Old Soul Pinot Noir 2021

 

Strawberry juice with a cranberry hued tint. Aromas of strawberry and raspberry, savory spice notes on the edge.

Palate- Juicy structure with middle palate of "rough" spices with flavors of raspberry/strawberry and a finish that hangs on a bit. 

Thisa lists at $15 but I grabbed one to try at $7. For $7 it is drinkable but it is not a good representation of Pinot Noir. I am having it tonight with a homemade shrimp pasta, with bacon bits and peas with some spices which I have not yet determined. It will work but I won't be buying this wine again.

Guarda Rios "Red Blend" 2020

 

Opaqueish--garnet with aromas of plum, gentle savory spice, and sweet berry pie above the rim.

Palate--Nice first impression with a decidedly intelligently structured wine with loads of berry goodness, silky tannins, plum and dark berry notes. Finishes a little quickly but a very nice wine.

The "Decanter" gave this wine 97 points.  OK this is a shame because while this is a nice wine especially for the price, there seems to have been a real dumbing down of objective ratings. I expect this may be due to the pressure of so many in the media are all trying to monetize their blog, their website, what ever so their reviews are inflated.

97 points displayed on the label is absurd. It IS a very nice wine and super value but anyone who would give this 97 points simply does not know what they are talking about in an objective, enophilic way. But enough of the sophistry; The Wine Enthusiast gave this $9 bottle 86 points is about right.  For the money, it is worth seeking out and raising a glass!

Sunrise Cabernet Sauvignon NV Valle Central Chile

Purple hue with strange bouquet, steel, some berries showing, but barely.

Palate--Watery mouth feel, a touch sour, not pleasant in the mouth and overall, utter crap. (Or "PLONK" as we say in the wine industry.)

This Non Vintage wine (that's what NV means) is from a respectable region of Chile where they can produce some dynamite Cabernets.  Don Melchor is one of the premier world Cabs around.  I used to be able to buy it on release for around $40 before it became known to the world.  It now runs around $100 on release. 

My wife bought this because it was cheap.  Bless her heart. It will be the second bottle I pour down the drain tonight.  The first one I opened from a long, reliable, Chilean producer was "corked" which is flaw in the production; usually a contaminant.