Antonin Rodet Grand Vin De Bourgogne 2019 Chablis

 

Antonin Rodet Grand Vin De Bourgogne 2019 Chablis, $13.99-$28.88, 89 points, was a medium yellow gold color with copper highlights and graying towards the rim.
Aromas were soft, but okay, lemon oil, tangerine zest, and apple.
A medium-bodied dry white wine with fair to good acidity and mid to late-palate developing flavors of juniper berry, minerality, green melon, and white pepper.
Finished long on the trailing late-palate, melon rind, and a balanced 14.1% alcohol.
Paired fine with my fried Ipswich clams.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Mazzei Castello Fonterutoli 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (DOCG)

 

Mazzei Castello Fonterutoli 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (DOCG),  $35.99-$71.99, 94 points, poured a deep garnet red with copper highlights, a broad clear meniscus, and copious stained legs.
Aromas began quite woody with caramel and bourbon, but graduated to a pleasant, but a bit funky black cherry.
A slightly heavier-bodied Chianti than many, but short of say a typical full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon; showed good acidity and comfortably supportive tannins with interesting flavors of mint, menthol, and cherry cola carried by an almost creamy texture reminiscent of a Harvey's Bristol Cream (Sherry).
Finished very long on the trailing palate, warm pepper spices, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Varietals were 92% Sangiovese, 4% Malvasia Nera, and 4% Colorino.
Paired perfectly with my Italian-styled pepperoni pizza.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Schloss Saarstein Abfüller Mosel 2018 Riesling

 

Schloss Saarstein Abfüller Mosel 2018 Riesling, $17.99-$19.99, 87 points, was an apple cider yellow and graying towards the rim.
The near dumb aromas presented subtle apple, will-o'-the-wisp lavender, and weak petrol scents.
A medium off-dry rather than an expected medium-sweet white wine with a sleek medium body and fair acidity accented with muted flavors of apple, juniper berry, and a nondescript nuttiness all of which was unobtrusive.
Finished fair on the fading palate and a soft 10% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Asian cuisine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Honig Napa Valley/Lake County 2020 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Honig Napa Valley/Lake County 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, $12.59-$21.99, 89 points, was the lightest shades of brass and quickly turned water clear.
Aromas of apricot, wet stones, and lime were soft, but okay and interesting.
A light-bodied bone-dry white wine with bright acidity and somewhat weak flavors reflective of the aromas (mid-palate) wasn't what I remembered with the last Honig SB I had (2016).
Finished well on intensifying ginger notes, lime, green melon rind, and a balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired just okay with my Asian cuisine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Sean Minor Paso Robles 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Sean Minor Paso Robles 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.47-$16.99, 86 points, poured a deep ruby red with a bleeding meniscus and many thin legs.
Aromas of black fruit, cigar box, and black pepper were good.
A full-bodied red wine with fair acidity, fairly dry, and fair round tannins managed flavors of plum, cassis, and a rose-like floral quality.
Finished okay on the trailing palate, easy pepper spices, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my spice-rubbed rib eye.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Maggio Family Vineyard 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Maggio Family Vineyard 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, $8.09-$11.24, 85 points, poured a deep rose-red with a broad clear wine ring and copious stained legs.
Aromas were a bit herbal and funky with cigar, blueberry, and tar notes.
A full-bodied dry red wine with soft acidity, easy early resolved tannins, and a blueberry/herbal flavor profile.
Finished fair on a persistent palate, energized pepper spices, a bit of sour black cherry, and a balanced 13.8% alcohol.
Paired okay with my spice-rubbed rare prime rib eye. 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Ferrari Carano 2019 Fumé Blanc

 

Ferrari Carano 2019 Fumé Blanc, $11.99-$16.99, 88 points, was a medium brass color with copper highlights and graying towards the rim.
Aromas of fresh cut grass, lemon zest, apple, and an unusual hint of Chardonnay-specific grape were just okay for me.
A light-to medium-bodied dry white wine with caramel and white pepper notes dominating white grape, lemon oil, and melon rind flavors.
Finished long on the fading palate with a hint of ginger and a a robust 13.8% alcohol.
Paired okay with my fried Islandic cod loin.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Château de Carlmagnus Fronsac 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château de Carlmagnus Fronsac 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine, $15.72-$18.49, 92 points, poured a deep garnet red with heavy sticky legs and a broad clear wine ring.
Aromas of clove, cinnamon, black plum, red cherry and raspberry were profuse and wonderful.
A full-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, fine grainy tannins, and rich flavors that mirrored the aromas and surpassed normal QPRs.
Finished long on a potent 15% alcohol, anise, warm pepper spices, and rich fruit.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed prime Angus strip steak.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2016

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Pedra Cancela dão Selecao do Enologo Tinto 2016 Red Wine (Portugal)

 

Pedra Cancela dão Selecao do Enologo Tinto 2016 Red Wine (Portugal), $11.99, 90 points, poured mostly black grading to a deep ruby red with a cloudy red penumbra, a thin clear meniscus, and thin copious stained legs.
Aromas began unusual with sage and tarragon, but yielded to Bordeaux lily and black fruit with a tinge of sourness (outstanding).
A sleek medium-bodied off-dry red wine with good acidity and a supple supportive underlayment of tannin, an herbal flavor profile, and a seamless blend of anise, cassis, and black cherry culminated in a rather cerebral tipple.
Finished fair on easy pepper notes and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed rib eye.
   

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tenuta Sassoregale Maremma Toscana 2019 Vermentino (DOC)

 

Tenuta Sassoregale Maremma Toscana 2019 Vermentino (DOC), $12.99-$16.99, 88 points, was a light yellow-gold color and transitioning to water clear towards the rim.
Aromas of  petrichor, lime zest, and a bit of dusty stone-fruit were clean and good.
A dry light-bodied white wine with good acidity and slightly sour citrus flavors accented with minerality and unripe green melon rind made for a fair white table wine.
Finished long on the fading palate and a lively 13.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my Spanish sardines and tomato salad.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Château Puygueraud, Francs-Côtes-de-Bordeaux, 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château Puygueraud, Francs-Côtes-de-Bordeaux, 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine, $16.57-$19.49, 90 points, poured a near core black grading deep purple-red with dense stained hanging legs and a broad clear wine ring.
Aromas were sweetly herbal with red raspberry, red currant, and accents of cocoa and vanilla.
A near full-bodied dry red wine (80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec) showing good acidity and tannic structure with pomegranate and other flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on a building tannic presence and a pepper spiced infused well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired nicely with my rack of Australian lamb.
A very high QPR red wine.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2016

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Allan Scott Family Wine Makers 2020 Marlborough, NZ, Sauvignon Blanc

 

Allan Scott Family Wine Makers 2020 Marlborough, NZ, Sauvignon Blanc, $11.99-$13.99, 89 points, was a light yellow-gold color and graying midway to the rim.
Aromas of dusty hay, lemon zest, grapefruit, and sweet mint leaves was outstanding.
A light-bodied, bone dry, acidic white wine thoroughly Kiwi-like expressed on the palate a righteous mirror-image of the aromas, and though finishing a bit weak, but with good white pepper notes and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my loaded beef hotdogs, but better with my apple pie with whipped cream.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Antinori Peppoli 2017 Chianti Classico (DOCG)

 

Antinori Peppoli 2017 Chianti Classico (DOCG), $19.54-$24.99, 91 points, poured a light ruby red with a cranberry red penumbra, a broad clear meniscus, and light legs.
Aromas of  Red Hots/Cinnamon Imperials Candy, red raspberry, a floral vibe, and black tea were excellent.
A medium-bodied bone dry red wine with bright acidity, supportive grainy tannins, and good flavors reflective of the aromas with a hint of mint.
Finished quite long on the trailing palate, an escalating mint, more noticeable tannins, and buoyed by a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my meatball sub-sandwich.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Stewart Napa Valley 2015 Cabernet sauvignon

 

Stewart Napa Valley 2015 Cabernet sauvignon,   $29.74-$69.99, 93 points, poured an opaque ruby red (somewhat clouded) with copious stained hanging legs and a thin clear wine ring.
The lovely bouquet of bold cassis was accented with perfumed roses, nutmeg, and woody clove (outstanding).
A full-bodied dry red wine with a soft/round mouthfeel, fair acidity, and rich flavors expressive of the bouquet.
Finished long and strong on the fading palate, cherry cola, a spicy infused 14.5% alcohol, mint, and fine tannins.
Paired perfectly with my steak, potatoes, and butternut squash.

2015 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Givon, Galil 2018 Chardonnay (Israel)

 

Givon, Galil 2018 Chardonnay (Israel), $11.59-$13.99, 88 points, was the lightest yellow gold color and grading water clear.
Aromas of faint mint and Granny-Smith apple with a more dominant lemon oil, though gossamer, were unusual and pleasant.
A rather light-bodied dry white wine, more typical of a Chablis-styled Chardonnay, being lean with a bit of minerality and good acidity.
Flavors were dominated by lemon-bitters, ginger, and green melon rind; again a bit unusual and pleasant; definitely worth the money, and would be an interesting surprise in a blind-tasting.
Finished long on the trailing palate, hiding no complexity, but the 13% alcohol was again more typical of a Chablis, and was well-balanced.
Paired well with my sweet and sour pork, but not as well, as the recent La Crema.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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La Crema Saralee's Vineyard Russian River Valley 2017 Chardonnay

 

La Crema Saralee's Vineyard Russian River Valley 2017 Chardonnay, $16.99-$44.99, 90 points, was a light yellow gold grading straw yellow in color and clear towards the rim.
Aromas were bright cantaloupe, apple, lemon zest, petrichor, a spicy kiss of oak, and Chardonnay-specific grape (quite nice).
A bold medium-bodied dry white wine with fair to good acidity, a rather sleek texture, and flavors righteously reflective of the aromas, a strong trailing palate with an emphasis on lemon and the spot-on 13.8% alcohol managed to present a well-balanced Cali Chardonnay (generally not my favorite).
Paired fine with my roasted chicken.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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North By Northwest Walla Walla Valley 2017 Syrah

 

North By Northwest Walla Walla Valley 2017 Syrah, $16.14-$54.99, 90 points, poured a lovely core opaque purple/red with thick, sticky, and stained glass sheeting.
Aromas were earthy, black fruity, and floral with a hint of chocolate, clove, and cinnamon.
A full-bodied robust dry red wine with fair acidity, a supportive underlayment of tannin, and robust flavors to match the aromas.
Finished well with black cherry, licorice, white pepper, and a balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired nicely with my Teriyaki steak and vegetables.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tensley Colson Canyon Vineyard Santa Barbara County 2008 Syrah (Revisited)

 

Tensley Colson Canyon Vineyard Santa Barbara County 2008 Syrah, (Revisited) $34.51-$43.99, 91 points, was a surprising delight, having spent 9 years in my Euro-cave the color was a surprising violet with just a hint of copper red at the thin bleeding meniscus and with lots of suspended debris.
Aromas were still juicy black fruits with hints of licorice.
Turned to a medium-bodied red wine with fair acidity, resolved tannins leading to a very slick mouthfeel, and good black cherry and blackberry flavors with notes of anise and flowers.
Finished long on the trailing palate, but lacking the pepper and the 15% alcohol potency.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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