Category Archives: Wine reviews

MontGras Merlot Reserva 2011

31 Saturday Aug 2013

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A very basic Merlot that won’t break the bank. Purple ink in the glass, it had a decent nose of plums and herbs. On the palate, slightly off balance for some reason and the tannins were green. Does that make any sense to you? Let me explain… The dryness in the mouth is caused by the tannins, which in this case are not quite ripe. This results in a roughness, rather than a smooth dryish sensation. Once past the tannic grip, a mellow blend of plum compote and some mintyness combine with a certain oaky component. Not delicious, but okay. This wine was only $9, but I feel it only warrants 2 stars for me. Technically speaking, I would imagine it gets 84 points. There are way better wines out there for the same price, move along. Salut….
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Barrel Block Merlot 2011

28 Wednesday Aug 2013

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If you read my post on the Barrel Block Cab/Merlot, you will realize that this bottle was the other half of the BOGO deal, and it’s equally as bad.  A duo of undrinkable, insipid wines that need to be yanked off the shelves.   Here’s what the back label shows:

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The only thing correct is the softness of the wine. It was like candy water mixed with a touch of red dye. Enough said. 70 points and 0 stars.

Barrel Block Cabernet Merlot 2011

28 Wednesday Aug 2013

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I am always leery of BOGO deals, it’s usually a sign….  I was right on this one.  The back label talks this wine up in a big way, I ll let you read it:

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Never did I detect any of the richness, complexity, blackcurrant or oak.  This is probably one of the worst wines I have ever come across.  Light red in the glass, it tasted like sugar water and candy.  70 points and no stars.  A tremendous wave-off on this one.

Chilcas Syrah 2011

27 Tuesday Aug 2013

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Back on track with the Chilcas family!  I just wrote about the Carmenere disappointment and am happy to say that the Syrah bottling is right up my alley.

There are two ways to spell this varietal, Shiraz- which I find to be a much bolder expression of the fruit, and Syrah- a more refined offering and usually Old World in heritage.  This bottling is old school through and through.  Very soft in the mouth, with gentle tannins and balanced acidity.  Reserved, it shows its red berry and chocolate flavors very smoothly.  This wine, while not complex, does show off its origin and terroir very nicely (not that I’m an expert).  Did I mention the price?  A veritable steal and worthy of 5 stars and perhaps 87 points.  I think I’m on to something here, stay away from the funky Carmenere, stock up on this and the Cabernet and you can defend against any size party that pops up!  Salut….

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Chilcas Carmenere 2011

27 Tuesday Aug 2013

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I recently tasted the Chilcas Cabernet, which scored well on my quality/price criteria.  Moving on to the Carmenere varietal I was hoping for similar performance, but alas I was let down.

The varietal is one of the original six Noble Bordeaux grapes and is related to the Cabernet family.  I have never had a French Carmenere, only Spanish and more predominantly- Chile.  I find it to be very spicy, with strong hints of green pepper (capsicum) and lacking hefty tannins.  This particular bottling hit me with a very ‘tinny’ taste profile which was almost medicinal on the initial attack.  The spice and red currants hit on the mid-palate, but are somewhat overshadowed by the metallic taste.  I really did not enjoy the profile, but it did mellow out after about an hour.  This is a major wave-off, spend your cash on their other wines.  82 points and 1 star.

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Two Hands ‘Bella’s Garden’ Shiraz 2010

18 Sunday Aug 2013

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BOOOOOM, there it goes.  What an amazing bottle of purity, essence and flavor.  Black/inky purple in the glass, I knew this was going to be good.  An incredible nose of dark fruit and vanilla made me want to just sit and sniff, for hours.  On the initial attack there is a wave of flavors, complexity at the maximum.  Blueberry, blackberry, cloves and cassis all swirled around at different times.  Multi-dimensional and layered with mouth coating tannins the likes of which I have not tasted ever before.  Extremely smooth and inviting, this wine has perhaps one of the finest mouthfeels of any wine I have tasted.  Balanced to within an inch of its life, this Barossa Shiraz has everything, for everyone.  It will drink beautifully right now, yet has the aging capacity to cellar for another 15 years, evolving no doubt.  It already displays smoothness, drinkability and a huge amount of complexity without heat, rough tannins or overt acidity.  Unlike many Aussie ‘fruit bomb’ Shiraz’s, this one doesn’t overwhelm with the fruit, but relies on subtleness to deliver the K/O.  For about $55 this is a 5 star wine only because I can’t give 6.  Technically speaking, I would go with 96 points or even higher.

As a side note, I drank this with grilled squid salad followed by Lamb Chops and asparagus, all fired on the grill and the combination was magic.

If you are looking for a ‘reasonable’ awesome wine for a special occasion, look no further.  This one will seduce the unwitting, impress the snobbish and provide you with an ethereal experience.  Salut….

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Finca La Solana de Luzon 2011

16 Friday Aug 2013

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This is what United Airlines is serving up on domestic First Class, but that’s not saying much….  Anyway, I mistook it for a Syrah.  I’m not sure what I was thinking, but I could taste telltale Syrah notes and a deft use of oak.  Bluish in the fruit department, it had a mid palate hollowness that bothered me at first but I got used to it.  The acid and tannins are ok, but not in balance (Much more tannic than acidic).  I then took a look at the bottle to reveal the true varietal.  Monastrell, or Mouvedre as it is known, is grown widely in the south of France and used mainly as a blend (think GSM).  Anyway, I looked up pricing and found it to be very reasonable.  Would I recommend it for a party, sure….  Would I serve it?  Not a chance.  It’s just not very good technically and I would give it 84 points tops and therefore a 2 star rating.  Cheap it might be, but not up to spec for me.   Salut….

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Chilcas Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

12 Monday Aug 2013

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Brought by a fellow wino, this was a full liter of delicious Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon.  What it lacked in depth, it made up for in charm.  Purple ink in the glass, it showed off primal hints of blueberry and mint on the nose.  Very easy to drink, it gave pleasure with the blue fruitiness mixed up with some spices (eucalyptus??).  A very subtle tannin structure was enjoyable as was the acidity.  A bargain wine that plays like a middle weight!  Some slight oak was evident, but unobtrusive.  Bang for the buck this is a 5 star wine, and technically speaking 88 points.  I’m thinking you need a few laying around in case a block party erupts.  This wine will please anyone, with or without food.  Salut….

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Clos du Bois Chardonnay Calcaire 2010

11 Sunday Aug 2013

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A friendly bartender gave me a sample of this stunner.  Straight up one of the best Chardonnays I have had in a long time.  Classic California Chard, but not over the top.  Buttery, without being flabby.  Citrusy, without being sour.  Oaked, deftly.  This is multi-dimensional and offers apricot and pineapple to go with the green apples.  Crisp acidity, but not too sharp left me feeling refreshed, not flabby.  I reckon this may need to be bought by the case and will be the champion at the next Salmon dinner I serve, or the next Chicken I grill, or I might just drink it for the hell of it….  5 stars, 91 points (no brainer!).  Salut….

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Carpe Diem Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

11 Sunday Aug 2013

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A younger, more primal version of the Carpe Diem 2009 I tasted several months ago.  Much more Blueberry and less plums than the older brother.  Strong aromas of the berry and a hint of oak came through for me.  On the initial attack, the fruit was somewhat sidelined by the young tannins.  Almost mouth-puckering, these will have to meld over the next two years for this wine to really shine.  It is too young to really appreciate, yet I believe it will fill out, mellow out and really soar to a potential 91 point finish.  I bought this bottle for $25, and think it would be a 4 star wine after being cellared for 2+ years.  It should last well into 2020.

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