Tag Archives: 92 points

Glenelly Estate Reserve Red 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

09 Friday Aug 2024

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Deep ruby, inky in fact, with high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of cassis, blackberry compote, mint, violets, tobacco, coffee, vanilla, baking spice, Rooibos tea, acai berry, blueberry and a medicinal note.  Quite layered and developing.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium tannins that have melded nicely.  Charred oak is the first thing I taste followed by ripe blackberry, cassis, blueberry, acai berry, vanilla, mint, Rooibos tea and that medicinal note (from oak).  The finish is medium (+) in length and focuses on the charred oak notes.  I like this blend of 43% Cab Sav, 21% Merlot, 15% Syrah, 11% Petit Verdot and 10% Cab Franc- it’s silky and layered reminding me of an aged Bordeaux.  It will develop more and last till 2030 methinks, getting 92 points and for $20- 5 stars.  It begs for a meat stew or grilled game.  Imma stock up on this beauty.  Salut….

Domaine Bernard Serveau Les Sentiers 2009, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru, Burgundy, France

06 Tuesday Aug 2024

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I took this bottle to a meeting of fellow sommeliers where one of our own was practicing for a presentation exam.  No notes were taken but I will say that this wine has finally hit its stride.  Beautifully balanced with gentle acidity, fully melded tannins, a medium (-) body and loads of tertiary notes alongside plenty of primary and secondary notes.  It is probably close to peak and will age gracefully for another decade.  Delicious stuff that I reviewed three other times, with different scores each tasting.  I feel this is the time for this wine, it is hitting on all cylinders.  92 points from me for this $70 bottle makes it a 4 star effort.  Salut….

Yacoubian-Hobbs Dry Areni 2018, Vayots Dzor, Armenia

27 Saturday Jul 2024

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A new-to-me variety, the Areni from Armenia was simply stunning.  I had no idea what to expect and this wine/varietal is now on my list of favorites.  Pale ruby bordering on garnet with slight staining and high viscosity (14% ABV).  At first whiff I got a blast of pepper, followed by floral notes, raisins and walnuts.  I was a bit perturbed by the lack of obvious fruit and concerned that I had picked an over-the-hill bottle to sample.  Alas the palate showed us what this wine is all about.  Low acidity, medium body and low tannins made for a gorgeous mouthfeel.  Very delicate yet enticing.  Raisins, stewed raspberry, walnuts, baked plum, leather and spice showed me this wine is maturing nicely and developing tertiary notes whilst shedding its youthful fruit. The finish was medium (+) in length and beckoned for me to taste more.  It’s not gonna last so drink this 92 point beauty now, alone.  If you must pair it then do so delicately.  Pork, chicken or other low fat, neutral flavored food would do the trick.  For $35 it gets 5 stars.  Loved it.  Salut….

Melville Estate Pinot Noir 2021, Sta Rita Hills, California

27 Saturday Jul 2024

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We tasted this $40 Pinot at our virtual wine tasting.  Stunningly delicious- it is pale garnet with high viscosity (14% ABV).  On the nose the tasters found it a touch jammy with barnyard, cherry, (pickles), leather, pomegranate, stewed strawberry and a touch of oak by way of vanilla and baking spice.  On the palate it has medium acidity, a medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins.  Plum jam, cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, stewed strawberry all lead up to a long finish.  I gave it 92 points and on our group scale- 16/20.  Drink this 5 star bottle till 2030.  Salut….

Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella 2019, Ripasso Superiore Veneto, Italy

18 Thursday Jul 2024

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Medium ruby colored with copper highlights, slight staining and medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum, prune, black raisin, acacia tree planks, band aid, coffee, a medicinal note, blackberry jam and dried herbs.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body and medium tannins that are silky.  The flavors echo the nose and are medium in intensity but leaning more to the jammy blackberry, black plum and medicinal notes.  It’s delicious and far better than the last vintage I drank- this one is layered and inviting.  A perfect pairing for grilled Rosemary Lamb Chops methinks.  I’m going with 92 points on this $26 bottle, making it a 5 star effort to drink ill 2030.  Salut….

Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827 Sweet Sherry NV, Andalucia, Spain

30 Sunday Jun 2024

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Deep amber colored with heavy staining and a high viscosity (17% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of stewed prunes, dried nuts, desiccated blueberry, vanilla thread, raisins, Christmas cake and cherry cola syrup.  The palate is very sweet, with medium acidity and a full body that sits heavily on the tongue.  The flavors echo the nose with a touch of heat interfering on the back end.  It’s a luscious wine for sure that has a medium to long finish.  I would pair it with vanilla ice cream or a cheese board with some stinky blue on it.  Delicious stuff but a thimble-full will go a long way.  92 points, and for $32 it gets 5 stars.  Salut….

Domane Wachau – Freie Weingartner Bruck Riesling Federspiel 2021, Wachau, Austria

11 Tuesday Jun 2024

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Pale lemon colored with medium viscosity (12.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of petrol, white blossom, lime pith, lemon zest, grapefruit, peach and crunchy yellow apple.  The palate is dry with high acidity and a medium (-) body.  Crisp flavors of lemon zest, grapefruit, white peach, petrol, flint and melon.  The finish is zesty and refreshing with nice cut and medium length flavors that caress.  It’s a delicious and lithe expression of Riesling that I have chilled nicely to pair with baked Salmon and Tortellini salad.  92 points from me for this $38 effort makes it 5 star wine to drink till 2035.  It should evolve nicely.  Salut….

Pecchenino Botti Langhe Nebbiolo 2021, Piedmont, Italy

20 Monday May 2024

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I wanted to introduce our tasting group to young Nebbiolo without the price tag of a Barolo, nor the monster structure of one that is not yet ready to drink.  The answer lay in Langhe where this grape is made in a more approachable and affordable style.  Pale garnet colored with high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose had medium (+) intensity aromas of forest, messy floor (!), stinky feet (not my descriptors!), chocolate covered cherry, strawberry, flint, anise, tobacco, smoke, green and floral.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium body and medium (+) tannins that are starting to soften.  Cherry tart, tobacco, black tea, forest floor and mushrooms with a long finish.  At $27, it’s an excellent value bottle to showcase the wonderful tastes and structure of this alluring grape.  I gave it 18/20 points on our grading scale making it my #2 wine of the night.  Technically speaking I scored it 92 points and 4 stars.  Drink till 2030 with pasta.  Salut….

Trivento Golden Reserve Black Series Malbec 2021, Uco Valley, Argentina

15 Wednesday May 2024

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Deep ruby with high viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of mulberry, pie crust, vanilla, oak and steeped black plum.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (+) body and medium (-) tannins.  The flavors are quite pronounced with dark fruit dominating the very well integrated oak treatment- it’s a pleasure.  Charcoal and Lapsang Souchong tea add a new dimension.  It’s a young wine with some cellaring capacity that will reward over the medium term.  I’m loving it, even more so than when previously drinking gallons of this brand, always delicious.  92 points from me for this $20 bottle makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2030.  Salut….. 

Kir-Yianni ‘The Fallen Oak’ 2019, PGI Imathia, Macedonia, Greece

23 Tuesday Apr 2024

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Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose of this Xinomavro, Merlot and Syrah blend has medium (-) intensity aromas of black raspberry, black plum, lilac, mulberry, licorice, coffee, vanilla and bilberry.  It’s quite an interesting nose that gains some power as it opens.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are a touch green.  Flavors of blackberry, bilberry, black raspberry, plum with coffee, vanilla and a hint of purple licorice are balanced by the firm structure of tannins and acidity.  It’s a pretty bold wine with nice fruit that lingers on a medium length finish.  The tannins are the last to bow out leaving my mouth slightly dried out but wanting more.  I am mixing up some Chimmichurri to go with cast-iron prepared Hanger steaks with Korean sweet potatoes and green beans, should work a treat.  92 points from me for this $20 effort makes it a 5 star wine to buy again.   Drink till 2028.  Salut….