Tag Archives: 89 points

Mollydooker ‘The Violinist’ 2012

10 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , ,


There is so much I want to say….  I’ll start with my mission- to taste the full lineup of Mollydooker’s wines.  Seeing as my local shop doesn’t carry all of them, the folks downunda were kind enough (no, really generous enough) to send me a sampling of their full range.  With their help I previously managed to procure the 2009 and 2010 Carnival of Love and now also have the 2012.  I will endeavor to get the 2011 so I can do a 4 year vertical.  I digress.

Verdelho is the varietal used in the Violinist.  Predominantly Portuguese, I was surprised to see it on the label of this winery’s sole white wine.  This wine was a gorgeous pale yellow in the glass, telltale of what was to come.   On the nose- pear, apple and a touch of wood.  I was blown away by the initial attack.  Pear, Quince and Yellow apple all mixing it up.  The mouthfeel is superb, with a fullness reminiscent of a Cali Chardonnay.  Gentle and balanced acidity make this a full bodied wine with some nice finishing notes of nut, Asian pear and flowers.  I timed a good 20 second finish on this wine.

Now, back to the chicken and the egg…… Did I cook chicken for dinner because I was having this wine, or did I pick this wine to go along with the bird I was going to cook anyways?  I shall not reveal the correct answer.  Once the chicken was done, I decided to immediately whip up a spicy gravy to go with it.  I just happened to have some fresh stock from the other night, so I dressed it up just so- a dash of sage, some onion powder, a hint of salt and a boatload of Chili and Red Pepper.  The resultant sauce was red in color and fiery in nature.

The combination of the spicy sauce and the somewhat sweetness of the Verdelho- a perfect combo.  This wine sits at a whopping 16% alcohol which is a shocking amount for most wines, let alone a white.  I tip my hat to the winemaker who has managed to hide the alcohol without a trace of heat, well done Andrew.

The majority of Mollydooker’s wines are priced at $25.  For this amount of cash you are getting an exceptional wine with complexity and depth not to mention great taste and mouthfeel.  I am going 89 points and 4 stars for this one and recommend drinking it with some fish or poultry.  Salut….

 

20140109-201247.jpg

20140109-201317.jpg

Chapel Hill Parson’s Nose Shiraz 2011

30 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , ,


My grandfather once told me that The Parson’s Nose was another word for a chicken’s derriere, so when I saw this wine I just had to try it.  He also used to say Yacky Da as a toast, I think it’s Welsh for cheers.  Here’s to grandad…

This wine was a great expression of Mclaren Vale Shiraz.  Not jammy and overdone, but a more restrained offering with blueberry and black fruits showing throughout with generous oak and spice.  Medium tannins are a delight and the wine was easy to drink.  I got some very interesting mid palate flavors similar to mulled wine with cloves and cinnamon.  I really enjoyed the complexity that this very reasonable wine offered.  I paid $13 on sale and give this effort 89 points and 5 stars.  Think Osso Bucco or Sirloin on the grill.  Salut….

 

20131231-074844.jpg

Lionel Osmin Cie Malbec 2011

05 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Cahors is a region in central France that produces ‘the Black Grape’.  The Malbec’s from this region are extremely dark, tannic and usually delicious.  They differ from Argie Malbecs because the South American version is far more fruit driven and the Old World style is for deeper extraction and more tannic substance, plus the terroir is totally different.

This bottle was flawed.  It just tasted bad.  It had good intentions, with an almost black appearance in the glass and some enticing aromas of Asian pear and black cherry.  On the palate, there was an off flavor that destroyed any hope of it being enjoyable.  I am not dismissing this wine just yet, I think it was corked.  It’s a shame really as the components all seemed to be in place.  The dryness of the hefty tannins was exactly what I was looking for and the acidity was there to balance it.  I may look for another bottle to re-taste.  This wine got an 89 from WE and it was only $13 which would have made it a 4 star wine.  Salut….

IMG_0515

The Black Wine

The Black Wine

 

d’Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz 2010

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


I disliked the 2009 Footbolt, thinking it was an off vintage.  I was correct.  The 2010 version is far more approachable, delicious and true to form.  Reddish purple in the glass, it offered up black fruits and a hint of cedar on the nose.  Upon tasting, the blackcurrants mingled with licorice and even some mocha came through.  Medium tannins and good acidity balanced the whole thing out.  The wine is very reasonable at $13 and gives some depth without resorting to jammyness.  I would drink it with grilled Lamb and some olive tapenade.  The bang for the buck factor is amazing though and I give it 89 points and 4 stars.  If you have not tried any d’Arenberg wines, you really should, they are easy to spot as they all have the signature red sash on the label.  Salut….

 

20131127-114923.jpg

Greyrock Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2012

17 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


A new world version of Pinot from New Zealand.  Pinkish red in the glass, it exploded with strawberry and cherry on the nose.  I usually prefer the Burgundian style of this varietal but every so often I come across a refreshing new world bottle that I appreciate.  This varietal never offers up tannins in the usual sense, making it hard for me to discern and predict aging potential.  This wine seems like it could go the distance yet it offers immediate bing cherry, strawberry and red currants.  The whole package is well balanced and easy to drink.   I found it for $20 and it gets 89 points from me and 3 stars.  Salut….

IMG_0351

Chateau Hanteillan 2010

17 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,


I have had the 2006 Hanteillan before and hated it.  This is a totally different beast.  2010 is a much better vintage and it shows in this offering.  A very young yet approachable wine that displayed a dark purple hue in the glass.  Searing tannins greeted me on the first pass, but after getting acquainted the blackberry and cassis came shining through.  A strong plum chord struck on the mid palate and there was an  earthy component that surfaced on the back end.  Cellaring would be good for this wine and 2016 would be an opportune time to pull some out and pair them with game, steaks and pasta.  I wonder if secondary flavors will evolve and would like to get some for my cellar.  I found it online for about $20 and give it 89 points making it a 3 star effort pour moi.  Ps.  I drank it after lunch on a flight, served with cheese and dessert.  Salut….

IMG_0348

Man ‘O War Sauvignon Blanc 2011

10 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , ,


This is what my mate Mr. Tormay requested at last night’s Korean/Cajun fusion dinner.  He is fan of the varietal and quickly ordered this without hesitation.  I got a taste in before he polished it off and was very impressed.  In the glass it was more golden in color than I was expecting.  The glass burst with cut grass, apple and tart lemon flavors.  My initial taste was overwhelming.  Cat’s pee (a normal descriptor for Kiwi Sav Blac by the way) meshed with cut grass and green apple.  The waves continued with some citrus and cutting acidity.  The wine had quite a heavy presence in the mouth which made it that much more interesting.  This is not a thirst quenching easy to drink wine, it is much more food driven wine that offers complexity and depth.  I really liked it and will look for it in the shops.  $16 and 89 points make this a 4 star effort for me.  Salut….

IMG_0307

Gorys Crespiello 2008

10 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,


This wine got huge accolades from WA and was originally $100.  I got it for far less and was intrigued by the varietal.  Made from old-vine Vidadillo from Spain I was not sure what to expect.  It was dark purple in the glass and had a subdued nose of plums and tar.  I Picked up some Grenache like notes on the palate amidst the thick tannins. The wine was relatively young yet somewhat complex.  Swirling it in the glass again it started to open up after I poured it through the Vinturi.  The black fruits and tar came through more clearly and the acidity was decent.  The pro’s gave it 93 points, I must be missing something here as I would only venture 89 and for the price- 3 stars.  It was an interesting opportunity to try something different but I don’t think I would repeat.  Salut….

IMG_0302IMG_0303

Flora Springs Cabernet Franc 2009 revisited

25 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


I am hitting it on all cylinders this week, home run after touchdown.  Moxie has been absolutely crushing the new recipes and I have rediscovered some forgotten wines.

Tonight she banged up some Brazilian Shrimp Stew.  Spicy, tasty and surprisingly filling.  The basic ingredients are shrimp, spinach, garlic, coconut milk, red peppers and Ro-Tel (a fine combination of tomatoes and chiles), all topped with fresh cilantro.  It reminds me of Tom Yung Goong, that fiery Thai soup but more focused on the shrimp and coconut.  I needed a fruity wine yet again and was at a loss.  A search of the cellar brought the ’09 Flora Springs, which I hated a year ago.  I figured that it could meet the drain if it didn’t work out for the pairing since I had no predispositions about it.

The wine has really come alive.  A lighter shade of purple in the glass, it offered blueberry fruit on the grill.  The initial taste was impressive with blueberry, toasty oak and some anise.  The wine has a certain sweetness, but not cloying or bothersome.  The heat of the dish needed that fruit aspect combined with a sweetness that Cabernet Franc occasionally possesses along with a certain perfume element.  The structure is fine with some tight grained tannins lurking and a balanced acidity, once again trademark characteristics of the varietal.  I think this wine has finally hit it’s stride and will last another 3 years.  It runs $30 and 89 points but really a 3 star effort considering the price.  I am glad I gave it the year I promised.  Evolution is a wonderful thing as long as it is timed just right!  Salut….

Brazilian Shrimp Stew

Brazilian Shrimp Stew

IMG_0050

Thunevin Calvet Cuvée Constance 2010

10 Thursday Oct 2013

Posted by in Wine reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Half and half Grenache and Carignan, a great blend from the Roussillon region.  I was seeking a basic country wine to go with my roast chicken and Peri Peri sauce (spicy as a mo-fo) with Arugula (Rocket) salad, more spice.  I needed a raw, acidic, somewhat tannic, fruit forward wine for my meal.  I was not far off.  Usually, spice kills the red wines as I discovered.  This particular dinner was more about spice than heat.  The Peri Peri sauce comes from Nando’s, a South African restaurant that uses the sauce to warm things up a bit.

The wine itself was purchased for about $15.  A great deal considering the big man gave it a 90+ rating.  I’m going with 89.   It offers up raw Blueberry, green peppers and lithe tannins with a bracing acidity.  The blue component was the right anti-spice and the acidic component was right up my alley for the meal.  It’s difficult to pair red wines with anything spicy, the rougher the better I reckon.  What I mean is that finesse has no place here.  The fruit needs to be forward and really in your grill.  Secondary nuances are overwhelmed.  Stick to the basic, young country wines that have the brawn.  This is a wine that is flexible, capable of tackling heat, grilled meats and even roast chicken.  I would imagine it would kill a Lasagne.  4 stars in my system.  Salut….