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

1983 Château Branaire (Duluc-Ducru), France, Bordeaux, Saint Julien, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1983
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

What a treat.  The cork was popped, waited ten minutes and decanted for sediment.  This is classic old Bordeaux.  Deep ruby in color with some bricking at the rim.  The nose is great with cassis, cherries, tobacco, some funk and dried cherries.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this is complex and delicious.  Most likely past prime but not a whole lot.  This bottle had been purchased on release and properly cellared.  Flavors of cassis and cherries layered with dry earth and funk.  Great balance.  Nice finish.  Drink now if you own any.  A bottle like this will work with dinner but it

2005 Château Branaire-Ducru, France, Bordeaux, Saint Julien, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This was popped and allowed to breathe for 20 minutes.  Certainly way too early but it was quite enjoyable nevertheless.  Consumed next to the 82, 83 and 09, for my tastes, this was the least great showing, but in time, will be the best wine.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, spice and freshly turned earth.  Powerful as it opens in the glass.  Wonderful texture.  On the palate, this is delicious if tight.  Cassis, slight black cherry with a hint of minerality.  Long finish.  This needs another ten to twelve years and should drink well for 30 after th

1961 Château Gruaud Larose, France, Bordeaux, Saint Julien, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1961
Grade: 

This has a different shaped ullage so saying low-shoulder fill is quite accurate.  The fill was about four inches down from the top of the cork.  The cork was removed and the bottle blew off stink for a bit and then we tried it.  It did get a bit better over the subsequent 20 minutes before dying a quick death.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and a bit flat.  On the nose there is dust, saddle leather, dusty attic and just a hint of dried cranberries.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is just a hint of cherries with leather and earth.  A bit tart.  Clipped finish.  There are surely people

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