15 Friday Feb 2013
Posted in Wine reviews
I’m not a huge fan of Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon, but wow! This is good wine, straight up. Rich blackberry on the nose translates to blueberry, plum and deft oak on the palate. Very complex, this wine is making me pucker up. The tannins are beautiful, rounded and powerful. This wine is just starting its crusade and should last until 2020 at the very least. Well balanced, it should take a steak in stride, but would absolutely marry a rack of lamb. Loving it with 4 stars and at least 91 points.
11 Friday Jan 2013
Posted in Wine reviews
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.
09 Wednesday Jan 2013
Posted in Wine reviews
2001 Bordeaux is underrated. Following on the heels of the hyped 2000 vintage, it was overshadowed- and I’m glad. Prices were much lower, while quality remained high. I have just started to open my ’01’s and have found them to be approaching the ‘Claret’ age that I like. This particular chateau is peaking with fruit, tannins and secondary flavors all coming together. Classic Pomerol on the nose, there are dark berry fruits and cedar on the palate. Cassis rolls in as does some earthiness. Well integrated tannins are smooth, yet starting to fade ever so. A long finish gives the ultimate gratification. It’s hard to numerically score an aged wine, but I think this is a definite 91 pointer and worthy of 4 stars.
28 Friday Dec 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
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.
17 Monday Dec 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
Tags
I have known that this wine is good for several years, having noticed it in Wine Spectator’s top 100 for several years now. A friend even claimed it was the best Chardonnay he had ever tasted! I’m a fan of their pinot noir, in a big way. This winery makes Burgundian style wines from California’s cooler-climate Santa Cruz mountains. My style…for sure.
Back to the wine….deelish. Apple tart on the nose gives way to a lush, buttery lemon meets green apple on the palate. Very full and rich without being over-oaked. Did I mention a beautiful pale golden color? I wish I had more experience with white wines to really pass judgement on this wine as I reckon it is a top notch effort, yet I can’t get my head around the price. My general knowledge of whites is limited, but I can say this is a really good wine. It got 91+ points from the pro’s. I can’t give it a score but would see it as a 5 point wine if the points/price are considered. If you like Chardonnay, you need to try this wine.
02 Sunday Dec 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
Tags
Wow! I am absolutely stunned by the nose of this wine. Unique, full force and unfamiliar. This wine is a different beast that has really peaked my interest. Hard core Cabernet on the nose, with black and blue fruits fighting for pole position.
Somooth….. Like buttah. I’m talking about mouth caressing tannins co-mingling with the over-abundant fruit in this hedonistic effort. Dark brooding fruit and balanced acidity on the palate hold out for a medium finish. I wonder if this wine will further improve….. Who cares, it’s so good you need to drink it now. A serious 5 star wine in my books, 91 points or higher if I were a pro taster….this is not a BBQ wine. It is fine by itself and would pair nicely with Filet.
11 Sunday Nov 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
Tags
Boom, 5 stars. Right off the bat, this is a really nice wine. If you remember, I award stars based on price, quality and overall drinkability. This one rocks all the points in a great manner. Remember that 2009 was a really good vintage in France and St. Emilion wines are generally Merlot based. This one has Cabs Franc and Sauvignon blended in for that extra umph.
Dark purple in the glass, it gives off blueberry and cedar in the nose. The first mouthfull is just jam packed with juicy blueberries and some cassis. Absolutely perfect tannins are perceptible, yet unobtrusive. Balance- perfect. This is seriously delicious wine, I am flabbergasted.
Not a huge, cellaring Bordeaux, this one will no doubt impress and please you for the next 8 years. Delicious by itself, I would pair it with Filet Mignon, roast chicken or game bird. It could potentially develop secondary flavors, but it’s not necessary. Delicious and fresh as it is, I need to get a case. Easily a 91 point wine in my best guess. Love it…..
22 Saturday Sep 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
Finally. I have been in a Shiraz/Syrah slump recently, not being able to find anything worth a damn. This wine came through for me. If you have read my previous posts on Aussie Shiraz, you will remember that I am not a huge fan of the monster jammy style, preferring a more subdued approach to managing the awesome potential of this grape. Elderton has done it with this wine, and for a decent price. Red fruitiness and good balance lead into a nice tannic mouthfeel that caresses with more plummy fruit and good acidity. The wine is somewhat young but drinking nicely already with another 5 years to maturity. My kind of wine for a meaty dinner, perhaps a beef stew. Good balance and a crowd pleaser. 4 stars, 91 points for around $22.
13 Thursday Sep 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
This is classic Napa Cabernet….. Dark blue fruits on the nose mixed with some spice transition to a beautiful palate of blueberry meets plum and cassis. Notes of spice come through that mix it up with the well integrated tannins and help form a mouth-puckering finish that lasts a long time. I was worried about this bottle when I inspected the cork and saw a wide line all the way up the side….
But alas, all was well. Seven years of age and this wine is showing nicely with at least another 7 to go. Unfortunately, this winery had some issues ( google Cosentino winery). A shame really as the wine fulfills the requirements of Napa Cab in all the right ways at a price that wont kill ya. I reckon at least 4 stars and 91 points, (it keeps getting better as I write). Glad I have more! Cheers
10 Friday Aug 2012
Posted in Wine reviews
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!
Wine reviews 