grapevine: hear.it.first

Posts Tagged ‘char’

2005 Les Tourelles de Longueville

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

90 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 05 Jan 2009

Black/purple core with a ruby rim. Rich aromas with warm, toasty oak and vanilla surrounding ripe blueberry, sweet eucalyptus, plum and grape Big League Chew Gum. Great entry on the palate with dark black cherry, blackberry and blueberry leading the charge. Full bodied with full, chalky tannins. Toasty, charred oak and blackberry on the finish with a touch of minerality.

This wine is a second label of the famous Bordeaux estate Pichon-Longueville Baron. A blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc.

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2005 Kunde Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Saturday, January 31st, 2009

89 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 24 Sep 2008

Dark ruby (almost black) core with a brighter ruby rim. Lots of leather, earth and charred oak aromas over sweet cherry and cassis, with a hint of soy sauce. Smooth, easy entry onto the palate. Medium body and well balanced acidity. Ripe red cherry and blackberry fruits are backed by flavors of coffee, vanilla and a touch of earth. Cherries and fresh cream linger on the finish. Very fine grained tannins make this pleasant to drink now, but will also allow the wine to age for another 3 - 5 years.

This is a great value for Cabernet Sauvignon coming from Sonoma - and it has fortunately stayed largely out of the spotlight of the major critics…until now. Cab of this quality can easily run you up $40 or more, so finding this wine at half that price is a steal. There is plenty of body and fruit to satisfy all you monster Cab fans, yet the wine remains balanced and elegant enough to go very well with a meal. Just enough oak in the winemaking adds great complexity of flavors (coffee, soy sauce) that complement the fruit in the wine. This is a great bottle to pull if you are meeting your date’s parents for the first time. Everyone respects a good Cab, and this one clearly fits the bill.

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2005 La Louviere Blanc

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

89 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 31 Oct 2008

Light lemon yellow core with a bright, clear rim. Rich lemon meringue aromas surround ripe lime zest and loads of wet stones and flint. A touch of fresh herbal notes in the mouth are backed by flavors of Meyer lemon, cream, lime and green apple with a touch of charred vanilla and toast. Medium bodied with a fresh, crisp finish.

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2004 Cote Bonneville Carriage House DuBrul Vineyard

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

93 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 31 Oct 2008

Dark core with a touch of garnet on the rim. Fresh cherry and dark plum aromas are supported by smoky tar, violets, charred oak and lingering sweet blueberry. Smooth and juicy entry on the palate. Lots of very soft, approachable tannins supporting a core of dark fruits with highlights of vanilla and caramel. Silky from the front to the back of the palate with a long, lingering finish of raspberries and cream. In a word, delicious.

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc.

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