Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina 2022, Spain

02 Thursday May 2024

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Bright lemon colored with a watery sheen (11.5% ABV) and evidence of gas.  The nose of this Hondarabbi Zuri has medium intensity aromas of lemon zest, lemon, white grapefruit, green almond, white blossom, white pepper, saline and minerality.  The palate is dry with a slight spritz, high acidity along with a light body- very refreshing.  Flavors of lemon, white grapefruit, white blossom, green almonds and some salty spice.  The very slight amount of effervescence is typical for this varietal/region and makes the wine just dance on my tongue.  It’s delicious and will pair beautifully with my North African spiced seafood dish.  91 points for this $20 bottle makes it my new 2024 summer slammer.  It gets 5 stars- drink soon.  Salut….

Anton Bauer Zweigelt Feuersbrunn 2019, Wagram, Austria

29 Monday Apr 2024

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Medium to deep purple colored with a watery sheen (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of acai berry, blueberry, vanilla, black cherry, a medicinal note, black raspberry and coffee.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins giving this wine a very light and carefree mouthfeel.  The flavors mimic the nose with blue and dark red fruit coupled with a bit of oak nuance- it’s a very delightful package imho and more than I was expecting after the somewhat one-dimensional nose that I was greeted with.  I like it and would pair with pork chops, grilled chicken, veal dishes and even Moussaka.  90 points for this $18 effort makes it a 5 star wine to drink till 2027.  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….

Louis Boillot Clos De La Chapelle 2008, Volnay, France

26 Friday Apr 2024

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Pale garnet with copper highlights, some bricking and a medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  On the nose this aged Pinot has medium (+) intensity aromas of cherries jubilee, strawberry compote, earth, rose, baking spice, vanilla thread, Goji berry, Rooibos tea and baked lingonberry.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium body and medium (-) tannins that are fully integrated.  The flavors are somewhat tart but I get cherry, strawberry, baking spice, rose and Rooibos.  It’s a rather stark difference from the power and intensity of the nose- I was hoping for a grand slam but the unripe nature of the fruit is a little underwhelming.  The finish is long which makes up a point or two and the structure is still there for more aging yet I doubt the fruit will shine, perhaps more tertiary development is possible.  This is the third bottle I have tasted of this wine in 12 years, it still does’t quite live up to my desires- 89 points and for $55 it’s a 3 star effort.  Cellar at your own discretion.  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….

Luis Pato Baga – Touriga Nacional 2016, Vinho Regional Beira Atlantico, Portugal

22 Monday Apr 2024

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Slightly cloudy, medium garnet colored with a low viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe raspberry, black cherry, boysenberry, dried wheat and a touch of earthiness.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium (-) body and medium tannins.  The fruit is somewhat tart, red in nature and melded with some  earthy undertones.  The finish is short-lived but lively with acidity and tart red fruit popping all over the palate.  I was expecting a tannic, brooding wine based on the Baga, but this is a relatively mild affair with the Touriga Nacional also not contributing much to the structure.  There’s plenty of acidity but not much else that we expect from these two grapes.  I guess the 8 years of age may have mellowed some of the pieces to the puzzlebut it is not complete.  85 points from me, even though I am enjoying this $18 bottle tremendously before we embark on making home-made pizza.  It gets 3 stars with a drink now window.  Salut….

 

Raventos I Blanc Can Sumoi Sumoll – Garnatxa 2020, Catalonia, Spain

21 Sunday Apr 2024

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Deep purple colored with low viscosity (12.5% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of game, black plum, black raspberry, violets and some garigue.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (-) body and medium tannins.  Flavors of game, black cherry, black raspberry and black plum with some floral highlights.  The finish is light and medium in length, not overly complex or tantalizing.  This wine is a bit one dimensional and I can feel some alcohol yet it only rings in at a modest 12.5%.  It runs $23 and gets 86 points from me making it a 2 star effort to drink by 2025.  I am pairing mine with a smoked Beef shank.  Salud….

Jaume Serra Brut Cava NV, Catalonia, Spain

16 Tuesday Apr 2024

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Pale gold colored with medium intensity bubbles and low viscosity (11.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of white pear, brioche, grapefruit pith, white blossom and salted caramel.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a light body and a medium (-) mousse.  Flavors of citrus pith, brioche, white blossom, ripe white pear and lanolin.  The mouthfeel is very smooth as the mousse has tamed itself with plenty of aging whilst the acidity is still bright and refreshing.  The finish is a tasty affair that is medium in length and very satisfying- some spritz, some zing and fresh fruit surrounding the bready, brioche notes.  This bottle has dubious provenance, it sat in my buddy Rewt’s basement for god-knows-how-long yet is shows decent quality and aging capacity.  As with most Non Vintage Cava, it is hard to tell the disgorgement date so I have no idea how long this bottle has slumbered.  A curious web search made my jaw drop- $9.  Yup, under 10 bones and you are drinking a very serviceable and delicious sparkler that is made in the traditional method out of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo grapes. I would be looking to stock up for the summer, this is a porch-pounder for sure.  88 points, and 5 stars.  Salut….

Torrevento ‘Barbuto’ Primitivo 2020, Puglia IGT, Italy

15 Monday Apr 2024

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Deep ruby colored with light staining and high viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of black plum, baking spice, rose, licorice, coffee, vanilla and dried green herbs.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body and medium tannins.  Medium intensity flavors of black plum, black cherry, vanilla, baking spice, purple licorice and black pepper.  The finish is slightly tart with the tannins starting to show more prominence.  It lasts for a good 20 seconds.  My pairing for this $18 bottle is a meat lovers pie from our local wood oven pizzeria.  It gets 87 points from me making it a 3 star effort to drink till 2025.  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….