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Tag Archives: 91 points

Raats ‘Red Jasper’ 2021, Stellenbosch, South Africa

03 Sunday Nov 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 91 points, bordeaux blend, Cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, Malbec, merlot, petit verdot, South Africa, stellenbosch


Medium ruby colored with moderate staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of black plum, capsicum, black cherry, acai berry, vanilla, coffee, baking spice, charred oak, peppermint and dusty dried wheat (I know).  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that hit on the tip of my tongue.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of black plum, black cherry, espresso, Lapsang Souchong tea, vanilla, baking spice and charred oak.  The back end is very powerful with tea, black coffee, and charred oak being prominent.  The finish is quite dry with the tannins holding their own all the way through to a medium length ending.  It’s a different profile but very delicious if paired with food.  It’s Sunday roast so the meat and gravy will sort this delicious wine out nicely.  91 points from me for this $20 effort makes it a 5 star wine to drink till 2030.  Mainly Cabernet Franc (53%) it also has Malbec, Cab Sav, Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot- the Classic Bordeaux blend.  Salut….

Raats Red Jasper

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Connell Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Chalk Hill, Sonoma County, California

01 Tuesday Oct 2024

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$75, 3 stars, 91 points, bordeaux blend, Cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, california, Chalk Hill, merlot, sonoma county


Deep purple colored with red highlights on the rim, medium staining and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of black cherry, black plum, blackberry, mint, acai berry, singed alder, capsicum and a medicinal note.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and high tannins that are grippy.  The alcohol shines through easily and overpowers me on the first sip.  Letting that blow off I get ripe black and blue fruit, some green notes from mint and bell pepper with a hint of oak integration by way of that medicinal note and coffee.  The finish is a dry affair that lasts medium in length.  It’s a young wine for sure, but I see promise once the tannins sort themselves out.  Hopefully the heat integrates better with the whole package as I think it can cellar nicely and gets 91 points from me.  From their website you can order this limited production Bordeaux blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot for $75.  That makes this a 3 star effort to pair with Ribeyes or a hearty Lamb dish.  Salut….

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Tara Bella Cabernet Sauvignon Al Di La 2018, Sonoma County, California

05 Thursday Sep 2024

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$80, 3 stars, 91 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Sonoma


Deep purple colored with slight staining and high viscosity (13.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of blackberry compote, cassis, eucalyptus, mint, tobacco, cigar box, coffee, vanilla, black raspberry and licorice.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body and medium (+) tannins that are nicely integrated.  Ripe berries with vanilla, mint, oak, eucalyptus and tobacco highlight the flavors with a medium intensity.  The finish is decently long in length and turns a touch tart whilst thinning out a bit.  The richnesss and intensity of this wine is a touch shy of where I was expecting it to be considering the other bottles I have tried from this winery.  It’s a good drop mind you and gets 91 points from me.  Listing at $80 it becomes a 3 star effort in IMHO.  I think it has some cellaring capacity and should drink nicely till 2028.  Salut….

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Vina Requingua ‘Toro de Piedra’ Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Curico Valley, Chile

02 Monday Sep 2024

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$15, 5 stars, 91 points, cabernet sauvignon, chile, curico valley


Medium ruby colored with slight staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of mint, graphite, black plum, black cherry, blackberry, bramble and vanilla.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body and medium (+) tannins that are chalky.  The herbal notes take center stage followed by black fruit and then some coffee, oak, vanilla, and dark chocolate.  The finish has a very nice mouthfeel with the chalky tannins interwoven with fruit.  It’s a very decent drop and will develop with some cellaring.  Drink this 91 point effort till 2028.  I paid $15 which makes it a 5 star wine.  Salut….

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Fox Run Vineyards Silvan Riesling 2021, Seneca Lake, New York

31 Saturday Aug 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 91 points, finger lakes, New York, riesling


Pale gold with a watery sheen (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of petrol, tangerine pith, peach, apricot, white and orange blossom.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  Flavors of peach, apricot, tangerine pith (with its associated bitterness), some toast and white blossom.  I was hoping for some petrol notes, but alas I may have to wait a few years for that to develop on the palate.  The acidity is cutting on the back-end where the finish is medium in length and a touch astringent.  It’s a nice drop for sure- 91 points worth and for the $20 price point it gets 5 stars.  Drink till 2030.   Salut….

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Errazuriz Max Reserva Carmenere 2020, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

30 Friday Aug 2024

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$14, 5 stars, 91 points, Aconcagua valley, carmenere, chile


Deep ruby colored, bordering on ink with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of coffee, black plum, green asparagus, dark chocolate, cracked pepper and baking spices.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and medium tannins that are soft and caressing.  Flavors of black plum, cracked pepper, coffee, dark chocolate, green olive and baking spice along with the varietal telltale- a slight green vegetal note.  The finish is medium in length and has rich coffee and dark chocolate notes.  It’s a perfect wine for Peppercorn Steak.  91 points from me for this  $14 bottle makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2028.  Salut….

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Kia Ora Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand

27 Tuesday Aug 2024

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$14, 5 stars, 91 points, marlborough, new zealand, Sauvignon blanc


Very pale lemon colored with titanium highlights and a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose has intense aromas of lime zest, lime, cut grass, asparagus, white blossom, orange blossom, hints of peach, grapefruit and sea spray.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  The citrus driven nose is echoed on the palate with some green notes, stone fruit and florals.  It’s a flavor driven wine for sure- delicious and refreshing with the cutting acidity.  The finish is quite long and tangy.  I paid $14 for this bottle that gets 91 points from me making it a 5 star effort to drink in the near term.  I’m frying up some Mahi Mahi and roasted veggies to pair.  Salut….

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Bodega Gaintza ‘Gaintza’ 2021, Getariako Txakolina, Spain

13 Tuesday Aug 2024

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$20, 5 stars, 91 points, getariako txakolina, gros manseng, hondarabi zuri, spain


Pale to medium lemon colored with high viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of lanolin, lemon curd, grapefruit zest and pith, orange blossom, salted caramel, peach, melon and cantaloupe.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a light body.  I don’t see any spritz in the glass but the wine tingles my tongue ever so slightly which is a feature of this region/varietal.  Citrus dominates with sea spray, blossom, peach and melon supporting.  It has a zingy finish that lasts medium in length for the flavor but long with the acidity.  It’s a very refreshing wine to pair with seafood, especially on a hot day.  I’m baking Mahi Mahi filets and this is going to work a treat.  Overall, this $20 gets high marks with me at 91 points and 5 stars.  I would drink till 2026.  85% Hondarrabi Zuri, 15% Gros Manseng.  Salut….

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Doolhof Dark Lady of the Labyrinth Pinotage 2020, Wellington, South Africa

04 Sunday Aug 2024

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$22, 5 stars, 91 points, Pinotage, South Africa, wellington


Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of coffee, dark chocolate, blackberry, bramble, creosote, red licorice and acai berry.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium body and medium tannins.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of coffee and dark chocolate greet me followed by less prominent dark fruit notes and some red licorice.  The tannins are silky yet textured and have a delightful mouthfeel.  The finish is medium (+) in length and focuses on coffee and acai berry flavors.  It turns a touch tart right at the end.  Yummy stuff I am pairing with roast Duck.  91 points, drink till 2026.  For $22, this is a delicious wine worthy of 5 stars.  Salut….

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Groth Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Napa Valley, California

14 Sunday Jul 2024

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$34, 4 stars, 91 points, california, Napa, Sauvignon blanc, semillon


Pale lime colored with platinum highlights and a watery sheen (14% ABV). The nose has intense aromas of cut grass, passion fruit, guava, papaya, lemon, jalapeno, lemon verbena and white blossom. The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium body. Medium (+) intensity flavors echo the scents. A medium (+) length finish makes me reach for more. 91 points from me for this $34 bottle makes it a 4 star effort to drink till 2029.  Salut….

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