Friday, December 28, 2012

Tikves "Barovo Vyd" Macedonia 2010

Saturated purple/red.

Opened yesterday - deep nose - earyh/hazelnut, dried strawberry, blueberry.

Round entry, plush initially then significant acid/tannin constriction that hones mid-palte through the finish. Excellent concentration. PFG and a reminder of how much potential we are still not aware of...


25$ 50% Vranec, 50% Kratosija (? and very cool = potential)

Talbot, St. Julien 1986

Deep red center, slight rust rim.

Mellow, great, integrated nose - menthol, grilled meat/pepper steak, black currant and other "stuff"..

Round suave and mouth-filling - at its peak. Still has excellent mid-palate flesh and flavor. Beautiful, complex wine. This certainly demonstrates why cellaring pays dividends with wines worthy of it. Just like friends or lovers ;)


$75/magnum (as this was) on release?  Courtesy of Tony Vickers  - a very generous friend.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Artadi "Pagos Viejos" Rioja 2004

Opaque, saturated red.

Extremely sexy nose of toasted hazelnut, wilted herbs and black fruit.

Round, delineated middle-weight in the mouth - really beautiful textural dimension that is both plush and packed with acid/tannin structural backbone. Killer. Loaded. Best over what? The next 20 years? Whatever. Just stupid and a reference point for people in the industry like me. Balanced and loaded in every department.


$75.    100% Tempranillo.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Westerly "Cote Blonde" Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara 2008

Deep red.

Middleweight nose of menthol, tapenade, smoke, light citrus and spice.

Round and mouth-filling, with an incremental acid edge cutting through. Very enjoyable, but lacks density/depth.


$35.   From Feast in Tucson. 87% Syrah, 13% Viognier

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Colpetrone, Sagrantino, Montefalco 2007

Deep red.

Opened yesterday - smoke, wilted herbs, ash, black cherry nose.

Intense - loaded to the front of the mouth. Flavors mirroring nose except for herb component. Significant acid/tannin synergy builds and ultimately shuts down the front teeth. Flavors flow through structural impediments though. Interesting and built for years in the cellar.


$30. 100% Sagrantino.

Henschke "Keyneton Euphonium" Barossa 2009

Purple/red.

Vinturi - moderate intensity nose shows nice depth - fig, black raspberry, earth/toasted nut and fresh herb aromas. Integrated.

Round with beautiful textural sweetness well-buffered by sneaky acidity. Sneaky length too. The kind of wine that grows on you. Really nicely done and should drink well for several more years.

$40.   61% Shiraz, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc