08 Thursday Nov 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
08 Thursday Nov 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
Tags
A Tempranillo from Rioja, it’s on the lighter side. Typical on the nose, it gives way to floral and red fruits melding nicely with all the required components. Later on I am getting some plum and spice. 3 stars and 86 points.
08 Thursday Nov 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
I just couldn’t coax much out of the glass for a good whiff…. So I dove in. Slightly hot and our of balance, I’m not liking this wine.
Carmenere is usually made well, at a good price point. This one is disappointing. After a million swirls of the glass, I’m starting to make out dark berry and it transcends to the palate.
The alcohol is bothering me. 2 stars. I would give it 83 points if anyone cared.
08 Thursday Nov 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
A lighter purple shade in the glass gives up a very fruity nose. Full on, this one hits the palate full bore with plum and blue berry. Instinctively I thought it was going do be candy-like after taking a whiff, I was wrong. Serious depth and some excellent tannins make this a rather serious Malbec. For $25 a bottle it takes on an air of superiority, and handles it well. Slightly off-put by the sugary nose, the rest of the package more than makes up for it. 4 stars, 88 points IMHO.
08 Thursday Nov 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
A nice introductory nose of black berries that transcends onto the palate rather nicely. Not complex, acidic or tannic, this wine is a very easy drinker that will be sure to please. On the palate I notice some interesting wood, perhaps spiced by oak? Solid 3 points and I would fathom an 87 point score.
26 Friday Oct 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
Who could argue with this label and the packaging? This is the second wine I have tried from Armida, and I’m happy to say they both rock my inner Zin. Weighing in at 14.5 % alcohol, you could be misled into thinking this would be an overripe, jammy, hot Zinfandel. Wrong…. By a mile.
On the nose, blackberry meets plum with a dose of freshness. On the palate, blueish berry compote and plum with a faint hint of spice that is characteristic of Zinfandel. Very balanced and complex, with no hint of the heat, this wine is drinking beautifully right now. I could not get any tannic structure, but feel like it would last another 3-5 years. It’s a strange beast, with all the pieces of the the big, jammy, highly laden Zin, yet it fits a completely different mold. Subdued, a charmer with strength and poise. This is a great Zinfandel that defies logic and hits it for me on all cylinders. 5 stars, and 92 points. BTW, I paired it with Moroccan Chicken cooked in a Tagine with apricots, cinnamon, raisins and cumin. The sweetness of the meal was perfectly balanced by the boldness and acidity of the wine. PPS. Before I forget, I tasted this wine as I started cooking dinner and noticed myself salivating after 30 seconds. It really is that good.
18 Thursday Oct 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
Tags
There’s Aussie Shiraz, and then there is Shiraz from Australia. A big difference in style, quality and enjoyment. This wine runs along the Shiraz from Australia line and it is good.
Nose-wise …. Red fruit compote. On the palate, rich and warm raspberry meets cocoa. A slight touch of plum and graphite make this a complex wine that has me excited. The tannins are well integrated and there is no imbalance. A normal finish leaves me feeling this is a 3 star wine at 89 points.
18 Thursday Oct 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
Tags
Atypical of regular Aussie Shiraz, this Diamond Label offering brings good value for money. A purple wine that gives off hints of blue berries. On the palate, plum and blueberry jam mix with very subtle tannins to give a nice mouthfull of fresh fruit. Decent at 87 points and 3 stars.
16 Tuesday Oct 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
With plenty of cellar time, this wine is showing nicely. Slightly subdued nose of blueberry meets a sweet dust gives way to a typical Bordeaux-style palate. Blueberry, cassis and some leather co-mingle with ripe tannins to produce a tasty wine that is at its peak. Drink up to 2017, alongside a Ribeye steak as the tannins will meld well with a streaky cut of beef. 3 stars, 87 points.
06 Saturday Oct 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
A “Limited Production” release that a friend brought along to our little party. Not liking it. Very primal fruit, almost Kool-Aid in nature. I don’t know much about this wine or it’s price, but was really not impressed. Major pass. 80 Points and 1 star.
Wine reviews 