Tag Archives: 4 stars

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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Miller Shannon Vineyard Grenache 2008

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….

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Prima 2009

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.

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J.L. Chave Selection Offerus, St. Joseph 2006

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.

Schug Carneros Pinot Noir Winemaker’s Reserve 2009

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!

Devil’s Staircase Pinot Noir 2010

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.