Saturday, January 31, 2009

Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 5.5


Used this in a pot roast. While it matched well obviously it was tooth-blackening and a real struggle to get through after the food was done. dusty....


Dry, herbal and cedary, this is tightly wound and leaves you hoping for more flesh and body. The dried currant and sage flavors lack vitality. Drink now through 2014.
WS 83 $28

monte cinco malbec 2003 8


this is the one they told us won "best malbec" or some such. we got a couple of em and i'm glad we did. Not real luxurious but classic and very solid for sure

This wine has an intense purple color and a complex aromaof mature redfruits, spices,chocolate andvanilla. An extremely long delicious finish completes this excellent example of the Malbec varietal.91 WS
A defined, balanced, artistic rendition of Malbec. Cola and hard spices mix with leather and sweet marshmallow on the bouquet, then it dishes berry pie, coffee and mocha flavors. Plenty of charcoal and chocolate create a sturdy but delectable finish. An excellent Malbec $29

Lorca Poético Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 7.5


Pretty classic cab from argentina. Not too over the top, nice depth. Still some strength

Perfect varietal typicity. Great balance of fruit and oak. Deep garnet-red color. Spicy aromas of ripe red peppers and fresh cherry. Robust structure and depth on the palate. Great complexity, smoothness and a very long finish.
$21

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Dona Paula Malbec Luján de Cuyo 2007 8

loved this. rich but not heavy. interesting but not difficult. very malbecy with some coffee flavors to it
Dark and winey, with warm currant paste, cocoa powder and Turkish coffee notes backed by solid grip on the fleshy finish. Nice hint of grilled sage adds dimension too. WS 90 $13

TREANA Mer Soleil Vineyard Central Coast 2006 5.5

syrupy and difficult to get through. Unusual, but not in a good way
There's fantastic depth and richness to the apricot, peach and almond flavors. Intense as syrup, but with a good acidity that keeps this light on its feet. The richness persists on the finish. Viognier and Marsanne 91 WS. $19.99

Saturday, December 13, 2008

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2005 Bodegas Bressia "Monteagrelo" Malbec Mendoza, Argentina $30
91 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2005 Malbec Monteagrelo was sourced from five parcels, aged in French oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep crimson-colored, it has an expressive nose of cedar, tobacco, coffee, black currant and black cherry. This leads to a smooth-textured, seamless wine with superior depth, ripe flavors, and a forward personality. Drink this outstanding value in Malbec over the next 5-7 years. Bodegas Bressia is a 20 hectare estate owned by Walter Bressia, a veteran winemaker of 30 years." (12/07)

monte cinco malbec 2003
This wine has an intense purple color and acomplex aromaof mature redfruits, spices,chocolate andvanilla. Anextremely longdelicious finishcompletes thisexcellent example of the Malbec varietal.91 WS A defined, balanced, artistic rendition of Malbec. Cola and hard spices mix with leather and sweet marshmallow on the bouquet, then it dishes berry pie, coffee and mocha flavors. Plenty of charcoal and chocolate create a sturdy but delectable finish. An excellent Malbec Food Pairing: Tapas, spicy foods, Thai and
Mexican cuisines $29

Carmelo Patti Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Light to medium bodied. Blackcurrant (cassis) fruit and raisins, almost tawny-port-like, with a fresh bright balancing acidity. Caramel and coffee hints, zingy green peppers, black olives and spicy tobacco leaf. Very herbaceous and spicy, lending a slightly woody (but not harsh) character. Tannins are very soft and round and the length impressive. $32


Lorca Poético Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 $21
Perfect varietal typicity. Great balance of fruit and oak. Deep garnet-red color. Spicy aromas of ripe red peppers and fresh cherry. Robust structure and depth on the palate. Great complexity, smoothness and a very long finish.

Azul Gran Reserva 2004 $66
Only 766 bottles were produced of this impressive Malbec. La Azul delivers a line of intense, powerful wines crafted by Flavia Monterola, one of Mendoza’s only female winemakers. The full-bodied Gran Reserva is a blend which shows an intense and brilliant purple color and aromas of black fruit jams, ripe plums, blackberries and vanilla. A complex wine with a fruit laden mouthfeel and lasting finish. Try it with duck breast with a cherry & wine reduction

Walter Bressia Profundo 2004 $49
50% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah. This wine has an intense and deep red color, with hues of purple. It carries aromas of blackberries, strawberries and an elegant presence of oak which is manifested through the smell of chocolate, tobacco, caramel and vanilla. On the palate, it is sweet and harmonic. It has a persistent taste of ripe red fruit.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Ramey Chardonnay Sonoma 2006

Nice not to oaky. some good citrus notes. clean.

WS 88 $29.99
Fresh, with ripe, vibrant tangerine, nectarine, peach and light oak shadings, this is complex and elegant, ending with a cleansing aftertaste


Sunday, June 15, 2008

Vietti Barbera d'Asti Tre Vigne 7.5



Deep cherry and jammy flavors. A juicy, earthy sucker. Feels like it would only get better

WS 90 Offers loads of blackberry, laced with vanilla bean. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins, a pretty texture and a long, caressing finish. Delivers wonderful fruit and character. Drink now.

$18.99

Allan Scott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006



WS 90 A boxer with quick hands. Lime and grapefruit vibrancy weave through stone, mineral and baby powder flavors. Intensity lingers, with clay and sweat pea nuances. Drink now.

$15.29

Peter Lehmann 2003 Clancys 7.00



Really warmed up with food. Versatile Shiraz/Cab/Merlot blend. Kinda had it all.

WS 89 Firm, muscular style has a distinctive range of flavors, offering ripe cherry, blackberry, orange peel and a hint of mint as the finish lingers against fine tannins. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2007 through 2012

$14.75

Dom. du Closel La Jalouise Savennieres 2005 6.0



Ripe, golden and medium-full bodied. Had a little tang of citrus/grapefruit.

$17.49

Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Merlot 2004 6.5



Grassy smell for a merlot. Nice, a little spicy, with a long mocha finish

WS 87 Fresh and forward, with lively black cherry, plum and tobacco flavors. Slightly firm, toasty finish.

$12.29

Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2007



We like Australian Sauvignon Blancs

WS 90 Tangy and very fragrant, with gooseberry, grass, grapefruit-lime and stone nuances. Vivid citrus acidity and graphite minerality shape an intense finish. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

$15.29

Bodegas Martin Codax Albarino 2006



Our first Albarino. Remember enjoying it but not much more

WS 88 This white shows weight and focus, with vivid flavors of green peach, grapefruit, wet stone and smoke. Very fresh and clean

$14.29

Concho y Toro Terrunyo Sauvignon Blanc 2005 8.00



A real step up for $10. Had everything I like about sauvignon blancs with more depth, flavor.