5 Şubat 2013 Salı

Review: *** $ Castoro Cellars St. Somewhere Syrah, Paso Robles, California, 2010 = BEST VALUE

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By way of background, opening thoughts: Trader Joe's does come up with some interesting options in wines - this is a negociant syrah from the Paso Robles area that came with a strong recommendation from a Trader Joe's employee.

Original tasting and review : This is Castoro Cellars St. Somewhere Syrah, Paso Robles, California, 2010, finished at 15.1% alcohol.

In the glass: Deep, soft magenta red, opaque in the center.

On the nose: Poured at room temperature and swirled vigorously, shows soft red berries and some deeper oak.  From the aroma, seems like this will be dark, round and aromatic.

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact purple ripe red raspberries, with a light tannin coat.  Nice surround sound with purple aromatics, seeming lighter on its feet than the 15+ % alcohol might have implied.  A touch of exotic dark chocolate comes briefly through as well.

In summary: Overall, rates three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, generating a best value.


Check out today's pricing and retail availability for bargain Paso Robles Syrah.


(c) Copyright 2011 Spirit of Wine, all rights reserved.  If you are a winery, distributor or marketing agent and you would like to see your (or your client's) wine featured at Spirit of Wine, here are two options: 1) Wait, pray and hope - we may find you someday; 2) Submit a wine for review.  No charge.  Particulars are here.   If you are reading this full posting on any site other than Spirit of Wine, chances are it is a copyright violation.


Review: **+ $ Concannon Pinot Noir, California, 2010

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By way of background, opening thoughts: I've enjoyed some of the Concannon blends a great deal in the past.  Today I'll be sampling a purebred pinot noir.

Original tasting and review : This is Concannon Pinot Noir, California, 2010, finished at 13.% alcohol.

In the glass: Light red throughout, not a hint of opaqueness.

On the nose: Poured at room temperature and swirled vigorously, shows soft, subtle, violet fruit, mingling with oak.  From the aroma, seems like this will be surprisingly distinct and subtle in its tones.

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact balanced, friendly and gently fruity, showing, in fact, less pinot noir in its style and more like a gracious syrah.  Purples and violets about, with very light tannins and a simple, clean finish.

In summary: Overall, rates two stars with a lus for its easy accessibility on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale.  Good value for a pinot noir at its preposterously affordable price point.


Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Concannon Pinot Noir.


(c) Copyright 2011 Spirit of Wine, all rights reserved.  If you are a winery, distributor or marketing agent and you would like to see your (or your client's) wine featured at Spirit of Wine, here are two options: 1) Wait, pray and hope - we may find you someday; 2) Submit a wine for review.  No charge.  Particulars are here.   If you are reading this full posting on any site other than Spirit of Wine, chances are it is a copyright violation.


Review: Camelot Vineyards & Winery Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

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Check out today's pricing and retail availability for bargain North Coast merlots.

By way of background, opening thoughts:  The Camelot Vineyards & Winery line of wines, established in 1993, hails from O'Neill Vintners in Parlier, California, and represents a wide range of California regions in multiple varietals at a bargain price.  Chief winemaker is Mark Rasmussen.  O'Neill Vintners other brands include Pepi, Tin Roof Cellars and Moscato Allegro.   Wine samples provided by the winery's representative.
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Original tasting and review : This is Camelot Chardonnay, California, non-vintage, finished at 13.2% alcohol and combining grapes from the cool-climate Sacramento Delta and Central Coast regions.

In the glass: Clear, light hints of golden yellow.

On the nose: Poured at room temperature and swirled vigorously, shows chalky hay and light, sweet dry grass.  From the aroma, seems like this will be soft, round, perhaps with dry layers.

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact much as anticipated, with a fresh, clean mid-palate first appearing with sweet tones followed by flashes of light acids in your cheeks.  A lingering flavor of melon and apple rides to the calm, clean finish.

In summary: Overall, just touches three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, making this a best value at its bargain price.
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Original tasting and review : This is Camelot Pinot Noir, California, non-vintage, finished at 13% alcohol, made from grapes from the Lodi and Clarksburg appelations.

In the glass: Light brick and magenta.

On the nose: Poured at room temperature and swirled vigorously, shows full, thick purple undertones with bright highlights.  From the aroma, seems like this will be full and tangy.

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact fresh, clean, bright and vibrant, with clean plums that come on strong and fade evenly to a modest, fresh finish.

In summary: Overall, rates two stars with a plus for easy drinkability on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale.
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Original tasting and review : This is Camelot Cabernet Sauvignon, California, non-vintage, finished at 13.5% alcohol and made from a blend of Lodi, Central Coast and North Coast grapes.

In the glass: Deep magenta, opaque in the very center of the glass.

On the nose: Poured at room temperature and swirled vigorously, shows simple, fresh deep grape tones.  From the aroma, seems like this will be easy, enjoyable, bright, but perhaps generic in style.

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact more flavorful than anticipate, yielding in nature with soft blackberries, very slight tones of purple ink, even a hint of very ripe blueberry.  Finish is rich, of modest length and clean.  Rises several notches above the low expectations created by the nose.

In summary: Overall, rates two stars with a plus for its surprising layers on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, comes precariously close to touching three stars and hitting best value status.
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Original tasting and review : This is Camelot Merlot, California, non-vintage, finished at 13.5% alcohol, made from Lodi, Central Coast and North Coast grapes, similar to the cabernet sauvignon.

In the glass: Medium to deep mahogany.

On the nose: Poured at room temperature and swirled vigorously, shows soft, subtle but deep berry tones, quite intriguing.  From the aroma, this wine already creates a sense of intrigue and enigma.  Seems like this will be anything from gentle and floral to tough and bold.  Let's see...

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact much more in the gentle, friendly, floral and rich category!  The initial attack is soft and mid-palate, almost creamy with crispy, ripe blackberry.  The deep berries spread across your tongue, slowly reaching your cheeks, offering a sense of reserve power.  The finish is not long, but it is somehow husky and wide, still suggestive of that sense of rugged power, but not displayed.

In summary: Overall, rates an easy three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, making it a no-brainer best value at its very, very modest price point.


Check out today's pricing and retail availability for bargain North Coast merlots.


(c) Copyright 2011 Spirit of Wine, all rights reserved.  If you are a winery, distributor or marketing agent and you would like to see your (or your client's) wine featured at Spirit of Wine, here are two options: 1) Wait, pray and hope - we may find you someday; 2) Submit a wine for review.  No charge.  Particulars are here.   If you are reading this full posting on any site other than Spirit of Wine, chances are it is a copyright violation.


Updated Review: **** $$ Cameron Hughes Lot 247 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA, 2009 - BEST VALUE

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By way of background, opening thoughts:  Cameron Hughes is a negociant, a wine producer who obtains grapes, juices and wines from various locations, seeking to create high-value offerlings at given price points.  The cabernet sauvignon here was acquired from a  younger Napa Valley vineyard that sells wine with similar heritage at substantially higher prices.

Original tasting and review , October, 2011: This is Cameron Hughes Lot 247 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA, 2009, finished at a not-too-shy, very American-styled 14.7% alcohol.

In the glass: Lot 247 is deep magenta, opaque about a half in in from the edge.

On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, shows remarkably shy, understated fruit.  Digging your nose in deeply, you pick up some fresh plums hiding inside the alcohol.  From the aroma, seems like this will be restrained and young, perhaps waiting for more time to blossom. 

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact much more powerful, with sleek and silty fruit moving across the palate.  So gentle in feel, yet with sweet black cherry and light spices coming through layered in robes of softer tannins.  You almost need to chew your way through to the finish, which lets additional soft red fruit and ripe blackberry squeeze out. 

In summary: Overall, compelling gentleness, power, softness and balance earns three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, falling just shy of the fourth star, but gaining a plus for its elegance throughout.  Definitely a good value.  May become a best value with some time.

Following long decant, full day kept cool in partially filled bottle:  Tiniest hint of lavender on the nose.  Consistent, soft and luxurious on the palate, with chewiness giving way to chocolate.  Makes its way toward a fourth star with this decant.  Still has a wonderful restraint.  

Updated review, over a year later, February, 2013:  Shy but still fragrant.  Soft, full, furry and chewy. Definitely hit the fourth star.

(c) Copyright 2011 Spirit of Wine, all rights reserved.  If you are reading this full posting on any site other than Spirit of Wine, chances are it is a copyright violation.  If you are a winery, distributor or marketing agent and you would like to see your (or your client's) wine reviewed at Spirit of Wine, here are two options: 1) Wait, pray and hope - we may find you; 2) Submit a wine for review.  No charge.  Particulars are here. 

Find prices and retail availability for Cameron Hughes Cabernet Sauvignon.

Updated Review: **** $$ DeLoach Zinfandel OFS (O.F.S), Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California, 2008 - BEST VALUE

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By way of background, opening thoughts: Zinfandel was one of the grapes that opened the Wild West in American winemaking.  Here is a zinfandel from the Russion River Valley of Sonoma in California.


Original tasting and review : October, 2011: This is DeLoach Zinfandel OFS (O.F.S), Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California, 2008, finished at 15.5% alcohol, a real bruiser.  ps, the designation OFS means "Our Finest Selection", representing that this is a higher-end offering in the DeLoach line.

In the glass: DeLoach Zinfandel OFS shows as deep, dark, muddy red in the glass, moving to opaque in the center.

On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, shows bright, aromatic and creamy red fruit.   From the aroma, seems like this will be rich, sweet and flavorful. 

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact rich, creamy, sweet red currant and red cherry fruit, all softly wrapped in a light tannin robe. Sweet acids and sweet red fruit define the character, but the tannins show the way to a lasting finish, which is soft, lengthy, yet still clean.

In summary: Overall, rates four stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, making this a best value by our criteria.

Following long decant, full day kept cool in partially filled bottle:  Even brighter on the nose, red fruit with firework highlights.  Richer, redder fruit on the palate, still luscious. 

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Updated review, over a year later, February, 2013: Red fruits on the nose, a hint of tangy acids. Remains rich, red and creamy on the palate. Still solid and yummy. Feels to be just about peaking.


(c) Copyright 2011 Spirit of Wine, all rights reserved.  If you are reading this full posting on any site other than Spirit of Wine, chances are it is a copyright violation.  If you are a winery, distributor or marketing agent and you would like to see your (or your client's) wine featured at Spirit of Wine, here are two options: 1) Wait, pray and hope - we may find you; 2) Submit a wine for review.  No charge.  Particulars are here.

Find prices and retail availability for DeLoach Zinfandel OFS.

3 Ocak 2013 Perşembe

Butterfield Station Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 wine review by (PB)

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Youthful looking with dark black cherry hue.
The bouquet is full of dark berry fruit and some cedar.

Palate--Integrated tannins, some real cab flavor and a nice surprise at $6 on a sale.

Why did I bother with such an inexpensive Cabernet? Even though it is a sourced wine 2007 was a stellar year for Napa and most other cab regions. So I figured for the price, I just might score a wine that was a bargain and I did! So raise a glass. --A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies

Chateau de Myrat Sauternes 2009 Wine Review (NW)

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Tasting notes:

Beautiful honey, almonds, and apricot on the nose

Full bodied and richly textured on the palate

Long, rich finish that's almost creamy with honey, citrus creme, and tropical fruit

Summary:

A beautiful young Sauternes! It's absolutely delicious but kind of a crime to be opened so young. Your crime will be forgiven, though, because it's understandable that you'd want to drain a bottle of this dessert nectar at the end of a nice dinner. It has a huge nose and a long, long finish that is richly layered. The retail price is $45, but you might also find half bottles for around $25. Raise a glass!--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies