Tag Archives: 92 points

Maxville Lake Winery ‘Maxville’ Cabernet Franc 2015, Napa Valley, California

04 Friday Nov 2022

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Medium garnet colored this Cab Franc has pretty thin, slow moving legs (14.5% ABV). The nose gives me medium intensity aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, coconut, cedar plank, toasty oak, chocolate powder, blueberry jam and some brioche/yeast notes.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and super smooth medium tannins.  The wine coats my mouth and is full bodied with rich blueberry flavors.  The red fruit are there but not as prominent.  Toasty oak and some cocoa with a hint of coconut round out the palate.  The finish is medium-ish and very caressing- the tannins are fully melded in this 7 year old wine that is drinking en pointe.  It is delicious and will pair beautifully with my Hangar steaks and mashed taters.  92 points from me for this $57 offering that gets 5 stars.  Drink till 2025.  Salut….

i-Latina La Armonia Vineyard Syrah 2019, Curico Valley, Chile

21 Friday Oct 2022

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Medium ruby in the glass with thick legs (13.5% ABV).  On the nose I get eucalyptus, menthol, black plum, perfume, super-ripe black currants and vanilla.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, gorgeously smooth medium (+) tannins and a full body.  Flavors of blackcurrant, black plum, vanilla and a hint of menthol all intertwine around a lovely mouthfeel.  This is a very tasty Syrah folks, with good structure built for the medium term.  With a medium length finish I get loads of fruit and fading tannins.  It begs for Pepper Steak and a side of gratin potatoes.  I would drink this 92 point Syrah till 2027.  For $17 it gets 5 stars and possibly a cellar stock-up.  Salut….

Maxville Lake Winery ‘Maxville’ Petit Sirah 2016, Napa Valley, California

15 Saturday Oct 2022

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Inky purple in the glass with noticeable stains on the side walls.  Aromas of very ripe blackberry, charred oak, black cherry coulis, dark chocolate, a medicinal note (Oak?) and cracked pepper.  Th palate is dry with medium acidity and high tannins.  Full bodied and oozing with rich flavors of ripe black fruit and charred oak.  The medicinal note I got is there as is the dark chocolate.  The teeth staining tannins are very persistent throughout to a medium length finish.  I love this varietal and really enjoy this winery- a winning combination that makes this a 92 point wine imho.  You can find it for $53 online, making it a 4 star wine.  I am pairing with Rib Roast and all the trimmings.  Drink till 2030.  Salut…..

Chateau De La Huste 2019, Fronsac, France

13 Thursday Oct 2022

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Rich ruby colored and about 75% opaque.  The nose has enticing aromas of black plum, cassis, blackberry, menthol, vanilla, coffee, mocha.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (+) tannins.  They are well integrated but still grippy.  Flavors of cassis and plum dominate but I get blackberry with oak influence and some green pepper alongside the menthol.  Full bodied it carries on to a long finish.  This is textbook Right Bank Merlot with a dash of Cabernet Franc- delicious and reasonably priced at $25.  I like it and think it is worthy of 92 points and 5 stars.  I’m searing some Hangar steaks with Gratin Potatoes to pair.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

VIK ‘Milla Cala’ 2018, Cachapoal Valley, Chile

09 Tuesday Aug 2022

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It’s not often we get all four of my kids together, but when we do it’s off for a big night out.  This adventure took us to a Brazilian Steakhouse where the waiter completely butchered the opening, serving and cork removing of this spectacular wine.  Without taking any notes I will say that for $45 you are getting a super smooth Bordeaux Blend from Chile that has very soft, integrated tannins, medium acidity, full body, a long finish and a melange of fruit, oak and tertiary aromas and flavors.  A stunning wine that went beautifully with all the different cuts of beef, pork, lamb and sausage we gorged on.  The structure of this wine makes it perfect for immediate pleasure, but I would not cellar it too long, say till 2025 for this vintage.  A real surprise and a treat. 92 points and 5 stars.  Salut….

William Gordon Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Alexander Valley, California

02 Tuesday Aug 2022

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Opaque- deep, deep ruby which is surprising for a 10 year old wine.  Slow moving legs in the glass hint at the 14.5% ABV.  The nose has freshness- dark plum, vanilla, blackberry, cassis, menthol, tomato leaf and a green herbaceous note.  The palate is dry, tart from medium (+) acidity and balanced with medium (+) tannins which are still quite grippy.  Full bodied, this wine coats my mouth with rich flavors of blackberry, cassis, black plum.  The oak shines with vanilla whilst the menthol, tomato leaf and green notes all support.  It’s a precise wine with delineation between all the flavors and aromas.  It finishes rather short but it is balanced.  I like it, as I like most of this winery’s offering (especially their Petite Sirah).  92 points from me for this $50 bottle makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2030.  We are firing up the charcoal for some Cowboy steaks and potato wedges which is funny because the last time I drank this wine we also had beef and potatoes.  Read about my 2020 tasting here.  Salut….

Schug Winemaker’s Reserve Pinot Noir 2009, Carneros, California

31 Sunday Jul 2022

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This is the last of my 2009 Schug Pinot.  I first drank it 10 years ago and really enjoyed it. With cellaring this wine has turned to a pale garnet color.  I get pronounced aromas of stewed cherry and strawberry, bakers spice, cardamom, orange peel, cherry cola, vanilla, butterscotch/caramel and red plum compote.  Very complex and intriguing.  The palate is dry and delicious.  Low tannins coupled with medium acidity and medium (-) body lead me to quite pronounced flavors of cooked red fruit, spices, oak nuance and tertiary notes along with the cola and caramel.  The finish is medium in length and very smooth.  I have been amazed at how this wine has evolved- stunning, with years left.  Drink till 2026 with white meat or even strong fish dishes- think grilled Mackerel or Salmon on the plank.  92 points and for $35 it gets 5 stars.  Salut….

Remi Niero Condrieu Chery 2019, Rhone, France

17 Sunday Jul 2022

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The 28th episode of our virtual wine tasting group kicked off last night with this Viognier from the Northern Rhone appellation of Condrieu.  We tasted it at room temp first, followed by a chilled version.  Medium straw colored this 15% ABV wine had a beautiful sheen to it in the glass.  The nose was interesting- honeysuckle, pineapple, apricot, pear, nutmeg, honeycomb and a burnt smell plus the sensation it was going to be waxy.  On the palate it was dry with low acidity.  I noted it was very smooth, others remarked that it was waxy.  Full bodied the main fruit note we got was a lingering apricot note and some buttery components.  The finish was long.  I gave it 18 points on our grading scale.

The chilled version had aromas of brioche, citrus, honeydew and pear.  The palate was waxy and we got a bitter citrus pith note alongside apricot , pineapple, butter and brioche.  The finish seemed a bit shorter in length for some reason.  It thought I was going to prefer the chilled version, but alas- 15 points did not tilt me.  Once again the room temperature version of a white wine was the preferred serving for the majority.

Overall I liked this wine and would give it 92 points but at $50, it’s only a 4 star wine IMO.  We discussed pairings- white fish with perhaps a cream sauce would work well.  Drink now.  Salut….

Castello di Bibbione Gran Selezione 2016, Chianti Classico DOCG, Italy

14 Thursday Jul 2022

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Medium garnet colored, this 6 year old Sangiovese is showing a bit of age already.  The nose has aromas of warm cherry, leather, rose, cinnamon, pomegranate, cranberry and fresh cut pine.  The palate is dry with high acidity and mouth coating tannins.  It is a young wine in texture, but the fruit is already mingling with tertiary flavors.  Red fruit (tart) with leather, rose, cigar box and that fresh wood note.  The acidity and tannins are very powerful and opposing in this medium (+) bodied wine.  The finish is a short, sour affair with the tannins really coating my gums.  I like this rather youthful wine and think it will develop and soften with time.  If you want something zippy for a pasta dinner or grilled steaks, this is open for business.  Drink till 2030.   92 points for this $25 wine makes it a solid 5 star effort.  Salut….

La Rioja Alta S.A. Vina Ardanza Reserva 2015, Rioja DOCa, Spain

23 Thursday Jun 2022

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Moxie and I are moving house next week so we are raiding the freezer and drinking all the un-tried wines.  Tonight is grilled Hangar steak and this Tempranillo from Spain.  Deep garnet colored, it shows its age and it’s 14.5% ABV with some thick legs in the glass.  The nose is beautiful aged Rioja.  Leather, tobacco, dried blackberry, stewed black plum, dark chocolate, game and prune.  The palate is dry and tart with fine grained, well integrated tannins.  Full bodied, this wine coats my mouth with flavors of dried and stewed black fruits, charred oak and dried, dusty bramble.  The leather and tobacco are still evident as is some red fruit; stewed strawberry?  The finish is medium in length and the fine tannins are tickling the roof of my mouth.  I like this wine but feel it is at peak if not slightly past, which is quite young for a Reserva.   92 points for this $30 bottle makes it a 5 star effort, drink till 2025.  Salut….