Blair WineLover

Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Puente Alto

This reminds me why I do not often buy at this price level. I am too often disappointed. It does have the wonderful deep rich flavours described in the reviews. But I do not think the cedar taste belongs in a great wine. Some sips of this wine are amazing, while others remind me of a cheap wine, so I want to score it both 88 and 92.

Closa Batllet 2007, Gratallops Doq Priorat

The first thing I noticed was the deep dark colour when I poured it into the carafe. It tastes as rich as it looks. It seemed to work best when waiting a while between sips, otherwise it had a slightly harsh taste I can't describe. Very good wine, but I am not sure it worth this price.

Beronia Gran Reserva 2006

Sorry, this wine does not appeal enough to me for the price. I find it just a little bit rough, and has no "magic". I have had a lot of Rioja for a lot less money that is so much better than this.

La Velona Brunello Di Montalcino 2009, Docg

Nice wine with a peppery finish, but no way is it worth forty bucks.

Kurtz Family Boundary Row Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2010, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Good as a pre dinner drink, but when paired with steak and beet salad the chocolate really popped. And it improves with every glass.

Ruffino Greppone Mazzi Brunello Di Montalcino 2008, Docg

Very nice, with a hint of cherry, but not worth the price. I compared it with and without using a carafe. It was smoother after the carafe, but some flavour was lost. On my third glass I accidentally added the wrong wine ($15 Iniskillin Cabernet-Merlot) to the carafe. [That is the reason for amateur reviewers - we do things the experts don't think of.] It actually tasted quite good, it smoothed out the flavour. Think of it as a home-made Super Tuscan.

La Croix St­. Georges 2007, Ac Pomerol

Mmmmmm. The first time I had a glass of Pomerol was in the town square of neighboring St. Emilion. This brings back that magnificent experience. Rich, smooth, with that unique Pomerol taste with a hint of licorice. Wonderful length too. Ready now.

Rusden Ripper Creek Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2007, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Capanna Brunello Di Montalcino 2006

After one small glass of this wine, my opinion was this is amazing, so rich and full of flavour. Then tragedy, a glass fell out of our cupboard and broke the caraffe, and the rest of the wine was lost. In the spirit of getting back on the horse after falling off, we bought another bottle. It was very good, but just not quite as amazing. I don't know if different bottles vary that much, or we did not have a proper caraffe (any more). Maybe it really just needs more time to age.

Kilikanoon Parable Shiraz 2007, Mclaren Vale

Deep, rich flavour, and very smooth. Forty bucks is a lot to pay for an Australian Shiraz, but this one delivers.