30 Sunday Apr 2023
Posted in Wine reviews
Dinner at a friend’s house revealed this impeccably stored Margaux. It was so fresh and youthful I would never have guessed 18 years old in a blind tasting. I took very basic notes:
Fresh, youthful. Deep ruby. Medium acid with smooth, silky tannins. Graphite, pencil lead, cassis, cedar, blackberry, vanilla bean and charcoal on a medium weight body ending in a long, tart finish. 91 points for this $90 bottle makes it a 4 star effort, drink till 2028. Salut….
21 Friday Apr 2023
Posted in Wine reviews
Medium lemon colored with a watery sheen (12.5% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of lemon zest, lime peel, white geraniums pear, yellow apple and an interesting peanut scent on the top rim of the glass. The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (-) body. It’s a refreshing wine with crisp citrus notes coupled with some florals and a touch of pithy bitterness. The finish is short and clean- making me yearn for the next sip. This is going to be categorized as a summer pool-pounder to be drunk chilled and paired with steamed shellfish on ice with sides of lemon wedges and cocktail sauce. A tasty and uncomplicated bottle that runs $18. I’m going with 88 points and 4 stars. Drink now. Salut….
06 Thursday Apr 2023
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$25, 5 stars, 91 points, Cabernet franc, france, merlot, st. Emilion
A hazy deep ruby color with some staining on the walls and medium to high viscosity legs (14% ABV). On the nose I get classic Bordeaux aromas of cassis, leather, pencil lead, ripe black plum, boysenberry and elderberry. Coffee and dark chocolate with some menthol also come to mind. The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) tannins and a medium (+) body. The brooding dark berry with coffee, licorice and dark chocolate notes are all present alongside some black tea which gives a touch of mid palate astringency. The finish is powerful and long with grippy tannins taking center stage. I have drunk gallons of this delicious Merlot dominant Right Bank wine over the years and am glad to revisit an old friend that runs $25 and gets 91 points from me. Drink this 5 star wine till 2028 with a sizzling steak and some au gratin. Salut….
04 Tuesday Apr 2023
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$15, 5 stars, 90 points, alsace, france, gewurztraminer, muscat, pinot gris, riesling, Sylvaner
Pale lemon colored with medium viscosity legs (13.5% ABV). The nose has peach, lemon, lime curd, papaya, pineapple, ginger, white flowers, orange blossom and grapefruit. Quite a layered set of aromas! The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body. The exotic and citrus aromas are confirmed on the palate with a touch of bitterness but no ginger. The florals are feint but present. I start to get lychee on the mid palate from the Gewürztraminer. This wine also blends in Sylvaner, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Muscat- the Noble grapes of Alsace. It is a refreshing yet multi-layered wine that has a crisp, medium length finish. It will go beautifully with our garlic Scampi but I would also pair it with salads, grilled salmon or some charcoal chicken. It’s well worth the $15 price point and gets 90 points and 5 stars from me. Stock up for summer y’all. Salut….
29 Wednesday Mar 2023
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$14, 3 stars, 86 points, france, loire, melon de bourgogne, muscadet, sevre-et-maine
Pale lemon with a golden accent and a watery sheen. The nose has medium intensity aromas of lemon, lime, grapefruit, white blossom and green apple. The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium (-) body. Citrus makes for a fresh and crisp mouthfeel alongside some floral notes. The apple note is faint. The wine finishes with a hint of phenolic bitterness and is medium in length. I would enjoy this wine till 2024 with shellfish and charcuterie. 86 points for this $14 bottle makes it a 3 star wine for me. Salut….
29 Wednesday Mar 2023
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Medium lemon colored with a watery sheen (12% ABV). The nose gives me classic Sur-lie aromas of brioche and yeast along with bruised pear, white blossom, orange peel and chamomile. The palate has a rounded mouthfeel of medium acidity and a medium (-) body. Flavors of citrus and brioche with pear and florals are evident. The finish is a touch astringent but has a saline twang as well. It carries on for a decent length. I think this $16 wine gets 86 points and 3 stars from me. Drink with seafood till 2024. Salut….
24 Friday Mar 2023
Posted in Wine reviews
Pale lemon colored with light viscosity legs (12% ABV). The nose has aromas of lemon and lime, grapefruit skin, sea air, white blossom, hard Anjou pear and citrus curd. The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and a light body- very crisp on the mouthfeel. The flavors echo the citrus notes with salinity and fresh flowers. The pear note is somewhat muted on the palate. The finish is medium in length and refreshing- the tartness and light bodied nature of this varietal really showing through. It begs for some seafood or a salad with a rich dressing. I would give this $14 wine a score of 87 and drink till 2024, making it a 4 star effort. Salut….
23 Thursday Mar 2023
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Deep purple with high viscosity legs (13.5% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of grape, red raspberry, lilac- it’s sorta muted right now. The palate is dry with medium acidity and sandy tannins that are medium (-) in intensity. The body of this Gamay is medium to full and is silky with ripe red raspberry, red licorice, orange peel and black cherry. The finish is a touch tart but delightful and quite long. I paid $25 for this 88 point wine making it a 3 star effort that I’m pairing with roast Duck. Drink till 2027. Ps. Carbonic Maceration is commonly used in Beaujolais but I don’t sense its use in this Cru level wine. Salut….
12 Sunday Mar 2023
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Deep ruby colored, this 60/40 blend of Mourvèdre and Grenache has slow, gobby legs showing off its 14% ABV. The nose is meaty and gamey right off the bat. Black fruit galore with blackcurrants, blackberry, mulberry, wild herbs, licorice and menthol. The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins. A full bodied wine with dark fruits, herbs (aka garrigue) and some smoky game meat all meld together nicely to form a very pleasing flavor profile with nice balance and decent structure. It’s not overly complex but has a primal sense to it. 89 points from me for this $25 bottle makes it a 3 star effort to drink till 2028. I’m doing a Sunday roast to pair with- should work out just right! Salut….
07 Tuesday Mar 2023
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When Moxie and I were in Bordeaux we had the opportunity to visit wineries in Pauillac, St. Estephe and Sauternes but coffee in the beautiful town of St. Emilion was amazing. Our day started with a 40 minute drive north from the city center, across both the Garonne and Dourdogne rivers followed by a serene drive through vineyards until we happened upon this medieval looking town basking in the bright sunshine. Parking the car close to the center, we wondered into the town and explored some narrow streets, the main square and some wine shops. Our quick tour culminated in a morning dose of espresso at a café. Our appointment at a winery precluded too much sightseeing but this is a town worthy of exploring. It is stunningly beautiful and surrounded by some of the most famous wineries. Well worth the visit. Salut….
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