juniacke
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Reviews
Dutschke St Jakobi Single Vineyard Shiraz 2014, Barossa Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$31.75
Aged for 18 months in French and American oak (35% new). Medium to strong aromas of blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, oak, black pepper, smoke, chocolate. There's a prominent vegetal component of green bell pepper, leaf, grass. Tannins are medium to high. Long finish of spice and pepper with some grassy bitterness. Very nice full bodied after dinner wine. The price point is high relative to comparable wines.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Domaine De Bila Haut L'esquerda 2016
Languedoc, France$27.95
A 2016 Syrah-Grenache (60%/40%) but with some Carignan in there. This is from the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France. This is aged in 10% old French barrels and 90% concrete tanks. Juicy mouth-watering ripe cherry, strawberry, blackberry. Medium aromas of lavender, anise, slate, graphite, grass. The alcohol is at 14.5% but well-integrated with the acidity that produces a pleasant tartness. The tannins are medium to high producing a medium length finish. Very enjoyable wine and at this price a super value.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Villa Erbice Tremenel Amarone Della Valpolicella 2010, Docg
Veneto, Italy$52.75
Aged for two years in oak. Raisins, dried figs, blackcurrants, rose petals, cinnamon, white pepper, chocolate, vanilla, leather. Tannins coat and grip the tongue. Outstanding long finish of warm candy cinnamon hearts (16% alcohol) and leather. Mouth watering acidity. Really concentrated flavors and aromas that can be smelled across the room.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Ringbolt 21 Barriques Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Margaret River
Western Australia, Australia$44.95
A 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River, South Australia. This batch was aged in 21 barriques or French oak barrels for 16 months. You can smell this wine from a mile away. Blackberry jam, very prominent oak, vanilla and mint. Some fennel, lavender. It has a dusty chalky texture that coats your tongue, prolonging the minty finish. Tannins are medium, acid low, alcohol high. Not to be confused with the regular Ring Bolt that isn't the 21 Barriques batch (and half the price). Heavenly wine.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Five Geese Ganders Blend Old Vine Grenache/Shiraz 2013, Mclaren Vale, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$28.75
A 2013 Grenache (80%) and Shiraz (20%) blend from McLaren Vale, Australia. This Rhone-style blend has Grenache grown from 80 year old vines. Aged in oak for an unspecified amount of time. An incredible region for Shiraz-based wine, the aromas cross the room. Raspberry, plum, mint, Asian 5-spice, smooth milk chocolate, licorice, vanilla. The alcohol is a tad hot at 14.5% with low acidity. Medium finish of mild black pepper and chocolate. Tannins aren't too drying or bitter. This is warming, comforting, not overly complex but highly enjoyable. The $28.75 price tag at the LCBO is right about what you'd expect to pay for a wine of this quality from this region. Five geese and their offspring risk their lives every day to cross a road from their home to graze at this Shiraz vineyard, so would I.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Mr. Riggs Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Coonawarra
South Australia, Australia$21.25
A 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon from the red soils of the Coonawarra region of South Australia. Typical of Australia the aromas jump out of the glass. Ripe blackberry, blackcurrant, mint, violets, vine leaf, green bell pepper, cedar, licorice. There's a salty minerality going on. Acid and alcohol working in harmony. Tannins aren't overly intrusive but are felt during a medium to long finish of blackberry mint. This is a great example of the region and stellar value.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Carabella Dijon 76 Clone Chardonnay 2015, Chehalem Mountains
Oregon, Usa$27.95
A 2015 Chardonnay from the volcanic soils near the peak of Chehelem Mountain, a viticultural area within Willamette Valley, Oregon. Chardonnay is the most neutral of the wine grape varieties, taking on flavor profiles of the soil it is grown in or the oak barrels it is aged in moreso than having its own characteristics. Chardonnay is a cool climate grape (early ripening to beat the frost) and does well at high altitude further south since air at high altitude is less dense than air at sea level, reducing its convective capability and overall heat capacity. This wine was barrel fermented and aged in French oak (1/8 new). Caramel-dipped green apple, pear, herbs, baking spice. The finish is medium to long, of lime and herbs.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Leeuwin Art Series Shiraz 2014, Margaret River, Western Australia
Western Australia, Australia$47.95
A 2014 Shiraz (94% Shiraz, 5% Malbec, 1% Viognier) from Margaret River, Australia. The nose was surprisingly muted for Australia, but opened up with air. Blue and purple fruit, green pepper, mint, vanilla, roses, violets, cardamom, baking spice, licorice, potting soil. The finish is minutes long with tingling pepper and mouth watering acidity.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Gabriel Meffre Sainte Catherine Gigondas 2015, Ap
Rhône, France$32.95
A 2015 Grenache and Syrah blend from Gigondas, Southern Rhone, France. Strawberry, plum, thyme, lavender, baking spice, leather. Finish is long, bitter, black pepper spice but alcoholic (14.5%). The nose was quite closed. Maybe too young still.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Colomé Lote Especial El Arenal Malbec 2016, El Arenal, Calchaquí Valley
Chile$29.95
A 2016 Malbec from the province of Salta, Argentina made from grapes grown at the highest altitude in the world at 2,700 meters. These vines experience some of the most extreme conditions vines can endure resulting in concentrated and intense flavors. The aromas are earthy, mushroom, potting soil which I often get with Malbec. But where many Malbecs stop there, this one has a whole other side once you taste it. Blackberry jam, flowers, velvety milk chocolate, vanilla, salt, baking spice. 14.5% alcohol hidden away behind this sticky chewy velvety salty wall with a long finish of bitter dark chocolate and spice. Tannins are slightly drying but silky.
4.0 Stars
(0)V