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.
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.
18 Thursday Oct 2012
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There’s Aussie Shiraz, and then there is Shiraz from Australia. A big difference in style, quality and enjoyment. This wine runs along the Shiraz from Australia line and it is good.
Nose-wise …. Red fruit compote. On the palate, rich and warm raspberry meets cocoa. A slight touch of plum and graphite make this a complex wine that has me excited. The tannins are well integrated and there is no imbalance. A normal finish leaves me feeling this is a 3 star wine at 89 points.
18 Thursday Oct 2012
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Atypical of regular Aussie Shiraz, this Diamond Label offering brings good value for money. A purple wine that gives off hints of blue berries. On the palate, plum and blueberry jam mix with very subtle tannins to give a nice mouthfull of fresh fruit. Decent at 87 points and 3 stars.
16 Tuesday Oct 2012
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With plenty of cellar time, this wine is showing nicely. Slightly subdued nose of blueberry meets a sweet dust gives way to a typical Bordeaux-style palate. Blueberry, cassis and some leather co-mingle with ripe tannins to produce a tasty wine that is at its peak. Drink up to 2017, alongside a Ribeye steak as the tannins will meld well with a streaky cut of beef. 3 stars, 87 points.
06 Saturday Oct 2012
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I found this ’06 vintage Cru Bourgeois hiding next to some newer wines. With 6 years of age, it drinks smoothly-starting with dark blue fruits and a tannic grip. It’s still a little young, with some hope for further mellowing and some further development. It’s nothing special, yet interesting in its own sharpish way. 3 stars, 86 points
22 Saturday Sep 2012
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Yup, two vintages in one blog post- by accident. My local shop was running a BOGO on this wine. I am a little leery when shops are giving wine away at half price, a sure sign of it’s inability to sell. However, my goal is to taste every thing in this particular shop (not a huge selection mind you). So, I picked up my two bottles of Latour Camblanes and a bottle of Shiraz. When I arrived at the tasting site, I retrieved all the bottles from my bag and noticed that one of them had a green top on the capsule. Upon further investigation, the labels looked slightly different. I then realized that the staff had placed the 2009 vintage behind the 2008 and the SKU’s must have registered as the same item. I had paid full price for the 2008 and got the 2009 for free- as advertised. I was excited to perform a mini-vertical tasting and proceeded to open both bottles. I started with ’08 and realized my worst fears. The wine needed to be given away at half price, it was just shabby. No flavor profile, very little tannin and generally flat. Yuck. On to the 2009, not so. Cherry and tobacco, some edgy tannins and a crisp acidity made me come back for more. I did not drink any more of the 2008 because I believe strongly that life is too short to drink crappy wine. My drunk friend didn’t care and proceeded to polish it off for us, leaving the far better ’09 for me to ponder and enjoy. In a nutshell, 2009 was a far superior vintage in Bordeaux and this point was highlighted in our little tasting. I would imagine the ’08 was a combination of poorly made wine in an average vintage versus a little more effort put into a far better vintage. It’s a shame really because I am now poisoned by this brand. I will not take a chance on their wine, knowing that they did not perform in an average year and relied on nature to help them out in an excellent year. 2008 1 star and 80 points. 2009 3 stars and 85 points. Would I buy again? Nope.
17 Monday Sep 2012
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15.4% alcohol, do you really need to do that? Having said that, I find no heat and am enjoying the essence of fruit. Wild cherries on the nose translate into strawberry and bing cherry on the palate.
This wine has typicity at the expense of finesse. I like it’s taste, but find the alcohol offensive. A medium term wine, drink until 2016 .
3 stars but a generous 90 points on the pro scale. If they can get a lower alcohol and maintain the flavor, this wine has potential.
06 Monday Aug 2012
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I remembered drinking this wine before, and had to look it up here. This version, the 2010, was far better than the ’09. Fruity on the nose, the initial palate is ‘in-your-face’ with the Malbec. This grape can be very fruit-bomby and this winery has not strayed far from the hallmark. Plum and vanilla give way to a decent finish. I would not consider this a very sophisticated wine, but am warming up to it’s potential as a party quaffer. For the price, it gets 3 stars. My guess would be an 87 point wine.
19 Thursday Jul 2012
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Walk into any high-end steak house and this wine will be on the list. No doubt a quintessential California Cabernet from Napa Valley, I have high hopes for this one, but am concerned about its youth. Here goes.
Donkey? Earth? Not sure, but this nose is intriguing the hell out of me. Help…..
On the palate, a strong wine, and way too young. The tannins are good, but not overpowering, which allows the plummy taste to come through with some blueberry. I cannot make out any hint of imbalance, this is a well crafted wine, and the alcohol is non-intrusive. I think it’s a good wine, probably just a little too ordinary for me. For the buck, not enough bang unfortunately. I am torn between 4 stars for quality and 3 stars for its QPR. Being a rather pricy offering, I would cellar two or three bottles for at least five years, perhaps patience will be rewarded. Even though I may pass on this, I think it is worthy of 90 points.
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