04 Monday Feb 2013
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A Rioja made primarily from the Tempranillo grape, this was a treat from someone else’s cellar. Good nose of fruit that has been tempered by oak aging, giving way to classic tempranillo flavors. Balanced and fuity on the palate with a tannic structure hiding in there somewhere. I don’t know how much this wine costs so I cannot give any stars, but for quality, an 89 pointer in my opinion.
01 Friday Feb 2013
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From the cellar door- this is a stunning wine. Plain and simple, I love this 4 year old. I will start with the rich purple color, the complex nose, layered palate and end on a mouthwatering finish that lasts and lasts.
Take a breath……… On the nose I am getting Bordeaux-like aromas of blackberry, tobacco and earth. A full on palate-attack of layered red and dark berries mixed with an earthiness and leather. Excellent balance between acidity, tannins and alcohol pave the way to a long finish. A serious 5 star wine that I imagine deserves 90+ points. Loving it… Who knew Virginia could bang out such rockin Merlot?
30 Wednesday Jan 2013
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A fresh and vibrant New World Pinot Noir that I thoroughly enjoyed. Shaved cherry mixed with strawberries form the initial attack whilst stealthy tannins are hiding in the background. Great balance with a hint of dryness make this a mouthwatering wine made in a fruit forward style. You know how I love Burgundian style pinot with all that earth and funk- so it takes a lot to get me going. This one did….
I initially got cherries on the nose, telltale for the varietal. The color was a beautiful shade of red. A longish finish once again defined the winemaker’s skill. A really nice bottle of Pinot to be savored with just about anything! I’m thinking it deserves 92 points, and gets 5 stars from me.
26 Saturday Jan 2013
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Yet another showstopper from the great ’09 Bordeaux vintage. A nice purple/red color that hinted of red berry and oak on the nose and transcended to show currants, raspberry and blueberry on the palate. A really good tannic structure will make this wine last yet it is drinking beautifully right now. Balanced and classy, this is a good drinking wine. I’m stumped at what I would pair it with though. Bang for the buck gives this 4 stars and 89 points in my book.
26 Saturday Jan 2013
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A blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon that hit well with the pro’s yet I despised. I guess I just don’t like overly worked Shiraz, Aussie style. Structurally speaking, it had all the right components for an easy drinking reasonable wine. Tannins, acidity and balance. Overly oaky in my opinion- it was dark purple in the glass. On the nose- very ripe black berry notes that revealed plummy jam and berry on the palate. Like I said, not my style of over-extraction. For me 2 stars and 84 points. The pro’s gave it about 87 points.
26 Saturday Jan 2013
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Not much going on with this wine. A muted offering that just had me guessing where it was going. I got some berry and earth, but only slight. Tannins were very subdued so drink up. A complete blur and a pass if I was to spend close to $20 again. 1 star and 85 points.
26 Saturday Jan 2013
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A very basic red wine from California that won’t break the bank or impress the ladies. Kirsch and bright cherry are about it from this sub $10 offering. Not much complexity or backbone, just an easy drinker that I would not personally buy. 2 stars and 84 points.
25 Friday Jan 2013
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Whoa there Mr. Fruity-up-my-nose-guy… I am not a fan of this wine. Absolutely in my grill with the blueberry jam and across my palate with a rather sweet compote of blue and red berries with no finesse whatsoever. I did not detect much tannin nor any structure to this wine. If you like easy to drink wines, get some. If you are slightly more serious, give this a major pass. 1 star and 80 points. I can’t believe I paid $12 for it.
25 Friday Jan 2013
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A Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois from St. Estephe, this 2006 came across as ferociously tannic when first opened. I was amazed at the levels since this wine has been sitting for 6 years. True to form, it exhibited raw power with cassis, tobacco and dark fruits on the nose and palate. Getting past the tannins, this wine was really delicious, if not everyone’s cup of tea. My drinking partner and I decided it needed a good decanting and aeration, so we left it for a while. It is absolutely amazing how much this wine mellowed out in a short period of time. The tannins melded and gave way to more perfume and a touch of oak. The fruit that was already displayed became more rounded and the wine was rapidly changing its stripes. I have never witnessed such a rapid transformation in a bottle of wine like this. I doubt it would even be a shadow of itself if left for a day. Be careful with this wine… If you like searing tannins, pop-n-pour. It would be an awesome companion to a Ribeye or other really fatty cut of beef. Do not drink it by itself, it is not designed for that. Overall, I would carve out a space for it in my cellar and give it 4 stars, but only 85 points for its volatility. (I paid about $21 for it).
25 Friday Jan 2013
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A perennial winner, this wine is consistent for quality and value. Nothing special, just plain old reliable with decent fruit, easy to drink and no harshness. Very light on the tannins, the point of this wine is to enjoy the blueberry and plum flavors without the complexity. It is a pop and pour wine suitable for an evening drink, large party or quick pasta meal. Very widely distributed and easy to find for under $10, every house should have an emergency stash of this stuff in case a block party breaks out. 5 stars for its consistent quality to price and a respectable 86 points (WS gave it 89!).
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