Robert Storey Cellars Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir 2009

22 Saturday Dec 2012

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I have been drinking a lot of Pinot Noir lately and noticing some interesting trends. Made in an Old World style, they seem to have lower alcohol levels and better tannic structure. This New World wine hit my nose with some biting alcohol, mixed with cherries. On the palate, I enjoyed the taste of red fruits and spice, but was put off by the nagging alcohol. Turns out it bangs a 14.3%, which to me is unnecessary. You should be able to craft a wine without letting it get out of hand. I know that many wineries let the fruit get ultra-ripe to try and squeeze every little point out of the juice, but at some point it all goes over the top. Pinot Noir is supposed to be a seductive and lithe varietal, with barely perceptable tannins coupled with balanced acidity. Think delicate flower, not powerhouse. Whilst I did enjoy aspects of this wine, it was far from my favorite and hence it only gets 3 stars. Points wise, I am sure some critics would argue it is worthy of 90-91.

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Cosentino Pinot Noir Reserve Selection Sonoma Coast 2011

20 Thursday Dec 2012

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Deelish…. I am loving this wine. Starts out with strawberry on the nose and comes across as a New World Pinot powerhouse. Strong strawberry on the palate mix it up with bing cherry and they keep on going. Pinot Noir is a difficult variety for me to judge tannins, as they don’t behave the same way as those found in Cab, Merlot, Syrah etc. They are not as easy to identify, yet this wine made my mouth pucker ever so. I am dying to re-taste it in 5 years to see what secondary flavors emerge from behind its fruity/tannic cloak. This wine is a sure 92 pointer and I like it so much that I feel 5 stars is a fair representation of its price/quality. I drank it with rotisserie chicken, but it would go well with other light game and perhaps filet mignon. Very balanced and smooth, this wine will please everyone. Good job!
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Artesa Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

17 Monday Dec 2012

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At 6 years of age, this blend of Napa and Sonoma Cab Sav is still young. Grippy tannins are prominent yet unobtrusive and meld nicely. On the nose, dark, brooding berry fruits. On the palate, chocolate and plum that finish nicely with the caressing tannins. Good balance and acidity make this a really good bottle, coupled with the decent price makes this a 4 star wine. I would give it 90 points and serve it up with some New York Strips on the charcoal. Really yummy.

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Mount Eden Estate Chardonnay 2009

17 Monday Dec 2012

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I have known that this wine is good for several years, having noticed it in Wine Spectator’s top 100 for several years now. A friend even claimed it was the best Chardonnay he had ever tasted! I’m a fan of their pinot noir, in a big way. This winery makes Burgundian style wines from California’s cooler-climate Santa Cruz mountains. My style…for sure.
Back to the wine….deelish. Apple tart on the nose gives way to a lush, buttery lemon meets green apple on the palate. Very full and rich without being over-oaked. Did I mention a beautiful pale golden color? I wish I had more experience with white wines to really pass judgement on this wine as I reckon it is a top notch effort, yet I can’t get my head around the price. My general knowledge of whites is limited, but I can say this is a really good wine. It got 91+ points from the pro’s. I can’t give it a score but would see it as a 5 point wine if the points/price are considered. If you like Chardonnay, you need to try this wine.

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Tageto Rosso Donna Olimpia 2009

02 Sunday Dec 2012

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I’ll admit it, I didn’t really drink this wine.  I sniffed it, made up my mind and then tasted what little was in my sampler.  Sugared candy water with sweet strawberry on the nose totally and utterly threw me off this wine.  By the time I actually tasted it, I was already looking for the next wine to try, I had lost interest.  Nothing there.  Just fake wine, with no tannins or depth.  A major pass for me.  I was so surprised that I had to do some research.  A big name critic gave this wine 92 points!  I could not agree less with that rating.   Zero stars, not worth the effort.  I would love it if someone else tries this wine and lets me know their thoughts, I could be way off the mark here.

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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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