Vina Robles, Paso Robles 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Vina Robles, Paso Robles 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.99-$21.99, 90 points, poured core black grading to a deep rosewood red with a broad clear meniscus and copious fat legs.
The bouquet was a cornucopia of fruit, cinnamon, clove, and a whiff of juniper berry.
This was a very full-bodied dry red wine showing fair acidity, round and soft up-front, but the tannins kick-in late palate with a spice infused 14.5% alcohol, and rich flavors of mint, blueberries, black licorice, and plums.
Finished long, tart, and with a touch of citrus.

2018 California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Wente Wetmore Vineyard, Livermore Valley, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Wente Wetmore Vineyard, Livermore Valley, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $21.24-$34.99, 91 points, poured a Welch's-grape purple with Burgundy red highlights, a broad clear wine ring, and fat-stained legs.
Aromas of tar, plums, cassis, red currants, and a floral vibe were complex and fragrant.
This full-bodied dry red wine was a tad angular and straight forward, but with good acidity and a firm underlayment of tannin, supported an "aquafer" of interesting flavors reflective of the aromas with a bit of black tea.
Finished long on an intensifying red pepper spiciness, blossoming tannins, toast, iron, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my avocado/steak tostadas.
This is an excellent value Cabernet Sauvignon; one I recommend for Christmas gift-giving; the only one so far this year!

2018 California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Clay Shannon El Coyote, Lake County, California 2019 Chardonnay

 

Clay Shannon El Coyote, Lake County, California 2019 Chardonnay, $12.74-$17.99, 85 points, was a medium straw yellow color, graying midway towards a clear wine ring.
Aromas of sweet apples, mandarin zest, and Necco wafer were pleasant.
A medium to full-bodied white wine with weak to fair acidity and mainly flat flavors reflective of the aromas, which patiently waited until a more interesting finish of subtle hints of ginger and tart citrus to open up upon the back of a soft expression of what is rated an ABV of 14.4%.
Paired okay with Thanksgiving dinner.

2019 Vintage California Chardonnay

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2021, All rights reserved; Dennis Tsiorbas
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Halley and Lex Margaret River 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Halley and Lex Margaret River 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.99-$19.99, 91 points, poured a deep Burgundy red color with a broad clear meniscus and copious legs.
Hints of coffee, cigar box, spearmint, pine resin, and wild blackberries were excellent.
This was not quite a full-bodied red wine, but good flavors of anise, cassis, coffee, and plums were well supported with an underlayment of tannin and good acidity.
Finished bone-dry and long on the trailing palate and a well-balanced, but warm 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my loaded Chicago-styled pizza.
Not your typical Napa Valley type of Cab, and though a bit angular, this, to me, is an excellent red wine with a high QPR.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2021, All rights reserved; Dennis Tsiorbas

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Domaine Cherrier 2019 Sancerre

 

Domaine Cherrier 2019 Sancerre, $16.14-$18.99, 89 points, was a medium brass color and clearing towards the rim.
Delightful aromas were Macintosh apples, ginger snap cookies, Meyer lemon, and wet stones.
The near medium-bodied dry white wine was steely, appropriately acidic, and lean; showed flavors of slate, lemon, a touch of guava and melon rind.
Finished long on citrus, ginger, and a potent 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my beer-battered baked cod.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 20102021, All rights reserved; Dennis Tsiorbas
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Nickel and Nickel C.C. Ranch, Rutherford, Napa Valley, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Nickel and Nickel C.C. Ranch, Rutherford, Napa Valley, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $109.99-$117.99, 95 points, poured basic black with a broad purple/red penumbra and clear meniscus while showering the glass with stained legs.
Aromas of cassis, toasty rye, ripe blackberry, java, and mulling spices were outstanding.
A full-bodied dry red wine operated on an opulent mouth-feel, good acidity, and firm "sweet" tannins which delivered cerebral and pensive flavors which were rich and delicious.
Finished long on anise, iron, mint, cayenne, tobacco, a cornucopia of fruit, and a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my rare Texas-spiced Angus rib eye, asparagus, and onion buns with ranch-smothered tomatoes.

2018 California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Château La Justice Fronsac 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château La Justice Fronsac 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine, $16.19-$19.99, 89 points, poured core black transitioning to a deep purple/red with a broad clear meniscus and heavy stained legs.
Aromas of coffee, a hint of the barnyard, clove, black fruit, and a floral vibe were good.
A full-bodied bone-dry red wine with good acidity, firm, almost austere tannins, and flavors of black plums, anise, coffee, and dried cooking herbs made for a better than average red table wine, but unusual for a North American 100% Merlot palate.
Finished long with red fruit rather than early palate black fruit, a hint of mint, warm pepper spice, and a potent 14.5% alcohol.
Paired magically with my Mexican cuisine.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2016

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2021, All rights reserved; Dennis Tsiorbas
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Bella Union Napa Valley 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Bella Union Napa Valley 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $55.24-$72.99, 94 points, poured core black grading to a deep purple/red, copious semi-transparent legs, and finally a fairly broad clear meniscus.
Aromas of plums, black pepper, a bit of loam with a hint of spearmint, and a whisper of clove were reminiscent of Left-bank Bordeaux.
A full-bodied angular dry red wine showing good acidity, fine grainy tannins, a rather lean, but voluptuous mouth-feel, and a rich expression of the bouquet on the palate, which exploded towards the late palate with a warm spiciness.
Finished long and strident with a bit of limestone, tart red cherry, and a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my steak and cheese sub.
At fifty-five greenbacks, this was an excellent purchase, provided a typically lean Bordeaux-styled Cabernet is your preference.

2018 California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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R. Stuart Willamette Valley 2018 Pinot Noir

 

R. Stuart Willamette Valley 2018 Pinot Noir, $16.99-$21.99, 88 points, poured a deep cranberry red with a broad clear wine ring and sticky glass sheeting.
Aromas of floral red fruit, Heath-bar, and black tea were pleasant.
This Pinot didn't quite pass the medium body threshold, but was tasty, nicely acidic, sandy-tannic, and with good cherry cola flavors accented with easy pepper spices, Pinot Noir specific grape, and a well-balanced 13.1% alcohol.
The lingering finish tied a bow to this red/dry wine with hints of iron.
Paired perfectly with my BTL.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2021, All rights reserved; Dennis Tsiorbas
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Sea Slopes, Fort Ross Winery, Sonoma Coast 2019 Pinot Noir

 

Sea Slopes, Fort Ross Winery, Sonoma Coast 2019 Pinot Noir, $27.19-$33.99, 88 points, poured a beautiful ruby red with orange highlights, a broad clear wine ring, and copious legs.
Aromas of black cherry, dried cooking herbs, and black tea were soft, but pleasant.
This was a medium-bodied dry Pinot with the Pinot Noir grape specific flavor dominating cherry fruit, the black tea notes, the cooking herbs, and a steely minerality.
Finished long, tart, a bit spicy, and with a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my BLT.  

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Château Larose-Trintaudon Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois 2015 Bordeaux

 

Château Larose-Trintaudon Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois 2015 Bordeaux, $22.99-$26.99, 89 points, poured a faded purple/red behind a tinted glass appearance with a broad clear meniscus and copious stained legs.
Aromas were rich black plums, cinnamon, juniper berry, and blackberry cordial.
A near full-bodied red wine with good acidity, firm grainy tannins, and slightly weak flavors of blueberry, black fruit, unripe mulberry, and citrus notes.
Finished long, tart, a bit astringent, whispers of mint and red raspberry with a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol were quite good.
Paired perfectly with my baby-backed ribs.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2021, All rights reserved; Dennis Tsiorbas

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Casa al Vento "ARIA" 2016 Chianti Classico (DOCG) Revisited

Casa al Vento "ARIA" 2016 Chianti Classico (DOCG) Revisited, $14.44-$32.99, 89 points, poured a dark purple/red with copper highlights, a clear wine ring, and light glass sheeting.
Aromas of cinnamon, black cherry, and a whisper of lavender were quite good.
A medium to medium-plus body carried balanced flavors of black cherry, plum, and black tea all buoyed by supportive tannin and acidity.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a touch of red pepper, minerality, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my provolone meatball sub.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tiefenbrunner 2019 Pinot Grigio (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy)

 

Tiefenbrunner 2019 Pinot Grigio (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy), $14.99-$16.99, 89 points was a dark straw-yellow color and clear only at the rim.
Aromas were soft white chocolate, juniper, and peach skin.
A near medium-bodied dry white wine with fair to good acidity and good flavors of tangerine zest, lemon oil, and ginger.
Finished long on the trailing palate, melon rind, and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired nicely with my baked battered Haddock.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2021, All rights reserved; Dennis Tsiorbas
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Trefethen Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, 2019 Chardonnay

 

Trefethen Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, 2019 Chardonnay, $32,29-$39.99, 93 points, was a light-yellow gold color and clear towards the rim.
Aromas of pome blossoms, lemon zest, and tropical fruit were outstanding.
This light/lean-bodied dry white wine showed bright acidity and balanced citrus flavors with hints of pineapple and grapefruit.
Finished long on the fading palate, lime, a hint of passion fruit, and a perfectly modest 13.2% alcohol.
Paired fine with our Asian cuisine.
Nothing like most Cali Chardonnays; more like a robust less mineralized Chablis.
I loved it!

2019 Vintage California Chardonnay

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2021, All rights reserved; Dennis Tsiorbas
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Mirassou California 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Mirassou California 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $5.72-$$7.95, 85 points, poured a dark cranberry red with a clear meniscus and moderate stained legs.
The quiet bouquet of floral and woody notes was pleasant enough.
This was a full-bodied "industrial" red wine without much character, but without any offense; a well-suited wine for large groups as a red table wine or for the low-budget everyday tipple; showed a soft underlayment of tannin, fair acidity, red fruit, plum, and a bit of licorice flavors.
A fair conclusion with a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol on the finish; a super-priced but uneventful Cabernet.
Paired okay with our deep-dish pepperoni pizza.

2018 California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2021, All rights reserved; Dennis Tsiorbas
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Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley 2018 Merlot

 

Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley 2018 Merlot, $49.99-$56.99, 94 points, poured a deep ruby red grading to a slightly unfiltered red garnet towards a "rainbow" penumbra and thick stained sheeting on the glass bowl.
Aromas were softly floral with an abundance of ripe fruit, mulling spice, and a hint of juniper.
A full-bodied dry and round Merlot with deeply interwoven flavors of fruit, cocoa, and spice.
Finished long on the trailing palate, white pepper, limestone, and a spot-on 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Nedeau's steak tips and cheese sub.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2021, All rights reserved; Dennis Tsiorbas

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