Category Archives: Red Wine

Torrebruna Sangiovese 2019

23 July 2024 By in Red Wine Tags: , , Leave a comment

Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy

Purchase Price: $11.99

Wilford Wong 90, Elsbob 91-92

ABV 13.5%

A ruby red to garnet color, aromas of darker fruits and cherries, medium to full bodied, more smooth than tannic, mostly dry with a tiny touch of sweetness, with a medium acidity. A versatile wine that will pair well with almost anything, but you will not go wrong with Italian pasta dishes.

Definitely let this wine breath for at least ½ hour to tone down its wild side.

Sangiovese, Italy’s most planted grape, translates to English as ‘the blood of Jove’ (aka Jupiter).

An excellent table wine at a very affordable price. Wines in this rating range have a medium price range of $25-35.

Taylor Fladgate 2017

16 July 2024 By in Red Wine, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

Port from Douro, Portugal

Purchase Price: $109.99

Robert Parker 98-100, James Suckling 99, Wine Spectator 97, Wine Enthusiast 97, Wine & Spirits 96, ElsBob 98

ABV 20%

A very complex purple late-bottled vintage port with aromas of black fruits, earth, and chocolate. A full body wine with a medium sweetness perfect for dessert cakes, chocolates, or mild cheeses.

A classic port that will keep for decades. It probably would have been best if I had waited until 2027-2035 before opening…oh well.

Alamos Malbec 2021

11 July 2024 By in Red Wine, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina.

Purchase Price: $10.99

James Suckling 91, Robert Parker 90, ElsBob 92.

ABV 13.5%

A medium purple, aromas of black fruit and cherries, medium to full bodied, more smooth than tannic, dry, with a medium acidity. A versatile wine that will pair well with beef, chicken, pasta, and cheese.

An excellent wine at a very affordable price.

Vina Zorzal 2020

2 July 2024 By in Red Wine Tags: , , , Leave a comment

Grenache from Navarra, Spain.

Purchase Price: $11.99

Robert Parker 92, ElsBob 88.

ABV 12.5% (table wine).

A clear ruby color, aromas of red fruits, medium bodied, with a short smooth finish. A nice wine but closer to a new world Pinot Noir than an old-world Grenache. Serve this with a traditional chicken and seafood Paella to bring out the wine’s subtle notes.

This is a very good wine but don’t pay more than ten dollars for it.

Atalaya Laya 2020

25 June 2024 By in Red Wine, Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment

Other Red Blends from Spain.

Garnacha Tintorera 70%, Monastrell 30%.

Purchase Price: $8.99

Rankings: James Suckling 90, Robert Parker 90, ElsBob 89.

ABV 14.5%

A deep ruby with aromas of black fruits and spices, medium to full body, dry and not too acidic with a medium finish. A middle of the road wine that is useless for sipping, must drink with spicy food to appreciate.

A very good wine that is worth exploring if you can find it under ten dollars.

Crios de Susana Balbo Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

18 June 2024 By in Red Wine, Uncategorized Tags: , Leave a comment

Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza, Argentina

Purchase Price: $14.99

Rankings: James Suckling 91. Robert Parker 90. ElsBob 91.

ABV: 14.5%

A deep red color, medium to full bodied, aromas of plums and cherries, dry, tannic, with a fresh medium finish. A great sipping wine with strong cheeses or server with steak or lamb.

An excellent wine that has aged nicely with a price is $7-10 less than comparable cabs.

Domaine Lafage Bastide Miraflors Vieilles Vignes 2019:

11 June 2024 By in Red Wine, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

Rhone Red blends from Cotes du Roussillon, Roussillon, South of France, France

Syrah 70%. Grenache 30%.

Purchase price: $13.99

Rankings: Robert Parker 91. ElsBob 91-93.

ABV: 14.5%

A pale to medium purple, full-bodied, with aromas of black fruit and pepper, high tannins and a very nice long finish. A great sipping red wine for your wine-thirty affair or pair with anything spicy, gamey, or blue and pecorino cheeses.

An excellent wine at a very good price. Buy a case, or two, and hold.

Bodegas Juan Gil Silver Label 2020

5 June 2024 By in Red Wine Tags: , , Leave a comment

Mourvedre (Monastrell) from Jumilla, Spain

Purchase price $15.99

Rankings: Robert Parker 92. James Suckling 90. ElsBob 90-91.

ABV: 15.0%

A deep red in color with notes of black fruits. A full-bodied wine, medium-high in tannins with a medium and balanced finish. Pairs well with rich foods high in fat such as marbled steaks or cured meats.

This is an excellent wine at a good price.

Chateau Dalem 2020

21 May 2024 By in Red Wine Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Bordeaux Red Blends from Fronsac, Bordeaux, France.

90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Purchase Price: $22.97

Ratings: James Suckling 94, Robert Parker 93, Vinous 93, Decanter 92, Jeb Dunnuck 91, Wine Spectator 91, ElsBob 90.

ABV: 14.5%

A deep ruby to black in color, aromas of plums, cherries, and blackberries, dry, medium-to-full-bodied, with a medium finish.

Pairs well with fish, poultry, and vegetables.

An excellent wine at a slightly elevated price.

La Posta Paulucci Malbec 2020:

3 May 2024 By in Red Wine Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

Malbec from Angle Paulucci Vineyard, Mendoza, Argentina.

Purchase price: $15.99.

Ratings: James Suckling 91. ElsBob 90.

ABV: 13.5%

A medium-bodied wine with dark berry flavors, well-integrated tannins, and a medium finish.

Pairs well with dark poultry meats, lean red meat, and blue cheese.

An excellent wine at a great price.