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Posts Tagged ‘candy’

2006 Clos Manou

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

91 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 05 Dec 2008

Dark purple core with a touch of fuchsia on the rim. Lots of coffee on the nose with some candied cherry, fresh herbs and a touch of smoke and chalk all surrounded by orange zest and cut roses. The coffee continues fairly strong on the front palate, though this is likely to fade and integrate with the fruit over the next couple of years as it ages. Sour cherries, earth and slate are matched by toasty oak on the finish. The tannins are fairly bold and chewy, yet well balanced. Give this one 3 or 4 years to calm down, and it will drink really well for a decade.

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NV Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rose North Coast

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

91 / A

Tasted by Mike Supple - 11 Dec 2008

A pale salmon color in the glass, producing very pink foam. Strawberry and toast surrounded by yeast, coconut and gummy peach candy with a wild brine hint. Rich on the palate with aggressive mousse and nice bold acidity. Candied strawberries backed by dark raspberry lead to red delicious apples and a hint of caramel on the finish.

There is no better New Year’s resolution than to drink more sparkling wine - it is not only for special occasions! Finding a rose produced in the traditional method perfected in Champagne at this price is almost unheard of. A delicious, complex and rich sparkling wine that is, most importantly, affordable. 52% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir.

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2005 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

89 / B-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 24 Jan 2008

Dark purple core with a purple and pink rim. Aromas of candied red cherry and citrus zest float over notes of citronella and a touch of earth. As the wine opens, the fruit aromas expand, bringing rich sweet blueberry to the mix. Big in the mouth with nice chewy, dusty tannins. The sweet dark fruits on the front are joined by wet stone, light herbals and a hint of earth. The finish is long, with ripe cassis and red cherry flavors.

A well known classic Napa Cabernet, and a name people will recognize as a quality bottle of wine. Fine for dinner if your girlfriend’s dad is coming over. Otherwise, save your money.

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2006 R Wines Bitch Grenache

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

88 / A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 22 Jan 2008

Misleadingly light ruby and pink in the glass – this wine is a big fruity monster. Bright blueberry and cherry aromas with a light citrus zest. On the palate it is rich and full, with good acidity to keep it from getting cloying. Big candied blood orange flavors back ripe cherry and raspberry with a light earthy edge to the lingering fruit.

Grenache can be tricky to work with and finding a well made cheap one is always great. This is the perfect Valentine’s day gift for an ex…

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2006 Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills (H3) Chardonnay

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

89 / A

Tasted by Mike Supple - 01 May 2008

Medium lemon yellow core with a pale rim. Light and delicate yet very floral with perfumed aromas of candied apricots, white peach, lemon, honeydew melon and a hint of wet stone. Creamy yet not too heavy on the palate. Sweet oak leads to honeycomb, cantaloupe, honeydew and white fig flavors. Fairly low acid, with some nice lingering oak on the finish. This is easy drinking at its finest!

Fear of Chardonnay is uncalled for, particularly when you grab a glass of this little stunner. The region of Horse Heaven Hills has been attracting a lot of attention recently, and one sip of this will show you why: outstanding quality, not too much money. Washington still isn’t getting the recognition it deserves, which is great for consumers looking for the most bang for the buck. This wine takes a more modern approach to Chardonnay with nice crisp fruit flavors and just a hint of cream and spice. Sure to please all white wine drinkers, this is perfect before and with dinner.

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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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2007 R Wines Bitch Grenache

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

89 / A+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 04 Sep 2008

Classic lighter grenache color with a medium ruby core and a lighter garnet rim. The aromas are very spicy and floral with some candied cherry, fresh grape and a hint of dark scorched earth. Incredibly smooth in the mouth making it easy to drink. Cinnamon spice surrounds strawberries and cherries. Round in the middle with just enough acid to keep it fresh. The finish comes in strong with a huge red gummy bear kick and a touch of spicy cumin.

Grenache is a great wine for people who are looking for something not quite as heavy as a Cabernet, but that still packs an impressive punch of smells and flavors. Grenache can get pretty pricey (particularly from the South of France) so finding one in the $10 range is a rarity. Finding one in the $10 range that delivers with this quality fruit is unheard of. The grapes come from vines that vary in age all the way up to 80 years, which really gives some added fruit and spice. This is the perfect wine to bring to a friend’s house as it appeals to all drinkers; seasoned wine veterans and newbies alike. Plus who’s going to make fun of you for drinking wine that’s called the Bitch? (Also makes a great gift for the hostess with a sense of humor…)

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2006 Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

90 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 01 Sep 2007

Clear and bright in the glass with a medium lemon yellow core. Good intensity on the nose with ripe yellow apple, candied citrus and a touch of blue slate minerality. The palate presents the same rich ripe sweet yellow apple and pear up front with a nice moderate acidity keeping it crisp and clean. Honeyed notes and a touch of cream, candied lemon and some tropical pineapple and mango notes keep the mid-palate nice and round, and the wine finishes with a medium length of crisp bright fruit. A well made, enjoyable wine great for drinking over the next couple of years.

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2006 Domaine Sainte Leocadie Cuvee Fernand Averoux

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

89 / A

Tasted by Mike Supple - 21 Oct 2008

Clear purple core with a vibrant ruby rim. Hints of violets float around candied strawberry and raspberry aromas with a darker streak of smoke, black cherry and fresh herbs. Smooth, easy entry on the palate bringing lush sweet fruits backed by smoke, a touch of game and a streak of minerality. Good supporting acid makes this an easy choice for dinner. Lingering touch of caramel on the finish.

A blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. Delivers quite a bit of flavor and power for such an approachable young wine. Minervois is a great region to find some of the best values not only from France, but in the world right now.

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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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