Blair WineLover

Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Philippine Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2010, Ac

Yet another sub twenty dollar wine rating a 91. I am not even disappointed any more. Every taste seemed a little different, some better than others. The classic Rhone taste was muted, and often the wine was very smooth, but contrary to the reviews I could not detect much of a finish. It is worth the price, but I can't stretch to give it a 90.

Peter Lehmann Shiraz 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia

I am not the biggest fan of Australian Shiraz, but this one has plenty of complexity and length. Almost a 90, and good value.

Valle Reale Montepulciano D'abruzzo 2007, Doc

I made the mistake of serving this with Easter dinner, when nobody is paying attention to the wine. The first glass was merely very good, but the second glass brought out amazing slightly spicy, chocolatey, and other flavours I can't really describe, but all of them good. Great finish, too. Unfortunately, after that it was all gone before I could hide the bottle.

This is a truly great wine.

Loan Wines Special Reserve Semillon 2004, Unoaked, Barossa Valley, South Australia

What a disappointment. I was expecting something special with a 2004 wine rated 91. Instead, it tastes like it is long after its best before date. Maybe this bottle is off, because I sure do not recognize it from the reviews.

Rustenberg Rm Nicholson 2009, Wo Stellenbosch

It really does remind me of a Medoc wine, despite the presence of Syrah, which does not dominate. Very flavorful, I liked it a lot, but I cannot quite give it a ninety. It was not quite smooth or complex enough. Still, it was a decent value.

Clos Du Roy 2010, Ac Fronsac

It seems that about once a year we get a great Bordeaux wine for a decent price. They usually come from an outlying region, such as Lalande de Pomerol or (this time) Fronsac. Smooth with a nice, almost chocolate finish, it should have wide appeal and is ready now. I bought eight of them, so maybe I will find out how they age.

Torrevento Vigna Pedale Riserva 2008, Doc Castel Del Monte

Rich, smooth and reasonably complex, with a good finish. I liked this from the start, and it got better with each glass. What a treat.

Cara Nord 2013, Do Conca De Barberà

Very nice for a ten dollar wine, except it costs twice as much. In fact, I just had a ten dollar wine that was just as good. So put this back on the shelf, head over to the general section (also Spanish), and pick up Beso de Vino, in either the red or the blue bottle.

Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer 2009, Alsace

It takes the French to make a great German wine! This is heaven, with a wonderful long finish, and not too sweet. Serve chilled, perhaps as an aperitif before dinner. Best of all, it is now in the general section, so it should be available for a while.

Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Les Trois Soeurs Côtes Du Rhône 2010, Ac

This does not really work for me. It is not nearly smooth enough to rate a ninety. Not quite my kind of wine.