7/19/2016 - WineCuentista wrote:

The wine is a pale ruby colour.

The nose has a medium intensity of raspberries, strawberries and earth, with some notes of barnyard and leather present. There is a hint of bramble and also some very light oak contact, but subtly done. A developing wine.

The palate is dry with high acidity, medium smooth tannins, medium alcohol, medium body and a pronounced intensity flowing into a medium+ finish. The wine is fresh, fruity and mineral with a nice blend of primary and secondary flavours.

This is an outstanding quality Spatburgunder from Baden, Germany.

12/13/2015 - WineCuentista wrote:

Appearance: Clear wine with a pale, cherry-red colour. Surprisingly little fading on the rim.

Nose: Clean nose with a Medium+ intensity. This wine is developing.

A very mixed and pleasing bouquet of baked sour cherries, ashen-oak, tea-leaves and very subtle oak notes of vanilla and spice. Very balanced and expressive.

Palate:
Dry
Medium+ acidity
Medium+ tannins
Medium+ alcohol
Medium+ intensity
Medium body
Medium+ finish

This wine actually steps up a level on the palate; with such a developing nose with lots of tertiary notes, the vibrance and freshness of the flavours is a very pleasant surprise! Fresh acidity, slightly drying tannins and a great intensity of flavour. Wonderful!

Outstanding quality Nerello Mascale from Sicily, Italy. Can be drank now but has the fruit and structure to age for another 5-10 years whilst gaining complexity. At 18 euros a bottle, the QPR is simply incredible. Buy it all!

9/29/2015 - WineCuentista wrote:

Appearance: Clear wine with a deep and brooding ruby colour. Very little fading on the rim.

Nose: Clean nose with a Medium+ intensity. This wine is developing.

Brooding and heavy on the nose, a real density of ripe dark fruit with dark cherries, blackberries and plums all melting together. A streak of vanilla is not quite in balance with roasted coffee, leather and tobacco but still pleasant.

Palate:
Dry
Medium+ acidity
High alcohol
High tannins
Medium+ intensity
Full bodied
Medium+ finish

Intense, fruity and spicy. The alcohol is a little more present on the palate but in fair balance with fruit, spice and liquorice. The tannins are big but smooth contributing a rich mouth-feel and a real intensity of flavour. The finish is extended and savoury with leather and tobacco prevailing. Despite the force of this wine, there is still an element of elegance and structure.

Excellent quality Tempranillo from Toro. Can be drank now but should last for another 2-8 years hitting it's full stride somewhere inbetween. At 35 euros a bottle - not cheap but still excellent QPR for a wine that is lovely now and could be outstanding in a few years time.

9/13/2015 - Julian Marshall Does not like this wine:

Same as the last one - each to his own but even if you like this type of wine it's a poor example. Either way it tastes heavily chaptalised without the body to support it. I shall keep my last one for a lunch with my mother-in-law.

7/27/2015 - WineCuentista wrote:

Appearance: Clear wine with a Medium Garnet colour.

Nose: Clean nose with a pronounced intensity. This wine is developing.

Strong aromas of cooked red fruits right off the bat, strawberries and red apples particularly. Pronounced american oak, contributing vanilla, cloves and nutmeg. Dried tobacco and leather bring up the rear with soft anis and baking spices rounded off the smell - truly a lovely collection of aromas!

Palate:
Dry
Medium- Alcohol
Medium+ acidity
Medium tannins - quite hard to pinpoint this as they were so silky smooth
Medium+ intensity
Medium+ body
Long finish

The palate is a real treat and absolutely bench-mark Rioja. A symphony of cooked red fruit, baking spices, coffee, leather, tobacco and nutmeg all held together with soft tannins and a surprisingly high acidity for its age. A long finish awaits with the more savoury notes winning out.

Excellent quality Rioja. Still drinking relatively young and could develop further - quite wonderful when you consider they produced an even more exceptional wine in the 890 from the same vintage! Premium priced at around 35 euros a bottle but well worth it. Enjoy!

6/30/2015 - WineCuentista wrote:

Appearance: Clear wine with a medium garnet colour.

Nose: Clean nose with a medium+ intensity. This wine is clearly developing and has some way to go yet.

Black cherries and strawberries on the nose, sweet biscuits, vanilla and nutmeg spice. Some chalky minerality but as an undertone.

Palate:
Alcoholic: Medium
Tannins: Medium +
Acidity: Medium+
Body: Medium
Intensity: Medium+
Finish: Medium+

The palate is more savoury than the nose, starting to move into dried fruit, leather and tobacco. Oak is not as pronounced and creates a pleasant harmony in the wine.

Good Quality Bordeaux, premium priced. Can drink now but developing and should drink well for many more years. A little underwhelming considering the price but I would be interested to come back to this in a few years.