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Tag Archives: california

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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La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir 2016, California, USA

28 Sunday Apr 2019

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$16, 3 stars, 88 points, california, monterey, pinot noir


Quite dark but still see through in the glass.  The nose gives off black cherry, blackberries and bacon.  On the palate there’s black fruits, a hint of almond, lithe tannins and a balanced acidic component.  The mid palate is kinda blasé, it’s just a continuation of the initial palate.  The finish gives me rooibos tea with some tannic bite and a cherry licorice note.  A decent wine that I would pair with Salmon steaks, Shish Kebab or Alfredo.  88 points and $16 put it in 3 star territory.  Salut….

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Buttercream Chardonnay 2017, California, USA

28 Sunday Apr 2019

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$14, 5 stars, 89 points, california, chardonnay


Medium shade of gold in the glass.  The nose has definitely got butter. Marzipan, banana and lemon peel also feature.  On the palate it is very round, tasty and full bodied.  That marzipan comes back at me with lemon, beeswax and oak staves.  The mid palate shows some citrus and floral components that move on to the finish.  I get almost a tannic bite right at the end- interesting.  Very easy to drink without a huge dose of acidity.  It’s a nice aperitif and will pair well with my grilled hens and bacon draped Brussel sprouts.  89 points and 5 stars if you like this style of oaky Chard that sells for $14.  Drink now.  Salut….$14

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Havens Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2016, Sonoma, California

25 Thursday Apr 2019

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$20, 5 stars, 91 points, california, pinot noir, Russian river valley, sonoma county


In the glass this wine is textbook Pinot Noir- bright red, see-through with lithe legs.  On the nose I get cherry cola, strawberry and faint wood.  On the palate it screams New World Pinot with strawberry coulis, bing cherry and delightful tannins that ease into a full blown black tea extravaganza that leave my gums puckered and my teeth thoroughly dry.  The mid palate turns a little blue on me with berries and tar.  The finish is back to the original strawberry/cherry combo that I love.  The finish is long with nice balanced acidity offsetting the tannins.  91 points for this $20 wine makes it a 5 star effort IMHO.  Drink now till 2027.  I am pairing it with roasted Cornish Hens, baked Sweet Potatoes with Feta and sautéed Zucchini.  Salut….

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Havens Wine Cellars ‘H Luxury Collection By Havens’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, California, USA

25 Thursday Apr 2019

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$13, 3 stars, 87 points, cabernet sauvignon, california


Beautiful dark, nearly black in the glass.  The nose gives off blackcurrants, loads of them, and with a good swirl I also get eucalyptus as well as pine needle.  On the palate it is slightly sweet with those blackcurrants really out front.  Very gentle tannins are evident from the onset, but they quickly disappear.  There is a hint of oak, barely perceptible that adds to this somewhat one-dimensional wine.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s very tasty and easy to drink.  It transitions to the finish on the same notes I got initially, without much acidity, which troubles me.  This is a nice everyday, easygoing quaffer that you could pop-n-pour every night of the week.  Party wine for sure.  At $13 it’s not a steep price to pay for this 87 point wine that gets 3 stars from me.  Drink now with most light fair.  Salut….

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Angeline Pinot Noir 2017, California, USA

25 Thursday Apr 2019

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$11, 5 stars, 90 points, california, pinot noir


Darker and more opaque than most Pinot Noirs.  The nose has a strawberry candy note plus blueberry paste and a fig component.  Sounds strange- I know.  On the palate it delivers on that fig thing, surprisingly.  I also get blueberry and some oak.  The tannins are crispy, appearing on the midpalate and carrying us through to the finish which has blueberry and charcoal.  Very tasty indeed.  The tannins are long lived, drying out my gums for well over a minute.  This will will age nicely methinks .  90 points and 5 stars for this $11 wine.  Salut….

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Liparita Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Napa Valley, USA

05 Tuesday Mar 2019

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$40, 4 stars, 91 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa, napa cab


Bright purple- almost sparkly in the glass.   The nose is full-on Napa cab.  Rich plums, blackberries and cedar.  The palate mirrors- and it’s super smooth with a gentle ramp up of tannins.  The mid palate continues the dark fruit theme but this is where the black tea, crunchy tannins and Maduro leaf appear.  The finish is very dry, long and filled with blackberry jam, more tea and a touch of oak.  Delicious and worth 91 points in my book.  The only thing holding it back is the slight greenness of the tannins.  I’m serving up Sunday roast with this beauty.  4 stars for this $40 Cabernet that can be cellared or drunk till 2028.  Salut….

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Adaptation by Odette Petite Sirah 2014, Napa Valley, USA

05 Tuesday Mar 2019

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$45, 5 stars, 93 points, california, Napa, napa petite Sirah, petite sirah


A quick note from a party….  Unbelievable nose- black fruits galore, chai tea, olives and blueberry jam.  On the palate I get gorgeous blue fruit ganache, really tight knit tannins – crunchy acidity.  Sublime wine that is full bodied and long.  It shows off bright Napa sunshine in the fruit which I think will evolve nicely in the next 10-15 years.  Drink till 2030.  93 points if not 94 for this bold $45 effort.  5 Stars.  Salut….

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Michael Pozzan Annabella Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Napa Valley, USA

04 Monday Mar 2019

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$14, 3 stars, 89 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa, napa cabernet


Cherry nose.  Iodine, plum and cigar box on the initial. Nice gentle tannins introduce themselves on the midpalate alongside bramble.  The plums are really juicy in this wine.  The finish gives me prune, black cherries and tobacco.  Really tasty and easy to drink.  Till 2024.  89 points and 3 stars for this $14 wine.  Salut….

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