grapevine: hear.it.first

Posts Tagged ‘herb’

2006 La Posta Bonarda

Monday, April 13th, 2009

90/A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 08 Mar 2009

Deep ruby core with color that stains the glass. Ripe black cherry and blackberry aromas are surrounded by smoky dried herbs and rich, roasted raspberry. Medium bodied with great acid on the palate. Very juicy fruit flavors of strawberry, black cherry and raspberry are surrounded by a complex smoked meat nuance. Lingering smoky fruit on the finish.

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2007 Alois Lageder Vogelmaier Moscato Giallo

Monday, April 13th, 2009

89/B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 30 Jan 2009

Very pale lemon color with a clear rim. Huge, explosive aromas flow from the glass. Spicy and floral with orange blossom and jasmine floating over ripe lime citrus. A bit more muted on the palate. Sweet herbal marjoram surrounds tangy lemon and lime with a lingering wet stone note on the 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 J. Lohr Tower Road Vineyard Petite Sirah

Monday, April 13th, 2009

92/B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 12 Mar 2009

Dark, inky purple core with a glass-staining fuchsia rim. Gamy and meaty aromas of brown sugar glazed ham stalk over fresh herbal anise, dark blueberry and ripe blackberry fruits. Wild yet impressively restrained blueberry and huckleberry on the palate are backed by ripe black cherry. Thick and mouth filling with enough acid for balance. The dense fruit gives way to wisps of smoky ham and brown sugar on the finish.

A blend of 79.1% Petite Sirah, 9.5% Syrah, 9.1% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2.3% Valdiguié

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2006 Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon

Monday, April 13th, 2009

90/A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 08 Mar 2009

Deep ruby core with a bright pink rim that stains the glass. Dark black cherry and plum aromas are accented by baking spices, a touch of fresh herbs and smooth, warm vanilla. Easy entry on the palate with great mouth feel and intensity of flavors. The tannins are very smooth and support the wine without getting in the way of your enjoying it. Spicy nutmeg and vanilla add a nice punch to the blackberry, cassis and black cherry fruits. Just a hint of toast lingers on the finish.

If you’re looking for a young, smooth, easy drinking Cab that packs all the flavor and complexity without the severe tannins, then this is your wine. Juicy and rich, yet smooth and ready to go. It has the body to last another 4 or 5 years, but who has that kind of patience? The rich fruit begs to be paired with a burger or steak, but you’ll want to grab more than one bottle of this because once the food is gone, the smooth texture and balanced flavors will keep you refilling your glass until the last drop disappears.

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2006 Pavillon de Taillefer

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

84 / C

Tasted by Mike Supple - 22 Jan 2009

Dark ruby core with a pink rim. Wild strawberry and rhubarb aromas are backed by a touch of earth and mocha. Dark plum and cherry fruits surround a sweet herbal note on the palate. Medium acidity with a solid core of ripe tannins. Decanting before serving will definitely bring out the full flavors and aromas. A little hollow on the finish. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc aged in French oak (30% new, 70% second use) for 12 months.

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2004 Havens Bourriquot

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

91 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 16 Jan 2009

Dark ruby core with a medium rim. Cola and black cherry aromas are surrounded by fresh new oak, all underscored by burnt charcoal and a hint of crushed violets. Smooth entry on the palate with ripe red and black cherries accented by sweet marjoram and other herbs. A touch of dark earth on the mid-palate gives way to spicy cedar on the finish.

70% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot.

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2006 Achaval Ferrer Malbec

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

88 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 13 May 2008

Dark core with a thin purple rim. Chocolate and caramel with light blackberry, flint and a faint earth and spicy herb aromas. Lush fruit on the palate entry with just a hint of spicy herbs. Good balancing acid with a rich, chocolaty finish.

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2004 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz/Cab

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

86 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 09 Jan 2009

Dark purple/ruby core with a ruby rim. Fresh black cherry aromas backed by anise, cassis and a hint of spicy herbs. Easy entry on the palate with lush black cherry over wet stone, cassis and raspberry. Nice juicy finish.

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