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Wine Type
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Vintage
Name
Variety
Locale
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Date
Posted
Score
Helpful
Comments
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Rosé - Sparkling
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NV Moët & Chandon Champagne Brut Imperial Rosé
Champagne Blend more
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Not a huge champagne fan. This was 2nd bottle opened at a friend's 50th B-day party. Straight forward Brut Rose w/ light lively fruit, dry.
THEN . . . about 40 min after opening and a little air time, the bubbles began to diminish and a strawberry prsence with hints of peach began to exert themselves on the buds. REally became one of the more enjoyable Rose wines I've recently had. Went along well with most of the appetizers we were enjoying.
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Red
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2007 Marietta Cellars Petite Sirah Alexander Valley
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Tasted this at a favorite store today.
Relatively viscous, reddish purple color with a thick jammy nose of dark fruits and strawberry.
[That's one reason I like the Petit Syrah grape so much . . . makes a very jammy, mouthful wine. :-) ]
Flavors of very light black pepperwith a trace of mint, some ginger and herb de provence.
Very dominant fruits with strawberry, blackberry, hints of blueberry, and figs.
[I always taste figs with Petit Syrah.] Great mouth coating, long satisfying finish.
Enough complexity to make a great food wine, enough fruit seductiveness for simple quaffing.
Didn't need much time to open up, very approacheable now . . . suspect it could still cellar 2-3 years, although I won't be waiting that long.
Excellent QPR at $17. A solid 91-92!!
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Red
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2009 Orin Swift Machete
California
Red Blend more
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Fruity nose with lots of blackberry and faint hints of underbrush, herbs, and spiciness.
A deep garnet color with strong blue hints. Good viscosity present.
Dominant PS with loads red fruits, cranberry, currants, strawberry, good background flavors that also include blue and blackberries.
Very nicely balanced character with the zin spiciness that this maker is known for. An excellent and very enjoyable wine.
Would pick up a few bottles to lay down . . . should this wine pick up more layers of complexity & sophitication, its score would easily soar to 94-95!!
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Red
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2004 Calabretta Etna Rosso
Etna DOC
Nerello Mascalese more
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Interesting floral/fruity notes with strong minerality on the nose.
The kaleidascopic profile is an interesting one wiht a fruitful old world expression, nice terrroir expression, and minerality.
It is very c/w Sicilian wines I've had . . . but my experience in that category is very limited.
I can say this for sure . . . I LIKED IT. Will definatrey keep my eye out for more of this varietal and wines from this region.
Good with many food dishes, but I do not think it will stand up to the heaviest of dishes/casseroles, etc . . .
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Red
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2011 Herman Story Syrah Nuts & Bolts
California
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A solid 94!
Just got back from a friend's house where I had the third bottle that I've experiennced from this vinntage in the past 2 months.
A wonderful wine.
Can't say a lot more than Dagalaifus mentions below. I think he hit it well.
Although it's a Centtral Coast Syrah and you'd expect more of a Southern Rhone or Australian Style wine, this one really delivers more like a very good quality Northern Rhone.
In the words of my friend who joined me on this wine, ". . . how much is it? Heck, it's well worth the money!"
Now I am hearing some really great things about the upcoming 2012 vintage from all over California. Very curious how it will compare . . . but in the meantime, I am picking up a coupla' more bottles of the 2011.
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Red
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2010 Domaine Charles Audoin Marsannay Les Longeroies
Pinot Noir more
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Allen Meadows writes in Burghound: "A densely fruited nose speaks of plum, blue berry, violet and stone aromas that are followed by rich, velvety and extract-rich flavors that possess stunning complexity and outstanding length. This vibrant effort is impeccably well-balanced and the quality could easily give even a very fine premier cru a run for its money."
I found my experienceclosely parelled his bu twith more fruit& acid on the palateon the palate. I think with a bit of cellaring the expression will become more beautiful andin line with his description! Kudos to Charles Audoin.
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Red
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2010 Lucia Syrah Susan's Hill
Santa Lucia Highlands
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LOL! Used the tasting notes assistant then added descriptives to it!
Intense Purple in color with a nose of minerality, wet forest floor, violets, prunes and figs. Still young & closed.
Thick & full bodied, long legs, still a tad alcoholic with heat, flavors of figs, plums, hints of raisins, gamey/meaty and a tad smokey with good minerality. Very well balanced and holds good promise. Medium long finish.
Had it with a thick focacia with toppings, made in the style of a Chicago deep dish pizza. Matched well. Delish!
Overall score: 92-93 pts. Time will help it along.
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Red
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2008 Herman Story Syrah Nuts & Bolts
California
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Now THAT is what I'm talkin' 'bout!!!
94+
Will write a better (longer) review when I'm on my computer, instead of this labor intensive iPad.
(LOL)
An excellent example of California Central Coast meets the Cote-Rotie.
==============================================================================================
OK! Now for my review. Good balance fruity (strawberry & dark fruits) on the nose along with layers of subdues kirsch, forest floor, earthy spices. A bit young & alcoholic notes as well. Tastes even more expressive than the nose. Fruit is even more broad with tastes of pmegranate as well; lots of kirsch and spices incl hints of ginger & nutmeg, vanilla and woodiness. Still young and a tad hot. Will likely express itself more over the next few years. Very impressive. Will match well with many pairings & settings.
Really a good expression of the fruit forwardness of new world wines (but not in your face at all) mixed with layers of terroir expression reminiscent of old world wines. Will try to get my hands on more.
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Red
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2008 Joseph Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley
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Mmmm! Delish.
Tasted it at Wine Exchange tasting machines.
Nice nose of dark fruits with a nice forest floor terroir.
Really beautiful California Cab flavor & character, very fruit dominant. Med-full bodied, med finish.
Not overpowering, yet seductive. Can be drunk by itself, but should be careful with food pairing as IT IS very fruit dominant.
The oakiess is not fully integrated, but I figure that if aged two years, it will come around nicely.
A very nice wine. Really enjoyable. Will try to get a few more bottles. Would gift really well . . . after a couple of years will be enjoyed by the receiver with acclaim.
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Red
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2005 Château Léoville Poyferré
St. Julien
Red Bordeaux Blend more
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Had it at a classic years vertical tasting of this wine ('82, '03, '05, and the famous 100 pt. '09), but I liked this one the most of the bunch!!
Very deep and barely ready to drink, deep purple color with subdued earthy/terroir and subdued spiciness on the nose. Deep dark fruit flavors with very rich complex terroir and just the right spiciness showing nice balance, integration, and complexity on the palate.
Most satisfying and will probably go well with a variety of dishes, from various casseroles, to baked and even pan-grilled meats.
Very, very delicious . . . and will have to get me some . . .
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Red
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2008 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch
Sonoma Valley
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Was served at a dinner party, a wine lover's friend's house 3 nights ago.
Dark, inky, purple-garnet in color & viscosity.
Deep nose spicy wet underbrush & los of subtle fruits.
A bit hot & tight on the nose which also came across on the palate.
Lots of deep fruits (red & black berries), curants, spiciness & herbal notes.
OK!?
Now here's what I think. The wine did evolve in the glass & started to show very nice & well integrated flavors of fruits, spicines, and terroir character.
Full bodied, rich, and well balanced wth a good finish.
BUT . . . it did take almost two hours to start showing that . . . and I felt that its potential lays way off still at least 2-3 years away.
Easily capable of reaching the WS 92pts/WA 94pts that it has received . . . but NOT right now.
Needs age . . . so am gonna pick up a couple of bottles & lay them down a while!!
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Red
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2005 Ovene Winery Pinot Noir
Sta. Rita Hills
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A straight up drinkable Pinot Noid showing classical Santa Rita terroir.
Nice fruit, acid balance, and minerality.
Perhaps just a bit past it's peak and missing a little oomph, but overall satisfying.
Found. Bottle at a clearance price that was 50% of retail; so it was a good value for the money.
Overall score 89-90.
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Red
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2007 Dobbin Lane Merlot
Central Coast
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What an interesting surprise!
So what is this wine? A bunch of excess Merlot, a small producer (or a large producer with excess capacity), made just right, add a few years in the bottle.
End up with something unexpectantly good. Seems the universe is in alignment on this one.
Deep earthy/fruit on the nose. On the palate deep bramble and dark berry fruits mixed in with underbrush, deep forest peet, earthiness with some spices (even hint of cinnamon), moderately significant complexity and med long finish. The complexity and character kept evolving as it opened. I've been told that this wine evolves even more the second day, but the bottle was finished in one evening.
Surprisingly good, really impressed me for a Merlot (didn't know they could be this great)! Tasted way above it's price point and would compare to a $35-$45 bottle in quality, character, balance, and complexity. For the price (<$10), I bought 2/3 of a case.
CHEERS!
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Red
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2007 White Stone Heavyweight Red
California
Red Blend more
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Solid straight forward fruit expressive (lots red & dark berry flavors) with currants, touches of vanilla & faint hints almond/hazel nuts. Med bodied. Not very complex but very good for quafing and very friendly & approacheable.
Mostly Cab with some Zin & Syrah to bring out the flavors. Excellent PQR. Will be gifting the office staff this one as a holiday gift.
Total score 88-89!!
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Red
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2007 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
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Not a fan of the big California highly extracted oaky Cab style.
This wine was recommended to me by the store manager as a good pedestrian Cabernet.
It has lush red fruit flavors on the nose, with hints spiciness & oak.
Very straight forward palate of red fruits with oak & spiciness present. Yet I found it one dimentional and NOT very seductive at all.
A little disappointing. For a < $20 wine, i could search around & find many others more to my liking.
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Red
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2007 Pianetta Sangiovese
Paso Robles
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AM a big fan of California Central Coast wines for their terroir expression.
A nice herbal/undrebrush nose w/ a good background of fruit.
Drinkeable now w/ little air time, although oxygenation brought out the flavor more.
Solid red fruits (strawberry & cranberry) along with hints of kirsch, sage, herbal blends, & touch vanilla.
Med-full bodied. Wonderful flavor but only med depth and somewhat lacking in complexity.
Overall, a very good qaffing wine . . . just not sure I'd want to pay > $20 for abottle.
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Red
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2008 Herman Story Grenache On The Road
California
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What the heck is this wine?!?! Had it with dinner . . . the food was so much better than this drink.
Such great promise from a WS 93 rating . . . my expeience couldn't be more opposite.
Very nice present grenache & rhone varietal fruit flavors along with earthiness & various spices . . . yet thin & underwhelming.
Overly HOT, alcoholic, and oaky. Not just youth, but generally lacking a good palate feel or coating.
Not really sure if a little more air or bottle time can smooth it out & bring out greater potential. Not sure the PQR is all that good if it doesn't improve!
But for now, am NOT very impressed . . . just opened a 2007 Esprit de Beaucastel (Rouge) for a little late night glass. Mmmm! Much better.
Sorry Herman Story, you'll have to win me over some other way!
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White - Sweet/Dessert
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2009 Château Suduiraut
Sauternes
Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more
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What Jeff Leve said in his notes.
Lots of layers of sweet fruits and blossoms that're just starting to come together, but still needing time to mature.
Reminds me of a younger slightly lighter 2001.
Tasted at The Union DES Grand Cru Bordeaux 2009 in LA.
Overall impression 94-97.
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Red
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2001 Senor de Lesmos Rioja Crianza
Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more
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Good deep garnet color, good legs & viscosity.
Very briary with wet underbrush prominent on the nose.
The fruit is subdued & barely present, nonetheless it showed well with a good med-full body and a med-long finish. Lots of subtle herbal & woodsy flavors, with good structure. Overall very enjoyable.
Would go well with baked meats & dishes, grilled veggies, even a fuller bodied vegan or vegetarian dish.
I enjoyed it!
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Red
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2009 Château Roc de Segur
Bordeaux
Red Bordeaux Blend more
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A little thin. Very Bordeaux-esque, showing more terroir (spice, kirsch, herbal underbrush notes) than fruit (which is far into the background).
NOT complex but good straight forward drinking. A very good value considering it's around $10. Won't give it more than 2-4 years shelf life.
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BTW, I'd say it shows a very good promise of what the Bordeaus 2009 vintage promises to deliver!!
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Red
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2008 Justin Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Paso Robles
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Justin wines are favorites of mine, so I'm perhaps a bit biased.
Deep kirschy, a bit minerally, and herbal on the nose. Very dark ruby/inky in color.
Classic Cab taste, nice full body with loads of red & dark fruit, kirsch, olive & chocolate, touch of cinnamon and wood.
Also present that undeniable Paso Punch (spiciness) . . but wait a minute, me thinks there's a bit of Napa Cab fruit mixed in (but what do I know).
Still, I think it makes a very nice blend.
Solid Central Coast Cab, would prob remain approacheable for several years (5-6 years) to come.
Well done!!! :-)
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Red
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2008 Sans Liege The Offering
Santa Barbara County
Red Rhone Blend more
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I agree with pretty much all the previous wine reviewers posted so far!! An EXCELLENT PQR for the wine that it is.
Lush, rich, full bodied but not overwhelming. Good balance, and although still a tad young, it oipened up beautifully. It was the first wine on Thanksgiving dinner . . . AND the first course. (Mmmm, LOL)
Delicious.
I'm a cigar smoker, so I have a hearty palate and enjoy fuller flavors.
This wine DID NOT disappoint. Came up a tad short on complexity, but I think that a year ot two of cellaring wil bring it up to a 92-94 rating!
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Red
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2009 The Pinot Project Pinot Noir
California
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Hmmm! A nice, simple, quaffable Pinot Noir for around $10.
Who'd have believed.
Good wholesome fruit with a nice but light red & dark cherry flavors and a touch of spice.
Not much tannins, a light finish, not deep in structure of complexity at all.
BUT, still, has enjoyable qualities. Not bad for $10.
P.S. Kudos to xfactor for his reviews; got the flavors spot on so much better than me.
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Red
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2009 Gilles Robin Crozes-Hermitage Papillon
Syrah more
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Young nose of underbrush with lush underlying chery & berry fruit, a little hot, phenolic, and alcoholic.
Young tasting but a very nice northern rhone cuvee with the classic northern fruit berry (mostly red), terroir, and underlying herbs & spices.
Tasty, flavorful, expressive, but lacking in deep complexity (but still showing some likeable complexity).
For a bottle that's < $20, a purrty good value for the money. Had it at a tasting & it was one of two bottles picked up!
Has potential for a coupla' years age and some evolution in the bottle.
Would likely open up more given time in a glass. But overall, pleasing.
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Felt that is would score 88pts - 92pts, depending on how much it would open up & age. So I gave it a middle score of 90.
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Red
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2008 Tobin James Château Le Cacheflo
Paso Robles
Red Blend more
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Agree w/ most reviewers here. An excellent quaffing wine with a very nice broad fruit expression along with a tight terroir presence (but not so tight that it's unpleasant), and a distinctive "Paso punch".
A bit hot but readily improves w/ air time, finish not very long but leaves you wanting another sip.
Room for improvement? I'd say a longer finish, a little more depth & complexity, maybe better longevity.
BUT, for the QPR (I managed to get my hands on several bottles at a "fire sale" price < $10), it's EXCELLENT!
Thiink I'm gonna have to visit the Tobin James Vineyard & try some of their other wines. :-)
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