Category Archives: Wine reviews

San Elias Chardonnay 2010

07 Thursday Mar 2013

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Chardonnay and Thai food, it works well!  This particular bottle was the only white available at our local Thai joint, so we thought we would give it a try after filling up on Singha beer and curry.  Golden yellow in the glass, the nose was buttery with some hints of lemon.  Very oaky, but not gross, it hit the right notes with me.  The lemon I sensed earlier was there on the palate, but slightly sweeter.  Strange to be describing it this way, but it lacked the acidity normally found in whites, yet it didn’t bother me.  For once I was happy with an inexpensive, over-oaked chardonnay that I simply enjoyed.  It was very easy to drink, and had been chilled to the right temperature.  Albeit not a great wine, I think it deserves 85 points, but for me it was a 4 star wine.  I would most definitely buy this again and drink it with any spicy dishes, or as an aperitif.  Planning a party this summer, buy this one by the case.

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Jacob’s Creek Shiraz Cabernet 2010

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

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I guess yesterday was the Aussie Cabernet tasting day for me.  This was the third wine in the lineup and I was suffering from ‘palate fatigue’ if you know what I mean!  Very basic and reasonably priced everyday wine from this mass-producer.  Nothing special, yet nothing untoward.  Balanced, somewhat fresh and definitely fruity.  I imagine this wine was made for pop-n-pour as it has very little long-term structure.  It will please at parties and is also an everyday dinner wine.  I won’t break the bank, but offers decent plum, blueberry and oak. The Shiraz is not overly jammy, the Cabernet adding some spice. 3 stars and 85 points from me.

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Penfolds “Rawson’s Retreat” Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

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If you just read my previous post, you will know that I bought this locally at a promotion price of $24 for three bottles, regularly $13 per.  With that in mind, this is actually a much better wine than the 2011 Shiraz blend.  Staying with the single varietal, I found better fruit, a more precise nose and much better tannins.  Albeit younger, this wine was more developed and had a better structure.  Red berries and vanilla were the predominant flavors, a good acidity and firm tannins rounded out the palate.  We drank this after lunch, but it would be good with pasta, perhaps some grilled steak.  Not overly exciting , but for the special price a repeat buy.  3 stars and 86 points.

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Penfolds “Rawson’s Retreat” Shiraz Cabernet 2011

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

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The local wine shop here is running a special on the Rawson’s Retreat series, so I picked up two of the offerings to try.  Not impressed.  Very basic in architecture, with straightforward red fruits on the nose and palate.  Little tannin and no complexity.  However, it does drink smoothly and will get big kudos from most people because it is built to satisfy the elementary drinker.  I wouldn’t call it a bad wine, plonk is more appropriate.  Serve with the most basic of dishes or alone.  The blend did mellow out the Cabernet Sauvignon somewhat, and I was surprised that the Shiraz was not the typical jam from downunda. I have to say I would probably buy it again if the promotion pricing is in effect, but at $13- a pass.  3 stars since it was $24 for three bottles, but only 84 points.

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Domaine Fond Croze Cuvée Confidence 2009

28 Thursday Feb 2013

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From the initial sniff I knew I was going to love this wine. Primal red fruit and a floral component teased my senses. On the first sip, red berries and some blackberry hints mixed it up nicely with some pretty decent tannins. Very puckering, this wine begs to be drunk. Good balance, just a bit basic in complexity. I had a glance at the back label and noticed that this wine is predominantly Grenache (love it), hence the florality and smoothness. The Syrah is giving it some edge. I like this wine, especially for its price. 4 stars, and I reckon 89 points.

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Chateau Clement Saint-Jean 2009

18 Monday Feb 2013

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A Cru Bourgeois from the 2009 that has textbook qualities at an affordable price.  Plums and earth on the nose translate well to the palate.  Slightly edgy and a touch acidic it has decent tannins and should cellar well for another 5 years.  Not our favorite of the tasting, but all things considered I would buy this again.  3 stars, 88 points.

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Langmeil ‘Blacksmith’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

15 Friday Feb 2013

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I’m not a huge fan of Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon, but wow! This is good wine, straight up. Rich blackberry on the nose translates to blueberry, plum and deft oak on the palate. Very complex, this wine is making me pucker up. The tannins are beautiful, rounded and powerful. This wine is just starting its crusade and should last until 2020 at the very least. Well balanced, it should take a steak in stride, but would absolutely marry a rack of lamb. Loving it with 4 stars and at least 91 points.

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Chateau Beau-Site 2009

15 Friday Feb 2013

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Last night Moxie and I celebrated our 22nd Valentine’s day, albeit a day early. We took the time and did it right by going to our all-time favorite restaurant. We have dined in some of the finest restaurants, always regretting, always pining for our little country bistro. Chez Francois is a Washington institution with a long history and extensive list of accolades and awards. Nestled down a windy country road in Great Falls, Virginia, it offers an unparalleled gastronomic experience.

I chose the 2009 Chateau Beau Site from the menu as I just read about this wine recently. A Cru Bourgeois from St. Estephe, I was expecting a bit of power. What I got was smooth and fruity. For a young Bordeaux, this vintage is hitting it. Offering up plums and earth without being jammy or tart. A very primal fruit right now, but with all the right pieces to evolve. Crisp tannins are unobtrusive, yet present. The mouthfeel is great, caressing. It amazes me that this wine is already drinking beautifully yet is just in its infancy, with 10 years at least to evolve.
I must say it’s a 90 pointer, but for $35 retail (I paid $90 in the restaurant) it may be pricey. I really think it will live up to its potential and hereby give it 4 stars for its all around deliciousness and its potential longevity.

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Jerome Gueneau Sancerre Le Clos Chartier 2011

04 Monday Feb 2013

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Made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape in the Sancerre region of France, this wine was very delicious.  Typical of the varietal, and the region- grapefruit and lemon zest on the nose.  Transitioning to the palate, the wine was balanced with excellent acidity.  I love Sav Blancs that cut your tongue with razor sharpness.  More lemon and apple on the palate mixed with a certain minerality that I found intriguing.  A very serviceable wine that could be enjoyed with any fish plate, a summer salad or as an aperitif.  89 points and 4 stars.

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Alma Negra ‘M Blend’ 2009

04 Monday Feb 2013

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Another wine from a friend…this time from Argentina.  The ‘M Blend’ immediately steered me to Malbec of some sort.  I was right, and wrong.  On the nose, classic Malbec fruitiness with blueberry and plum.  On the palate is where I got stumped.  I guessed Syrah as the blended portion, only to find out it was Bonarda.  Not as fruity as other Malbecs that I have had, it still offered an interesting twist on the varietal.  The Bonarda addition was intriguing, as was the use of oak.  This wine is slightly young and could do with another year to meld all the pieces.  Tannins were evident, as was a good acidity.  For about $20, this is a 3 star wine and possibly an 89 point effort.  I enjoyed it to a certain degree, but just not my favorite style of Malbec.  The label rocked though!

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