|
Wine Type
|
Vintage
Name
Variety
Locale
|
Date
Posted
Score
Helpful
Comments
|
|
Red
|
2003 Castello della Paneretta Terrine Toscana IGT
Sangiovese Blend, Sangiovese more
|
Purchased it in 2005 as a top Italian wine selection of 2005.
Medium plus viscosity. Nose of wet forest floor and aromatic fruit flavors.
Lovely flavore of deep plum w/ dark berry fruits, nice terroir w/ underlying herbal favors.
Had it w/ a Veggie pasta, light lemon cream sauce, and tilapia.
Delish.
Tannins still present but integrated well. Still, could age another 5 years easy!
|
|
White
|
2005 Albert Mann Riesling Furstentum
Alsace Grand Cru
more
|
A very well rounded, well made Riesling.
Well rounded nose, nice floral & fruity aromas.
Lovely flavors of peach & nectarines w/ a touch honeysuckle.
A tad sweeter than I liked but delicious nonetheless. Great by itself, w/ Asian food, and actually went well with a Mediterranean salad.
Very tasty.
|
|
Red
|
2007 Dobbin Lane Merlot
Central Coast
more
|
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!
|
|
White - Off-dry
|
2010 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese *
Mosel Saar Ruwer
more
|
A very surprising Reisling that I found quite pleasing.
Still a tad young, it was slow to breath uin the glass but did open up a bit & showed promise of what was to coe.
Peach & pear, minerality, slate, , a hint of quince and some terroir present.
GOt the botrytis, but was this supposed to be a late hervest?!
Tried it at the tasting machines at the Wine Exchange in Orange, CA (OK, shameless plug, but gotta give them credit for setting up tasting macines . . . have boutght sooo many wines from them once I got an idea of how they'd perform . . . everything from $10 to $150 stuff).
Overall for a non-white drinker like myself, it wasn't half bad. Think I'm gonna get a bottle.
|
|
White - Sweet/Dessert
|
2009 Château Suduiraut
Sauternes
Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more
|
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.
|
|
Red
|
2005 Ovene Winery Pinot Noir
Sta. Rita Hills
more
|
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.
|
|
Red
|
2007 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
more
|
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.
|
|
White - Sparkling
|
NV Champagne Fleury Champagne Carte Rouge Brut
Pinot Noir more
|
Not a big fan of classic Champagne . . . in fact sometimes I don't think I understand it at all.
For a bubbly, would prefer a Cremant from Alsace or Burgundy, or a Limoux from down south.
Had a very bright crisp fruity/citrus nose with enough complexity to show promise.
Tasted similar to nose, mostly light, crispy, citrus. Body was light-med. There was a tease of other flavors in the background, but it never delivered. Flavor/character stayed the same throughout with very little breadth or complexity.
Couldn't get into it. Luckily it was only a half bottle, so I had no second thoughts on throwing the rest away . . . as I wasn't going to drink it!
|
|
Red
|
2000 Villa S. Anna Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Sangiovese more
|
A very nice surprise. Had bought the bottle, lais it down, then forgot all about it.
Started making my way through several such bottles that I have & came across this one.
A stong nose of wet forest floor, with a presence of juicy berries. Still a bit alcoholic.
Took a few minutes to open up in the glass but blossomed nicely into a cornucopia of red & berry fruits (strawberry, cranberry, black & blue berries), well integrated with terroir presence and hints of provencal herbs.
A very enjoyable richness with complexity present. Not a bad thing at all. Suspect that it would have been very versatile with a number of different dishes . . . sadly, I drank it by itself & had a good time.
Would buy again, if I could.
|
|
Red
|
1999 Château Haut-Segottes
St. Émilion Grand Cru
Red Bordeaux Blend more
|
Found it very backwards, past it drinking window.
Not well integrated with very subdued fruit & a bit of a sour finish.
WILL NOT revisit!
|
|
Red
|
2004 Bodega Norton Malbec Reserva
Lujan de Cuyo
more
|
Not more to add but pretty much what previous reviewers before me have said. AN enjoyable fruity musty nose.
A little off balance but with some dark fruits dominating. Simple but quaffable. Still needed time to breathe & lose some of its edge a bit.
Some currants, herbal, & pepper notes. Medium finish, moder grip!!
|
|
White
|
2009 Piedrasassi Sauvignon Blanc Central Coast
more
|
Was running about Lompoc in Santa Barbara County 2d ago, when I happened upon the Wine Grotto in search of some wines to sample.
Visited the Piedrasassi tasting room. Had heard of the winery based on some excellent Syrah reviews from a coupla' years back.
Met Melissa who was a wonderful hostess (& a great writer, BTW), who told me about this wine.
Locally grown Savignon Blanc, selective proocess, fermented in whole clusters.
Must be some unique processes used in makuing this wine. Found it very impressive.
A bit young on the nose but lots of fruit aromas & spices. A bit young & closed on tasting, but still approacheable & opened up nicely in the glass.
Lots of well integrated full fruit flavors, melon, persimmon, grapefruit, aliong with gentle terroir, touch of graphite, and light spiciness.
Nicely expressive mouthfeel coating. Med+ body with med long finish, with good tannin representation.
Delicious & approacheable now with a little air time, but I believe this one is age worthy and could readily cellar for 6-8 years.
The winemakers call this a red wine drinker's white wine.
[P.S. Interesting bottle design. Will have to take some pics to post.]
|
|
Red
|
2000 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Riserva Tortoniano
Nebbiolo more
|
Have been sitting on this bottle for quite some time. Bought two bottles in 2006, opened one in 2007 . . . it was very backwards, tannic, and closed.
Really NOT enjoyable.
Time changes things . . . especially when it comes to wine.
Good earthy garnet color, medium viscosity, and great legs!!!
Earthy with hints of berries, spices, and hint lavender on the nose.
Good fruit presence with lots of dark fruits (blueberries, black & boysenberries) in the background. Integrated spiciness and good earthiness present.
Long finish lasting nearly 20sec. Still opening up as I taste it . . . showing promise and good integrity. For the price paid (<$30), 89 is a good score.
Enjoyable.
Figure it has another 4-5 years of aging to peak . . . but my experience with Barolo is limited.
|
|
Red
|
2003 Bertani Secco-Bertani
Valpolicella Valpantena
Corvina Blend, Corvina more
|
FOund this to be a nice wine. A bit alcoholic and sharp when initially opened . . .
Showed hints of dried fruit on the nose along with herb and spice qualities.
A little past it's peak drinking age, but IMO, still showed well.
Medium bodied with dried fruits (dried blueberries, rpunes, blackberries), medium layers of spices, earthiness, and a good 10+ second finish.
Paired it with lightly spicy pasta dish.
Perhaps because of the age, it had an expression I liked (my GF almost didn't like it).
Enjoyable!
|
|
Red
|
2009 La Corte Primitivo Puglia IGT
more
|
This was a birthday gift given to me by my boss at work. I think he bought it from one of those 24hr e-mails from wine clubs.
Never had anything quite like it, showed a lot of uniqueness.
Not your typical Zinfandel/Primitivo . . . less acidity than I would expect (but still plenty there), less of that ZING associated with this varietal.
Had qualities that reminded me of a well aged super tuscan or an aged Bordeaux still with fruit presence.
Very earthy nose w/ hints of peet, moss, and mushroom, background hint ofdried berries.
Well balanced to the taste, medium bodied, a good 10-15 second finish.
Well integrated flavors of dark & red berries, plum, mushroom (again), hints of lavender & sage, good earthiness; and NOT very fruit forward.
Very likeable & quaffable!! Really was a surprise!
Now here's a bigger surprise . . . couldn't find more of this wine anywhere. Seems it was a one time internet deal.
Looked, and looked, and looked for it. Finally approached one of my regular wine stores and they were able to locate a distributor and will be getting a few cases in for retail sale.
Here's the biggest surprise . . . the retail price . . . under $12/bottle. A heck of a QPR, IMO.
will be getting more . . . heck, for that price, I'm thinking X-mas gifts!! :-D
|
|
Red
|
2009 Justin Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Paso Robles
more
|
Had to try it as I am a Justin fan.
A very nice, well balanced, cabernet with a strong Paso signature.
Good berry fruit & currant expression along with tobacco, chocolate, kirsch & spice.
Holds a lot of potential & promise . . . but drank young, hot, alcoholic, and thinner than I expected.
Med bodied /w a med lingering finish . . . I expect that the wine will outgrow these characteristics after about 3 years in a bottle and blossom into its greater potential!!!
|
|
Red
|
2006 Cabot Vineyards Syrah Aria's
Humboldt County
more
|
Friend recommended this wine so I picked up a coupla' bottles a coupla' months ago!
A good deep purple, slightly garnet color. A nose of subdued fruit and wet forest.
Blackberries with raspberries and a hint of plum present; sage spice, kirsch, and a bit of truffle.
Fruits were more subdued, like a Cote Rotie, but not quite backwards like a French.
Good expression with a New World character, but not quite New World.
Really more it's own style.
Med bodied, relatively smooth, balanced, good finish, and well aged (the age really does bring out it's deeper character). Very pleasing.
I was told that THIS wine will change on Day 2, and even more on Day 3 - - not sure the bottle will last that long! ;-)
A very interesting Northern California (and we're talking VERY Northern California -- a bit north of Eureka) wine. Will demand a re-visit!
|
|
Red
|
2009 Herman Story Grenache On The Road
California
more
|
Again, the Grenache On The Road doesn't stand out in my palate like some of the other wines from Herman Story . . . but I did enjoy the tasting I has at their facility in Paso Robles!
Nice fruit range, lots of richness . . . Enjoyable but a little intense, young, and hot.
A very enjoyable experience . .. and more enjoyable than my experience with the '08 bottling (which makes me think my '08 bottle may have been a little flawed).
|
|
Red
|
2009 Coquelicot Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir Coquelicot Estate Vineyard
Santa Ynez Valley
more
|
My tasting is very close to micklethepickle's experience.
I'd add that the wine iricher & more plush compared to many lighter styled Pinot Noirs, without being over oaked & over extracted.
Good wine! Me enjoy . . . and will buy more.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BTW, I've actually met the family owners of this extate and have found a liking to their other wines.
|
|
White - Sparkling
|
1998 Champagne Fleury Champagne Cuvée Robert Fleury Brut
Champagne Blend more
|
Purchased this wine from Hi-Time, in Cost Mesa, CA in 12/2005 as a Top 10 Cahmpagne (in their catalog) for the Christmas season. Been sitting on it waiting for theo opportunity to try it.
Opened the bottle at a friend's B-day party yesterday!
A very nice cirtus nose, sl pungent (but not unpleasant), with hints of herbs and minerals.
The wine didn't take very long to open up . . . and it exploded with nicely integrated flavors all over my palate.
Tastes of citrus, persimmon, sour apples (even dash of star fruit), wet stone & mineral, and hints of mint, sage, and other herbs.
Med bodied, mde finish.
Very, very pleasant & enjoyable. Am usually NOT a champagne drinker, but this one surprised & really pleased me. Would buy more if I could find it!!
|
|
Red
|
2008 Chehalem Pinot Noir Three Vineyard
Willamette Valley
more
|
Light fruity nose with hints of spice, pink ruby color in the glass.
Nice mouthfeel and very tasty showing good acidity. Red & dark cherry & fruit flavors, along with hints of spice (rosemary, oregano, cinnamon, kirsch, and wet stone) were light yet well integrated.
The very classic spicy & terroir flavors from Oregon Pinots show well in this one.
Light to med finish, showing richness but not complexity and not very deep.
Would have liked more Ooomph out of this one, but i did enjoy it & may buy ot again. 87 Points!!
|
|
Red
|
2008 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
more
|
What a Cab!! Absolutely astonished, then seduced by this one!
Thick, viscous, showing beautiful dark garnet (w/ a hint of purple) in the glass.
A dark brooding nose that's slightly phenolic, lightly spicy, and showing very tight deep berry fruits.
Was absolutrely turned off my first coupla's sips . . . so I laid it down for a coupla' hours while I finished another wine.
. . . But it sure came around!! And what a beauty.
Very Cab qualities, full bodied with lots of well integrated fruits, including red & dark berries, curants, licorice, tobacco, chocolate, with hints of spice, kirsch, and wet forest floor.
Chewy (but not overwhelming), with a nice long well balanced finish. I think RP's review was spot on for this one!!
Only drawback is its youth . .. but I'll definately be getting a coupla' more bottles of this to lay down for 3-5 years.
Highly recommended.
|
|
Red
|
2009 The Pinot Project Pinot Noir
California
more
|
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.
|
|
Red
|
2008 Pine Ridge Vineyards Onyx
Rutherford
Red Blend more
|
Worth a 92, IMHO, but I liked it so much I gave it a 94!
A very deep onyx garnet color.
A very wet moss, underbrush, herbalness, & wet wood, with hints of underlying fruit on the nose.
Still very tight & tannic, a little hot, showing lots of youth.
Lots of layers of subtle red & blue fruits, currants, kirsch, with hints of wood, chocolate, & tobacco.
Chewy, med/full bodied with a nice lingering finish . . . shows incredible promise.
Sadly . . . with all this complexity & rich flavor, I fear the grapes varietals just don't integrate THAT well (maybe changing the ratiio of the different grapes can help?), keeping it from it's greatest potential.
Bottle age should bring out more character and quality.
Very enjoyable, but at an average price of $60/bottle . . . hmmm!
|
|
Red
|
2003 Tenuta Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore
SuperTuscan Blend more
|
A dark brown garnet color, med viscosity. A nose of pencil lead, wet peat, light hints of fresh manure & fresh berries.
Drinkable right away & opens up beautifully as well.
Although a Bolgheri wine made from Bordeaux varietals, it had a very old world style!
Subtle dark berry flavors that layer the palate but with very expressive terroir, kirsch, wet wood, faint hints nutmeg & cardamon.
Very well balanced with a med long finish; very enjoyable.
Had it with a little Italian, a coupla' nights later with a limb & asparagus dish (although it could barely keep up with the lamb & asparagus) and even later as an after dinner quaffing.
Would buy more if it was accessible.
|
