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.
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