Doug Blasco - Livermore Wine Country, CA

Archangel • Joined 22 February 2016

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Price:

$71.99

Angels:

$39.99

Tasting 350 5-28-23. Laetitia Roca Château La Rose Pauillac 2018. Alcohol – 14.0%. Serving Temperature – 52 degrees. Decant – 1 hour. Served in a Riedel Bordeaux glass. Label Art – 4. Personalized Cork – Yes. Overall Rating – 5 Hearts. Nine Word Review Dark Tree Fruits, Bold Body, Bold Tannins, Moderate Acidity Objective Review To The Eye, the Laetitia Roca Château La Rose Pauillac 2018 displays to the Taster a Deep Ruby Red wine with a Garnet Rim Variation. Once Swirled, the wine creates an Even Sheeting with Long, Pale Violet Legs which return to the wine within 3 minutes. To The Nose, the wine presents the Aroma of Dark Bush Fruits and Red Tree Fruits. The Bouquet is noted for the flavors of Blackberry, Boysenberry, Black Cherry, Black Current, Red Cherry, Black Pepper, Violet, Leather, and Vanilla. To The Palate, the Attack is fruity for 3 seconds when the Bold Tannins and Moderate Acidity present themselves. The wine is of Bold Body. The Evolution is noted for Medium Tannins, Medium Acidity, and the flavors of Red Bush Fruits. The Finish is Mildly Acidic, Mildly Tannic, and lingers for 3 minutes. This is a sound and well-balanced wine. Wine and Food Pairing For a Cheese Pairing, think about using Aged Cheddar, Alpine, Aged Swiss, Mild Blue, Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, Colby, Gorgonzola, Aged Gouda, Aged Jack, Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Roquefort, and Sheep. For this pairing, I went with some Camembert, Jarlsberg Swiss, and Smoked Gouda. The Camembert was a Very Good pairing. The nuttiness complimented the fruitiness of the wine. The creaminess coated the palate nicely and the was washed clean by the wine’s acidity. The fattiness tamed the tannins and allowed the fruitiness to come forward. The Jarlsberg was a Very Good pairing. The fruitiness of the wine complimented the nuttiness of the cheese. The fattiness tamed the tannins and complimented the fruitiness of the wine. The Smoked Gouda was a Good Pairing. The smokiness of the cheese complimented the spiciness of the wine. The cheese lacked the fattiness to tame the tannins which overpowered the cheese and its nuttiness. For a Food Pairing, the Base Ingredients to consider are Beef, Buffalo, Dark Poultry Cuts, Duck, Lamb, Pork, Squab, Veal, and Venison. For Bridge Ingredients, lean toward – Apples, Avocado, Bacon, Butter, Coconut, Coconut Milk, Corn, Cream, EVOO, Roasted Fennel, Roasted Garlic, Mango, Papaya, Milk, Dijon Mustard, Sweet Onion, Pears, Pineapple, Polenta, Pumpkin, Sour Cream, Squash and Tomato. I could go in so many directions with this wine, including California King Salmon, but which path shall I walk? Hmm… Ok, well I think that I am going to keep this one simple and go with a couple of Street Tacos in Corn shells with Taco Meat, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, a few drops of Ghost Pepper sauce, Avocado, Diced Green Onion, Diced Tomatoes, Diced Jalapeno’s, and Shredded Lettuce. Yep, that should do it. Well, off to the kitchen… Now that was a Very Good pairing. The Sweetness of the Corn Shell complimented the fruitiness of the wine. The spiciness of the meat complimented the spiciness of the wine and contrasted to the fruitiness of the wine. The fattiness of the cheese tamed the tannins and allowed its boldness to complement the body of the wine. The Ghost Pepper sauce was a surprise. Normally spiciness and alcohol combine to produce even more heat on the palate, but that did not happen here. The fattiness of the meal tamed the heat just enough to allow the complexity of the sauce to complement the body of the wine. The fattiness of the Avocado combined with the fattiness of the meal allowed the sweetness of the Avocado to complement the fruitiness of the wine. The Diced Green Onions complimented the spiciness of the wine and contrasted to the fruitiness of the wine. The herbaceousness of the Green Onion complimented the mild herbaceousness of the wine. The sweetness of the Diced Tomatoes was complimented by the fruitiness of the wine and complimented the acidity of the wine. The herbaceousness of the Diced Jalapeno’s complimented the herbaceousness of the Diced Green Onion which together complimented the herbaceousness of the wine. The heat of the Jalapeno’s was minimal due to the heat of the Ghost Pepper sauce. The cool and crisp Shredded Lettuce contrasted to the heat of the meal and the alcohol of the wine. My Friends, most of you know me and you all know that I do not give 5’s, I give 4’s so that those wines that are truly worthy of a 5 will be the few to receive them. This is a 5. This is an Old World Bordeaux that absolutely deserves a space in your cellar. Enjoy. Thank You Laetitia for creating such a Lovely and Delicious Bordeaux. Cheers 🍷

Price:

$75.99

Angels:

$36.99

7-13-22. Kyle Burke Sonoma Valley Chardonnay 2021. Alcohol – 13.9%. Serving Temperature – 48 Degrees. Decant – ½ Hour. Served in a Riedel Tulip glass. Label Art – 4. Personalized Cork – Yes. Overall Rating – 4 Hearts. Nine Word Review White Tree Fruits, Tropical Fruits, Moderate Body, Medium Acidity Objective Review To The Eye, the Kyle Burke Sonoma Valley Chardonnay 2021 displays to the Taster a Medium Gold wine with a Thin, Clear Rim Variation. Once Swirled, the wine creates an Even Sheeting with Long, Clear Legs and Tears that return to the wine within 3 minutes. To The Nose, the wine presents the Aroma of White Tree Fruits and Ripe Tropical Fruits. The Bouquet is noted for the flavors of Yellow Apple, Pineapple, Lemon, Asian Pear, White Peach, Honeysuckle, Butter, Saline, and Vanilla. To The Palate, the Attack is Fruity for 4 Seconds when the Medium Acidity presents itself. The wine is of Moderate Body. The Evolution is Mildly Acidic with the flavors of White Tree Fruits. The Finish is Mildly Acidic and lingers for 3 minutes. This is a Sound and Well-Balanced wine Wine and Food Pairing For a Cheese Pairing, go with a Brie, Blue, Medium Cheddar, Fontina, Gruyere, Jack, Jarlsberg, Parmesan, and Swiss. For a Food Pairing, think about the Base Ingredients of Chicken, Clams, Crab, Game Hen, Goose, Grouper, Halibut, Lobster, Monkfish, Pheasant, Pork, Salmon, Scallops, Sea Bass, Shrimp, Snapper, Swordfish, Trout, Tuna, Turkey, and Veal. For Bridge Ingredients, consider Apples, Avocado, Bacon, Butter, Citrus, Coconut, Corn, Cream, Dijon, Evoo, Roasted Fennel, Roasted Garlic, Lemon, Lime, Mango, Mushrooms, Sweet Onions, Orange, Papaya, Pineapple, Pears, Polenta, Pumpkin, Squash, and Toasted Nuts. Well, what do I have in the kitchen? I could go in several directions. Hmm… OK. I am going to whip up a basic Shrimp Scampi over a bed of Angel Hair Pasta with a light sprinkle of Parmesan, to pair with this Lovely Wine. Off to the kitchen… Now that was a Very Good Pairing. The Sweetness of the Shrimp was Well-Complimented by the Fruitiness of the wine. The Weight of the meal complimented the Body of the wine. The Spiciness of the meal nicely contrasted to the Smoothness of the wine. The Garlic, Parsley, and Parmesan contrasted nicely with the Fruitiness of the wine. The Acidity of the meal was Well-Complimented by the Acidity of the wine. The Smoothness of the Butter Sauce complimented the Butter notes of the wine. My friends, this is a Beautiful Expression of what Chardonnay is, and can be, under the hands of a Master Winemaker. Be it for a Fancy Dinner, or simply relaxing and enjoying a day at the lake, this wine will pair well. And if you are still a member of the ABC Club, well, what can I say, but this Delectable Wine is quite likely to bring you back into the fold. Like the old commercial from years ago, “Try It, You’ll Like It”. Once the Angels discover this one, it is going to be “Out of Stock” soon, which is why I am glad that I grabbed 4 bottles quick. Thank You Kyle for creating such a Delicious Chardonnay. Cheers 🍷

Price:

$22.99

Angels:

$17.99

Ken Wright Fennwood Vineyard Yamhill Carlton Pinot Noir 2023

$71.99

Price:

$71.99

Angels:

$39.99

Quevedo 10 Year Old Tawny Port NV

$25.99

Price:

$25.99

Angels:

$20.99

Laetitia Roca Château La Rose Pauillac 2018

$75.99

Price:

$75.99

Angels:

$36.99

Ashley Herzberg Russian River Petite Sirah 2021

$33.99

Tasting 336 12-8-22. Ashley Herzberg Russian River Petite Sirah 2021. Alcohol – 14.7%. Serving Temperature – 58 Degrees. Decant – 1 Hour. Served in a Spieglau Bordeaux glass. Label Art – 4. Personlized Cork – No. Overall Rating – 4.5 Hearts. Nine Word Review Dark Bush Fruits, Bold Body, Moderate Tannins, Moderate Acidity Objective Review To the Eye, the Ashley Herzberg Russian River Petite Sirah 2021 displays to the Taster a Deep Purple wine with a Medium Magenta Rim Variation. Once Swirled, the wine creates an Even Sheeting with Long, Medium Purple Legs which return to the wine within 3 minutes. To The Nose, the wine presents the Aroma of Dark Bush Fruits and Dark Tree Fruits. The Bouquet is noted for the flavors of Blackberry, Blueberry, Boysenberry, Black Plum, Violet, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Sandalwood, and Vanilla. To The Palate, the Attack is Fruity for 3 seconds when the Moderate Tannins and Moderate Acidity present themselves. The wine is of Bold Body. The Evolution is noted for Medium Acidity, Medium Tannins, and the flavors of Dark Bush Fruits. The Finish is Mildly Tannic, Mildly Acidic, and lingers for 3 minutes. This is a Sound and Well-Balanced wine. Wine and Food Pairing For a Cheese Pairing, consider using Brie, Camembert, Chevre, Feta, Gouda, Dry Jack, Mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and Swiss. For this pairing, I went with some Mild Blue, Chevre, and Gouda cheeses. The Blue was a fair pairing with the pungency of the Blue stepping on the fruitiness of the wine. The Chèvre was a Very Good pairing with the acidity of the cheese dancing with the acidity of the wine while the fruitiness moved forward. The Gouda was a Very Good pairing with the fattiness taming the tannins and allowing the fruit to come forward while being complimented by the nuttiness of the cheese. For a Food Pairing, think about the Base Ingredients of Beef, Buffalo, Lamb, Pork, Salmon, Squab, Tuna, Veal, and Venison. For Bridge Ingredients, lean towards Blackberries, Blueberries, Chili Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves, Currants, Garlic, Mint, Mushrooms, Black Onions, Pepper, Plums, Prunes, and Tomato. Well, for this pairing I am going to keep it simple with a couple of Basic Taco’s in Yellow Corn shells with Ground Beef Seasoned Taco Meat, a few drops of Red Habanero sauce, 2-Year-Old Shredded Cheddar cheese, Diced Scallions, Diced Tomatoes, and Shredded Head Lettuce. Now that was a Very Good pairing. The Sweetness of the Yellow Corn danced delightfully with the fruitiness of the wine. The spiciness of the Taco Meat and Habanero Sauce nicely complimented the pepper notes of the wine. The fattiness of the tacos tamed the wines tannins and accentuated the fruitiness of the wine. The diced green onions complimented the subtle herbal notes of the wine. The acidity of the tomatoes complimented the acidity of the wine. The fattiness and weight of the cheddar cheese complimented the weight and body of the wine. If you have any of this Fine Wine left and decide to finish it off with dessert, absolutely go with anything Deep and Dark Chocolate and you will not be disappointed. Thank You Ashley for creating such a Delicious Petite Sirah. Cheers 🍷

Price:

$33.99

Angels:

$19.99

Matt Parish Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

$115.99

Tasting 337 12-9-22. Matt Parish Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. Alcohol – 14.8%. Serving Temperature – 55 Degrees. Decant – 1 ½ Hours. Served in a Riedel Bordeaux glass. Label Art – 4. Personalized Cork – Yes. Overall Rating – 5 Hearts. Nine Word Review Deep Ruby Red, Bold Body, Bold Tannins, Moderate Acidity Objective Review To the Eye, the Matt Parish Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 displays to the Taster a Deep Ruby Red wine sporting a Medium Magenta Rim Variation. Once Swirled, the wine creates an Even Sheeting with Long Pale Magenta Legs that return to the wine within 4 minutes. To The Nose, the wine presents the Aroma of Blackberry, Boysenberry, Blueberry, Black Currant, Black Cherry, Mint, Violet, Tobacco, and Cedar. To The Palate, the Attack is fruity for 3 seconds when the Bold Tannins and Moderate Acidity present themselves. The wine is of Bold Body. The Evolutions is Moderately Tannic with Medium Acidity and the flavors of Dark Bush Fruits. The Finish is noted for Medium Acidity, Medium Tannins, and lingers for 4 minutes. This is a Sound and Well-Balanced wine. Wine and Food Pairing When it comes to cheese, consider pairing this fine wine with Mild Blue, Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, Colby, Gorgonzola, Aged Gouda, Aged Jack, Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Roquefort, Sheep, and Swiss. For your food pairing, the Base Ingredients to think about are Beef, Buffalo, Duck, Lamb, Pork, Squab, Veal, and Venison. For Bridge Ingredients, look toward Apples, Avocado, Bacon, Butter, Coconut, Coconut Milk, Corn, Cream, EVOO, Roasted Fennel, Roasted Garlic, Mango, Papaya, Milk, Dijon Mustard, Sweet Onion, Pears, Pineapple, Polenta, Pumpkin, Sour Cream, and Squash. Well, for this pairing, we are going with a couple of Grilled Cheeseburgers with all of the standard toppings, and Garlic Fries with ketchup and mayo on the side for dipping, and also, a few Pickled Chileano Peppers on the side. Now that was a Very Good pairing. The fattiness of the burger, condiments and cheese, came together to tame the tannins and allow the fruitiness of the wine to show through. The char of the burger was complimented by the pepper notes of the wine and created a palate coating Umami effect. The acidity of the peppers blocked the acidity of the wine and allowed the pepper notes of the wine to compliment the spiciness of the peppers. The Garlic Fries were an excellent addition to the cheeseburger. Now when it comes to garlic, wine pairings become a bit tricky. Fortunately, this cabernet has the acidity and structure that nicely complemented the garlic. For dessert, I am going to have some Reese’s Mini PB Cups. The Reese’s Mini PB cups were a Very Good match. You know the palate satisfying effect that you get when eating a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich? Well, this runs right along the same way. The wine takes the place of the jelly and melds with the PB wonderfully. The chocolate gives you a lovely Umami effect that coats your palate nicely while the wines acidity cleanses your palate afterward. Now My Friends, those of you who know me, know that I do not give 5 Hearts on my wines. I give 4’s and leave the 5’s for those rare few that really knock my socks off. With this Fine Wine, I present you with a Genuine 5 Heart wine. Thank You Matt for making such a Lovely and Beautiful wine. Cheers 🍷

Price:

$115.99

Angels:

$41.99

Jesse Katz Exposed Sonoma County Chardonnay 2021

$57.99

12-17-22. Jesse Katz Exposed Sonoma County Chardonnay 2021. Alcohol – 14.5%. Serving Temperature 48 Degrees. Decant – 1 Hour. Served in a Riedel Chardonnay glass. Label Art – 4. Personalized Cork – Yes. Overall Rating – 4.5 Hearts. Nine Word Review White Tree Fruits, Medium Gold, Moderate Body, Moderate Acidity Objective Review To The Eye, the Jesse Katz Exposed Sonoma County Chardonnay 2021 displays to the Taster a Medium Gold wine with a thin, Clear Rim Variation. Once Swirled, the wine creates an Even Sheeting with Long, Clear Legs which return to the wine within 2 minutes. To The Nose, the wine presents the Aroma of White Tree Fruits and Tropical Fruits, The Bouquet is noted for the flavors of Yellow Apple, Pineapple, Lemon, Asian Pear, White Peach, Honeysuckle, Butter, Saline, and Vanilla. To The Palate, the Attack is fruity for 3 seconds when the Moderate Acidity presents itself. The wine is of Moderate Body. The Evolution is noted for Medium Acidity and the flavors of White Tree Fruits. The Finish is Mildly Acidic and lingers for 2 minutes. This is a Sound and Well-Balanced wine and was one of the original offerings to the Fine Wine Club. Wine and Food Pairing For a Food Pairing, think about the Base Ingredients of Chicken, Feathered Game, Pork, Shellfish, Turkey, Veal, Tuna, and White Finned Fish. For the Bridge Ingredients, consider Avocado, Bacon, Butter, Citrus, Coconut, Corn, Cream, Dijon, Evoo, Roasted Fennel, Roasted Garlic, Mushrooms, Sweet Onions, Polenta, Pumpkin, Squash, Toasted Nuts, Tropical Fruits, and White Tree Fruits. For a Cheese Pairing, think about using Brie, Blue, Medium Cheddar, Fontina, Gruyere, Jack, Jarlsberg, Parmesan, Swiss, and similar varieties. For this pairing, I am going with a Mild Blue, Hybrid Cheddar, Old Style Fontina, a Brie Style, An Alpine Style, and a New Age Cheddar. Mild Blue - Whey Cool Kitchen Mild Blue, Pt. Reyes, Ca Whey Cool Kitchen Mild Blue, Pt. Reyes, Ca., was a Very Good Pairing. I was leary at first, but the fruitiness of the wine was elevated by the saltiness of the cheese. The funkiness of the cheese was mellowed by the fruitiness of the wine. The acidity of the wine complimented the acidity of the cheese. Karst - American artisan cheese, Jasper Hill in Vermont. Karst is a Cheddar made using Gruyere cultures to create a Hybrid Alpine/Cheddar cheese. Aged in Limestone Caves, the cheese displays a Natural Rind with an Earthy, Sweet, Nuttiness that compliments the White Tree Fruits of the wine. The aging also allowed the cheese to develop those lovely salt crystals. This was a Very Good Pairing. Highway 1 – Valley Ford Cheese Co., Valley Ford, CA. This is an Old-Style Fontina cheese, aged 80 days. This is a Creamy and Firm cheese with the Aroma of Fruity Nuttiness with a natural rind. This was a Very Good Pairing and would also work quite well in a Mac and Cheese Dish. The nuttiness and fruitiness were both complimented by the fruitiness of the wine. This was a Very Good Pairing Kunik – Nettle Meadow Farm, Upstate New York Kunik is a Semi Soft blend of goat’s milk and rich Jersey Cream with a fluffy rind. It has Aromas of Earthy, Grassy, Buttery, and Oh So Creamy, it literally melts in your mouth, and the Creaminess lingers delightfully for 4 minutes. The butteriness of the cheese fully complimented the luxuriousness of the wine. The acidity of the cheese was complimented by the acidity of the wine. The sweet nuttiness of the cheese was complimented by the fruitiness of the wine. This was a Very Good Pairing. California Emmentaler Emmentaler is the original Swiss Cheese and this one offers a wonderful mild, sweet, and nutty palate that compliments the fruitiness of the wine delightfully. This was a Very Good Pairing. Cotton Wood - Jason Wiebe Dairy in Kansas. This is a 2-Year-Old New Age Cheddar made by the Jason Wiebe Dairy in Kansas. Made from Raw Milk, the aging allows it to develop a full flavor with a nutty and almost citrus note along with crystals which all compliment the fruitiness and body of the wine. I love the crystals. This is a Very Good Pairing. With the proper charcuterie tray, this wine would absolutely rock. Thank You Jesse for creating such a expressive Chardonnay. Cheers 🍷

Price:

$57.99

Angels:

$34.99

Viña VIK La Piu Belle 2018

$104.99

Tasting 338 12-9-22. Viña VIK La Piu Belle 2018. Alcohol – 14.5%. Serving Temperature – 58 Degrees. Decant – 1 Hour. Served in a Spieglau Bordeaux glass. Label Art – 4.5. Personalized Cork – Yes. Overall Rating – 4.5 Hearts. Nine Word Review Red Bush Fruits, Moderate Body, Medium Tannins, Moderate Acidity Objective Review To The Eyes, the Viña VIK La Piu Belle 2018 displays to the Taster a Medium Ruby Red wine with a Medium Garnet Rim Variation. Once Swirled, the wine creates an Even Sheeting with Long, Pale Ruby Red Legs which return to the wine within 3 minutes. To The Nose, the wine presents the Aroma of Red Bush Fruits and Red Tree Fruits. The Bouquet it that of Raspberry, Red Cherry, Santa Rosa Plum, Sour Cherry, Green Peppercorn, Cocoa, Tobacco, Leather, and Vanilla. To the Palate, the Attack is fruity for 4 seconds when the Moderate Acidity and Medium Tannins present themselves. The wine is of Moderate Body. The Evolution is noted for Medium Tannins, Medium Acidity, and the flavors of Red Bush Fruits. The Finish is Mildly Acidic, Mildly Tannic, and lingers for 3 minutes. This is a Sound and Well-Balanced wine. Wine and Food Pairing For a Cheese Pairing, consider using Mild Blue, Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, Colby, Gorgonzola, Aged Gouda, Aged Jack, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. For a Food Pairing, the Base Ingredients to think about are Beef, Buffalo, Dark Poultry Cuts, Duck, Lamb, Pork, Squab, Veal, and Venison. Couple those to the Bridge Ingredients of Apples, Avocado, Bacon, Butter, Coconut, Coconut Milk, Corn, Cream, EVOO, Roasted Fennel, Roasted Garlic, Mango, Papaya, Milk, Dijon Mustard, Sweet Onion, Pears, Pineapple, Polenta, Pumpkin, Sour Cream, Squash and Tomato. For this pairing, I will be ordering from Tequila's Taqueria here in Beautiful Downtown Livermore. I will be going with the Camarones a la Diabla served with Mexican Street Rice, Refried Beans, Queso Cheese, Fresh Guacamole, Sour Cream, Corn Tortillas, Fresh Avocado Slices, and a Side Salad. And, of course, Corn Tortilla Chips with Pico de Gallo and Fresh Guacamole. Now that was a Very Good Pairing. The overall weight of the meal was a match for the weight and structure of the wine. The pepper notes of the wine, and the meal, were fully complemented by the spiciness of the wine. The Tannins were tamed by the overall fattiness of the meal. The fattiness of the refries tamed the spiciness of the la Diabla sauce and allowed the fruitiness of the wine to come forward and sooth the palate from the heat. The fattiness of the meal coated the palate delightfully and was washed clean by the wine’s acidity. If you are going for a dessert, definitely go for anything Dark Chocolate. Well, since the main meal gave me a total Leadbelly, all I had room for was just a small piece of Chocolate Browine. Ahh… Perfect. My Friends, I am totally impressed with this Fine Wine, and with it, it is perfectly clear why Cristián Vallejo IS a Master Winemaker. In most of the blends I have encountered at Naked Wines, they are absolutely delicious, however it is really hard to find where one ends and the other begins. With this wine, Cristian has wielded his magic to create a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenera in which, as the Taster, you can clearly define each of these beautiful varieties and their characteristics. I have no doubt that you all will appreciate this Lovely Wine as much as I have. Thank You Cristian for creating such an expressive wine. Salud 🍷

Price:

$104.99

Angels:

$54.99

Kyle Burke Sonoma Valley Oaked Chardonnay 2021

$28.99

Tasting 335 11-24-22. Kyle Burke Sonoma Valley Oaked Chardonnay 2021. Alcohol – 14.1%. Serving Temperature - 45 Degrees. Decant – 1 Hour. Served in a Riedel Tulip glass. Label Art – 4.5. Personalized Cork – Yes. Overall Rating – 5 Hearts. Nine Word Review White Tree Fruits, Tropical Fruits, Moderate Body, Moderate Acidity Objective Review To The Eye, the Kyle Burke Sonoma Valley Oaked Chardonnay 2021 displays to the Taster a Medium Gold wine with a Clear Rim Variation. Once Swirled, the wine creates and Even Sheeting with Long Clear Legs which return to the wine within 2 minutes. To The Nose, the wines present the Aroma of White Tree Fruits and Tropical Fruits. The Bouquet is noted for the flavors of Yellow Apple, Pineapple, Lemon, Asian Pear, White Peach, Honeysuckle, Butter, Saline, and Vanilla. To The Palate, the Attack is fruity for 2 minutes when the Moderate Acidity presents itself. The wine is of Moderate Body. The Evolution is noted for Medium Acidity and the flavors of White Tree Fruits. The Finish is Mildly Acidic and lingers for 2 minutes. This is a Sound and Well-Balanced wine. Wine and Food Pairing For a cheese pairing, think about using Brie, Blue, Medium Cheddar, Fontina, Gruyere, Jack, Jarlsberg, Parmesan, and Swiss. For a food pairing, the Base Ingredients to consider are Chicken, Clams, Crab, Game Hen, Goose, Grouper, Halibut, Lobster, Monkfish, Pheasant, Pork, Salmon, Scallops, Sea Bass, Shrimp, Snapper, Swordfish, Trout, Tuna, Turkey, and Veal. For Bridge Ingredients, think about using Apples, Avocado, Bacon, Butter, Citrus, Coconut, Corn, Cream, Dijon, EVOO, Roasted Fennel, Roasted Garlic, Lemon, Lime, Mango, Mushrooms, Sweet Onions, Orange, Papaya, Pineapple, Pears, Polenta, Pumpkin, Squash, and Toasted Nuts. Well, for this pairing, and since this is Thanksgiving Day, we will be pairing it with Doug’s Thanksgiving Feast and everything that involves. At this point, normally I would be pulling apart all of the flavors of the food and comparing them with the wine. Not this time. I have been in the kitchen for about 10 hours and I am just going to savor the wine and the meal. So, sufficed to say, from beginning to end, this was a Very Good Pairing and this Lovely wine will absolutely grace you Thanksgiving Table well. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. My Friends, for those of you who know my reviews, you know that I do not give 5’s. I give 4’s and reserve the 5’s for those truly great wines that deserve them. And with that, I am giving this Fine Wine a well-deserved 5 Hearts. Thank You Kyle for creating such a wonderful wine. Cheers. 🍷

Price:

$28.99

Angels:

$18.99

Kyle Burke Sonoma Valley Chardonnay 2021

$22.99

Price:

$22.99

Angels:

$17.99

Ana Diogo-Draper Reserva Portugal Red 2020 1.5L Magnum

$94.99

Price:

$94.99

Angels:

$39.99

Quevedo Family Single Vineyard Douro Touriga Nacional 2018

$30.99

Greetings Oscar. Well, what can I say but that we have so many Awesome Winemakers these days that it takes me a while before I work my way back around again. But I Am Back. Here’s hopin’ that you enjoy the review buddy. Saude. Tasting #312 6-23-22. Quevedo Family Alegria Vineyard Douro Touriga Nacional 2018. Alcohol – 15.0%. Serving Temperature – 55 Degrees. Decant – 1 Hour. Served in a Riedel Bordeaux glass. Personalized Cork – Yes. Label Art – 4. Overall Rating – 4.5 Hearts. Nine Word Review Dark Bush Fruits, Bold Body, Bold Tannins, Moderate Acidity Objective Review To The Eye, the Quevedo Family Alegria Vineyard Douro Touriga Nacional 2018 displays to the Taster a Deep Ruby Red wine with a Medium Cranberry Rim Variation. Once Swirled, the wine creates an Even Sheeting with Pale Violet Legs that return to the wine within 3 minutes. To The Nose, the wine presents the Aroma of Dark Bush Fruits and Red Tree Fruits. The Bouquet is that of Blackberry, Blueberry, Red Plum, Black Pepper, Bittersweet Chocolate, Mint, Violet, Wet Slate, and Vanilla. To The Palate, the Attack is fruity for 3 seconds when the Bold Tannins and Moderate Acidity come forward. The wine is of Bold Body. The Evolution is noted for Moderate Tannins, Medium Acidity, and the flavors of Dark Bush Fruits, The Finish is Mildly Tannic, Mildly Acidic, and lingers 3 minutes. This is a Sound and Well-Balanced wine. Wine and Food Pairing For a Cheese Pairing, consider Blue, Brie, Cream Cheese, Farmer’s Cheese, Fontina, Gruyere, Mozzarella, Stilton, and Swiss. When it come to a Food Pairing, think about the Base Ingredients of BBQ, Beef, Bold Fish, Game, Fatty Meats, Pork, Dark Poultry Cuts, and King Salmon. For Bridge Ingredients, lean towards Apples, Basil, Black Pepper, Carrots, Cilantro, Coconut Milk, Coriander, Cumin, Cream, Fennel, Lemon, Mashed Potatoes, Shallots, Nutmeg, Tarragon, and Yogurt. Well, for this pairing, I am going with one of my latest favorites, a nice plate of Osso Buco with a Garden Salad. I discovered Osso Buco recently and I am so hooked. I am not up to making my own, plus it is 103 degrees in Livermore today and there is no way that I will be firing up to stove today. And so, I am ordering up from our local Strings Italian Café. What I love about this meal is that it is so filling that I can get 2 to 3 meals out of one order. And the next day leftovers are incredible. Now that was a Very Good Pairing. The weight of the meal was a match for the body of the wine. The fattiness of the meal cut the tannins of the wine and allowed the dark bush fruits to come through. The silkiness of the broth coated the palate wonderfully and was then washed away clean by the acidity of the wine. All of the other parts of the meal came together wonderfully. Well, at this point, I am close to being a Big Ol’ Doug ready to lay down for the night. But no. There is dessert to follow. We ordered up the Brownie Lasagna. It is Vanilla Bean ice cream & fresh Strawberries sandwiched between two delicious layers of Chocolate Brownies, topped with our house Raspberry Sauce with Chocolate Sauce for drizzling. And it is great for sharing. Oh Yeah, from the chocolate to the ice cream to the strawberries and to the raspberry and chocolate sauces, Oh Yeah, this was an Awesome Pairing with this Fine Wine. Thank You Oscar for creating such a Delicious and Classic “Old World” Touriga Nacional. Cheers. 🍷

Price:

$30.99

Angels:

$18.99

Matt Parish Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

$115.99

1-22-22. Matt Parish Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019. Alcohol – 14.8%. Serving Temperature – 55 Degrees. Decant – 1 ½ Hours. Served in a Riedel Bordeaux glass. Label Art – 4. Personalized Cork – Yes. Overall Rating – 5 Hearts. Nine Word Review Deep Ruby Red, Bold Body, Bold Tannins, Moderate Acidity Objective Review To the Eye, the Matt Parish Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 displays to the Taster a Deep Ruby Red wine sporting a Medium Magenta Rim Variation. Once Swirled, the wine creates an Even Sheeting with Long Pale Magenta Legs that return to the wine within 4 minutes. To The Nose, the wine presents the Aroma of Blackberry, Boysenberry, Blueberry, Black Currant, Black Cherry, Mint, Violet, Tobacco, and Cedar. To The Palate, the Attack is fruity for 3 seconds when the Bold Tannins and Moderate Acidity present themselves. The wine is of Bold Body. The Evolutions is Moderately Tannic with Medium Acidity and the flavors of Dark Bush Fruits. The Finish is noted for Medium Acidity, Medium Tannins, and lingers for 4 minutes. This is a Sound and Well-Balanced wine. Wine and Food Pairing When it comes to cheese, consider pairing this fine wine with Mild Blue, Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, Colby, Gorgonzola, Aged Gouda, Aged Jack, Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Roquefort, Sheep, and Swiss. For your food pairing, the Base Ingredients to think about are Beef, Buffalo, Duck, Lamb, Pork, Squab, Veal, and Venison. For Bridge Ingredients, look toward Apples, Avocado, Bacon, Butter, Coconut, Coconut Milk, Corn, Cream, EVOO, Roasted Fennel, Roasted Garlic, Mango, Papaya, Milk, Dijon Mustard, Sweet Onion, Pears, Pineapple, Polenta, Pumpkin, Sour Cream, and Squash. Well, for this pairing, and seeing as how the 49er’s (NINERS!!) are playing the Packers, we are going with a couple of Nations Giant Cheeseburgers (a regional chain) and Fries with ketchup and mayo on the side for dipping, and also, a few Pickled Chileano Peppers on the side. Chileano Peppers are easy on the heat. In fact, my buddy Carlos calls them Chile Candy. Now that was a Very Good pairing. The fattiness of the burger, condiments and cheese, came together to tame the tannins and allow the fruitiness of the wine to show through. The char of the burger was complimented by the pepper notes of the wine and created a palate coating Umami effect. The acidity of the peppers blocked the acidity of the wine and allowed the pepper notes of the wine to compliment the spiciness of the peppers. For dessert, I am going with a slice of Boysenberry Pie, no whipped cream. Also, I will be having a couple of Reese’s Mini Peanut Butter cups. The Boysenberry Pie was a Very Good match. The Boysenberry flavor fully complimented the Dark Bush Fruit notes of the wine. The acidity of the Boysenberry was nicely complimented by the acidity of the wine. The sweetness of the Boysenberry was well complimented by the fruitiness of the wine. The fattiness of the crust helped to tame the tannins and allow all of the pieces to come together. The Reese’s Mini PB cups were a Very Good match. You know the palate satisfying effect that you get when eating a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich? Well, this runs right along the same way. The wine takes the place of the jelly and melds with the PB wonderfully. The chocolate gives you a lovely Umami effect that coats your palate nicely while the wines acidity cleanses your palate afterward. Now My Friends, those of you who know me, know that I do not give 5 Hearts on my wines. I give 4’s and leave the 5’s for those rare few that knock my socks off. With this Fine Wine, I present you with a Genuine 5 Heart wine. Thank You Matt for making such a Lovely and Beautiful wine. Cheers 🍷

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$115.99

Angels:

$39.99

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