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Posts Tagged ‘stone’

2007 Olivier Leflaive Freres Chassagne Montrachet

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

88-90 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 03 Feb 2009

Very cool, crisp aromas of green apple with hints of slate and wet stones. Dark, intense lemon on the palate accented by green apple. Bold acidity supports the mid-palate, leading to a sweet cream and flint finish.

Aged in 100% French oak, of which 10-15% is new.

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2007 Olivier Leflaive Freres Chablis Les Deux Rives

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

86 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 03 Feb 2009

Pale white flower aromas with yellow pear and a touch of stone. Sweet pear and apple on the front palate. Medium+ acidity with good length of flavors on the finish - lemon zest and a hint of biscuit.

Fermented in 100% stainless steel

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2007 Los Vencejos Malbec

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

90 / A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 21 Jan 2009

Inky purple core with a bright fuchsia rim. Dark boysenberry with blackberry notes on the nose, followed by a touch of mint, light toasty oak, nutmeg and cedar spice all surrounded by violets and crushed stone. Dark and thick on the palate with juicy blackberry, blueberry and crème de cassis flavors. Medium (+) acid with medium ripe/fine tannins. A touch of smoke, vanilla and baker’s chocolate join the dark fruit on the finish. Still very young and primary, but with enough fruit and structure to age. Drinks well now, and should go at least another 5 years.

Made from 100% Malbec. Aged for 15 months in new (65%) and second use French oak barrels. 1439 bottles produced.

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2006 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

90 / A

Tasted by Mike Supple - 16 Jan 2009

Dark purple core with a bright ruby rim. Dark cherry and cassis aromas are surrounded by roasted oak and cinnamon with crushed stones, fresh ground coffee beans and a bright violet lift. Smooth entry on the palate with wet stones over bright cherry and plum. Medium to full bodied with great acid and tannins. A nice spicy fruit finish that lasts for several seconds. Delicious.

Martini consistently produces a Cabernet from Sonoma that over delivers for the price, and the 2006 is a hands down winner. Juicy and fresh with good structure, this is a wine that you can open for a group and keep pouring all night. Great acidity makes it easy to drink and pair with tons of different foods. Not too heavy to open before dinner, and can easily transition into any dish with cheese, tomatoes, beef, sausage, or eggplant. Also a great accompaniment for just kicking back in front of the TV and ordering Domino’s off your Tivo.

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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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2007 Fred Prinz Hallgartener Jungfer Riesling Kabinett

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

90 / A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 06 Oct 2008

Pale lemon green in the glass. Ripe young apricot aromas with very fresh and light notes of lime, wet stone and cantaloupe. Nice sweet burst on the front of the palate that is quickly backed by great acid and a tart lemon rush. Very crisp with just a hint of sparkle showing how young it is. Nice minerality through to the finish with lots of sweet and sour lemon/lime.

If you’re not familiar with German Rieslings, go grab a bottle of this immediately and see what you’re missing. It’s the perfect pairing for Thanksgiving foods. Just a hint of sweetness to the wine works perfectly with the rich and sweet cranberry sauce, turkey, mashed potatoes, et al. It’s important to note that this is not a heavy, sweet wine. The light sweetness on the front of the mouth is quickly balanced by acid, and this is a very crisp, refreshing and delicious wine.

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2006 Broquel Malbec

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

89 / A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 02 Dec 2008

Dark purple core with a fuchsia rim. Alluring, complex and spicy aromas of nutmeg, plum and black cherry around a hint of dark earth. Very easy entry on the palate. Plush and medium bodied with black cherry flavors accented by smoke, wet stone and blackberries. Medium acidity balancing out the rich fruit with a lingering dusty cocoa finish.

Throw a rack of lamb on the grill (yes, buy some lamb at your local grocery store, it’s delicious) and pour a tall glass of this wine. Rich, smooth and easy drinking with a good dose of spice and smoke makes this the perfect companion to grilled meats. A Portobello cheeseburger would stand up very well too, and the acid of the Malbec will cut right through the fat in the gooey swiss cheese that should be melting off it.

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2005 Chateau de Rochemorin Blanc

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

90 / A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 05 Jan 2009

Pale lemon yellow core with a clear rim. Candied lemon zest aromas surrounded by jasmine, sweet herbs, wet stone and a touch of cantaloupe. Soft entry on the palate with sweet white peach balanced by a zesty core of lemon. Medium acidity with tons of minerals under the fruit. Medium length with a clean, crisp finish.

100% Sauvignon Blanc (somewhat rare for this region as you often fine Semillon blended with it). Delicious right now, but enough acid and body to hold for a little while. Drink over the next 2 - 3 years.

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2005 Josmeyer Cuvee des Folastries Gewurztraminer

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

87 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 19 Dec 2008

Pale gold core with a clear rim. Very floral and spicy on the nose: orange blossom, ripe apricot, peach and a touch of baby powder. Medium bodied in the mouth with flavors of peach and wet stone surrounded by a lot of floral perfumey notes. Medium acid that builds on the finish. Lingering fresh herbs.

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2007 Saddleback Cellars Pinot Blanc

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

90 / A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 15 Dec 2008

Bright pale yellow core with a clear rim. Very floral and tropical aromas jump out of the glass: mango, candied flowers, ripe peach and wet stone with a touch of golden delicious apple. Fresh, crisp apples on the front of the palate followed by a touch of orange and tons of mango, all supported by light flint. Medium acidity with a long, lingering finish. This is incredibly easy to drink, yet impressively balanced and complex.

I highly recommend this one for drinking before a meal, with any type of fish or cream sauce dish, or just hanging outside on a warm spring or summer day. Throw a bottle in a cooler, drag to a park and just people watch.

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