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Tag Archives: california

Murrieta’s Well Merlot 2016, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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$46, 3 stars, 90 points, california, livermore, merlot


Dark purple, semi opaque in the glass. On the nose there’s a  very concentrated plum core with a touch of oak and espresso.  On the palate it introduces blackberries and tannin right off the bat.  There is a black fruit component that carries through the slightly hollow midpalate into the finish of violet, black olive and plum.  It lasts a while.  I would cellar this baby till 2021 and then drink till 2026 with venison, roast squab or a hearty pasta dish…. steaks are an obvious pairing btw.  90 points  and 3 stars for this $46 bottle.  Salut….

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Murrieta’s Well Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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$62, 4 stars, 92 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, livermore


Dark purple in the glass with long legs.  93% cab, 5% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot.  On the nose I get rich plum, blackberry, cocoa and cedar.  On the palate I am surprised yet delighted by the rich cherry flavor that hits initially.  The wine offers up the more traditional plums and black fruit later, alongside very lithe tannins that sneak up.   Balance is great in this wine, just a touch of acidity to keep the dryness in check and allow the fruit to shine.  There’s a certain warmth that closes out the midlength finish that I’m enjoying.  This wine is drinking nicely now and will improve with age.  Drink till 2026 with steaks!  92 points and 4 stars for this $62 wine.  Salut….

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Murrieta’s Well Tempranillo 2017, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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4 stars, 91 points, california, livermore, tempranillo


Very dark purple.  On the nose it is showing off sweet blackberries with a spicy component.  Plum reduction also comes to mind.  On the palate sour plum combines beautifully with blackberry and coffee bean.  The midpalate introduces the tannins which ramp up nicely to caress the gums on the finish without being too dry and obtrusive.  Drink now till 2024 with game dishes, charcuterie or all by itself.  91 points makes this $50 charmer a 4 star wine.  I was impressed BTW.  Salut….

 

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Murrieta’s Well Dry Rose 2018, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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$18, 89 points, california, livermore, rose


I’m not a frequent Rose drinker so I had to approach this one with caution…Beautiful shade of pink in the glass.  On the nose there is citrus and orange peel.  On the palate it is refreshing with a tartness from the citrus.  Strawberries hit me alongside stone fruits.  89 points $32 (but I found it online for $18 make it a 3 star effort.  Sip in the shade on a hot day with salmi and hard cheeses.  Salut….

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Murrieta’s Well Dry Orange Muscat 2018, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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$38, 4 stars, 90 points, california, livermore, orange muscat


Very pale yellow.  Blood oranges, gardenia, rose water all hit my nose- from a foot away.  This is very aromatic.  On the palate it tastes just it smells- plus lychee.  Delicious and tight. 90 points and 4 stars even though it’s a bit pricey at $38, it’s a treat.  Salut….

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Murrieta’s Well Chardonnay 2016, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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$48, 3 stars, 90 points, california, chardonnay, livermore


Golden yellow in the glass.  The nose is chock full of citrus and pineapple.  On the palate I get a tinge of butter alongside the citrus notes and elderberry.  90 points, $48 makes this a 3 star wine.  Sip with grilled prawns.  Salut….

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Murrieta’s Well Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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$38, 2 stars, 89 points, california, livermore, Sauvignon blanc


Very light gold in the glass. A sweet nectar nose with honeysuckle, peach stone and cut grass.  On the palate it is a touch biting with some nice acidity to go along with the grapefruit.  89 points and 2 stars for this $38 white.  Salut….

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Murrieta’s Well The Whip White 2017, Livermore Valley, USA

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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$26, 2 stars, 88 points, california, livermore, orange muscat, Sauvignon blanc, semillon


This is the first of several notes I made when I visited Murietta’s Well Winery in Livermore, California.  I was greeted at the entrance by the hostess who offered me a glass of this. Medium yellow in the glass with a great, fresh nose of melon, lemon curd and pineapple.  On the palate it’s a little thinner than expected but still very fresh.  Lithe acidity.  88 points and 2 stars for this $26 blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Orange Muscat, Chardonnay, Viognier and Muscat Canelli.  Salut….

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World’s End ‘If 6 were 9’ Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Napa Valley, USA

09 Sunday Jun 2019

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$48, 4 stars, 92 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa, napa cabernet


Bright purple with nice legs in the glass.  Sweet blackberries on the nose with a vanilla bean twist.  On the palate it is crisp, dry and delicious. Black cherry jam with blackberries topped with some espresso beans.  The mid is more blueberries and plum, the tannins smoothing out.  The finish has black fruits, tea, olive and a good whack of tannic grip.  There’s a lot going on here folks, very intricate.  92 points and 4 stars for this $48 Napa beauty.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….

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Matt Parish Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Napa Valley, USA

09 Sunday Jun 2019

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$40, 4 stars, 90 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, napa cabernet


Dark shades of purple in the glass.  The nose is overflowing with blackberries.  There’s a slight oak tint as well as blueberry torte once the blackberry subsided.  On the palate it is a touch astringent right up front but good fruit structure rolls in as well as some gripping tannins.  Black stone fruits are the main focus, with violets and cranberries- for their tartness- seem to coexist.  The tannins are relentless. Aerating would be key here unless you have a fatty, juicy steak.  Nice finish with blackberry and dry tea.  Astringent as heck but mouth watering and tasty.  90 points and 4 stars for this $40 effort.  Drink till 2025.  Salut….

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