| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2003 Château Gruaud LaroseSt. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend more |
1/15/2010 - Oenoduck wrote: 96 pointsThis wine really needs at least three hours to decant before the funky moss wears off. The chateau makes its wines to age for decades, so this is still young. Considering the vintage, one would expect a powerful wine, which this is. It's very weighty; initially I thought it was showing no legs, but the wine just coated the surface of the glass entirely. The nose is classic Saint Julien, with earthy tones, a bit of oak and tobacco, floral notes, and black fruit. On the palate, cassis and cinnamon really jump out, and the finish is long and leathery. This is a very serious wine, and I can see why people's impressions were mixed. True to 2003, this is very concentrated; if tasted blind, I might take it for a Napa Cabernet. |
| Red |
2007 Charles Shaw ShirazCalifornia more |
9/30/2009 - Oenoduck wrote: 83 pointsThe rubber aromas on the nose dissipated after about 10 minutes in the glass (small amount, with lots of swirling), leaving plums, raspberries, that Jolly Rancher thing everyone's been mentioning, nutmeg, and some burned wood. Not awful, but it smells cheap. Then again, it's 2 Buck Chuck. On we go. The color isn't bad, but somewhat translucent for a Shiraz. This tastes pretty good, which is what matters. Very fruity, with some classic Shiraz raisin and some oak. Very simple, but tasty. I'm not a fan of Shiraz to begin with (although I love the French Syrahs and what's happening in that style in Cali), but this is good for a drink. Can't complain for $2. One thing I do like about Charles Shaw is the consitently low alcohol levels, which helps bring out the fruit more. Like him or not, Fred Franzia is a lowdown genius. |
| Red |
2007 Big House Wine Company Big House RedCalifornia Red Blend more |
9/21/2009 - Oenoduck wrote: 84 pointsFor $7.50 at the supermarket, great QPR. Perfect for lunch by Johnny Ramone's grave at Hollywood Forever. An unorthodox blend, to be sure. On the nose, red fruits, well-integrated oak, red and black fruit, and spice. The palate really hits you with the spice element; black pepper, clove, and a nuance of cinnamon support the red fruit and oak...I am an oak fan. The body seems a little thin, though. The finish is fairly long, and fades slowly with tannins. This is a good screw-cap wine, and would be great for a bbq or party. Off the cuff, I'll give it 84 points for quality and value. |
| Red |
2005 Château de CamensacHaut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend more |
8/28/2009 - Oenoduck wrote: 92 pointsEven upon opening, the bouqet just exploded with floral and blackberry scents. I let this decant for 90 minutes before tasting, and am writing these notes as I taste. The nose is still fresh, even somewhat immature, with leather, berries, and wet soil. Some smoke and cigar box are faint, and this will hopefully emerge further over the next few hours. Beautiful color here; dark, dark purple (the Napa influence that others mentioned is very much evident in the nose, color, and body of this claret). The palate has yet to evolve, but sweet boysenberries, leather, and oak are there. A lot of oak. A long, dry finish. The influences of Chasse Spleen and Gruaud Larose (two personal favorites) are evident in this vintage of de Camensac. This will develop nicely over the next 10-15 years, possibly longer. 92 points from me, and that's an estimate. At $30.00, this is an excellent value for a fifth growth. |
| Red |
2007 Santo Stefano Cabernet SauvignonRutherford more |
8/4/2009 - Oenoduck wrote: 87 pointsNothing too technical here, just some impressions. No decanting tonight, but some time in the glass and swirling has helped this emerge. I do wonder how the wine could be aged in oak for 24 months when harvest wasn't even that long ago....anyway, for 13 bones at Trader Joe's, this is pretty good. Well-integrated oak comes through on the nose with a bit of pickles and bleu cheese, with a healthy balance of black cherries and coffee. On the palate, a medium body, not over-oaked, and the fruit comes through as muted cherry-vanilla ice cream, along with some leather and tobacco. The tannins are present but not overbearing. It reminds me of the old school Napa wines. Nice color, too. Beyond QPR, this tastes more like a $20-$30 bottle. Buy this while you can. |
| Red |
2005 Château Patache d'Aux MédocRed Bordeaux Blend more |
6/30/2009 - Oenoduck wrote: 87 pointsCherries, pomegranate, a nuance of vanilla, some fairly prominent oak, and a strong mineral quality. A very good, tannic, and long finish, although somewhat bitter due to oak and youth. A fine example of a lower-end 2005 Left Bank wine, which really shines in this vintage (the '04 was quite good, as well). A steal at Trader Joe's for $15 or so, whose French wines are usually terrible at best. This is a great weeknight quaff, and would be a worthy choice for a BBQ. Definitely decant this for an hour or so, otherwise it will tast thin and astringent. |
| Red |
1997 Château LabégorceMargaux Red Bordeaux Blend more |
6/10/2009 - Oenoduck wrote: 88 pointsKeeping in mind this was sealed in a bottle for the last 10 years or so, I let this air in a small decanter for 90 minutes. The color is a translucent garnet-purple, classic claret color. The nose is beautiful, with perfume, oak, slight smoke, pickles, and strawberries. On the palate, this is light to medium-bodied, with muted red fruits (pomegranates, cherries, currants), pleasant oak, mineral, and earth. It reminds me of some of the better mid-range 2002 Left Bank wines; quite a cool style. In keeping with that style, the finish is very short, but dry tannins linger. I do ponder what more decanting time may do with this wine. Overall, not bad, but not necesarrily worth the $30.00. The 1999 was far more solid. Still, this '97 is pleasant, like the movie Spanglish: it was worth the rental, but I won't remember it again until someone else mentions it. This would be good with roast chicken or lamb, and holds up on its own as a good cocktail. The score is off the cuff. Well-made for a less-than-excellent vintage. For a better '97 in a similar price bracket, I'd shell out a few more for the Langoa-Barton. |
| Red |
2006 Charles Shaw MerlotCalifornia more |
3/11/2009 - Oenoduck wrote: 75 pointsIt being Wino Wednesday, I thought I'd pick up a bottle of Two Buck Chuck for sh**ts and giggles. The prodigal son of Fred Franzia, the Chuck doesn't pretend to be what it is not: an exceptional wine. It is a decent table and cooking wine, and, I must say, as good or better than many Merlots in the five to eight dollar price range. I'm not sensing the candy-like fakeness that some others did pick up on, which is good, because I detest that essence. This is drinkable, and not half-bad, which can also be construed as half-good. I just wish the winemaker's interns had thought to throw some oak chips in the vats. This is a typical flabby Merlot. If you like that, then buy a case of this. But if you like structure, finesse, and a Merlot made with care, then save your money and purchase Chapellet or Northstar. |
| Red |
2004 Columbia Crest Walter Clore Private ReserveColumbia Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
1/7/2009 - Oenoduck wrote: 88 pointsThis vintage wasn't as good as the 2003. I can sympathize with the last note describing pea soup on the nose. There is a great deal of heat on the nose and on the palate, reminiscient of middle shelf vodka. There are some nice Medoc characteristics such as toast, pickles, and cinammon. A bit rough on the palate, though, and thin. This Walter Clore vintage lacks depth, and seems disjointed. Perhaps it is too young to drink right now. Off the cuff I'll give this 88 points, but if I used the scoring system, it would probably score lower. Like the Celtics tonight. |
| Red |
2005 Achával-Ferrer QuimeraLujan de Cuyo Red Bordeaux Blend more |
12/28/2008 - Oenoduck wrote: 94 pointsI have loved the Quimera for the past two vintages. I'm a huge fan of Achaval Ferrer, whose quality is tremendous. This vintage is comprised of 37% Malbec, 28% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc. Nice Paulliac-like color: dark purple, black toward the center (5 points). Soil, vanilla, mesquite, flan, and cherry preserves on the nose, which was complex and continued to evolve during the evening (8.5 points). On the palate, the Quimera presented citrus, leather, black raspberries, and charred beef. Prominent acidity attacked the mid-palate, with a medium to full body (14 points). The finish was long and smooth, with dry tannins coating the tongue (8 points). Overall, a great mid-priced fine wine ($32.00 at K&L). Although distinctly New World, Achaval Ferrer consistently strives for Old World complexity and restraint (8.5 points). Highly recommended. |
| Red |
2005 Rubicon Estate Cabernet Sauvignon CaskRutherford more |
12/28/2008 - Oenoduck wrote: 97 pointsDecanted 1.5 hours before tasting. Great dark purple color and smooth texture to the eye (5 points). On the nose: roses, cinammon, spice, dulce de leche, and faint cigar aromas. I could have just had my nose in the glass all night (10 points). The palate presented mesquite, cinammon, spiced apples, vanilla, and cream. A very smooth and approachable palate that was reminiscent of Caymus' style (13 points). The finish was long and tannic, with lingering cinammon and vanilla from the oak, which was used very artfully (10 points). Overall, a refined and friendly Cabernet that would pair well with a variety of red meats and chicken dishes, but can stand on it's own. Good aging potential, but it's hard to resist now (9 points). Highly recommended. Even at a $65.00 price point, it would be worth splitting among a few people just to enjoy the Cask. |
| Red |
2003 Optima Cabernet SauvignonAlexander Valley more |
12/22/2008 - Oenoduck wrote: 94 pointsThe first time I tried this was the 2002 vintage in my early, naive days. At the time, I found it to be disjointed and reeking of alcohol. As I discovered decanting methods and my palate evolved, I have grown quite fond of this wine, which I frequently find at Trader Joe's for $20.00 (considering list price is at about $35.00, this is a steal). On to the notes: |
| Red |
2006 Achával-Ferrer MalbecLujan de Cuyo more |
12/22/2008 - Oenoduck wrote: 89 pointsMusty aromas of moss and a third grader's sneaker, overshadowed with blackberries, figs, and a nuance of vanilla. Brighter fruit on the palate, with some oak. This vintage absolutely needs to be decanted for at least two hours before opening up, which may account for some of the negative reviews posted here, with all due respect to personal preferences. I'm a big fan of Achaval Ferrer, and this malbec is stunning at an entry level. |
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- Tasting notes: 13 notes on 13 wines
