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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
Ripe, golden and medium-full bodied. Had a little tang of citrus/grapefruit.
$17.49
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
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
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
A real step up for $10. Had everything I like about sauvignon blancs with more depth, flavor.
Seemed like it needed more time. Still a little raw but classic barolo. A little less perfumed than the 2000
WS 92 Bright and plummy with strawberry and cherry character and hints of toasted oak and spices. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a ripe, rich aftertaste. This has stuffing. Better than 2000
App. $45
Remember this one is being a basic, slightly sweet red.
WS 82 Simple, fruity red, with clean cherry and berry character. Drink now
App $15
Smooth and complex. Part of a tasting with the 2001 this one felt a year older and was the better for it
WS 90 A silky and refined red with plum, strawberry and light cedar character. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a crisp, silky finish. Lovely red.
App. $35
Powerful for a pinot. Plum and vanilla smells and a complex, deep finish.
WS 93 Suave and ripe, with plush depth to Asian spice, roasted duck, wild berry and black cherry flavors. Crushed stone nuances, judicious oak and sinuous tannins streamline the stylish finish.
$32.99
Berry flavors. Don't recall much about it but bought before our trip to venice. not memorable
87 WS Fresh, almost sweet blackberry and vanilla on the nose, following through to a medium-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a cut-wood character. Balanced finish. Corvina, Rondinella and Sangiovese.
88 RP intense herb-infused, black cherry fruit interwoven with notes of white chocolate, mocha, and almonds. Spicy, rich, medium to full-bodied, and dense with no hard edges.
$21.99
RP 90 winemaker's notes:
"The 2004 Mas Donis Barrica is 85% Garnacha from 80+-year-old vines and 15% Syrah aged for 8 months in French and American oak. Opaque purple, it has a wonderfully expressive nose of spice box, pencil lead, pepper, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. On the palate the wine is full-bodied with layers of ripe, spicy black fruits, nicely concealed tannins, and a long, pure finish. It is an outstanding value for drinking now and over the next 4-6 years
$10.29
WS 88 Very pure and fresh, with purple and blue fruits leading the way, followed by notes of tar, violet and mineral. Open-knit, but has some grip. Delicious.
$12.49
This was great. Big but not heavy, easy drinking. Nice berry flavors
WS 90 Bright, lively, harmonious and generous. A sleek mouthful of blueberry, currant and plum flavors, neatly packaged with hints of cream and spice as the finish sails on.
$10.79
Remember this being dry and dusty. Opened up later and with food but no fun on its own.
WS 89 Lots of meat, berry and plum character on the nose and palate. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, rich finish. Decadent style that I like. Serious quality for the vintage. No Castello in 2002, so this was upgraded.
$14.99
Great easy livin' french red. on the reorder list
WS 87 -Really fresh, with lots of juicy blackberry, bramble and hot stone notes that linger on the medium-weight finish.
$7.99
