Deep, slightly dull, red.
Vinturi - Awesome, totally sexy nose of fresh herbs, smoky oak/grilled meat with raspberry and hazelnut underneath.
Round and dense in the mouth - earth, herbs and raspberry raspberry repeating. No extraneous textural sweetness, mid-palate suffused with grainy tannin. This still has another decade or more to go. Killer action.
$50 on release?
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Sandoval, Manchuela 2003
Deep purple/red.
Opened yesterday - nose of woodsmoke, earth, hazelnut, grilled meat and black fruit.
Nicely integrated.
Deep, with good life, especially for a 2003 (presumably very hot here too). Creamy black fruit, oak spice and earth/nut flavors. Excellent mid-palate density and sweetness countered by significant acid/tannin synergy in the finish. This is still young. Very impressive
$40 on release. 80% Syrah, 9% Mourvedre, 7% Bobal, 4% Tempranillo. From Victor de la Serna - one of Spain's top wine writers.
Opened yesterday - nose of woodsmoke, earth, hazelnut, grilled meat and black fruit.
Nicely integrated.
Deep, with good life, especially for a 2003 (presumably very hot here too). Creamy black fruit, oak spice and earth/nut flavors. Excellent mid-palate density and sweetness countered by significant acid/tannin synergy in the finish. This is still young. Very impressive
$40 on release. 80% Syrah, 9% Mourvedre, 7% Bobal, 4% Tempranillo. From Victor de la Serna - one of Spain's top wine writers.
Donelan "Kobler" Syrah, Green Valley (Russian River) 2009
Vibrant red/purple.
Vinturi - perfumed floral element immediately on the nose - then deeper blackberry and savory meat appear. Quite discreet though. Green spice too with air.
Intensely citric in the mouth, with a somewhat aggressive kick to the front teeth. Maintains very nice mid-palate flesh throughout, not to mention considerable life and lift. Electric action. An attractive green element in the finish too. Hopefully I've got a few more bottles of this.
$45. 90% Syrah (70% whole cluster), 10% Viognier from a very cool region (Iron Horse makes sparklers in Green Valley). 13.8% alcohol
Vinturi - perfumed floral element immediately on the nose - then deeper blackberry and savory meat appear. Quite discreet though. Green spice too with air.
Intensely citric in the mouth, with a somewhat aggressive kick to the front teeth. Maintains very nice mid-palate flesh throughout, not to mention considerable life and lift. Electric action. An attractive green element in the finish too. Hopefully I've got a few more bottles of this.
$45. 90% Syrah (70% whole cluster), 10% Viognier from a very cool region (Iron Horse makes sparklers in Green Valley). 13.8% alcohol
Monday, January 14, 2013
Sang des Cailloux "Lopy" Vacqueyras 1999
Deep, dull red.
Opened several hours ago. Nose of grilled/wilted herbs, tomato paste, pepper and earth.
Very intense initial impact in the mouth - deep and fleshy and simultaneously intensely tannic. This is a great bottle - many years of life ahead. Nuanced and powerful.
$25 on release. 13.8% listed alcohol.
Opened several hours ago. Nose of grilled/wilted herbs, tomato paste, pepper and earth.
Very intense initial impact in the mouth - deep and fleshy and simultaneously intensely tannic. This is a great bottle - many years of life ahead. Nuanced and powerful.
$25 on release. 13.8% listed alcohol.
Grand Veneur "Clos de Sixte" Lirac 2007
Deep purple/red.
Opened several hours ago. Nose of citrus peel, cracked pepper, hazelnut and earth. Vibrant. Would guess this to be Central Coast CA Syrah in a blind tasting.
Deep and lifted in the mouth - even a bit aggressive in its initial bright citrus flavor impact. Tightly wound thanks to strong acidity. Shows deeper black fruit, tomato and iron flavors late. Acid/tannin synergy coats the front teeth - chewy.
$25. 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre
Opened several hours ago. Nose of citrus peel, cracked pepper, hazelnut and earth. Vibrant. Would guess this to be Central Coast CA Syrah in a blind tasting.
Deep and lifted in the mouth - even a bit aggressive in its initial bright citrus flavor impact. Tightly wound thanks to strong acidity. Shows deeper black fruit, tomato and iron flavors late. Acid/tannin synergy coats the front teeth - chewy.
$25. 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre
Santa Duc, Gigondas 2009
Deep red.
Opened several hours ago. Nose of tomato/ketchup, bright raspberry, garrigue, pepper, wood (oak?) spice and earth. Nice integration of seemingly incompatible components. Continues its aromatic display the longer it sits in the glass - notes of iron/blood/rust late.
Round and mouth-filling, with impressive concentration and grainy tannic structure. Shows some heat in the mid-palate. Powerful follow-through into the finish. Tannin builds incrementally. Definitely worth cellaring for 6-10 years..
$28. 15.5% listed alcohol. Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Cinsault (as spelled on the label)
Opened several hours ago. Nose of tomato/ketchup, bright raspberry, garrigue, pepper, wood (oak?) spice and earth. Nice integration of seemingly incompatible components. Continues its aromatic display the longer it sits in the glass - notes of iron/blood/rust late.
Round and mouth-filling, with impressive concentration and grainy tannic structure. Shows some heat in the mid-palate. Powerful follow-through into the finish. Tannin builds incrementally. Definitely worth cellaring for 6-10 years..
$28. 15.5% listed alcohol. Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Cinsault (as spelled on the label)
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Clerico "Ginestra" Barolo 1999
Deep red, some rim evolution.
Vinturi - sexy nose of Frangelico, cherry liqueur, dried herbs and a hint of grilled meat.
Deep, powerful and intense immediately - absolutely packed mid-palate in terms of flavor, flesh and intense acid/tannin synergy. Wildly structured, but manages to display Tanzer's "inner-mouth perfume". This is absolutely incredible wine and isn't even close to maturity. Stunning. Buy it if you can find it.
$75 on release.
Vinturi - sexy nose of Frangelico, cherry liqueur, dried herbs and a hint of grilled meat.
Deep, powerful and intense immediately - absolutely packed mid-palate in terms of flavor, flesh and intense acid/tannin synergy. Wildly structured, but manages to display Tanzer's "inner-mouth perfume". This is absolutely incredible wine and isn't even close to maturity. Stunning. Buy it if you can find it.
$75 on release.
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