Novella Rayons De Soleil Muscat Canelli 2009 review by (PB)

Straw hue with an amazing bouquet of lush sweet tropical fruit with emphasis on ripe pineapple. Floral fruit notes with gorgeous ripe pineapple in the trailing aromas above the glass.

Palate--Structured with solid acid foundation to carry the immense sweet fruit filled mango, stone fruit flavors; juicy.

This is an awesome chilled aperitif or serve with spicy Asian food. Raise a glass to this wonderful, value Trader Joe's wine at the $10 price point.

Eberle Paso Robles Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant aromas of raspberry ganache and cassis on the nose

Full bodied and smooth on the palate

Smooth finish layered with berry cobbler, plum, cocoa, and cassis

Summary:

I've sampled this wine every year since 1998 and this is one of the best. It's fragrant and smooth, with beautifully integrated layers and a long finish.

This is a good representation of the type of Cab produced in Paso Robles and it should pair well with a variety of food. I paid $20 for the bottle, but it's often available for a bit less. Raise a glass!

Chateau De Seguin 2008 review by (PB)

Intense opaqueish garnet hue with notes of baked bread with floral Daffodil front then sweet spiced red fruit and light licorice but more cedar.

Palate--Baked bread carries through on the palate with steely minerals, and tight red fruit. Needs to breathe...With a couple hours and an aerator, crushed dried blackberries all over the nose, with lively cherry-berry fruit coming out nicely.

I bought two more bottles to lay down a couple years and this should be really a value wine at $10 from Trader Joe's! Raise a glass!

Corino Barolo 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant cherry pie and strawberry aromas on the nose

Medium bodied and finely textured on the palate

Long, layered finish of blueberry and vanilla turns dry with tobacco and earth

Summary:

A good bottle of Barolo is always a special treat. While this one is still quite young, it's beautiful and approachable. The nose is really fragrant and the long finish changes character through interesting layers that are both fruity and dry. Some additional bottle age will most likely really bring this together.

The Nebbiolo grape finds its unique home in the Piedmont of Northern Italy. While many of the producers now focus their top bottlings on vineyard-specific Barolos, some still make a basic Barolo blend. Corino does both, and this is their basic wine that retails for $40 or so. I got a great deal at $27 and will be going back for more. Raise a glass!

Bodegas Benegas Juan Benegas Malbec 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Somewhat muted fruit cake and dark chocolate notes on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Abbreviated finish of dark fruit and herbs

Summary:

Here's a Malbec that just doesn't make the cut for me. It's a bit disappointing because it's flat, lacking that richness and wild berry edge that so many others showcase. It runs around $12. Raise a glass of something else!

Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico 2006 review by (PB)

Dark garnet hue with unique Port-like aroma on opening with sweet stewed prunes, and subtle cherry underneath.

Palate--This wine is still tight with young chewy tannins, stingy fruit,minerally and needs TIME, and air.

Light cherry with pepper but unfortunately I drank it too young! This needs cellaring for a couple more years at least. This wine will be a fine wine if you have the patience to wait; I did not. My loss but raise a glass to nice wines that still need maturation!

This was a special gift from special friends making it, what else--a special wine regardless!

Uppercut 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wine review by Billy

Nose: resinous cedar, blueberry, cherry and black pepper notes
Palate: firm tannins, medium mouth feel, good food pairing wine,
Finish: fruity and short.
Overall: this wine was a gift from friends.  I have seen it online ranging anywhere from $23 -$30.  Overall the wine is a nice, meal-friendly cab.  It should be paired with food.  It will complement beef and hearty soups and stews.  As a vegetarian, I had it with cheeses, hearty minnestrone and a fantastic salad. 

Rosenblum Zinfandel Harris Kratka Vineyard 2005 revie by (PB)

Some intensity in the color with some maturation in the garnet hue with somewhat opaque rim.

Bouquet is complex with jammy wild black berry, a touch of baker's cocoa, and for the first time having had numerous bottles of this wine, there was a green hay note behind the big aromas. It is hard to sequester the anise/licorice notes from the rest.

Palate--solid, mature wine with integrated tannins, big dark fruit, with a dark chocolate finish, a touch of smoke and more black berries. I have only one bottle left--sad! This wine sells at the mid $20 price point but I got it on close out for around $14. Now that is how you should buy and drink wine; raise a glass.

Mark West Pinot Noir (Coastal California) 2009 review by (PB)

Light bright black cherry hue with fresh fruit aromas of spicy strawberry with slight cinnamon notes. Quite nice!

Palate--Juicy acid,with mouth watering presence. Light on the palate with strawberry notes and a decent finish.

This is a value "Coastal California" sourced Pinot Noir wine and Mark West does it well. Be sure to read the labels of the Mark West line of wines as they source grapes from all over the world. For $10, it tastes real and varietal so raise a glass.

"The Boxer" Bill Calabria Oak Aged Durif 2008 review by (PB)

"Bill Calabria" puts his name on the label and in the title of this wine. This wine has a deep and inky garnet to black hue. It has a very sweet surface with cigar ash behind the chocolate covered cherry aromas.

Palate: Presents with a unique front and nice texture. The mid-palate is also unique with chewy tannins and a candy-like, yet bold dark--really dark berry quality and finish.

I grabbed this for $9 thinking I was getting a "new," at least to me, varietal to add to my list of grapes I have tried. What I discovered is that the Durif is actually a variety of Petite Sirah. This Aussie grown wine is big so pair it with something up to the task of standing up to such a big wine. Grilled steaks, rack of lamb you get the picture and raise a glass.

Gascon Malbec 2009 wine review by billy

Nose: dark berry nose with okay hints
Palate: plush mouth feel with big and full blueberry notes
Finish: more lingering berry
Overall: this wine is from Don Miguel Gascon in Mendoza Argentina.  It is big and fruity and very full bodied.  It has the weight of a shiraz but the accessibility of a fruity wine.  It trades spiciness for big thick fruit while retaining a soft and round tannin profile.  A fine fruit-forward Argentinian Malbec.

Chateau Leoville Las Cases Saint Julien 2003 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Beautiful black cherry, violets, and licorice on the nose

Full bodied and smooth texture on the palate

Long, velvety finish with berries, more floral notes, and toasty oak

Summary:

This wine is harmonious and beautifully integrated, even in its youth. Everything works together within a smooth profile that is easy to drink and delicious. This "second growth" Bordeaux in the 1855 Classification is widely considered to be a super second above all other classifed red Bordeaux except the five "first growth" wines.

Within the past decade, critics have heaped praise upon this chateau and have scored it among the highest in the world. It has a reputation to age gracefully like many of the other great chateaux, but this one is also great in its youth. There are no hard edges or puckering tannins and it exudes class. While no steal, its $200 price tag is a fraction of the big five. Raise a glass!

Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2004 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Beautiful black cherry, earth, and sweet spice on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Long finish with cherry, savory herbs, and sweet tobacco

Summary:

This Brunello is very good, nicely layered, and youthful. With sweet and savory dancing across the palate, it has all the complexity and character I expect from a Brunello which is the hightest expression of the Sangiovese grape in Italy. The retail price runs around $65 or so. Raise a glass!

Beringer Chardonnay Private Reserve (Napa) 2008 review by (PB)

A gentle golden presentation with ample aromas of a tropical fruit salad; buttery cream notes and vanilla.

Palate--A nicely textured, caramel and creme brulee with a veritable salad of ripe tropical citrus, papaya and mango flavors all rolled into one. Foundation structured of vibrant acidity with razor cleansing presence and a lasting, fruit-filled finish.

I forget where I grabbed this but I was enticed by the signature on the bottle of Laurie Hook--the vintner. I paid $28--a splurge for me--and it is classic Napa Chard. Parker gave this 94 points; The Wine Spectator 92 which I believe is more appropriate. At any rate raise a glass!

St. Supery Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Napa) review by (PB)

Garnet hue with nice aromas of licorice, green pepper,

Palate--Nice black cherry fruit and cherry underneath with cola mid-palate. All of which sits on a youthful foundation. Finish is a little short for the caliber of the wine.

This is drinking really well now but will hold for several more years.

This wine was given to my wife and I on our recent trip to LA. This wine will always be associated with our time around friends and new friends that are now close friends. The power of wine--brings people together, evokes strong memories and great times so raise a glass and thank you Edwin--Mi amigo grande!

Sean Minor 4 Bears Carneros 2009 Pinot Noir Sponsored wine review by Billy

Nose: juicy raspberry ans strawberry, fresh and lively with italian basil notes.
Palate: lush, ripe juiciness, good light structure in the mouth that stays agile and alive without weighing the wine down.
Finish: earthy notes on the back provide an elegant finish to this young Pinot Noir.
Overall: thanks to the crew at Sean Minor for providing this 2009 Carneros Pinot Noir to the Wine Cask Blog free for review. The wine is very easy drinking, light in body and fruity in character. It is incredibly "juicy" making it both fun and easy to drink.

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Columbia Crest "Grand Estates" Merlot 2007 review by (PB)

Red with slight bricking in the glass.
Bouquet--Subdued red berry fruit aromas with slight menthol, black pepper, and blueberry(?)

Palate--Mature tannins on a fully integrated wine that is approaching plush and drinking at peak maturity. Expressive berries with slight espresso base.

Drinking REALLY well so raise a glass of this value wine that runs around $11.

Columbia Crest just does wine right at all price points--always reliable and always a value.

Trinitas Old Vine Zinfandel (El Dorado) 2007 review by (PB)

Medium garnet hue with aromas of wild dark berries, tomatoes and alcohol.

Palate--Soft structure with sweet backbone that is a bit overdone for a Zin. That being said, big berry fruit and some light cocoa flavors are pretty pleasant. This wine is straight forward Zin, drinking peak right now but is a far cry from a $20 Zin that this cost. Finishes with ripe fruit and subtle baked berry fruit.

I popped into a wine store outside of Ojai, Ca. to kill a few minutes while the fam was doing something else in a store. I snagged this since it was not anything I was familiar with. As it sits in the glass it starts failing. I would pass on this Zin!

Three Knights Pinot Noir (Los Carneros) 2009 review by (PB)

Another Trader Joe's wine, this Pinot is light in color with some surprisingly big Pinot aromas. Strawberry fruit with a touch of "stink" and a breeze of milk chocolate powder.

Palate--Again--surprisingly varietal flavors of strawberry and lingering fruit on a foundation that has some character and a smoky finish.

Fred Franzia (think--Franzia wines)made the statement once that "No wine is worth more than $10." He now heads up the gigantic Bronco Wines Co. and backs his philosophy of non-pretension with this quality value Pinot for $7. Carneros Pinots will easily run you $23 on up. This is a great value so raise a glass!

The Importance of the Winery Tasting Room by (PB)

The wine tasting venue for wineries is an important marketing tool. The way it is staffed can help or hurt the wineries ability to sell wine.

I am currently in LA visiting grandchildren and took a trip out to Ojai stopping at the Ojai Winery tasting venue. On entering, there were numerous patrons at the bar having a pretty good time. I immediately commenced scanning the wines on display but also scoping out the tasting bar looking for the host/hostess. Eventually the hostess, exhibited a presence conveying a demeanor that my wife and I were some tourists looking for free wine. This of course is admittedly also a presumptuous assessment on my part but being the consumer--MY assessment counts. (smiles)

She tossed a sheet in front of me saying, "Here's the flight, it's $15 which is waived with a two bottle purchase." Fair enough except that the 2 wines I was interested in were not on the predetermined tasting flight. Had I been able to taste the wines I was interested in I more than likely would have purchased them for about $40 each. On a previous trip out to Santa Barbara a couple years ago, I had a great time with the good folks at Jaffurs and Stolpman wineries. The two wines I was interested in were from the grapes of vineyards that these two wineries also used. But they were not on the pre-determined 6 wine flight. So instead, of dropping about $100, given the bad vibe of the place, I walked out.

I have been to tasting rooms throughout Napa, Temecula, Sonoma, and numerous states and countries and rarely encounter the "reception" I perceived on this unfortunate occasion.

So--bottom line--I have not tasted an Ojai wine and am not likely to. I would humbly inform wineries and tasting rooms that the host or hostess plays a grand role in marketing for the winery and you never know who may walk through your door.

Three Knights (Russian River) Chardonnay 2008 review by (PB)

Medium golden hue with vanilla pudding and tropical fruit in volumes with minerally notes but a bit "manufactured all in all."

Palate--A bit flabby on the palate but decent Chardonnay flavors with light citrus and tropical fruit compote, with a later presence of honey. Actually drinks better (more genuinely) than it smells.

This is a Trader Joe's wine running $7 which, for a Russian River Chardonnay, is a value price if it is a decent wine. I have a mixed assessment about this wine. There are moments when it is really quite varietal and pleasant but it lacks a foundation befitting the rest of the wine. So--its get a grip time: A decent Russian River Chard should run you around $20--$30 so you have to take that into consideration.

All in all, it has commendable flavors but wanting structure; still for $7, it is a decent quaffing Chard especially with a chill on it which will help mask the lack of acidity. Not a great food wine but for a porch party in the Summer, raise a glass!

Heitz Napa Valley Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Beatiful mint, dark chocolate, and black currant on the nose

Full bodied, dense, and firm on the palate

Dense layers on the finish of eucalyptus, boysenberry, herbs, and more dark chocolate

Summary:

At 12 years old, this wine is still incredibly youthful, dense, and vibrant. I bet that it's getting better every year in the bottle and won't peak for another decade. It's firm and dense with rich layers following an incredible mint chocolate nose. What a treat!

Here's a legendary Cab from a small plot of land that took the wine world by storm in the early 1970's. Since then, many beautiful wines have been produced from this vineyard and the prices have only climbed modestly compared to some of its peers. This bottle goes for around $130. Raise a glass!

Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant nose of currants, plum, and herbs

Full bodied and moderately firm

Mixed berries, graphite, cinnamon, and pepper all work together on the nicely tapering finish

Summary:

This Napa Valley Cab is a newer brand from Paul Hobbs, which goes for about $32. It has characteristic fruit and an interesting flavor profile. The layers on the finish work together harmoniously to give this wine a good, solid Cabernet Sauvignon feel. Enjoy it in it's youthful state with a hearty meal or tuck it away for another 5-6 years for a different experience altogether.

The 2007 vintage from Napa Valley continues to show excellent wines. In the case of Cabernet Sauvignon, many well made wines are rich in flavor and texture while still sturdy and dense.

Raise a glass!

Trader Joe's Reserve Syrah Paso Robles 2009 review by (PB)

Darker black cherry hue with aromas of ample black cherry with raisiny foundation and a hint of blueberry pie.

Palate--Solid steely dark berry flavors on a foundation that is pretty mellow considering its youthfulness. This should be really nice in another year and should hold for at least 2-3 more.

This particular line of TJ's own wine is not carried in all TJ's as far as I know. This runs $10 and for that price, this is a substantial, easy drinking fruit forward value wine. So Raise a glass and enjoy but be careful; this bad boy is 14.6% alcohol.

Wine trip by (PB)

Sorry for the lack of posts recently but I am out of state currently in S. Calif. Heading for Ojai today. Checking out lesser known wines in this lesser known region to keep you abreast of the burgeoning market of value wines. Until I am able to post again--raise a glass!

Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Richly fragrant chocolate covered cherries and blueberries on the nose

Full bodied, thick, and almost syrup-like texture

Long, silky finish with caressing layers of maraschino cherries, currants, sweet tobacco, and rich spices

Summary:

Amarone is a special wine that defies category. Made with partially dried grapes such as Corvina and Rondinella through a special technique called appassimento, Amarone is hard to pin down. It's both dry and sweet, but most certainly still a table wine. In fact, many of the good wines have a savory complexity as well that adds to the character.

Zenato made a special wine in 2006. It's huge and rich, with incredible texture. At over 16% alcohol, there's no denying it's power. For $60 or so, it's every bit worth the price. Raise a glass!

Hogue Cellars Genesis Columbia Valley Syrah 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Plum, blackberry, and chocolate notes on the nose

Full bodied

Smooth finish of plum, raspberry, spice, and touch of pepper

Summary:

Here's a great value wine at just $13. Hogue puts together a beautiful Syrah for the Genesis label with ripe fruit layers, smooth texture, and a nice finish. It's rich and robust- perfect for hearty fare. Raise a glass!

Souverein Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Alexander Valley review by (PB)

Purple garnet hue with spring flower aromas with rich dark fruit and a touch of chocolate with more floral berry fruit on opening.

Palate--Nice first impression with an almost candied front. Black cherry and black berry fruit on a foundation that is built to last. Finishes with a touch of cola and smoke.

This is drinking well right now but should be a very nice big wine Cab in another 2-3 years. It is a good example of the grape!

Certain wines bring up nice memories from my early days of oenology. Chateau Souverein wines were one of my earliest wine experiences--when I could afford a little splurge. It's not that they were expensive but when you have a family, are a student etc,well you know. That was over 30 years ago. In 2005 they were purchased by Francis Ford Copolla of the patronymic winery in NAPA. He's done a nice job of maintaining quality!

I will serve this with a grilled grass fed NY strip steak in protest of yet more snow! I think I paid around $17 for this nice wine. Raise a glass!

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Big bouquet of dark berries, anise, and chocolate on the nose

Full bodied and densely structured on the palate

Long finish of blackberry, anise, rich spice, and vanilla

Summary:

This is a beautifully made wine and a real treat. It's big, dense, and chewy with plenty of fruit along with anise and spice. At 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot, this wine is a benchmark blend that has many admirers and attracts many collectors. It's priced at $200; maybe a bit less depending on the merchant. Raise a glass!

Rusack Santa Barbara County Syrah 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Rich nose of dark berries and plum

Full bodied on the palate

Plush finish of blackberry jam, black cherry, chocolate, and pepper

Summary:

The Syrah coming out of Santa Barbara County has been outstanding lately, and this wine is no exception. It has all the right stuff- ripe fruit, depth, and structure. It will cellar but tastes great young, too. I paid $25 for this bottle. Raise a glass!

Kim Crawford 2010 Sauvignon Blanc wine review by Billy

Nose: Very fruity pear and apple with some vanilla flower hints
Palate: incredibly smooth. Firm acids give structure and poise while the wine slides like silk around the mouth. Incredible!
Finish: Apples, mown grass and flowers on the finish.

Overall: I paid about $15 for this wine at a local store. It is a wonderful, "drink any-time and be impressed" sauvignon blanc. It has the elegance of an expensive white with the fruitiness and accessibility of a table white. If you see it in your local store buy two. One for now and one for tomorrow!

Montes Alpha Colchagua Valley Apalta Vineyard Syrah 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Boysenberry, coffee, and spice notes fold into a bouquet on the nose

Full bodied and firm

Beautiful layers of black raspberry, dark chocolate, and herbs on the finish

Summary:

This wine seems to have become more widely available as of late. It's a great introduction to the type of Syrah that's being produced in Chile, which seems to have huge potential in the sunny, high altitutde vineyards alongside Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is very good, beatifully layered, dark, rich, and firm. I paid $17 and have seen it priced more typically around $20. Raise a glass!

Gypsy Boots Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Expansive bouquet of smoky currants, black cherry, and mulling spices

Full bodied and sumptuous

Layers of pomegranate and cola on the finish

Summary:

This is a big, expressive style of Pinot Noir with lots of fruit and layers of spice and cola. It may be over the top for lovers of delicate and elusive Pinot, but it's all in proportion. At $30, it's not a terrific bargain but it does offer a memorable experience. Raise a glass!

Pozzan "Back Barn" Zinfandel 2008 wine review by (PB)

Lighter garnet hue with a bouquet of simple blackberry fruit with a touch of milk chocolate behind it.

Palate--Thin texture with harsh acid but good zinfandel berry flavors and smoke. A little tannic chew but varietal Zinfandel presence. Finishes with a lingering finish of bitter berry and smoke.

This says "Oakville Cuvee" on the label stating it is a single vineyard Napa Zin.

This is a fine example of a $10 Zinfandel that sells for $22. You read that right. This isn't a bad wine but does not have the complexity or character ofa single vineyard Zin and is consequently overpriced by 100%.

For the money I would pass on this and leave it in the "back barn." Raise a glass of a single vineyard Rosenblum Zin for $22!

L. Latour Beaujolais Villages "Chameroy" 2009 wine review by (PB)

Beautiful crystalline hue with stellar aromas of clean, floral strawberry, cherry and slight cocoa powder with candy apple and rye.

Palate-- Minerally with solid foundation supporting nice fruit that is a little tight. Throw in some strawberry and clove and this is a real wine with some backbone from the soon to be fables vintage of Beaujolais. Under $12! Raise a glass!

Ruffino Modus Toscana 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant blackberry, blueberry, and dark chocolate on the nose

Full bodied, dense, and chewy on the palate

Persistent finish of dark berries, coffee, vanilla, and cedar

Summary:

Here's a dense, layered super-Tuscan from Ruffino that will blow you away. At 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Merlot, it has tons of rich fruit along with persistent layers that are savory and complex. Enjoy this now or for many years to come. At $30 or so, it's a steal. Raise glass!

Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Currants and herbs on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Cherry, dill, and other dried herbs on the finish

Summary:

Silver Oak Cabernets tend to age well, but this 2005 is a little bit flat compared with other vintages of Silver Oak's Alexander Valley bottlings. It doesn't have much depth. For $60 or so, take a pass.

Carl Gunderloch Beerenauslese "Messidor" 2005 wine review by (PB)

Golden honey color with big grapefruit aroma up front with sweet,baked mandarin orange underneath, rose petal notes and overall awesome bouquet!

Palate--Not as thick as a Sauternes but lovely, silky texture with racy acid and a lingering finish. This wine should hold for several (many) more years. Awesome!

This is one of those wine bargains you want to shoot yourself for not getting more of when you had the chance. This half bottle cost $17 on sale from $35. If you know German pradikats, a Beerenauslense at this price is amazing. A treat if you can find it so raise a glass!

Campo Viejo Reserva 2005 wine review by (PB)

Dark garnet hue with cherry-berry and dried cherry and black licorice bouquet.

Palate--Pepper on the front with black cherry and cola on a decent frame.

This is Tempranillo, pretty straight forward and a decent wine at the price of $14. Raise a glass.

DVX 2000 by Mumm Napa sparkling wine review by Billy

Nose: bread dough & vanilla custard
Palate: dry, crackers, lemon citrus, prickling dancing bubbles that are spritely and irreverently indelicate
Finish: citrus and green apple
Overall: This was the valentines day celebration sparkling wine that we enjoyed with fresh strawberries and clotted cream. It is a wonderfully delightful American sparkling wine. It is dry and citrussy with classic yeasty / doughy notes that are more characteristic of a classic Champagne. The bubbles give character while retaining a quintessentially American irreverence. They dance and play and ebb and flow.

This is a sparkling wine for the risqué, the bad boy/girl with a taste for something refined. Raise a glass and kiss your lover.

2001 Chateau de Chamboureau Savennieres cuvee d' avant wine review by Billy

Nose: heady citrus and pineapple with warm caramel
Palate: semi dry with very light acid structure. Very light in texture and feel
Finish: soft and slightly floral with some lime rind acid structure emerging only here.
Overall: Presents yellow gold in the glass. i paid 22.99 for this wine in 2005 at a small wine shop in Freeport Maine. Served with caprese salad, fresh baked bread and home made butter sage pasta.

Raise a glass!

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14 Hands "Hot To Trot" Red Blend 2009 wine review by (PB)

Deep Purple with big plumy licorice scents and artificial vanilla aroma.

Palate--Silky texture with creamy berry fruit that has a wonderful texture. Quite tasty and *popularly made.


*This Washington State blend is a popular wine to the masses. It is popularly priced at $9, made to be gentle in the mouth with big, fruit forward flavor. What follows is not meant to be "snobby" but helpful.

I liked the taste and texture of this wine initially but by the third taste it was beginning to wear on my palate. Every sip was identical with nothing to commend it other than the taste. I know that may seem contradictory but it is boring.

When (NW) of this blog and I were talking about it, I said one word describes this wine and (NW) said "Manufactured" which is what I had written in my book. (NW) calls such a wine "wine beverage." It is made en masse with masses in mind who just want to drink something pleasant but is utterly uninteresting and doesn't taste like it is from anywhere. Bottom line is it IS tasty so if you like it raise a glass!

Chateau Les Tours De Peyrat "Villes Vignes" 2005 review by (PB)

Black cherry hue with creamy milk chocolate base with bold plum and a hint of pine pitch.

Palate--A bit of a thin mouth feel with a cedary foundation and a firm tannic structure. Austere blackberry fruit finishes with smoke and is a touch rustic.

This Grand Vin De Bordeaux--a Premieres Cotes De Blaye--is 80%Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Malbec. $13 is a good price on this wine and drinks better than my review but needs a couple more years. Never-the-less, raise a glass.

J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 wine review by (PB)

This Paso Robles Cab. is a deep dark black cherry with big fudgey, black cherry cola aromas loaded with plums and cigar box, accompanied by currant and gentle anise.

Palate--Silky tannins with loads of dark black berry, wild spice, good fruit on a young frame. Big all around flavors and a long finish.

This is a really nice Cab especially at $15 and should be awesome in a couple more years but drinking really well now. So raise a glass!

Louis Roederer 2003 Blanc de Blancs Champagne Review by Billy

Nose: sharp citrus, dry mild yeast and soft vanilla spiked caramel on the nose with minerally (lavender ?) hints
Palate: Extremely fine bubbles that float as jewels then saunter then gather at the top of the flute, trumpet or champagne glass. Dry with lemon peel mid palate.
Finish: Long finish with floral citrus and lavender.
Overall: This is an absolutely delightful Champagne. It has a wonderful structure that is dry but a finish that does not leave you puckered. The nose is complex and layered with dominant citrus on a foundation of complex yeast and lavender minerals. The bubbles are absolutely gorgeous. The champagne is widely available. We paid about $50 for this vintage Champagne at Costco.

Raise a glass!

Rugerro Di Tasso Nero D'Avola 2008 review by (PB)

Sour pie cherry bouquet and little fizz in the mouth. This is an odd wine from the bouquet to the palate. I loved the 2007 found at Trader Joe's and at $6 it was a great value. This 2008 is just strange. It tastes like it hasn't finished fermentation like a new wine.

The 07 was a very classic Nero D'Avola while this is just weird. I'll have to buy another bottle and check to see if this is an outlier. It's not offensive and some people would love it chilled down, but it doesn't taste like what it should taste like so pass on this until and unless I review another.

St. Supery Elu Napa Valley Red Wine 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Big aromatic nose of chocolate, plum sauce, and dark berries

Full bodied and plush texture on the palate

Silky, layered finish with plush tannins accompanying rich berries, currants, and spice

Summary:

This wine surprised me on two accounts. I spotted it as a special offering on a restaurant wine list for $67, which is a significant bargain considering the wine retails for around $60. Also, it's a lot bigger and more plush than I expected. With that said, it still seems to retain balance and finesse.

Crafted in a Meritage style from a blend of noble Bordeaux grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this wine could also lay in the cellar for a few more years. Raise a glass!

Elio Perrone Tasmorcan Barbera D'Asti 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Black cherry, violets, and plum on the nose

Ripe, round, and full bodied on the palate

Smooth finish of plum, blackberry, and vanilla

Summary:

Barbera from the Piedmont region in Italy often surprises people. Many expect a more austere and savory wine and are surprised to find Barbera quite round and supple.

This offering has ripe fruit, floral notes, and a smooth finish in a very international style. Check it out as an alternative to Malbec or Merlot. It runs approximately $14. Raise a glass!

Sean Minor 4 Bear Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Sponsored Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant cherries and red berries on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Finishes with moderately soft tannins, more red berry layers, and notes of licorice, cinnamon, and vanilla

Summary:

Here's another good value wine from Sean Minor. It's an easy drinking Napa Cab that leans toward cherry and red berries with lingering notes of licorice and spice. The reference price is $18.

We've reviewed a number of Sean Minor wines here at The Wine Cask Blog and they're consistenly well made. This is my first tasting of a Cabernet. Raise a glass!

Wine surprise--make that shock--of my life (PB)

(NW) of this blog serves me a "blind" sample of a red wine. We do this to sharpen each others sensitivities and attention to detail when reviewing wines with each other.
My notes--Hue--showing considerable age yet with life, bricking at the rim.

Bouquet--is absolutely lovely and lively with a subtle raisiny/pruney foundation reminiscent of a nice Amarone. There are wonderful waftings of fragrant and sweet dill and caraway (rye bread) topped by cigar box aromas and powdered milk chocolate.

Palate--Stunningly silky mouth feel with plush integrated flavors of creamy stewed black fruit, currant, ripe mushy raisins. There are still the makings for a wine of age with tannins and acid to hold. Creamy fruit and cherry finish. Stunning!

I exclaimed to (NW) "This is why we drink wine!" He just smirked. So it was time to give him my assessment. I said--"This is a wine of 15-20 years, perhaps an Amarone, Barolo or nice Super Tuscan.

He unveiled the bottle showing a 2001 Columbia Crest "Grand Estates" Merlot which costs around $11. He knew I wasn't buying it so he laughed and pretended to get the real bottle. But alas--it WAS the REAL bottle. I am still waiting for him to contact me and tell me he was just kidding but I don't believe he was.

This wine was phenomenal. How could such a seasoned expert with over 30 years of experience be so WRONG? It is simple--to be a great wine identifier, you have to have tasted the wines you are trying to ID blind. How many of us "lay down" the easy drinking wines like Columbia Crest when they drink so well out of the gate? So the fact is, I have not had many (meaning less than 3 (if that) probably) of domestic, inexpensive but well made Merlots that are 10 years old. With no reference point, the grape didn't taste like Merlot and the wine didn't taste like a table wine.

The moral of the story? There are companies out there which actually make really good, yet inexpensive wines for every day consumption at the $10-$15 price point but are never allowed to reach their potential. The Columbia Crest "Grand Estates" line are one such wine. So if you have a few laying around, put some age on them and then sit back and get ready to raise a glass and be stunned!

Jean Francois Merieau "Bulles" NV review by (PB)

Light pale, subtle bouquet with light apple, light quince or pear perhaps and a touch of dill on the edge.

Palate--Dry as a dusty road into the Loire vineyard from which the Chenin Blanc grapes (80%)and the Chardonnay(20%)came for this wine. This sparkler has pin prick bubbles and a gentle fruit nuttiness but the Chenin still comes through.

I struggle with evaluating sparkling wines for some reason. I know what I like but for some strange reason aromas seem to be elusive to me, fruit covert, and structure a little baffling. At under $20 it is a refreshing, crisp wine pairing well with cheeses or all by itself. Raise a glass.