Tag Archives: 91 points

Feudo Maccari Saia 2010

12 Thursday Dec 2013

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If you have never had a Nero D’Avola wine before, you must.  From Sicily comes this black wine with ample tannins and great depth.  This particular wine was as expected.  Bold black cherry and dark fruits with a hefty dose of tannin that was somewhat curbed yet providing a strong backbone.  The use of oak was deftly hidden and the acidity was great.  The wine is slightly rustic and needs a big plate of salami, olives and some hard cheeses to really get it going.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend this $25 offering for the uninitiated.  91 points and 5 stars.  Salut…IMG_0537

First Drop ‘Mother’s Milk’ Shiraz 2010

12 Thursday Dec 2013

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Succulent and smooth yet powerful and unabashed.  This is a great wine, no doubt.  A beautiful shade of purple in the glass with some great plum and spice notes on the nose.  On the palate was an array of svelte asian plums, blackcurrant and cedar box- all interlaced by some fine ingrained tannins.  This wine drinks beautifully and impressed all of us.  More impressive is the price- $18.  You cannot beat the value for money than with this type of 91 point wine that is accessible yet could be cellared for another 5 years.  This is what I imagine when I think of Barossa Shiraz.  Expressive but not over cooked, smooth but biting.  Amazing by itself, it would hold up to any meat dish, perhaps even crispy duck.  5 stars from me.  I need to find more!  Salut….

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Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc 2009

06 Friday Dec 2013

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From South Africa comes this amazing Bordeaux blend for a mere $15.  Inky purple in the glass it showed off dark fruits on the nose with a hint of mintiness.  The flavor was sublime and the finish was nice and dry from the firm tannins.  The purple flavors of plums and blackcurrant were mingled with some slight oak and cassis.  Very balanced and showing complexity, I loved this wine.  I have read about it in several magazines over the years and this is the first time I have seen it in the shops, I  will be back to buy more.  Still young but drinkable, I reckon it will start to peak in 2015 and go for another 5 years.  I would pair this with Venison or Lamb chops all day long.  5 stars for this 91 point effort.  Salut….

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d’Arenberg The Galvo Garage 2008

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

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Another wine from this awesome winery in Mclaren Vale, Australia.  This bottle is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot- the cornerstones of the Bordeaux blend.  I was really excited to try this as the blend is right up my alley.  Bold and beautiful in the glass it showed its power right away.  Plums and Black cherries with a rich and smoky oak  came blasting throughout the gripping tannins.  On the backend came a eucalyptus tinge that was very interesting.  The wine is very young and in need of cellaring, perhaps from 2014- 2020 is where I would think it’s peak is.  Great balance and structure make this $23 wine a bargain.  Think Roast Beef and this wine will sing.  91 points and 5 stars from me.  I think I need to get more for the dungeon. Salut….

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Kate Radburnd Vines Velvet Pinot Noir 2011

03 Tuesday Dec 2013

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From New Zealand comes this stunning Pinot Noir.  Delicate in the glass, it had notes of cherry and cranberry with some earthy mix in there.  On the palate, extremely smooth and luscious with white cherry and raspberry flavors.  Balanced and tart at the same time it was refreshing and medium in body.  The tannins in Pinot are difficult for me to discern, but I felt that this wine was well made and would go the distance.  Made in a New World style that appeals to me I’m going with 91 points and for about $15 this is a must find 5 star wine.  Amazing stuff.  Salut….

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Aristos Baron d’A 2007

29 Friday Nov 2013

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I bought this Chilean wine in Hong Kong for Thanksgiving day.  We opened it first because I could not wait and besides, never leave the good stuff till the end.  Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, it gets a touch of Syrah to soften it.  Dark purple in the glass it had a beautiful nose of blackberry and mint.  Eucalyptus was present in the taste as were black fruits and a figgy component.  Extremely well crafted tannins were evident but unobtrusive.  This is a multi layered wine that shows off class and depth.  The mouthfeel was silky smooth and the finish- long.  I must say I enjoyed this wine as we paired it with appetizers and caviar.  It was on sale for about $44, regularly priced at $54.  Im going with 91 points and 4 stars.  Salut….

 

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d’Arenberg High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

24 Sunday Nov 2013

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If you read my previous post about the d’Arenberg winery you will know that I thoroughly enjoy their offerings and find them to be consistent and delicious.  This wine held true.  It was dark purple in the glass, always a good sign, and the nose showed off black fruits and cedar box.  A really delicious palate was made up of blackberry, blueberry, pepper and a hint of oak.  Well balanced and drinking en pointe with smooth tannins and good mouthfeel.  This is a sure fire winner and for $15 it gets 5 stars from me for its 91 point rating.  We drank it pre-dinner but it would hit every imaginable red wine combo.  Salut….

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Peter Schweiger Grüner Veltliner Kamptal Terrassen DAC Reserve 2011

17 Sunday Nov 2013

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I believe this is the first time I have tried Grüner Veltliner.  It reminds me of unoaked Chardonnay and I like it.  Pale yellow in the glass, I was getting pears and apple on the nose.  The palate presented the same with some great mid palate acidity and a spice component on the back end.  The crispness of the wine is terrific and I really enjoyed it with a salad and some smoked salmon.  I stayed with it for the main course of pan seared Chicken breast, loving the flavor profile.  I don’t know how much this wine costs or where to get it as it was served on a flight.  I highly recommend it if you like dry whites and reckon it would pair greatly with many lighter dishes.  I love expanding my palate and think this was a great way to get to know a new varietal from Austria.  91 points in my book.  Salut….

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Torbreck ‘The Struie’ 2010

17 Sunday Nov 2013

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This is a massive wine with great credentials.  Almost black in the glass I knew I was in for a treat.  Hoping for complexity, finesse and not the usual Aussie fruit bomb, I was not disappointed.  This wine offered layers of blackberry, blueberry and chocolate with ripe plums interlaced .  The tannins are fully integrated now and there is a gentle acidity to balance the package up.  2010 was a great year for Barossa and it shows in this gem.  Moxie and I paired this up with some massive Ribeyes, Spaghetti Squash, roasted Rutabaga and sautéed greens.  The combination worked and allowed the wine to shine against the relatively basic flavors.  This wine got large points  (93 WA, 91 WS) for a good reason.  It is well made and will provide lots of enjoyment for the $42 price, I agree with 91 and give it 4 stars.  Salut….
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Peters Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

13 Wednesday Nov 2013

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One of my favorite things in life is to drink aged Cabs that have taken on secondary flavors and evolved out of adolescence.

This is a relatively young Sonoma Mountain wine to have accomplished that task and it really shines for me.  It shows off a bright purple hue in the glass and presents itself with black plum and blackberry on the nose.  The initial attack comprises blackberry and tobacco with oak and cassis.  The mid palate came across with smooth tannins and an earthy component.  This wine is super smooth and fruity with a delightful balance of secondary flavors and a delectable dryness.  I am totally digging this one and glad to have a few in the cellar.  Pricey at $55, i believe it offers some serious value and give it a 91 point rating with 4 stars.  We had it with roasted Tenderloin and Yorkshire pudding with horseradish and mushroom gravy.  A perfect match.  Salut….

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