Thursday, November 30, 2017

The Seeker Marlborough 2016 Sauvignon Blanc





The Seeker Marlborough 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $12.99-$15.99, 87 points, poured a faint light brass color.
The profuse grapefruit aroma nearly canceled-out the subtle tangerine/gooseberry aromas.
Light and crisply acidic with a grapefruit flavor profile delivered a good, though rather one dimensional, white table wine experience mastering our North Atlantic Sea scallops.
Finished fair with hints of cumquat and passion fruit.
The 13% alcohol was restrained and well balanced.
I bought this NZ SB at the Hannaford's Super Market of Goffstown.

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Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Girard Napa Valley Old Vine 2013 Zinfandel





Girard Napa Valley Old Vine 2013 Zinfandel, $24.99-$28.99, 90 points, poured a dark wine red with a clear wine ring and moderate glass draping.
Aromatic earthy blackberries, mulberry, cedar, and plum were palpable.
As I've noticed concerning many Napa Valley Zinfandels, the Girard was more full-bodied, rich, and Cabernet-like than most Zinfandels from outside this AVA (JMO).
Accenting acidity with firm underlying tannins supported bright flavors reflective of the aromas which carried deep into a hot spicy finish marked by a potent 15% alcohol.
Paired well with my spice-rubbed Australian rack-of-lamb.

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Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Anew Columbia Valley 2012 Riesling








Anew Columbia Valley 2012 Riesling, $9.99-$12.99, 85 points, was a pale brass color clear at the glass edge.
Smells of petrol and burnt orange peel with a hint of white blossoms were just okay.
Light, crisp, and appropriately acidic, Anew translated the aromas onto the palate with a tad of quince.
Finished long on the trailing palate with hints of cumquat and pear.
This off-dry Riesling with 11.5% alcohol paired just okay with my deep fried Atlantic clams.



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Monday, November 27, 2017

Bersano 'Costalunga' 2015 Barbera d'Asti D.O.C.G.




Bersano 'Costalunga' 2015 Barbera d'Asti D.O.C.G., $9.99-$12.99, 89 points, appeared plum purple/red with a broad clear wine ring and light draping.
The fragrant smells of roses and blueberries wafted feminine while the medium body with good acidity and wooly firm tannins (which is contraindicated) made for a dry red wine.
Flavors of red cherry, blueberry, and black tea trailed into the very long finish marked by spicy red fruit and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with our pepperoni pizza.

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Sunday, November 26, 2017

Cantina Colomba Bianca Vitese 2016 Grillo (Sicily, Italy)







Cantina Colomba Bianca Vitese 2016 Grillo (Sicily, Italy), $8.49-$19.99, 88 points, was a bright medium gold color grading clear toward the glass edge.
Shy aromas of honeysuckle and tangerine were good.
Light-bodied and moderately crisp with fair-plus acidity rightly accentuated the citrusy flavor profile.
Finished nicely on the trailing palate, intense ginger notes, a hint of dragon fruit, and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with Taipei and Tokyo's crispy rice soup with shrimp.

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2017 Christmas Wine Gifts (Sweet and Simple Picks)



Top wine recommendations for 2017,
based upon the quality and price at the time of purchase and my subsequent reviews;
just in time for Christmas gifting.

 
  


Best value red wines under $15:



Best red wines under $50:


Best white wines under $50:


Five 'step-up' red wines for those that want something a little more (special) pricy; two for the American palate (viva Napa):

 

Celebratory Sparkling Wine:



Rosé:


Port/Sherry and other Fortified Wines:




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Saturday, November 25, 2017

Clos La Chance Central Coast 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon




Clos La Chance Central Coast 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.99-$39.99, 90 points, poured core black transitioning sienna at the clear wine ring and moderately leggy glass bowl.
Aromatic black fruit medley nuanced with a hint of rose pedal were unusual and more Bordeaux like than your typical Cali Cab.
On the light side (medium-bodied) for a California Cabernet Sauvignon, it showed good acidity and a firm underlayment of tannin; a delicious blend of blueberry, red licorice, tobacco, and pomegranate flavors excelled for this style of wine.
Finished long on the trailing palate with a hint of eucalyptus, white pepper, and a spot-on 14.2% alcohol.

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Friday, November 24, 2017

2005 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted







2005 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted.

Beringer Napa Valley Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.99-$39.99, 89 points
 
Buehler Vineyard Estate 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $17.99, 89 points
 
Burgess Napa Valley 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $28.99-$38.99, 89 points
 
Ferrari-Carano Alexander Valley 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $22.99-$36.99, 88 points
 
Geyserpeak Winery Alexander Valley Reserve 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $17.99-$40.00, 90 points
 
Hall Napa Valley 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $32.99, 93 points
 
LADERA Howell Mountain Napa Valley 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $48.49, 92 points
 
Louis M. Martini Napa Valley 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $19.99-$23.99, 90 points
 
Merriam Vineyards Dry Creek Valley 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $19.99-$33.99, 89 points
 
Silverado Napa Valley 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $36.99-$49.99, 91 points
 
ST. SUPERY NAPA VALLEY 2005 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, $24.99-$34.99, 89 Points

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $195.99-$239.99, 95 points

For later vintages and non-vintage California Cabernet Sauvignon, see:
Cabernet Sauvignon (USA California)


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2006 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted







2006 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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2008 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted





2008 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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2007 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted






2007 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted. 


Alexander Valley Vineyards (Wetzel Family Estates) 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $14.99-$24.99, 89+ points

Avalon Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $15.29-$19.99, 86 points

Beringer Founders Estate 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $6.49- $7.99, 87 points

Beringer Knights Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $14.99-$23.99, 90 points

BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE NAPA VALLEY 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON $67.99-$115.00, 94 points

Bogle Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $10.99-$13.99, 86 points

Bonterra Vineyards Mendocino County 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $12,99-$15.99, 87 points

Cameron Hughes Lot 136 Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $17.99, 89 points

Charles Krug 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $18.00-$25.00, 90 points

Clayhouse Paso Robles 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $13.99-$15.99, 87 points

Clos Du Val Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $26.99-$30.00, 91 points

Clos Pegase Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $39,99-$44.99, 93 points

Darioush Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $74.69-$82.99, 95+ points

Darioush Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Revisited, $74.69-$82.99, spoiled (points)

Estancia Paso Robles 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $10.99-$14.99, 88 points

Francis Coppola's Ivory Label 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $14.99, 88 points

Franciscan Estate Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $18.99-$22.99, 90 points

Frog's Leap Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet, $37.99, 92 points

Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $42.49-$62.99, 93 points

Hall 'Kathryn' Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $72.24-$105.99, 94 points

Hess Select 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $14.99-$19.99, 85 points

Honig Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $27.19-$35.99, 92 points

Joel Gott 815 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $13.00, 87 points

Justin Paso Robles 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $21.99-$29.99, 88 points

Kenwood Sonoma Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $13.99-$16.99, 88 points

Kunde Sonoma Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.99-$21.99 90 points

Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, $19.99-$23.99, 90 points

LOUIS*M*MARTINI Sonoma County 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.00-$15.99, 90 points

Mount Veeder Winery Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $28.04-$39.99, 91 points

Murphy-Goode Alexander Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $14.00, 88 points

Neal Napa valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $38.24-$48.99, 93 points

Niner Bootjack Ranch Paso Robles 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $21.99-$25.99, 90 points

Opus One 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Bordeaux-styled Red Wine), 96 points

Rutherford Ranch Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $17.99-$19.99, 92 points
 
Shafer Hillside Select 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $186.99-$219.99, 97 points

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $39.15-$58.00 (Seen on-line for $31.99), 93 points

Stonehedge Napa Valley Reserve 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $14.49-$24.99, 86+ points

Twenty Bench Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $19.99, 91 points

Twenty Bench Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Revisited) $19.99, 90 points

 
 
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2010 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted





2010 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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2009 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted








2009 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted.
 

Clos Du Val Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $25.49-$39.99, 92 points

Clos Du Val Stags Leap District 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $49.99, 93 points

Folie à Deux Alexander Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $14.44-$19.99, 90 points

Francis Coppola's Ivory Label 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $13.99-$17.99, 89 points

Grgich Hills Estate Grown Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $46.49-$64.99, 93+ points

Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $50.14-$64.99, 93 points

Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, $68,41-$89.99, 96 points

Jordan Alexander Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $47.99-$49.99, 91 points

Kenwood Sonoma County 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $12.09-$16.99, 88+ points

O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $51.74-$79.99, 95 points

Robert Craig Mount Veeder 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, about $70, 94 points

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $29.99-$24.99, 91 points

Robert Mondavi Oakville 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $48.44-$56.99, 92+ points

Rodney Strong Sonoma County Alexander Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $22.09-$29.99, 91 points

Saddleback Cellars Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $32.29-$68.99, 89+ points

Sequoia Grove Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $25.49-$32.99, 92 points

Shannon Ridge Ranch Collection Lake County California 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $10.99-$18.99, 90 points

Silverado Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $39.33-$59.99, 92+ points

Staglin Family Vineyard Estates Rutherford Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $160.99-$185.99, 96 points

Waterstone Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.99-$22.99, 92 points




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2011 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted





2011 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted. 

Black Stallion Napa Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.79-$23.99, 90 points

Cameron Hughes Lot 418 Oakville Napa Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $17.99-$26.99, 91 points

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $52.99 (gift) but found for $44.99, 90 points

Dry Creek Vineyard Sonoma County 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $17.09-$24.99, 91 points

ESO Central Coast 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.70-$13.00, 88 points

Francis Coppola's Ivory Label 2011 Cabenet Sauvignon, $13.99-$17.99, 89 points

Frog's Leap Napa Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $20.79-$42.99, 91+ points

Grgich Hills Estate Grown Napa Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $47.99-$59.99, 92+ points

Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $62.99-$67.99, 93 points

Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, $84.99-$99.99, 96 points

H and G Collector's Edition Oakville 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $17.99-$19.99, 85 points

Hahn 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $9.34-$13.99, 90 points

Honig Napa Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $28.83-$35.99, 92+ points

Merriam Windacre Vineyard Russian River Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $27.99-$29.99, 91 points

Ridge Estate 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $38.39 (bought two years ago), $52.99 (now), 92 points

Ridge Monte Bello 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $124.79-$155.99, 95 points
 Rodney Strong Alexander Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, $45.99-$53.99, 93 points

Rutherford Ranch Napa Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $18.99-$21.99, 86 points

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $45.99-$54.99, 91+ points

Steele Red Hills Lake County 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.19-$19.99, 90 points

Summers Knights Valley Sonoma County 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, $19.99-$39.99, 86 points

Waterstone Napa Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $21.24-$27.99, 91 points

Wente Southern Hills Livermore Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.89-$16.99, 87 points

Zeitgeist Napa Valley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $29.49-$57.99, 92 points


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