• About Caspernick
  • Star Ratings
  • The Master tasting list

Wine reviews

~ My personal wine tasting notes

Wine reviews

Category Archives: Wine reviews

La Joya Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

28 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$10, 4 stars, 88 points, Argentina wines, cabernet sauvignon


The label says that this is made by the Bisquertt Family Vineyard in the Colchagua valley, Argentina.  It tastes so different from other Cabs in the region, almost bordeaux-like with a sense of terroir and the old world components like cassis, clove and blueberry.  I thoroughly enjoyed it’s difference and character with some grilled beef and veggies.  The nose of this one had blue fruits and some lavender components.  The structure was built for short term enjoyment with easy tannins and basic acidity.  The price?  $10.  A steal if you have a hankering for something different.  88 points and 4 stars for sure.  This will please with grilled meats or by itself on a windy, chilly evening.  Salut….

IMG_0441

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Trapiche Malbec Oak Cask 2011

28 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$10, 4 stars, 88 points, Argentina wines, Malbec


As the name implies, there’s lots of oak in this basic Malbec.  We drank it with charcoal grilled beef sweetbreads and it was a perfect match.  The charred edges of the food paired well with the oaky blueberry fruit and the tannins, although slight, agreed with the lightness of the dish.  The color of the wine was as expected and the nose was heavily oaked.  I’m all for the use of the wood as long as it is done deftly.  I knew what to expect with this one and was pleased.  Simple in structure, it was easy to drink and all the guests enjoyed it.  Reasonable at about $10, I would give this wine 88 points and 4 stars.  It was the juicy Malbec I was searching for the other night.  Salut….

IMG_0439

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

d’Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz 2010

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$13, 4 stars, 89 points, aussie shiraz, shiraz


I disliked the 2009 Footbolt, thinking it was an off vintage.  I was correct.  The 2010 version is far more approachable, delicious and true to form.  Reddish purple in the glass, it offered up black fruits and a hint of cedar on the nose.  Upon tasting, the blackcurrants mingled with licorice and even some mocha came through.  Medium tannins and good acidity balanced the whole thing out.  The wine is very reasonable at $13 and gives some depth without resorting to jammyness.  I would drink it with grilled Lamb and some olive tapenade.  The bang for the buck factor is amazing though and I give it 89 points and 4 stars.  If you have not tried any d’Arenberg wines, you really should, they are easy to spot as they all have the signature red sash on the label.  Salut….

 

20131127-114923.jpg

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2011

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$20, 3 stars, 88 points, Argentina wines, Malbec


The second bottle ordered at our Argentinian dinner was this Malbec.  You can’t have Argie steaks without Malbec, they go hand in hand.  This one was the traditional inky purple as expected and gave off red fruits and fig compote on the nose.  The palate was different, more blackcurrants and cranberry with some mintiness mixed in.  I enjoyed this wine but have had better Malbecs and would look for more tannins and better acidity.  The big man himself gave it 90, I’m going with 88.  $20 at retail makes this a 3 star effort for me.  Salut….

IMG_0430

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Trapiche Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$15, 4 stars, 88 points, Argentina wines, cabernet sauvignon


This is not the cheap $8 version from this winery, we ordered it off the wine list at an Argentinian Steak House.  Paying about $35, I figure it should be about a $15 bottle.  Anyway, it was so good that we ordered a second bottle after giving a Malbec a try.  We started drinking this with the appetizers and it was great.  Bluish fruits and a dark cherry component mixed with the oak and gentle acidity made it very pleasing.  The wine is not complex, nor is it basic but it is very drinkable and we all enjoyed it.  The second bottle came with the Filet Mignons and was a great match.  Filet is low in fat and is very tender making it a good match for a slightly less tannic wine that is not as complex.   Overall, a good choice as evidenced by the group’s vote for more of the same.  I would give this 88 points and reckon it is a 4 star effort if it truly were $15.  Salut….

IMG_0429

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

d’Arenberg High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

24 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$15, 5 stars, 91 points, Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon, cabernet sauvignon


If you read my previous post about the d’Arenberg winery you will know that I thoroughly enjoy their offerings and find them to be consistent and delicious.  This wine held true.  It was dark purple in the glass, always a good sign, and the nose showed off black fruits and cedar box.  A really delicious palate was made up of blackberry, blueberry, pepper and a hint of oak.  Well balanced and drinking en pointe with smooth tannins and good mouthfeel.  This is a sure fire winner and for $15 it gets 5 stars from me for its 91 point rating.  We drank it pre-dinner but it would hit every imaginable red wine combo.  Salut….

IMG_0416

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Hentley Farm Caretaker Shiraz 2011

22 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$22, 4 stars, 90 points, aussie shiraz, shiraz


A Barossa Valley Shiraz that I loved.  Dark purple in the glass and offering up a generous bouquet of plums, blackberry and a touch of wood.  The mouthfeel is super smooth and allows the plums and black fruit to meld with oak and star anise.  The wine is drinking beautifully now and from the very gentle tannins I would reckon it to be at peak for the next two years.  This is my style of Aussie Shiraz, supple, smooth and offering a certain level of finesse.  This is a good wine with dimension and appeal. For $22 this is a 4 star wine with 90 points in my books.  Salut….

IMG_0391

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Sycamore Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$10, 3 stars, 85 points, cabernet sauvignon, california


If you read my post on the Santa Ana disaster, it leads into this wine.  My buddy bought two bottles of the nasty stuff and returned one the next day.  They offered him this bottle as a replacement so I don’t know the value of it.  A lighter shade of red in the glass and some hints of raspberry on the nose.  On the palate I got red cherry and strawberry with some earth.  Not my favorite profile for a Cab Sav but I was willing to roll with it.  Nice mouthfeel yet not very complex.  I don’t think this is a serious/expensive wine yet it was intriguing.  Suffering from jet lag and hunger we polished it off and headed out for dinner.  If this was a $10 bottle I would give it 3 stars.  I reckon it is an 85 point wine and think you may enjoy it as an aperitif.  I can’t quite pick a pairing because of the somewhat strange flavors for the varietal, best to be drunk by itself I reckon.  Salut….

IMG_0373

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Wolf Blass Red Label Cabernet Merlot 2012

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

$9, 4 stars, 86 points, Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet, merlot


This is the third varietal in the Red Label series that I have tried from Wolf Blass.  Cabernet and Merlot blended together are one of my go-to combos.  This wine rolled in at $20 for two 1 liter bottles, do the math.  It’s a very reasonably priced wine that everyone enjoyed.  Easy to drink with raspberry and red currants on the palate and a red fruity nose.  Built for pop-n-pour, it offers no complexity and no associated stuffiness.  The tannins are slight and the acidity very gentle making it very versatile for pairing.  I think this would be an awesome party wine and believe it is widely available.  86 points and 4 stars for this one.  Salut….

IMG_0372

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...

Tilia Malbec-Syrah 2012

18 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$9, 3 stars, 85 points, Argentina wines, malbec-syrah


We tasted this wine next to it’s stablemate, the Tilia Merlot.  For me, Malbec is supposed to be very fruity, rich and sometimes jammy.  Syrah has a far greater flavor profile and draws a lot from the terroir where it is grown.  The combination of the two is somewhat bedazzling.  I can’t really enjoy the Malbec side, and the Syrah portion is not to my personal taste.  It does however offer up some decent fruit for the measly $9 price tag.

Darker purple than the Merlot, this wine had a more candied nose of red fruits.  On the palate, raspberry and earth with a touch of cafe’.  There was a slight sweetness to the wine, but nothing off-putting.  The tannic structure is decent as is the acidity.  I think I prefer my Malbec served straight up, no mixing.  Syrah is a wonderful grape by itself or in company with more traditional blends.  I  will look for the pure Malbec from this winery to see the difference, stay tuned.  85 points and 3 stars from me for this effort.  Salut….

IMG_0356

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
Like Loading...
← Older posts
Newer posts →

RSS Me!

RSS Feed

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 199 other subscribers
Follow Wine reviews on WordPress.com

Archives

Tags

$3.50 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8 $9 $10 $11 $12 $13 $14 $15 $16 $17 $18 $19 $20 $21 $22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30 $31 $32 $33 $34 $35 $36 $37 $38 $39 $40 $41 $42 $43 $44 $45 $46 $47 $48 $49 $50 $51 $52 $54 $55 $56 $57 $58 $60 $62 $63 $64 $65 $67 $70 $72 $74 $75 $77 $80 $85 $89 $90 $92 $95 $100 $104 $105 $110 $118 $120 $125 $130 $135 $140 $145 $150 $155 $160 $175 $180 $200 $230 $250 $257 $300 $330 $450 0 stars 1 star 2 stars 3 stars 4 stars 5 star 5 stars 22 points 70 points 75 points 78 points 80 points 82 points 83 points 84 points 85 points 86 points 87 87 points 88 points 89 points 89 poitns 90 points 90points 91 points 92 points 93 points 94 points 95 points 96 points 97 points 98 points 100 points abruzzo Aconcagua valley aerating wine Agiorgitiko aglianico Aglianico del Vulture agrelo albarino Aldi alentejo alexander valley alfrocheiro Alicante Bouschet aligote almansa alsace alvarinho Amador county amarone amber wine American amontillado amur Amyndaio andalucia Andalusia anderson valley Apalta valley aperitif appassimento apple wine aragon aragonez areni Argentina Argentina wines argentine arinto armenia arneis arroyo seco assyrtiko asti Aussie Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon aussie shiraz australia austria baga bandol banyuls Barbaresco barbera barbera d'alba barbera d'asti barolo Barossa Barossa Shiraz Basilicata basque country bastardo batroun beamsville bench beaujolais beaumes-de-venise Beaune beira atlântico bekaa valley Bierzo big green egg big green egg grill Blatina blaufrankisch blaufrankish blend bonarda bordeaux bordeaux blend bordeaux superier Bosnia-Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina botrytis bright cellars brouilly brunello Bulgaria bulgarian wine bulllas Burgenland burgundy cabernert franc Cabernet Cabernet franc cabernet merlot blend cabernet sauvignon cabernet suavignon cachapoal valley cachet Cadillac cafayate cahors caladoc calaveras county calchaqui valley Cali cab califiornia california campania Campari campo de Borja canada carignan carinena carmenere carneros carneros pinot noir carnuntum Carpano classico Castelão Castilla Castilla y leòn catalan catalayud catalonia Catalunya catarratto cava central coast central otago central valley central victoria chablis Chalk Hill chambolle-musigny chambourcin Champagne charbono chardonnay Chateauneuf-du-pape cheap and cheerful cheap and nasty wine chehalem mountains chenin blanc chianti chianti classico chile chiles valley chili chinon Cinsault citrusdal mountain clare valley clarksburg Cleveland coastal region cocktail colchagua columbia valley condrieu constantia consult cooked coombsville coonawarra corked cortese corvina corvinone cote de Beaune cote de nuits cotes de castillon Cotes de catalanes cotes de nuits cotes de Provence Cotes du rhone cotes du roussillon counoise crete crianza croatia crozes-hermitage cru bourgeois curico valley del venezie dessert wine dolcetto Dolin dornfelder Douro dry creek valley dundee hills eden valley eden valley barossa eger Egervin Egri Bikaver Bulls Blood Eger England entre deux mers eola-amity hills fiano finger lakes firstleaf fitou fleurie fortified fortified wine france Franschhoek friulano Friuli Friuli Venezia Giulia fronsac Furmint gamay gamza Garda garganega garnacha garnaxa peluda gavi georgia germany getariako txakolina gevrey-chambertin gewurtzraminer gewurztraminer gibbston Gigondas gimblett gravels gimlet gravels gin glera godello graciano gran selezione greece grenache grenache blanc grenache noir grencahe gros manseng grüner veltliner gsm haut medoc Hawkes Bay Hermitage hondarabi zuri Hondarrabi Zuri horse heaven hills Howell mountain hungary hunter valley iberian peninsula Ice wine IG Lisboa inalai istria Italy itata Japan jerez Jumilla jura kakheti Kekfrankos Kentucky kerner Kisi kotsifali kremstal lagrein lake county wine Lalande de Pomerol langhe langhorne creek languedoc lebanon leg of lamb lemberger leoville barton lillet Limoux lirac livermore Ljubuski Lodi loire loire valley Los Chacayes Loudoun County loupiac lujan de cuyo Lynch bages macabeo Macedonia macon madeira maipo valley malaga malagouzia Malbec malbec-syrah Malbec blend Maldonado malvasia Manhattan cocktail Manhattan recipe manzanilla margaret river margaux marlborough Marquette Marsanne marselan Martinborough mataro maule valley Mavrodaphne mazuelo mclaren vale mcminnville medoza melon de bourgogne mencia mendocino Mendoza mercurey meritage merlot Merwah moldova monastrell montefalco montepulciano Montepulciano d'Abruzzo monterey Monterey county Pinot noir Monticello montsant moscatel moscato moschofilero mosel moulin-a-vent moulis mourvedre Mourvèdre Mstvane mtsvane Muscadelle muscadet muscardine muscat muscat blanc a petite grains muscat of Alexandria Muscat of Frontignan muscat ottonel médoc Naked Wines naoussa Napa napa blend napa cab napa cabernet Napa Cabernet franc napa petite Sirah napa syrah napa valley navarra nebbiolo negroamara Negroni recipe nemea Nerello Mascalese nero d'avola Neusiedlersee New Jersey New York new zealand niagara on the lake niagara peninsula niederosterreich Nieuwoudtville Nobile di Montepulciano North Coast northern rhone north macedonia Norton nouveau oak knoll Oakville obaideh Obeideh off-dry Ohio old vine cabernet sauvignon old vine monastery Old vine Zinfandel Ontario Oporto orange muscat orange wine oregon organic grapes organic wine otago outer coastal plain paarl Padthaway Pais pais nantais palomino papillae Parellada paso robles paso robles cabernet sauvignon patagonia patras pauillac pays d'oc Pedro Jimenez Pedro Ximenez peljesac penisola peloponnes Peloponnese Pennsylvania pessac leognan petite sirah petite verdot petit verdot pfalz picpoul de pinet Piedmont piesporter Pinotage pinot blanc pinot grigio pinot gris Pinot Meunier pinot noir pinout noir piémonte plavac mali podravje pomerol pommard port porto portugal pouilly-fuise primitivo Priorat prosecco provence puemo Puente alto puglia pyrenees rapel rapel valley rara neagră Rasteau Ravat 51 re-taste Recas Castle red blend refosk retsina Rheinessen Rheingau rhone rhone blend rhone valley rias baixas Ribbon Ridge Ribera del duero Ribera del Jucar riesling rioja ripasso rkatsiteli robertson rogue valley Romania rondinella rose Roussane Roussanne royal maiden Russian River Russian river valley rutherford rutherglenn sabre sagrantino saint-emilion saint estephe saint jean de minervois saint julien sake salta Sam Plunkett Gentle Annie Cabernet 2019 Sancerre sangiovese sanlucar de barracuda santa barbara Santa Cruz Mountains Santa cruz Pinot noir Santa Cruz wine santa lucia highlands Santa Maria Valley Santa Rita hills santa Ynez saperavi Saumur-Champigny sauternes Sauvignon blanc semillon seneca lake sevre-et-maine sherry shiraz shiraz cabernet sicility siciliy sicily sierra foothills Simonsberg-Paarl slovenia soave sola-amity hills Sonoma Sonoma Cabernet sonoma coast Sonoma coast Pinot noir sonoma county sonoma mountain Sonoma Pinot noir sonoma valley sousao South Africa South African Cabernet Sauvignon south australia southern rhone souzao spain sparkling shiraz Sparkling wine splash wines spring mountain district st. Emilion st. julien stags leap stags leap district stefan vodă stellenbosch stellenbosch wine st estephe Strathbogie ranges sumoll super tuscan sur lie sussex swan valley swartland sweet white wine Sylvaner syrah Syrah/Tempranillo syrah blend Tannat taurasi Tavel TCA tejo tempranillo Terra Alta texas Thracian valley Tina Roriz Tinta Barroca tinta cao tinta de toro tinta negra Tinta Roriz tokaji toro Torrontes toscana igt touriga Touriga Franca Touriga Nacional touring touring nacional Traisental trebbiano trentino-alto Adige trincadeira tupungato turkey Tuscan tuscany Uco Valley umbria uno valley uruguay Vacqueyras valdeorras Valdiguié Valdigué valpolicella vayots dzor veneto ventoux verdejo verdelho Vermont vermouth Victoria vidadillo Vidal Vidal Blanc vignoles vin de pays vinho verde vino verde vino Volo vin santo vinturi viognier virginia virus viura volnay vouvray vranec VR Lisboa VWTC Wachau Wagram Waiheke Island Wairarapa walla walla valley wanaka washington Weinviertel wellington western cape white grenache white port white zinfandel willamette valley Williamsburg winery visit winetasting WSET Xarel-lo Xinomavro yakima valley Yamhill-Carlton District Yarra valley yountville zinfandel Zinfandel blend zweigelt

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Wine reviews
    • Join 187 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Wine reviews
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar

Loading Comments...

    %d