Ken Wright Cellars Willamette Valley 2019 Pinot Noir

 

Ken Wright Cellars Willamette Valley 2019 Pinot Noir, $22.09-$29.99, 90 points, poured a deep ruby red with violet highlights, a broad clear wine ring, and medium fat legs.
Aromas were an interesting bouquet of subtle notes of chocolate, cloves, cherry pie, and a rocky stream of minerality.
A soft-textured (up front) medium-bodied dry red wine with supportive tannins, fair acidity, and tasty flavors of plums, red raspberry, red cherries, a hint of white pepper, and dried cardamom.
Finished long on the fading palate, an increased sense of tannin and spice, and a well-balanced 12.8% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my BLT.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Matua 2018 Pinot Noir NZ

 

Matua 2018 Pinot Noir NZ, $14.39-$16.99, 86 points, poured a medium to light cranberry color with a broad clear wine ring and light thin legs.
Aromas of Pinot Noir specific grape, hints of citrus, mint, and orange blossoms were very nice.
Not quite a medium-bodied red wine with good acidity, laid-back tannin, and a rather thin but tasty flavor profile showing good spiciness on weak red fruit.
Finished fair on the fading palate, citrus, melon rind, and a soft 12% alcohol.
Paired okay with my fish and chips. 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, All rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Antico Colle 2017 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

 

Antico Colle 2017 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, $22.94-$28.99, 91 points, poured an opaque cranberry red with an orange/red penumbra, a clear meniscus, and copious stained legs.
Aromas of cloves, black tea, a soft Asclepias perfume, and a hint of tar and citrus were quite good.
Nearly a full-bodied Sangiovese with good acidity, a sound and supportive layer of grainy tannins, and rich flavors reflective of the aromas with a hint of java was quite good also.
Finished long, a bit astringent (not a soft Merlot-lovers red wine), showing red fruit and warm spice, and a big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my flat-bread pepperoni pizza.
I consider this a high QPR red wine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Hall Napa Valley 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

Hall Napa Valley 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $50.99-$64.99, 93 points, poured an opaque ruby red with a blood red penumbra, a bright clear meniscus, and a deluge of stained legs.

Aromas of ripe black fruit, summer lake and stream, hint of juniper berry, and a floral vibe were good.
A full-bodied bone-dry red wine with firm tannic support, fair to good acidity, and opulent herbal flavors wrapped in dense layers of black fruit with plum and red currants was delicious.
Finished long, juicy, spicy, showing a bit of iron, and on a reigning 15% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my roast beef.
It's been about five years since I've had a Hall Cabernet Sauvignon, but this vintage seemed to me better than the last (2013).

2018 California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Le Merle De Peby Faugeres Saint-Emilon Grand Cru 2019 Bordeaux

 

Le Merle De Peby Faugeres Saint-Emilon Grand Cru 2019 Bordeaux, $48.44-$56.99, 93 points, poured an opaque rosewood red with a broad clear wine ring and copious stained-legs.
A lovely bouquet of flowers, cedar, cloves, cinnamon-infused red cherry, a bit earthy, and ripe blackberries was near perfection.
A full-bodied descendant red wine with good acidity, firm grainy tannins, and rich flavors reflective of the bouquet was delicious.
Finished long on the trailing palate, black plums, cayenne pepper, and a big but balanced 15% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Nadeau's steak-tip sub.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Gérard Bertrand Product De France Orange Gold 2020 White Wine Blend

 

Gérard Bertrand Product De France Orange Gold 2020 White Wine Blend, $24.99-$27.99, 90 points, poured an apricot orange color transitioning more yellowish towards the rim, and having a thin clear meniscus.
Though the label describes the aromas as "fresh and intense", I would agree with the former, but have my doubts concerning intense; although the herbal aromas with stone and pome fruit notes were good.
A medium-bodied dry white wine that could be described as a Rosé, showed fair to good acidity and flavors reflective of the aromas with a bit of melon rind and building spiciness which carried well into the long finish of citrus notes and a balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Hawiian chicken.
Varietals were 25% Chardonnay,15% Muscat, 15% Viognier, 15% Grenache Blanc, 15% Chenin,15% Roussanne.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Craggy Range Martinborough 2020 Sauvignon (New Zealand)

 

Craggy Range Martinborough 2020 Sauvignon (New Zealand), $15.29-$19.99, 90 points, was a very light brass color with a yellow/gold sheen and clear midway towards the rim.
Aromas of Gooseberry, lemon zest, whispers of pome blossoms, and sour grass were good.
A light-bodied, dry, acidic white wine, tart, and showing flavors tied to the aromas with developing ginger notes and finishing long on this trailing palate with a well-balanced 13.3% alcohol.
Paired fine with our seafood platter.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Rocca delle Macie Tenuta Sant' Alfonso Single Vineyard 2018 Chianti Classico (DOCG)

 

Rocca delle Macie Tenuta Sant' Alfonso Single Vineyard 2018 Chianti Classico (DOCG), $14.99-$27.99, 89 points, poured pomegranate red with deep bourbon flashes, a deluge of stained legs, and a broad clear meniscus.
Aromas of black tea, dried cocoa, floral notes, and black cherry cordial were quite good.
More than a medium-bodied bone-dry red wine with good acidity, a firm underlayment of tannin, and flavors reflective of the aromas were also quite good.
Finished long on the cocoa, hints of cayenne and fennel with what I thought was a bit out of balance 14.5% alcohol.
Paired okay with my pepperoni pizza.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Sal Do, The Prisoner Wine Company, California 2021 Chenin Blanc

 

Sal Do, The Prisoner Wine Company, California 2021 Chenin Blanc, $22.94-$30.99, 89 points, was a very light brass color with gold highlights and water clear before the rim.
The extraordinary aromas were pome flower perfume, ripe pear, bright citrus notes and a whisper of white chocolate.
This Chenin Blanc wasn't quite medium-bodied, showed fair to good acidity, and a tart flavor of melon rind, stone fruit, and citrus notes.
Finished quite tart, showed a touch of juniper berry, and with a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired okay with our Asian cuisine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES                                           

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Château Croix Cardinale, Saint-Émilion, Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château Croix Cardinale, Saint-Émilion, Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $28.89-$33.99, 92 points, poured an opaque purple/red with a broad clear meniscus and thick stained legs.
Aromas of ripe black fruit, lilac perfume, and dried cooking herbs were quite good if a bit straight forward.
A full-bodied bone-dry red wine with good acidity, firm grainy tannins, and complex herbal and fruit flavors of red raspberry, tart cranberry, black fruit, and fennel.
Finished long on the trailing palate, accelerating tannins, warm spices, iron, and a 14.5% alcohol (one glass only for me).
Paired perfectly with my spiced rack of lamb.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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J. Lohr Arroyo Vista, Arroyo Seco, Monterey, 2020 Chardonnay

 

J. Lohr Arroyo Vista, Arroyo Seco, Monterey, 2020 Chardonnay, $17.84-$22.99, 92 points, was a light yellow/gold color with silver highlights and graying towards the rim.
Smells of pear, peach, lemon oil, orange zest, and a hint of spicy black pepper were remarkable.
A full-bodied white wine with spice edgy silkiness and flavors of restrained vanilla, tangy citrus infused white pepper, and a dollop of oak which paired perfectly with my Honey-stung chicken wings.
Finished long with a more noticeable lemon and minerality, plus a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Being a lover of Chablis, a Cali oaked Chardonnay this good makes a believer out of me.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Erath Willakia vineyard Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon 2016 Pinot Noir

 

Erath Willakia vineyard Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon 2016 Pinot Noir, $21.24-$69.99 (closeout), 93 points, poured a deep pomegranate red with violet highlight, a still broad clear wine ring, and copious stained legs.
Aromas of cherry pie, cinnamon, black cherry cordial, and floral notes were excellent.
A medium to full-bodied bone-dry red wine with good acidity, a supportive underlayment of tannin, and rich flavors that reminded me of a light Valpolicella with cherry fruit, raisins, mint, and soft black plum flavors.
Finished longish on the trailing palate, cayenne, and a 15% alcohol-infused cinnamon.
Paired well with several unrelated food styles.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Green and Red Napa Valley Chiles Canyon 2018 Zinfandel

 

Green and Red Napa Valley Chiles Canyon 2018 Zinfandel, $25.49-$29.99, 90 points, poured a deep opaque Welch's purple/red with a broad clear meniscus, and a torrent of fat stained-legs.
The aromas were rich and filled with wild briar fruit, hot cinnamon red cherry, floral notes, and underbrush perfume.
A medium-bodied bone-dry red wine with good acidity, a supportive tannic structure, and flavors of ripe mulberry, briar fruit, spearmint, and a whisper of eucalyptus were tight and delicious.
Finished long on the trailing palate, hints of iron, cayenne pepper, and a warm 15.1% alcohol.
It's been like ten years since I've seen the Green and Red Zin, and the 2007 vintage was my first review, so, I was excited to see this in my local wine store; I was not disappointed.
Paired perfectly with my nachos grade.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Alban Roblin Rouge Loire, France 2020 Sancerre

 

Alban Roblin Rouge Loire, France 2020 Sancerre, $20.39-$26.99, 91 points, was a light yellow/gold color with copper highlights and graying towards the rim.
The aromas were quite grassy with hints of white chocolate, passionfruit, granite minerality, and soft floral notes.
A light-bodied bone-dry white wine with bright acidity and edgy flavors of lemon zest, lean minerality, intense ginger, lime juice, and lingering white pepper.
Finished long on a 14.10% alcohol infused trailing palate.
Paired imperfectly with my grilled provolone sandwich, better with my sardines in olive oil, and quite good with my Turkish halva.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Torres Gran Coronas, Penedès, Spain, Reserva 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Torres Gran Coronas, Penedès, Spain, Reserva 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.99-$21.99, 93 points, poured a blackish ruby red with copper highlights and dense stained legs.
A bouquet of black plums, coffee, dried marjoram, and floral notes were outstanding.
A silky full-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, a supportive underlayment of tannin, and rich flavors of Sambuca liqueur, black plums, raisins, Heath-bar, and tart black cherry were also outstanding.
Finished long on the Sambuca, a warm 14.5% alcohol infused pepper, and cinnamon.
Paired perfectly with my Mexican cuisine.
If high alcohol (notes of liqueur), bone-dry, and lacking all the "normal" fruitiness of say a Cali Cabernet Sauvignon interests you, then this high value Cabernet with a massive QPR should be for you.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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