2018 Domaine Jean Bousquet Gran Malbec, Argentina, Uco Valley, Tupangato, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$21.00USD

Made from Organic grapes. This is 85% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah, and 5% Merlot.  Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, plums, baking spices and slight char.  Tannic.  Tart acidity.  On the palate, plums and black raspberries with some spice.  This needs a couple of years to integrate and then should drink well for eight to ten.  If opening now, give it a few hours of air.  This drinks well on its own but will go well with grilled meats.  

2019 Domaine Jean Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina, Uco Valley, Tupungato, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis and a slight herbal note.  Medium tannins.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, cassis with a bit of char and the slight herbal note to make it interesting.  This is easy drinking on its own and will work well with ribs or burgers off the grill.  A nice value.  

2019 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Ribera del Tinguiririca, Chile, Marchigue, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

This is Cabernet Sauvignon 94.5%, Carmenere 3%, and Syrah 2.5%.  Purple at the core with ruby color at the outside, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cassis and slight pencil lead and cedar.  Full bodied.  On the palate, black cherries, cassis and char.  Slightly complex.  Nice balance.  Long finish.  This should improve a bit over the next year or two and drink well for seven to ten more after that.  A truly excellent value in Cabernet.  Delicious on its own, this will work well with roasted vegetables, meats or fowl.

 

 

NV Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Red Blend, Chile, Maipo Valley, Wine Review

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

It is not clear if this is a vintage wine.  The back label states "Assemblage 2018".  It is a blend of 31% Cabernet Franc, 26% Syrah, 22% Carmenere, 11% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Made from organic grapes.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries with an interesting minty streak.  Also some black pepper and a slight floral not with a bit of air.  On the palate, medium tannins.  Notes of black cherries and black raspberries.  Some peppery notes.  Nice finish.  This improved with about an hour of air.  Somewhat complex and very interesting.  This should drink

2018 Viña Maquis Cabernet Franc Gran Reserva, Chile, Cochagua Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is 90% Cabernet Franc, 7% Carménère, and 3% Petit Verdot from Chile.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with tobacco and black cherries.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, and roasted Rosemary notes.  A bit of cherry candy on the finish.  Overall a more elegant Cab Franc that is drinking well now and should continue for the next decade.  This will work well with lamb stew or other slowly braised meat dishes.  

2019 Domaine Jean Bousquet Pinot Noir Reserve, Argentina, Uco Valley, Tupungato, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

From Argentina.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, sour cherries and a bit of char.  With air a cherry candy note emerges.  On the palate, this has a lot of tannins (most unusual for a Pinot Noir).  Plenty of cherry fruit with some tarragon.  A bitter cherry note on the finish.  This is a unique take on Pinot most likely due to the soils but also the high altitude of the vineyards.  It should drink well for another five to seven years.  This will go well with Salmon or Tuna steaks off the grill.  

2020 Simi Sauvignon Blanc, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This has 99% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Semillon.  A nice refreshing wine that is a great summer aperitif.  Very pale, slivery green in color.  The nose is interesting with orange citrus and lemon zest notes.  A nice, slightly creamy texture.  On the palate, flavors of grapefruit and grapefruit zest.  Some warmth on the finish.  With a bit of air, a Sweet-Tart quality comes out which is enjoyable.  This drinks nicely on its own but worked with tomato Bruschetta.  Drink over the next year.  Nice value.  

2009 Pietro Rinaldi Barbaresco San Cristoforo, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is at peak it would seem.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, roses, chocolate and a bit or orange peel.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this has a nice complexity.  Cherries, some dried cherries over forest floor with some fresher notes, slight mushroom and char.  Nice backbone of acidity.  Nice finish.  This begs for food.  Mushroom pasta in a cream sauce would be a nice choice.  Long finish.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2011 Dominio Pingus Ribera del Duero Flor de Pingus, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$135.00USD

This is the second wine of Pingus, but that doesn't seem fair to call it a "second" wine.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with plums, cherries, black cherries but also some black licorice and spice.  Full bodied.  This had been decanting for a few hours and was still young and tannic.  On the palate, notes of black cherries, cherries and spice.  Very ripe but no noticeable heat or alcohol.  Medium tannins.  Good finish.  This is drinking well now but should still improve over the next ten years.  Drink over the next twenty.  A nice match for hearty beef or por

1982 Château Branaire (Duluc-Ducru), France, Bordeaux, Saint Julien, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1982
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Spectacular showing for this wine.  Opened, allowed to breathe for ten minutes then decanted for sediment and allowed to breath for another twenty minutes.  Totally exceeded expectations.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is everything one could want from aged Bordeaux.  Cassis, black cherries, tobacco, slight leather, hints of funk and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this is complex, layered and contemplative.  Layers of cassis, black cherries, funk and earth.  Great balance.  Long finish.  More elegant than a powerhouse, but it can hold its own as well.  This bottle seemed at

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