20 Thursday Jun 2019
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Very dark purple. On the nose it is showing off sweet blackberries with a spicy component. Plum reduction also comes to mind. On the palate sour plum combines beautifully with blackberry and coffee bean. The midpalate introduces the tannins which ramp up nicely to caress the gums on the finish without being too dry and obtrusive. Drink now till 2024 with game dishes, charcuterie or all by itself. 91 points makes this $50 charmer a 4 star wine. I was impressed BTW. Salut….
19 Wednesday Jun 2019
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Very typical in the glass for Pinot- seethrough, lighter shade of purple and showing fine-strained legs. On the nose I get strawberry pie, spice box and rooibos tea. On the initial palate it’s more cherry than strawberry but they coexist nicely.
The wine transitions beautifully to the mid palate where I get some ginger and allspice. The back end is where they sneak some lithe tannins in that barely caress my gums- very deftly. There’s a nice acidity alongside violets and that red tea component- delicious. 91 points- drink till 2025 with lighter fare such as Cornish Hens, Filet or even charcuterie. $30 and 5 stars. Salut….
09 Sunday Jun 2019
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Wow- 99 points form one critic, I just had to try it! Then I realized the pro in question rates on a different scale. It looks pretty dark in the glass, but there’s an effervescence appearing on the top that concerns me- either a tainted glass or something in the wine. On the nose I’m getting currants, cherry and bramble. The palate is quite sweet, with layered blackberry jam/blackcurrant reduction. This wine is very thick and juicy, loaded with fruit extract. There’s a nice dose of tannins that gently appear on the midpalate, melding with the dark fruits and carrying the wine to a nice, balanced finish of black berries, black currants and black tea leaf. There’s a Ribena note right at the end that I’m enjoying. This is a solid 91 pointer that will drink nicely till 2024. I’m going 4 stars at $30 for this Aglianico. Salut….
If you look close- effervescence in the glass
07 Tuesday May 2019
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It’s a pretty shade of purple in the glass with a 98 point sticker on the bottle….. hmmm. The nose is thin but offers up strawberry coulis and cherry juice. On the palate it has much more presence. A rich mouthful of dark cherry, strawberry extract and cola hit me square on. Tannins introduce themselves right away and are not holding back. This is a hefty wine, with structure to boot. The mid palate has more of that extracted cherry that is almost overwhelmed by the tannic grip. Wow, this wine is built. The finish is very astringent yet tasty. Red fruits swirl alongside black tea and jaw drying tannins. It’s certainly an interesting wine that I am really enjoying, yet wondering what the cellaring potential is as there is very little acidity. The tannins and fruit are certainly present, I am just a little concerned about the long term structure. Let’s see in a few years. For now, enjoy this Merlot/Sangiovese blend with pasta, steaks or moussaka. It gets a realistic 91 points from me and 5 stars for the $14 price I paid. Drink till 2027 at the least. Salut….
25 Thursday Apr 2019
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In the glass this wine is textbook Pinot Noir- bright red, see-through with lithe legs. On the nose I get cherry cola, strawberry and faint wood. On the palate it screams New World Pinot with strawberry coulis, bing cherry and delightful tannins that ease into a full blown black tea extravaganza that leave my gums puckered and my teeth thoroughly dry. The mid palate turns a little blue on me with berries and tar. The finish is back to the original strawberry/cherry combo that I love. The finish is long with nice balanced acidity offsetting the tannins. 91 points for this $20 wine makes it a 5 star effort IMHO. Drink now till 2027. I am pairing it with roasted Cornish Hens, baked Sweet Potatoes with Feta and sautéed Zucchini. Salut….
05 Tuesday Mar 2019
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$40, 4 stars, 91 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa, napa cab
Bright purple- almost sparkly in the glass. The nose is full-on Napa cab. Rich plums, blackberries and cedar. The palate mirrors- and it’s super smooth with a gentle ramp up of tannins. The mid palate continues the dark fruit theme but this is where the black tea, crunchy tannins and Maduro leaf appear. The finish is very dry, long and filled with blackberry jam, more tea and a touch of oak. Delicious and worth 91 points in my book. The only thing holding it back is the slight greenness of the tannins. I’m serving up Sunday roast with this beauty. 4 stars for this $40 Cabernet that can be cellared or drunk till 2028. Salut….
01 Friday Mar 2019
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Very dark purple in the glass. Bramble, creosote, black berries and blueberry jam on the nose. On the palate this is a tannic beast- full of dark fruits, young and brooding. It is laced with blackberries, toasty oak and mouth coating tannins. The midpalate has some telltale violets- the varietal shines thru. On the finish this wine offers black berries, more charred wood notes and those really grippy tannins. A touch young- it needs aerating or cellaring. Drink till 2027 with braised lamb, Moussaka or a thick steak. 91 points and 4 stars for this $40 Cab Franc. Salut….
01 Friday Mar 2019
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Dark yet not very opaque. Typical for the varietal. Gorgeous nose of cherry reduction, dare I say mushrooms and old oak. The palate is super smooth and full bodied, showing off cherries and cola. The oak is dominant in this wine, but not obtrusive. The mid palate is round and slightly tannic. The cherries march on and the wine finishes with coconut notes, probably from the wood. 91 points and 4 stars for this $44 effort. Drink this Pinot Noir till 2025 with pasta, roasted Chicken or a cheese and salami plate. Salut….
23 Saturday Feb 2019
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$40, 4 stars, 91 points, portugal, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional
Bright purple in the glass. Plums and black berry come off on the palate with some earthiness that I love in Portuguese wines. There’s a dusty component reminiscent of desert air that pops up as well. On the palate it has telltale Tinto Roriz and Touriga Nacional notes. There’s a tar component alongside spice box and blackberry. The tannins are very integrated, of medium intensity and not astringent. I like the mouthfeel and the balance is great. The mid palate and finish are both steeped in black fruits and that spiciness. The dry, dusty notes I mentioned earlier slip back in right at the end. This is a tasty wine that gets 91 points from me. The $40 price point makes it a 4 star effort. Salut….
26 Saturday Jan 2019
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Very dark in the glass. Nose of black jam, eucalyptus and charcoal. On the palate there’s a rich warm black currant note with lithe tannins and a fruitcake hint. The mid palate is very smooth with a tannic bite that kicks in. The finish is gentler, mid length and chock full of black jam, cedar and a touch of vanilla bean. 91 points and 4 stars for this $29 effort. Drink till 2030. Salut….
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