Cards of Wine

Best Buys

99-98
Points
SUPERIOR
Superior Quality
97-94
Points
EXCELLENT
Excellent Quality
93–90
Points
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
High Quality
89–87
Points
WELL RECOMMENDED
Good Quality
86-83
Points
RECOMMENDED
Good Quality / Value
82–80
Points
ACCEPTABLE
For Everyday Consumption

Best Buys Januar 2021

90 Points $27 - Chiara Condello Sangiovese 2016
90 Points $28 - Dorico Conero Riserva DOCG 2015
90 Points $27 - Laurent Combier Crozes Hermitage 2018
88 Points $15 - Cline Nancy's Vines Pinot Noir 2018

Chiara Condello Sangiovese 2016

Condello

Producer: Chiara Condello

Italy  Romagna - Italy

100% Sangiovese

Alcohol 14 %

Sugar 3,2 g/l

Acidity 5,3 g/l

Drinking Window 2020 - 2025

Serving Temperature: 17-18°C (63-64°F)

90 Points / Price $27

Characteristics

Sangiovese is famous in Toscany, but Sangiovese from Romagna is a well kept secret.

Eye: deep ruby.

Nose: red cherry, spices, cedar, tobacco.

Mouth: big, medium-bodied, good acidity, smooth tannins. Long finish. Flavors: raspberry, strawberry, licorice, spearmint, vanilla.

Suggested Food Parings

Pasta. Rich Pizza. Veal. Lamb.
Medium Aged Cheese.

Dorico Conero Riserva DOCG 2015

Conero

Producer: Moroder

Italy  Conero, Marche - Italy

100% Montepulciano

Alcohol 14,5%

Sugar 3 g/l

Acidity 5 g/l

Drinking Window 2025 - 2055

Serving Temperature: 17-18°C (63-64°F)

90 Points / Price $28

Characteristics

Conero region in Marche Italy is a well kept secret. The same producer has another great buy: Aion.

Eye: deep ruby.

Nose:dried black cherry, spices, leather, truffle, dark chocolate.

Mouth: big, full-bodied, good acidity, fine tannins. Long finish.

Suggested Food Parings

Roasted Game Meat. Lamb.
Mature Cheese.

What is Expensive?

It takes time to find a good wine in the right price range

$40 a bottle is much
Take some time before you buy over $30
There are many good buys between $20 and $30
There is a lot of bad wine between $10 and $20

Laurent Combier Crozes-Hermitage

Combier

Producer: Laurent Combier

France  Rhône Nord, Crozes Hermitage - France

100% Syrah

Alcohol 14,2%

Sugar 3 g/l

Drinking Window 2020 - 2025

Serving Temperature: 17-18°C (63-64°F)

90 Points / Price $27

Characteristics

This Cuvée L is made from young vines and partially aged (8-10 months) in concrete eggs. Laurent Combier wines are known for elegance, finesse, almost "feminine" character.

Color: rich purple.

Smell: dark berries, licorice, earth.

Taste: fruity with blue and black berries, pepper and licorice aromas. Full bodied. Tannic. Long aftertaste.

Food Pairing


Salami
Salami
Pizza
Rich
Pizza
Mushroom
Mushroom
Goose
Goose

Pork
Pork
Lamb
Lamb
Ox
Meat
Hamburger
Hamburger

Syrah needs rich food to match the rich tannins.

Cheese:
Aged Cheese. Goat. Cheddar. Gouda. Pecorino.
Blue. Camembert.

Cline Nancy's Vines Pinot Noir 2018

Cline

Producer: Cline

USA  Sonoma, California - USA

100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol 14,1%

Sugar 3,2 g/l

Acidity 5,4 g/l

Drinking Window 2020 - 2025

Serving Temperature: 17-18°C (63-64°F)

88 Points / Price $15

Characteristics

Sonoma County is one of the finest regions for growing world-class Pinot Noir.

Eye: ruby.

Nose: fresh strawberry, raspberry, cherry.

Mouth: big, medium-bodied, good acidity, smooth tannins. Long finish. Flavors: raspberry, strawberry, licorice, spearmint, vanilla.

Suggested Food Parings

Duck. Roasted Meat. Lamb.
Medium Aged Cheese.

Best Buys December 2020

90 Points $25 - Marisa Cuomo Furore Bianco 2016
86 Points $18 - Barbera d'Asti Selezione Luca Roagna 2019
88 Points $15 - A.A. Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2019
85 Points $12 - Solar das Bouças Loureiro 2019
88 Points $25 - Château Musar Aana 2017

Marisa Cuomo Furore Bianco 2016

  Delicious flavors of Tropical Fruit, Jasmine and Sea Grass.

Hints of Almond and Hazelnut in a nice and long finish.

Italy   90 Points - $25 - Highly Recommended


Bottle

Producer: Marisa Cuomo
Costa d'Amalfi Furore - Campagnia - Italy

60% Falanghina
40% Biancolella

Alcohol 13.5%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Fermented at 15°C for 20-30 days

Matured 4 months in stainless steel

Drinking Window 2020-2023

Tasted December 2020 with White Fish. Also nice as an aperitif.

Barbera d'Asti Selezione Luca Roagna 2019

  Inviting delicious (perfumed) scent. A hint of Forest Bottom.

Fresh and complex taste of Dark Berries and Cherries. Long and juicy finish.

Italy   86 Points - $18 - A Good Buy


Bottle

Producer: Az. Agr. Roagna
Piemonte - Barbera d'Asti - Italy

100% Barbera

Alcohol 13.5%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 5.9 g/l

Drinking Window 2020-2023

Tasted December 2020 with Pulled Chicken. Also good alone.

A.A. Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2019

  South Africa's signature grape is absolutely shining in this wine.

Lovely, well balanced texture. Aromas of tropical Citrus, ripe Melon and tart Apple. Wood Notes.

South Africa   88 Points - $15 - Very Good Buy


Bottle

Producer: A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines
Swartland - Coastal Region - South Africa

100% Chenin Blanc

Alcohol 13.0%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 5.1 g/l

Vinified from 60 year old vines (bushwines), spontaneously fermented, matured on the lees, partly in concrete and partly in old casks.

Drinking Window 2020-2025

Tasted December 2020 with Fish Cakes

Solar das Bouças Loureiro 2019

  A classic Vinho Verde with an appealing tingling on the tongue.

Good acidity. Fruity aromas of Peach, green Apple and Lemon.

South Africa   85 Points - $12 - Very Good Value


Bottle

Producer: Solar das Bouças
Minho - Portugal

100% Loureiro

Alcohol 11.5%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 6.4 g/l

Cold fermented in steel tanks at 18°C for 5 days.
Aged for three months in bottle. No barrel.

Drinking Window 2020-2022

Tasted December 2020 with North Sea Shrimps

Château Musar Aana 2017

  Nicely Balanced. Pleasant tannins. Licorice and Oak in finish.

Aromas of ripe Berries, Plum and dried Fruit. Fresh and firm aftertaste.

Lebanon   88 Points - $250 - Well Recommended


Bottle

Château Musar
Bekaa Valley - Lebanon

55% Cinsault
35% Grenache
10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol 14.0%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 5.1 g/l

Hand picked. Spontaneously fermented with 25 days maceration.

Matured 2.5 years on cement, French barrels and more. Unfiltered.

Drinking Window 2020-2025

Tasted December 2020 with Meditation

Best Buys November 2020

85 Points $19 - Château la Tour de By 2016
85 Points $12 - Gentil Hugel 2018
90 Points $22 - Terre Nere Etna Rosso 2017
90 Points $20 - Unger Gaisberg Kremstal Reserve Riesling 2019

Château la Tour de By 2016

  A Bordeaux at a very good price.

This wine is one of the favorite "Value for Money" wines of journalists and sommeliers.

France   85 Points - $19 - Good Quality / Value


Bottle

Producer: Château la Tour de By
Médoc - Bordeaux - France

60% Cabernet Sauvignon
35% Merlot
  5% Petit Verdot

Alcohol 13.5%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 4.9 g/l

Traditional Temperature Controlled Vinification
14 months on Oak (25% new Oak)
6 months in Bottle before sale

Drinking Window 2020-2025

Tasted November 2020 with Beef Steak

Gentil Hugel 2018

  This white wine is a blend of the best grapes in Alsace.

Delicious aromas of Citrus, Green Apple, Pineapple, and Flowers.

Fresh and clean with a dry and fruity finish.

France   85 Points - $12 - A very good buy.


Bottle

Producer: Hugel & Fils
Riquewihr - Alsace - France

Riesling. Gewürztraminer. Sylvaner. Pinot Gris. Pinot Blanc. Muscat.

Alcohol 12.5%

Sugar 4.5 g/l

Acidity 6.0 g/l

Temperature controlled fermentation
No oak or bottle store before sale

Drinking Window 2020-2021 (Drink Now)

Tasted November 2020 with Sushi

Characteristics

Gentil Hugel combines the body of Pinot Gris, the flavors of Gewurztraminer, the acidity of Riesling, the freshness of Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner, and the nose of Muscat.

Color: Pale Green Yellow.

Nose: Green Apple. Lychee. Passion Fruit. Hint of Muscat.

Mouth: Citrus. Pear. Apple. Pineapple. Hints of Flowers and Herbs.

Edelzwicker and Gentil

Edelzwicker and Gentil may be used on Alsatian wine labels.

Edelzwicker means that the wine is a mixture of different grapes.

Gentil means the same, but only for AOC wines where the blend has at least 50% Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris or Gewurztraminer, and the rest can be either Sylvaner, Chasselas or Pinot Blanc. Each variety must be vinified separately, and each variety must qualify as an AOC Alsace wine alone.

Suggested Food Parings

Spicy Salads.
Fish. Seafood.
Shellfish. Oysters.
Rice. Sushi. Sashimi.
Lightly spiced Oriental. Indian. Moroccan. Mexican.
Soft Cheese. Comté. Brie. Camembert. Ragusano. Pecorino.

Terre Nere Etna Rosso 2017

  This Etna Rosso tastes like a good Burgundy.

Elegant. Lots of Red Berries. Flowers and Herbs. Salty Minerals. Good Acidity. Firm Aftertaste.

Italy   90 Points - $22 - A very good buy.


Bottle

Producer: Tenuta delle Terre Nere
Sicily - Italy

95% Nerello Mascalese 5% Nerello Cappuccio

Alcohol 13.5%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 5.4 g/l

Controlled fermentation at 25-28°C
15 months in large French oak barrels

Drinking Window 2020-2028

Tasted November 2020 with Finger Food

Characteristics

Color: Deep Young Red.

Nose: Nice Red Berries and Flowers. Hints of Herbs, Licorice and Minerals.

Mouth: Slightly developed. Red Berries. Flowers and Herbs. Salty Minerals. Firm Aftertaste.

Suggested Food Parings

Antipasti. Charcuterie.
Roasted Mushrooms. Mushroom Risotto.
Grilled or Roasted White Meat.
Poultry. Duck. Goose. Rabbit.
Grilled Pork. Ham. Bacon. Veal.
Salmon. Tuna. Swordfish.
Basil. Cilantro. Coriander. Mint.
Soft Cheese. Comté. Brie. Camembert. Ragusano. Pecorino.

Sicilian Specialties

Sicilian Pesto.
Caponata (Cocked Vegetables).
Pasta con Sarde (Sardines).
Anelletti al Forno (Baked Pasta).
Involtini alla Siciliana (Veal Rolls).

Unger Gaisberg Kremstal Reserve Riesling 2019

  An Elegant Wine that works well Alone, but also with all types of Seafood.

Rich ripe Fruit. Well balanced Acidity. Complex Flavors. Long stony Aftertaste.

Austria   90 Points - $20 - A very good buy.


Riesling

Producer: Petra Unger
Kremstal - Austria

100% Riesling

Alcohol 13.5%

Sugar 3.4 g/l

Acidity 6.3 g/l

Hand-picked grapes from 55 years old vines
Fermented in steel tanks 4 months on lees 9 months before bottling

Drinking Window 2020 - 2030 (Great Storage Potential)

Tasted October 2020

The Producer

Petra Unger is a young and dynamic wine producer. She mainly produces high quality Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

Characteristics

Color: Medium deep Green Yellow.

Nose: Citrus and Ripe Stone Fruit. Hints of Flowers, Honey, and Herbs.

Mouth: Fruity and Juicy. Ripe Fruit, Citrus and Herbs. Good Length.

Suggested Food Parings

Seafood. Shellfish. Shrimps. Clams.
Fried Fish. Lemon based Sauces.
Sashimi. Sushi. Nori Rolls. Gravlax.
Roasted Chicken. Chicken Wings.
Lightly Smoked Meat. Pork. Ham. Turkey.
Cheese. Cream. Brie. Camembert. Emmental. Muenster.

Best Buys October 2020

89 Points $16 - Yealands Land Made Sauvignon Blanc 2019
90 Points $45 - Taittinger Brut Réserve Non Vintage
90 Points $20 - Domaine des Fines Caillottes Pouilly Fumé 2019
90 Points $17 - Guigal Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge 2016
92 Points $18 - Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec 2018
92 Points $25 - Pieropan Soave Classico Calvarino 2018
93 Points $80 - Olivier Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 2017

Yealands Land Made Sauvignon Blanc 2019

  A well Balanced and highly Aromatic New Zealand type of Sauvignon.

Made by Natalie Christensen - one of the World's Most Influential Women in Wine.

New Zealand   89 Points - $16 - A very good buy.


Sauvignon Blanc

Producer: Yealands Estate Wines
Marlborough - New Zealand

100% Sauvignon Blanc

Alcohol 12.5%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 7.0 g/l

Fermented 21 days at 10-12C°

Drinking Window 2020 - 2023

Tasted October 2020 with White Fish in Citrusy Sauce

Characteristics

Color: Light Green Yellow.

Nose: Gooseberries, Green Apple, Blackcurrant Leaf, Cut Grass, and Guava.

Mouth: Young and crisp. Citrus, Apple, Gooseberry, Tropical Fruit, and Minerals.

Suggested Food Parings

Aperitif.
Appetizers. Tapas.
Vinegar. Green Salad. Vegetables.
Asparagus. Cucumber. Avocado.
Artichokes. Fennel. Capers. Tomatoes.
Fish. Seafood. Crab. Lobster.
White Fish. Citrusy Sauce.
Salmon. Trout. Sushi. Sashimi.
White Meat. Chicken. Turkey. Pork.
Herbs. Parsley. Basil. Thyme. Mint. Rosemary. Coriander.
Goat Cheese. Feta.

Taittinger Brut Réserve Non Vintage

  Nice small Bubbles. My favorite Aperitif.

Young, Cool and Fresh. Nice touch of Citrus and Apple. Hints of Biscuits and Minerals.

France   90 Points - $45 - Always a good buy.


Taittinger

Producer: Taittinger
Champagne - France

42% Pinot Noir
38% Chardonnay
20% Pinot Meunier

Alcohol 12.5%

Sugar 9.0 g/l

Acidity 6.0 g/l

Traditional vinification with secondary fermentation in the bottle

Drinking Window 2020 - 2025

Tasted October 2020 as an Aperitif

Characteristics

Full body. Good balance between sweetness and acidity. Fruity with yellow ripe apple and citrus aromas. Nice small bubbles. Long aftertaste.

Suggested Food Parings

Aperitif.
Appetizers. Hors-d'œuvre. Tapas.
Seafood. Caviar. Fish.
Fried Chicken. Turkey. Pork.
Egg Dishes. Omelette.
Sushi. Sashimi. Asian Spring rolls.

Domain des Fines Caillottes Pouilly Fumé 2019

  Excellent Loire style Sauvignon Blanc.

Delicious as an Aperitif, and excellent with Seafood.

France   90 Points - $20 - A very good buy.


Chardonnay

Producer: Jean Pabiot et Fils
Loire - France

100% Sauvignon Blanc

Alcohol 13.0%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 5.1 g/l

Drinking Window 2020-2024

Tasted October 2020 with Grilled Salmon / Vinegar Cucumber Salad

Characteristics

Cool and Fruity. Round Body. Long Aftertaste.

Color: Medium deep Straw Yellow.

Nose: Citrus, Herbs, Gooseberry, and Flowers. Hints of tropical fruit.

Mouth: Green Apple, Citrus and Herbs. Hints of Tropical Fruit and Minerals.

Suggested Food Parings

Vinegar. Green Salad. Capers.
Spring vegetables. Asparagus.
Mussels. Crab. Lobster.
White Fish. Citrusy Sauce.
Grilled or Smoked Salmon or Trout.
French-Asian fusion Cuisine. Sushi. Sashimi. Wasabi.

Guigal Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge 2016

  Vintage after vintage, Guigal delivers supreme quality. In addition, 2016 was a very good vintage in Southern Rhône.

Slightly developed. Fruity with Dark Berries, Plum, Spices, and Herbs. Balanced Tannins. Dry Finish.

France   90 Points - $17 - A very good buy.


Bottle

Producer: E. Guigal
Côtes-du-Rhône - France

50% Syrah
40% Grenache
10% Mourvèdre

Alcohol 14.5%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Fermented in steel tanks
18 months in neutral oak

Drinking Window 2020-2025

Tasted October 2020 with Lamb Shanks and Boiled Root Vegetables

Characteristics

Typical GSM wine (Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah)

Color: Deep Red.

Nose: Ripe dark and red berries. Plum. Licorice. Soil. Oak. Leather.

Mouth: Full-bodied and firm. Good acidity. Well balanced tannins and fruit. Sits well with a little heat and dryness.

Vintage after vintage, this wine has illustrated the Guigal family's ethos of supreme quality. Careful ageing and daily attention by Marcel and Philippe Guigal to the selection and blending processes brings consistency to the great appellations of the Rhône Valley.

The 2016 vintage in the Southern Rhône Valley was very good. An extended growing season produced a generous Syrah, provided freshness in the Grenache and ripeness to the Mourvèdre.

Suggested Food Parings

Cold Meats. Tapas.
Casseroles. Stews. Goulash.
Lamb. Lamb Shanks.
Game. Deer. Venison.
Game in Cherry Sauce.
BBQ. Chicken. Pork. Rabbit.
Duck. Roasted Duck with Plum.
Pizza. Hamburger.
Cheese. Cantal. Comté. Manchego. Cheddar. Gouda (Smoked). Pecorino. Asiago.

Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec 2018

  Young, Fruity, and Balanced. Nicely integrated Oak. Delicate Tannins. Good Length.

Aromas of Dark Berries, Black Cherry, and Plum. Hints of Violets, Licorice, Pepper, and Chocolate.

Argentina   92 Points - $18 - A very good buy.


Malbec

Producer: Terrazas de Los Andes
Mendoza - Argentina

100% Malbec

Alcohol 14.0%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 5.8 g/l

12 months in new French (80%) and American (20%) Oak

Drinking Window 2020-2025

Tasted October 2020 with Pepper Steak

Characteristics

Young, fruity, and well balanced. Nicely integrated Oak. Delicate Tannins. Good Length.

Color: Deep Bluish Red.

Nose: Dark Berries, Black Cherry, and Plum. Hints of Violets, Licorice, Pepper, and Chocolate.

Mouth: Dark Berries, Herbs, Licorice, and Oak.

Suggested Food Parings

BBQ. Grilled. Roasts.
Roasted Potatoes and Onions.
Roasted Lamb. Lamb Chops. Lamb Shank.
Hamburger. Cheese Burger. Bacon Burger.
Pepper Steak. T-Bone. Kobe. Entrecôte.
Blue Cheese. Gorgonzola.
Hard Cheese. Cheddar. Manchego. Parmesan.

Pieropan Soave Classico Calvarino 2018

  Soave can be everything from boring to superb. This one, from the Calvarino vineyard in the heart of the Soave Classico DOC zone, is perfect.

Nice Body. Fresh and Clean. Long Mineral Finish.

Italy   92 Points - $25 - A very good buy.


Soave Classico

Producer: Az.Vit.Leonildo Pieropan
Soave, Veneto - Italia

70% Garganega 30% Trebbiano

Alcohol 12.5%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 5.5 g/l

Hand picked
Fermented in glass-lined cement tanks
Aged on lees for 1 year

Drinking Window 2020-2026

Tasted October 2020 with Veal Milanese in White Wine Sauce

Characteristics

Color: Young Straw Yellow.

Nose: Citrus. Mandarin. Hint of Almonds. Mineral.

Mouth: Good body. Fresh and clean. Mineral finish. Very good length.

Calvarino is a vineyard in the heart of the Soave Classico DOC zone. The soil is rich in clay and basalt which gives the wine a savory, mineral quality.

Suggested Food Parings

Roasted Vegetables.
Asparagus. Pesto. Spinach.
Boiled. Grilled. Fried White Fish.
Creamy Soups. Fish Soup.
Egg Dishes. Quiche. Pie.
Creamy Soups. Fish Soup.
White Meat. Pork. Veal. Game.
Medium Cheeses. Asiago. Edam. Emmental. Monterey Jack.
Cheese Soufflé. Fondue. Raclette.

Olivier Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 2017

  Olivier Leflaive in the heart of Puligny-Montrachet produces some of the best Chardonnays in Côte de Beaune.

This wine has a nice Structure with Yellow Fruit, balanced Acidity, and a long Mineral Finish.

France   93 Points - $80 - Expensive, but still a good buy.


Chardonnay

Producer: Olivier Leflaive Frères
Puligny-Montrachet Burgundy - France

100% Chardonnay

Alcohol 13%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 4.0 g/l

Drinking Window 2020-2025

Tasted October 2020 with Steamed Lobster in Drawn Butter

Characteristics

The Olivier Leflaive Maison is located in the heart of the village of Puligny-Montrachet, where some of the best Chardonnays from Côte de Beaune are produced.

Color: pale yellow

Nose: rich yellow fruit.

Mouth: citrus, apple, orange peel, pineapple, mango. Mineral. Long Finish.

Suggested Food Parings

Rich Seafood. Crab Salad.
Rich Fish Soup. Fish Cakes.
Lobster or Salmon in Drawn Butter.
Pasta in Creamy Sauce. Risotto.
Mild and Soft Cheese. Coulommiers. Camembert.

Best Buys September 2020

90 Points $18 - Delorme Crémant Blanc de Noirs Brut 2018
90 Points $18 - Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2018
88 Points $16 - Allram Hasel Alte Reben Grüner Veltliner 2019
85 Points $16 - Allesverloren Chenin Blanc 2019
85 Points $13 - Metal Label The Black Shiraz 2019

Delorme Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs Brut 2018

  Like Champagne at half the price.

Creamy and well Developed. Hints of Red Berries, Apple, and Citrus. Hints of Bread and Minerals. Good Length.

France   90 Points - $18 - A very good buy.


Crémant

Producer: Maison André Delorme
Burgundy - France

100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol 12.0%

Sugar 10.1 g/l

Acidity 6.3 g/l

Traditional vinification with secondary fermentation in the bottle

Drinking Window 2020 - 2023

Tasted September 2020 with Breakfast and Gravlax

The Producer

Maison André Delorme is a recognized specialist on the wines from Côte Chalonnaise and Crémant de Bourgogne.

Comments by the Oenologist

"The golden color of this Crémant is a brilliant yellow-gold. Its very expressive nose is redolent of candied fruits. Notes of white and dried fruits develop as it reaches the taste-buds. The finish is rounded and generous."

Suggested Food Parings

Appetizers. Hors-d'œuvre. Tapas.
Seafood. Caviar. Fish.
Gravlax. Smoked Salmon.
Egg Dishes. Omelette.
Foi Gras.
Goat Cheese.

Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2018

  Smart Winemaking using 50/50 Oak and Steel.

Elegant and well Balanced. Something between Oaked and Unoaked Chardonnay, with the best Qualities of both Worlds.

USA   90 Points - $18 -A very good buy.


Chardonnay

Producer: Wente Estate
Livermore Valley California - USA

100% Chardonnay

Alcohol 13.5%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 6.8 g/l

Drinking Window 2020-2022

Tasted September 2020 with Virginia Turkey Salad

Characteristics

Soft, Rich, and Juicy.

Color: Medium deep Straw Yellow.

Nose: Apple, Citrus, and Tropical Fruit. Hits of Nuts, Butter, and Vanilla.

Mouth: Ripe fruit. Apple and Citrus. Hints of Vanilla and Oak.

This wine is a result of smart winemaking. 50% of the wine is fermented in American, French, and Eastern European Oak. The other 50% is fermented in stainless steel to preserve the natural Chardonnay flavors. This blend produces a very balanced wine, like something between oaked and unoaked Chardonnay, with the best qualities of both worlds.

Suggested Food Parings

Anything Creamy or Buttery.
Chicken, Turkey, and Tuna Salads.
Rich Seafood. Crab Salad.
Rich Fish Soup. Fish Cakes.
Lobster or Salmon with Drawn Butter.
Pasta in Creamy Sauce. Risotto.
Mild and Soft Cheese.
Hazelnuts. Cashew. Pecans. Coconut.

Allram Hasel Alte Reben Grüner Veltliner 2019

  Young, Cool and Spicy. Citrus and Apple. Hints of Flowers and Minerals.

A typical Grüner. Allram is a Producer to trust.

Austria   88 Points - $16 - A very good buy.


Grüner Veltliner

Producer: Allram
Kamptal - Austria

100% Grüner Veltliner

Alcohol 12.5%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 7.0 g/l

Bottle Matured 12 months - no Oak

Drinking Window 2020-2022

Tasted September 2020 with Roasted Chicken Wings

Characteristics

Color: Deep Green Yellow.

Nose: Apple. Citrus. Flowers. Hints of tropical fruit and spices.

Mouth: Young, cool and spicy. Citrus. Hints of flowers and minerals.

Grüner Veltliner can take many characters. Unripe grapes can give a distinctive lime flavor, ripe grapes produce flavors of apple, lemon and grapefruit, and highly ripe grapes add flavors of peaches and nectarines. This is a typical medium Grüner.

The Wineyeards

The grapes in Allram Hasel Alte Reben Grüner Veltliner come from vines between 30 and 60 years old. They grow in the Hasel Vineyard, one of the many renowned vineyards in Kamptal.

It is said that a winemaker who has no vines planted in Hasel will not get a wife.

Alte reben means old vines (vieille vigne in France).

Suggested Food Parings

Salads. Vegetables.
Asparagus Soup.
Vegetarian Pasta and Risotto.
Raw Fish. Sushi. Tuna.
Smoked Ham and Fish. Smoked Salmon.
Roasted Chicken. Pork. Veal. Wiener Schnitzel.
Fresh Cheese. Goat. Mozzarella.

Allesverloren Chenin Blanc 2019

  Taste of ripe Yellow Plums, well-balanced Acidity and a slight hint of Oak.

An elegant Chenin Blanc at a very good price.

South Africa   85 Points - $16


Chenin Blanc

Producer: Allesverloren Est
Swartsland - South Africa

100% Chenin Blanc

Alcohol 13.0%

Sugar 3.0 g/l

Acidity 5.3 g/l

Drinking Window 2020-2021

Tasted September 2020 with Asparagus and Ham under Melted Cheese

Characteristics

Color: Light Yellow.

Nose: Apricot. Orange Zest. Flowers.

Mouth: Elegant. Ripe Yellow Plums. Well-balanced acidity and a slight hint of barrel.

Suggested Food Parings

Spring Vegetables. Asparagus.
Light Salads. Chicken Salad. Ham Salad.
Seafood. Prawns. Oysters.
Gravlax. Smoked Salmon.
Soft Cheese. Goat Cheese. Feta. Robiola.

Metal Label The Black Shiraz 2019

  A light Australian Shiraz. Aromas of Blackberry, Plum, Vanilla, and Pepper.

Fruity. Nice Tannins. Light Oak.

Australia   85 Points - $13 - Not as perfect as 2017, but still a good buy.


Syrah

Producer: Berton Vineyards
South Eastern Australia

100% Shiraz / Syrah

Alcohol 14.5%

Sugar 4.5 g/l

Acidity 5.3 g/l

Drinking Window 2020-2022

Tasted September 2020 with Beef Eye Fillet and Roasted Vegetables

Characteristics

Color: Deep dark.

Nose: Young and fruity. Dark berries. Spices. Licorice. Oak.

Mouth: Good Acidity and elegant Tannins. Slightly bitter aftertaste.

The Metal Label Black Shiraz is a good Australian Shiraz with nice aromas of blackberry and plum over vanillin and spicy oak.

The tannins are ripe and dense, giving a good length to the palate.

Awards

Metal Label The Black Shiraz 2016

  • Bronze Medal Decanter World Wine Awards 2017.
  • Gold Medal China Wine & Spirit Awards 2017
  • Gold Medal International Wine Contest Bucharest (IWCB) 2017
  • Gold Medal New World Wine Awards (NZ) 2017

Suggested Food Parings

Spicy Lamb. Hearty BBQ.
Tex Mex. Spicy Hamburger.
Strong Game. Deer. Venison.
Rich Casseroles. Beef Stew. Wild Boar .
Roasted Potatoes and Onions.