Tag Archives: 91 points

24 Thursday Aug 2017

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Just when things were running on rails, the wine world throws a curve ball.  I’m talking about LBV Port, specifically Unfiltered.  Turns out this is a whole different beast that I don’t have a clue about , being untrained and just a commoner.  There are several links to explain the differences:

http://www.winespectator.com/drvinny/show/id/40319

Port_wine

Now, back to my bottle, an unfiltered LBV from 2011.  Veyy dark purple in the glass.  A nose of dark, rich plums, some alcohol and a touch of nutmeg.  On the palate- very rich dark berries, plums and a hint of spice.  Lovely.

The mid palate shows off very smooth plum compote, with a warm blackberry jam extraction and some ripe tannins.  The wine has spent time in the wood and has some vanilla notes to boot.  The acidity hits the finish along with more dark berries and some tobacco.  There is a certain dryness to this wine that I am really digging.  The mouthfeel is a little rough for me, with a green tannin compound but overall, very enjoyable.  91 points from me and 5 stars for this $18 effort.  If you enjoy a dessert wine, buy this one by the case.  Salut….

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2015, Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina

17 Thursday Aug 2017

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I have been a fan of Trivento for a while now and have reviewed several vintages of the Golden Reserve Malbec.  This one is particularly good and I am glad I bought a few bottles for the cellar.  I suggest you do too!  Almost inky in the glass, it is brooding and alluring.  On the nose I’m getting blackberry, sweet plums and a touch of cedar plank.  The palate is very much dominated by black fruits and a bold tannic attack.  The blackberry component really shines through on the midpalate with a core of tannins that grip the gums.  Acidity is present but the tannins are very fresh and dominate.  The finish is medium long with a jam component and some chocolate dust.  The ever present tannins do not taper off for a while.  This wine is young but drinkable now. It will last and develop for at least 15 years.  I’m thinking it needs a Portehouse steak with au gratin potatoes and a Caeser salad.  91 points and for $22, 5 stars.  Salut…

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec

Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz 2015, Barossa, Australia

15 Tuesday Aug 2017

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I splurged, $25 a bottle for Jacobs Creek.  It’s not just any JC though.  In the glass it is dark, brooding and enticing. Rich, ripe plums on the nose with port wine accent.  It smells the business.  On the palate, it is super smooth and exhibits rich blackberries, plum extract, caramel, vanilla and a nice toast.  The midpalate transition is seamless and the wine continues on to a very long finish.  I’m astounded at the depth and purity of this wine. The balance is good but there are barely detectable tannins to go up against the slight acidity.  That’s what gives this wine a great mouthfeel, yet detracts from its cellaring potential.  It is the style of wine that I would use to introduce a novice red-wine drinker to.  Easy on the tannins, the dryness and the acidity.  This wine drinks beautifully now and will run well for another 5 years, till 2022.  I would serve it with a rich stew, grilled lamb chops or perhaps a very well seasoned Cornish Hen.  I’m going 91 points and 4 stars.  Salut….

Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Shiraz

Croft Fine Ruby Port, Portugal

11 Friday Aug 2017

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Nearly black in the glass, which is what I expected from a Ruby Port.  The nose is fresh, full of spice, dark plums and rich leather.  The palate is delicious, with warm plum ganache, spice box and an earthy tobacco note that I am finding very interesting.  The mid palate exhibits a slight bitterness, like almond seed, plus some caramelized plum essence.  The finish is delicious, in fact, the best part of this package.  Nice warm plums, some more earth and a touch of tobacco and cedar.  The spiciness is an interesting addition.  It takes this wine to the 91 point level for me.  At $16 this is a must buy if you  like the Ruby style Ports.  I’m buying more. 5 stars and a great post dinner treat .  Salut….

Domaine Jean Fery & Fils Les Vergelesses 2010, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru, France

03 Thursday Aug 2017

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I don’t think I have seen a lighter opacity in a wine before.  It is see-through and barely purple, more of a red. After a swirl in the BAG (Big Assed Glass), shaped like a tulip and made specially for Burgundy wines- I get an amazing cherry meets forest floor and mushrooms kinda scent.  Strawberries feature, but only just.  On the palate, super smooth offerings of violet, bing cherry, some acidity and a touch of dryness.  The mid palate has an earthier component to it and the mushrooms pop up again.  The acidity is prevalent here and continues to makes its presence known throughout the rather long finish.  This is an elegant wine that is still too young at 7 years of age.  It will mellow more and develop some nice secondary flavors IMHO.  I would drink until 2025 at the least if not more.  I’m grilling up some bourbon/honey marinated skirt steaks and sauteed creamy Kale.  I think the combo will work.  I reckon this is a 91 point effort that gets 4 stars for its $40 quality to price ratio.  Salut….

Domaine Jean Fery & Fils Les Vergelesses, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru

Chapel Hill The Parson’s Nose Shiraz 2013, McLaren Vale, Australia

02 Sunday Jul 2017

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I drank the 2011 Parson’s Nose a while back, enjoying it so much that I saw this vintage and had to try it.  It is inky black in the glass.  It smells of coffee, anise and plums.  It tastes of black berries, anise and espresso.  The coffee flavors are really hitting me today.  The wine has a great mouthfeel, very smooth, inviting and it hides the 14.5% alcohol very deftly. The mid palate has more berries, but now more on the blue side, with ever so slight tannins making an entrance.  They build into the finish and leave me with a nice dryness on the gums, not too much.  The whole package is really tasty, not over-extracted like so many Aussie Shiraz’s can be.  I paid $18 for it but it looks to be on sale for under $14 online.  Folks- this is a 91 point wine in my books and for that price, they may not have much left after I get done.  5 stars.  Salut….

Chapel Hill The Parson's Nose Shiraz

Cameron Hughes Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Napa Valley, USA

24 Saturday Jun 2017

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This wine was given to me for my birthday recently.  I was not sure what to expect from an American ‘Negociant’ wine, but I was willing to give it a try!

Very dark and thick in the glass, which is telltale for what I am expecting.  The nose is plums and mocha with some eucalyptus.  The initial taste is as predicted.  Full bodied, rich, creamy and delicious.  Tannins are at the forefront but not overwhelming.  Plums, blackberry and a touch of oak are all part of the package.  Mid palate wise, the acidity and tannic dryness roll in and take over from the fruit, not that this is a bad thing as I am enjoying the texture tremendously.  The finish is well defined, long and consists of more plums, spice box and the well framed tannins.  There is a cigar box component that I just noticed as well.  Delicious.  Overall, this is a well crafted wine that I am enjoying while Moxie cooks up some Sirloins in a peppercorn sauce.  91 points, drinking now till 2022.  Pricey at $51, until you realize you are drinking Napa Cabernet- well worth it and 4 stars from me.  Salut….

cameron hughes cabernet sauvignon

 

Chateau Cantemerle 2001, Haut-Medoc, France

16 Friday Jun 2017

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Last night I had an old College friend over for dinner.  We ate Brisket, as can be seen in my previous post.  While it was still cooking we have heavy hors d’ouerves and I opened up a stunning set of wines.  The 2001 vintage from Bordeaux has been quietly sitting in my cellar and I really should get to drinking them, time flies and most wines fade.  So, we started out with the amazing 2001 Chateau Cantermerle, which has been drinking well for a decade now.  The first tasting note I wrote was in 2011, the wine has only gotten better and more defined.  The secondary flavors are in place, the fruit is still present and the tannins are fully melded.  A great 91 point wine that I really enjoyed.  I purposely did not write notes, I just wanted to enjoy the moment and relish the wines.  A quick check online shows this one available for $55, making it a 5 star effort even at 16 years of age!  Well done.  Salut….

Cosentino Winery The Poet Meritage 2013, Napa Valley, USA

21 Sunday May 2017

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Just a gorgeous dark purple in the glass, it shows promise!  On the nose I get lavender, plums, and a remarkable blackberry hint.  On the palate I am getting delicious plums, black cherry kirsch and a hint of upfront tannins. As the wine progresses to the mid palate the tannins firm up a touch and the fruit mellows somewhat, indicating youth in this wine.  The finish shows off a blueberry component which has me confused.  Plums, Blackberry, Black Cherry and now blueberry.  It cannot be possible, yet here it is, bathed in very well integrated tannins and just a touch of acidity.  This wine is delicious, it really is.  My choice was to pair it with Strip Steak, steamed Artichokes and a Cauliflower puree.  A perfect match.  This wine gets 91 points from and for $45 it is a 4 star effort.  51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot are the make up of this Bordeaux style wine, which as you know really excites me.  Drink till 2022 at the least.  Salut….

Cosentino Winery The Poet Meritage, Napa Valley, USA

Bodegas Resalte de Penafiel Pena Roble Reserva 2004, Ribera del Duero, Spain

13 Saturday May 2017

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Still a dark purple after 13 years.  Nose of figs, earth and violets.  On the initial taste- not what I was expecting.  Plums, blueberries, fresh and zesty.  This wine is so young.  The tannins are very integrated but not dry.  Mid-palate wise there’s blue fruit and cassis.  The finish is where this wine shines- leather, tobacco and blue fruit jam.  Oak peeks through right at the end.  Smooth and sexy, I like this wine from Magnum.  91 points from me and a reward for cellaring it for so long.  I paid $50 per Magnum back in 2014 for this Tempranillo.  4 stars!  Salut….

Bodegas Resalte de Penafiel Pena Roble Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain