With California wine in my glass so often, It’s no surprise that California golf was on my mind!
More whites than reds for a change, some bubbles, a nice late bottled vintage port and a couple of delicious odds and sods.
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Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay 2018: $17.75, California, USA What you can Expect: Seldom will you go wrong with Mondavi wines. Deep yellow colour; aromas of fig, floral note, toasted, nutty oak and vanilla; extra dry, medium to full bodied, with nice balance of tropical fruit and oak; fresh medium acidity on the long spicy finish. |
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Matchlock Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2017: $23.95, Cabernet Sauvignon What you can Expect: Ripe juicy flavours and aromas of California fruits from this full bodied smoothy. |
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J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay 2018: $19.95, California, USA What can you Expect: A smorgasbord of fresh flavours from one of the most popular Chardonnay’s from California’s Monterey region. The experts say, “It’s bursting with banana, mango, grilled pineapple and smoke flavours.” Not sure about that, I don’t ever grill pineapple. However, it is full bodied and smooth. |
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Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay 2018: $25.95, California, USA What can you Expect: From one of California’s oldest wineries you would expect nothing less that an beautiful buttery Chardonnay abounding in fresh tropical fruits. They say ideal with lobster, I prefer Alaskan King Crab legs! |
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Sterling Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017: $44.95, California, USA What can you Expect: Upping the ante for a special occasion with this one. Silky smooth and seductive, bold red fruit flavours with a hint of chocolate. More please! |
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Simi Cabernet Sauvignon 2017: $26.95, California, USA What you can Expect: An old favorite, can’t believe I have yet to write it up! An expressive, powerful, elegantly framed wine, with vivid aromas of blackberry, cedar and vanilla, and a full-bodied palate featuring plump berry fruit and plum flavours. |
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Cloudline Pinot Noir 2018: $26.95, Oregon, USA What you can Expect: An arousing aroma leading to an elegant glass full of ripe red berries leading to a long smooth finish. |
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Louis Bouillot Perle d’Aurore Brut Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne: $22.95, Burgundy, France What you can expect: A delightful and refreshing, fruity sparkling wine with a hint of citrus and spice. A blend of Pinot Noir, Gamay and Chardonnay from one of the originals in the crafting of sparkling wines. Perfect breakfast bubbles or afternoon delight. |
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Mayu Appassimento Gran Reserva Carmenère 2017: $18.95, Elquí Valley, Chile What you can Expect: that mid taste between Pinot Noir and Cab Sav. Rarely does Carmenere disappoint and this was no exception. Intense ripe berry aromas, full flavour on the pallet with a nice lingering finish. Under scored in my humble opinion. Score – 89. (Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com, Feb. 28, 2020) |
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Aquitania Cabernet Sauvignon 2016: $19.95, Maipo Valley, Chile What you can Expect: A typical Chilean Cab Sav blend. Wonderful aroma, red fruits, soft with a full body texture and just a little bit of a spicy finish. It is 15% Syrah, with 85% Cabernet. Drink date: 2018-2021. Score – 90+. (Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com, Oct. 31, 2018) |
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Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio 2019: $19.95, Italy What you can Expect: There is a reason that this is consistently a top seller. Dry, yet fresh and fruity that is very easy to drink and pleases the palate, green apple, peach and citrus notes. |
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Cesari Mara Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC 2018: $19.95, Veneto, Italy What you can Expect: Another old favorite, this iconic Italian wine, made with a second fermentation of Valpolicella on the lees of Amarone. Dry, with complex chocolate, cinnamon, nuts and figs interplay and a velvety feel. It is a solid Italian go to wine! |
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Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2015: $18.55, Portugal What you can Expect: Celebrating 200 years of excellence! A perfect balance between complexity and elegance with floral aromas and ripe black fruit flavors. On the palate, it is sweet, medium-bodied, rich and lush with rounded tannins and a long ripe and lingering finish. |
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