Tag Archives: merlot

Raats ‘Red Jasper’ 2021, Stellenbosch, South Africa

03 Sunday Nov 2024

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Medium ruby colored with moderate staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of black plum, capsicum, black cherry, acai berry, vanilla, coffee, baking spice, charred oak, peppermint and dusty dried wheat (I know).  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that hit on the tip of my tongue.  Medium (+) intensity flavors of black plum, black cherry, espresso, Lapsang Souchong tea, vanilla, baking spice and charred oak.  The back end is very powerful with tea, black coffee, and charred oak being prominent.  The finish is quite dry with the tannins holding their own all the way through to a medium length ending.  It’s a different profile but very delicious if paired with food.  It’s Sunday roast so the meat and gravy will sort this delicious wine out nicely.  91 points from me for this $20 effort makes it a 5 star wine to drink till 2030.  Mainly Cabernet Franc (53%) it also has Malbec, Cab Sav, Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot- the Classic Bordeaux blend.  Salut….

Raats Red Jasper

Connell Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Chalk Hill, Sonoma County, California

01 Tuesday Oct 2024

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Deep purple colored with red highlights on the rim, medium staining and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of black cherry, black plum, blackberry, mint, acai berry, singed alder, capsicum and a medicinal note.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and high tannins that are grippy.  The alcohol shines through easily and overpowers me on the first sip.  Letting that blow off I get ripe black and blue fruit, some green notes from mint and bell pepper with a hint of oak integration by way of that medicinal note and coffee.  The finish is a dry affair that lasts medium in length.  It’s a young wine for sure, but I see promise once the tannins sort themselves out.  Hopefully the heat integrates better with the whole package as I think it can cellar nicely and gets 91 points from me.  From their website you can order this limited production Bordeaux blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot for $75.  That makes this a 3 star effort to pair with Ribeyes or a hearty Lamb dish.  Salut….

Barboursville Vineyards Octagon 2016, Monticello, Virginia

27 Friday Sep 2024

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Deep garnet with copper highlights and medium viscosity (13.7% ABV).  The nose of this Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot blend has medium (-) intensity aromas of rich black plum, black cherry, cassis, bramble berry, espresso, chocolate, menthol, anise and violet.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body and medium (+) tannins that are very fine grained.  The wine hits with a bit of tannic grip but opens to layered dark fruit, mainly plum.  The coffee, anise, menthol and chocolate notes are present but there is a black tea note, along with its astringency that has popped up.  The finish is quite dry and medium (+) in length.  I like it but think a little air will benefit the tannins and help smooth out the mouthfeel.  When I tasted this vintage at the winery it was poured from a sealed case, but obviously had some air- it was stunning.  I hope this one opens up tonight for our guest dinner of grilled Strip steak and roasted veggies.  I am going with a potential 93 points on this $65 bottle that gets 4 stars.  Drink till 2033.  Salut….

Cosmologist Red Wine Knights Valley 2020, Sonoma County, California

24 Tuesday Sep 2024

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Deep ruby colored with slight staining and medium viscosity (15.2% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of black cherry, bramble berry, black plum, mint, eucalyptus, vanilla, licorice, fresh linen and cocoa powder.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium (+) body and medium tannins that are a touch astringent and green.  Flavors of black plum, bramble berry, black cherry, licorice, oversteeped black tea, eucalyptus, and a hint of vanilla.  The finish is hot right off the bat, detracting from the flavors I seek.  The length is medium (-) and a bit astringent, akin to black tea that has been made too strong. To me this is a bit disjointed, albeit the fruit is nice and ripe, the tannins are a bit underripe and the high alcohol is a detractor.  I would give this wine 87 points and for the $28 price point it gets 3 stars.  Drink this blend of 53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon till 2028 with steak or stew.  Salut….

Glenelly Estate Reserve Red 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

09 Friday Aug 2024

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Deep ruby, inky in fact, with high viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of cassis, blackberry compote, mint, violets, tobacco, coffee, vanilla, baking spice, Rooibos tea, acai berry, blueberry and a medicinal note.  Quite layered and developing.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium tannins that have melded nicely.  Charred oak is the first thing I taste followed by ripe blackberry, cassis, blueberry, acai berry, vanilla, mint, Rooibos tea and that medicinal note (from oak).  The finish is medium (+) in length and focuses on the charred oak notes.  I like this blend of 43% Cab Sav, 21% Merlot, 15% Syrah, 11% Petit Verdot and 10% Cab Franc- it’s silky and layered reminding me of an aged Bordeaux.  It will develop more and last till 2030 methinks, getting 92 points and for $20- 5 stars.  It begs for a meat stew or grilled game.  Imma stock up on this beauty.  Salut….

Clos de los Siete by Michel Rolland 2020, Mendoza, Argentina

08 Wednesday May 2024

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Deep inky purple with slight staining and high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of baked blackberry cobbler with vanilla, warm spices and nicely browned crust.  Mulberry and açaí berry follow with some mint and black tea notes.  The palate has medium acidity, a full body and medium tannins.  Medium (+) flavors of dark fruit, toasty oak, a slight bitterness from the tannins that have finally gripped and some heavy layers of mint/acai/vanilla that go on to a medium (-) finish.  A very delicious wine with decent structure – 90 points. Drink till 2028 with grilled tenderloins.  A blend of 50% Malbec, 24% Merlot, 11% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot makes this $20 bottle a 5 star effort.  Salut….

 

Esk Valley Merlot – Cabernet Sauvignon – Malbec 2020, Gimblett Gravels, New Zealand

08 Wednesday May 2024

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Deep purple, slight staining and medium viscosity (14% ABV).  Medium (+) intensity aromas of dusty earth, black plum, black raspberry, cedar, smoked meat, vanilla, baking spice, creme de menthe and green herb garni.  On the palate- medium acidity, medium body and medium tannins.  Gorgeous mouthfeel with dark fruit, supple structure, excellent integration and a medium length finish.  91 points- drink till 2028.  $ 20 makes this a 5 star wine to buy in bulk.  Salut….

 

Chateau Pontet-Canet 2000, Pauillac, France

26 Friday Apr 2024

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It’s my birthday week so we had friends over for dinner- best friends, so it warranted a nice bottle.  I have been sitting on this 5th Growth Bordeaux for 20 years, it’s time.

Deep garnet with bricking, slight staining, and a high viscosity (13% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of Cassis, cedar, leather, baking spices, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, ripe blueberry pie, acai berry and is somewhere between youthful and mature, which is surprising. On the palate it’s dry with medium acidity, medium-to-full body and medium (+) tannins that are fully integrated. Absolutely lush flavors of Cassis, baked blueberry, acai berry, cedar, leather, tobacco, baking spices, vanilla and blackberry compote.  The finish runs a good length and shows off the wonderfully refined tannins mingling with the remnants of fruit alongside tertiary notes.  It’s a stunner that has rewarded my patience for sure. 96 points for this $160 bottle that gets 5 stars from me. Drink till 2030.  A treat for sure, Salut….

Kir-Yianni ‘The Fallen Oak’ 2019, PGI Imathia, Macedonia, Greece

23 Tuesday Apr 2024

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Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose of this Xinomavro, Merlot and Syrah blend has medium (-) intensity aromas of black raspberry, black plum, lilac, mulberry, licorice, coffee, vanilla and bilberry.  It’s quite an interesting nose that gains some power as it opens.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are a touch green.  Flavors of blackberry, bilberry, black raspberry, plum with coffee, vanilla and a hint of purple licorice are balanced by the firm structure of tannins and acidity.  It’s a pretty bold wine with nice fruit that lingers on a medium length finish.  The tannins are the last to bow out leaving my mouth slightly dried out but wanting more.  I am mixing up some Chimmichurri to go with cast-iron prepared Hanger steaks with Korean sweet potatoes and green beans, should work a treat.  92 points from me for this $20 effort makes it a 5 star wine to buy again.   Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2012, Stellenbosch, South Africa

13 Saturday Apr 2024

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Deep garnet colored with slight staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV).  On the nose I get medium intensity aromas of cassis, leather, mint, pencil shavings, blackberry, black plum, coffee, vanilla, toasty oak and stewed mulderberry.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body and medium (+) tannins that are integrating nicely.  Rich flavors of cassis, stewed mulderberry, black plum jam with tertiary development by way of leather as well as oak influence- vanilla, coffee and toasty oak.  The pencil shavings and mint are present and add a nice angle.  The finish turns a little tart, surprising for a New World wine but then again this is a classic Bordeaux blend- Cab Sav 70%, Merlot and Cab Franc at 15% each.  The length of said finish is quite long and lingering, inviting me to take another sip.  This bottle is at peak and en pointe.  I nearly pulled it 5 years ago, thank goodness I waited.  93 points for this $70 wine makes it a 4 star effort.  Drink by 2028.  I’m pairing it with Tenderloin tails and Peppercorn sauce.  Salut….