Tag Archives: 92 points

Tasca d’Almerita Tenuta Regaleali Cabernet Sauvignon Sicilia IGT 2016, Sicily, Italy

22 Sunday Nov 2020

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The finale for the 12th virtual wine tasting was a stunner. Dark purple, opaque and very powerful on the nose. Spice box, vanilla, cocoa powder, black cherry and jam were all noted as was, dare I say- plastic and banana. The palate gave us black fruit jam, black tea bursting with beautiful tannins that really coated the mouth. This wine was delicious and I made note that the oak use was very judicious and well played. There was a shot of pepper on the short finish, which took a few points off the table. Still young, it will develop nicely and drink well till 2030. I’m going lower than the pros with 92 points and 5 stars. $50 is not cheap, but this wine has loads of stuffing to it and will get better with time. Salut….

Pulenta Estate Malbec I 2017, Agrelo, Argentina

22 Sunday Nov 2020

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This Malbec was the Wine of the Night (WOTN) for many at the 12th virtual wine tasting. We enjoyed menthol, lilac, raspberry, Damson plum, smoke tar, leather, violets and gravel on the nose. That’s a lot of descriptors. On the palate it is very fruity with just enough tannic grip to give it structure. Plums, dark fruit, licorice and ‘Cognac’ flavors were noted and I felt the wine had a jammy concentration to it. There was a definitive jab of acidity on the decent length finish and the wine had a very pleasing mouthfeel. It was elegant and full of flavor making it the go-to drink after the tasting was over. Well made and worthy of 92 points from me which gets it 5 stars for the $25 price tag. Drink till 2025. Salut….

Chateau Lynch-Bages 2007, Pauillac, France

10 Tuesday Nov 2020

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Dark purple and opaque.  The nose has a dusty waft to it that took a bit of swirling to dissipate.  Cedar shake, plum reduction and toasted pine nuts finally come through. On the palate it is very smooth with a concentrated core of blueberry, cassis, cedar, tobacco and leather- classic Pauillac.  The wine picks up some dusty tannins on the mid palate and the fruit gets concentrated and focused.  The tertiary flavors take a back seat temporarily while the blueberry and cassis really shine.  The finish is a touch tart with some rooibos tea along with the fruit theme that has persisted along with some oaky vanilla.  It’s still young with staying power .  Drink till 2027.  92 points and 4 stars for this $135 Fifth Growth. Salut….

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Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Chardonnay 2016, Alexander Valley, USA

09 Monday Nov 2020

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The 11th Virtual Wine tasting opened up with this Chardonnay from California. Tasted at room temperature first it gave the tasters: Butter, vanilla, buttered popcorn.  Butterscotch.  Honeysuckle, floral.  Orange blossom.  On the palate- Waxy, caramel, pear, Medium length with a pleasant finish.

The chilled version got passion fruit, green apple, toast, ‘crisper’, buttery, star fruit.  On the palate: hazelnut, slightly bitter on the finish, like grapefruit.  Pith of lemon from our MD friend.  Lemon drop, not too sweet.  Butterscotch.  Full bodied with just a smidge of acidity.

For me this wine was delicious on day 1 and even better the following night. I preferred it at room temperature when we first tasted but the chilled bottle was even more impressive on night 2. 92 points from me which coincides with the pros. For $25 it’s a nice, rich Chardonnay that delivers complexity and gets 5 stars from me. Think grilled Salmon or Salad Nićoise with this one. Drink till 2027. Salut….

Cakebread Cellars Estate Vineyards ‘Vaca’ Red Blend 2015, Napa Valley, USA

09 Monday Nov 2020

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Inky and opaque in the glass.  The nose is spicy and layered with black fruit, graphite and violets.  On the palate it is very fruit driven but packs a nice tannic punch.  Black currants, Blackberry jam, coffee bean and some vanilla.  The tannins are quite present but not overly dry.  The midpalate shows off layers of fruit, complexity and structure.  The black theme continues but the tannins are really starting to grip.  The finish is long, nuanced and full of flavor.  There’s a definite oak influence and I’m sensing the alcohol- which turns out to be 15.4%. It’s not an issue but just be careful!  I’m loving this wine for its bright Cali sunshine, it’s fruit forward style and it’s structure.  Drink till 2030.  92 points and 4 stars for this limited production charmer that normally retails for $75. It’s mainly Cab Sav with 6% Cab Franc and 3% Merlot. Pair with Steaks. Salut….

KWV ‘The Mentors’ Orchestra Red Blend 2017, Paarl, South Africa

21 Wednesday Oct 2020

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Inky and opaque is this Bordeaux blend.  On the nose I am treated to a melange of cassis, plums, blackberry and delicious oak.  The palate is exactly what I was hoping for- rich, warm and layered with all those black fruits, very integrated tannins and a mound of acidity.  This wine is very powerful and thick with fruit flavors, balancing doses of tannin and acidity and just the right amount of wood to make it very pleasing.  The mid palate gets quite a bit more focused on the structure of the wine- the acidity really playing hell with my jaw and the tannins really starting to grip.  If you’re looking for an unabashed wine that will pair well with game, grilled Ribeyes or a heavy pasta dish- this is it.  The finish reminds me of young Claret, the fruit being masked by the power of the structural components.  It will cellar nicely till 2030.  92 points from me for this $22 stunner that gets 5 stars. Salut….

Chateau Montelena The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Napa Valley, USA

16 Friday Oct 2020

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Super purple in the glass, inky and opaque AF.  On the nose I get black currants, smoky oak, vanilla and a touch of cassis.  On the palate it’s fresh, young and layered.  Black fruits galore with a hint of licorice.  The fruit is sweet yet the wine is dry- like ripe and sun drenched.  The tannins creep in very slowly and I start to pucker at the mid palate and am fully aware of their presence by the finish.  They are really well integrated and fine grained.  Gobs more black fruit, a hint of eucalyptus and some oak round this wine out.  The finish is long and dry.  Delightfully rich, decadent even- this wine has a really nice mouthfeel and is brimming with Napa charm.  92 points from me and at $140 it’s a 4 star gem.  Drink till 2030 with grilled meat, rich cheeses. A super yummy wine. Salut….

Fattoria La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2013, Tuscany, Italy

28 Monday Sep 2020

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Pale red, absolutely see through.  Strawberries, cherry twizlers and earthy minerality on the nose.  The palate is very racy- the theme continues with red fruits, some sour cranberry to boot and nice fine grained tannins.  There’s a juicy acidity that gives the wine a nice cutting edge.  Right now the mid palate ramps up the concentration of fruit flavors, really red and smooth.  The acidity is on pointe giving me a nice mouthfeel.  The finish is medium in length with a delightful combo of  cranberry, rhubarb, cherry, oak and crunchy tannins.  Delicious, if not a touch young.  Drink till 2028.  92 points.  It’s a 5 star effort at $35, worthy of cellaring a few bottles.  Salut….

Turley Wine Cellars Bechtoldt Vineyard Cinsault 2018, Lodi, USA

30 Sunday Aug 2020

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I wanted to introduce a pure Cinsault to our wine tasting group.  It’s a very difficult grape to source as a standalone because it’s traditionally a blending grape.  I have had some delicious wines that rely heavily on Cinsault, which reminds me of Pinot Noir in its structure and finesse.  In fact- Pinotage is a cross of the two grape varietals.

The wine is very pale red and see-through.  The nose gave us cigar box, perfume, cherry, raspberry, cedar, black cherry, maple syrup, mulling spices, strawberry and cardamom.  The palate was peppery with black cherry, jello, earth, pomegranate, violets and was considered ‘spicy’.

I thoroughly enjoyed this lighter style of wine that had gentle tannins, decent acidity and a really nice mouthfeel.  92 points from me for this $25 charmer that gets 5 stars.  Drink with lighter fare till 2028.  Salut….

Bodegas Muga Seleccion Especial Reserva 2015, Rioja DOCa, Spain

28 Friday Aug 2020

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It’s a very bright, shimmery purple in the glass with thin legs showing off the potent 14.5% kick.  The nose is classic Rioja- dark plums, bramble, well integrated oak and currants of the black kind.  The palate is very smooth, with delicious black fruit components, leather, well ingrained tannins and a touch of acidity.  The earthiness of the wine is somewhat subdued, making way for the concentration of black currants, blackberries and mouth coating tannins.  The mid palate is really full bodied with black fruits galore, dry mouthfeel from the beautiful tannins and just enough acidity to make my jaw water.  The finish is longish and really dry.  Iodine and plum reduction come to mind.  Oak is ever present and the tannins go on forever.  This is a well made wine built for the long haul and some serious, juicy steaks.  Drink till 2035.  92 points and for $40, 5 stars.  Read all about the 2010 vintage here.  Salut….