Peachy Canyon Incredible Red Zinfandel 2010 wine review by (PB)

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Lighter wild cherry red which seems to be common for Paso Robles' Zins.
Bouquet--Big vibrant wild black berry galore with forest floor undertones.

Palate--Quite nice, brambly, big blackberry and green tree flavors that are both classic Zin but so well balanced it is down right delicious.

I think I grabbed this because it was on sale for less than the $11 I see it for and I am glad I did. I tend not to be thrilled with Paso Robles Zins but this is really NICE. I will be having it with freshly harvested venison chili tonight! Worth seeking out. Raise a glass.--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies

Oscar's Estate Vineyard 2008 Barossa Valley Shiraz wine review by Billy

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Nose: Big Jammy nose of blueberry, plum.  Cracked black pepper and tar.
Palate: Incredibly soft and plush mouth feel.  Like a mouth full of silk.  Soft acid backbone and gentle tannins.  Round and full bodied.  This is a full feeling Australian Shiraz from the Barossa valley.
Finish: Green pepper and blueberry on the finish.  Slight acidic resurgence at the sides of the tongue on the finish gives a memory of youthfulness.
Overall: I paid $16 for this at the local wine store.  Its delightfully full and soft mouth feel makes it uniquely suited for drinking now.  Wait much longer and its structure will edge into flabbiness.  Fruit forward nose combined with gentle finish and softness in the mouth make this an excellent introduction to Barossa Valley Shirazzes for those who want to branch out. Raise a glass!--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies

*RingBolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 wine review by (PB)

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***This Margaret River Aussie Cab is deep garnet in its presentation with aromas that are predominantly "green" and sprucey as in "tree." There seem to be blackberry fruit aromas trying to fight their way out of a "green" assault with a subtle chocolate presence in the rear. Finishes with a fleeting touch of smoke.

Palate-- Again, the "green" predominance carries through to the front palate with an awkward unbalanced foundation where trace fruit and clumsy mouth feel presents a less than appealing wine. If this wine were at the $10 price point I would call it run of the mill. At the $17 price point, do not raise a glass, just give it a pass!

***After a couple hours of air this wine takes on a different attitude. It is actually fairly pleasant and while I don't think it is a $17 Cab it is certainly OK for the price. So I changed my mind and raise a glass but let it breathe!

*Real time review! Normally I would append my review and publish only the final assessment. but this one I leave so that you can learn the importance of giving a wine some time to pen up. It can make a big difference! Raise a glass!--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies

Domaine ste Michelle Extra Dry Sparkling Wine review by Billy

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Nose: Lemon custard, crackers
Palate: Prickly bubbles, off dry, minerally and peach syrup.  Gentle but firm acid core.
Finish: Peaches and flowers.
Overall: I paid about $9 for this bottle of domestic bubbly.  This Domaine STE Michelle Extra Dry sparkling wine from Washington state is fun, easy drinking and very accessible.  It's not too dry which means that it's great as a stand alone or as an accompaniment to sharp cheeses.  Raise a glass!--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies

d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier/Marsanne 2006

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Price: $15.99 @ Gary's Liquors (West Roxbury, MA)
Recommended by: Wine Spectator (90 points)
Comments: Frickin' Almond Husks. That's right. Almond husks. Who the hell knows what almond husks taste like??? I'll tell you who. A pretentious idiot whose opinion about wine you definately do not want to trust. And yet, it's the winemaker that lists among this wine's flavors . . . almond husks. Also (and not surprisingly), the winemaker finds an array of tropical fruits with quince, ginger, and lees. Speaking of which, what the hell does a lee taste like? Denim? But nevermind, we're here to review a wine. And it's a good one, although we're not sure it deserves its place in the top 100 wines of 2007 by Wine Spectator. Although we didn't note almond husk, we did enjoy its pear and grapefruit flavors. The smell is "minerally" apparently, although Rob isn't sure it doesn't have a faint scent of cat pee (but in a good way!). The finish is fairly long and buttery, and a tad bitter, but also in a good way. We would get this one again but we're not sure it's worth the price when some really fantastic Sauvignon Blancs cost less and would pair equally well with similar food (seafood, particularly shellfish).
Rating: 6.75/10

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

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.