Dusky Sounds Merlot 2011

29 Friday Nov 2013

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I don’t believe I have tasted a New Zealand Merlot, so this was a new one for me.  It was slightly pale in the glass and had an almost Pinot looking hue to it.  On the nose, some cherry and cranberry notes were detected.  On the the palate it was very modern in style with Kirsch and cranberry flavors.  Not overly dry, it had some decent acidity and was rather refreshing.  I am not sure of the typicity to region, but it was an interesting twist on Merlot.  I shall have to taste more of the varietal from there to get a baseline.  This bottle was on special for $9 but usually costs $18.  A crowd pleaser because it was easy to drink and different.  87 points from me and 3 stars.  Salut….

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Kiwi Cuvee Bin 086 Sauvignon Blanc 2012

29 Friday Nov 2013

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Product of France…..  Look closer at the label.  It’s generally a decent wine made in an old world style with zest, lime and apple components.  Slightly more acidic than the previous wine, it had a bit of a bite that I enjoyed.  Pale straw colored in the glass, it had a nose of lemon/lime and some earthy funk.  I have no idea how much it was purchased for but would imagine in the $10-$15 range.  I’m giving it 86 points and 3 stars.  Think shellfish or grilled squid and you would have a great pairing.  Salut….

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Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc 2012

29 Friday Nov 2013

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We opened this wine for the Turkey dinner and it was a hit.  I always enjoy Marlborough Sav Blancs.  The telltale gooseberry, lime and cut grass components all melded with the crisp acidity.  Not overly cutting, the balance is nice with this wine and I really enjoyed it with the bird.  It was on sale for $13 and will fit into many pairings or it can be drunk on a warm day, well chilled with some smokehouse almonds.  Bang for the buck, this varietal always delivers for me.  4 stars and 88 points.  Salut….

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Yalumba Y Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

29 Friday Nov 2013

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This bottle came along after the Turkey dinner was over and we had polished off all the other bottles.  I was trying to figure out the basic flavors and I kept thinking ‘purple’.  I know colors don’t taste like anything, yet I closed my eyes and saw it.  The wine was a little jammy, with plums and fig dominating, hence the purple connotation.  A basic wine with a short shelf life as the cellaring components are not there.  I am giving it 85 points and for the $15 price tag, 2 stars.  Salut….

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Aristos Baron d’A 2007

29 Friday Nov 2013

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I bought this Chilean wine in Hong Kong for Thanksgiving day.  We opened it first because I could not wait and besides, never leave the good stuff till the end.  Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, it gets a touch of Syrah to soften it.  Dark purple in the glass it had a beautiful nose of blackberry and mint.  Eucalyptus was present in the taste as were black fruits and a figgy component.  Extremely well crafted tannins were evident but unobtrusive.  This is a multi layered wine that shows off class and depth.  The mouthfeel was silky smooth and the finish- long.  I must say I enjoyed this wine as we paired it with appetizers and caviar.  It was on sale for about $44, regularly priced at $54.  Im going with 91 points and 4 stars.  Salut….

 

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La Joya Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

28 Thursday Nov 2013

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The label says that this is made by the Bisquertt Family Vineyard in the Colchagua valley, Argentina.  It tastes so different from other Cabs in the region, almost bordeaux-like with a sense of terroir and the old world components like cassis, clove and blueberry.  I thoroughly enjoyed it’s difference and character with some grilled beef and veggies.  The nose of this one had blue fruits and some lavender components.  The structure was built for short term enjoyment with easy tannins and basic acidity.  The price?  $10.  A steal if you have a hankering for something different.  88 points and 4 stars for sure.  This will please with grilled meats or by itself on a windy, chilly evening.  Salut….

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Trapiche Malbec Oak Cask 2011

28 Thursday Nov 2013

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As the name implies, there’s lots of oak in this basic Malbec.  We drank it with charcoal grilled beef sweetbreads and it was a perfect match.  The charred edges of the food paired well with the oaky blueberry fruit and the tannins, although slight, agreed with the lightness of the dish.  The color of the wine was as expected and the nose was heavily oaked.  I’m all for the use of the wood as long as it is done deftly.  I knew what to expect with this one and was pleased.  Simple in structure, it was easy to drink and all the guests enjoyed it.  Reasonable at about $10, I would give this wine 88 points and 4 stars.  It was the juicy Malbec I was searching for the other night.  Salut….

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d’Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz 2010

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

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I disliked the 2009 Footbolt, thinking it was an off vintage.  I was correct.  The 2010 version is far more approachable, delicious and true to form.  Reddish purple in the glass, it offered up black fruits and a hint of cedar on the nose.  Upon tasting, the blackcurrants mingled with licorice and even some mocha came through.  Medium tannins and good acidity balanced the whole thing out.  The wine is very reasonable at $13 and gives some depth without resorting to jammyness.  I would drink it with grilled Lamb and some olive tapenade.  The bang for the buck factor is amazing though and I give it 89 points and 4 stars.  If you have not tried any d’Arenberg wines, you really should, they are easy to spot as they all have the signature red sash on the label.  Salut….

 

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Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2011

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

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The second bottle ordered at our Argentinian dinner was this Malbec.  You can’t have Argie steaks without Malbec, they go hand in hand.  This one was the traditional inky purple as expected and gave off red fruits and fig compote on the nose.  The palate was different, more blackcurrants and cranberry with some mintiness mixed in.  I enjoyed this wine but have had better Malbecs and would look for more tannins and better acidity.  The big man himself gave it 90, I’m going with 88.  $20 at retail makes this a 3 star effort for me.  Salut….

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Trapiche Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

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This is not the cheap $8 version from this winery, we ordered it off the wine list at an Argentinian Steak House.  Paying about $35, I figure it should be about a $15 bottle.  Anyway, it was so good that we ordered a second bottle after giving a Malbec a try.  We started drinking this with the appetizers and it was great.  Bluish fruits and a dark cherry component mixed with the oak and gentle acidity made it very pleasing.  The wine is not complex, nor is it basic but it is very drinkable and we all enjoyed it.  The second bottle came with the Filet Mignons and was a great match.  Filet is low in fat and is very tender making it a good match for a slightly less tannic wine that is not as complex.   Overall, a good choice as evidenced by the group’s vote for more of the same.  I would give this 88 points and reckon it is a 4 star effort if it truly were $15.  Salut….

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