Tag Archives: 93 points

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Marlborough, New Zealand

17 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


This Kiwi Sav Blanc is a really pretty shade of pale gold. The nose just blew me away. Passion fruit, peach, lime verbena and a hint of you know what. The palate is well formed with loads of flavor from those fruits minus the cat pee. I do also get gooseberries- that somewhat sweet-yet-sour at the same time fruit. Delicious. The acidity is en pointe, not cutting- it sharpens the flavors and lets them be the focus. The wine finishes with a decent length tail of citrus and pineapple that lasts a good long while. I picked this wine tonight as I am in an arm cast and it’s my son’s turn to cook. He is blackening some Sous Vide Chicken with Cajun spices which should work well with this 93 pointer. The pros went 94/95 on this $20 monster. I will be stocking up for sure, it will pair with pretty much any seafood, chicken dishes, salads and cheese boards. 5 stars, if only I could give 6. Stunner to drink till 2025. Salut….

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2018, Rhone, France

28 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,


This classic from Chateauneuf Du Pape is a dark shade of purple and is 75% opaque. The nose is gorgeous- raspberries, rosewater, ripe cherry and some spice. On the palate the raspberry theme continues with oolong tea, violet and lithe tannins. It has minerality and some modicum of acidity to go along with the red fruit. On the mid palate it is very smooth and has concentrated flavors of raspberry along with some strawberry extract. Red licorice and lively tannins show up at the back end where the finish is long, full bodied and delicious. This is a very tasty wine that is not too bold, but caresses with nice rounded fruit, a decent dose of tannins that are very well integrated and some balancing acidity which gives it a wonderful mouthfeel. Delightful stuff, made even better that it was bet with my buddy over a football game- I won! 93 points from me, the pros went a point or two more. At $105, this is a treat blend of mainly Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault adding to the mix. Drink this 4 star wine till 2030. Salut….

Azienda Agricola Gabutti Boasso Barolo ‘Gabutti’ 2016, Barolo DOCG, Italy

12 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


This young Nebbiolo is 50% opaque and has a beautiful crimson hue in the glass. Thick legs bely the potent 15% alcohol. On the nose I get cranberries, cherry, anise and leather- textbook. On the palate it is delicious, if not young. The tannins are formidable but I manage to break through the barrier and taste Bing cherries, leather, espresso and black tea. The tannins are gripping on the mid-palate, so much so that the top of my gums feel abused by rough hewn rope. The finish is a terrifically dry affair but the red fruits come through as does a balancing acidity. This is a delicious infant of a monster wine. With proper aeration, decating or extended cellaring it will soften and develop into a beautiful bottle. For now, you will need to pair it with a fatty meat, like I am with Rack of Lamb- or decant over a full day. 93 points from me as I see the potential in this wine and look forward to our next meeting. At $55 it is typically priced for a Barolo, which are never cheap. I am going with 5 stars as I think this one will reward some patience and be delicious by 2025. Drink till 2033. Salut….

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Soda Canyon Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Napa Valley, California

04 Monday Jan 2021

Posted by in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


I love my neighbors Arty and Keef…. you see, they have a nice collection of Napa Cabs in their cellar and I get the chance to taste alongside quite often. When this text arrived, I made sure to head over tout suite.

Wow- black beauty.  Opaque AF and showing long legs in the glass.  The nose is magnificent.  A dusty take on blackberry jam, cassis, toasty oak and a hint of eucalyptus.  On the palate this wine is super focused with very defined blueberries, blackberries alongside some Lapsang Souchong tea notes.  Very integrated tannins and really lithe acidity help bring out the California sunshine in this wine- it’s definitely fruit forward and open for business.  Delicious- 93 points and 5 stars for this $100 stunner. Drink till 2025 with Filet or other less fatty meals. Salut….

Chateau Faurie de Souchard 2010, Saint-Emilion, France

06 Sunday Dec 2020

Posted by in Wine

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,


The 13th Virtual Wine tasting included this Right Bank Merlot. It was stunning, mature and a hit. The wine is at peak, the color showing a bit of bricking on the rim. The nose is classic Bordeaux- Earthy, smoky, molasses, black fruit jam, leather, tobacco, licorice, cloves…. that’s a lot of descriptors from the panel. On the palate it was delicious, even dreamy as one member piped out. Black cherry, blackberry, tobacco, mushroom and leather were really the key components. The wine is still robust, with very well integrated tannins and a hint of acidity. The mouthfeel is great and lingers on the decent length finish. On my 20 point scale it got 19. Technically speaking, it is a 93 point wine in my book, way higher than the pros rated it back in the day. 2010 was a great year for the Clarets and this example is showing how well the wines have held up and how they have evolved so nicely. Drink till 2025 and for $35 buy a case if you can find it. 5 stars. Salut….

William Gordon Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Alexander Valley, USA

11 Sunday Oct 2020

Posted by in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


I really enjoy this appellation so I am looking forward to this $ 45 wine. It is medium purple but totally opaque in the glass. The nose is stunning. Cassis, blackberries, plum reduction and some oak. The palate is very dark-fruit forward with some delicious oak and cassis. The well integrated tannins bring a really nice dryness to the gums right off the bat. The mid palate is opulent with layers of black fruit, vanilla and the beginnings of an acidic bite. The finish is long, fruity and dry with some black tea notes along with the berries and plum. Tannins are ever present and the wine is mildly acidic, making the mouthfeel very interesting and complex. This wine is already 8 years young and will drink well till 2026 at the earliest. 93 points from me. 5 stars for this sun-drenched beauty. I’m grilling Filet and baked potatoes. Salut….

Apriori Pinot Noir 2016,Sonoma Coast, California

09 Friday Oct 2020

Posted by in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


This Pinot is quite dark and extracted. The color is damson red/light purple but it’s nearly opaque. On the nose it brims with New World goodness- cranberry/cherry jam, spicy cinnamon and Christmas fruit cake. On the palate it is full bodied and not ashamed to show off the fruitiness it’s been holding back. Layers of red jammy delight, spice box, a touch of leather and some oak greet me right off the bat. This wine continues the rich theme onto the mid palate where I get acidity, just a touch. There is barely a trace of tannic grip but I am enjoying the richness of this wine so much I am not worried about any astringent accents. The finish is medium length and shows off yet more red fruit. If you like a rich Pinot, this one is right up your alley. I usually like them much more restrained, but this one simply knocked my socks off. I am a fan- 93 points for this $36 wine make it a 5 star effort to be drunk by 2024. Salut….

La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015, Tuscany, Italy

01 Tuesday Sep 2020

Posted by in Wine

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , ,


In the glass this Sangiovese is very dark, opaque and brooding.  On the nose it is perfumed with some bold cherry notes, black currants and spicy oak.  The palate is delicious folks- ripe black cherry, crispy tannins, juicy acidity and cedar.  The mid palate is stunning too with more of that juicy fruit and a shift to some red currants, rhubarb, game and cherry compote.  The finish displays a nice balance between the medium grip tannins and the acidity.  Judicious use of oak is evident as there is a touch of it on the back end but it is not obtrusive.  This is a well made wine that I am thoroughly enjoying whilst making spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread and Caeser Salad.  93 points for this $50 stunner that will drink well till 2030.  I’m going with 5 stars.  Salut….

Alpha Omega Cabernet Franc – Petit Verdot 2016, Napa Valley, USA

02 Tuesday Jun 2020

Posted by in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Stunning purple in the glass with nice thin legs.  On the nose I get a huge dose of black currants, black berries and oaky vanilla.  Mint also makes an appearance.  On the initial palate it is really juicy with black fruits galore.  Beautiful oak is well integrated with coconut flavors present.  The tannic structure shows a gradual ramp up to reach a drying peak on the finish.  The mid palate is lush and fruity with some black tea, cassis, more coconut and capsicum.  The finish is dry with those nice tannins really gripping.  There’s a very balancing, juicy acidity that I’m really enjoying.  This wine begs to be drunk, it is a stunning example of how delicious Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are as the prime components in wine.  93 points and 5 stars for this $104 stunner.  Drink till 2030.

J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Diamond Mountain District, USA

14 Thursday May 2020

Posted by in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


The nose is all-singing and dancing Napa Cab.  You can smell the sunshine.  Wow….. Ripe, lush blackberries.  Vanilla, coconut and several other oaky traits are evident without being obnoxious.  On the palate there’s a ton of vanilla alongside black fruits, jammy currants and a dose of the wood.  The mid palate is very smooth, full bodied.  Juicy and jammy with gobs of black fruit, lithe tannins and some deft oak.  The finish is very smooth, loaded with those wood nuances and providing me with a beautiful mouthfeel.  93 points.  For $100 it’s quite pricy, but then again Napa Cabs are not cheap.  5 stars.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….