes, for $8.  I am absolutely blown away.  Seriously delicious, with cellaring capacity and yummy flavors.  Opaque, purple, inky.  The nose is exactly what I expect from a 7 year old Bordeaux- some cassis, cedar, earth, game and black plum.  Tertiary flavors are coming out whilst primal fruit is still very fresh.  The palate is silky with nicely integrated tannins, a touch of acidity and layered fruit.  A medium length finish makes for a delicious, tidy package of rich fruit and good structure.  Yummy stuff to drink till 2025.  91 points!  Yup, for $8 at TJ’s, this is probably my bottle of the year when it comes to QPR (quality price ratio).  5 stars, only cause I can’t go 6.  WAY TO GO!  Salut….

Marchesi Frescobaldi Castello di Nipozzano 2014, Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG, Italy

25 Sunday Jul 2021

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I had to buy this funky bottle, it is gold.  As in they sprayed the bottle, there is no looking through the glass.  With a bit of age on it, there may be some hope of tertiary development in this Reserva.  It’s pretty dark in the glass, a lovely shade of ruby.  On the nose I get red cherry, cooked red cherry, earth, mushroom, pomegranate and oak.  The palate is very delicious, smooth and not biting.  I am really enjoying lush flavors of dark cherry, earth, game and cooked red cherry.  The tannins are really well integrated and meet up on the back end with some vibrant acidity.  The body is decent, heavier than I was expecting and certainly welcome, the mouthfeel is balanced and smooth.  I am thoroughly enjoying this Sangiovese, and feeling that most people would not buy it due to the strange packaging- I’m off to get the remnants, it’s that yummy for the barebones price of $15.  A veritable steal that gets 91 points and 5 stars.  Drink till 2025 with pasta, duh!  Salut….