grapevine: hear.it.first

Posts Tagged ‘strawberry’

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.

Click here for full grades section.

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.

Click here for full grades section.

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.

Click here for full grades section.

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.

Click here for full grades section

2006 Chateau Vieux Taillefer

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

88 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 22 Jan 2009

Purple core with a bright ruby rim. Spicy nutmeg and cinnamon surround red cherry and strawberry aromas, followed by a black pepper punch. Smooth entry on the palate, building quickly to a full bodied wine with a solid tannic core. Scorched licorice and earthy flavors around black cherry, blackberry and burnt coffee on the finish. A bit tight when first opened, but really showed well after being in the glass for a while. I recommend a moderate decanting for early drinking. 100% Merlot from vines a minimum of 60 years old, aged in 100% new French oak.

Click here for full grades section

2007 Loring Wine Co Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

92 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 15 Jan 2009

Medium purple core with a bright ruby rim. Sweet raspberry fruit is backed by cool earth, wet stone and a spicy hint of cola on the nose. Soft entry on the front of the palate, but builds quickly to a round, rich mid-palate. Medium bodied with great acid structure. Raspberry and strawberry fruits are backed by earth and a touch of scorched oak with a spicy cinnamon note on the finish.

Click here for full grades section

2004 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

74 / C-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 09 Jan 2009

Dark maroon core with a garnet rim. Prune and dried cherries with strawberry licorice and a cinnamon hint. Smooth entry on the palate. Soft with black cherry flavors and a hint of mocha on the finish.

This needs to be consumed immediately - starting to taste old.

Click here for full grades section

2006 Paul Jaboulet Aine Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

88 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 15 Apr 2008

Very bright in the glass with a thick purple core surrounded by a fuchsia rim. Fleshy and sweet in both the aromas and flavors. Sweet strawberry wraps around black cherry and blackberry with a nice hint of black pepper. The wine is smooth and soft as it enters the mouth bringing a smoky, gamy undertone of flavors to support the fruit.

This is the perfect wine for bacon cheeseburgers. Rhone wines bring a great punch of spice and smoke in to the fruit, and have a lot more structure and balance than Grenache or Shiraz from most New World producers. This wine is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. The Grenache gives it good acidity and fruit-forward nature while the Syrah provides backbone and pepper spice. This is not an overly complex wine, but it’s a fantastic introduction into the blended styles that the Southern Rhone has to offer. The winery, Paul Jaboulet Aine, was recently purchased by a family famous for their Bordeaux (Chateau La Lagune), so look for some changes and even better quality in the upcoming vintages.

Click here for full grades section

2004 Domaine Chanson Pere et Fils Savigny-Dominode 1er Cru

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

89 / A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 05 Jan 2009

Medium garnet core with a lighter rim. Very sweet aromas up front. Cola, black cherry and vanilla give way to lurking dark wet earth, smoke and mushrooms with an accent of strawberry jam. A touch of dill on the front palate with earth and black cherry fruit. Less overtly fruity than the aromas with more structure, dark scorched earth and burnt tobacco. Fairly high acid, and very well balanced overall.

This is a very nice wine, particularly for the 2004 vintage in Burgundy. Many of the wines are harsh and herbal, but this wine has great silky mouth feel and ripe fruit. The so-called “off” vintages are the best ones to find great deals in Burgundy. This is a great price for a well made Premier Cru wine.

Click here for full grades section

NV Georges Lacombe Brut Rose

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

90 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 16 Dec 2008

Gorgeous dark salmon color with tons of tiny, persistent bubbles. Dark cherry aromas with orange zest and a touch of slate with a faint lingering hint of honeyed toast. Great mouthfeel - smooth, creamy yet mouth filling bubbles. Dark cherry and strawberry flavors, sweet marzipan and Fuji apple all underlined by a bold mineral streak. Medium flavor persistence.

Click here for full grades section