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Tag Archives: california

Terra d’Oro Zinfandel Port, Amador County, USA

01 Thursday Jun 2017

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$22, 3 stars, 90 points, california, dessert wine, port


This is a Port wine made from Zinfandel grapes in California.  Rich, dark purple in the glass.  The nose is stewed plum and vanilla cola.  The initial taste is rather abrupt-  plum compote, raisins and a balsamic note.  Acidic without a bite, but a touch of tannin keep this dessert wine balanced.  The finish is decent in length but the flavor is rather medicinal.  Its 19% alcohol is well hidden.  This wine is delightful and interesting, certainly not what I was expecting.  90 points from me.  I paid $22 for it which makes it a 3 star effort.  Salut….

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The Original Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, California, USA

30 Tuesday May 2017

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$8, 0 stars, cabernet sauvignon, california


Dark, brooding purple in the glass.  The nose is- yuck.  Not my style at all.  Candy, oak and yuck.  The initial palate is candied plum, not much else.  I’m not going to bother much more with this 80 point wine, I suggest you move along too.  Save the $8 for something tastier.  Salut….

the dark horse cabernet sauvignon

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Burgess Cellars Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Napa Valley

13 Saturday May 2017

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$28, 5 stars, 92 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa, napa cabernet


This wine is 15 years old, yet it pours like an infant- dark purple, no bricking and clear, if not see-through.  The nose is gorgeous, fruity yet nuanced with secondary flavors belying maturity.  Plums, coffee, tobacco and leather come to mind.  On the palate, rich plums, cassis and a touch of eucalyptus.  This wine is not even close to maturity.  Tannins are on pointe and there is a juiciness to the mid palate that I am enjoying thoroughly.  The finish leaves you with a clear dose of acidity, the tannins drying up at this stage.  There is still tons of primal fruit here and the wine already demonstrated its ability to pick up those long sought after nuances of aged Cabernet.  This is a top wine in my opinion, worthy of 92 points even at this stage of its development, which is funny considering it only got 83 points from WE back in 2006.  Drink now till 2021 at the least.  Pair with any beef dish, charcuterie or just by itself.  I found it online for $28.  5 Stars.  Salut….

Burgess Cellars Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

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Edna Valley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Central Coast, USA

17 Monday Apr 2017

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$13, 4 stars, 90 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, central coast


Deep purple yet see-through.  Nice nose of plums, eucalyptus and blackberry.  On the palate I’m getting really nice black berry, super smooth tannins and a hint of black Cherry liquor.  The mid palate boasts more berries and a roundness that gives this wine a really nice mouthfeel.  The finish is smooth, with a nice drying feeling that coats the gums.  90 points form me although the pro’s were down at the 86 level with this one.  I disagree.  For $13, this is a 4 star wine that I will be buying again.  I would pair it with Roast Chicken, perhaps meatloaf and definitely with some charcuterie out on the patio now that the weather has turned.  Salut….

edna valley cabernet sauvignon

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Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Merlot 2013, California, USA

23 Thursday Mar 2017

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$19, 4 stars, 90 points, california, merlot, Sonoma


No nose- I’m sitting in an airplane with a plastic cup.  The initial impression I get is of mellow plums, really nice acidity and some earthiness.  The mid palate is generous with the dark fruits and I am enjoying the very mild dryness the tannins are giving.  On second thought, it is really packed with plum flavors.  The finish is shortish but tasty.  The strength of this wine lies on the generous mid palate, which is where the flavors and technical components all seem to materialize.  Considering I am cooped up in a pressurized tube I think the winemakers have a winner here.  They have crafted something I am really enjoying.  90 points and kudos.  I paired it with pasta and meatball, courtesy of United Airlines.  For $19 this wine gets 4 stars and is widely available.  Salut….

kendall jackson merlot

The meatball and pasta

 

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Beyer Ranch Merlot 2013, Central Coast California

21 Tuesday Feb 2017

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$11, 5 stars, 88 points, california, central coast, merlot


This was on special at my local wine store, regularly $11, on sale for $10.  I had to try it.  It is vinted and bottled by the Wente Family Estate, which is a rather big and well know operation.

A good shade of purple in the glass, with a nose of black berry and kirsch.  On the palate, black stone fruits and black berries.  Very nice and supple mouthfeel, not overly acidic with very subtle tannins.  A pop’n’pour wine that is sure to please- for the price, it is a really outstanding effort.  88 points and 5 stars for its price to quality ratio.  Drink by itself or pair with pretty much anything!  Salut….

beyer ranch merlot

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National Park Foundation Yosemite White Artisan Blend NV

06 Monday Feb 2017

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$13, 3 stars, 87 points, california, moscato, Sauvignon blanc, viognier


This is an interesting wine, made by Adler Fels winery and sold with a cause in mind.  Some of the proceeds go to the National Park Foundation.  It is a blend of Viognier, Moscato, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.  Very rustic in the glass, it is a very dark gold in color.  An interesting nose of green guava, melon and pear.  On the palate, grapefruit, melon and more pear.  This wine is not overly acidic and the mouthfeel is quite warm, medium bodied.  It drinks nicely and will go well with the pan roasted Cod I am preparing.  It runs $13 and gets 87 points from me making it a 3 star wine.  Salut….

yosemite artisan white wine

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J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2014

21 Saturday Jan 2017

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$12, 4 stars, 89 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, paso robles, paso robles cabernet sauvignon


A buddy of mine brought this along.  He paid $12 at Costco for it and I was impressed.

Nose of sweet cassis, blackberry and pepper.  The palate shows dark fruits, solid tannins and juicy acidity.  The mid palate gives plum, dark cherry and a hint of cedar. The finish is laced with mouth drying tannins and plum torte.  I would pair it with many different dishes, pasta, steak, cheese plate.  A really decent drop for a party and something to buy by the case.  89 points and 4 stars from me.  Salut….

img_1490

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Beringer Founders Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

05 Thursday Jan 2017

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$11, 4 stars, 89 points, cabernet sauvignon, california


If you read my last post on the Beringer Pinot Noir you may put two and two together to figure out that this is the second bottle we bought that took the price up to $18 for 2 instead of $11 for one.  I saved the heartier wine for later, and I am glad I did.  I really enjoyed the Pinot and was hoping for a repeat performance with this Cab.  I was not disappointed.

Purple with a nose of plums, eucalyptus, black currant.  On the initial attack, more plums, chocolate powder and currants.  Medium tannins arise on the mid palate and complement the gentle acidity for a nice mouthfeel.  The finish is medium in length and offers star anise, plum ganache and black currant.  I’m going with another 89 points for the Beringer twins and give this one a thumbs up 4 stars.  Pair with steaks, pizza, pasta and drink till 2020.  Salut….

beringer founders estate cabernet sauvignon

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Beringer Founders Estate Pinot Noir, California 2014

03 Tuesday Jan 2017

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$11, 4 stars, 89 points, california, pinot noir


I picked up two bottles for $18, but it really should be priced at $11 per.  The wine is  a see through light purple in the glass, commensurate with the varietal.  On the nose I am getting strawberry, cherry and pomegranate.  All three primal flavors are typical for the Pinot grape.  On the initial taste there are more cherries and some really nice strawberry candy notes.  In and amongst the mid palate flavors there lurks some tannins.  If you have read my notes for a while, you may recall that I have a hard time distinguishing tannin levels in Pinot Noir, but when I sense they are present then there must be a boatload of ’em.  This wine drinks in a dry style and is leaving the telltale sensation on my gums.  There is an acidity that comes out as sour cherry on the mid to finish that I am digging.  On my second go at this wine I got a very strong hit of rock candy on the front end, interesting.

This wine drinks very nicely and is a definite bargain for Pinot Noir.  It will do nicely with some Roast Chicken, a killer pairing with Coq Au Vin and it will ride nicely with my mother’s Steak and Kidney Pie.  (She’s very British you know…).  Drinking window is wide open from 2017-2022.  89 point and 4 stars from me.  Salut….

bringer founders estate pinot noir

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