11/28/2008 - TLHWG wrote: 87 points

Strawberry on the nose but not overly sweet. Chalk on finish without bitterness.

Surprised with this sparkler for $10. Would buy again.

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2/16/2009 - TLHWG wrote: 88 points

Last time (see previous note) I thought this was a great QPR--complexity starting with tart pink grapefruit and finishing with dry minerality. This time I liked it again. A solid QPR. Would recommend to fans of simple sparklers that are terroir driven. Paired with a strawberry salad starter and chocholate strawberry dessert.

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1/5/2013 - TLHWG wrote: 92 points

Red/Black fruit on the nose, tannic but balanced, long finish. Very dry, not sweet at all. Would rec.

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2/21/2008 - TLHWG wrote: 87 points

Nose: black cherry and cedar box/5 spice.

Taste: surprised that this wine is a medium to full bodied red; and sort of surprised at what tastes like a high amount of alcohol--its bigger than I was expecting. Well balanced and well-integrated tannins with nice black cherry and 5 spice notes.

Overall: enjoyable and might recommend at the price, but wouldn't buy again.

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6/8/2009 - TLHWG wrote: NR

just popped 5 minutes ago....
Nose: prune & nut/cinnamon, moist, expansive.
Taste: prune/black cherry, black tea on the finish. bigger than expected--i'm sure it will be better integrated soon.

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12/8/2009 - TLHWG wrote: 91 points

1 hour after opening:
Nose: candied black cherry.
Taste: Black fruit upon opening, then red fruit (crushed strawberries), bitter black currant on a long, dry finish; very good balance of tannin and fruit.
Overall: one of the best Argentine reds I've tasted. Wish I would've bought more. Probably would pair ideally with pepper crusted steak.

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2/23/2008 - TLHWG wrote: 91 points

Nose: sweet crushed black fruit with earth and five spice notes. Complex nose.

Taste: full bodied Italian red, new-worldy sweet black fruit on the front palate, sweet floral notes. Complex wine. Strong tannins that are well-integrated. Very long finish. Unbelievable QPR at $13. Strongly recommend especially for Primitivo virgins and those who enjoy old and new world hybrids.

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4/28/2009 - TLHWG wrote: 88 points

Drank this a few weeks ago, but wanted to note that I really enjoyed it for the price. Medium bodied, balanced and dry. Would buy again. Sorry for the lack of detail.

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5/14/2009 - TLHWG wrote: 87 points

On day 2 (w wine pump) this wine fully opened up.

Nose: round, stewed prunes, sugar coated black cherries.

Flavor: black cherry. At its peak very subtle elements of anise & smoke.

Taste: medium to long finish, with integrated tannins finish out the fruit up front.

Good QPR (Jorge Ordonez does it again) , would recommend but personally wouldn't buy again b/c it resembles many other $15 Spanish Monastrell-Garnacha reds.

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7/23/2012 - TLHWG wrote: 87 points

Great wine for the price ($8-9). Well-made, balanced (fruit & tannin). Drinking very well now. Would drink again & rec (at the price)

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12/20/2007 - TLHWG wrote: 86 points

Best of the (3, probably) Vinho Verdes that I've tasted. Perfect for quaffing on a hot day in Florida. Will probably invest in a case next summer.

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12/18/2007 - TLHWG wrote: 91 points

I tasted this while on vacation far from my computer. Overall: better than expected--which is saying a lot b/c there was a lot of hype surrounding this wine. The best Sauvingnon Blanc that I've tried (I've probably tried around 10).

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4/11/2009 - TLHWG wrote: 87 points

honey fruit, balanced but just too sweet for my tastes. I should have tried with spicy food.

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8/20/2008 - TLHWG wrote: 87 points

Notes from day 2 with a wine pump.

Color: transparent ruby red; pomegranate edge.

Nose: good balance of tart red fruit, esp. strawberry & cranberry, orange peel, mild oak & walnut.

Flavor & Taste: same flavors on the nose. Light bodied red; strong enough but mild tannins. Paired this with cajun red beans, rice and sausage and it couldn't stand up to the food.

Overall: this wine evolved while in the glass nicely but quickly. Still a decent QPR if you're looking for an inexpensive light bodied Southern Rhone red.

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6/18/2009 - TLHWG wrote: 88 points

Nose: gooseberry, ripe cantaloupe and flowers.
Taste: same flavor profile as the nose. Medium mouth-feel. Balanced.

Very good PG.

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8/15/2009 - TLHWG wrote: 86 points

day 1: moist prunes & some caramel/vanilla on the nose. nice nose
balanced and decent length of finish. but lighter bodied than I expected from an old vines mataro (mouvedra/monastrell).
not bad purchase on sale for $20, but wouldn't buy again even at $20.

update for day 2+ if significant change.

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10/27/2011 - TLHWG wrote: 89 points

Fantastic QPR. Vibrant red/black fruit, great acidity & a little earth & flowers. Fantastic with food.

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7/19/2009 - TLHWG wrote: 86 points

medium-light bodied, firm tannins, balanced. good fruit. good food wine.

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1/18/2008 - TLHWG wrote: 91 points

I (and my wife) really enjoyed this wine more than any other that I've had in quite a while, if only for the sheer change of pace that it provided--change of pace from, e.g., the typical over-done/extracted American and Aussie reds.

This is a light to medium bodied red and so has a beautiful light ruby with brick red on the contours and is transparent.

Nose: dried cranberry, red currant, pomegranate, and some notes of cedar. Beautiful nose.

Taste: the flavors closely resemble the nose with hints of delicious tar and tobacco. Typical of Italian wines, this wine has more acid than a CA, French or Aussie red. B/c of the acid I drank it with an artisinal pizza--it was a great pair.

Overall: this is a distinct wine; would recommend. I'm buying more.

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7/15/2009 - TLHWG wrote: 89 points

Great expression of terroir on the nose, viscous body, balanced. Very good Chard.

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7/27/2008 - TLHWG wrote: 90 points

Notes from day 2 using wine pump:

Color: opaque purple, transparent on the rim. Not the typical dark appearance from, e.g., 100% cab.

Nose: full, black fruit with spice from the oak on the bouquet. Nice nose.

Tastes & Flavors: Up front something between raspberry and black cherry. Hints of anise on the back palate. Medium to long finish with fairly big tannins. The aftertaste resembles clear black cherry and a bitterness resembling the aftertaste of a pomegranate. Medium dryness.

Overall: a good wine for the $.

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11/9/2009 - TLHWG wrote: 80 points

Tried this one over the course of two days. Everything was good (e.g., nose, flavor profile, etc.) except that it was unbalanced showing an off-putting amount of alcohol on the finish.

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6/27/2008 - TLHWG wrote: 88 points

Nose: earth, red/dark berry, small amount of vanilla and wood (oak)

Taste: similar flavors as found on the nose. Slightly more fruit and oak than in the typical Bordeaux, but I enjoyed them. Well balanced. The only improvement here would be a larger mouth feel--the wine was a little thin and as a result just had a medium finish...but I can't expect anything more for a $20 Bordeaux. I'd say its a good QPR. Enjoyed it with a grilled ribeye steak one evening and it stood up decently.

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3/10/2010 - TLHWG wrote: 91 points

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