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Tag Archives: 92 points

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

09 Monday Nov 2020

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$75, 4 stars, 92 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa


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….

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

21 Wednesday Oct 2020

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$22, 5 stars, 92 points, cabernet sauvignon, Malbec, merlot, paarl, petit verdot, shiraz, South Africa


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….

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

16 Friday Oct 2020

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$140, 4 stars, 92 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa, napa cabernet


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….

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

28 Monday Sep 2020

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$35, 5 stars, 92 points, Italy, sangiovese, tuscany


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….

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Turley Wine Cellars Bechtoldt Vineyard Cinsault 2018, Lodi, USA

30 Sunday Aug 2020

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$25, 5 stars, 92 points, california, Cinsault, Lodi, VWTC


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….

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Bodegas Muga Seleccion Especial Reserva 2015, Rioja DOCa, Spain

28 Friday Aug 2020

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$40, 5 stars, 92 points, garnacha, mazuelo, rioja, spain, tempranillo


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….

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Penner-Ash Wine Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2017, Oregon, USA

09 Sunday Aug 2020

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$35, $7, 5 stars, 92 points, oregon, pinot noir, VWTC, willamette valley


The star of the #7 virtual wine tasting event was this Pinot Noir for most of the attendees.  Dark cherry, cedar, cola, forest floor, chocolate, pepper, Rooibos tea, nutmeg cloves and Intensity were all mentioned.

I found this wine to be more of my style in Pinot offerings.  A blend of Old and New world, fruity yet earthy.  Not over the top, but still powerful and elegant.  I love drinking Pinots in the summer, it’s a great time for a more restrained wine before we get into the cold weather and big heavy Cabs.  This wine would pair beautifully with pork, a roast chicken, filet or even a mushroom tart.  Loved it.  92 points from me and at $35, 5 stars and a buy-by-case recommendation.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

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Hartford Family Winery Hartford Court Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2018, Sonoma County, USA

29 Wednesday Jul 2020

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$30, $6, 5 stars, 92 points, california, pinot noir, Russian river valley, Sonoma, VWTC


Typical for the varietal, it shows a semi opaque light purple color in the glass.  The nose is stunning- cherries, cinnamon, blackberry.  On the palate this wine is fruity, New World in style but somewhat restrained.  Red fruit galore, some pepper and a hint of upfront acidity.  The midpalate gives me cherry jam, some cedar and an intro to the very lithe tannins.  This is some lip smacking juice people, absolutely delicious with a very nice mouthfeel and great balance.  The finish is medium in length, juicy with some sour cherry and mid length.  For $30 this is a great Pinot from one of my favorite wine making regions, the Russian River Valley.  92 points from me and 5 stars, buy it by the case.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….

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Tenuta di Nozzole Riserva 2016, Chianti Classico DOCG, Italy

28 Sunday Jun 2020

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$23, 5 stars, 92 points, chianti classico, Italy, sangiovese


For thew 4th Virtual Tasting event I wanted a Sangiovese to go alongside the Pinot Noir I was planning to showcase.  I find the two varietals very similar in many traits, so the the challenge was to find a decent, ready to drink Chianti that hopefully would show off the core characteristics of the grape.  This one turned out to be too young, subdued and not very forthcoming with fruit albeit with strong structure.  It scored well with the pros but came in a very disappointing last place overall amongst our group.  The wine showed well in the glass, more opaque than I had expected but the nose was very hard to coax any cherry flavors out of.  Moxie noted salt on her initial sniff.  It did not open up much on the palate but did have a tannic backbone masking the fruit.  Acidity was medium but not overpowering.  I remember thinking this wine had a good dose of oak, charcoal and tobacco.  I did not write up any further notes but remember  the finish was not very satisfying or long.  It’s a shame as the big boys averaged 92 points.  I feel it might need a re-tasting in the future once it has mellowed out.  I will reserve judgement for now.  I paid $23 which would have technically made it a 5 star wine.  Salut….

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Clarendon Hills Piggott Range Syrah 2010, McLaren Vale, Australia

18 Thursday Jun 2020

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$100, 4 stars, 92 points, australia, mclaren vale, shiraz, syrah


I love this winery, they make very Old World style Syrah in Australia that is very rich, extracted but not jammy.  This one happens to be a younger version of the 2006 Syrah.

It’s very inky and opaque in the glass.  The nose is brooding, and the 14.5% alcohol is evident.  Black plums, dark fruit melange and spicy oak are all present.  With a good deal more swirling I get violets, Boysenberry and a charred note.  On the palate it is very juicy right off the bat.  Figs, blackberry and espresso hit my palate alongside some slightly green tannins and a nice acidic cut.  The mid palate is quite focused on that tartness alongside a blueberry meets plum note.  Tannins take a step back while the acidity plays lead.  The finish is long, mouthwatering and modestly dry.  Black fruits dominate the back end with some Mocha, licorice and that burnt wood note.  I think I preferred the 2006, but this is a very tasty wine that I feel is acid dominated and slightly off balance.  Drink till 2026.  For $100, it’s quite pricy which gets 92 points and 4 stars from me.  Salut….

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