Monday, January 25, 2010

Calcu 2005 Redwine Valle De Colchagua

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The bottom line is, there are many areas throughout the world that make exceptional wines, but none that make better wines for the value, than Chile, Period. So, with that, I'm going to get into the wine I'm drinking tonite. This south-american gem I'm drinking to is the
Calcu 2005 Redwine Valle De Colchagua. On the nose, I pick up wild
cherry, hints of chalky vanilla, and nice milk chocolate. Something
else that comes through when smelling this wine, is green herbaceous
notes and earthy green pepper with hints of plum, which undoubtly
came from the graceful Carmenere grape in this wine. And with that I
feel I've smelled enough of this wine, so, what I taste in this bottle
is wild cherry, plum and cassis on the initial attack.
There are also heavy tannins well blended into this wine throughout
the mid to the finish, which says a lot about the wine maker.
On the back sides of the palate I also loved the cocoa bean and
long finish of wild cherry. I love wine, and what I love more is wine
I can get at a low price, this is an area that is under the radar
for quality wines, although it should be considered an old wine
area, with quality old vines. So check out Chile, drink and enjoy.

P.S. The blend on this wine is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cab. Franc
and 20% Carmenere.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Carrick 2006 Pinot Noir (Central Otago New Zealand)

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In the world of wine, one of the most sought after grapes is Pinot Noir. And the two main areas that produce consistent and quality bottles of Pinot Noir are Burgundy of France and California. Although these two regions are considered the top producers of Pinot, there are other places making some serious wines. Two places that my tongue have been enjoying as of late are Chile and New Zealand (Central Otago to be specific), and tonight I'm drinking the latter. So, I'm a cut to the chase, I'm drinking the Carrick 2006 Pinot Noir. On the nose there are aroma's of sour black cherry, hints of soil, and rose petals blended with hints of gaminess. I so, appreciate the old-world nuances on the nose integrated with the vibrancy of the fresh-fruit in this wine. Inevitably I transition to the tasting. Initially I taste in this bottle a combination of cranberry and sour Blackberries which traveled on the outside of the of my tongue through to the finish. In the mid-palate, there were beautiful hints of rasberries and rose petals shadowed by well integrated soft tannins which also translated to the finish. This is not only a well made wine, but the fruit and terroir are beautifully translated in this bottle. I found this Pinot at Grocery Outlet for 13.00, online I've seen it range from 22.00 to 37.00, so in essence, this is a steal. Go out and enjoy a great pinot at a great price.

P.S. If you really let the air in your y mouth when trying this wine you will also pick up a hint of strawberry on the initial attack of your palate, I love the red fruit integration this wine.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

La Yunta Tinto 2007

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Tonight I'm drinking an Argentinian Blend. And what a blend this South American wines is. This La Yunta Tinto blends Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Malbec 35%, Bonarda 16%, Syrah 11% the white wine grape Torrontes 3%. Normally, I would elaborate with flowery dictation about what I felt when I drunk such a wine, but not tonight. I do love this wine, so I'm goin' to get right into it. On the nose the La Yunta carries Plum/black Cherry, and bright Strawberries, it also breeds within it's womb hints of Venison and earthy licorice. When tasting this bottle from Argentina, I caught nuances of big fleshy strawberry and rasberries mixed in with well blended tannins, which carried through the long finish. Also in the mid to finish I taste some pepper from the Syrah blended in, and sour plum which deliciously danced on the tongue for at least two minutes after the wine went down my throat. So that is it, try it, and comment if you like it, comment even if you don't like it, I just want to know your opinions. Peace and I hope you are thus far enjoying the new year.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Tin House 2004 Edna Valley Syrah

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Yes, I'm sorry, this is the second Syrah in a row. This year seems to be the year of the Rhone Valley grapes, and with that comes the grapes of Mouvedre, Grenache, and of course Syrah. Well, in this instance I am showcasing the grape that dominates the Northern Rhone, Syrah, but this wine is not from the Rhone Valley. My mind is in the San Luis Obispo County in California, if you don't know. So, getting into one of my favorite area for Pinot Noir, I am allowing my palate an adventure and trying a Syrah from Edna Valley. I am drinking,tonight the Tin House 2004 Edna Valley Syrah. On the nose I embraced rasberry,
new car smell, soil, hints of creaminess and chocolate. Tasting this
Syrah I catch Blackcherry and plum which got a little sour on the finish.
This Syrah is a smooth and silky wine with a long finish. I also enjoyed
the blended cherry and chocolate on the outside of the palate. Seek and
Ye shall Find, all readers should keep this passage in mind when looking for this Syrah, and
and definitely leave a comment.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

BigHorn Cellars 2005 Syrah from Napa

So, for the record, I love Rhone Varietals, that includes Syrah, Mouvedre, and Grenache. Syrah, for one reason or the other has taken the world in it's talons and run with it. I'm kinda tired tonight and am not in the mood to get into my personal feelings about Rhone grapes so I'm a get right into this wine. I'm drinking the BigHorn Cellars 2005 Syrah from Napa. On the nose I pick up Tobacco, Blackberries/Cherries and chocolate hints of chalky plum and chocolate. Upfront on this Syrah I caught sharp tannins. I also tasted from this Syrah the dry and concentrated fruit of Blackcherry. This wine also intoxicated me with a long finish of tobacco mixed with black tea and chocolate On the long finish. California Rhone Varietals are not my favorite, but this wine shows more than potential, and I'm curious to what you, who read this, thinks. Leave a comment.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

J.P. Mendoza Pampa De Baco Malbec 2008

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I do love world wines, you know the wines that don't come from Napa, which is difficult for a native of California. But I do love wines from all over the globe, and one place that I've not given enough creatence to is Argentina. So because of my neglect, let's showcase their shining star, Malbec. Now, I've had numerous Malbecs from in Argentina, and I have had some bad experiences for my palate. But there are some great Malbecs from Argentina, which once was a royal varietal from Bordeaux that in the past was considered mostly a blending grape, that became a great wines in it's own right. An example of this Ideology is the Pampa De Baco Malbec 2008. On the nose of this Argentina treasure are blackberries and plum meshed in with floral nuances, tobacco and hints of bread. What I tasted was a dark fruited front end, such as Blackberries, plum, and hints of cassis. Also on the palate I tasted coffee and hints of tobacco, with nice round tannins on the finish. This wine has a brilliant balance of dark fruit and concentration. Grocery Outlet is not everywhere but, definitely look for this bottle if you, yourself are in this store. And if you get a chance to try such a Malbec, please leave a comment, I'm curious to know what opinion another palate holds.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Camillo Trebbiano D'Abruzzo 2007 (Italian)

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Time to switch it up a bit, I know it's been a while since I've featured a White wine. And to be honest, the white wines I've been drinking lately have, at best, been sub-par. Although this, white wine does not blow my mind, it has some interesting nuances that deserve some attention. Now, to my notes. Again the name of the bottle is Camillo Trebbiano D'Abruzzo 2007. On the nose is where I become very intrigued with this Italian Grape, I pick up, initially, a beautiful Pear and Cinnamon scent which literally makes me want to bite through this glass to get closer to the wine. Upon further sniffing, I also pick up hints of mint and acacia flowers, I love this nose. The taste carries with it good minerality accompanied with a blend of pear and apple throughout the palate. There is also a hint of orange peel on the mid/sides of the tongue but for the most part, it seems a little one-noted with the pear/apple components. Although a bit one-noted, it is a well made and balanced wine. And if you are searching for this wine, this Italian White wine is not a widely spread varietal around the United States, but I implore you, if you get a chance, to try this if you find it. And of course leave a comment. Happy New Year.