Posts Tagged ‘garnet’
Sunday, February 1st, 2009
90 / A
Tasted by Mike Supple - 24 Jan 2008
Rich ruby core, with garnet hints on the rim. The aromas are spicy and rich, with red and black cherries underscored by plum with cinnamon notes in the background. On the palate this tastes and feels stunningly like a beautiful red Burgundy. Lush and ripe, with elegant, smooth tannins. Dark raspberry and cherry flavors are accented by a touch of tea and leather with light black truffle and earth underneath.
I tried this blind the first time, and while distinctly Spanish in aromas, I could swear that I had a well aged Burgundy in my mouth. Stunning little wine. Most likely in its prime now, but should be able to hold its own for several more years.
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Tags: 2001, Add new tag, alta, benito, blakc, Bodega, Bodegas, Burgundy, cherry, cinnamon, earth, especial, garnet, leather, pedro, plum, raspberry, red, red wine, Rioja, ruby, seleccion, spain, spice, tea, Tempranillo, truffle, urbina, wine
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Sunday, February 1st, 2009
90 / B-
Tasted by Mike Supple 22 Jan 2008
Dark ruby core with a garnet edge. Sweet raw honeycomb aromas are backed by black cherry and white truffle. Bold acidity once would expect from a nebbiolo on the front of the palate, just screaming for some food. Leather and earth notes surround black and red cherries from the front palate through the finish.
This is a very strong example of this grape. It can be incredibly tricky to grow and make, and many of the ones coming from Italy are bad and overpriced. The best examples are truly stunning, but so is the price tag. That being said, this one is a little bit pricey for what it is, but well worth it if you can find it on sale. This is one of those wines that pairs well with a lot of foods, particularly those with a lot of acid (think tomatoes) or cream and butter. It also has a good hefty bottle that will impress people before you even pour the wine. Sealed with wax, which I find annoying for opening, but looks nice.
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Tags: 2001, Ambullneo, barbara, Bien, black, california, cherry, earth, garnet, honey, honeycomb, leather, Maria, Nacido, nebbiolo, Nonno, raw, red, red wine, ruby, santa, sweet, truffle, valley, white, wine, Zito
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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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Tags: 2004, candy, caramel, cherry, chocolate, cinnamon, clay, Garnacha, garnet, grenache, licorice, marques, mazuelo, murrieta, red, red wine, Reserva, Rioja, spain, spice, sweet, tea, Tempranillo, vanilla, wine
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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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Tags: 2007, Australia, bear, bitch, candy, cherry, cinnamon, cumin, earth, floral, flower, fresh, garnet, grape, grenache, gummy, r wines, red, red wine, ruby, scorched, South, spice, strawberry, wine
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Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
86 / B
Tasted by Mike Supple - 22 Oct 2008
Dark ruby core and a garnet rim. Juicy and grapey aromas with fresh squeezed blackberry fruit underscored by a darker tar and black cherry note. Easy entry onto the palate. Juicy and round with nice blueberry and blackberry flavors. There is a hint of earth and creamy caramel on the finish.
55% Shiraz, 45% Grenache. Easy drinking. Not overly complex, but a fun wine for before, during or after dinner.
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Tags: 2005, Australia, black, blackberry, blueberry, caramel, cherry, cream, earth, eastern, garnet, grape, grenache, red, red wine, rosemount, ruby, Shiraz, South, Syrah, tar, wine
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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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Tags: 2004, beans, black, blackberry, california, candy, cedar, cherry, cinnamon, clement, Coast, coffee, earth, garnet, juice, merlot, mocha, Napa, North, nutmeg, oak, plum, red, red wine, ruby, saint, scorched, sideways, spice, wine
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Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
90 / A-
Tasted by Mike Supple - 12 Nov 2008
Medium ruby core with a pale pink rim highlighted with garnet. Deliciously smooth caramel and milk chocolate aromas are accented by light violet scents, all surrounding a dense core of ripe black cherries. Much bigger in the mouth than the nose implies with rich cherry fruit, dark scorched earth and silky milk chocolate flavors. Medium to full bodied with hints of baking spices and a long finish.
Not a typical Pinot Noir, this wine has a lot more power and body which make it great for drinking by itself, but also allows it to pair well with all kinds of foods from lighter appetizers to heavier meat dishes like burgers or t-bone steaks.
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Tags: 2003, Argentina, baking, black, Bodega, Bodegas, burger, caramel, cherry, chocolate, earth, garnet, meat, Mendoza, milk, noir, pink, pinot, red, red wine, ruby, salentein, scorched, spice, steak, violet, wine
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Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
92 / A-
Tasted by Mike Supple - 17 Nov 2008
Medium ruby core with a touch of garnet to the rim. Complex, heady aromas. Light floral notes quickly yield to spicy fresh anise, earth and white truffles all surrounding a dark core of wild blackberry and strawberry. Very fruity on the front palate followed quickly by darker earth and truffle flavors. Creamy vanilla over black cherry in the mid palate leads to a long, lingering cream and spice finish underscored by dark scorched earth. Balanced and delicious.
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Tags: 2007, anise, black, blackberry, california, cherry, Coast, cream, eareth, earth, estate, floral, garnet, marimar, noir, North, pinot, red, red wine, scorched, smith, sonoma, spice, strawberry, truffle, vanilla, Vineyard, w.h.smith, white, wild, wine
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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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Tags: blueberry, bonneville, brul, cabernet, caramel, carriage, char, cherry, Columbia, cote, cream, dubrul, Franc, garnet, house, juice, merlot, oak, plum, raspberry, red, red wine, sauvignon, silk, smoke, tar, valley, vanilla, Vineyard, violet, Washington, wine, yakima
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Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
88 / B+
Tasted by Mike Supple - 25 Nov 2008
Medium ruby core with a garnet rim. Big aromas leap from the glass: cola, sassafras, fresh herbs and rich black cherry are accented by spicy clove and sweet tea. The flavors mirror the aromas, throwing in some juicy red raspberry popsicles. Big in the mouth with enough fruit and power to cover the 14.7% alcohol. Long, spicy finish.
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Tags: 2005, alcohol, benito, black, california, Central, cherry, clove, Coast, cola, garnet, grove, herb, juice, noir, pessagno, pinot, popsicle, raspberry, red, red wine, San, sassafras, spice, spring, sweet, tea, USA, Vineyard, wine
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