Château La Vieille Cure Fronsac 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château La Vieille Cure Fronsac 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $23.80-$27.99, 91 points, poured core black trending a deep black cherry-red, a broad clear meniscus, and dense fat and stained legs.
Aromas of cedar, iodine, black plums, and rose pedal were excellent.
Château La Vieille Cure showed robust with a very full body, luscious mouthfeel, fair to good acidity, a firm grippy underlayment of pervasive tannins, and good flavors reflective of the aromas with a touch of red pepper.
Finished long on the fading palate, rich with iron, graphite, anise, and a heavy 15% alcohol.  
Paired perfectly with my prosaic hamburger.
 

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Trefethen Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, 2020 Chardonnay

 

Trefethen Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, 2020 Chardonnay, $34.99-$39.99, 92 points, was a light brass color with golden highlights and with a very broad clear penumbra.
Aromas of dusty peach cobbler, lemon/lime, and a hint of white chocolate were excellent.
A barely medium-bodied dry white wine with good acidity and a crisp character with good flavors of minerality, stone fruits, and citrus all spelled near Chablis for me.
Finished long with melon rind, ginger notes, citrus, and a very European and well-balanced 13.2% alcohol.
Paired well with my chicken and vegetable pie and okay with my spanakopita.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Duckhorn Napa Valley 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Duckhorn Napa Valley 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $26.99-$32.99, 91 points, was a light to medium brass color and clear at the rim.
Aromas of pineapple nuanced with tempered lemon zest, pome blossoms, fresh-cut grass, and a hint of a mountain stream were lovely. 
As usual, the Duckhorn SB is a rather sophisticated white wine, and whether the expense is worth the price depends on what you prefer, the occasion, your wallet, or your pairing.
Not quite a medium-bodied dry white wine with good acidity, and rich complex flavors of Necco wafers, lemon/lime, white tea leaves, and soft hay notes were delicious, but better the second day.
Finished long on its mountain stream minerality, citrus, and a surprisingly potent 14.1% alcohol.
Varietals were 93% Sauvignon Blanc and 7% Sémillon, down from 16% in the 2020 vintage.
Paired okay with my baked cod.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Duck Hunter Marlborough, New Zealand 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Duck Hunter Marlborough, New Zealand 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$21.99, 90 points, was the palest of brass colors veering water clear early.
Aromas of hay, gooseberry, honeysuckle, and robust pome blossoms were mostly on the subtle side, but quite good.
Duck Hunter was light-bodied, showed bright acidity, and possessed unobtrusive flavors with relaxed notes reflective of the aromas plus a bit of soft white and black pepper.
Finished long on melon rind, ginger, and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my chicken and pork gyoza and with a North Atlantic lobster roll. Not nearly perfectly with my watermelon sherbet.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Wairau River Marlborough, New Zealand 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Wairau River Marlborough, New Zealand 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $12.74-$16.99, 89 points, was a very light brass color turning water clear midway towards the rim.
Aromas of gooseberry, passion fruit, white grapefruit, and a bit of nutty citrus were good.
This Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc showed what many of its terroir provides, with an early lemony palate, gooseberries, lots of passion fruit, and a bit of tart grapefruit. Bright acidity and a bit of minerality tied it all together well.
Finished on a balanced 13% alcohol and paired nicely with my salt and vinegar fried chicken, apple crumb pastry, and topped off with a raisin-rum ice-cream. 

 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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EQ (Equilibrio) Valle Hermoso 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Chile)

 

EQ (Equilibrio) Valle Hermoso 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Chile), $13.50-$17.99, 89 points, was a light brass color beginning to clear midway towards the rim.
Aromas of subtle gooseberry, fresh-cut grass, dried hay, lemon zest, and a touch of sour lime juice were quite good.
A light-bodied tart acidic white wine with flavors reflective of the aromas went beyond what could be expected from a Sauvignon Blanc under $20.00 dollars.
Finished tethered to the gestalt palate, a bit of dusty SB specific grape, a hint of ginger, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my baked haddock filets, North Atlantic lobster in drawn butter, and my baked white chocolate and macadamia pastry.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

 

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

Château Barde-Haut Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $41.64-$48.99, 93 points

Château Carbonnieux Grand Cru Classé De Graves 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $39.52-$46.49, 92 points

Château Croix Cardinale, Saint-Émilion, Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $28.89-$33.99, 92 points

Château de Landiras Grand Vin, Graves 2018 Bordeaux, $16.57-$19.49, 92 points

Château Faugères, Saint-Émilion, Grand Cru Classé 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $46.32-$54.49, 93 points

Château Fonplegade, Saint-Émilion, Grand Cru Classé 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $43.77-$51.49, 94 points

Château La Croix De Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $52.27-$61.49, 93 points

Château La Gorce Médoc Grand Vin De Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $12.74-$24.99, 91 points

Château La Vieille Cure Fronsac 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $23.80-$27.99, 91 points

Château Lalande de Gravet Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $23.99-$46.99, 90 points

Château Langoa Barton Saint-Julien 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $57.37-$67.49, 92 points

Château Les Grands Chênes, Bernard Magrez, Medoc, 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $17.84-$20.99, 89 points

Château Les Hauts De Granget Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $25.49-$69.99 (close-out), 92 points

Château Les Hauts de Granget Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine Revisited, $25.49-$69.99, 91 points

Château Mongravey Margaux Cru Bourgeois Supérieur 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $33.99-$41.99, 93 points

Château Pédesclaux Pauillac Grand Cru Classé 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $47.17-$55.49, 92 points

Château Pédesclaux Pauillac Grand Cru Classé 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine Revisited, $47.17-$55.49, 93 points

Château Poesia Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $36.11-$42.49, 91 points

Château Soutard-Cadet Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $36.54-$42.99, 93 points

Château Talbot Connétable Talbot Saint-Julien 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $28.05-$32.99, 93 points

Fugue de Nenin, Château Nénin (Domaines Delon) 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $34.85-$40.99, 93 points

Héritage de Le Boscq St.-Estèphe 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $16.99-$29.99, 91 point

Les Tours De Laroque Saint Émilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $20.99-$32.99, 90 points

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Fugue de Nenin, Château Nénin (Domaines Delon) 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Fugue de Nenin, Château Nénin (Domaines Delon) 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $34.85-$40.99, 93 points, poured a Welch's grape drink purple/red with copious stained legs and a broad clear meniscus.
Warm underbrush aromas were accented by plum notes and mulling spices.
This was a full-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, firm/grippy tannins, and rich black fruit flavors, citrus notes, tabaco, and spearmint.
Finished very long, balanced with spice, iron, hot cinnamon cherry, and alcohol (14.5%). 
Varietals were 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc.
Paired perfectly with a number of cuisines proper for bold red wines.
Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Château Poesia Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château Poesia Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $36.11-$42.49, 91 points, poured core black with an unfiltered appearance of purple/reds, a broad clear meniscus, and copious stained legs.
Aromas were fruit forward with a dash of "French" funk, black olives, a sweet touch of cinnamon, and a floral vibe.
Château Poesia was a full-bodied dry red wine with good acidity and good flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on the trailing palate, plum, soft pepper spice, and a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my prosaic cheeseburger and guacamole nachos.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Rabble Moss~Fire Ranch, Paso Robles, 2018 Zinfandel

 

Rabble Moss~Fire Ranch, Paso Robles, 2018 Zinfandel, $21.99-$26.99, 92 points, poured a deep and lovely plum-red color with copious stained legs and a broad clear meniscus.
Aromas of warm wild blackberries, cloves, spicy cinnamon cherries, a floral vibe, and vibrant autumn underbrush were excellent.
This was a full-bodied Zin (red wine) with an early palate satin mouthfeel, good acidity, a developing tannic presence, and rich flavors of Kirsch, anise, briar fruit, and iodine.
Finished long, a bit austere, spicy with flavors of cherry-cola, iron, and a robust 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spicy Asian beef.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Masciarelli D'Abruzzo 2020 Trebbiano (DOC)

 

Masciarelli D'Abruzzo 2020 Trebbiano (DOC), $12.74-$16.99, 89 points, was a medium brass color and clearing with a large penumbra of light gray.
Aromas of pome blossoms, lemon zest, and bee's wax were interesting and pleasant.
This was a light-bodied white wine with good acidity, very clean/crisp, refreshing, citrus-spirited, and quite tasty. Not a cerebral white wine, but for just over $10, a real crowd pleaser.
Finished long on lemongrass, ginger, lime juice, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired nicely with my fried North Atlantic Halibut.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Federico Ferrero Volpini Langhe 2018 Chardonnay

 

Federico Ferrero Volpini Langhe 2018 Chardonnay, $11.89-$16.99, 89 points, was a light brass color with yellow/gold highlights and clear at the rim.
Aromas of dusty minerality, lemon zest, and a subtle apricot note were pleasant.
This white wine barely reached medium-bodied and showed fair to good acidity with a rather angular mouthfeel and sleek flavors reflective of the aromas plus a bit of ginger.
Finished crip, juicy, a bit white pepper spicy, and with a proper 13% alcohol.
Paired well with my North Atlantic lobster in drawn butter and peach tarts for dessert.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Folly Of The Beast, Central Coast, 2019 Chardonnay

 

Folly Of The Beast, Central Coast, 2019 Chardonnay, $14.39-$15.99, 86 points, was a medium straw yellow color with yellow/gold highlights and graying towards the rim.
Aromas of apples, fresh spring lake breezes, stone fruit, and hints of caramel and oak were pleasant.
This was a medium-bodied white wine with fair acidity and oak dominated flavors, nuanced apple, Chardonnay specific grape, caramel, and late palate ginger ale.
Finished long on the fading palate and a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.
Paired okay with my marinated salt and vinegar chicken wings. 

2019 Vintage California Chardonnay

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McBride Sisters Collection 2019 Chardonnay (Central Coast)

 

McBride Sisters Collection 2019 Chardonnay (Central Coast), $13.49-$16.99, 85 points, was a medium straw yellow color and clearing only near the rim.
Aromas of dusty wild mint leaves, a hint of pine resin, subtle lime peel, and chardonnay specific grape were fascinating.
This was a medium-bodied white wine with fair acidity, soft mouthfeel, and flavors of oak, honeydew melon rind, thin white grape flavors, and good ginger notes.
Finished fair on the fading palate, a tad of caramel, and a balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired okay with my ham-steak dinner.

2019 Vintage California Chardonnay

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2022, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Ridge Lytton Springs 2018 Red Wine

 

Ridge Lytton Springs 2018 Red Wine, $36.54-$42.99, 91 points, poured an opaque rosewood red with fat-stained legs, and a broad clear wine ring.
Aromas of ripe mulberry, coffee, wild briar fruit, and a hint of milk chocolate were pleasant if not outstanding.
This was a full-bodied dry red wine with fair acidity, a supportive underlayment of tannin, and rich flavors reflective of the aromas throughout the palate range.
Finished intensely on pepper spices, Damson plum, a hint of iron, and a balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 72% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah, 8% Carignane, and 2% Mourvèdre.
Paired perfectly with my loaded pizza.

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

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Carpineto 2017 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva (D.O.C.G.),

 

Carpineto 2017 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva (D.O.C.G.), $25.49-$32.99, 92 points, poured an opaque pomegranate red with purple highlights, a clear meniscus, and moderate sticky sheeting.
Aromas of black tea, hints of cedar, dusty sweet plums, white pepper, and a floral vibe were quite good.
This was a full-bodied bone-dry red wine with good acidity, grainy/grippy tannins, an early palate soft richness morphing midway with an accelerating tannic influence, and good flavors of red fruit, dried herbs, pepper spices, and a hint of licorice.
Finished long with a mineral vibe, a tart red cherry, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired fine with two Italian-styled tomato-based meals and with fresh field picked corn and feta cheese.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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