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Posts Tagged ‘earth’

2007 Alfredo Roca Pinot Noir

Monday, April 13th, 2009

88/A+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 08 Mar 2009

Medium ruby core with a pale pink rim. Very intense, youthful aromas of fresh cut violets, ripe cherry, blackberry and strawberry fruits. Good body with soft, ripe tannins and a great punch of acidity making the wine extra juicy on the palate. Round, rich black cherry, blackberry and raspberry are all underscored by a hint of wet earth.

Pinot Noir keeps going up in price due to worldwide demand, but the quality seems to continue to drop. I typically turn to Argentina for great values on spicy reds like Malbec, but the quality for the dollar on this little beauty blew me away. Balanced and light-bodied enough for just sitting around and sipping on a lazy Saturday afternoon or as a way to unwind after work while you’re waiting for the delivery guy to bring dinner.

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2006 J. Lohr Fog’s Reach Vineyard Pinot Noir

Monday, April 13th, 2009

91/B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 12 Mar 2009

Medium ruby core with a pale pink rim. Ripe and brambly aromas of wild blackberry and boysenberry are joined by spicy cola, red cherry and a hint of smoky peat. Soft entry on the palate, with restrained and elegant fruit. Strawberry and red cherry lead to raspberry on the mid-palate. Rather smooth and delicate with a floral note of rose petals and touch of earth on the finish. Smooth and very well balanced.

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2006 Pepperwood Grove Merlot

Monday, April 13th, 2009

88/B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 11 Mar 2009

Bright ruby color in the glass. Youthful aromas of raspberry, red cherry and blackberry with a touch of vanilla. A tiny hint of sugar on the palate makes the fruit very juicy. Lush raspberry and blackberry are supported by a hint of ripe tannins. The fruit is balanced fairly well by a little scorched earth and vanilla on the finish.

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2006 Querciabella Chianti Classico

Monday, April 13th, 2009

91/A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 13 Feb 2009

Dark ruby core with a tiny garnet rim. Sweet black and red cherry fruits lurk under bright, expressive wild flowers, a touch of sage and ripe plum. Chalky and bold tannins support the body of the wine. A core of dark chocolate, earth and minerals are surrounded by sweet black cherry and plums. Chewy and full-bodied with a long, lingering mocha finish.

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2005 Terrabianca Campaccio IGT

Monday, April 13th, 2009

90/B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 13 Feb 2009

Medium ruby core with a wide garnet rim. Still very young, but the aromas are showing the wine is beginning to integrate and evolve. Spicy cedar surrounds sweet leather and dried herbs. Blackberry and black cherry fruit lurk beneath the spices and are accented by an edge of charcoal. Powerful, chalky tannins on the palate. Raspberry, red cherry and plum flavors mix with chocolate and a touch of smoky game. Wet stones and earth linger on the finish.

A blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.

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2006 Fattoria di Felsina Chianti Classico

Monday, April 13th, 2009

91/A

Tasted by Mike Supple - 13 Feb 2009

Dark ruby core with a wide ruby rim, accented with flecks of garnet. Fresh and young on the nose with sweet herbs and leather around plum and dark cherry. A sweet ripe raspberry note yields to red cherry and a faint, lingering hint of earth. Bold ripe tannins are balanced well by lots of acid and tons of dark fruit. Plum and black cherry are backed by earth and cocoa powder with a touch of wet stone on the finish. Very well balanced and great mouthfeel. Another winner from Felsina.

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2006 Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon

Monday, April 13th, 2009

90/A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 15 Feb 2009

Deep ruby and purple core with a wide ruby rim. Vanilla, fresh oak and a touch of earthy aromas surround a bold core of cassis, blackberry, black cherry and plum. Lush and fruity on the palate entry with a solid core of ripe and approachable tannins. Creamy vanilla surrounds plush cherry and blackberry with a touch of smoke. Spicy cedar lingers on the finish.

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2004 Chateau d’Estoublon Les Baux de Provence

Monday, April 13th, 2009

92/A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 18 Jan 2009

Deep ruby core with a paler rim and slight garnet highlights. Clean fruit and spice aromas of plums, cinnamon and black cherry with a rustic earth, stone and leather quality, all accented by roasted coffee. Fairly full bodied in the mouth with intense flavors of smoky plums and roasted black cherries backed by spicy black pepper, coffee, nutmeg and baker’s chocolate with a hint of wild game.

This is an intense, complex wine. 2004 is sandwiched between two more critically acclaimed vintages. As a result, many great Provence wines from 2004 were overlooked, and this is a real hidden gem. While not a cheap wine, it is powerful and well balanced, and will impress any aficionado. Showing well now, but likely to continue getting better for another couple of years. A blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

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1994 Kalin Cellars Chardonnay Cuvee W

Monday, April 13th, 2009

93/A

Tasted by Mike Supple - 25 Feb 2009

Bright, rich gold core. Very deep aromas of dried apricot, peach, pear and beeswax with a hint of earth and mushrooms. Rich entry into the mouth. Round and full, yet maintains a steely minerality and crisp acidity. Rich flavors of apricot, yellow pear, apple and a hint of lemon lead to cream and nutmeg on the finish.

Just released, Kalin Cellars holds their longer than just about any winery in California. Some of the most outstanding wines made in California; particularly the Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Pinot Noir.

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2005 Ken Brown “A” Cuvee Syrah

Monday, April 13th, 2009

91/B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 19 Feb 2009

Intense black and purple core with glass coating bright fuchsia color. Very intense aromas of black raspberry, black cherry and boysenberry syrup. Thick and jammy on the nose. Very different on the palate: much more refined and balanced with white pepper and earth around licorice, black cherry and a touch of game.

This is very much an Australian Shiraz on the nose but a Rhone Syrah on the palate. Only 272 cases produced.

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