Tag Archives: 4 stars

Clifton Springs Merlot 2010

18 Wednesday Jul 2012

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Dubbed “The California Kings” this is the first of three Cali wines in the flight at Vino Volo. I am serving a 4 hour delay in absolute misery… Leather chairs, soft music, charcuterie and tasting portions of some amazing wines.

On the nose- typical Merlot… Oh oh. Never mind, it all comes good. The initial palate is a smoothed out dark cherry that is somewhat muted, not so ‘in your face’. Very smooth, I must say, with a hint of dryness, a touch of heat and a good balance. Not built for the long run, this one is a very good effort for near term drinking. Weighing in at only 12.5%, I’m somewhat surprised. I can make out some oak, which may bother some hedonists, but it integrates well and adds smoothness. I am picturing this wine as a good Flank steak partner, it needs meat to come out and join the party. 4 stars because I like it and it’s a decent priced wine… Possibly an 89 pointer from the big guys. It’s time to get back into Merlot people, it was just a movie….

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Apolloni V Cuvée 2009

18 Wednesday Jul 2012

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The second wine in my Pinot Noir tasting flight….. Different, somewhat funky. Not the earthy, ass of donkey kind of funky that I like. Just funky. I finally got over it and started to enjoy the red fruits that came out on the initial palate, accompanied by some subdued cherry flavors. I did not notice any tannins(see previous post) and thought the balance was very good. No noticeable alcohol is a great feature of the this wine that really grew on me. Initial funk aside, I enjoyed the new world twist on his varietal. A decent finish and I’m done tasting this 4 star effort. 89 points (see my previous post on ratings).

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Elusiv Pinot Noir 2009

18 Wednesday Jul 2012

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My flight is delayed, awe shucks…. What a great excuse to visit Vino Volo, Washington Dulles’s wine bar in the departures area. Here I go with the West Coast Pinots.

I get cranberry and strawberry on the nose, lots of it, but in a nice way. On the initial palate- very interesting mix of cherry and strawberry with a firm set of tannins in the background. If you remember my previous post about my Pinot/tannin issues, you will recall that I have a hard time discerning them in this varietal. When I do, they are definitely there. So, having said that, this wine will age for several years, hopefully the heat of the alcohol will buzz off and allow us to enjoy this rather well made wine for at least ten years. A medium length finish is a bonus, helping to give this one 4 stars and potentially a 90 point rating. Me likey……..

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Spellbound Petite Sirah 2010

09 Monday Jul 2012

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Had this last night at a 40th Birthday bash for a friend. I probably tried 7 different bottles and noticed two definitive variations in the bottles. Not a pricy wine, it offers up good dark fruit and a nice finish with a mild tannic streak. Not built for the long run, immediate pleasure is achieved with no expectations of further development. This is a perfect wine for parties, offering loads of bang for the buck. the two bottles that I noticed variation on had a certain earthy funk that got me excited. Was it perhaps oak? Or just ass of donkey- not sure, but I liked it. For sure a 4 star wine that would garner a respectable 88 points. I need to getsummm.

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Meaume 2008

27 Wednesday Jun 2012

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This wine is a Bordeaux Superier, versus a Cru Bourgeois- taking it a rung lower than the previous wine we tasted.  It also came from the 2008 Bordeaux vintage, not as highly touted as the 2005.  Strike 2 against this little charmer- yet it wins over the bigger, better Cru.  Why???  Bang for the buck ladies and gentlemen.  At under $15, this wine delivers exactly what it is intended for.  On the nose, very convincing blue and red fruit, the palate shows good balance and the finish is all that can be expected.  A very serviceable bottle that won’t disappoint for the next 5 years.  Not meant for long term aging, the structure is in place to hold it together, but I’m doubtful of much evolution.  An easy 4 stars with 86 point potential.  Great for casual drinking, or a summer grilling- your guests will enjoy its basic fruit and medium body.  Salut

Castle Rock ’09

10 Saturday Dec 2011

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A few of my colleagues gathered for a little Christmas cheer upon our arrival in Hong Kong and this was the first of many bottles to be opened.  Very primary in fruit with a decent nose and mid-palate it offered no sign of aging potential.  A decent way to start out as it was not heavy, complex or overpowering.  Very reasonably priced, this one is a sure winner for informal drinking or large parties.  From a pro standpoint, perhaps an 82 rating but I’m giving it 4 stars for being a good QPR player.