Deep red.
Vinturi - integrated, deep nose of (slightly candied) black raspberry/cherry, earth/hazelnut liqueur.
Nice textural sweetness that is countered by fine acid/tannin synergy. Intensely flavored, but never heavy. Flows very nicely, and has surprising length. I'm not sure what this should really sell for, but this may be the stupidest value in refined wine I've ever seen. RFG.
$12. Satisfying action even for serious winos.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Gardies "Les Milleres" Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2006
Purple/red.
Vinturi - aromas of shoe polish, saucy black raspberry, earth, citrus and herbs.
Round, plush entry. Fairly strong acidity and moderate tannin gradually assert themselves. Nothing remotely brutal, though, as this retains a textural sweetness throughout. Very satisfying, soulful stuff and another wine that will benefit from 2-4 more years in the bottle.
$24 from Doug at Feast. This must be mostly Grenache.
Vinturi - aromas of shoe polish, saucy black raspberry, earth, citrus and herbs.
Round, plush entry. Fairly strong acidity and moderate tannin gradually assert themselves. Nothing remotely brutal, though, as this retains a textural sweetness throughout. Very satisfying, soulful stuff and another wine that will benefit from 2-4 more years in the bottle.
$24 from Doug at Feast. This must be mostly Grenache.
Algueira, Ribeira Sacra 2006
Very deep red.
Vinturi - black cherry, earth/nut, savory meat sauce nose.
Intense entry - strawberry and earth flavors have good depth/plushness. Strong acidity really forces the salivary glands into action. Lean from the mid-palate on. Herbs on the finish. Worth cellaring for a few more years. Good winery - I think this is the third vintage I've tasted and all have been very good or better.
$25. 100% Mencia.
Vinturi - black cherry, earth/nut, savory meat sauce nose.
Intense entry - strawberry and earth flavors have good depth/plushness. Strong acidity really forces the salivary glands into action. Lean from the mid-palate on. Herbs on the finish. Worth cellaring for a few more years. Good winery - I think this is the third vintage I've tasted and all have been very good or better.
$25. 100% Mencia.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Anselmet, Petit Rouge, Vallee d'Aoste 2008
Pale, vibrant red.
Vinturi - discreet aromas of pepper, earth/lentil and red cherry/raspberry. Subtle, very attractive cinnamon note shows late as does a floral element. PFG.
Light-bodied with pepper and spice entry. Flavors increase in intensity through the finish, where all aromatic notes repeat in the mouth. Strong acidity cuts across the mouth. This smells, tastes/feels almost like a white (yes, another GV comparison). Leather shows up late. Interesting stuff.
$25? Gift from Laura Williamson. Petit Rouge is apparently a variety native to this area in NW Italy.
Vinturi - discreet aromas of pepper, earth/lentil and red cherry/raspberry. Subtle, very attractive cinnamon note shows late as does a floral element. PFG.
Light-bodied with pepper and spice entry. Flavors increase in intensity through the finish, where all aromatic notes repeat in the mouth. Strong acidity cuts across the mouth. This smells, tastes/feels almost like a white (yes, another GV comparison). Leather shows up late. Interesting stuff.
$25? Gift from Laura Williamson. Petit Rouge is apparently a variety native to this area in NW Italy.
Terenzuola "Montesagna" Vermentino, Colli di Luni 2008
Straw/light yellow.
Aromas of ripe pear, apple, nut.
Fairly intense pepper character right off the bat, similar to Gruner Veltliner. Has fully ripened pear and citrus flesh flavors too. Nice juxtaposition - sweet/spicy - with mineral chew coating all the teeth. Fun, interesting, refreshing stuff. Very easy to guzzle.
$20 from Doug at Feast. Synthetic cork = drink now.
Aromas of ripe pear, apple, nut.
Fairly intense pepper character right off the bat, similar to Gruner Veltliner. Has fully ripened pear and citrus flesh flavors too. Nice juxtaposition - sweet/spicy - with mineral chew coating all the teeth. Fun, interesting, refreshing stuff. Very easy to guzzle.
$20 from Doug at Feast. Synthetic cork = drink now.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Domaine de Pallus "Pensees de Pallus" Chinon 2007
Deep red.
Vinturi - red pepper, toasted nut, rose, red cherry and earth nose.
Round, gentle (initially) middle-weight. Lacks the depth of the 2006, but purists may well like this version better. Again, very intelligent use of oak here. Lively, with fairly strong acidity driving tannin into the finish. Simple roast chicken would be a good bet here. Drink over the next 4-6 years.
$25 from Doug at Feast. The Wine Loft in Flagstaff had the 2006 back in February. 100% Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley of France.
Vinturi - red pepper, toasted nut, rose, red cherry and earth nose.
Round, gentle (initially) middle-weight. Lacks the depth of the 2006, but purists may well like this version better. Again, very intelligent use of oak here. Lively, with fairly strong acidity driving tannin into the finish. Simple roast chicken would be a good bet here. Drink over the next 4-6 years.
$25 from Doug at Feast. The Wine Loft in Flagstaff had the 2006 back in February. 100% Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley of France.
La Playa "Loud River, Roaring Red" Colchagua Valley (Chile) 2005
Purple/red.
Vinturi - toast/tar/hazelnut, deep black fruit and herb nose. Nicely integrated. Hints of leather and game, too.
Round, plush and mouth-filling. Very good concentration with moderate acid/tannin synergy adding firmness in the finish. This is remarkably good and interesting at this ridiculous price. And it has bottle age.
$11 from Doug at Feast. Tin-lined screwcap. 50% Petit Verdot, 40% Carmenere, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Vinturi - toast/tar/hazelnut, deep black fruit and herb nose. Nicely integrated. Hints of leather and game, too.
Round, plush and mouth-filling. Very good concentration with moderate acid/tannin synergy adding firmness in the finish. This is remarkably good and interesting at this ridiculous price. And it has bottle age.
$11 from Doug at Feast. Tin-lined screwcap. 50% Petit Verdot, 40% Carmenere, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Inama "Piu" Carmenere, Veneto Rosso 2006
Very deep red.
Despite the name, the nose is extremely attractive - herbs, toast, red and black fruits, earth and a floral quality. Refined, understated, beautiful. No vinturi - initially opened/sampled 2-3 hours ago.
Round and plush, outstanding mid-palate flesh. This is RFG for the $$$. Acid/tannin synergy builds without derailing flavor flow. Nothing huge here - measured, intense, structured. Could drink a ton of this over the next 6-8 years.
$24 from Doug Levy at Feast (Tucson). 75% Carmenere, 20% Merlot, 5% Raboso Veronese.
Despite the name, the nose is extremely attractive - herbs, toast, red and black fruits, earth and a floral quality. Refined, understated, beautiful. No vinturi - initially opened/sampled 2-3 hours ago.
Round and plush, outstanding mid-palate flesh. This is RFG for the $$$. Acid/tannin synergy builds without derailing flavor flow. Nothing huge here - measured, intense, structured. Could drink a ton of this over the next 6-8 years.
$24 from Doug Levy at Feast (Tucson). 75% Carmenere, 20% Merlot, 5% Raboso Veronese.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Curran, Grenache Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley 2007
Platinum/straw.
Aromas of ripe apple, jellied white fruit.
Nice fruit sweetness immediately tempered by strong mineral/acid spine. Pure, ripe, taut. Not showing much complexity, but this is all too easy to drain. Great at the table, too.
$30. From Kris Curran (Sea Smoke).
Aromas of ripe apple, jellied white fruit.
Nice fruit sweetness immediately tempered by strong mineral/acid spine. Pure, ripe, taut. Not showing much complexity, but this is all too easy to drain. Great at the table, too.
$30. From Kris Curran (Sea Smoke).
Yarra Yering, Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley 2004
Light, dull red. Evolved rim.
Understated nose - spicy red fruit, underbrush/earth.
Round, mouth-filling, weightless. Nice, covert, acid/VA edge provides form/shape. Entirely satisfying spicy red fruit and woodsy/earth flavors start to finish. Long. Very easily overlooked in a blind tasting, just like the last YY wine I tasted (#2, 2003).
A model of subtlety, but not (yet?) showing the complexity I expected.
$80. 13.5% alcohol
Understated nose - spicy red fruit, underbrush/earth.
Round, mouth-filling, weightless. Nice, covert, acid/VA edge provides form/shape. Entirely satisfying spicy red fruit and woodsy/earth flavors start to finish. Long. Very easily overlooked in a blind tasting, just like the last YY wine I tasted (#2, 2003).
A model of subtlety, but not (yet?) showing the complexity I expected.
$80. 13.5% alcohol
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Vatican "Sixtine" Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2001
Deep red.
Vinturi - nose of earth, oak spice, hazelnut, fig and herb. Maybe a hint of black raspberry. Not yet giving it up.
Much deeper with another hour of air. Black fruit liqueur now, too.
Round, dense entry. Flavors of roasted herb and earth are a bit dull. Slightly edgy tannin hits the front teeth hard. Slowly coming out of its shell as it sits.
An hour later this now shows less (initial) tannic bite and a very deep, plush mid-palate. Flavors brighter now. This will be around for a very long time. FK in a structured way.
$45
Vinturi - nose of earth, oak spice, hazelnut, fig and herb. Maybe a hint of black raspberry. Not yet giving it up.
Much deeper with another hour of air. Black fruit liqueur now, too.
Round, dense entry. Flavors of roasted herb and earth are a bit dull. Slightly edgy tannin hits the front teeth hard. Slowly coming out of its shell as it sits.
An hour later this now shows less (initial) tannic bite and a very deep, plush mid-palate. Flavors brighter now. This will be around for a very long time. FK in a structured way.
$45
Friday, April 9, 2010
Tenute di Serramarrocco "Grillo del Barone" Sicilia 2006
Bright yellow.
Nose of lemon sauce, dried apricot, cumin(?), spearmint and a woodsy/earthy quality.
Much leaner than expected in the mouth, with lemon and mineral flavors dominating. Acid/mineral chew coats the front teeth. Subtle Riesling-esque petrol note. In fact, this feels and tastes like dry, aged Riesling. No fat - taut, driving. Tanzer's "acid thrust". Lemon and sulfide finish. This just gets more interesting as it warms. Long. RFG.
$35? Gift from Sariya JB. Grillo is a Sicilian white. Never heard of it.
Nose of lemon sauce, dried apricot, cumin(?), spearmint and a woodsy/earthy quality.
Much leaner than expected in the mouth, with lemon and mineral flavors dominating. Acid/mineral chew coats the front teeth. Subtle Riesling-esque petrol note. In fact, this feels and tastes like dry, aged Riesling. No fat - taut, driving. Tanzer's "acid thrust". Lemon and sulfide finish. This just gets more interesting as it warms. Long. RFG.
$35? Gift from Sariya JB. Grillo is a Sicilian white. Never heard of it.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Fontodi, Chianti Classico 2006
Deep red.
Vinturi - savory toasted hazelnut, earth, crancherry and spice nose. Nice depth and lift. PFG.
Intensely flavored, partly a result of strongish acidity brightening everything from the get go. Mid-palate shows good stuffing, then acidity really puts the mouth into lock down. But cherry flavors re-emerge late. Needs cellar time, maybe quite a bit (5-8+ years?).
$28
Vinturi - savory toasted hazelnut, earth, crancherry and spice nose. Nice depth and lift. PFG.
Intensely flavored, partly a result of strongish acidity brightening everything from the get go. Mid-palate shows good stuffing, then acidity really puts the mouth into lock down. But cherry flavors re-emerge late. Needs cellar time, maybe quite a bit (5-8+ years?).
$28
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
De Conciliis "Donnaluna" Aglianico, Paestum IGT 2008
Purple/red.
Vinturi - deep earth/nut/oak toast and black fruit aromas.
Nice breadth in the mouth, even has some textural sweetness. Deep, ripe fruit and earth mid-palate flavors precede significant acid/tannin synergy that whacks the side teeth. Still, nothing brutal here. Nice length. Obviously could use 2-3 more years in the bottle.
$23. Good stuff.
Vinturi - deep earth/nut/oak toast and black fruit aromas.
Nice breadth in the mouth, even has some textural sweetness. Deep, ripe fruit and earth mid-palate flavors precede significant acid/tannin synergy that whacks the side teeth. Still, nothing brutal here. Nice length. Obviously could use 2-3 more years in the bottle.
$23. Good stuff.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Pelissero "Nubiola" Barbaresco 2006
Red.
Vinturi - nose of Frangelico, earth, cherry liqueur. Getting better and better as it airs. Even getting a white pepper note. Subtle, elusive and very sexy stuff.
Round and plush (particularly for Nebbiolo). Initially at least, then acid-driven tannin take over the front teeth, gums and lips. But not brutal. Flavors of strawberry and savory hazelnut. Could use some years in the cellar, or old-school slow roasted meat and potatoes.
Day 6 - Ah - tar and roses. And strawberries. RFG. Still.
$35.
Vinturi - nose of Frangelico, earth, cherry liqueur. Getting better and better as it airs. Even getting a white pepper note. Subtle, elusive and very sexy stuff.
Round and plush (particularly for Nebbiolo). Initially at least, then acid-driven tannin take over the front teeth, gums and lips. But not brutal. Flavors of strawberry and savory hazelnut. Could use some years in the cellar, or old-school slow roasted meat and potatoes.
Day 6 - Ah - tar and roses. And strawberries. RFG. Still.
$35.
Panther Creek, Shea Vyd., Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2006
Red.
Nose of oak spice/toast, black cherry coulis, pepper, savory earth/nut/meat. Even has some floral lift. Pretty oaky at the start, but rapidly becomes integrated and complex. PFG.
Round and dense, with nice mid-palate flesh. Acid/tannin/sulfide chew asserts itself in the finish, coating the front teeth. Definitely one for the cellar. I wouldn't touch a bottle of this for 3-4 years.
Interesting - after using the Vinturi, this is far more open and generous in the finish (as might be expected). Much greater initial volume as well. So decant or Vinturi if you'll be drinking this soon.
$45? Gift.
Nose of oak spice/toast, black cherry coulis, pepper, savory earth/nut/meat. Even has some floral lift. Pretty oaky at the start, but rapidly becomes integrated and complex. PFG.
Round and dense, with nice mid-palate flesh. Acid/tannin/sulfide chew asserts itself in the finish, coating the front teeth. Definitely one for the cellar. I wouldn't touch a bottle of this for 3-4 years.
Interesting - after using the Vinturi, this is far more open and generous in the finish (as might be expected). Much greater initial volume as well. So decant or Vinturi if you'll be drinking this soon.
$45? Gift.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Domaine du Mas Blanc "Cosprons Levants" Collioure 2007
Purple.
Vinturi - typical salt water taffy, with deep black fruit (liqueur), pepper and earth aromas. Not particularly precise, but way deeper than any Mas Blanc I can remember.
Round, plush and deep in the mouth as well, with a note of fragrant, sawn wood added to flavors that follow the nose. Grainy acid/tannin synergy hits the front teeth fairly hard, impeding flavor flow a bit. Interestingly, there is a cinnamon character here as well... Idiosyncratic wine, as usual. Needs 3-5 more years, at least.
$25. Syrah, Mourvedre primarily.
Vinturi - typical salt water taffy, with deep black fruit (liqueur), pepper and earth aromas. Not particularly precise, but way deeper than any Mas Blanc I can remember.
Round, plush and deep in the mouth as well, with a note of fragrant, sawn wood added to flavors that follow the nose. Grainy acid/tannin synergy hits the front teeth fairly hard, impeding flavor flow a bit. Interestingly, there is a cinnamon character here as well... Idiosyncratic wine, as usual. Needs 3-5 more years, at least.
$25. Syrah, Mourvedre primarily.
Marcassin "Three Sisters" Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2005
Light, dull red.
Sexy nose of red licorice, red cherry, savory meat/nut and herbs. Difficult to resist.
Round and mouth-filling, completely coats the mouth with red cherry and potent "red hot"/cinnamon stick flavors but with no sense of weight. Acid/cinnamon tannin edge keeps this in line, but is unobtrusive. Very refined for something so sensual - really beautiful stuff. Red hot/cinnamon flavor stuck in the mouth.
$75.
Sexy nose of red licorice, red cherry, savory meat/nut and herbs. Difficult to resist.
Round and mouth-filling, completely coats the mouth with red cherry and potent "red hot"/cinnamon stick flavors but with no sense of weight. Acid/cinnamon tannin edge keeps this in line, but is unobtrusive. Very refined for something so sensual - really beautiful stuff. Red hot/cinnamon flavor stuck in the mouth.
$75.
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