Tag Archives: 92 points

Rustenberg Chardonnay 2021, Stellenbosch, South Africa

31 Tuesday Oct 2023

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Pale lemon with a watery sheen (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of marzipan, white blossom, persimmon, yuzu, brioche, lemon pith and orange zest.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body.  Fresh citrus mingled with airy florals, marzipan, a hint of brioche and some stone fruit.  It’s really crisp and refreshing and finishes medium in length.  I paid $22 and give it 92 points.  Tonight it gets paired with Shrimp Creole and gets 5 stars from me.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Raymond Vineyard Reserve Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Napa Valley, California,

29 Sunday Oct 2023

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Medium to deep ruby with high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of black cherry, blackberry, charred oak, sweet cassis, chocolate powder, baking spices and a hint of vanilla bean.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (+) tannins that are silky.  The full body of this wine is layered with ripe black fruit, chocolate, vanilla, some coffee and baking spices.  The blackberry and cassis notes carry the finish to a long length and allow the gentle acidity and delightful tannins to caress my palate.  It’s a really delicious wine with a very nice mouthfeel.  92 points from me for this $37 effort makes it a 5 star wine to drink with hearty meat dishes till 2030.  Salut….

i-Latina La Armonia Vineyard Petit Verdot 2020, Curico Valley, Chile

02 Monday Oct 2023

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Deep ruby with inky highlights and a high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has gorgeous aromas of ripe blackberry, menthol, eucalyptus, violet, charred oak, acai berry, black plum and coffee.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium tannins on top of a full body.  The flavors are delicious, ripe and inviting.  Black fruit, eucalyptus and violets, oak nuance and a medium length finish make this a yummy wine that gets 92 points from me.  It will drink nicely till 2028 and I would pair it with Filet and béarnaise.  For $16, this is a stunner that gets 5 stars from me- I need to order more.  Salut….

Camille Benitah Limite Red 2020, Paso Robles, California

16 Saturday Sep 2023

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Medium ruby colored with high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of red plum, pomegranate, violet, meat, blackberry jam and a creme de menthe hint.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium tannins that are plush.  This blend of Cabernet, Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Mourvedre, Carignan and Primitivo is very smooth with ripe fruit and subtle nuances from each grape.  It shows the warmth of the region in the way the fruit is sweet but there is no residual sugar.  The full body is lush and coats my palate with beautiful layers- delicious stuff.  The finish is long and somewhat dry but not astringent, the tannins are en pointe.  This $15 offering gets 92 points from me and will be paired with grilled burgers tonight.  5 stars, drink till 2027.  Salut….

True Oak Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Oak Knoll, California

14 Thursday Sep 2023

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Deep purple/ruby with medium viscosity (13.8% ABV).  The nose has intense aromas of mint, blackberry, black plum, anise, baking spice and cocoa.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins.   The fruit is very ripe so the flavors of this medium bodied wine are almost sweet but I doubt there is any RS.  Blackberry, cassis, black plum, mint and dark chocolate are cloaked in very supple and smooth tannins that carry this wine to a long finish.  I like it- 92 points worth.  This $40 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Oak Knoll region of Napa Valley.  It is delicious and gets 5 stars from me.  I’m pairing it with rack of Lamb.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….

Clos Pegase Mitsuko’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2021, Carneros, California

07 Thursday Sep 2023

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Pale gold colored with a watery sheen showing medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose is clean with pinpoint aromas of lemon zest, white blossom, pineapple, nutmeg, honeysuckle and grapefruit.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a waxy, full-bodied mouthfeel.  Citrus and tropical fruit with white blossom and honeysuckle- but there’s something else.  I don’t get the traditional over-the-top MLF notes, nor is the wine over-oaked but I get hints on both Malo and oak along with some lees stirring, but it’s deftly done.  A very subtle chardonnay from Carneros that gets 92 points from me.  At $20 a pop it gets 5 stars.  I’m pairing with grilled pork chops and Jollof rice.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Mission Estate Winery Reserve Syrah 2020, Gimblett Gravels, New Zealand

31 Thursday Aug 2023

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Deep purple with medium viscosity and slight staining (14% ABV).  The nose gives me medium intensity aromas of blueberry, açaí berries, black plum, pepper, vanilla and cardamom. The aromas are very pinpoint.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) tannins that are very smooth like powder, and a full body. Dark fruit with florals and sweet oak make for a very smooth and delicious palate.  The finish is quite long and reveals a core of rich, ripe blueberry wrapped with those powdery tannins- a delicious drop that gets 92 points from me.  Drink this $20 wine till 2030.  Purchased in the UK, wishing we had it over here in ‘murica cause it’s a 5 star wine.  Salut….

Tenuta di Renieri Chianti Classico DOCG 2020, Tuscany, Italy

18 Friday Aug 2023

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Medium ruby colored with some slight staining and medium viscosity (14% ABV).  Aromas of cherry, tar, damp leaf and charred oak with loganberry and anise supporting.  The palate is dry with high viscosity and med (+) tannins that are a touch hard.  The enamel on my teeth is begging for mercy.  A rather full body will certainly fool the uninitiated- just because it’s not a dark and opaque red doesn’t mean it can’t have a kick.  The slightly tart red fruit is evident as is the oak and some searing tannins on the mid palate.  Young, this one needs a few years to mellow out and start tertiary development as well softening of the tannins.  It should age particularly well considering its towering structure with a drinking window of 2026-2033.  I will be generous and see into my crystal ball- 92 points for $20 this Sangiovese gets it 5 stars, just give it time.  Pasta is an obvious choice, as is grilled red meat with good marbling.  Salut….

Chateau Destieux 2015, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France

14 Monday Aug 2023

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Deep ink/ruby colored with high viscosity (14.5% ABV) and slight staining on the walls. The nose gives me aromas of blackberry compote, charcoal, black raspberry, mint, rooibos tea, blueberry jam and vanilla bean.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and high tannins.  A full body with lush flavors of ripe black fruit, oak influence and some tea- rooibos and black.  The tannins are a touch chalky and young.  There is a tartness on the mid palate that carries through to the long finish.  This wine has a good pedigree that will allow it to age gracefully, for now it is still youthful.  Drink this 92 point Merlot blend till 2032.  I’m grilling super thick Strip steaks on the charcoal and pairing some roasted King Oyster mushrooms.  We bough this bottle in St. Emilion, a beautiful town btw.  It’s not widely available but if my memory serves- $60 making it a 4 star wine.  Salut….

Hermann J. Wiemer HJW Vineyard Riesling 2019, Finger Lakes, New York

09 Wednesday Aug 2023

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Pale lemon/lime colored with a watery sheen (12.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon peel, crushed seashells, tangerine pith, peach and a slight hint of petroleum (I had to really look for that one).  The palate is dry with high acidity and a light body.  The citrus, minerality and hint of stone fruit are evident alongside some quince.  It is very refreshing and the acidic cut is very precise.  The finish is medium in length and makes me clamber for another sip, it’s really yummy on a hot summer day.  I would pair this 92 point wine with Alfredo, grilled shrimp or even roasted Pork belly.  For $38 this delicious Riesling gets 5 stars from me.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….