Winearch
Member #237,616 signed up 4/26/2012
This Member Is a Fan(1)
-
ssock
126 Tasting Notes
Profile
Member since April 2012
This member's profile is not public.
Member #237,616 signed up 4/26/2012
126 Tasting Notes
This member's profile is not public.
2004 Brancaia Il Blu Toscana IGT
1/1/2014 - Winearch Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted one hour. Drank with a nice northern Italian dinner of roasted vegetables and grilled meats. Initial reaction was nice nose reminscent of a Brunello, with a palette of muted cherry and baking spice. After another hour, this really opened up and began to impress. There was a really nice light elegance, extended length to the finish of prune, cherry fruit, and a hint of rose. I expected a lot given the hype of this vintage, and I was pleasantly surprised. This is drinking just right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2009 Sea Shell Cellars Balboa Reserve
1/1/2014 - Winearch Likes this wine: 92 Points
wow, I didn't know what to expect for $26, but this is the real deal for QPR. It was a bit hot out of the gates, but overall it had a lot going on for the price. the nose suggested a wine of several time the price with floral and dark fruit, plum, and a hint of cherry pie. the palette did not disappoint the way you would expect at this price. It was agile, lots of depth, reminiscent of a great Priorat, hints of Grenache, there was nice fruit, a touch of the tobacco and spice from the Tempranillo, and a great finish. I am always hesitant to recommend inexpensive wines since there is always something to find fault in, but I will just say this is the best sub-$30 wine I have had in a loooong time, buy it if you can find it, I am a new fan of Sea Shell.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2010 Alban Vineyards Syrah Patrina Alban Estate Vineyard
12/31/2013 - Winearch wrote: 86 Points
Decanted an hour. Nose began with nice berries, but had a slight hint of what I could only place as plastic, that was not appealing. Medium weight with an herbal character with sour cherry, blackberry and forest floor palette, reminiscent of northern Rhone, but not quite up to par. I have had many Albans over the years, and this just wasn't quite there, and I don't think it is attributed to youth. I have one more bottle, will be interesting to see where this goes in a few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment