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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Trio Infernal 2004

08 Thursday Nov 2012

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The first bottle was old and flawed. #2 bottle was better, albeit funky. Wet dog aroma thankfully gives way to vegetation and spicy red currants. Still tannic, it befuddles me because this wine is past it’s prime. Slightly out of balance, it’s not my fav. 2 stars.

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Sierra Cantabria 2010

08 Thursday Nov 2012

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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.

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Vina Leyda Carmenere 2010

08 Thursday Nov 2012

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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.

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Rica Andina Malbec 2011

08 Thursday Nov 2012

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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.

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Castillo de Monjardin ‘La Cantera’ 2009

08 Thursday Nov 2012

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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.

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