Tag Archives: 5 stars

Bodegas Ondarre Ursa Maior 2006

30 Saturday Mar 2013

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A Reserva from the Rioja that won’t break the bank and brings some serious flavors to the table. Deep purple in the glass it offers dark cherry and wood pencil shavings on the nose. Classic Tempranillo on the palate, it melds nicely with good tannins and a balanced acidity. Dark blue fruit pops out on the mid palate and the tannins are tickling my gums! A medium length finish to this wine that begs for another sip. The label claims 14% alcohol, yet it is well hidden. The wine is rich, which helped when I paired it with BBQ ribs and French fries. The flavors are very pronounced and get more complex as the night progresses. At 6 years of age, this wine is but a child. I reckon it will further evolve and drink nicely until 2019 at the least. I originally gave it 4 stars, change that to 5. Bang for the buck, this wine rocks. Technically speaking, 89 points. I love it.

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Barboursville Merlot Reserve 2008

01 Friday Feb 2013

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From the cellar door- this is a stunning wine. Plain and simple, I love this 4 year old. I will start with the rich purple color, the complex nose, layered palate and end on a mouthwatering finish that lasts and lasts.

Take a breath……… On the nose I am getting Bordeaux-like aromas of blackberry, tobacco and earth. A full on palate-attack of layered red and dark berries mixed with an earthiness and leather. Excellent balance between acidity, tannins and alcohol pave the way to a long finish. A serious 5 star wine that I imagine deserves 90+ points. Loving it… Who knew Virginia could bang out such rockin Merlot?

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Top of the Block Pinot Noir ‘Blockheadia Ringnosii’ 2011

30 Wednesday Jan 2013

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A fresh and vibrant New World Pinot Noir that I thoroughly enjoyed. Shaved cherry mixed with strawberries form the initial attack whilst stealthy tannins are hiding in the background. Great balance with a hint of dryness make this a mouthwatering wine made in a fruit forward style. You know how I love Burgundian style pinot with all that earth and funk- so it takes a lot to get me going. This one did….
I initially got cherries on the nose, telltale for the varietal. The color was a beautiful shade of red. A longish finish once again defined the winemaker’s skill. A really nice bottle of Pinot to be savored with just about anything! I’m thinking it deserves 92 points, and gets 5 stars from me.

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Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon “Grand Estates” 2010

25 Friday Jan 2013

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A perennial winner, this wine is consistent for quality and value.  Nothing special, just plain old reliable with decent fruit, easy to drink and no harshness.  Very light on the tannins, the point of this wine is to enjoy the blueberry and plum flavors without the complexity.  It is a pop and pour wine suitable for an evening drink, large party or quick pasta meal.  Very widely distributed and easy to find for under $10, every house should have an emergency stash of this stuff in case a block party breaks out.  5 stars for its consistent quality to price and a respectable 86 points (WS gave it 89!).

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Acentor Garnacha 2011

24 Thursday Jan 2013

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An extremely ripe infant that blew my nostrils out and then attacked my grill with full on blueberry and spice. I can’t even imagine where this wine is going in the next 5 years. Good structure with acidity and tannins out the wazoo. 90 plus points and potentially a 5 star wine if it all comes together.

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Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

13 Sunday Jan 2013

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For the second time in two nights, South African wines have scored highly and snuck in with high alcohol. This offering, at under $10 is a winner. Blackcurrant and plums on the nose transition to a full palate of blueberry pie. Very slight tannins are present and the wine is making my mouth water. Not overly complex, designed for short-term drinking, this is a delightful wine. I am drinking it with a cheese lasagna, but it would tackle a steak with ease. A solid 89 pointer that gets 5 stars for its price/quality. This wine will please at parties, casual dinners and just an evening glass of vino.
Ps. At 14.5% alcohol that slid right past me, you may want to drink responsibly…..

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Spier Pinotage Vintage Selection 2010

11 Friday Jan 2013

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A strange varietal only really grown in South Africa, it is growing on me. This wine is dark purple with a brooding thick nose of cherry, kirsch and tobacco. On the palate, very tannic right now, but not obnoxious. I get black berry and some vanilla that is integrating well with the oak. It’s funny how this wine hides its 14% alcohol so nicely (see previous post) yet is in balance and provides good acidity. A well made wine that I am about to enjoy with Roast Pork Tenderloins. 91 points, and 5 stars in my book. If you are looking to expand your wine knowledge, search out this produced and varietal.

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Le Baron De Malleret 2009

06 Sunday Jan 2013

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I took Moxie out to a fusion Korean/Cajun restaurant last night and ordered this little gem. From the stunning 2009 Bordeaux vintage, this lower level wine is drinking beautifully right now. Earthy, tobacco and cassis are reminiscent of higher quality Claret, yet for the price, this wine totally delivers. Tannins are very much ingrained, smooth and holding this wine in stead. The structure and acidity are really good, providing you with a ready-to-drink Bordeaux that mixes blue fruit with the characteristics I love from the Medoc. From the nose all the way to the finish, you will be satisfied with this wine. Like I mentioned, we paired it with a mix of spicy, earthy and bold flavors, it shone with all. 5 stars and potentially a 90 point wine. I must check my local wine shop….
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Blockheadia Ringnosii Petite Sirah ‘Top of the Block’ 2010

28 Friday Dec 2012

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I first got a nosefull of blueberry, but after a while it turned more blackberry meets plum in an oak tub. On the palate, well integrated tannins meld with blueberry pie and spice. Slightly annoying alcohol is excused by the smoothness, but 14.4% is too much. This dark purple offering is just a babe, I reckon in 2 years its gonna rock when all the pieces are in the right places. I thoroughly enjoyed this wine and reckon it’s a 91 pointer with 5 stars in my book.

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Cosentino Pinot Noir Reserve Selection Sonoma Coast 2011

20 Thursday Dec 2012

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Deelish…. I am loving this wine. Starts out with strawberry on the nose and comes across as a New World Pinot powerhouse. Strong strawberry on the palate mix it up with bing cherry and they keep on going. Pinot Noir is a difficult variety for me to judge tannins, as they don’t behave the same way as those found in Cab, Merlot, Syrah etc. They are not as easy to identify, yet this wine made my mouth pucker ever so. I am dying to re-taste it in 5 years to see what secondary flavors emerge from behind its fruity/tannic cloak. This wine is a sure 92 pointer and I like it so much that I feel 5 stars is a fair representation of its price/quality. I drank it with rotisserie chicken, but it would go well with other light game and perhaps filet mignon. Very balanced and smooth, this wine will please everyone. Good job!
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