Foral De Melgaço Old Vines 2022 Alvarino

 

Foral De Melgaço Old Vines 2022 Alvarino, $14.44-$16.99, 93 points, was a medium brass color with degrees of lightening towards the glass rim.
The sweetly perfumed aromas of lemon/lime with hints of Lychee nut were unique and lovely.
Light-bodied, bright acidity, and delicious flavors reflective of the aromas nuanced with white pepper and melon rind were wonderful.
Finished quite long on the trailing palate, a whisper of rock candy, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my baked seafood platter.
My first Alvarino white wine, and I'm sold.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2023, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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La Posta Angel Paulucci Vineyard, Mendoza, Argentina, 2020 Malbec

 

La Posta Angel Paulucci Vineyard, Mendoza, Argentina, 2020 Malbec, $14.44-$19.99, 91 points, poured broadly black with a sienna penumbra, clear meniscus, and fat stained-legs.
The lovely aromas were floral, fruity, and earthy with a hint of mint.
This Malbec was full-bodied, soft, rich (almost decadent), showed good acidity, and earthy flavor notes with mulberry, hints of mint and eucalyptus.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a hint of blueberry, iron notes, soft spiciness, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my chili pizza.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Mitolo G.A.M. McLaren Vale Australia 2007 Shiraz REVISITED

 

Mitolo G.A.M. McLaren Vale Australia 2007 Shiraz REVISITED, $33.18-$38.99, 93 points, poured core black grading to an unfiltered rosewood red with a coppery sheen, a bleeding meniscus, and stained legs.
Good aromas of earth, coffee, fennel, and hints of rose peddle and cinnamon were outstanding.
Finished long on the fading palate, a hint of iron, and a well-balanced 15% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Texas burger and chips.
Last time I had this wine was thirteen years ago, and my comments proved to be prescient: this wine improved in some areas with time, and not many Sixteen-year-old Shiraz wines can say that.
The latest G.A.M. Shiraz averages $46.00.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Babich Marlborough 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Babich Marlborough 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.44-$16.99, 90 points, was a pale brass color and beginning to gray midway towards the glass rim.
Aromas of grapefruit, passion fruit, gooseberry, and dusty fresh-cut grass were well blended and rich.
The first Babich I've had in eight years and right off the bat this white wine is so much better than one I remember.
Almost a medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc, showed good acidity, a rather soft mouthfeel, and deep flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long, a bit tart on lemon zest, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my baked Pollock.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Brancaia 2017 ILATRAIA Rosso Toscana IGT

 

Brancaia 2017 ILATRAIA Rosso Toscana IGT, $50.99-$64.99, 92 points, poured core black with a deep unfiltered pomegranate red towards the glass rim, fat-stained legs, and a clear meniscus.
Aromas were fruity, earthy, minty, a bit flowery, and lovely.
The ILATRAIA Rosso was full-bodied, deep, complex, and satisfying; showed fair to good acidity, a supportive underlayment of tannin, and rich flavors of plums, cherry fruit, loam, mushrooms, herbs, and citrus.
Finished long, minty, spicy, and on a big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my loaded pizza.
A bit pricy but delicious and different.
The trick for the hoi polloi wine reviewer is to find great wines at fair prices (QPR). This morning I saw a wine review for a Harlan Cabernet, it was 96 points and $1700.00. Not a typical wine my family and friends are interested in.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2023, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Villa Maria "Earth Garden" Marlborough 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)

 

Villa Maria "Earth Garden" Marlborough 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand), $15.29-$19.99, 91 points, was a light brass color and clearing midway towards the glass rim.
The lovely aromas were rich and deep with white chocolate, dusty fresh-cut hay, pome blossoms, and a hint of white grapefruit.
This is not my first Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc, but it is the most "expensive" Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc, and well worth it; it was light-bodied, showed good acidity, and delicious flavors reflective of the aromas nuanced with a delicate ginger.
Finished long on the trailing palate and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my English-styled fish and chips. 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Château Les Hauts de Granget Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine Revisited

 

Château Les Hauts de Granget Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine Revisited, $25.49-$69.99, 91 points, poured an opaque rosewood red with a clear meniscus and stained legs.
Aromas were dominated by a lovely perfumed rose pedal nuanced with plums and earth notes.
I have a strong fondness for Bordeaux red wines, especially for Left-bank sourced wines, and this Saint-Émilion is no exception, it was full-bodied, showed fair to good acidity, round but firm and supportive tannins, and flavors of Damson plum, warm spices, and hints of mint and Kirsch.
Finished lively on an alcohol (14%) infused spiciness.
Paired fine with my Texas burger.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Bodega La Flor Pulenta Wines, Mendoza, Argentina, 2020 Malbec

 

Bodega La Flor Pulenta Wines, Mendoza, Argentina, 2020 Malbec, $16.14-$18.99, 89 points, poured an opaque purple/red with a clear wine ring and fat stained-legs.
The earthy and fruity aromas were rather simple and straight forward.
La Flor was typically full-bodied, and the flavors though reflective of the earthy/fruity aromas, were alcohol (14.5%) infused spicy: tannins were supportive but not too pronounced, and acidity was fair.
Finished long on the fading palate with hints of mint, blueberry, and licorice.
Paired fine with my Texas burger. 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Gomba Cascina Boschetti 2018 Barolo

 

Gomba Cascina Boschetti 2018 Barolo, $24.99-$49.99, 92 points, poured a deep pomegranate red with a very broad clear meniscus and sticky glass sheeting.
Aromas of rose pedal, white toast, cranberries, and just a whisper of milk chocolate were subtle.
This Barolo was medium-bodied with good acidity, grainy manageable tannins, angular flavors reflective of the aromas nuanced with warm pepper spices.
Finished long, tart, and spicy with a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my steak and chips.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Lamadrid Mendoza, Argentina, Single Vineyard 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva

 

Lamadrid Mendoza, Argentina, Single Vineyard 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, $10.19-$23.99. 90 points, poured a deep purple/red with a broad clear meniscus and light legs.
The straight-forward earthy aromas were nuanced with cedar and plum.
This Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina was not quite full-bodied, but showed good acidity, round/soft tannins, and delicious flavors of blackberry, plum, anise, and citrus.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a modicum of warm spice, and a welcomely restrained 13% alcohol.
Paired well with many different cuisines.
Though not a complex Napa Valley Cab, not full-bodied, or big in alcohol, this is a fabulous red wine at a fabulous price. 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Welmoed 2019 Chenin Blanc (South Africa)

 

Welmoed 2019 Chenin Blanc (South Africa), $3.99-$11.99, 86+ points, was a medium straw-yellow color with a broad light gray penumbra.
Aromas were muted citrus and apple.
Welmoed was light to medium-bodied, showed bright acidity, and delicious, if a bit thin, flavors of lemon flesh, cantaloupe, and nondescript dusty citrus.
Finished enlivened with white pepper and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Yellowfin tuna salad and fried clams.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2023, all rights reserve, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Root-1 Estate Vineyard Colchagua Valley, Chile 2018 Carménère

 

Root-1 Estate Vineyard Colchagua Valley, Chile 2018 Carménère, $9.34-$12.99, 86+ points, poured a dark ruby red color with a bleeding transitioning to clear wine ring and light legs.
Aromas were surprisingly rich with cedar notes, mulberry, plum, and hints of shoe polish and black grape.
This Carménère was medium-bodied, was a bit angular, showed good supportive tannins and acidity, upfront palate was a bit thin, but flavors nicely evolved to mirror the aromas.
Finished quite long on a touch of iron, chocolate, plum, mint, and spicy cayenne pepper with a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
There's much to this wine, though it doesn't quite seem focused, however, if a rather spirited and a great GPR (think value) red wine is for you, don't let Carménère confuse you, then try this one.
Pairs well with beef.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Château Barde-Haut Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château Barde-Haut Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $41.64-$48.99, 93 points, poured core black grading to an unfiltered purple/red color with a clear meniscus and heavy sained legs.
The complex aromas of red fruit were nuanced with rose pedal, citrus, loam, and hints of cocoa and cinnamon were curiously evolving.
This Bordeaux showed good acidity, firm (maybe a too firm at this point) tannins, and a very complex palate throughout: flavors of mint, cocoa, red raspberry, cayenne pepper, and plums were swaddled in oak.
Finished long on the developing flavors, a bit astringent, and with a robust 15% alcohol infused spiciness.
Pairing was a bit rough, as this wine just overpowered our Texas burgers.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2023, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Banfi Castello Poggio Alle Mura 2008 Brunello Di Montalcino

 

Banfi Castello Poggio Alle Mura 2008 Brunello Di Montalcino, $60.34-$74.99, 92 points, poured an unfiltered deep cranberry red with copper highlights, sticky glass sheeting, and still a broad clear meniscus.
The interesting bouquet blossomed with truffles, red fruit, loam, a floral vibe, and a hint of shoe polish.
As a superior Brunello Di Montalcino, this wine which I've had in my Euro-Cave for almost ten years, still showed good acidity, fine grainy tannins (albeit soft), and enough fruit to complement the tertiary notes of coffee, leather, and mushrooms.
Finished long on the fading palate with a good splash of cayenne pepper, a touch of mint, and a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired nicely with my pepperoni pizza.
I would have preferred this wine one or two years earlier.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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St. Supery Napa Valley 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

 

St. Supery Napa Valley 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, $23.79-$29.99, 91 points, was a light-yellow gold color with a broad clear meniscus.
The spectacular aromas showed Necco wafer candy, dusty kiwi, passion fruit, a hint of banana and fresh-cut hay.
This St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc verged on medium-bodied, showed good acidity and good flavors reflective of the amazing aromas.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, a touch of ginger, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my fried chicken breast and Mac and Cheese.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Casa De Campo Argentina 2021 Malbec

 

Casa De Campo Argentina 2021 Malbec, $6.37-$13.99, 86+ points, poured an opaque ruby red with violet highlights, moderate legs, and a broad clear wine ring.
Lovely bouquet of earth and fruit notes were nuanced with a hint of cigar box.
Casa De Campo was rich, thick, and rather straight forward with flavors of plums, cherry fruit, and warm spices. Acidity was fair and the tannins very soft (an almost cloying red wine).
Finished as it began, quite consistent throughout the palate, but showing a bit of tang and mint at the very end. The 12.5% alcohol was unobtrusive.
Paired fine with our beefy tostadas.
Low alcohol, low price, good quality: who could ask for more!

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES 

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Ch Substance Washington, State 2019 Chardonnay

 

Ch Substance Washington, State 2019 Chardonnay, $12.74-$18.99, 87 points, was a medium straw-yellow color right up to the rather narrow penumbra at the rim.
Smells of apples, dusty lemon zest, a hint of honeysuckle, and Chardonnay specific grape were lovely.
Ch was a medium-bodied white wine with good acidity, a steely texture, and fair flavors reflective of the aromas with a somewhat sour accent.
Finished long with that sour lemon transitioning to a tart rendition and a balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired fine with our Asian cuisine and Baklava dessert.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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