Tag Archives: 89 points

Barboursville Chardonnay 2011 Redux

01 Monday Apr 2013

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I wrote about the Barboursville Chardonnay previously and had forgotten about the tasting.  I then went to the winery and promised to taste the wine in earnest.  Well, not much has changed of my opinion.  Straight up 89 pointer with 5 stars clanging around it, singing its praises.  This is a really good example of what a clean-cut Chardonnay is all about.  Lean, racy apple infused with a sharp set of razor blades to zip along your tongue.  I served this wine at a slightly higher temperature than at the previous tasting, some of the nuances were more obvious and the mouthfeel was even rounder. Really, you need to get some of this.

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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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Domaine Fond Croze Cuvée Confidence 2009

28 Thursday Feb 2013

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From the initial sniff I knew I was going to love this wine. Primal red fruit and a floral component teased my senses. On the first sip, red berries and some blackberry hints mixed it up nicely with some pretty decent tannins. Very puckering, this wine begs to be drunk. Good balance, just a bit basic in complexity. I had a glance at the back label and noticed that this wine is predominantly Grenache (love it), hence the florality and smoothness. The Syrah is giving it some edge. I like this wine, especially for its price. 4 stars, and I reckon 89 points.

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Jerome Gueneau Sancerre Le Clos Chartier 2011

04 Monday Feb 2013

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Made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape in the Sancerre region of France, this wine was very delicious.  Typical of the varietal, and the region- grapefruit and lemon zest on the nose.  Transitioning to the palate, the wine was balanced with excellent acidity.  I love Sav Blancs that cut your tongue with razor sharpness.  More lemon and apple on the palate mixed with a certain minerality that I found intriguing.  A very serviceable wine that could be enjoyed with any fish plate, a summer salad or as an aperitif.  89 points and 4 stars.

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Alma Negra ‘M Blend’ 2009

04 Monday Feb 2013

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Another wine from a friend…this time from Argentina.  The ‘M Blend’ immediately steered me to Malbec of some sort.  I was right, and wrong.  On the nose, classic Malbec fruitiness with blueberry and plum.  On the palate is where I got stumped.  I guessed Syrah as the blended portion, only to find out it was Bonarda.  Not as fruity as other Malbecs that I have had, it still offered an interesting twist on the varietal.  The Bonarda addition was intriguing, as was the use of oak.  This wine is slightly young and could do with another year to meld all the pieces.  Tannins were evident, as was a good acidity.  For about $20, this is a 3 star wine and possibly an 89 point effort.  I enjoyed it to a certain degree, but just not my favorite style of Malbec.  The label rocked though!

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Lan Gran Reserva 2005

04 Monday Feb 2013

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A Rioja made primarily from the Tempranillo grape, this was a treat from someone else’s cellar.  Good nose of fruit that has been tempered by oak aging, giving way to classic tempranillo flavors.  Balanced and fuity on the palate with a tannic structure hiding in there somewhere.  I don’t know how much this wine costs so I cannot give any stars, but for quality, an 89 pointer in my opinion.

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Château du Cartillon 2009

26 Saturday Jan 2013

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Yet another showstopper from the great ’09 Bordeaux vintage.  A nice purple/red color that hinted of red berry and oak on the nose and transcended to show currants, raspberry and blueberry on the palate.  A really good tannic structure will make this wine last yet it is drinking beautifully right now.  Balanced and classy, this is a good drinking wine.  I’m stumped at what I would pair it with though.  Bang for the buck gives this 4 stars and 89 points in my book.

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Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

24 Thursday Jan 2013

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A muted nose (too young??) gives way to a medley of ripe young berries on the palate. Spice and cherry come through as well. The tannins are fine grained and sharp, albeit young. I feel this wine will open up in three years and mellow out to be a beauty. Right now, a babe, stick it in the cellar. 89 points and 3 stars.

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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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Ferrari Carano Siena 2010

02 Sunday Dec 2012

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A Californian blend whose majority is Sangiovese, made by the famed Ferrari-Carano winery. Instant pleasure for most people. It comes off as an easy drinker, yet has some depth and complexity to impress.
Strawberry and Raspberry form a bright attack, with good balance and some very hidden tannins. The structure surfaces after a while, as do some tertiary flavors, giving this wine some street cred. A dry finish lasts for a while, which is making my mouth water. I am digging this wine. 4 stars and 89 points IMHO.

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