Beronia Reserva ’04

04 Wednesday Jan 2012

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While sitting here writing about last night’s fantastic Rhone wine, I couldn’t wait to finish so I could move on to this Spanish Reserva. It absolutely blew me away from the word “Go”. Call me old-fashioned, but the New World wines just can’t compete with France, Spain and Italy for elegance, typicity, style and balance in general. Don’t get me wrong, I have drunk some real beauties from Cali, Australia, Chile, Argentina and South Africa- but when you get hold of a wine like the Beronia Reserva, you realize that these folks have been at it for a while and know grapes. The balance, smoothness, complexity and ageability of this wine reflect the care given to the grapes and the winemaker’s skill. My first impression on the nose was that this wine screams Tempranillo, the first taste confirmed it. Deft use of oak has aged this wine in barrel to give it smoothness and unobtrusive tannins. The length is decent, and the wine is starting to take on secondary flavors. With its backbone, it should last until 2020 at least, delivering great pleasure at a great price. QPR-wise this is a home run and should be sought out immediately. 5 stars, at least and if I were a pro: 92 points minimum. Enjoy!

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Domaine de Dionysis, Cairanne la Cigalette ’09

04 Wednesday Jan 2012

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Wow, bang-for-the-buck stuff folks. Run, don’t walk to the nearest place that sells this QPR beast.
From the Rhone region of France, it is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre and Carignan that sings “Drink Me”. On the nose, very good initial flavors typical of the blend, on the first taste, great balance of fruit, tannins and acidity. I did not pay much for this gem, only to find out it got a 90 point pro rating from the boys at WS. A five star effort in my opinion as it delivers everything.
The Rhone blends are a great way to enjoy the variety of grapes that they use. On the mid-palate this wine shows really nice complexity, no doubt from the different grapes. The tannins are very smooth, non-obtrusive and have the strength to hold this wine until 2015 at the earliest. Seriously, this is some good shiz that needs to be searched out. Another gem in the French wine arena that doesn’t over-charge and under-perform. Yay

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Penafiel Gran Resalte ’00

31 Saturday Dec 2011

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The big brother to my other two Penafiel’s, this one is a real beauty. The Gran Reserva from 2000 has aged beautifully and shows great Tempranillo character with some extra flavors kicking in. Smooth tannins are holding it together like a solid backbone, yet unobtrusive. Purple in color, it shows no signs of age, still fresh and vibrant. My guess is that the remaining bottles will last until 2016 at the least- 5 stars and potentially a 93 pointer if reviewed by the paid people. Sucha deal baby!

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Opus One, ’00

28 Wednesday Dec 2011

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Opus one 2000

Perhaps one of the more controversial California Cabernet’s, this bottle was the ringer in last night’s Bordeaux episode.  Having served Lynch Bages 1996, Duhart Milon 2000, I snuck this little gem in to the fray and the results were overwhelming.  A joint venture formed in 1979 between Robert Mondavi and Mouton Rothschild the Opus One is blended in the Bordeaux style using the finest California fruit.  Heavy on the Cabernet Sauvignon they have deftly added Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec to round out the wine and produce something that I could only describe as “Fruit Explosion Meets Old World Elegance”.

The first whiff and taste of this bottle brought a unanimous exclamation of “wow, very fruity”.  At eleven years of age, there is no end in sight for this wine, the tannins are soooo good, gently edging the mouthfeel and caressing the amazing fruit.  Secondary flavors are yet to come forth, but I can sense they are lurking.  The pro’s trashed this wine as overpriced and underperforming for the pedigree.  With an official score of 90, and a lofty price tag, it did not sell well.  I picked up a half-case from ‘my guy’ to keep him sweet- thus ensuring future allocations of what I really wanted.  I am really glad I did….  I am giving this baby 5 stars, only because there is no six, and I reckon the pro’s would re-rate it as a 93-94 point wine.  A true shocker that has definitely rewarded my cellaring patience.  I think I have one more bottle-yippee!

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Duhart Milon, ’00

28 Wednesday Dec 2011

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A Fourth Growth Bordeaux from the famed 2000 vintage, this wine was number two in last night’s line-up.  Served from Magnum, and right after the ’96 Lynch Bages, it held its own.  Duhart-Milon belongs to the fabled Lafite Rothschild group and has a tremendous pedigree.  Blending about 70% Cabernet Sauvignon with 30% Merlot has produced a balanced, smooth, fruity wine that is developing secondary flavors and showing it’s ageability with rounded tannins that are holding it together in a great form.  Typical Paulliac flavors of Tobacco, Cassis and Blueberries are enticing, yet non-obtrusive.  I did not get any acidity, which is interesting, as the wine has great structure with many years left on it.  I would think it is just now coming out of hibernation and will drink well until 2020 at the least.  Scored 90 by WS, I would give it 4 stars.

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Lynch Bages ’96, part deux

28 Wednesday Dec 2011

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If you read my previous post on this wine from Thanksgiving you will remember that I was a little disappointed.  Last night we had some friends over and I dug deep into the cellar, really deep.  We kicked off the night with the 1996 Lynch Bages, and I was really happy.  What I was expecting was there, the depth, complexity, primary/secondary flavors, and the tannins are holding it all together quite nicely.  Interestingly enough, I opened a 2001 Lynch Bages at my parents house for Christmas dinner and was really crushed, it was missing everything; fruit, tannins etc- until I figured it out.  I was using the wrong glass.  They are not red wine drinkers and thus have no decent stemware to handle such a beast.  Last night’s bottle showed beautifully in the BAG (Big Assed Glass, see previous post in case you missed it).  What a difference the correct size and shape will make to the enjoyment of a decent bottle.  Definitely a 5 star wine, and considering the bottle variation from Thanksgiving, this one would merit 94 points from a pro, which I am not.

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Cantemerle ’01

18 Sunday Dec 2011

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You little beauty! I bought a case of this 2001 Bordeaux several years ago and have been patient- now, rewarded. Slight alcohol on the nose gives way to gorgeous cassis and cigar box notes. On the first taste, smooth as silk, no harsh tannins, and a mature finish showing what happens with wine as it evolves from fruit-baby to complex adult. Secondary flavors are in balance with primary fruit, with a middle aged backbone of tannins, not in your face, yet still present. Some blueberry is showing through, as is some tobacco. This is sooo totally my style of wine, I’m loving the 5 stars it gets and would imagine it deserves a 92 point pro rating.

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Miros De Ribera ’01, part Dos

15 Thursday Dec 2011

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If you read my previous post you will remember that I am a huge fan.  Well, tonight reinforced my conviction on this wine.  This bottle was absolutely amazing.  Smooth like you wouldn’t believe, fruit, soft tannins and still lively.  The acid is a non-factor, the nose is is round, the taste- sublime.  I might think that there is some bottle variation, but WOWWSA.  On the nose, there is that extra little secondary flavor, the mouthfeel is gorgeous and the aftertaste goes on for a full minute.  To tell you how much I am loving this wine….  Patience in the cellar has truly been rewarded.   Still a 5 pointer and at least 92 points for this particular bottle.  I am speechless…….  Good night.

Columbia Crest ’07 Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

10 Saturday Dec 2011

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Number 2 in our little party, always a good choice from the value-priced section.  These guys can pump out a tremendous quantity of reliable, tasty wines, year after year.  2007 was no exception, with a pro rating hovering around 90 and a price point of $13 make this an easy choice for many a party host.  Good fruit, decent tannins and a longer than expected finish give this wine street cred.  For me however, it is a little boring- blame that on the fact that I have had this wine and many like it until I’m blue in the face.  Given that, I have to award it 5 stars for consistency, QPR and the ability to be a crowd-pleaser.  I would definitely recommend and buy it again.

Castle Rock ’09

10 Saturday Dec 2011

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A few of my colleagues gathered for a little Christmas cheer upon our arrival in Hong Kong and this was the first of many bottles to be opened.  Very primary in fruit with a decent nose and mid-palate it offered no sign of aging potential.  A decent way to start out as it was not heavy, complex or overpowering.  Very reasonably priced, this one is a sure winner for informal drinking or large parties.  From a pro standpoint, perhaps an 82 rating but I’m giving it 4 stars for being a good QPR player.