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Slight cocoa and blackberry with ripe plum with a cedary presence on the edge.
Palate--Slightly chewy tannins with understated berry flavor; warm simple bready fruit. This wine needs to warm up from my cellar and open up;
After ample breathing this wine just never comes around. At the $20 price point it is a big disappointment as there are many solid Cabs with loads of character out there at this price point. Find something else; this is just too costly for what you get.
--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog.
Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies
17 Şubat 2013 Pazar
(PB's) Value Picks from 2012
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We've enjoyed some awesome wines this past year and some not so awesome ones. Below are some of my value picks that stood out this past year. Remember to enjoy wine to the fullest, determine your palate--ie., what YOU like and then determine a price point--what you would be willing to pay for an everyday wine--then start drinking making notes so that you can determine some patterns of what you gravitate toward. Once you know what you like, every now and then, go out of your pattern and experiment! There are so many wines produced today, don't bore yourself with the same old same old. Whatever you do, follow our blog to help you with your selections; why spend money on something you know you won't like! And whatever you do, "Raise glass!"
Solid cherry hue with great cherry bouquet with sweet cocoa, some wood and steal. Awesome!
Palate--Perfectly integrated with cherry, tobacco, loads of herbs and balanced complexities that are harmonious and drinking superbly. Delicious!
This is Chianti Classico from the great 07 vintage in all its glory and is worth seeking out. For the money ($20) it is a grand deal so raise a glass!
Montegrossoli "Podere Ciona" 2008 ($14)
Black cherry hue with bouquet of sweet cherry/berry fruit atypical for a wine comprised of 100% Sangiovese. A touch of cedar and dill highlight a wine that smells more like a Cabernet.
Palate--My notes for this were non-existent but the words "Drinking well" and "Delicious" were all I wrote which means I intended to go back to my log but failed to. I have another bottle of this wine but this was an outstanding quaff. At $14 reduced from $28 it's a raise a glass kind of wine!
Columbia Crest H3 (Horse Heaven Hills) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Nice deep black purple Syrah-like hue with crazy fruit jumping out of the glass on the pour.
Bouquet of Mint jelly with chocolate touches and great spice with blackberry and currant.
Palate--Super relaxed tannins and bold flavors of tar and berries with huge heavy mouth feel. Lingering finish!
This is a ridiculous value wine worth buying a case and cellaring. $12.50 a bottle and its a lot of wine. Raise a case of this ultra-value wine!
Drops Of Jupiter 2011 ($8-11)
Intensely pigmented black cherry hue
Aromas of huge jammy blackberries with tar, and dark cocoa.
Palate-- Silky, thick presence with big blackberry, extracted style, full bodied; a BIG fruit bomb that finishes with more berries and dark chocolate.
This is a lot of wine for $8.
Jimmy Stafford of the band "Train" (Hey Soul Sister) produces this wine and gives a portion of the proceeds to a San Francisco organization called Save Me San Francisco.
Sourced, blended, California fruit,(my guess is a major portion of Syrah) this is a nice value if you're in the mood for this style of wine so raise a glass.
Citrus and powdery melon with creme brulee notes.
Palate--Robust acidic foundation with nice full flavors of fruit in an off dry style. This is a crisp, easy drinking wine of solid structure.
This is a tasty, crisp California Pinot Grigio for which I paid $5 a real steal so raise a glass!
--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies
Solid cherry hue with great cherry bouquet with sweet cocoa, some wood and steal. Awesome!Palate--Perfectly integrated with cherry, tobacco, loads of herbs and balanced complexities that are harmonious and drinking superbly. Delicious!
This is Chianti Classico from the great 07 vintage in all its glory and is worth seeking out. For the money ($20) it is a grand deal so raise a glass!
Montegrossoli "Podere Ciona" 2008 ($14)Black cherry hue with bouquet of sweet cherry/berry fruit atypical for a wine comprised of 100% Sangiovese. A touch of cedar and dill highlight a wine that smells more like a Cabernet.
Palate--My notes for this were non-existent but the words "Drinking well" and "Delicious" were all I wrote which means I intended to go back to my log but failed to. I have another bottle of this wine but this was an outstanding quaff. At $14 reduced from $28 it's a raise a glass kind of wine!
Columbia Crest H3 (Horse Heaven Hills) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Nice deep black purple Syrah-like hue with crazy fruit jumping out of the glass on the pour.
Bouquet of Mint jelly with chocolate touches and great spice with blackberry and currant.
Palate--Super relaxed tannins and bold flavors of tar and berries with huge heavy mouth feel. Lingering finish!
This is a ridiculous value wine worth buying a case and cellaring. $12.50 a bottle and its a lot of wine. Raise a case of this ultra-value wine!
Drops Of Jupiter 2011 ($8-11)
Intensely pigmented black cherry hue
Aromas of huge jammy blackberries with tar, and dark cocoa.
Palate-- Silky, thick presence with big blackberry, extracted style, full bodied; a BIG fruit bomb that finishes with more berries and dark chocolate.
This is a lot of wine for $8.
Jimmy Stafford of the band "Train" (Hey Soul Sister) produces this wine and gives a portion of the proceeds to a San Francisco organization called Save Me San Francisco.
Sourced, blended, California fruit,(my guess is a major portion of Syrah) this is a nice value if you're in the mood for this style of wine so raise a glass.
Citrus and powdery melon with creme brulee notes.
Palate--Robust acidic foundation with nice full flavors of fruit in an off dry style. This is a crisp, easy drinking wine of solid structure.
This is a tasty, crisp California Pinot Grigio for which I paid $5 a real steal so 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
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
Castelvecchio Il Breccolini Toscana 2006 Wine Review (NW)
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Tasting notes:
Rich blackberry and black cherry on the nose
Full bodied on the palate
Richly layered finish of spices, pine, berries, and licorice woven together
Summary:
There's a lot going on in this wine. It's rich and dense with great layers. Made from Sangiovese, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, it's a modern style super-Tuscan that will compliment hearty Tuscan fare and bistecca. Drink it now or let it rest for a few more years- either way it will be great. Interestingly, prices are all over the board on this one so do a little shopping to find a deal. While the "list" price is $50, it for sale as low as $18 in my area. Raise a glass!
--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies
Tasting notes:Rich blackberry and black cherry on the nose
Full bodied on the palate
Richly layered finish of spices, pine, berries, and licorice woven together
Summary:
There's a lot going on in this wine. It's rich and dense with great layers. Made from Sangiovese, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, it's a modern style super-Tuscan that will compliment hearty Tuscan fare and bistecca. Drink it now or let it rest for a few more years- either way it will be great. Interestingly, prices are all over the board on this one so do a little shopping to find a deal. While the "list" price is $50, it for sale as low as $18 in my area. 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
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
16 Şubat 2013 Cumartesi
Columbia Crest H3 Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2009 Wine Review (NW)
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Tasting notes:
Fragrant blackberry, black cherry, and vanilla on the nose
Full bodied on the palate
Black cherry, cocoa powder, and toasty oak on the finish
Summary:
This wine is quite good and well put together. While showing obvious oak, it also shows its sense of origins with dark fruit notes from the Horse Heaven Hills region of Washington state. It's nicely done and worth looking for on the shelves. The retail price is typically $15.
It should be said that while Merlot isn't the most fashionable grape lately, it should not be overlooked. The producers who consistently do well with Merlot are making very good wines. In fact, in Columbia Crest's value lineups that range across the varietals, including Two Vines, Grand Estates, and H3, the Merlots have recently been the best wines of the bunch. No kidding. Now raise a glass!
--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies
Tasting notes:Fragrant blackberry, black cherry, and vanilla on the nose
Full bodied on the palate
Black cherry, cocoa powder, and toasty oak on the finish
Summary:
This wine is quite good and well put together. While showing obvious oak, it also shows its sense of origins with dark fruit notes from the Horse Heaven Hills region of Washington state. It's nicely done and worth looking for on the shelves. The retail price is typically $15.
It should be said that while Merlot isn't the most fashionable grape lately, it should not be overlooked. The producers who consistently do well with Merlot are making very good wines. In fact, in Columbia Crest's value lineups that range across the varietals, including Two Vines, Grand Estates, and H3, the Merlots have recently been the best wines of the bunch. No kidding. Now raise a glass!
--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies
Chateau Lascombes Margaux 2001 Wine Review (NW)
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Tasting notes:
Fragrant smoky tobacco, currants, and licorice on the nose
Full bodied on the palate
Nicely woven layers of blackberry and smoky notes on the finish
Summary:
If you have this wine quietly laying in the cellar, this beauty is ready to drink! You could wait a couple more years, but you certainly don't need to in order to enjoy everything it delivers. The aromas and flavors have integrated nicely and it has shows what you expect of a solid classified growth Bordeaux. Decanting is not necessary.
As far as prices, the release price a decade ago was around $40 and specialty wine merchants might have some of this available now for around $75 or so. Not a bad deal for this bottle at 12 years old. Raise a glass!--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies
Tasting notes:Fragrant smoky tobacco, currants, and licorice on the nose
Full bodied on the palate
Nicely woven layers of blackberry and smoky notes on the finish
Summary:
If you have this wine quietly laying in the cellar, this beauty is ready to drink! You could wait a couple more years, but you certainly don't need to in order to enjoy everything it delivers. The aromas and flavors have integrated nicely and it has shows what you expect of a solid classified growth Bordeaux. Decanting is not necessary.
As far as prices, the release price a decade ago was around $40 and specialty wine merchants might have some of this available now for around $75 or so. Not a bad deal for this bottle at 12 years old. Raise a glass!--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies
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