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Posts Tagged ‘2004’

2004 Castell de Falset

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

91 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 08 Dec 2008

Dark purple core with a medium purple/ruby rim. Smoky and rich with a core of spicy plum and wet earth minerality. Black cherries are surrounded by toasted nutmeg spice. Fruity entry on the palate with good tannic grip. Lush black cherry and plum fruits are balanced by great acidity. Smoky, stony and a touch of earth. Chewy finish with a touch of coffee on the finish.

Made of 50% Carinena, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Garnacha.

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2004 Pibran

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

89 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 05 Dec 2008

Dark purple core with a touch of garnet on the rim. Big floral aromas of violets and roses surround dark cherry and chocolate with a touch of sweet oak. Coffee on the front palate leads to a medium bodied wine with some bold tannins that smooth out on the finish. There is a touch of alcohol on the mid palate, but it is covered well by vanilla and dark cherries on the back.

A blend of about 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot.

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2004 Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

90 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 19 Dec 2008

Dark ruby/purple core with a ruby rim. Raspberry, cocoa powder and orange zest on the nose followed by cooler blueberry notes with a touch of graphite, earthy violets and spicy vanilla. Sweet entry on the palate with ripe cassis, black cherry and blackberry dominating. Medium bodied with fairly bold tannins through the finish. Touch of charcoal and plenty of toasted vanilla and oak join the sweet fruits on the finish. Not quite enough acid to balance the fruit, making it just a touch cloying.

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2004 Juslyn Perry’s Blend

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

93 / A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 02 Dec 2008

Dark core with a bright ruby rim. Ripe, rich and smooth aromas of plum, black cherry and cassis fruits are surrounded by sweet vanilla, coconut and hints of banana with a darker charcoal tone. Dark entry in the mouth with smooth, dark plum and cherry accented by spicy cinnamon and nutmeg. The fruits are sweet and dark making a lush and full bodied yet very balanced wine that is easy to drink with low tannins and great acidity. Lingering flavors of strawberry surrounded by baking spices and vanilla cream. Delicious!

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2004 Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

91 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 13 Aug 2008

Dark garnet color from the core to the rim. Bold, spicy aromas of licorice, candied cherries, chocolate and sweet tea lead to a more intense wet clay note followed by lingering cinnamon. The wine is lush and full, filling the mouth with caramel covered cherries and spicy cinnamon, with the same hint of clay supporting the fruits and helping the round, approachable tannins give good structure to the wine. Fruit, spices and just a touch of vanilla linger in the finish.

Spicy, fruity and delicious. What more could you want from a red wine? Since it’s a Reserva, it has already been aged for you in their cellars, making it ready to pick up at your wine shop and drink tonight. While it may be a few dollars more than your average every day wine, the extra age put on it in the winery’s cellars makes this much deeper and more complex of a wine, and is more than worth the few extra dollars. A blend of 93% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha and 2% Mazuelo. It is aged for 24 months in large American oak casks, which is what gives the wine its touch of creamy caramel and vanilla flavors. American oak is used rather frequently in Spain and is a nice match for their big powerful reds.

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2004 Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza

Saturday, January 31st, 2009

86 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 24 Sep 2008

Medium ruby core with a pink rim. There is a touch of Old World earth and barnyard (this is a good thing in moderation) to the aromas around a core of dark fruit. Blackberry and black cherry aromas are accented by a hint of sweet tea and leather. Light and easy drinking on the palate with good acidity. The black cherry flavors are supported by dark roasted coffee and cinnamon.

Spain offers a huge variety of wines and many compelling values. This is a perfect wine to help familiarize yourself with the Spanish style of winemaking, as well as the Tempranillo grape (this wine is 85% Tempranillo, and the rest Garnacha and Graciano). The bold acidity makes this a perfect wine for all kinds of foods, so grab a bottle, call some friends and get a Tapas cookbook. Light enough for hearty fish - think paella with scallops and mussels - yet spicy and rich enough to go with ham, beef and just about any soft sheep milk cheeses. Not a wine to age or use to impress big collectors, but something that is fun, goes with food and friends, and is produced in great quantity, making it easy to find around the world.

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2004 Argiano Solengo

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

90 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 25 May 2008

Dark ruby core surrounded by a bright rim. Very bold caramel coated raspberry fruit aromas are backed by darker cassis, sweet dried tobacco and a spicy punch of cedar. Dark and thick on the palate. Ripe cassis and blackberry fruits are underscored by a dark wet earth tone and a streak of minerality leading to the long toffee, toast and charcoal finish. Rich and complex with a solid backbone of approachable tannins.

45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Syrah.

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2004 Merryvale Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

88 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 30 Oct 2008

Medium gold core with a clear rim. Tropical aromas of pineapple and mango join the classic yellow apple and lemon zest, all surrounded by a hint of roasted hazelnut and vanilla toast. Great acid on the palate with ripe Meyer lemon flavors taking charge. More subtle yellow pear come in on the mid-palate, joined by the hazelnut and lingering vanilla and nutmeg baking spices.

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2004 St Clement Merlot

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

91 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 03 Nov 2008

Dark ruby core with a lighter rim and a hint of garnet to the edge. Huge plum aromas with fresh black cherry juice surrounded by spicy cedar, nutmeg, raw oak and candied cinnamon. Spicy, rich and dark on the palate. A touch of mocha and cinnamon spice surround lush, juicy plum and blackberry. Medium to full bodied with solid ripe tannic grip. Lingering dark fruits with a touch of earth, scorched oak and coffee beans.

Not your average Merlot, this wine delivers quite a punch of fruit and power. It is good to see Napa producing Merlot of this quality again. Ignore the remarks in “Sideways.” This a great bottle of wine.

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2004 Brandlin Cabernet Sauvignon

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

90 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 07 Feb 2008

Dark purple core with a purple and ruby rim. Dark and ripe aromas with rich sweet plum surrounded by spicy sweet tobacco and tea. Super ripe cassis and black cherry on the front of the palate. Medium to full bodied with ripe, round tannins and a big cinnamon spice kick followed my smooth vanilla leading to a fruity and full finish.

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