Château La Chapelle De Haut-Bages Libéral Pauillac 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château La Chapelle De Haut-Bages Libéral Pauillac 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $35.99-$49.99, 91 points, poured a deep pomegranate red with faint copper highlights, a bleeding meniscus, and moderate legs.
Aromas were soft, toasty, floral, and still fruity with hints of java, and plums.
A full-bodied dry red wine with mostly resolved tannins, good acidity, and a smooth mouthfeel which carried less in the way of fruit and more a sense of soft/complex tertiary flavors.
Finished long with iron notes, a growing awareness of tannin, and hints of citrus and oak.
Paired great with our Chicago pizza.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 20210-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Lemelson Vineyards Thea's Selection 2018 Pinot Noir

 

Lemelson Vineyards Thea's Selection 2018 Pinot Noir, $21.24-$26.99, 91 points, poured a cranberry red with a very broad meniscus and light legs.
Toasty aromas of ripe cherry fruit, bee's wax, and a hint of cinnamon were pleasant.
A medium-bodied dry red wine with rather nebulas flavors reflective the aromas carried deep into the long finish accented with subtle white pepper, Damson plum, and a 13.8% alcohol.
Paired nicely with our pumpkin pie dessert.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Goldfeather, Columbia Valley, Washington 2019 Riesling

 

Goldfeather, Columbia Valley, Washington 2019 Riesling, $11.69-$12.99, 88 points, was a light brass color and grading midway towards the rim to a water clear.
Aromas blossomed from a bright minerality with good flavors of lemon juice, a hint of white toast, and clementine zest.
A light-bodied dry white wine (12.3% alcohol) with good acidity and flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long, tart, and citrusy.
Paired well with our Asian cuisine.
So many of these Northwest Rieslings are a great buy, and an eeny, meeny, miny moe leaves one with only one REAL decision, what level of sweetness one prefers.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chalk Hill 2018 Chardonnay

 

Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chalk Hill 2018 Chardonnay, $19.79-$21.99, 87 points, was a a deep straw yellow color with copper highlights and graying at the rim.
Aromas of cantaloupe, white chocolate, roasted tangerine peel, and dusty pome blossoms were pleasant.
A full-bodied off-dry white wine with an archetypical Cali Chardonnay oak flavor profile, cantaloupe, and a hint of tangerine zest with fair acidity, was a bit flat on the palate, and a disappointment for me, as a fan of Rodney Strong wines.
Finished fair on the trailing palate and a 13.5% alcohol.
Paired okay with my chicken stew.  

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Château Les Aubiers 2016 Grand Vin Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château Les Aubiers 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine, $17.42-$40.99, 89 points, poured core black trending a coppery red with moderately stained legs and a clear meniscus.
Aromas were a cornucopia of red fruit, cedar, cinnamon, and marjoram.
A near full-bodied bone-dry red wine with firm tannins, good acidity, and metallic flavors wrapped in red raspberry, hints of coffee, black tea, and dried figs.
Finished long on iron notes, a bit tart, and with a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our smoked baby-backed ribs.
 

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2016

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Nickle And Nickle, Truchard Vineyard, Carneros, Napa Valley 2019 Chardonnay

 

Nickle And Nickle, Truchard Vineyard, Carneros, Napa Valley 2019 Chardonnay, $39.94-$54.99, 93 points, was a medium yellow gold color with copper highlights and graying towards the rim.
Aromas of Mandarin zest, pome blossoms, lemon oil, and a wild river minerality were outstanding.
A light-bodied dry white wine with good acidity and rich flavors reflective of the aromas pleased the the whole palate.
Finished very long on the trailing palate, white pepper, ginger, a whisper of wood, and a well-balanced 14.2% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my chicken alfredo and candied nut desserts.
Years ago, I gave-up on Far Niente Chardonnay, but this Nickle and Nickle Chardonnay was a great relief! 

2019 Vintage California Chardonnay

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Lambert Estate Thoroughbred, Barossa Valley, 2018 Cabernet sauvignon 19.54-25.99

 

Lambert Estate Thoroughbred, Barossa Valley, 2018 Cabernet sauvignon, $19.54-$25.99, 90 points, poured mostly black with a large purple/red penumbra, a thick sheet of stained-hanging legs, and a broad clear wine ring.
Aromas were a panoply of soft lavender, Bordeaux lily, cassis, toast, cedar, and licorice.
A full-bodied dry red wine with fair to good acidity, an easy-supportive layer of tannins, and flavors of licorice, blackberries, a whisper of bell pepper, and a hint of mint.
Finished long on the trailing palate, easy white pepper nuance, and a big, but okay 15% alcohol.
Paired great with my Philly cheesesteak.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Wente Vineyards Livermore Valley 2020 Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc

 

Wente Vineyards Livermore Valley 2020 Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc, $12.74-$16.99, 86 points, was a medium brass color and water clear towards the rim.
Aromas of hay, grapefruit, and a hint of white chocolate were just okay for me.
A light-bodied near dry white wine with fair acidity and weak flavors early palate reflective of the aromas which gave way to a richer late palate of lemongrass, melon rind, and tangy orange peel.
Finished fair on the fading late palate, and a balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with our spice-rubbed baked chicken wings.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Ridge East Bench 2019 Zinfandel

 

Ridge East Bench 2019 Zinfandel, $27.19-$31.99, 91 points, poured a bright pomegranate red with soft pink lipstick highlights, fat hanging legs, and a broad clear wine ring.
Complex aromas of ripe mulberry, red raspberry, black tea, sun-warmed English Setter fur, cocoa, and rose pedals impressed my olfactory sense as always.
A medium-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, a thin layer of substantial tannins, and flavors reminiscent of the bouquet.
Finished long on the trailing palate, Zinfandel grape specific flavor, and a well-balanced 14.8% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Mexican cuisine.

Ridge, why it's a "go to" winery.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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August Kesseler, Rheingau Kabinett 2019 Riesling

 

August Kesseler, Rheingau Kabinett 2019 Riesling, $13.49-$14.99, 88 points, was a very light-yellow gold color grading lighter until the clear meniscus.
Aromas of lemon oil and a hint of petrol were accented with whispers of grapefruit and a sweet floral vibe (nice).
A light-bodied off-dry white wine with good acidity and tart to slightly sweet flavors of guava, lemon zest, grapefruit, and a hint of lime which unfolded early palate, but weaking towards the finish marked by a soft 10.5% alcohol.
Paired well with our spicy Mexican and Asian cuisines.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Tenet Wines "The Pundit" Columbia Valley 2018 Syrah

 

Tenet Wines "The Pundit" Columbia Valley 2018 Syrah, $20.69-$22.99, 87 points, poured a changeable color pattern based on the angle one looked at it: from the white-paper it appeared a Welch's grape drink purple, and from light passing through, it appeared a deep ruby red, but both with hanging stained legs and a moderately broad clear wine ring.
Aromas were a bit soft with, dare I say, black-grapey dominance, plumy, a bit toasty, and a bit black-peppery.
A full-bodied dry red wine that felt soft and round with easy tannins up front, fair to good acidity, and a fruit-forward flavor profile, a perfect wine for many anti-tannin friends of mine.
Finished long on the trailing palate, an incremental increased sense of tannin, iron, and hint of red licorice, and a balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with our pizza supreme.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Purple Hands Shea Vineyards Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley 2019 Pinot Noir

 

Purple Hands Shea Vineyards, Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley 2019 Pinot Noir, $50.99-$63.99, 94 points, poured a cloudy rose-pedal red with light hanging legs and a very broad clear meniscus.
The aromas of toasty floral notes with an oven fresh cherry pie and a fast-moving spring stream were outstanding.
A medium-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, and grainy firm tannins supported good flavors reflective of the aromas and warm cayenne spice.
Finished long, a bit tart, and on a spot-on 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my bacon-chicken with pasta shells in a spicy ranch cream sauce.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Banfi Castello San Angelo 2020 Pinot Grigio

 

Banfi Castello San Angelo 2020 Pinot Grigio, $14.00-$18.99, 86 points, was a light straw yellow with a light green cast.
The aromas were dominated by tropical fruit like pineapple.
A medium-bodied off-dry white wine with rather low acidity, soft, round, and viscus mouthfeel supporting a rather weak Pinot Grigio.
Finished as it began, uninspired, weak lemon oil flavor, and an out of sorts 13% alcohol.
Paired okay with my Atlantic lobster roll.
This is a staple wine for me, so I was very disappointed.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Hugh Hamilton The Rascal McLaren Vale 2018 Shiraz

 

Hugh Hamilton The Rascal McLaren Vale 2018 Shiraz, $12.99-$29.99, 89 points, poured core black grading to a ruby red with violet highlights, a torrent of fat-stained legs, and a bleeding clear meniscus.
Aromas of dry toast, black pepper, a faint funky note, and plums with a floral vibe were pleasant.
 A full-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, grippy grainy tannins, and up-front thin flavors on a rather austere mouthfeel which were all rectified on the late palate and finish with intriguing flavors of red fruit, citrus, off-green wood, a tangy pomegranate, and a balanced 14.5% alcohol.
The kicker on this wine, for me, was just how perfectly it paired with my guacamole burger; I need to get a couple more of these just to save and serve with such pairings.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Raeburn Russian River Valley 2019 Chardonnay

 

Raeburn Russian River Valley 2019 Chardonnay, $13.59-$18.99, 88 points, was a medium-yellow gold color and clearing towards the rim.
Aromas of vanilla, lemon oil, white chocolate, and a whisper of slightly sour honeydew melon were pleasant.
This was a medium-bodied dry white wine with good acidity and complex oak note flavors accented by citrus fruit and ginger.
Finished long on the trailing palate, black pepper, lemon zest, and a 14.5% alcohol.
Paired okay with our rotisserie spiced chicken and potato skins with cheddar cheese, but after attempting to pair with three different desserts failed, I gave up (pecan pie, white chocolate/Oreo, and banana-bread).

2019 Vintage California Chardonnay

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells, Columbia Valley, Washington 2018 Merlot

 

Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells, Columbia Valley, Washington 2018 Merlot, $13.99-$15.99, 90 points, poured a Welch's grape juice purple red with a clear meniscus and copious stained legs.
Aromas of toasty black plums and fresh-squeezed blackberries with faint hints of pine resin and mulling spice were quite good.
A full-bodied dry red wine with fair to good acidity, early-palate smooth mouthfeel, and a straightforward fruit-driven flavor profile nuanced with black licorice.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, intensifying tannins, and a balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my cheese steak sandwich.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Spy Valley Marlborough NZ 2020 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Spy Valley Marlborough NZ 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.44-$19.99, 92 points, was a very light platinum/brass color and water clear towards the rim.
Aromas of passion fruit, pome blossoms, dusty orange peel, and pear were only the tip of a fantastic bouquet (one of the best).
A light-bodied dry white wine with good acidity and bright flavors reflective of the aromas managed to linger long and finish with lemon zest, melon rind, a touch of lime juice, and a spot-on 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my fried Ipswich clams and lemon chicken fingers.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Rodney Strong Sonoma County Alexander Valley 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Rodney Strong Sonoma County Alexander Valley 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $18.63-$24.99, 93 points, poured core black thinning to a deep ruby red with fat stained legs and a broad clear meniscus.
The lovely aromas of cassis and plum were accented with subtle hints of lavender, coffee, and cinnamon.
A full-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, firm grainy tannins, and great flavors of cinnamon spicy cherries, spearmint, wintergreen, and Damson plum capped-off an up-front smooth texture and transitioning to a racier angular late palate; Finished long, spicy, a whisper of red raspberry, and a typical Cali 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my rare spice-rubbed rib eye.

2018 California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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