Brancaia Tre Rosso Toscana IGT 2015 Red Wine, $14.44-$20.99, 91 points, poured with a deep core of ruby grading garnet red, ringed with a clear meniscus, and a sheet of hanging stained legs.
First pour aromas were briefly influenced by a whisper of funk, but quickly transitioned to a rich red cherry and black tea.
Full-bodied red wine with good acidity, smooth mouth-feel, supportive underlayment of tannin, and delicious flavors reflective of the aromas with a bit of plum.
Finished long on the fading palate, warm pepper spices, a hint of cola, fig, and a well balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were an unspecified blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Antinori 'Bramito Della Sala' Umbria 2016 Chardonnay, $19.79-$21.99, 91 points, poured a light gold color and grading water clear before the glass rim.
Aromas were faint apple, honeysuckle, and freshwater minerality.
Light-bodied for a Chardonnay, and showed excellent acidity, minerality, and Chablis-like character.
Flavors were delicate as were the aromas, but though unobtrusive, certainly delicious.
Finished long on nuanced flowers, ginger, and the well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our Thanksgiving-like dinner.
If Cali oak is your thing, you're not likely to appreciate this Italian gem.
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Château Quinault L'Enclos Grand Cru de Saint-Émilion 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $36.97-$43.49, 91 points, poured a deep ruby red grading purple/red with a broad super clean meniscus and hanging stained legs.
Aromatic toasty red and black currants with a floral vibe were pleasant.
Full-bodied red wine with good acidity and a buoyant layer of tannins managed a well blended bounty of plums, currants, coffee, and truffle flavors.
Finished long on the trailing palate, pomegranate, tobacco, easy white pepper, and a spot-on 14% alcohol.
Varietals were 69% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Cabernet Franc.
Paired well with my rare spice-rubbed Angus rib eye.
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Fountain Grove Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, $7.99, 88 points, poured the lightest of brass colors, almost silver, and trending water-clear toward the glass rim.
Smells were nearly 'dumb', but subtle grass notes with a hint of lemon were okay.
Light-bodied with good acidity and delicious flavors of melon, lime, lemongrass, and dragon fruit shook-off the lacking aromas.
Finished fair with a touch of ginger and a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.
Paired nicely with a smorgasbord of appetizers.
Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (Cali)
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The Calling Alexander valley 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, $19.99-$29.99, 89 points, was a swashbuckler of a red wine; showed richness, texturally smooth and dense, smells and flavors of truffles and black fruits, deep purple/red colors, broad clear meniscus, generous legs, and finished long with building flavors of black licorice, black cherry syrup, and a 14.5% alcohol inspirited pepper spiciness.
Paired fine with our American chop suey.
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Santa Rita Valle De Casablanca, Chile 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.89-$13.99, 89 points, was a medium brass color.
Bright grassy aroma with sweet hay and a floral vibe were excellent.
Light-bodied white wine which was appropriately acidic delivered flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished on soft passion fruit, white pepper, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my sautéed Sea scallops.
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Pey Family Napa Valley 'Textbook' 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, $19.79-$32.99, 90 point, poured an almost Shiraz purple with a magenta cast, a broad clear wine ring, and copious stained fat legs.
Aromatic warm cinnamon, clove, cedar, and black currant were outstanding.
Full-bodied red wine with good acidity, supportive underlayment of tannin and flavors dominated by a 'fireball' cinnamon candy nuanced with oak and black currant.
Finished tantalizing hot with a touch of red raspberry and a dubious 13.3% alcohol.
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Château Montrose La Dame De Montrose Saint-Estèphe 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $42.92-$50.49, 93 points, poured a brilliant purple/red shading ruby toward the bright broad meniscus and copious fat legs.
Aromas were a bit quiet, but boysenberry jam, red licorice, and a floral vibe were excellent.
Full-bodied red wine, still a bit tight, but very drinkable, and showed good acidity, firm tannins, vibrancy, balanced fruity/herbal flavors, and future potential.
Finished consistent, developed energetic pepper spices with nuanced violets, pomegranate, loam, and a spot-on 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot.
Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015
Château La Sergue LaLande De Pomerol 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $29.32-$34.49, 92 points, poured core black grading ruby red and fading into the clear wine ring; legs were fat.
Aromas were a medley of rich perfumed red and black fruit with lovely floral notes.
Full-bodied red wine supported effectively with good acidity and a comfortably dense tannins.
Flavors were tasty and reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on truffle, oak, a touch of plum, black raspberry cordial, easy pepper spices, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my rare spice-rubbed rib eye steak.
Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015
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Bayten Buitenverwachting, Cape Of Good Hope, 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (Constantia, South Africa), $13.59-$15.99, 91 points, was a light yellow-gold color and clear before the glass rim.
Aromatic sweet hay with hints of lily of the valley perfume were outstanding.
Light-bodied with good acidity showed rich and complex flavors of grasses, flowers, and lightly sweet candies.
Finished long on the fading palate, melon, star fruit, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my first steamed Maine lobster of the season.
Just maybe the best SA SB I've tasted.
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Marqués de Cáceres Gran Reserva 2010 Rioja, $24.99-$29.99, 92 points, poured core black grading deep purple/red with a distinctly clear meniscus and thick stained sheeting.
Strong aroma of savory with roses, cedar, and black plum were unique.
Full-bodied red wine with good acidity and firm grainy tannins well supported flavors that reflected the aromas.
Finished long on the fading palate, a hint of tobacco, easy pepper spices, black licorice, and a spot-on 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed sirloin steak.
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La Mozza I Perazzi Maremma Toscana 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon DOC (Italy), $14.44-$16.99, 90 points, poured a deep ruby grading cranberry red with a broad meniscus and dense stained legs.
Aromas were rather 'dumb', but a light floral red raspberry was nice (I know some of you don't like that descriptor).
An unusually light (medium-bodied) Cabernet Sauvignon with good acidity and a mellow supportive underlayment of tannin was the conduit for a totally unusual wine: flavors of a rich red fruit medley nuanced with sweet tobacco.
Finished long on the trailing palate, licorice, and a perfect 13.5% alcohol.
I loved this wine! It was delicious, unobtrusive, and a perfect pairing with my spaghetti and meatballs.
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Pendulum Columbia Valley 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $15.99-$19.99, 90 points, poured core black grading ruby red with a bright broad clear meniscus and dense copious stained tears.
Aromas of cedar, earth, and black currants with a hint of shoe polish were excellent.
Full-bodied red wine (gentle on the palate) with good acidity and softly supportive tannins carried rich flavors of blackberry, black currant, cocoa, and plum.
Finished well on the fading palate, a touch of tart pomegranate, easy pepper spices, and a spot-on 14.3% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with Ollie's sirloin tips.
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Joel Gott 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.75-$12.99, 86 points, poured a very light yellow/gold color and water clear at the rim.
Aromatic sweet hay nuanced with a hint of honeysuckle and passion fruit were excellent.
Light, appropriately acidic, and showing flavors of slightly sour lemon-grass, lime, and watermelon rind.
Finished on the trailing palate, white pepper, and a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.
Paired okay with my turkey club with veggies in a cheddar cheese sauce.
Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (Cali)
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Conti Zecca Salento 2014 Negroamaro Red Wine (IGT), $8.92-$17.99, 90 points, was a dark ruby red with an orange/red penumbra and clear wine ring.
Smells were peppery, flowery, and fruity with nuanced cocoa and cedar (outstanding).
Full-bodied red wine, creamy smooth, and with a firm supportive underlayment of tannin which managed unusual flavors of mango, Damson plum, and licorice.
Finished long on the fading palate, cherry cola, pepper spices, and a well-integrated 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my meat-lovers pizza.
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Zocker Paragon Vineyard Etna Valley 2015 Grüner Veltliner, $10.99-$19.99, 86 points, was a straw yellow color clearing at the glass shallows.
Aromas of sweet hay, apple, and a floral vibe were pleasant.
A shade more than light-bodied, good acidity, and reasonably tasty on sour hay notes, a hint of yeast, and grapefruit rind.
Finished long and tart on the trailing palate and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with our spicy chili.
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Château La Grange Clinet Grande Reserve 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $11.69-$12.99, 90 points, poured a dark garnet red with a broad clear meniscus and moderately dense stained draping.
Aromatic bouquet of flowers, red raspberry, cedar, and loam were quite good.
Medium-plus body, good acidity, and grainy firm tannins supported a savory flavor profile with good red and black fruit, herbs, and boysenberry jam.
Finished earthy, jammy, a touch of white pepper, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Varietals were 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wasn't particularly satisfied with this wine paired with burgers or pizza, but I think lamb with a touch of mint just might have worked.
Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015
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Gateway 2016 Vinho Verde, $2.96-$10.99, 87 points, was the lightest of yellow-gold colors with a light green sheen, and there was no apparent fizz.
Faint lemon aroma was all this 'dumb' white wine would show.
Light, brightly acidic, still no apparent effervescence, lively flavors of lime with a lemon/lime finish (9.5% ABV).
A rather nondescript Vinho Verde, but rather tasty and worth more than $2.96.
Paired perfectly with my rotisserie chicken and mashed potatoes.
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Les Trois Couronnes 2012 Côtes du Rhône, $11.70-$16.99, 88 points, poured a dark cranberry red with a clear wine ring and dense stained legs.
Smells were soft, but earthy, red berry fruit, and a floral vibe which were pleasant.
Medium-bodied red wine with good acidity and a mellow underlayment of tannin supported simple, but flavorful cherry cola and red raspberry.
Finished fair with a 'sweet' dose of white pepper and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah.
paired fine with our mac-and-cheese.
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Château du Retout Haut-Médoc 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $14.02-$16.49, 90 points, poured a clean dark purple/red with the emphasis on red, a broad clear meniscus, and moderate stained glass sheeting.
Aromas were toasty, earthy, and fruity with a hint of cocoa.
Medium-plus bodied red wine with good acidity and firm grainy tannins.
Flavors were delicious red and black fruits with a touch of mint and Spanish tarragon.
Finished long on the trailing palate, easy pepper spices, and a spot-on 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed Angus filet mignon.
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