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2022 BLANKbottle Orbitofrontal cortex
5/14/2024 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
It’s no surprise that a name like this one would eventually be bestowed upon some wine. In as much as the Orbitofrontal Cortex is responsible for smell, taste, emotion, and decision making, all very useful and very much used by wine drinkers.
Not knowing that information before I bought this bottle (I wanted to be a scientist, I never said I made it), the name played the biggest part in my decision to try it out, along with an interesting description of the wine, varietals, and origin.
Upon first taste, I seemed to sense a wine that was reminiscent of a white rhone that might include grapes like Marsanne and Roussanne, which was spot on, along with several other varietals mixed in for good measure; Verdelho, Palomino, Riesling, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Marsanne, Rousanne, and Chenin Blanc. Combining such an array of varietals leaves much to the imagination, but once tasted, I accepted whatever they put into this wine.
I first thought that the wine might be a product of Australia, given the peculiar name for which they are known. But no, it originates in the Swartland, in the Western Cape of South Africa. The winery is known for unique bottling, this being one and Moment of Silence being the second bottle I acquired; a review of which will be posted when drunk.
The similarity to a white Rhone wine was evident upfront. The Marsanne and Roussanne lend much to the flavors and the similarities to those wines. Bright acidity mixed with melon notes along with a dollop of citrus engaged my palate and left a lasting impression.
Before rushing to your neighborhood wine shop, be it known that I found few listings for any of their wines. There is a distributor in Illinois (that may be why I found it), but it was an email special that captured my interest. There’s a good reason to pick up some should you come across any of their wines especially if this one is any indication of just how nice a wine can be,
Cheers
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2021 Bodegas Avancia Godello Old Vines
4/16/2024 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
15 Months and No Longer Counting
Ah yes, January 2023, that’s when I expressed my continuing love of today’s wine, albeit the 2020 vintage, and having also reviewed the 2019 vintage 4 months earlier. January 2023 was when I referred to completing the review on this new vintage (2021) as “very soon.” As I expressed in October 2023 with the review of another of the winery’s wines, the Bodegas Avancia "Nobleza" Godello Valdeorras 2020, the review of today’s wine was delayed as “life got in the way, and that got put on hold.” I’m here to finally rectify that delay.
Bodegas Avancia "Old Vine" Godello Valdeorras 2021
From the winery’s Finca Aeiroá vineyard in the D.O. Valdeorras, this organically farmed 100% Godell wine is fermented and aged (10 months) in French Oak giving this wine its distinctive flavors of stone fruits that dominate alongside a citrusy core culminating in this bright refreshing wine. A lean vein of minerality runs in the background. A great wine for shellfish, fish, and lighter fare.
The Avancia Godellos are a staple of my wines. Each wine displays slight nuances that distinguish each from the other, and at different price points, allows a wide range of uses. The Cuvée de O Godello, Godello Old Vines, and the Nobleza Godello Old Vines along with Cuvée de O Mencía and Nobleza Mencía round out these fabulous wines brought to us from Jorge Ordóñez Selections.
Take your pick, but I highly recommend that you try their wines, I think you’ll enjoy them. I just wouldn’t wait 15 months to drink them!
Cheers
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2014 L'Aventure Estate Cuvée
4/9/2024 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 96 Points
An Adventure with L'Aventure
That’s an apropos title to today’s post, given that L’Aventure literally means “the adventure.” Take it from me, today’s wine was all that and more!
Sought out for its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and its rolling hills, L’Aventure’s 127 acres have been skillfully planted and maintained, leading to what I can only describe as a near-perfect wine.
L'Aventure "Estate Cuvée" Paso Robles 2014
Attesting to that is at least one other reviewer who gave it a 98-point review when released. After 10 years, it has only gotten better. Formed from 100% Estate-grown fruit under low yields, this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, and 15% Petit Verdot undergoes 15 months of aging in 100% New French Oak, culminating in its bottling using no fining or filtering.
The wine after 10 years emerges still as a weighty wine comprised of dark black and blue fruit, an earthy quality yet still allowing the flavors of the Syrah to come through. There is nice acidity and softness to the tannins that bring this wine to a satisfying, long, and smooth finish.
In case you want to go looking for this wine, not likely to find any 2014s, rest assured that the current vintages (2020 or 2021) are of similar quality, as are all of the wines from L’Aventure. The same reviewer that gave 2014 a 98-point review gave the same to the 2021 vintage and a 99-point review to the 2020. For those more recent vintages, know that cellaring, while only an option, is recommended and can easily stretch 15 years or more!
Cheers
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