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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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Red
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2015 Tardieu-Laurent Crozes-Hermitage Vieilles Vignes
Syrah more
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Deep brooding crimson colour with very high optical density and medium specular reflectivity. Aromas are strong in intensity, with rich dark fruits (plum, blackberry compote, and splashes of black raspberry), cocoa, and spicy herbs, along with a nice streak a salinity and brackish quality. Excellent complexity on the nose.
On the palate, rich full body and rounded texturing provide for a plush and heavy presence, without too much stickiness. Medium minus acidity and integrated tannins show just a bit of fine-grained bite on the back end. Good concentration and density overall. Flavours of mixed dark fruits on the attack, with support from spices and sous bois, which takes over toward the final transition. Nice midpalate here, and a very graceful array of flavours dances effortlessly across the palate. Not flashy, as this is still plenty elegant, but there is a confidence and honesty about it. There is some lingering aromatic florals along with some fennel that moves forward toward the finish, which has nice length and shows warm berry skins and some light notes of brackish leather. Overall complexity is medium plus, with plenty of intensity to go along.
This is an awesome bottle that is drinking really well. Balanced, refined and elegant, with a classic appeal. Excellent value and seems ready to drink. Awesome old world styling with a great personality.
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Red
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2010 Vietti Barolo Castiglione
Nebbiolo more
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Deep ruby red with a translucent appearance of medium optical density and very high specular reflectivity. Slight amber at the rim, but just. Aromas of red fruits and earthy spices.
On the palate, medium body with a rounded texture that shows integrated tannins. Medium acidity and decent density and concentration shows a richness across the palate. Flavours of cherry, grilled truffles, and floral notes on the attack. The midpalate shows a lot of evolution toward crushed tobacco leaves, with some clean smoke. The finish shows sour cherry and baked cherry pits with leather and grilled fruit skins on the generous finish. Overall intensity is high and complexity is medium or so.
Quite an elegant and lovely wine here, seemingly in a prime state at the moment. Really well made! Old world styling with a polished and refined character.
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Red
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2016 Domaine La Bérangeraie Cahors Cuvée Maurin
Malbec more
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Deep, saturated purple-red with very high optical density and dull specular reflectivity. Slow, thick tears. Aromas show a nice lifted profile, with a lovely array of fruit and earth. Blueberry, chocolate, and a verdant herbal undertone mixes with dried florals and dried red fruits in the background. Some noticeable volatile acidity, but under control for sure. The nose shows good intensity and medium complexity.
On the palate, fresh acidity combines with a juicy and forward profile to give a rounded entry with some electric tension shifting toward a grippy tannic profile toward the finish. Very strong evolution of textures. Tannins are indeed very present and firm, and thought not completely integrated, they do provide needed structure. Very dry, with ripe glycerin enveloping things. Full bodied and fairly dense, this is a pretty big style of red.
Flavours of cherry, blueberry, and other mixed fruits (plum, blackberry) on the attack, showing a quite forward profile. Still, there is earthy roasted herbs and some dried dirt notes underneath the fruit, along with cocoa powder and crushed tobacco. These evolve toward crushed leaves and sweet tobacco over time. The midpalate gives lots of dried fruits and dried forest floor, as things work toward a finish of leather, with some dill and toasty caramel lingering with decent length. Overall intensity is strong and complexity is at least medium plus. Very lovely transitions from fruit to more earthy tones across the palate.
This is a really nice wine. There is enough VA to notice, but not spoil anything, and perhaps in some respects adds a needed lift to an otherwise big and chewy wine. This is ripe and powerful, and yet well balanced and thoroughly enjoyable. Definitely speaks of the old world in many ways, with vivid fruit and terrior coming through, but is clearly very ripe and oaked in a seemingly modern way (though not at all overly done). This is well made wine with a good personality of its own.
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Red
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2019 Black Sage Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Okanagan Valley VQA
more
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Deep brick red with very high optical density, and high specular reflectivity. Aromas are a bit tight, with dusty blackberry, boysenberry, and some tar-infused herbal sage with some vanilla on the edges. Not overly complex, but appealing and elegant.
On the palate, medium to full body with a juicy texture that shows decent tannic structure, but very approachable. Fresh acidity meets some glycerin for a supple and round mouthfeel, with just a touch of grit on the back end. Flavours of dusty cherry, dirty strawberries, and vallina-laced mixed berries on the attack. Dusty earth notes and herbs take up the midpalate, with oak spices, leather, and tar-baked florals showing before a medium length finish of leather and baked fruit skins. Overall intensity and complexity is medium.
Nice bottle here of an easy-going wine with some decent depth. Not a complexity monster, but a new world sort of styling with oak and ripeness do show up here. Even so, well balanced and enjoyable, if not totally transparent to terrior.
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Red
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2015 Le Vieux Pin Merlot Équinoxe
Okanagan Valley
more
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Deep red with tinges of purple, very high optical density and low, dull specular reflectivity. Medium intensity of aromas, with tart cherry, cranberry, and plums mingling in a tantalizing array. Backing this up is leather, dusty forest floor, and smoked truffles. Nice depth on the nose.
On the palate, rich and full bodied with a polished texture showing integrated, but still present tannins. Medium acidity and very dry, but with a glossy glycerin surface. Flavours of rich mixed fruits on the attack (plum, blueberry, and raspberry), with good intensity. Strong entry with a medium amount of complexity. At midpalate, things develop toward vegetal notes and leather, with crushed tobacco leaf, where the attack gives way to the fruit for these tertiary notes. Finishes with some light smokey leather and baked fruit skins, with very nice length. Overall intensity is high, while complexity is medium plus or so.
This is a lovely bottle that is in a great place. Definitely showing age nicely, with enough complexity to appreciate. Mostly this takes the form of evolution of flavours down the middle, with some light touches to the sides (more stacked flowing layers than all simultaneous). Very easy to drink and appreciate more with thought, showing a balanced elegance. Definitely one of the nicer bottles of Merlot I've had the pleasure of drinking! This hits my biases nicely, so bonus points put this a few higher for the sheer fun factor of this one!
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Red
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2014 Le Vieux Pin Syrah Équinoxe
Okanagan Valley VQA
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Deep red with purple splashes, very high optical density, and fine, high specular reflectivity. Massive tears, with significant staining, showing a ripe and extracted glycerin character, at least in appearance. Aromas of plum, sage brush, and confection. A bit tight on the nose, but certainly is comes across as a spicy and smokey, with fruits skins, plum, and crushed gravel. Intriguing for sure, decant or time in glass helps at this point.
On the palate, full bodied and rounded, with a plush and sappy texture. Some grip on the backend, but very fine-grained. Overall, a dense mouthfeel with plenty of heft, medium minus acidity, and a bit of heat. Flavours of red fruits and plums on the attack, with pretty decent intensity. These evolve into spiced dried fruits and a bit of sous bois and crushed tobacco leave comes on over the midpalate. The final transition sees as floral element come in with some warm, baked fruits, and just hints of saline, and a light amount of cocao powder. Finishes with medium plus length, showing candied fruit and smoked cherry pit. Overall intensity is high and complexity is medium.
Perhaps a surprising one here, this is pretty powerful and ripe. Not a ton of tannin at this point either, providing a silky and rounded profile. There is a streak of confection on the nose and over the palate here that seems to make things show sweeter than it really is, as this is a really dry wine. The EtOH is pretty well integrated, perhaps facilitated by the high glycerine content. In any case, this is a big, bold, rounded, somewhat flashy bottle at this point. I think it can go another couple years and perhaps gain some interest, but it's easy drinking now if you want an indulgent big red!
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Red
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2010 Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga d'Alba
Nebbiolo more
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Dark ruby with high optical density and medium specular reflectivity, with slight amber rim. Aromas of soft cherry, crushed leaves, dried flower pedals, and spices of rum cake. Medium intensity and decent complexity.
On the palate, soft medium body with medium acidity and integrated tannins. Very round and seductive texture, with decent structure. Flavours of light dusty red fruits that carry through the entire journey, with crushed gravel, fresh earth, and clean tobacco smoke adding on. The midpalate is interesting and plenty intense, though in an elegant way. Finishes clean, with nice length over a dried leather and crushed roasted nuts. Overall medium intensity and a bit better than medium complexity.
This is a classic and good quality wine. Shows its age well, with a soft approachable framework and an elegant and refined presence. Awesome wine! Balanced, austere in all the best ways, and some thoughtful depth.
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Red
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2017 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir La Bohème
Yamhill-Carlton
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Deep brilliant ruby with medium optical density and high specular reflectivity. Aromas show strong intensity, with brooding mixed berries, tart cherry, cranberry and floral roses with some underlying fennel and cherry liquorice. Decent depth on the nose.
On the palate, sappy medium body with a supple and rounded yet firm mouthfeel. Silky and with integrated tannins somewhat soft acidity (medium or so), there is enough density and concentration to carry through. Flavours of rich purple fruits on the attack, with plum, blueberry, and black cherry in the mix with excellent intensity. A bit brooding, yet still inviting. The midpalate sees the rich fruits stay on, but things turn toward a brighter fruits perhaps and some smokey earth notes add in. Finishes with some almost dates and fig, perhaps clean smoke. Decent length, and overall high intensity and medium complexity.
This is a really lovely bottle of wine. Seems like a dark and ripe style for PN, which is really nice sometimes. Has all of the sappy richness and seductive texturing one could ask for. Perhaps more toward a pretty ripe style here, this delivers a really nice experience. Definitely emulating a 1er cru burgundy, but with a modern twist. Very tasteful oak usage, and certainly featuring the fruit as the star. For the most part this is not so ripe as to make things generic, but this is the feature I least like here. But, that is my own tastes.
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Red
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2008 Rivetto Barolo Del Comune Di Serralunga D'Alba
Nebbiolo more
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Deep brooding blood red shade of ruby with high optical density, great clarity, and very high specular reflectivity. Aromas are delicate in intensity, but quite interesting and tertiary in character. Crushed dried leaves, soft leather, tobacco leaf, and sous bios are on top of cherry, fennel, and light balsamic with an earthy tone. Really fun to see the age here.
On the palate, full bodied, with a rich texture that still shows firm tannins on the back end. Transitions from a dense mouthfeel to a more spread out feel. Acidity is medium, and it is very dry. Overall, well balanced. Flavours of cherry and leather on the attack, with some savoury herbal kick and a good dose of potting soil. Many interesting nuances to find here, but the flavour intensity is pretty solid. The midpalate sees some light floral notes and more decayed earth tones, along with a streak of red berries (bright) and fennel down the middle. Really lovely fruit is still here for sure, with lots of interesting surroundings. Finishes with a cherry skin and spiced rum note with good length. Overall intensity is medium to medium plus, with medium plus complexity.
This is a fun bottle, that shows a really nice vinous character of Barolo. Definitely shows well at the moment, with good balance of fruit still, yet plenty of tertiary characteristics. Then, it's just a plain delicious and fun wine to drink! Classically old world, classically well-made, and nice value too. Outstanding example of middle-aged Barolo here- it can be enjoyed now for sure, but I do see how this could evolve more from here, maybe a few years? My bottle gains with air, both intensity and complexity gain. Just a bit short of profound for me, but pretty damn fine!
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Red
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2011 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco
Nebbiolo more
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Brooding blood-ruby red (amber on the rim), with high optical density and medium specular reflectivity. The nose shows delicate cherry and earthy notes on top of an elegant array of herbs, florals, and savoury leather and truffle lingering, along with fennel and candied cherry (for a red and black liquorice note). A bit tight in intensity, but there is decent complexity.
On the palate, full bodied with medium plus acidity and plenty of tannic structure still, although it shows a texture that is rounded and integrated, there is a drying quality still toward the finish. Nice density and concentration, with plenty of elegant power to it.
Flavours of rich cherry and raspberry on the attack, with a really amazing balance of sweetness- it's fruity, but not sweet. The red fruit is followed by crushed leaves, leather, tobacco, and spiced fruit cake over the delightful midpalate. Really rich fruit followed by so many nuanced more tertiary flavours mixing with the vivid fruit.... great! Finishes with a dried fruit skin and smokey light oak notes for nice length. Overall intensity is high and complexity is excellent as well!
This is awesome wine. At this age, this is still drinking like a vivid and delicious red, but with so much class and elegance that invites quite a study. Just really opens up with a bit of air, and gains intensity and complexity both. Always a treat to enjoy a bottle from Produttori, and this one may be near peak at this point, at least for my palate! Wonderful!
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Red
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2015 Piccini Brunello di Montalcino
Sangiovese more
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Dark ruby with high optical density and medium reflectivity (with just splashes of diffusivity on an otherwise clear image). Aromas of vibrant red fruits (cherry, raspberry) combine with rose pedals and earthy brush notes underneath. The back end shows os olive and balsamic note that finish things off. Really a classic BdM on the nose, although it's a bit tight on intensity upon opening.
On the palate, rich full body with a taught texture that is sappy and round on the front end, with some tannins that come on the back end. Medium or medium plus acidity provides freshness and a bit of electric tension, and overall shows nice density and concentration. Flavours of rich cherry and ripe berries on the attack, with perhaps some plum and blueberries mixed in. Pretty forward entry. The midpalate evolves toward savoury baked fruits and herbal tobacco notes, while the fruit still remains strong. Very nice transition here, no hollows. The finish shows some oak notes of coffee bean, tobacco, and baked berry skins, showing good length. Overall intensity is medium plus and complexity is medium.
This is a really lovely bottle of BdM that hits all of the classic things about the region. There is even an expressiveness about it that goes beyond the surface depth, and in this sense makes up for any lack of complexity in the breadth of flavours found here. That, plus, it's a pretty modern take and a fun one on BdM. So, you have a well-made, delicious, and robust red here with high fun factor. So, for me, I like this when the mood is right, when elegance is less needed than a bit of flash!
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Red
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2011 Beni di Batasiolo Barolo
Nebbiolo more
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Deep translucent ruby, with a very slight amber rim, high optical density, and medium (very finely specular) reflectivity. The nose is elegant and beautiful, with cherry, tobacco, spicy liquorice, balsamic, and a hint of earthy truffle. Simple and a bit tight, so not too intense initial upon decant.
On the palate, a medium but rich body with zesty acidity and plenty of tannin yet, for a texture that starts just on this side of sappy and round and evolves toward a more rugged and grainy profile. Flavours of rich red fruits on the attack (cherry, raspberry, and plum) that is surprisingly intense given the hesitant nose. Really quite packed with bright and ripe red fruits here! After the attack, the midpalate starts seeing more savoury and herbal notes, such as baked flowers and some sous bois. Almost shows some soy sauce flavours as well, with light balsamic and green olives showing up. Overall, surprising complexity is to be found at this point, even though the intensity falls off quickly, there are subtle notes here. Finishes with some roasted nuts and dried leather with medium length. Overall intensity is mixed, from very high to low, while complexity follows a similar pattern such that as flavour intensity falls off, the more subtle notes can be found.
This is pretty awesome 10 year old Barolo at an entry level price point that is pretty easy to find. I love holding these around a decade- consistent value producer here! Not mind-blowing, but solid and reliable, made with both elegance and a focus on fruit. I really like where this is at right now!
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Red
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2019 La Crema Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
more
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Dark ruby with high optical density and low specular reflectivity. Aromas of cherry, cocoa, earth, and baking spices (even a touch of peppermint). Maybe some green notes of stem or pyrazines. Nice depth on the nose, comes across mostly Burgundian, if modern.
The palate is light in body with medium acidity and shows a juicy texture with medium tannins. Flavours of cherry, raspberry, roses and some aromatic earthy notes on the attack. These stay on and evolve to spices and underbrush by midpalate. Perhaps a bit thins out, before settling on a cherry pit and tobacco smoke finish. Medium length. Complexity is low to medium at most with medium intensity.
This is a classic OPN entry level bottle. Perhaps a bit thin, but well balanced in an old world kind of way. Lovely, not amazing or profound, but delivers what is expected.
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Red
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2016 Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino
Sangiovese more
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Mid ruby with medium to medium plus optical density and medium minus reflectivity that shows splashes of diffusivity and perhaps a film of fine bubbles (quickly dissipates after opening). Aromas of cedar box, bright cherry, and tart raspberry soar over earthy spices (herbs and savoury roasted character). Medium intensity and low complexity on the nose.
On the palate, bright acidity is surrounded by a medium bodied but firmly dense texture that shows fine-grained tannins with a bitter twist that while falling in the balanced zone, provides some interesting electrical tension. Flavours of intense cherry and thick raspberry hit the attack, with a citrusy twist behind the zesty acidity. The midpalate becomes more reduced fruits with a darker character (plum and perhaps blueberry) supported by roasted herb notes. Very pretty and charming really. Finishes with really nice length and shows fresh leather and dried fruit skins that are roasted over a wood fire. Overall intensity is medium plus with complexity a bit hard to judge- in some ways excellent, but in other ways perhaps overly dynamic or exuberant so as to seem simple.
This is a fun BdM that is a good value. Really unusual in a way, but really fun and playful. In many ways, not characteristic of BdM, and yet still there are elements there. Very transparent and uplifting when explored, but perhaps scandalously achieved relative to most of its peers. Definitely a great wine to try for this price, just perhaps drink now and have fun! Hard to rate, but in the right mood, a winner!
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Red
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2014 Beni di Batasiolo Barolo
Nebbiolo more
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Mid ruby with a slight amber rim, medium optical density and reflectivity. Aromas of cherry, tobacco, garden soil, and a green quince note.
Light in body with nice acidity and plenty of fine-grained tannins. Cherry, tar, tobacco, and some toasty nutty character. Easy going and elegant, with plenty of character and presence.
Well made, classic red, but without much complexity or flair. Just solid, and at a very reasonable price. Classic entry level Barolo here.
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Red
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2015 Le Vieux Pin Retouche
Okanagan Valley
Red Blend more
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Deep ruby red with purple tinges, and medium specular reflectivity. Aromas are a little shy at first, but show a beautiful array of earthy vegetal notes mixed with plum and blue berries. Some touches of green pepper, with onion skin and aromatic compounds.
On the palate, full bodied and rounded, with a plush and polished texture that is broad and chewy, with plenty of density. Medium acidity and tannins that show an integrated structure with enough grip to clean the palate. Flavours of blueberry and plum on the attack, with a firm and rich character to the fruit. This is help up from below with vegetable garden soil and spices, but the fruit is the star- very vivid and out front. The intensity is decent on entry, and pretty even by the midpalate, where some candied fruit and savoury herbs complement the fresh and earth from the attack. Finishes with light dusty purple fruit skins and faint leather. Nice length, with intensity that is medium plus and complexity that is medium.
This is a lovely wine that needs some time perhaps to knit together, and would think a decant is a good idea at this point. Definitely a modern and new world flair here, with the powerful fruit and chewy texture providing for power and presence. Will cellar well for a few more years at the least, this is nice!
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Red
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2010 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino
Sangiovese more
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Deep crimson-blood red with high optical density and high specular reflectivity. The nose is medium in intensity and complexity, with candied cherry and dried rose pedals on top of forest floor and bright herbal spices.
On the palate, medium to full bodied, with a rounded texture, with medium concentration and density, and medium acidity. Decently balanced on the mouthfeel, with integrated tannins and nice structuring that is more open architecture than an over-powering presence. Flavours of red fruits and crushed tobacco leaves on the attack, with some rich cherry threading through things. The midpalate stays around the same intensity, and flavours evolve to show some savoury herbal roasting notes on top of the fruit. The finish shows light tar and leather and has medium length. Overall, intensity and complexity is medium.
This is a well-balanced and elegant BdM, with a decent amount of age showing that is still quite balanced and fresh. Definitely not a powerhouse style, more classic and transparent. In a good spot to drink, this is ready to go.
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Red
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2014 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino
Sangiovese more
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From a tenth (demi). Deep blood red with an amber rim, with high optical density and medium specular reflectivity (no surface scattering here). The nose is quite big, with intense aromatic compounds (light tar) lifting up cherry rolled in tobacco, blueberry, and even peppermint, along with herbal spice and sous bois. Very interesting depth on the nose, very enjoyable and enticing.
On the palate, a rich full body with density and concentration shows, with medium acidity and soft, ripe tannins up front, with some fine grip on the back end. Not quite fully integrated, but not out of balance here, it gives things a spine. Overall, the texture is plush and sappy, with just enough tension around the edges to give a youthful and playful profile. Pretty dynamic in a good way.
Flavours of dark fruits on the attack (cherry, plum, and soft blueberries) that is supported by a floral note and plenty of savoury character going on. Sort of like smoked fruits, but freshened by some spices and roses. the midpalate sees tobacco and spices kick in, with an edgy note of cured leather and crushed leaves and brush. Maintains a high intensity as well. The finish shows a flourish of cherry and spice, with perhaps a twist of green olive and balsamic. Length is very nice, quite lengthy and interesting. Overall intensity is high and complexity is there as well. Lots of flavour evolution here, and just pondering it will bring up more flavours here, giving a great bottle to have fun experiencing.
This is very enjoyable, well made, and reasonably priced BdM. Drinking like a young and flashy pop star at the moment, there is tons to like. Dynamic tension and layers of flavours that ever-change and develop is just a pure pleasure to drink. Not a restrained and elegant wine for the most part, this is an all-out powerful take on things, with flair and an almost calm arrogance. Sometimes that's charming and sometimes that's annoying. Still, well balanced and well made, and likely to mellow out in the cellar. Fun, but definitely leans into flamboyancy, so approach in the right mind set!
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Red
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2018 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Langhe Nebbiolo
Langhe DOC
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Deep ruby with high optical density and low specular reflectivity. Aromas show a green note quince, along with aromatic green pepper (pyrazines are still in the pleasant and tasteful range, but this will vary for everyone) over top of tart red fruits (cranberry and sour cherry) and fresh earth.
On the palate, medium body with medium concentration and density, medium acidity, and very rounded tannins. A juicy and easy-going texture. Flavours of mixed red fruits and aromatic floral notes on the attack, with some slight tarry character. The entry is inviting and fun. Over the midpalate, some candied cherry rolled in tobacco comes on with plenty of overlapping layers of interest (really nice evolution on the palate with flavours spread out in a dynamic way, not just mixed together at once). The finish shows light leather and spices, and is short and clean. Overall intensity is medium and complexity is medium, with lots of interest and evolution creating nice tension that remains balanced.
This is a fun easy-going wine. The green notes add to this in my opinion, providing interest to fill in what is otherwise a light and perhaps even plain and simple red. A nice honesty is found here, this isn't trying to be something it's not, and that is easy to appreciate here. Likely best now or in the short term.
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Red
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2014 Clos Des Menuts
St. Émilion Grand Cru
Red Bordeaux Blend more
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From a tenth (demi). Deep ruby with high optical density and medium specular reflectivity. Shows plenty of saturation in the colouring. Aromas may be a bit tight in terms of intensity, but does seem to open up with vigorous swirls (dibs on the band name). Notes of muted dark fruits (plum, blackberry) and liqourice are mixed with an earthy herbal undertone, and with old leather on the back end. Not super complex, but there is something beyond the surface to investigate here.
On the palate, medium bodied (or just a touch more) with a nice medium but still bright acidity that isn't too much, probably just right for freshness and food pairing. The tannins are finely polished and ripe, leading to a plush and even texture. Overall, a juicy and approachable mouthfeel, with medium density and concentration (just a touch of sappiness here, but certainly not condensed or overdone).
Flavours of plum and blackberry on the attack are dominant, with some cherry and spicy crushed leaves lying in the background. The intensity is medium or so, with a simple profile on entry. The midpalate sees some sweet flower pedals (roses and others), providing some pleasant and perhaps surprising interest at this point, while the fruit still remains, but takes on a chocolate-coated quality to it. The final transition is smokey and savoury, with herbs and crushed tobacco leaves showing up. Finishes fairly short and clean, with some dried leather and cherry pit. Overall intensity is medium or maybe a bit better, while complexity is plenty short of medium (with still more than just a little).
Very lovely wine that doesn't have tons of dimensionality, and yet is perfectly serviceable as an every-day table wine. Decent value, and while not deep and profound, it is a simple style of fruit-forward and easy to drink red.
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Red
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2015 Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Red Rhone Blend more
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From a tenth (demi). Mid ruby-red with medium plus to high optical density and medium plus specular reflectivity (just a bit dull, no real scattering). Aromas are a bit tight, but lovely, with blackberry, cassis, and a mix of spicy florals and some gravel. Seems pretty approachable on the nose, with good balance.
On the palate, medium plus body with medium acidity and well-integrated tannins. Definitely shows a rounded and polished texture, with no real grip- just a general structure behind things with some weight. Flavours of mixed berries and cassis on the attack, with some light aromatic notes of tar and warmed berry compote. The entry shows a softer intensity, and generally this is well-suited for an easy-going but delicious wine. The midpalate keeps the mix of ripe and slightly warmed fruits, and adds a bit of more dried fruit and wet stone as it builds toward a finish of light hazelnut and toffee (quite light though) with a creamy lactone-like texturing. Medium length of finish and overall medium complexity.
This is a well-made and lovely bottle, with very nice balance and very excellent transmission of vineyard. Very much an elegant and polished wine, with a weighty (but still not heavy or chewy) and absolutely lovely mouthfeel. The flavours show nice intensity but nothing is overpowering or out of balance. Pretty much a classic CdP at a decent price, with a crowd-pleasing appeal. An excellent old-world wine with enough charm to make up for anything left wanting in complexity. Nice to find some CdP that isn't raisiny or showing excess EtOH!
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Red
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2010 Tenuta di Sesta Brunello di Montalcino
Sangiovese more
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Pale ruby shade with an amber rim with plenty of width and a gradual sunburst effect, medium optical density, and medium minus reflectivity with a good bit of diffusivity. Aromas are strong, with bright cherry mash, liquorice (fennel and cherry), and light spices and fresh earth. Decent complexity on the nose.
On the palate, very dry, medium minus in body with fresh acidity, and tannins that have integrated for the most part; still a bit of grit on the back end, but overall the texture is of zesty, polished, and juicy. Flavours of cherry and raspberry fruit on the attack, with sweet tobacco and other red fruits filling in the gaps. The midpalate stays red-fruited with some liquorice and orange peel adding on. Some light olive notes (both green and ripe) on the back end, before the pipe smoke and light leather notes linger on the finish. Medium length of finish at most, with medium intensity and medium plus complexity.
This is a charming elegant BdM that is if anything a bit thin. However, it does make up for this somewhat in the interesting complexity coming through with an almost dazzling array of bright notes and tobacco. It's just that this one needs some work to tease out, as it's a bit shy. The lack of density makes the concentration of flavours that is here seem more distant- like listening to faint echos in a canyon. I think I appreciate that elegant sort of understated styling here, as this does show age, but still seems to show a maturity that is fruit-forward and fun- like that old Aunt who still parties with your peers. Plenty of fun to have with this one, even if not the powerful and more dominating type of BdM.
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Red
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2010 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco
Nebbiolo more
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Dark garnet with some ruby tinges and a just a bit of amber on the rim. High optical density and very fine specular reflectivity. Aromas are strong, with sweet cherries and other red fruits over top of forest floor and floral elements. Some light clean tar and fresh tobacco fill in the gaps. Really nice complexity on the nose, with some swirling and development notable.
On the palate, medium to full bodied with medium minus acidity and resolved tannins, providing a plush and easy texture that is rounded and transparent with elegance and refinement. Flavours of juicy cherry on the attack, supported by some earthy gravel and crushed leaves. The entry is gentle, with enough intensity to grab attention, but yet not overpowering. The midpalate shows a nice array of light spices (fennel and herbal notes) along with warmed fruit notes (cherry and black raspberry noted, with a bunch of other things that aren't quite identifiable). Finishes with clean tobacco smoke and cherry pit, with nice length. Overall, intensity is high (but not overpowering) and complexity is medium plus.
This is an elegant wine that wears its age really well. Definitely shows vinous character, but plenty of freshness still. The tannins has integrated so nicely here that there is no hint of bitter of astringency, so this has a really nice balance at this point. Very much an enjoyable wine that is ready to go. Not a complexity monster by any means, but more of an old-world charmer.
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Red
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2018 Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Catena High Mountain Vines
Mendoza
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Deeply saturated ruby with some purple tinges with high optical density and medium minus specular reflectivity. Aromas are strong, with dark fruits (blueberries, blackberries, dark plum, and black cherry), spicy herbal notes of fennel and caraway, and some sagebrush. Quite a lovely and inviting nose with a decent amount of depth (though this depth is wide variety rather than layers of intertwined aromas).
On the palate, full bodied with low acidity and low tannins, for a juicy yet dense texture that is plush and rounded. Has just enough structure to see a bit of sappiness and concentration that is not overwhelming or excessively cloying. Flavours of rich, ripe fruits (blueberries and blackberries) on the attack, which stay intense through the midpalate, which doesn't evolve much. Just touches of warm earth and light herbs add to the fruit. Finishes with a slight bitter twist with fruit stems and unsweetened dark berry jam. Finish is medium in length. Overall, intensity is high and complexity is just above low.
This is a value rich red that goes well with food, or as a heavier "winter wine." Definitely well-made and a decent enough value here. Perhaps nothing more can really be expected, but this is a nice crowd-pleasing sort of wine.
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Red
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2018 Black Sage Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Okanagan Valley VQA
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Dark ruby with medium plus to high optical density and medium reflectivity with plenty of diffuse scattering. Aromas show the lovely and intense perfume of the variety, with bright cherry mixed with blackberries and very ripe blueberries on top of a spicy bed of florals, sage brush, and some cocoa on the backend. Shows great aromatic lift with an appealing profile.
On the palate, zesty (but certainly not overdone) acidity with a medium body that shows rounded and soft, sticky tannins (though there is still plenty of them around for a firm structure) that yield a juicy texture with some electric tension to it. Flavours of rich fruits (blackberries and mixed reds) on the attack, with high intensity on entry. The fruit is joined by spices from deft oak aging (some roasted nuts and light toffee are there, along with perhaps some coconut and toffee, providing for a sticky type of mouthfeel). The midpalate shows smokey notes of dried leather and roasted fruit skins as the fruit ebbs, with some earthy (garden soil and dark forest floor, with fresh decay that has a floral cloak) and spicy (baking spices and herbs both there) waves heading in. Finishes with surprising length and leaves a warm fruit and fresh leather character. Overall, intensity is high and complexity is medium.
This is awesome wine. I love a great Cab Franc, and this has everything you look for- lifted aromatics, juicy texturing, and a great balance of mixed fruits and earthy character. This is augmented by the oak treatment here, which is just spot-on. Enough to add depth and interest, but not dominate things. Really tough to beat this value for fine Okanagan Cab Franc! Great as a food wine, or as a sole companion to entertainment. This is drinking very well now, and seems like a drink-now sort of place.
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