2018 Faethm / Fingers Crossed Grenache Off The Record, USA, California, California

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

This is a blend  of 75% Grenache, 11% Mourvèdre, 11% Syrah, and  3% Roussanne.  One of the best Grenache wines from California.  This is concentrated and intense, but not over the top.  Deep garnet in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, spice, game meats and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Black cherries, some black raspberries, roasted herbs  and slight beef notes.  Long finish.  Almost seamless texture.  This is drinking well but will no doubt improve over the next couple of years.  It should drink well for an

2018 Viña Maquis Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva, Chile, Colchagua valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Carmenere and 1% Petit Verdot, from Palmilla DO, a low-lying area of  the Colchagua Valley.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cassis and plums and a bit of warmth.  A nice "slippery" texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cassis with a bit of iodine and slight cherries and tobacco.  This is deep and well balanced.  Slight menthol on the long finish.  This will be very popular at backyard parties.  Great value.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  Great on its own, it will work well with roasted m

2017 Viña Aquitania Cabernet Sauvignon Lazuli

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

 A collaboration between Bruno Prats (former Cos d'Estournel director), Paul Pontallier, Ghislaine de Montgolfier and Felipe de Solminihac, a former winemaker at Cousiño Macul   It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Peñalolén, a commune that borders Santiago de Chile at a height of 2,300 feet in the Maipo Andes.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cassis, hay, black cherries and char.  Medium tannins that are a bit drying.  On the palate, cassis, black cherries, menthol with lively acidity.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for the next five to seven year

2018 TerraNoble Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva, Chile,

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is 100% Cabernet sauvignon from Chile but the grapes are from two different areas;  70% of the grapes are from the Los Lingues DO in the Colchagua Andes; 30% hail from the “Between the Ranges” (Entre Cordilleras) Marchigüe DO.  The result is a bit lighter styled but still delicious Cabernet.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, some cassis and char.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries and black cherries with underlying char.  Long finish.  Clean.  This is drinking well now and should continue for the next four to six years.  It is nice on its

2018 Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Cabernet Sauvignon Los Vascos Cromas Gran Reserva, Chile,

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

This is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah and 5% Carménère, from the far west of the Colchagua Valley in the Peralillo DO.  Gran Reserva in Chile means at  least 12.5% abv and that the wine sees some oak.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cassis with an earthy forest floor notes.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, it starts off slightly sweet before settling in to a pretty cassis, root beer and anise midpalate.  A bit of menthol on the long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue over the next five to seven years.  It wil

2018 Miguel Torres Cabernet Sauvignon Cordillera Reserva Especial, Chile,

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Andes on the edge of the Pirque DO, at the foot of the mountain at a height of 792 m/2,600 feet.  Miguel Torres is one of the largest wineries in Spain, but they also have long had a Chilean branch.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is tight at first but with air shows spice, plums, light cassis and char.  This is full bodied with a velvety texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and plums with underlying char.  The finish has a bit of warmth and plenty of black cherry fruit.  This improved over a few hours, so

2021 Domaine Bousquet Malbec Alavida, Argentina, Mendoza, Tupungato, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

I will admit that upon seeing the front label "Organic Kosher" (for Passover) from Argentina, I was a bit skeptical.  However, realizing it was made by Domaine Bousquet, my hopes were higher and sure enough, this is a very nice wine.  L'Chayim (to life)!  which is also what A La Vida means in Spanish.  Purple in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is light but nice with plums, cherries and slight pepper.  With air it become more pronounced.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, plums and some anise and ash on the finish.  A hint of sweetness.  Easily the best organic, koshe

2015 Feudo Disisa Nero d'Avola Monreale Vuaria, Italy, Sicily, Monreale, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is made from Nero D'Avola in Sicily.  It spends 14 months in barrels and another year in bottles prior to ageing.  It is bigger and deeper in style than most Nero D'Avolas.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is interesting with a rye bread note along with cherries, black cherries and a slight dill.  Nice texture.  On the palate, cherries and sour cherries.  Firm tannins.  Some anise on the long finish.  It has a nice complexity.  This is drinking well now and should go another eight to ten years.  It will also work well with food.  Rosemary and garlic lamb chops w

2021 Caves d'Esclans Whispering Angel, France, Cotes de Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Excellent Rose from the south of France.  A blend of mostly Grenache, Cinsault and Vermentino grapes.  Pale salmon pink with a touch of orange in color, clear and bright.  The nose is lovely with strawberries, watermelons and a touch of salinity.  Light bodied with no tannins.  Crisp and delicious.  On the palate, nice strawberry notes turning to watermelon on the lingering finish.  There is a nice depth and complexity not often found in Roses.  This is great on its own and would work well with all but the biggest beef dishes.  Try with roasted chicken.  

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