Tag Archives: 4 stars

Spier Pinotage 2011

29 Thursday Nov 2012

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An indigenous South African grape that had bad press for many years- Spier has made the climb from the ‘bad wine abyss’ and is on track to make Pinotage a formidable variety. Crossed between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, you can only find it in SA. During Apartheid, the varietal took a slide in quality and reputation. It’s been a battle ever since, but I have faith. I have had other Spier Pinotages, this being their entry-level offering.
On the nose, bing cherry in syrup. On the palate, I can feel heat amongst the plum and cedar shavings. Weighing in at 14.5%, I’m a little surprised. Tannins are evident, giving this wine a structure to evolve for at least 5 years. I would love to re-taste in a few years as I feel it will evolve towards earthy minerality, which excites me. For the price, a definite 4 star wine. If I were a pro, probably 88 points. Juicy, go and try some…..

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Robertson Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

28 Wednesday Nov 2012

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Not widely available in my area, this was a gift from some South African friends. A nice gift at that. Extremely juicy, like make your mouth water juicy- which I find extremely appealing. The taste is a cross of dark blue fruit and vanilla. In balance, there is no harsh tannic feel to this wine and I suspect it is designed for early drinking. Smooth and appealing, it is sure to make any host proud to serve it. As a gift, I really enjoyed receiving it.
4 stars and I would give it 87 points. Really good stuff.

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Les 7 Hommes 2011

18 Sunday Nov 2012

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From Sancerre, this Sauvignon Blanc is delicious and very typical of the region.
On the nose, citrus and slate, which slide into the palate very smoothly. Grapefruit and lemon zest differentiate Loire valley wines from New World (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blancs. Leaner, more precise, this style is ‘sharper’. The acidity is not racy in this wine, but it is balanced.
I bought some bottles for Thanksgiving, it will do great with Turkey…. and cranberry. I tasted this wine at room temperature and was impressed. Chilled slightly, it’s gonna rock the white wine house! 4 stars, 89 points.

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Rica Andina Malbec 2011

08 Thursday Nov 2012

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A lighter purple shade in the glass gives up a very fruity nose. Full on, this one hits the palate full bore with plum and blue berry. Instinctively I thought it was going do be candy-like after taking a whiff, I was wrong. Serious depth and some excellent tannins make this a rather serious Malbec. For $25 a bottle it takes on an air of superiority, and handles it well. Slightly off-put by the sugary nose, the rest of the package more than makes up for it. 4 stars, 88 points IMHO.

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Trapiche Malbec 2011

29 Saturday Sep 2012

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Finally, @United Airlines has changed their domestic first class wine. Not a moment too soon. This very serviceable Malbec should be in everyone’s party portfolio. Easy to drink, smooth, without pretension and easy on the wallet. Not complex, it shows balance with tasty primal red fruits. For what it is, don’t expect any cellaring potential. This wine is a very reasonable way to keep many guests happy without breaking the bank.
Malbec comes in several forms from the black and tannic Cahors to the jammy fruit bombs and on to the easy quaffers like this one. 4 stars for its Quality/Price ratio and I reckon it would get 86 points from a pro. Everyone needs an emergency case of this stuff lying around.

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Elderton Shiraz Barossa “Friends Series” 2010

22 Saturday Sep 2012

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Finally. I have been in a Shiraz/Syrah slump recently, not being able to find anything worth a damn. This wine came through for me. If you have read my previous posts on Aussie Shiraz, you will remember that I am not a huge fan of the monster jammy style, preferring a more subdued approach to managing the awesome potential of this grape. Elderton has done it with this wine, and for a decent price. Red fruitiness and good balance lead into a nice tannic mouthfeel that caresses with more plummy fruit and good acidity. The wine is somewhat young but drinking nicely already with another 5 years to maturity. My kind of wine for a meaty dinner, perhaps a beef stew. Good balance and a crowd pleaser. 4 stars, 91 points for around $22.

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Trivento Torrontes Reserve

14 Friday Sep 2012

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Extremely aromatic with scents of flowers and rose water, this white wine is very tasty, with a full-on mouthfeel. Lacking in razor sharp acidity, it comes across as a drinking wine, although I reckon it would go very well with Turkey. In the mid-palate I am getting some citrus mixed with a dryness that I can only think (tannins). It is leaving a nice feeling in my mouth and a long after taste that is most enjoyable. This style of wine reminds me of Gewurtztraminer: highly aromatic, very tasty, low in acidity and not everyone’s cup-o-tea. I love it and will stick a few in the fridge. A great party wine, good for casual BBQ and in my opinion- a well made wine deserving 4 stars. My guess is it’s a 90 point wine. I have loved Trivento’s red wines, the whites are on the same path. Salut

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Cosentino Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

13 Thursday Sep 2012

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This is classic Napa Cabernet….. Dark blue fruits on the nose mixed with some spice transition to a beautiful palate of blueberry meets plum and cassis. Notes of spice come through that mix it up with the well integrated tannins and help form a mouth-puckering finish that lasts a long time. I was worried about this bottle when I inspected the cork and saw a wide line all the way up the side….

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But alas, all was well. Seven years of age and this wine is showing nicely with at least another 7 to go. Unfortunately, this winery had some issues ( google Cosentino winery). A shame really as the wine fulfills the requirements of Napa Cab in all the right ways at a price that wont kill ya. I reckon at least 4 stars and 91 points, (it keeps getting better as I write). Glad I have more! Cheers

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Fox Grove Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon NV

08 Saturday Sep 2012

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NV means no vintage. Not a bad thing for certain wines, like champagnes that are blended from several vintages- but in red wine…….Makes me wonder. Then again, it is on an airplane, United Airlines to be precise, where I got to sample this little gem. Perhaps I’m being a little harsh, I have reason. Airlines generally serve crap, at high prices, it’s part of the deal. United in particular has tried to cut every cost. They must, or risk disappearing.
With that off my chest, this wine is not bad. Cherry candy on the nose brings some really tasty/chewy red currants on the decently balanced mid plate, fruitiness that has a good acidic component and even some puckering tannins.
Come to think of it, this I better than the crappy Smoking Loon they serve in First Class on United. I may have to decline the courtesy upgrade they gave me for next week.
Timing the aftertaste, a good 20 seconds or more. I have no idea how much this one costs, but I bet it’s bargain basement, and for that: 4 stars. Well worth it for a big party on a summers day, throwing down some BBQ. The Shiraz is not jammy, like too many Aussie reds, and the Cabernet gives it the structure it needs to pull the whole thing off. Kudos. I am taking a stab here and guessing it is worthy of 88 points. You should keep a few laying around in case the boys show up unexpectedly.

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Miller ‘The GM’ 2007

08 Saturday Sep 2012

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Really purple hue from this blend of Petite Sirah (love it already) and a Portuguese grape called Tinta Cao gives me a funky nose of chocolate and blackberry. On the palate, thin tannins reveal a blueberry and jam core of fruit. Not as prominent as the GSM, this is well made and balanced. A puckering after taste is long and delicious, giving this wine a bump in my books. 4 stars and. 90 point effort that excites me because it’s a different blend, and it works. Well done….

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