Category Archives: Wine reviews

Schug Carneros Pinot Noir Winemaker’s Reserve 2009

10 Friday Aug 2012

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Not much is known about this newly released wine, so when I bought a case it was by reputation.  Glad I did.  Textbook Carneros Pinot, made in a modern style with cherry and strawberry on the palate being caressed by a touch of oak.  Very good balance between acidity, tannins and alcohol (13.5%) make for a lovely mouthfeel.  Classic Pinot nose and very nice finish.  I served this one first with some Tomato and Mozzarella salad, coupled with Eggplant compote.  Dee-lish.  I would imagine this wine could get a 91+ point rating.  I’m giving it 4 stars and glad I have 11 more!

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2009

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

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I have written about the 2008 version of this wine, only giving it 3 stars  and not much detail.  Last night, we drank two bottles of the latest offering, and it was just beautiful.  The nose was very rich with red fruits giving way to powerful blueberry on the initial palate.  Very inky in color, this wine is big.  Tons of fruit mix it up with great tannins that leave you with a long aftertaste.  I love this style of Malbec; juicy, rich and in your face.  It only works well when done correctly.  At closer to $20, the Golden Reserve is a step up from regular offerings from Argentina.  We enjoyed this wine at a social gathering, but I bet it would be great with a juicy steak and some grilled vegetables.  This has to be one of my favorite Malbecs….  5 stars from me- 91 points?

Devil’s Staircase Pinot Noir 2010

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

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A Kiwi wine from Central Otago that we picked up for about $13.  Very New World in style; a clean fresh nose gives way to Kirsch and cherry flavors on the palate.  I could sense the presence of tannins swirling around this rather medium weight wine.  I must say, I am not a fan of this wine but think it was quite well made.  In Pinot Noir, I am Old World all the way.  I much prefer refinement, subtlety, and seduction versus the more modern extracted style.   Having said all that, 4 stars and I would reckon an 88 point effort.  Besides, if you read the back label- it’s quite entertaining.

Santa Julia Reserva Malbec 2010

06 Monday Aug 2012

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I remembered drinking this wine before, and had to look it up here.  This version, the 2010, was far better than the ’09.  Fruity on the nose, the initial palate is ‘in-your-face’ with the Malbec.  This grape can be very fruit-bomby and this winery has not strayed far from the hallmark.  Plum and vanilla give way to a decent finish.  I would not consider this a very sophisticated wine, but am warming up to it’s potential as a party quaffer.  For the price, it gets 3 stars.  My guess would be an 87 point wine.

Seven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

06 Monday Aug 2012

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Blueberries on the nose that translate through to the palate in this delicious Columbia Valley Cab that has a touch of Merlot and Cab Franc added in.  Extremely youthful at 7 years, the wine shows great potential and vibrancy.  Very similar in style to a Napa Cab, with tons of fruit up front and a long finish.  It is drinking nicely now, but I think it has yet to peak.  I reckon this wine will further evolve and last until 2018 at least.  I really enjoyed the mouthfeel; no harsh tannins, balanced acidity and good fruity taste that seemed to go on for ever.  I think this wine was underrated, it deserves 91 points.  It’s a 4 star effort in my books.

Louis Latour Pouilly Fuisse 2010

05 Sunday Aug 2012

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Always a charmer, this Burgundian Chardonnay has been a regular in my fridge for many years.  Moxie, the wife, is not a big drinker.  If and when, it is always white, usually Chardonnay and Burgundy being preferred.  So, when we hosted a party for dad’s birthday, I made sure there was some of this stuff on hand.  It’s an easy drinker that offers charm and charisma without breaking the bank.  Lemon and apple come across the nose, with some classic Chardonnay wet stone and citrus on the palate.  Excellent balance with the acidity and use of oak lead to a nice mouthfeel.  I could slurp this stuff on the patio, or pair it nicely with some fresh fish. A very reliable wine that is neither bland nor overdone.  Bang for the buck- a 4 star effort worthy of 88 points.

Meerlust Rubicon 2007

05 Sunday Aug 2012

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This wine happens to be the favorite of two mates from South Africa.  When I saw it for sale, why not?  I was a little surprised at the relatively low cost of this iconic wine from Stellenbosch.  A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, I just knew I was going to enjoy it.  I was right.  Inky in color with tremendous young tannins, this is right up my alley.  Black fruits, black tea, balanced oak and razor sharp tannins meld together in this big wine.  It is not for the faint of heart, this wine is large, with layers of fruitiness and a constant tannic reminder to cellar this brute for a few more years to let it grow up.  I did not get much on the nose (perhaps the wrong glass?), but with coaxing and the aid of a Vinturi- you might get some blackberry compote and perhaps some mint.  I would like to re-try this bottle in my home with my glasses to see if there is more to it.  I might get some extra bottles to cellar, betting that this wine will indeed last many years. It will be interesting to see what secondary flavors evolve as I think this wine has at least 15 years in it with good balance to withstand time.  I’m giving this one 5 stars and reckon it’s a 92 pointer.

Peller Vidal icewine 2008

03 Friday Aug 2012

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That’s good!

5 stars, 95 points. No mincing here folks. I am totally blown away by this dessert wine. Rich, overpowering nose of gorgeous Apricot/sweet orange give way to a beautiful palate of unctuous honey and …… Dang- I can’t finger it. It blows me away, a really stunning wine. Amazing balance, tremendous finish and an unctuous mouthfeel that just begs ‘drink this!’.
I just finished a 20ml bottle- that easy. Just beautiful.
So far- MY FAVORITE STICKY WINE EVER…..

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Felsina Fontalloro 2007

19 Thursday Jul 2012

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Made from the Sangiovese grape, I was expecting something smaller, lighter, more agile. Wrong- a beautiful nose of fruit bouquet giving way to a generous helping of sour cherry meets grass. At 5 years of age, still fresh, young, tannic and cellar worthy. Excellent balance and a truly unique flavor have got me really excited about this wine. I am loving it….5 stars- hurrah. 91 points if I were a pro.

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Rivetto Barbaresco 2006

19 Thursday Jul 2012

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Little brother to Barolo, the Barbaresco’s are made from the Nebbiolo grape. You know how I love it!

A few extra swirls finally got this wine to give me the typical nose I was looking for, Nebbiolo all the way baby. Red fruits are predominant on the palate, with slightly green tannins protruding. Perhaps they will meld away, one can hope. A long finish and good acidity are a bonus here. This region is not known for aging potential like Barolo, but I think this wine can hang in there for another 10 years easy. Oh look, I finished my glass…. Yummy. 4 stars and 89 points.

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