Category Archives: Wine reviews

Lapis Luna ‘Moon Eyes’ 2007

02 Sunday Dec 2012

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Wow! I am absolutely stunned by the nose of this wine. Unique, full force and unfamiliar. This wine is a different beast that has really peaked my interest. Hard core Cabernet on the nose, with black and blue fruits fighting for pole position.
Somooth….. Like buttah. I’m talking about mouth caressing tannins co-mingling with the over-abundant fruit in this hedonistic effort. Dark brooding fruit and balanced acidity on the palate hold out for a medium finish. I wonder if this wine will further improve….. Who cares, it’s so good you need to drink it now. A serious 5 star wine in my books, 91 points or higher if I were a pro taster….this is not a BBQ wine. It is fine by itself and would pair nicely with Filet.

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Ferrari Carano Siena 2010

02 Sunday Dec 2012

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A Californian blend whose majority is Sangiovese, made by the famed Ferrari-Carano winery. Instant pleasure for most people. It comes off as an easy drinker, yet has some depth and complexity to impress.
Strawberry and Raspberry form a bright attack, with good balance and some very hidden tannins. The structure surfaces after a while, as do some tertiary flavors, giving this wine some street cred. A dry finish lasts for a while, which is making my mouth water. I am digging this wine. 4 stars and 89 points IMHO.

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Rivetto Barbaresco Ce Vanin 2009

30 Friday Nov 2012

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Barbaresco is to Italian wine what Beaujolais is to French wine: the thinner, easier red-headed step child that is always there, no matter what. Made from Nebbiolo just like Barolo, it hardly stands up to its big brother.
Once you get to grips with these facts, it’s time to enjoy the wine for what it is.
In this particular bottle, a very light red complexion gives a little strawberry on the nose. Caressing the palate with very smooth tannins comes a dose of currants meets red fruits and earth. There is a certain minerality here that is easy to pick up on due to the delicate nature of this wine. It is balanced, easy to drink and paired very well with baked Haddock and Risotto. Fish??? Yup, I paired red wine with fish, and it worked. Haddock is a very flaky white fish, low in oils and not reeking of fish. This wine is very light, almost Rose’ like, giving freshness and bouquet that marries well with the fish.
87 points and 3 stars. I’m thinking a Chicken Caesar Salad will bang with this wine…..try it and see.

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Spier Pinotage 2011

29 Thursday Nov 2012

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An indigenous South African grape that had bad press for many years- Spier has made the climb from the ‘bad wine abyss’ and is on track to make Pinotage a formidable variety. Crossed between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, you can only find it in SA. During Apartheid, the varietal took a slide in quality and reputation. It’s been a battle ever since, but I have faith. I have had other Spier Pinotages, this being their entry-level offering.
On the nose, bing cherry in syrup. On the palate, I can feel heat amongst the plum and cedar shavings. Weighing in at 14.5%, I’m a little surprised. Tannins are evident, giving this wine a structure to evolve for at least 5 years. I would love to re-taste in a few years as I feel it will evolve towards earthy minerality, which excites me. For the price, a definite 4 star wine. If I were a pro, probably 88 points. Juicy, go and try some…..

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Francois Montand Brut NV

28 Wednesday Nov 2012

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Every year in November we host a Holiday Open House at Moxie’s store.  I am in charge of the refreshments and this year was no exception to the rule. Easy going and smooth sparkling wine, chilled and served in flutes with reckless abandon. The ladies love it…. I buy the same wine most years as I have found it to be reasonable, enjoyable and plentiful. I had to fly out of town that night, so only got to sample the wine, not really taste it. Check out my notes and get yourself some for the holidays as this is a 5 star sparkler in my opinion worthy of 86 points, not bad for a $12 bottle.
Nose- fresh pear and yeasty apple (in a good way). Medium mousse with pale golden colors. Creamy bubbles of dried green apple and slight caramel. Long finish that is sure to please. A truly amazing value that keeps on giving. I have bought over 100 bottles of this stuff in the past years, never been disappointed.

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Robertson Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

28 Wednesday Nov 2012

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Not widely available in my area, this was a gift from some South African friends. A nice gift at that. Extremely juicy, like make your mouth water juicy- which I find extremely appealing. The taste is a cross of dark blue fruit and vanilla. In balance, there is no harsh tannic feel to this wine and I suspect it is designed for early drinking. Smooth and appealing, it is sure to make any host proud to serve it. As a gift, I really enjoyed receiving it.
4 stars and I would give it 87 points. Really good stuff.

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Piatelli Malbec ‘Premium’ 2010

27 Tuesday Nov 2012

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A very predictable and decent Malbec. Good nose of plums gives way to Blueberry pie meets plum tort. Built for pop-n-pour, this wine will give instant gratification, except for the price. Perfect for a party, pairing it with stew would be awesome. Not a blockbuster, certainly not complex, it offers dependable decent wine. We ordered several bottles at a restaurant with several friends, everyone enjoyed it. Cheers with 3 stars. A solid 87 points if I were a judge.

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Les 7 Hommes 2011

18 Sunday Nov 2012

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From Sancerre, this Sauvignon Blanc is delicious and very typical of the region.
On the nose, citrus and slate, which slide into the palate very smoothly. Grapefruit and lemon zest differentiate Loire valley wines from New World (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blancs. Leaner, more precise, this style is ‘sharper’. The acidity is not racy in this wine, but it is balanced.
I bought some bottles for Thanksgiving, it will do great with Turkey…. and cranberry. I tasted this wine at room temperature and was impressed. Chilled slightly, it’s gonna rock the white wine house! 4 stars, 89 points.

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Vieux Chateau des Combes 2009

11 Sunday Nov 2012

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Boom, 5 stars. Right off the bat, this is a really nice wine. If you remember, I award stars based on price, quality and overall drinkability. This one rocks all the points in a great manner. Remember that 2009 was a really good vintage in France and St. Emilion wines are generally Merlot based. This one has Cabs Franc and Sauvignon blended in for that extra umph.
Dark purple in the glass, it gives off blueberry and cedar in the nose. The first mouthfull is just jam packed with juicy blueberries and some cassis. Absolutely perfect tannins are perceptible, yet unobtrusive. Balance- perfect. This is seriously delicious wine, I am flabbergasted.
Not a huge, cellaring Bordeaux, this one will no doubt impress and please you for the next 8 years. Delicious by itself, I would pair it with Filet Mignon, roast chicken or game bird. It could potentially develop secondary flavors, but it’s not necessary. Delicious and fresh as it is, I need to get a case. Easily a 91 point wine in my best guess. Love it…..

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Casa L’Angel 2009

08 Thursday Nov 2012

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An organic blend of Syrah and Tempranillo, it gives up some funk on the nose- another wet dog??
On the palate, totally cooked. A waste of time and money. No stars.

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