Category Archives: Wine reviews

Cosentino ‘The Poet’ Meritage 2012

02 Tuesday Jun 2015

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I picked this bottle up at the Napa tasting room, where I joined the club and indulged in tasting just about everything they had.  I really enjoy the wines from this winery, they suit my style, budget and usually have enough unique character to set them apart from the thousands of others in the valley.  This one was $36 for club members, $45 for the rest.  It opens up in the glass and shows off a bright purple color.  On the nose- nice plum and blue fruit compote.  A nice intro of plum, currant, black cherry and gripping tannins.  Acidity is very present and balances the young tannins somewhat.   The blend of this wine is 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, 9 % Cabernet Franc and the 1 % left is Malbec.

This Bordeaux blend appeals to me greatly and the wine drinks well, albeit young.  The mid palate just hit me with some powerful plum essence with a silky touch of flowers, probably the Franc I suspect.  The finish is average in length and the tannins simply disappear.  I’m thinking this is a shorter term wine with a drinking window of 2016-2020.  91 points from me and 4 stars.  Salut….

cosentino the poet

 

El Vinculo 2006

02 Tuesday Jun 2015

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Broken cork- never a good start…. unless the wine is unharmed and is as good as this one.  Funky Tempranillo nose of earth, black cherries and garigue.  Full power attack of aged leather, tobacco, black berries and dark cherry jam. Very balanced with some tight tannins and sharp acidity. Mid palate shows some real stuffing, sour cherry with leather and black brooding fruits. The finish is long and the tannins continue to caress. This wine is still very young and will age gracefully, all the pieces are in place. 93 points from me which differs considerably from one pro who gave it 90 and my peers only managed 87 points.  I’m sticking with my guns and searching for more.  At $15 per bottle you can’t go wrong- 5 stars for sure and another winner in the books. 2015-2025  Salut….

el vinculo

Ollara Clasico Reserva 2009

02 Tuesday Jun 2015

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The label says Decanter magazine gave it 97 points- that’s huge and worthy of the $35 entry fee.  I was actually blown away once I opened this Rioja gem.  Thick purple hues in the glass with a solid nose of bramble, blackberry, oak and ginger.  Initial attack of super smooth fruits- blackberry, blue berries, orange peel and a dancing acidity that mingles around. Super duper smooth tannins grace the whole mouth and provide an amazing mouthfeel, not sumptuous, nor lean – just present. This is an amazing wine. Mid to back end is where I find some wood, lighter red fruits and as it airs out- more gripping tannins. Not exactly textbook Rioja, it’s a cross with Bordeaux and young Brunello. Simply amazeballs. 95 from me make this a 5 star wine with a long life ahead. 2025-2028.  Salut….

ollara clásico reserva rioja

Elderton High Altitude Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

02 Tuesday Jun 2015

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I have had the Elderton Shiraz of the same label and I thought it was a great drop so when I saw this Cab I had to try it.  It just wasn’t the same caliber unfortunately.  Starting off with a floral nose and purple plum paste I was hopeful.  Very smooth entry of black berries and blueberry jam. Nice easy acidity with a short finish. Mid palate hints of red currants and very gentle tannins. 87 points from me with a drinking window of 2015-2017.  3 stars and $11.  Salut….

etlderton high altitude barossa cabernet sauvignon

Dark Hundred 2012

02 Tuesday Jun 2015

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With no varietals mentioned on the label I took a chance on this $30 offering that was on BOGO at the local.  Brooding nose of black fruits and chocolate dust. Mouth of ripe plums, cinnamon, ganache and green pepper (kinda strange I know). Rich acidity and mellow tannins. 88 points from me and 2-3 stars.  Not sure yet, perhaps it needs some time.  This wine hails from Sonoma and I suspect it is loaded with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  Salut….

dark hundred wine

The Buccaneer Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

19 Tuesday May 2015

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I needed some wine for a friends evening so I stopped into Bevmo to pick some up.  I was confronted with their 5Cent sale, buy from a selection of wines at full price and the second bottle is only 5 cents- basically a BOGO offer.  This one was appealing from the shelf talker so I thought ‘what the heck’.  $10 per bottle for California Cabernet?  No brainer.

Bright damson nose with tar and plum on the first sip.   Mild tannins and gentle acidity make this very approachable.  Cinnamon and spice on the mid palate add a level of complexity and there is a longish finish of tannins and acidity that I only just noticed. 89 points with a window of 2015-2022 make this wine is a lurker. Good value from Bevmo at $20 for 2. At full price this would be a 3 star wine.  Salut….

the buccaneer cabernet sauvignon

Chateau Gaudin 2010

19 Tuesday May 2015

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Every once in a while I like to just drink the wine, no notes, no sucking air between my teeth- just the pleasure of the grapes.  This past weekend my best friend from childhood came over for dinner.  In his usual style he showed up with a decent bottle of wine.  He was raised well and has class.  His offering was this 2010 Bordeaux from the Pauillac commune which I happen to love.  He also brought some pretty hefty cheeses and salami shavings to get the evening going.

Without notes I cannot tell you the specifics, only that this wine reaffirms my statements about 2009 and 2010 Bordeaux.  Run, don’t walk to the shops.  The next three vintages offer wines much lower in quality without reflection in price.  This wine retails at $40 or so dollars and is a notch below the Cru Classe in terms of quality.  It had everything going for it with regard to flavor, structure and cellaring potential.  Others have given it 90 points, I won’t argue.  3 stars and well worth looking for.  Salut….

chateau gaudin

Chateau Trocard 2010

19 Tuesday May 2015

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A wise man will try any 2009 or 2010 Bordeaux, they are consistently good.  Winemakers had an amazing back-to-back set of vintages that offer short term approachability with some wines that will cellar for 30-40 years.  This particular Bordeaux Superiore was ready for the corkscrew.  I only took basic notes as we were tired when this bottle was opened.

Rich plum, tart blackberries and some juicy acidity.  Bramble and dusty tannins on the mid palate. Decent finish of plum compote mixed with tannins and blueberry pie. My friend claims yum! 88 points and 4 stars for this $12 steal.  I plan on buying more for the near term.  2015-2019.  Salut….

chateau trocard

Santa Julia Reserva Malbec Valle de Uco 2013

19 Tuesday May 2015

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With a nose of candied plum and some oak I kinda knew what I was getting into. First sip was a pleasant surprise. Easy drinking and not overly cloying with some plum, currants and a generous amount of acidity. This is a pop-n-pour wine that should be consumed young. The tannins are very slight and the balance is slightly off yet it is a fun drop that will entertain many at a party. Cooking burgers? This one will fit the bill. 87 points for this basic red wine that is fresh and lively from Argentina.   $12 makes it a 3 star effort.  Salut….

santa julia reserva malbec valle de uco

Alexander Valley Vineyard Wine Club Reserve 2012

19 Tuesday May 2015

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Next in my tasting series from Alexander Valley Vineyard is this gem.  45% Cab Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Merlot makes this a Meritage in anyone’s books.  How I love Cab Franc and more importantly how it melds into the Bordeaux style blend !  This was one bottle I was looking forward to.

Dark purple with a nose of black currant, eucalyptus, wood shavings and pencil lead. On the palate is a vibrant, somewhat tannic attack of currants, black berries and more  graphite. Very young wine with a good cellaring potential. 89 points with a drinking window of 2016-2022. (Or you could run it through a Vinturi and pair it with a ribeye!)  I paid $24 at the winery and give it 3 stars.  Salut….

alexander valley vineyards wine club reserve