grapevine: hear.it.first

Posts Tagged ‘grape’

2006 Vina Cornejo Costas don Rodolfo Torrontes

Monday, April 13th, 2009

85/B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 02 Mar 2009

Bright lemon green core with a clear rim. Fresh and crisp aromas. Very floral with notes of lilac over apricot and grapes. Crisp on the palate with flavors of white grapefruit pith, apricot and grapes. Fairly short finish.

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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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2006 Achaval Ferrer Quimera

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

90 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 24 Dec 2008

Dark purple core with a fuchsia rim. Lots of purple fruit aromas. A touch of oak over blackberry, plum, grapes [yeah yeah, wine is made of grapes, but this is a fresh juicy grape aroma], and a hint of leather and smoke. Smooth entry onto the palate. Medium bodied with lots of spice. A bit overblown - big fruit flavors, lots of extraction, jammy and full. Good acid on the back. Fans of huge Australian Shiraz will like this quite a bit. For the money though, I have had several other Malbec based blends with better balance.

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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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2005 Rosemount Shiraz/Grenache

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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2002 Bonny Doon Cardinal Zin

Monday, January 26th, 2009

88 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 29 Feb 2008

Dark ruby core surrounded by a lighter rim and a touch of garnet. Very fruit aromas of cassis, grape jam, plum and blackberry surrounded by spicy licorice and honey leading to a touch of earth. Light body on the palate entry with rich jammy fruit. Soft, round tannins make this ready to drink now. Raspberry and plum fruits lead to a hint of tea on the finish. (Tasted from magnum).

Drink now; not made to age.

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