22 Saturday Jul 2017
Posted in Wine
Dark purple, neatly black- which is appropriate for the region. Cherry, tar, blackberry and bramble notes on the nose. The palate is a touch thin but has black fruits, creosote and hints of lavender. It has a nice acidity with some very gentle tannins. Mid palate has some good juiciness made up of plums and blackberry. The tail end is short and sweet, as in enjoyable. Plums, earth and violets round it out. 88 points and for $12 this is a good value that gets 3 stars from me. Salut….
13 Saturday May 2017
Posted in Wine
Very pale yellow, almost surreal. On the nose a really fresh expression of lemon, grapefruit, lanolin. On the palate- very fresh with a tartness of lemons, zesty acidity and a certain minerality I am quite enjoying. On the mid palate I get some more grapefruit, more like pomelo. The finish is very tart, which keeps this wine interesting, on a fine edge. It would pair really well with some spicy dishes methinks. The acidity would cut right through Thai beef salad. Oysters Rockefeller come to mind as does Moules with a heavy cream broth. My mouth is watering. 90 points. It is a steal at $12 which make it a 5 star effort. Salut….
13 Thursday Apr 2017
Posted in Wine
13 Thursday Apr 2017
Posted in Wine
Dark purple in the glass. Nose of black cherry and dark fruits. The palate is somewhat muted, but notes of tar, black currants and cedar abound. The wine possesses a certain level of acidity that balances the very mild tannins, which leave a drying sensation on the finish. This wine is decent, but somewhat boring. It does not transcend into anything different. It is good, yet plain. 88 points is where I feel this wine sits and I would pair it with lamb chops, venison and perhaps roast Guinea fowl. It can be found for about $12, which make it a 3 star wine in my books. Salut….
13 Thursday Apr 2017
Posted in Wine
Dark purple, but not as ‘heavy’ as I was expecting. A nose of black currant and blackberry with hints of vanilla. On the palate- really soft and supple profile that offers up delicious black fruit sorbet, juicy acidity and very fine grained tannins. This wine makes my mouth water, it’s bizarre. I am really enjoying it! The mid palate is more down to earth with plain Jane blackberry and some oak. The finish gets ramped up with the tannins that linger for a long time while more dark fruits emerge. This is a tasty little number that begs for Osso Bucco, eggplant parm or even a hearty stew. 91 points from me and drink till 2022. All yours for $12 which makes this a 5 star wine. Salut….
09 Thursday Mar 2017
Posted in Wine
I have been on a bit of a shopping spree lately, looking for deals and trying to expand my palate. This Spanish Grenache was a reasonable $12, came with a 91 point rating and fit the bill for me to sample. It was see through purple in the glass. A nose of plums and black berries with some ocean spray and a very slight trace of oak. On the palate- black berries, iodine, and some medium level tannins. The mid palate shows off some black cherry and coffee notes that continue through to the finish. It doesn’t end there, the tannins really hit hard on the back end and leave me with a dry sensation on the gums. I would think this wine will last a while. Pair with some hearty pasta dishes or a big burger on brioche. 88 points from me and 3 stars. Salut….
21 Saturday Jan 2017
Posted in Wine
Tags
$12, 4 stars, 89 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, paso robles, paso robles cabernet sauvignon
A buddy of mine brought this along. He paid $12 at Costco for it and I was impressed.
Nose of sweet cassis, blackberry and pepper. The palate shows dark fruits, solid tannins and juicy acidity. The mid palate gives plum, dark cherry and a hint of cedar. The finish is laced with mouth drying tannins and plum torte. I would pair it with many different dishes, pasta, steak, cheese plate. A really decent drop for a party and something to buy by the case. 89 points and 4 stars from me. Salut….
31 Saturday Dec 2016
Posted in Wine
Tags
03 Saturday Dec 2016
Posted in Wine
Dark purple. Nose of earthy plums and black currant. On the palate – blackberry, plum and dusty tannins. Half way through I’m getting some blueberry hints and the telltale earthy component that Tempranillo often shows. The acidity is a little off for me but the tannins are ever present and leave the finish a nice shade of dry. WS gave this wine 90 points. I’m going with 88. A decent drop for a pop-n-pour night at home with some spaghetti, maybe a thin crust pizza. $12 make this a 4 star wine. Salut….
25 Wednesday May 2016
Posted in Wine
I do love me some Cahors- the Black Wine of the French Southwest region made primarily from Malbec grapes. This one was not as tannic and in-your-face as other Cahors I have tried. A dark purple color in the glass with a nose of plum, blackberry and oaky vanilla. On the palate, very smooth intro to blueberry ganache, some purple plums and a certain spice that I can’t pinpoint. The tannins are integrated yet somewhat green. They show up on the back end with more force. The finish is decent with tannins hitting the gums and a purple fruit finish. I think this wine is at peak with another year or two before it’s too late. 87 points. It retails for $12 and gets 3 stars from me. Salut….
a reason for wine
Passionate about beautiful wines, spirits and gifts.
Kristina and Tony's personal wine notes
G’day, you’re at the best wine blog ever! We're all about wine; without the wankery.
Words, wise or otherwise, about wine
The Wine Experience and everything that comes along with it.
I have three passions: wine, cycling, travel, family, and math.
Helping People Drink Well, Despite My Locale
Connecting people with wine.
A tangle of wine, history and photography.
It's a Wine Life: Musings and Tastings
vo·lup·tu·ar·y noun: a person whose life is devoted to the pursuit and enjoyment of luxury and pleasure.
Excellent Adventures in Wine and Spirits Education
running & wine...the perfect pairing
.....all about wine.
Smile! You’re on the coolest wine blog ever.
Life reflected in wine
Red, White and Sparkling!
grapefriend. wine. fun.
