09 Tuesday Jan 2018
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Light purple, medium opacity. A nose of black currants and cedar shavings. On the palate- plums, blackberry, fig paste, iodine. Very nice mouthfeel, not overly tannic but a touch dry with low acidity and a decent finish. 89 points and a sure 5 stars for this $7 stunner, buy it by the case for short term cellaring and enjoy at it parties, barbies and with pretty much anything from the grill. Salut….
26 Tuesday Sep 2017
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This wine was a perennial favorite many years ago. I gravitated to reds and rarely bought it, until I saw it on sale the other day. I’m making Sizzling Hoisin Shrimp tonight so I figured a Sauvignon Blanc would do the trick.
This wine is faint gold in color, not quite yellow, nor deep. The nose is bright, charming and packed with citrus notes. Grapefruit being the major player here. The initial taste is very refreshing, quince and citrus battling it out for dominance. The wine has a nice balance, not overly acidic yet a touch dry and offering a hint of bitterness. I get Almond seed on the mid palate which is probably how I sense the bitterness, it is unique. The finish is all lemon and persimmon. I am glad I bumped into this bottle, it really is tasty while remaining relatively modest in price. It refreshes and will go well with my dinner but I am thinking it may take on some spicy foods as well if you are in a pinch. 89 points and 4 stars for this $13 wine. Salut….
The Sizzling Shrimp
26 Tuesday Sep 2017
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A pleasant purple with medium density. On the nose I get plums, a faint hint of cinnamon, black cherry and creosote thanks to the 9% addition of Pinotage. The balance is Cabernet Sauvignon. The initial taste is very Pinotage heavy, with more plums, some dark fruits and the telltale chemical note, often likened to nail polish remover. I like it. The wine transitions nicely and some very delightful tannins caress throughout. The flavor profile doesn’t change much throughout and the acidity is very fine, barely noticeable. The finish is relatively long, with the dark fruit balancing nicely with a hint of oak. The bitterness of the tannins is apparent right at the end but is not detracting. This is a tasty weekday wine that I would pop with stew, chili, grilled sausages and even burgers. 89 points and 4 stars for this $11 wine. Salut….
27 Thursday Jul 2017
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$9, 5 stars, 90 points, petit verdot, shiraz, South Africa, South African Cabernet Sauvignon, western cape
This blend is really dark purple. Made up of 60% Petit Verdot, 20% each of Cab Sav and Shiraz. The nose is bursting with currants, juniper, a touch of oak and black cherry. The palate is very interesting and tasty. The Petit Verdot punches through with violets, dark cherry and leather. Tannins are persistent but not overpowering, they leave the gums slightly dry but give the wine a freshness. The mid palate gives me mocha as well as more dark cherries. The finish reveals a vanilla note as well as some wood. The winemaker has done a superb job of balancing the acidity, tannins and the 14% alcohol- which is not noticeable. The mouthfeel is what I would describe as wholesome yet fresh. It is relatively smooth with great potential to mellow out and possibly develop tertiary flavor. 90 points from me, drink till 2025 and pair it with lamb chops and garlic mash. 5 stars because this wine rocks and it runs a mere $9 (But I found it for $6.09 in NJ, you people should be running to that store). Salut….
13 Saturday May 2017
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I just recently had a birthday, not quite the big one, but just shy. I had a few mates over for what turned out to be a large night. We hit many regions and varietals, really hard. Anyway, this was a gift from one of my South African friends, I did not drink it that night, saving it for a proper tasting night. I’m glad I did!
A pretty purple color. Gorgeous nose of blueberries, oak, plums and leather. The initial taste consists of a very smooth dollop of blueberries, some fig paste and a dash of funky dryness that I can’t pinpoint. Tannins are well integrated but there is a nagging bitterness that troubles me. The midpalate has some very nice plums, a generous dose of acidity and some oak. The wine finishes strong with a dusty component and more blue fruits. This wine has a nice ‘spice meets leather and earth’ combo. I’m digging it if not for that irksome bitterness at the front end, which drops the score to a 90. The pros went high on this one, up to 94, but the consensus amongst the amateur crowd is in line with my rating. This wine is pricy if bought in the US, $50+, but a very sexy and seductive version of Syrah that should be enjoyed with a nice Filet. 3 stars. Salut….
13 Thursday Apr 2017
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Dark purple in the glass. Nose of black cherry and dark fruits. The palate is somewhat muted, but notes of tar, black currants and cedar abound. The wine possesses a certain level of acidity that balances the very mild tannins, which leave a drying sensation on the finish. This wine is decent, but somewhat boring. It does not transcend into anything different. It is good, yet plain. 88 points is where I feel this wine sits and I would pair it with lamb chops, venison and perhaps roast Guinea fowl. It can be found for about $12, which make it a 3 star wine in my books. Salut….
18 Saturday Mar 2017
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$19, 4 stars, 90 points, bordeaux blend, meritage, South Africa
Dark and brooding in the glass it shows off Blackberry and mint on the nose. The palate is very interesting. Black cherry pie meets blackberries and licorice. The tannins are delightful, packed just right. The mid palate gives off some plum jam but is quickly overriden by the tannins. The finish is decent in length and I am getting charcoal, blackberry and dark cherry notes. A well made wine that has some cellaring potential. We are pairing it with Flank steak and roasted asparagus. 90 points and for $19 is it a 4 star effort. It is a true Bordeaux blend, comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Salut….
05 Sunday Feb 2017
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We want to my mate Mel’s 60th birthday bash last night and being from South Africa they had this on offer. I love the varietal and had to try it.
See-through purple in the glass with a nose of burnt cherry and creosote, very enticing. The initial taste is black cherry, smoke, espresso bean and some lithe tannins. The 14% alcohol peaks through on the midpalate and promptly goes away. The finish is of medium length and is laced with tannins and dark fruit. 88 points make this $11 wine a decent value, especially if you like the unique taste of Pinotage. 3 stars from me. Salut….
21 Saturday Jan 2017
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Disclaimer- I got this bottle from a distributor. They retail for around $23.
31 Saturday Dec 2016
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