American wines
2007 Straight Line Tempranillo
Posted on November 4, 2009 - Filed Under American wines, Reviews, Tempranillo, Wine Reviews, region, style | Leave a Comment
I really liked this wine! Mocha, dark berries, cloves…a really excellent California Tempranillo!
2007 Cuvee Sasha
Posted on November 1, 2009 - Filed Under American wines, Blend, Red wines, Reviews, Wine Reviews, region, style | Leave a Comment
You know, I did enjoy this wine, but found is a little flimsier than some of the other wines I’ve had from the same region. Some neat rose petal elements, with some nice velvety tannins and herbaceous jam. Definitely a nice blend. Will likely do better with some serious decanting and another couple years in the bottle.
Conn Valley Vineyards 2007 Prologue Cabernet Sauvignon
Posted on November 1, 2009 - Filed Under American wines, Cabernet, Red wines, Reviews, Wine Reviews, region, style | 1 Comment
Now I know that I drink a lot of cabs, and maybe I’m getting a little sick of them, but that doesn’t mean I want a weak-ass cab! I found this cab to be acidic, pasty, and generally unappealing. While there was some decent berry and some nice green pepper, I’ve been used to getting much better quality for my $20 investment.
For the money, I recommend the Fitch Cabernet at Westwood Liquors in Westlake.
So there.
B Wise 2005 Trios Proprietary Red
Posted on October 31, 2009 - Filed Under American wines, Blend, Red wines, Reviews, Wine Reviews, region, style | Leave a Comment
This wine is a wonderful blend from B Wise Vineyards, with fantastic candied plum and dark berry flavors, with an underlying core of anise and clove. It’s slightly perfumey, and should definitely be decanted at least two hours prior to drinking. Additional cellaring should only enhance the balance.
Recommended!
JRE 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet
Posted on October 18, 2009 - Filed Under American wines, Cabernet, Red wines, Reviews, Wine Reviews, region, style | Leave a Comment
This Bears game sucked.
Just like this wine.
There are some decent hints of black pepper and fruit, but the whole thing doesn’t fit very well. Flabby, wet, and generally asseous.
2005 Windhurst Reserve Merlot
Posted on September 19, 2009 - Filed Under American wines, Merlot, Red wines, Reviews, Wine Reviews, region, style | Leave a Comment
This puppy is $19.99 @ Westwood Liquors and worth every penny! It’s mellow, confident, with nice flavors of cocoa, blueberry and medium tannins.
If this wine were a guy at a party, he would just sit in the corner wearing sunglasses, and not saying anything, but then at the end of the night he would take your girlfriend home.
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 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.”
