January appears to be a good month to buy wine. I have been inundated with wine offers from every store and winery possible. Shipping is a problem this time of year due to the cold weather. With all of the deals on wine restraint is important. There is so much wine available and there will always be new wines and new vintages.
Currently I am on the lookout for 2011 Cru Beaujolais', 2012 Willamette Valley wines and very good and reasonably price wines from other areas.
Anguilla
I just booked a trip to Anguilla for the spring. I used LuxuryLink luxurylink.com to book the hotel. We received a very good price with a few extras. My travel searching has been showing that airfares and hotels prices appear to be increasing a good amount and good deals are harder to find at places that you want to visit.
Wine Articles
Interesting article by Robert Parker. He goes on a long rant against people who push wines with lower alcohol, different grapes, different techniques, and anything resembling the "Parkerization" of wine. His word, not mine. I have no idea of what set him off because he does not get into specifics. It seems that he is tired at people taking shots at him. Unfortunately his article is only for subscribers of his site. However another blogger has taken him to task and it is interesting reading. http://www.vinography.com/archives/2014/01/debating_robert_parker.html
My take is that I agree with Parker on many things, and wines that are high in alcohol can taste very good. However they are difficult for my wife and I to drink. We feel the effects of the alcohol. So while I can appreciate the high alcohol wines, I try to find great wines without the high alcohol content. I would never compromise taste for alcohol content. My cooking approach is the same. I want maximum flavor without tons of butter, cream, salt and hot sauce.
The most recent edition of the Wine Spectator gives a summary of their reviews for the year. The results are quite interesting. They tasted 20,000 wines in 2013 of which 1% were rated 95-100, 32% were rated 90-94, and 54% were rated 85-89. Seems like they rate wines with very high scores. Also the average price of a bottle of wine with a score of 90 and above that they reviewed was $77. Wow! However averages can be deceiving as they review lots of wines that cost hundreds of dollars.
Interestingly 84% of all Champagnes were rated 90 or higher. This confirms my thoughts on Champagne; that if a wine is from the Champagne region of France it is generally very good. So when shopping for Champagne price is not that important. Many times you are paying for the prestige of the name like Veuve Cliquot.
49% of California Cabernet Sauvignon that were reviewed score 90 or better and 95% of California Cabernet that were reviewed scored 85 or better. So it seems hard to get a bad California Cabernet. However the average price for a California Cabernet that scored 90 or better was $132. Ouch! However only 28% of all California wines scored 90 or better whereas 42% of all French wines scored 90 or better. But the 90 or better French wines averaged $94.
97% of Oregon wines scored 85 or better and Oregon wines that scored 90 or better had an average price of $48. So if price is a consideration instead of California, go to Oregon for a better deal. Only 1 caveat, you must like Oregon wines.
I guess that I must be pretty good at selecting wines since the wines that I drink and review do not cost anywhere near the averages of the Wine Spectator. I do use the WS and the WA to help me determine wines to buy and drink. I automatically exclude high priced wines except in unusual situations.
Recent wines.
I apologize for the format as I copied from Cellartracker. BTW you can follow my wine reviews on Cellartracker.com. I am mwneil on Cellartracker.
2012 Château Pesquié Côtes du Ventoux TerrassesRed Rhone Blend more | 1/15/2014 - I like this wine: 90 pointsSolid CDR. Nice balance and good flavor. Will drink again.
Comment(18 views)
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| Red | 2012 Bodegas Borsao Garnacha Campo de Borjamore |
1/26/2014 - I like this wine: 90 points (Edit)Great value. The 2012 is a good wine. On the verge of being grapey but it is not grapey. A big wine at 14.5% alcohol but it does not taste hot. Love this wine and its consistency. Good fruit and balance.
Comment (25 views)
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| Red | 2010 E. Guigal Côtes du RhôneRed Rhone Blend more |
1/29/2014 - I like this wine: 88 points (Edit)Wine drinks easily but no real character in this bottle. Maybe bottle variation or my mood that night. Usually like this wine alot. Very balanced.
Comment (36 views)
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| Red | 2002 Canoe Ridge MerlotHorse Heaven Hills more |
1/29/2014 - I wrote: flawed (Edit)Wine is way gone.
Comment (24 views)
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| White | 2012 Cave de Lugny Mâcon-Lugny Les CharmesChardonnay more |
1/30/2014 - I like this wine: 90 points (Edit)Good wine with great mouth feel; medium bodied not typical, light Macon. Nice balance of fruit and acid, no oak. Missing that slight honey taste that would make the wine great. Great value for a white Burgundy. Would drink again.
Comment (26 views)
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| Red | 2009 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir 3-DSta. Rita Hills more |
1/25/2014 - I like this wine: 91 points (Edit)VG Cali Pinot Noir. Beautiful nose, light in color but lots of flavor, somewhat high in alcohol but it dissapated as the wine opened up. Good fruit with complexity. Could use some terroir. Expensive wine.
Comment (87 views)
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| Red | 2011 Francesco Boschis Dolcetto di Dogliani Vigna Dei Preymore |
1/24/2014 - I wrote: 87 points (Edit)Interesting wine, tannic and somewhat heavy, but fruit began to emerge as time went by; Not what I expected; drank with pork chops; would not buy again.
Comment (65 views)
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| Red | 2003 Château Haut-GardèrePessac-LéognanRed Bordeaux Blend more |
1/24/2014 - I like this wine: 92 points (Edit)Good stuff. Fruit, balance, complex, not high in alcohol, drank with roast chicken, just a very good wine. Nice how a Bordeaux can age.
Comment (94 views)
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| Red | 2011 Bibi Graetz Casamatta Toscana IGTSangiovese more |
1/22/2014 - I wrote: 85 points (Edit)Drank with pizza. Tasted somewhat over the hill and nondescript. OK for the price but WS score is over the top. Decent fruit and tannin.
Comment (243 views)
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| Red | 2001 Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valleymore |
1/18/2014 - I like this wine: 91 points (Edit)Good wine. Experimented to see how this wine would age. Tasted fresh. Balanced with good fruit. Surprised as to how good it tasted. Enjoyed with a steak. Guess I can't find any more although the stats show a good amount of this wine is still in cellars.
Comment (85 views)
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| White | 2010 Marc Colin et Fils Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les CombesChardonnay more |
1/20/2014 - I like this wine: 93 points (Edit)This wine was very good. Fruit, acid, balance, and complexity. Great mouth feel; medium bodied. That touch of honey but never sweet. Nice integration of oak. I bought the wine by mistake thinking it from the other Colin but these Colins make a great wine. Apparently it is hard to find so I guess I was lucky. It also seems like I got a bargain. Tastes alot like Chalone Estate Chardonnay 08.
Comment (91 views)
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| White - Sparkling | NV Kirkland Signature Champagne Brut De Bruyne - JanissonChampagne Blend more |
1/20/2014 - I wrote: 87 points (Edit)This bottle had flavor. We enjoyed with flounder and clams. Good bubbles and a full flavor with nice balance and decent finish. Seems as as if this wine is different bottle by bottle.
Comment (170 views)
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| Red | 2011 Château de Lacarelle Beaujolais-VillagesGamay more |
1/17/2014 - I don't like this wine: 82 points (Edit)Cherry aroma and taste with not much else. OK to drink but would not drink again. I had high hopes as 2011 was a good year in Beaujolais but oh well.
Comment (38 views)
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| Red | 2011 Château de La Chaize BrouillyGamay more |
1/11/2014 - I like this wine: 88 points (Edit)2011 in Beaujolais was VG. This wine has body, balance and some complexity. Good fruit and just a very enjoyable wine. The old vines of this wine is off the charts if you can find it.
Comment (38 views)
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| Red | 2013 Domaine des Terres Dorées (Jean-Paul Brun) Beaujolais Nouveau Cuvée l'Ancien Vieilles VignesGamay more |
1/3/2014 - I like this wine: 87 points (Edit)Second bottle and just as good as the first. Amazin for a nouveau. Good fruit but with some tannin and backbone. Brun wines should be on the top of your list.
Comment (49 views)
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| White | 2010 Chalone Vineyard Chardonnay Estate Grownmore |
1/10/2014 - I like this wine: 89 points (Edit)Typical Chalone Chardonnay; oak is nicely integrated with the fruit; could use a bit more acid; will see how this develops;
Comment (132 views)
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| Red | 2005 Tenimenti Ricci Brunello di MontalcinoSangiovese more |
1/16/2014 - I wrote: 88 points (Edit)Agree with my prior note. Good fruit and balance and initial taste is very nice but a big, heavy wine and the alcohol while not noticeable, catches up with you. Not very complex. We drank half the bottle and really did not want more. Drank with baked ziti. Would like to try other Brunellos.
Comment (139 views)
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| Red | 2007 Bodegas Caro (Barons de Rothschild / Catena) Amancaya Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon (Gran Reserva)Mendoza Red Bordeaux Blend more |
1/13/2014 - I like this wine: 92 points (Edit)Wine was very good. It surprised me as I had it in my cellar for a number of years. The wine was beautifully balanced with nice fruit. It was medium bodied, not heavy. We drank with steaks. I have had this wine before and had several vintages but this bottle was much better than I have remembered. Will check out more recent vintages.
Comment (208 views)
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| White | 2013 Matua Wines Sauvignon BlancMarlborough more |
1/10/2014 - I like this wine: 88 points (Edit)Good NZ Sauvginon Blanc. Typical but lighter and dryer finish than most NZ SB's. Nice fruit. Drank with chinese chicken with vegetables. Would drink again.
Comment (83 views)
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| White | 2012 Badenhorst Family Wines The CuratorSwartland White Blend more |
1/6/2014 - I like this wine: 86 points (Edit)Good white wine blend and a good value. The finish is very dry. Not overly complex. The wine opened up as it warmed up. It went well with salmon. Would try again.
Comment (77 views)
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| Rosé - Sparkling | NV Ruinart Champagne Brut RoséChampagne Blend more |
12/31/2013 - I like this wine: 90 points (Edit)Drank for New Year's Eve with Peking Duck. The wine opened up nicely and was very food friendly. Not a big Champagne, very dry, beautiful color. Not sure it is worth the price. No real complexity. We enjoyed the wine.
Comment (535 views)
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| Red | 2011 Argiolas Monica di Sardegna Perderamore |
1/7/2014 - I like this wine: 87 points (Edit)Smoother than I imagined. Nice fruit and good balance. Enjoyed with pork fajitas. Good value. Somewhat dull.
Comment (60 views)
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| Red | 2013 Domaine de la Madone Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau Le PerréonGamay more |
1/5/2014 - I like this wine: 85 points (Edit)Good wine. Looks like 2013 may be a good year in Beaujolais. This is the second Nouveau that we have tried and both were real wines. This wine had a medium body and good fruit with nice balance. BTW there is another winery by this name in Fleurie.
Comment (46 views)
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| Red | 2009 Château Grand BarailMontagne-St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend more |
12/30/2013 - I don't like this wine: 75 points (Edit)Not a good wine.Disjointed. I have another bottle to try.
Comment (138 views)
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| White | 2010 Lenz Chardonnay Gold LabelNorth Fork more |
12/28/2013 - I like this wine: 90 points (Edit)Good chardonnay. Oaky but not overly so. It drank nicely with lobster tails. Not high in alcohol and good depth of flavor with a medium body. Would drink again.
Comment (54 views)
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| Red | 2004 Château Valrose St. Estèphe Cuvée AlienorRed Bordeaux Blend more |
12/27/2013 - I like this wine: 88 points (Edit)Good wine; medium to heavy bodied with nice mouth feel. Not high in alcohol but we did not finish the bottle. Nice balance with fruit and terroir. Have had this wine several times and it needs to be consumed in the near future as the fruit is leaving. I have one more bottle to go.
Comment (168 views)
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| White - Sparkling | NV Tendil & Lombardi Champagne Blanc de NoirsPinot Noir more |
12/27/2013 - I like this wine: 91 points (Edit)Interesting wine. 100% pinot noir and it tastes different than most Champagnes. It opened up as the temperature of the wine warmed up. Dry with with good flavor not fruity but we enjoyed. Good complexity. Drank with lobster; will drink again; vg value
Comment (201 views)
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| Red | 2010 Chalone Vineyard Pinot Noir Limited release Founder's Club exclusivemore |
12/27/2013 - I like this wine: 91 points (Edit)Excellent bouquet; good fruit and light to medium bodied; not Burgundy, not Oregon, not typical California; a bit more terroir would make the wine great; maybe it needs some more time in bottle but it is drinking nicely; high in alcohol 14.5% but the alcohol was not noticeable. We enjoyed the bottle and drank it with butterflied leg of lamb. Like the wine and will be drinking more. Not sure what the difference is between this wine and the regular Chalone bottling.
Comment (65 views)
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| Red | 2009 Trinchero Cabernet Sauvignon Chicken Ranch VineyardRutherford more |
12/25/2013 - I don't like this wine: 80 points (Edit)Tannic with no fruit. Drank with steak at Christmas dinner.
Comment (236 views)
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| Red | 2006 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valleymore |
12/25/2013 - I wrote: 85 points (Edit)Tannic wine that opened up slowly and showed some fruit. Drank with steak at Christmas dinner. Nothing special.
Comment (1,357 views)
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| Red | 2010 Jean-Marc Despres Fleurie Cuvée PrestigeGamay more |
12/21/2013 - I like this wine: 92 points (Edit)Bought this wine at the winery in Fleurie -Domaine Madrone- good nose, excellent fruit with terroir, tastes almost like a Burgundy; a revelation for a Beaujolais, highly recommend but unfortunately this wine is not imported to the US. Would drink again. Cost about $15 at the winery.
Comment (53 views)
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| Red | 2007 Montes Carménère AlphaColchagua Valleymore |
12/22/2013 - I like this wine: 92 points (Edit)First carmenere wine. Not much bouquet but the wine was balanced and somewhat complex. The wine is high in alcohol but does not taste like it. Nice fruit without being grapey. Enjoyed the wine and was pleasantly surprised. Drank with vegetable lasagna. Would drink again.
Comment (267 views)
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| Red | 2012 Schiavenza Dolcetto d'Albamore |
12/17/2013 - I like this wine: 90 points (Edit)Fruity but not grapey; good balance; drank at restaurant; $55. Enjoyed and would drink again depending on retail price. Drank with octopus and ravioli.
Comment (114 views)
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| Red | 2011 Montebruno Pinot Noir Eola-Amity HillsWillamette Valley more |
12/19/2013 - I wrote: 89 points (Edit)Light color; nice fruit with good balance;drank at a restaurant and it was $80. Drank with duck. Nice Oregon pn but pricey in restaurant. Would drink again depending on retail price.
Comment (119 views)
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| Red | 2005 Malvira' Roero Trinita' RiservaNebbiolo more |
12/14/2013 - I like this wine: 90 points (Edit)Good wine but not great. Nice balance with delicate fruit and good acid. It opens slowly. Not sure if there is much more development on this wine. Drank with veal chops, spinach and pasta.
Comment (118 views)
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| White - Sparkling | NV Codorníu Cava BrutChampagne Blend more |
12/12/2013 - I like this wine: 85 points (Edit)Good fruity cava that is starting to get harder to find and more expensive. This bottle tasted a touch sweet but we still like it. Nice fresh wine with lively bubbles.
Comment (77 views)
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| Red | 2010 Espelt Garnacha Empordà Old Vinesmore |
12/11/2013 - I like this wine: 91 points (Edit)Wine was drinking great tonight; balanced, seamless from start to finish; good fruit but not overpowering; good middle for a granache; a bit unusual for a granache; enjoyed and wish I had more.
Comment (1,011 views)
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| Red | 2009 Lenz MerlotNorth Fork more |
12/10/2013 - I like this wine: 90 points (Edit)This is a good wine; fresh tasting, good fruit with terroir and balance. Like this wine consistently. Good value; low alcohol and very tasty with good mouth feel. Would drink again.
Comment (95 views)
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| Red | 2010 Kirkland Signature MeritageNapa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
12/9/2013 - I like this wine: 87 points (Edit)Again a good wine, not too grapey, it has some balance and drinks nicely. It tastes fresh. Would drink again. |
Enjoy the Super Bowl. It looks like the weather will cooperate. New Jersey is getting the short end of the festivities but can you blame anyone. Most people would rather be in NYC not NJ. It is just hard to overlook the fact that the game is being played in NJ. Oh well.
I think I will be making barbecued pork shoulder, nachos, wings and assorted other things. Just not sure how much food we can eat.
