Tag Archives: 4 stars

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.

Seven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

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.

Louis Latour Pouilly Fuisse 2010

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.

Rivetto Barbaresco 2006

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.

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Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe 2009

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.

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Live Wire Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

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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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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