08 Saturday Sep 2012
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Grenache is a great grape, used in blends and as a standalone. This offering is very smooth, if not a touch hot. Sweetness on the palate from a floral mixture and some red currants. Some plum is evident in the jammy mid palate. I like this wine and think others will too. It’s time to drink up as I think it has about 2-3 years of its peak. 4 stars, perhaps a 90 pointer….
05 Wednesday Sep 2012
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I’m excited…. Tempranillo always has the opportunity to rock my world, this one did. Vegetal, herbal and a certain stink of donkey all come through from the nose to the palate. Mixed with a fruity compote of cherries and flower (violets?),a smooth mouthfeel give loads of entertainment. A long finish and good balance offset the lack of long term tannic backbone, but at this price- who cares???
I am truly impressed and think this one is 4 star worthy. With more backbone, it would have been a 5- 89 points.
11 Saturday Aug 2012
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The nice thing about buying multiple bottles is the ability to watch it age, take on different nuances and evolve into a secondary wine. I have had three bottles of this wine over the last 3 years, each one bringing different flavors to the glass. This wine is a Syrah from the northern Rhone that weighs in at 13.5 % alcohol. I wish I had taken notes of the previous bottles, dang… Anyway, this is a good wine. Not typical Syrah, but well crafted with fine tannins that caress. Dark fruits on the nose give into a red raspberry thing for me. I grilled some Ribeye steaks on a charcoal grill just to complement this wine- I was spot on. The structure of this wine went beautifully with the somewhat fatty cut of beef. I imagine this wine will last another 5 years at least, and hopefully evolve some more. I imagine a little earthiness coming out in a few years. A solid 4 star effort and perhaps a 90 pointer that will run you about $30.
10 Friday Aug 2012
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Not much is known about this newly released wine, so when I bought a case it was by reputation. Glad I did. Textbook Carneros Pinot, made in a modern style with cherry and strawberry on the palate being caressed by a touch of oak. Very good balance between acidity, tannins and alcohol (13.5%) make for a lovely mouthfeel. Classic Pinot nose and very nice finish. I served this one first with some Tomato and Mozzarella salad, coupled with Eggplant compote. Dee-lish. I would imagine this wine could get a 91+ point rating. I’m giving it 4 stars and glad I have 11 more!
07 Tuesday Aug 2012
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A Kiwi wine from Central Otago that we picked up for about $13. Very New World in style; a clean fresh nose gives way to Kirsch and cherry flavors on the palate. I could sense the presence of tannins swirling around this rather medium weight wine. I must say, I am not a fan of this wine but think it was quite well made. In Pinot Noir, I am Old World all the way. I much prefer refinement, subtlety, and seduction versus the more modern extracted style. Having said all that, 4 stars and I would reckon an 88 point effort. Besides, if you read the back label- it’s quite entertaining.
06 Monday Aug 2012
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Blueberries on the nose that translate through to the palate in this delicious Columbia Valley Cab that has a touch of Merlot and Cab Franc added in. Extremely youthful at 7 years, the wine shows great potential and vibrancy. Very similar in style to a Napa Cab, with tons of fruit up front and a long finish. It is drinking nicely now, but I think it has yet to peak. I reckon this wine will further evolve and last until 2018 at least. I really enjoyed the mouthfeel; no harsh tannins, balanced acidity and good fruity taste that seemed to go on for ever. I think this wine was underrated, it deserves 91 points. It’s a 4 star effort in my books.
05 Sunday Aug 2012
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Always a charmer, this Burgundian Chardonnay has been a regular in my fridge for many years. Moxie, the wife, is not a big drinker. If and when, it is always white, usually Chardonnay and Burgundy being preferred. So, when we hosted a party for dad’s birthday, I made sure there was some of this stuff on hand. It’s an easy drinker that offers charm and charisma without breaking the bank. Lemon and apple come across the nose, with some classic Chardonnay wet stone and citrus on the palate. Excellent balance with the acidity and use of oak lead to a nice mouthfeel. I could slurp this stuff on the patio, or pair it nicely with some fresh fish. A very reliable wine that is neither bland nor overdone. Bang for the buck- a 4 star effort worthy of 88 points.
19 Thursday Jul 2012
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Little brother to Barolo, the Barbaresco’s are made from the Nebbiolo grape. You know how I love it!
A few extra swirls finally got this wine to give me the typical nose I was looking for, Nebbiolo all the way baby. Red fruits are predominant on the palate, with slightly green tannins protruding. Perhaps they will meld away, one can hope. A long finish and good acidity are a bonus here. This region is not known for aging potential like Barolo, but I think this wine can hang in there for another 10 years easy. Oh look, I finished my glass…. Yummy. 4 stars and 89 points.
19 Thursday Jul 2012
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A complete mix of grape varietals, this is a big hitter from the Rhone. A stewed fruit nose gives way to the most amazing floral hit on the palate. Oh, a 45 second finish to boot. The complexity of this wine is amazing, yet the fruit is somewhat subdued. I’m stumped, so much so that they are checking the bottle.
I’m waiting, patiently….. I so want this wine to rock my world, and so far- flowers.
Apparently the bottle is fine, just a little closed on the nose- Vinturi to the rescue and bingo…. Fig and earth come to mind, with black currants and rose mixing it up with the gentle tannins. I’m not sure how much collaring potential this wine has, but I think it’s a little young and could use another three years in the bunker before you pop a bottle.
The hard part—— 92 points and …… 4 Stars. I just can’t see 5 on this one for some reason. A very well made wine, but just doesn’t have what I need to push it over the hump.
19 Thursday Jul 2012
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A gorgeous nose of pure dark fruit that translates well to the palate. Strange as it may be, not many wines smell like they taste. Is this a good thing?
Purity is descriptor here, with some really delicious tannins to boot. The fruit has precision, with some plum? It’s hard to tell as the tannins, nice as they are, distract me.
Generally a decent wine that I believe has good collaring potential and will balance itself out over time. A unique Napa Cab that I want to give 4 stars to, and would guess at a 90 point rating.
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