13.8%, Armagan Ozdiker, proprietor, Heladsburg, CA.
Established 1856 (but not established in Sonoma. . .)
Overpowering nose of fruit and alcohol. A little mint and savory element. Heady fruit. Very strong with no subtle balance. Just tannins and sweet, deep fruit. Not what one would expect from an aged Alexander Valley Cab. Oxidized perhaps. Not too good. (Meaning kinda bad).
Monday, December 12, 2011
Black Tie Syrah 2005
13.5%, Cellared and Bottled by: Black Tie Cellars
Deep, almost savory nose with a little fruit and ink. Strong flavors. Very fruity and dark. Still a bit of the savory there too. Licorice and tartness on the finish. A little thin but good stuff overall.
Deep, almost savory nose with a little fruit and ink. Strong flavors. Very fruity and dark. Still a bit of the savory there too. Licorice and tartness on the finish. A little thin but good stuff overall.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Punto Niño Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
14%, Valle de Colchagua, Chile.
Bottled by: Laroche, Santiago, Chile.
Imported by: Leucadia Cellars and Estates, SF, CA
www.larochewines.com
Ripe, oaky nose. Dark and heavy scents. Surprisingly smooth and clean to start in the mouth. Finishes with lots of oak and heavy flavors of smoke and dried fruits. Hits the teeth with tannins and gives you something to chew on. Not tame wine, but I like it.
Bottled by: Laroche, Santiago, Chile.
Imported by: Leucadia Cellars and Estates, SF, CA
www.larochewines.com
Ripe, oaky nose. Dark and heavy scents. Surprisingly smooth and clean to start in the mouth. Finishes with lots of oak and heavy flavors of smoke and dried fruits. Hits the teeth with tannins and gives you something to chew on. Not tame wine, but I like it.
Las Rocas de San Alejandro Garnacha 2005
14.5%, D.O. Calatayud, S.COOP, Mendes, España.
An Eric Solomon "European Cellars" Selection, Charlotte, NC
704-358-1565, www.lasrocaswine.com
Black rubber "cork". (interesting. . .). Smooth, enchanting nose with hints of red fruit, camphour, and holiday spices. A bit of alcohol at finish of the nose. Tart and acid but balanced by sweet tones of bramble fruits. Tannins and smoke on the finish, but what a long lingering finish. Nice interesting wine for a great price. Really good example of the rich wine of Spain.
Note: This brand was sold to Gallo and is no longer imported by European Cellars. This vintage was however so I included that info.
An Eric Solomon "European Cellars" Selection, Charlotte, NC
704-358-1565, www.lasrocaswine.com
Black rubber "cork". (interesting. . .). Smooth, enchanting nose with hints of red fruit, camphour, and holiday spices. A bit of alcohol at finish of the nose. Tart and acid but balanced by sweet tones of bramble fruits. Tannins and smoke on the finish, but what a long lingering finish. Nice interesting wine for a great price. Really good example of the rich wine of Spain.
Note: This brand was sold to Gallo and is no longer imported by European Cellars. This vintage was however so I included that info.
Capay Valley Vineyards Tempranillo 2006
13% Brooks, CA
530-796-4110, www.capayvalleyvineyards.com
Nice nose of berry with a bit of cocoa. Smooth and agreeable. Good flavors of fruit, berry, maybe plum or cherry. Slight tart finish. Low tannins but enough. Nice balanced, flavorful wine. And it's local to me too. . .
530-796-4110, www.capayvalleyvineyards.com
Nice nose of berry with a bit of cocoa. Smooth and agreeable. Good flavors of fruit, berry, maybe plum or cherry. Slight tart finish. Low tannins but enough. Nice balanced, flavorful wine. And it's local to me too. . .
Cline Zinfandel 2007
14.0%, Cline Cellars, Sonoma, CA
www.clinecellars.com
Jammy zin nose with bits of spice and incense cedar. Delicious fruit and tart berry flavours. A touch of ink and smoke. Just the right tannins and smack for the finish. Cline does it again! And I think this vintage may be a winner which makes it even better.
www.clinecellars.com
Jammy zin nose with bits of spice and incense cedar. Delicious fruit and tart berry flavours. A touch of ink and smoke. Just the right tannins and smack for the finish. Cline does it again! And I think this vintage may be a winner which makes it even better.
Ópera Prima Tempranillo 2008
13%
Bottled by: J. Garcia Carrion La Mancha, S.A., Daimiel (Ciudad Real), España
Imported by: CIV, Sacramento, CA.
Alcohol, a bit floral, and licorice on the the nose. Decent violet and crimson color. Supple and wet with tastes of plum and berry. Tannins and a bit tart in the finish. Drinkable but sort of plain and boring. Young, so maybe it needs some time.
Bottled by: J. Garcia Carrion La Mancha, S.A., Daimiel (Ciudad Real), España
Imported by: CIV, Sacramento, CA.
Alcohol, a bit floral, and licorice on the the nose. Decent violet and crimson color. Supple and wet with tastes of plum and berry. Tannins and a bit tart in the finish. Drinkable but sort of plain and boring. Young, so maybe it needs some time.
Shenandoah Vineyards Vinter's Selection Zinfandel 2006
14.2% Plymouth, CA
CCOF certified organic grapes.
Nice nose of huckleberry, cocoa, and a bit of mint. Fruit on palate, but also a bit of licorice and smoke. Tongue smacker with a good lingering finish. Excellent foothill Zin. Much more complex and deep than most.
Cloé:
Nose: Powerful nose. blackberry and citrus of raspberry and pineapple.
In mouth: long taste. tannins. leather/animal taste. harvesting mushrooms in the forest. vegetal.
CCOF certified organic grapes.
Nice nose of huckleberry, cocoa, and a bit of mint. Fruit on palate, but also a bit of licorice and smoke. Tongue smacker with a good lingering finish. Excellent foothill Zin. Much more complex and deep than most.
Cloé:
Nose: Powerful nose. blackberry and citrus of raspberry and pineapple.
In mouth: long taste. tannins. leather/animal taste. harvesting mushrooms in the forest. vegetal.
Virgin Vines Shiraz 2007 Califonia
13.5%, Hopland, California
www.virginvines.com
Nice berry and cherry nose. Also little hint of vanilla. Lots of fruit flavor. Not particularly robust or complex. Some tartness. Slightly inky. A little linger of fruits. Pretty decent but less impressive than some others I've had. Fades in character as you drink more of it.
www.virginvines.com
Nice berry and cherry nose. Also little hint of vanilla. Lots of fruit flavor. Not particularly robust or complex. Some tartness. Slightly inky. A little linger of fruits. Pretty decent but less impressive than some others I've had. Fades in character as you drink more of it.
Cariñena Garnacha 2006
13.5%
Bottled by: Bodegas Virgen del Águila, S. COOP, Paniza, España
Imported by: Handpicked Selections, Warrenton, VA
Fruit, ink and smoke nose. Tart with hints of mint and tannin. A little smoke and a bit chewy. Pretty good balance. Very dark colors. A nice example of garnacha. Could be brighter but tart and tight. A little rough, may improve with a little air or age.
Bottled by: Bodegas Virgen del Águila, S. COOP, Paniza, España
Imported by: Handpicked Selections, Warrenton, VA
Fruit, ink and smoke nose. Tart with hints of mint and tannin. A little smoke and a bit chewy. Pretty good balance. Very dark colors. A nice example of garnacha. Could be brighter but tart and tight. A little rough, may improve with a little air or age.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Cána Syrah Contra Costa County 2003
Tamayo Family. Napa, CA.
www.tamayofamilyvineyards.com
A little alcohol, tart fruits, something sage like (perhaps) on the nose. Soft, supple mouth feel. A bit tart and bitter but plenty of fruit. May be a bit oxidized from the color test. Nice licorice and smoke finish. A bit of ink. A pretty decent wine but not enough sparkle and snap for my type of Syrah.
www.tamayofamilyvineyards.com
A little alcohol, tart fruits, something sage like (perhaps) on the nose. Soft, supple mouth feel. A bit tart and bitter but plenty of fruit. May be a bit oxidized from the color test. Nice licorice and smoke finish. A bit of ink. A pretty decent wine but not enough sparkle and snap for my type of Syrah.
Primaterra Primitivo 2007
Puglia, 13.5%
Imported by Domaine Select Wine Estates, New York
WWW.PRIMATERRAWINE.com
Oaky, wet cork, and olive nose. Hint of floral. Dark crimson color. Intense flavor. Anise and dry stone fruit. Smokey and a little bitter. Heavy tannins. Not much like CA Zin but a strong, good Italian cousin.
Imported by Domaine Select Wine Estates, New York
WWW.PRIMATERRAWINE.com
Oaky, wet cork, and olive nose. Hint of floral. Dark crimson color. Intense flavor. Anise and dry stone fruit. Smokey and a little bitter. Heavy tannins. Not much like CA Zin but a strong, good Italian cousin.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Veranda Cabernet-Carmenere 2004
60% Cab, 40% Carmenere, 13.5%
San Alfonso Single Estate Maipo Valley, Requinda, Chile
Vinedos Corpora Import by: Domaines Boisset SF, CA
Thick smoke, rubber, and alcohol and a hint of sea air or oysters. Heavy, strong dry fruit cedar and smoke flavors. Some tannins but also sparkle on the tongue. Has that Carmenere tobacco element. good last wine before the port type of drink. Good drinkable stuff but lacks the dynamics of good Cab.
San Alfonso Single Estate Maipo Valley, Requinda, Chile
Vinedos Corpora Import by: Domaines Boisset SF, CA
Thick smoke, rubber, and alcohol and a hint of sea air or oysters. Heavy, strong dry fruit cedar and smoke flavors. Some tannins but also sparkle on the tongue. Has that Carmenere tobacco element. good last wine before the port type of drink. Good drinkable stuff but lacks the dynamics of good Cab.
Oakley Five Reds (Cline)2006
74% Merlot, 7% Barbera, 6% Cab Franc, 3% Syrah, 1% Mourvedre
13.5% alcohol Produced by Cline, Sonoma, CA
Olive, ink and rich fruit on the nose. Dark crimson tohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif almost black in color. Rich and smooth mouth feel. Long. Some inky and bitter flavoers,but nice balance and good fruity finish. Tannins cleanse palate, but leave a ripe cherry, raspberry, blackberry aftertaste. Not as complex as the Cline Syrah but a nice table blend with plenty of flavors. Uhhhmm!
13.5% alcohol Produced by Cline, Sonoma, CA
Olive, ink and rich fruit on the nose. Dark crimson tohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif almost black in color. Rich and smooth mouth feel. Long. Some inky and bitter flavoers,but nice balance and good fruity finish. Tannins cleanse palate, but leave a ripe cherry, raspberry, blackberry aftertaste. Not as complex as the Cline Syrah but a nice table blend with plenty of flavors. Uhhhmm!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Congress Springs Chardonnay 2008 Lodi
13.8% Congress Springs Wine, Napa, CA
Daniel Gehrs.
Syrup and a bit of tart apple nose. Mild oak, tart and acidic. Not much substance, but refreshing. Not sweet. A tad minerally. Pretty good stuff (for Chard).
Daniel Gehrs.
Syrup and a bit of tart apple nose. Mild oak, tart and acidic. Not much substance, but refreshing. Not sweet. A tad minerally. Pretty good stuff (for Chard).
Elena Cellars Syrah 2007 Sonoma County
Elena Vineyards, Healdsburg, CA
Nice rich, fruity Syrah. Filled with strong robust flavors, but not sweet nor jammy. Good Syrah. Great over grilled peaches.
Nice rich, fruity Syrah. Filled with strong robust flavors, but not sweet nor jammy. Good Syrah. Great over grilled peaches.
Pacific Oasis Syrah 2005
13.9% Pacific Oasis Winery, Santa Barbara County, CA
(5% Viogneir), Daniel Gehrs, winemaker.
Fruit from Santa Ynez (50%), Los Alamos (50%), Noir and Estrella Clones
Nice nose with the characteristic inky Syrah element. Some tart fruits on the nose as well. Supple-soft mouth moving to tart prickle on the finish. Good fruit with the ink and licorice. Light linger. Not as deeply flavored as say Cline, but a decent Syrah with nice tart snap and a good almost savory touch.
(5% Viogneir), Daniel Gehrs, winemaker.
Fruit from Santa Ynez (50%), Los Alamos (50%), Noir and Estrella Clones
Nice nose with the characteristic inky Syrah element. Some tart fruits on the nose as well. Supple-soft mouth moving to tart prickle on the finish. Good fruit with the ink and licorice. Light linger. Not as deeply flavored as say Cline, but a decent Syrah with nice tart snap and a good almost savory touch.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Kris Pinot Noir 2007
Leonardo Locasci Delle Venezie
Kris Wine
Bottled by: Franz Haas S.R.I. Montagna (BZ), Italy
Imported by: Winebow, NY, NY
Soft and slightly alcoholic nose. Some nice fruit. Pretty color. Ruby red. Fruit in the mouth. A bit thin. Not much structure but tart clean on the finish. Drinkable and decent, but not up to the billing.
Kris Wine
Bottled by: Franz Haas S.R.I. Montagna (BZ), Italy
Imported by: Winebow, NY, NY
Soft and slightly alcoholic nose. Some nice fruit. Pretty color. Ruby red. Fruit in the mouth. A bit thin. Not much structure but tart clean on the finish. Drinkable and decent, but not up to the billing.
Vinera Dry Rose Wine, Napa Valley 2006
Sonoma, CA 13.5%
Mild nose. Nice fruity tastes of strawberry and maybe grapefruit. Not sweet nor cloying just a good balance of flavor. Nice starter for the summer evenings.
Mild nose. Nice fruity tastes of strawberry and maybe grapefruit. Not sweet nor cloying just a good balance of flavor. Nice starter for the summer evenings.
Cariñena, Crianza, Spain 2003
Bottled by: Bodegas Virgen del Aguila, S. Coop. 13%
Bodegas Virgin del Aguila
Imported by: Handpicked selections, Warrenton, VA
Deep nose. A bit raisin-y, a bit ink-y, not really "sweet" smelling. A bit one tracked but nice flavors. No sweetness at all lots of tart and tannin. Almost bubble gum (without the sweet) or rubber at the start. Long lingering flavors. A very Spanish deep-heavy wine. Good drink-ability but not excellent.
Bodegas Virgin del Aguila
Imported by: Handpicked selections, Warrenton, VA
Deep nose. A bit raisin-y, a bit ink-y, not really "sweet" smelling. A bit one tracked but nice flavors. No sweetness at all lots of tart and tannin. Almost bubble gum (without the sweet) or rubber at the start. Long lingering flavors. A very Spanish deep-heavy wine. Good drink-ability but not excellent.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)