Archive for September, 2009
2007 Tapiz Cabernet Sauvignon
Posted on September 15, 2009 - Filed Under Cabernet, Red wines, Reviews, South American wines, Uncategorized, Wine Reviews, region, style | Leave a Comment
All in all, this is a light, compact wine. WS gave it 90 pts, I believe, which, in my humble opinion was a little generous.
Some nice flavors of spice box, cedar, and violet, but I think this is a wine that needs some time to ripen.
At $15 you can afford to pick up a few bottles and let them age a bit…but don’t expect fireworks right away.
2007 Velvet Devil Merlot (http://www.kvintners.com/wines.php)
Posted on September 14, 2009 - Filed Under American wines, Merlot, Red wines, Reviews, Wine Reviews, region, style | Leave a Comment
At Mulberry for restaurant week, finishing up with a nice bottle of Washington Merlot. Very strong flavors of chocolate-covered bacon, believe it or not…
That said, the green tannins make it a little too bitter for my taste. Very similar to drinking baking chocolate without any of the fruit forward flavors to redeem it. Definitely a head’s wine, and a very complex flavor for the price.
Later: The wine really opens up with hints of plum, blackberry and vanilla…definitely something you want to let breathe for an hour or so…
Price: $10 (retail), $25 (at Mulberry)
Amavi Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Posted on September 13, 2009 - Filed Under American wines, Cabernet, Reviews, Wine Reviews, region, style | Leave a Comment
Man, I’ve been posting old reviews all day! I had such terrible taste; things have really changed.
For starters, I’m a cab man, now, but actually starting to move beyong it. I like my wines big for now, but without much fruit. I get off to words like blueberry, resin, pencil lead, cassis, tobacco, etc.
Each Sunday, I try to have a “special wine”, and tonight’s was a $27 wine from Central Market sporting a Wine Spectator score of 94.
Its an elegant, balanced wine. Nice flavors of soil, bakers chocolate, cassis, and pencil lead, with hints of cedar and spice box on the nose. Over time, notes of vanilla extract and licorice emerge…
I’d actually like to see a little more fruit, but its certainly an outstanding cab, if a little solemn.
2002 Yalumba Shiraz
Posted on September 13, 2009 - Filed Under Australian wines, Red wines, Reviews, Syrah, Wine Reviews, region, style | Leave a Comment
This is my 2nd Shiraz, so its time to start making generalizations. Definite plum & blackberry there, with a hint of Spanish clay. The thing about reds is that they’re all pretty good, but I have a hard time distinguishing between them. Its hard to imagine a red that’s gonna blow my mind. Time will tell, I suppose…
1999 Wente Zinfandel
Posted on September 13, 2009 - Filed Under Red wines, Reviews, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel, style | Leave a Comment
You can get some good deals with zins if you know what to look for. Wente makes an awesome Chardonnay, so I decided to try the red. Nice, jammy, not too heavy or hot. For eleven dollars, this is a steal, if you know how to tame it. Keep an eye out for these guys!
2002 Wente Riva Ranch Reserve Chardonnay
Posted on September 13, 2009 - Filed Under Chardonnay, Reviews, White wines, Wine Reviews, style | Leave a Comment
I became single this weekend, my friends. It wasn’t easy, but she was just too clingy. No time for wine reviews. So, I hope you appreciate the sacrifice, dear readers, because I probably won’t be having sex for a while. To the wine…
I went with a great Chardonnay. Very toasty, with hints of oak & hazelnut. It lingers in the back pallette, with a dabble of apple. Good times….I’d prefer to be having sex, of course, but I’ll settle for an exceptional wine.
2001 Weinert Carrascal
Posted on September 13, 2009 - Filed Under Blend, Red wines, Reviews, South American wines, Wine Reviews, region, style | Leave a Comment
You know, sometimes I think wine flavor descriptions are totally arbitrary. On my wine tour last weekend, they were using phrases like “honeyed vanilla tobacco” and “chocolate-covered cherry.” Ugh. If you find a red wine, that actually tastes like vanilla tobacco, buy me a bottle.
Now, I bring this up because this wine actually mentions and tastes like chocolate. Yum! Its a dark, mysterious, and sensual wine; jazz in an alley. Sort of bitter, but it grows on you. Vino de Nosferatu….
2000 Valley of the Moon Zinfandel
Posted on September 13, 2009 - Filed Under Red wines, Reviews, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel, style | Leave a Comment
I discovered zinfandel last night…not to be confused with white zinfandel, its faggier variety. Tonight we welcome back our old friends at Valley of the Moon. I taste good chocolate, plum, and blackberry. Its dark, but lacking the beefiness. No real issues with this wine.
Brandy, making her triumpant return, says, “Like a raspberry-filled chocolate truffle in the gold wrapper.”
2002 Valley of the Moon Chardonnay
Posted on September 13, 2009 - Filed Under American wines, Chardonnay, Reviews, White wines, Wine Reviews, style | Leave a Comment
Ah, thank God. Now this is a Chardonnay I can dip my balls in! Buttery taste that lasts without being overpowering or too biting. Not very fruity, but if you dig caramel, vanilla, or butter in your chardonnay, this is a good bet. If you’re trying to show some chick why Chardonnay is superior to Pinot Grigot or some other such fluff, cart this baby out of the cellar. Valley of the moon, indeed!
2002 Toasted Head Chardonnay
Posted on September 13, 2009 - Filed Under American wines, Chardonnay, Reviews, White wines, Wine Reviews, region, style | Leave a Comment
This tastes a lot like the Founder’s Estate bottle. Maybe not as full, but I like it. I am tempted to say it gets better as it breathes. Buttery, caramel undertones. Long-lasting finish. I would buy this wine again.
Brandy says, “I’m going to Norm’s to do my taxes.”
