Tag Archives: 3 stars

Penfolds “Rawson’s Retreat” Shiraz Cabernet 2011

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

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The local wine shop here is running a special on the Rawson’s Retreat series, so I picked up two of the offerings to try.  Not impressed.  Very basic in architecture, with straightforward red fruits on the nose and palate.  Little tannin and no complexity.  However, it does drink smoothly and will get big kudos from most people because it is built to satisfy the elementary drinker.  I wouldn’t call it a bad wine, plonk is more appropriate.  Serve with the most basic of dishes or alone.  The blend did mellow out the Cabernet Sauvignon somewhat, and I was surprised that the Shiraz was not the typical jam from downunda. I have to say I would probably buy it again if the promotion pricing is in effect, but at $13- a pass.  3 stars since it was $24 for three bottles, but only 84 points.

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Alma Negra ‘M Blend’ 2009

04 Monday Feb 2013

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Another wine from a friend…this time from Argentina.  The ‘M Blend’ immediately steered me to Malbec of some sort.  I was right, and wrong.  On the nose, classic Malbec fruitiness with blueberry and plum.  On the palate is where I got stumped.  I guessed Syrah as the blended portion, only to find out it was Bonarda.  Not as fruity as other Malbecs that I have had, it still offered an interesting twist on the varietal.  The Bonarda addition was intriguing, as was the use of oak.  This wine is slightly young and could do with another year to meld all the pieces.  Tannins were evident, as was a good acidity.  For about $20, this is a 3 star wine and possibly an 89 point effort.  I enjoyed it to a certain degree, but just not my favorite style of Malbec.  The label rocked though!

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Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

24 Thursday Jan 2013

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A muted nose (too young??) gives way to a medley of ripe young berries on the palate. Spice and cherry come through as well. The tannins are fine grained and sharp, albeit young. I feel this wine will open up in three years and mellow out to be a beauty. Right now, a babe, stick it in the cellar. 89 points and 3 stars.

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Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

24 Thursday Jan 2013

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New World nose of mushrooms and red fruit. Sharply acidic on the palate, it is also offers some raspberry and plum. Not obvious, there are some fine tannins in the background. This 2008 vintage is at peak now and offers a certain quality that is hard to pinpoint. My guess is that it started life as a 90 pointer and I would value it as a 3 star wine (for my palate versus its price).

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Rivetto Barbaresco Ce Vanin 2009

30 Friday Nov 2012

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Barbaresco is to Italian wine what Beaujolais is to French wine: the thinner, easier red-headed step child that is always there, no matter what. Made from Nebbiolo just like Barolo, it hardly stands up to its big brother.
Once you get to grips with these facts, it’s time to enjoy the wine for what it is.
In this particular bottle, a very light red complexion gives a little strawberry on the nose. Caressing the palate with very smooth tannins comes a dose of currants meets red fruits and earth. There is a certain minerality here that is easy to pick up on due to the delicate nature of this wine. It is balanced, easy to drink and paired very well with baked Haddock and Risotto. Fish??? Yup, I paired red wine with fish, and it worked. Haddock is a very flaky white fish, low in oils and not reeking of fish. This wine is very light, almost Rose’ like, giving freshness and bouquet that marries well with the fish.
87 points and 3 stars. I’m thinking a Chicken Caesar Salad will bang with this wine…..try it and see.

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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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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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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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Greenock Creek Alice’s Shiraz 2008

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.

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Rosemount Shiraz Diamond Label 2010

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.

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