Vega del Garoa 2007

09 Monday Jul 2012

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Polished a few of these last weekend out of my friend’s cellar, I thought they were ok. Just- ok. Dark red with a somewhat muted nose of red fruits that gave way to more red fruit on the palate. I did not not detect any oak, nor any flavors reminiscent of Rioja. I’m not sure if this wine is in a dumb stage, but I doubt it. The tannic structure did not reflect a huge cellaring potential, and the finish was of decent taste but not long enough. Balanced with decent acidity, I honestly could not tell you what varietal this wine was. I ended up finding it for sale online and was mortified at the price- hence the 2 stars it gets from me. I would imagine if would rate between 86-88 points. A major pass for the cash.

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Barboursville Chardonnay 2011

09 Monday Jul 2012

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Holy smokes- run and get some of this. I just tasted a few sips of this and several descriptors come to mind:
Crunchy
Acidic
Smooth
Svelte
Apple-e?
Clean, refreshing
I can’t even tell you how good this wine is. On the nose is typical Chardonnay that gives way to really bright citrus mixed with green apple. No hint of over oaking, the wine is light and springy, not heavy and oily. The acidity was great, razor sharp and balancing. This wine had tremendous mouthfeel, perfect for the dinner of Halibut, but was fantastic by itself as an aperitif. Everyone at the party thought this wine rocked. On a QPR (quality/Price ratio) this one is a homerun. 5 stars for sure and I would guess an 89 pointer from the boys upstairs. Running to the store……

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Spellbound Petite Sirah 2010

09 Monday Jul 2012

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Had this last night at a 40th Birthday bash for a friend. I probably tried 7 different bottles and noticed two definitive variations in the bottles. Not a pricy wine, it offers up good dark fruit and a nice finish with a mild tannic streak. Not built for the long run, immediate pleasure is achieved with no expectations of further development. This is a perfect wine for parties, offering loads of bang for the buck. the two bottles that I noticed variation on had a certain earthy funk that got me excited. Was it perhaps oak? Or just ass of donkey- not sure, but I liked it. For sure a 4 star wine that would garner a respectable 88 points. I need to getsummm.

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Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

04 Wednesday Jul 2012

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The annual pilgrimage to our friends for the 4th of July always includes a handful of wines from the cellar to go with the traditional Shish Kebabs on the 3rd. Unfortunately this year was slightly different as we lost power in our home for several days and decided to just throw kids, dogs and wine bottles into the cars and head south. This emergency measure meant no painstaking decisions, no chance to go for the traditional vertical of wines- just a grab and go. The Burgundy I just wrote about was one on the casualties of our hasty retreat, and so was this bottle. I had planned on Silver Oak, some older Bordeaux and some New World Pinots. Irrelevant- I ended up with this mouthful of Napa Cabernet. Delicious, smooth and balanced. Mouthfuls of dark black and blue fruit were interlaced with a good tannic structure. When I say mouthfuls, not fruit bomby, just gobs of lavish fruit that make you salivate for more. A great finish ends the experience that is quintessential Napa Cab. With such youth, this bottle holds promise for more maturation and a long life. Just approaching maturity, I would imagine 2020 before it starts downhill, hopefully with a bagful of secondary flavors having emerged. 5 stars and a 91 pointer. Salut and Happy Independence Day!

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Faiveley Gevry-Chambertin 2006

03 Tuesday Jul 2012

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OMG, I just committed infanticide. This tightly wound, super tannic Burgundy is no where near ready to emerge from the cellar. Such a shame that I basically wasted it, oh well- I’ve got more.
Very muted on the nose, the cherry comes forth on the palate but is way overshadowed by the tannins. Smooth as they are, they are still extremely persistent. I am getting a full minute of finish, or is it residual tannic paste covering my gums? I can see the potential here, this wine is gonna be huge when it grows up. I’m guessing a potential 5 stars and 92 rating if it all melds together. Cellar at least until 2016 and drink for another 10 years. I can’t wait to see how the Burgundy “funk” is going to evolve on this wine.

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Freixenet Mederano Tinto 2010

27 Wednesday Jun 2012

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Look at the label carefully people.

We’ve all had Freixenet sparkling wine, the Brut in the black bottle.  Did you know they also make a red wine?  Neither did I.  Look closer at the picture, it’s a Spanish wine with a German label that I bought in Asia.  Made from Tempranillo grapes and very reasonably priced, this is what we call “cheap-and-nasty”.  If you are looking for a very basic red wine that you can swill at a party, this one may fit the bill.  However, I have a rule- life is too short to drink shitty wine.  So, think about what you want to accomplish if you buy this wine.  It tastes like wine, smells like wine, looks like wine and will get you drunk like wine.  It offers nothing in the complexity department, no tannins to see it through the rest of the month, and no finish whatsoever.  Having thrashed it, I will now sing its praises.  It’s not out of balance, sour, weird or bad tasting.  I will however give it 3 stars, simply because it gets the job done on such a low budget price.  Besides, when your having a massive party and everyone is hammered, who cares?  80 Points….

Meaume 2008

27 Wednesday Jun 2012

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This wine is a Bordeaux Superier, versus a Cru Bourgeois- taking it a rung lower than the previous wine we tasted.  It also came from the 2008 Bordeaux vintage, not as highly touted as the 2005.  Strike 2 against this little charmer- yet it wins over the bigger, better Cru.  Why???  Bang for the buck ladies and gentlemen.  At under $15, this wine delivers exactly what it is intended for.  On the nose, very convincing blue and red fruit, the palate shows good balance and the finish is all that can be expected.  A very serviceable bottle that won’t disappoint for the next 5 years.  Not meant for long term aging, the structure is in place to hold it together, but I’m doubtful of much evolution.  An easy 4 stars with 86 point potential.  Great for casual drinking, or a summer grilling- your guests will enjoy its basic fruit and medium body.  Salut

d’Agassac 2005

27 Wednesday Jun 2012

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A Cru Bourgeois ‘Superier’ from the much hyped 2005 vintage, I found this wine to be serviceable.  Most higher end wines from the Bordeaux region start to become drinkable with 8-10 years of age.  The lower tiered wines, known as cru bourgeois, tend to develop quicker and start their drinking window at about 4-5 years of age (IMHO).   I was looking forward to some typicity of region, which coupled with an exceptional year had me hoping for fireworks worthy of my $27.  I was slightly let down, but still managed to enjoy it. Very smooth right off the bat, the wine has a nose and initial attack of blue fruit, but is rather one dimensional.  I am not sure when and if any secondary characteristics will ever develop.  The tannins are well integrated and the mouthfeel is appropriate for this medium weight wine.  A decent finish and balanced acidity were noted.  I have to be honest here, this is an 88-89 point wine but is only worthy of 2 stars in my opinion.  You have to deliver the goods, and for the money- this was a waste.  I would drink it again, anytime, as long as someone else was paying. 

Armida Zinfandel 2009

15 Friday Jun 2012

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Some really cool friends of mine gave me this bottle…..thanks. I really mean it, you have done me a huge favor. Zinfandel can be such a bombastic, over-ripe, alcoholic monster that you tire of too easily. This wine is none of the above (except for the 14.9 %alcohol level). Beware, light-weights, this one will sneak up on you.
Back to the wine- beautiful dark blue fruit on the nose is rewarded with very chewy fruit and gorgeous tannins on the initial attack. The balance is great, with no hint of the sneaky 14.9 alcohol- beware. Mid palate, generous lashings of fruit, not the stewed kind found in most Zins, but really nice plum and blueberry. Did I mention the length? Like a speedboat fantail: long, narrow and focused. I am totally digging this wine. I wish I had more as I keep filling my glass up before my Flank steak is ready. A full on 5 star wine and 91 points for this excellent offering out of the Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma. Thanks M and B for the amazing treat.

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Le Colombier Cuvée ‘G’ 2009

12 Tuesday Jun 2012

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Wow, what an interesting wine. Tasted pretty late in the evening, if you know what I mean, I was bowled over by the uniqueness and flavors this gem brought. A Rhone blend, I wanted to describe the initial nose and taste as ‘sweet’, but that is not a good descriptor for red wines. Dark red in color, there was a certain funkiness of leather, earth and dark blue fruits that were intriguing. On the mid-palate, very smooth and balanced. Excellent tannins will hold this wine together until 2015 at least. For a crowd pleaser, this one hits it for most people. Not too heavy, somewhat complex and easy to drink because the balance is great. No dryness, yet the tannins are lurking. A wine that you should definitely search out. 5 stars and 91 points- go for it!

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