Tag Archives: 87 points

Wolf Blass Cabernet-Shiraz-Malbec 2012

29 Thursday May 2014

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I have never seen this label before and was intrigued.  From Langhorne Creek this was the ‘original Yellow Label’ wine from Wolf(gang) Blass.  A retro offering showcasing the winery’s heritage I guess.  Nowadays, the blends from them are bottled in the Red Label series, the yellow being used for single varietals.  Nonethless, it was an interesting amalgamation of three varietals.

When I poured the wine, it was nearly blackish purple, appropriate for the grapes used.  It had a nose of candied plums and strawberry twizzlers.  My first impression was ‘tinny’.  A metallic note hit me the wrong way and I was initially put off by it.  I got black currants and plum torte after that and as the wine mellowed out, the tinny component gave way to a minerality that was quite pleasing.  Good acidity and moderate tannins made this an easy to drink aperitif.  I would give it a maximum of 4 years in the cellar and pair it with pasta and red sauce, perhaps BBQ ribs or a big juicy burger.  I’m giving 87 points and 3 stars for this interesting $14 effort.  Salut….

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Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz 2012

18 Sunday May 2014

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The third varietal in the Wolf Blass trilogy that was recently on sale is this Shiraz.  I enjoyed the Merlot and was impressed by the Cab Sav so I did not hesitate to buy this one for $10, list price being $17.  It opened up with plums and licorice on the nose, an interesting combo for this varietal. Blueberry and sour cherries came across on the palate with some nutmeg and leather rounding it out.  I was concerned about the balance and noticed some greenness in the tannins.  Whilst neither Rhone-like nor typical Aussie Shiraz, it had an interesting edge to it.  I think the tannin component has lowered the score and contributed to it’s imbalance.  Im going with 87 points and 3 stars.  Salut….

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Brookland Valley Verse 1 2012

01 Tuesday Apr 2014

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A Shiraz from the Margaret River appellation in the southwest part of Australia.  Not my favorite style unfortunately so I might seem a bit harsh.  I   initially got bright purple fruits of plum and candied cherry on the palate.  Light in tannins but very fruity, almost too much so.  The acidity was lacking ever so slightly but the overall balance was decent.  I think this wine will appeal to many as an easy drinker but for my $20, there are other wines I would look out for.  87 points and 2 stars.  Salut….

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Chilcas Carmenere 2012

22 Wednesday Jan 2014

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A few buddies and I settled into some Chilcas Cabernet yesterday and found the need to send a runner to get more vino.  ‘Coolio’ was duly dispatched while my Russian friend ‘Edvard’ and I held the fort.  He returned with the 2012 version of Chilcas Carmenere.  I panned the 2011 badly and only gave it 1 star so I was skeptical about this wine.  I was in for a surprise.

Bargain basement pricing of $9 for a liter would make most people nervous about the quality, but this wine is very well made for what it is.  The nose showed bright red fruits and a touch of oak.  On the palate, very fruity with a forward expression of red currants, raspberries and cranberry.  The wine is made in a very easy style with very little tannic framework but with juicy acidity.  This is a pop-n-pour wine that would pair nicely with charcuterie and olives or perhaps a BBQ of burgers, dogs, slaw and some baked beans.  87 points but 5 stars for over delivering on the quality/price ratio.  Think party and you will be buying this by the case.  Salut….

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Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino 2007

09 Thursday Jan 2014

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I don’t get it….  This wine got huge scores, from 91 to a 96 from the man himself.  I must have had an off bottle, or the wine is in a dumb stage.  For me it was a disjointed mess, unbalanced and unsure.  On the nose it was very enticing, with earthy blueberry and a mineral streak.  On the first taste, black cherry and tar were the primary drivers.  The balance was all wrong though with the acidity and the tannins hitting on the front, rather than the mid and back palate.  The wine has potential if given time to sort itself out.  The flavors are interesting, if somewhat subdued.  I hate it when an expensive bottle turns out to be a dud, I so wanted this wine to rock.  I am going to have to give this a preliminary 2 stars based on its $60 price and my 87 points.  I will reserve final judgement for at least two more years and cellar the other bottle in hopes  of a better re-taste.  Salut….

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Louis Latour Ardeche Viognier 2011

20 Friday Dec 2013

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I was preparing our dinner last night when it dawned on me that I needed to pair sweet potato and Thai eggplant Penang curry, Chicken Satay and Thai Beef salad.  A myriad of spiced dishes, not spicy as such, just highly flavored.  Red was out of the question, as was Chardonnay.  What I needed was something aromatic and slightly sweet.  Riesling would have been perfect, but I was up for a challenge, not the easy road.  I thought about a Gewurtztraminer, but settled for a Viognier.  The Louis Latour brand covers many regions and every price point.  I went with the $12 offering from the Ardeche region which is located in the southern Rhone.

This wine is decent, showing off it’s pale yellow straw color and offering up some aromatics of green apple and petrol with some lemon zest.  On the palate, a cutting acidity is immediately noticeable as is some back end bite.  The fruity composure is pale green apple and lemon with some quince in the mix.  I was hoping for more aromatic flavors of rose petals and pineapple, but alas that is not typical of this hot region.  The wine lacked the sweetness I seeked but made up for it with the acidity.  Whilst I enjoyed the wine and thought the pairing was great I had some reservations about the back end bite.  87 points and 3 stars for this one.  Enjoy it with spicy dishes or on the patio in the mid-summer heat.  Salut….

 

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Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

18 Wednesday Dec 2013

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I paid $23 for this Chilean Cabernet, hoping for some fireworks.  None came, it was a damp squib.  Very ordinary and plain- not what I was expecting.  The wine was decent, but lacked any depth and complexity.  Purple in color and with basic fragrances of plums and oak.  On the palate, very straightforward black currants, oak and some mint.  Decent tannins and acidity provided a good structure.  I really did not get too much from this wine and am going with 87 points and 3 stars.   Salut….

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Chateau Les Chapelles 2009

09 Monday Dec 2013

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From Montagne Saint-Emilion comes this Merlot/Cab blend.  It was very dark in the glass and bitingly tannic with some hidden fruits lurking.  I think I drank it too young as the main flavor was the dryness of my teeth.  I did manage to get plums and coffee with some interesting oak on the back end, but generally a muted wine.  I paid $18 for it and give it 87 points making it a 3 star effort for me.  I think it might improve but the fruit is going to really need to shine and the tannins need to recede for it all to balance up.  Salut….

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Beyerskloof Pinotage 2011

29 Friday Nov 2013

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When eating at a South African restaurant, it’s obligatory to drink Pinotage.   I am really digging this grape as the winemakers have transformed it from lazy plonk to good quality table wine.  Originally derived by crossing Pinot Noir and Cinsault varietals, it is only grown in South Africa.  This particular one was ordered to go along with some rather awesome Ribeyes.  Dark purple in the glass, it gave off the telltale notes of plum and oak.  On the palate, the plums and spice give way to black currants and a decent grippy finish of dryness from the tannic structure.  Medium acidity round the package out and I must say it was a good balance for the steaks.  It can be found for about $15 and I rate it 87 points with a 3 star medal.  Salut….

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Dusky Sounds Merlot 2011

29 Friday Nov 2013

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I don’t believe I have tasted a New Zealand Merlot, so this was a new one for me.  It was slightly pale in the glass and had an almost Pinot looking hue to it.  On the nose, some cherry and cranberry notes were detected.  On the the palate it was very modern in style with Kirsch and cranberry flavors.  Not overly dry, it had some decent acidity and was rather refreshing.  I am not sure of the typicity to region, but it was an interesting twist on Merlot.  I shall have to taste more of the varietal from there to get a baseline.  This bottle was on special for $9 but usually costs $18.  A crowd pleaser because it was easy to drink and different.  87 points from me and 3 stars.  Salut….

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