Tag Archives: 92 points

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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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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Armida Poizin 2009

26 Friday Oct 2012

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Who could argue with this label and the packaging?  This is the second wine I have tried from Armida, and I’m happy to say they both rock my inner Zin.  Weighing in at 14.5 % alcohol, you could be misled into thinking this would be an overripe, jammy, hot Zinfandel.  Wrong….  By a mile.

On the nose, blackberry meets plum with a dose of freshness.  On the palate, blueish berry compote and plum with a faint hint of spice that is characteristic of Zinfandel.  Very balanced and complex, with no hint of the heat, this wine is drinking beautifully right now.  I could not get any tannic structure, but feel like it would last another 3-5 years.  It’s a strange beast, with all the pieces of the the big, jammy, highly laden Zin, yet it fits a completely different mold.  Subdued, a charmer with strength and poise.  This is a great Zinfandel that defies logic and hits it for me on all cylinders.  5 stars, and 92 points.  BTW, I paired it with Moroccan Chicken cooked in a Tagine with apricots, cinnamon, raisins and cumin.  The sweetness of the meal was perfectly balanced by the boldness and acidity of the wine.  PPS.  Before I forget, I tasted this wine as I started cooking dinner and noticed myself salivating after 30 seconds.  It really is that good.

Miller ‘The Works’ GSM 2007

08 Saturday Sep 2012

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The great blend of the Rhone- Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre. Very gorgeous plummy nose gives way to red fruits exploding in a certain freshness that leaves a great mouthfeel. A child at 5, the tannins are well stocked and ready for the next 10 years of drinking. A very well made wine IMHO. I would love to revisit in 5 years- betting some barny type secondary stuff comes out, the kinds that excite me. 5 star effort, 92 points if I were rating it.

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Meerlust Rubicon 2007

05 Sunday Aug 2012

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This wine happens to be the favorite of two mates from South Africa.  When I saw it for sale, why not?  I was a little surprised at the relatively low cost of this iconic wine from Stellenbosch.  A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, I just knew I was going to enjoy it.  I was right.  Inky in color with tremendous young tannins, this is right up my alley.  Black fruits, black tea, balanced oak and razor sharp tannins meld together in this big wine.  It is not for the faint of heart, this wine is large, with layers of fruitiness and a constant tannic reminder to cellar this brute for a few more years to let it grow up.  I did not get much on the nose (perhaps the wrong glass?), but with coaxing and the aid of a Vinturi- you might get some blackberry compote and perhaps some mint.  I would like to re-try this bottle in my home with my glasses to see if there is more to it.  I might get some extra bottles to cellar, betting that this wine will indeed last many years. It will be interesting to see what secondary flavors evolve as I think this wine has at least 15 years in it with good balance to withstand time.  I’m giving this one 5 stars and reckon it’s a 92 pointer.

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe 2009

19 Thursday Jul 2012

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A complete mix of grape varietals, this is a big hitter from the Rhone. A stewed fruit nose gives way to the most amazing floral hit on the palate. Oh, a 45 second finish to boot. The complexity of this wine is amazing, yet the fruit is somewhat subdued. I’m stumped, so much so that they are checking the bottle.

I’m waiting, patiently….. I so want this wine to rock my world, and so far- flowers.

Apparently the bottle is fine, just a little closed on the nose- Vinturi to the rescue and bingo…. Fig and earth come to mind, with black currants and rose mixing it up with the gentle tannins. I’m not sure how much collaring potential this wine has, but I think it’s a little young and could use another three years in the bunker before you pop a bottle.
The hard part—— 92 points and …… 4 Stars. I just can’t see 5 on this one for some reason. A very well made wine, but just doesn’t have what I need to push it over the hump.

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Faiveley Gevry-Chambertin 2006

03 Tuesday Jul 2012

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OMG, I just committed infanticide. This tightly wound, super tannic Burgundy is no where near ready to emerge from the cellar. Such a shame that I basically wasted it, oh well- I’ve got more.
Very muted on the nose, the cherry comes forth on the palate but is way overshadowed by the tannins. Smooth as they are, they are still extremely persistent. I am getting a full minute of finish, or is it residual tannic paste covering my gums? I can see the potential here, this wine is gonna be huge when it grows up. I’m guessing a potential 5 stars and 92 rating if it all melds together. Cellar at least until 2016 and drink for another 10 years. I can’t wait to see how the Burgundy “funk” is going to evolve on this wine.

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