Michael Valaitis
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Reviews (177)
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Reviews
Casa Silva Reserva Carmenère 2009, Colchagua Valley
Colchagua Valley, Chile$15.00
This wine is fake boobs and no brains for me. Ripe dark fruit and chocolaty texture, but all masked by acidification, wood and tannin addition. Seems like its been handled by the Hollywood plastic surgeon of winemaking. I can see this as a crowd pleaser, but just like fake boobs I'll enjoy it for the night, but won't be calling back tomorrow. Tasted Mar '12
3.0 Stars
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Cave De Lugny Brut Crémant De Bourgogne 2008, Ac, Burgundy, France
Burgundy, France$18.95
Great gateway sparkler, especially for "those" friends of yours that say they don't like Champagne because it's too "Brut". Pale yellow with steady beads. Apple and citrus on the nose, a bit leesy but not toasty. The palate is crisp but mouth filling with a ripe red apple sweetness and clean refreshing finish. Like all good sparklers, this wine goes down quickly. Enjoy with your better than average friends. Tasted Oct '13
3.0 Stars
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Capezzana Barco Reale Di Carmignano 2008
Tuscany, Italy$17.95
Fantastic value, pick up a few bottles. Old world aromas, smells of Chianti styles, leather, matured oak, black tea and dried red berries. The palate is silky with just the right grip of juicy tannin. Some smoke, herbs, tart ripe berries and a menthol lift from the Cab Sauv. Classic Tuscan blend, will work with most Tomato based dishes, red meat stews and cured meat and cheese plates. Drinking great now with decanter or hold till 2016. Tasted Jan '12
3.0 Stars
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Pfaffenheim Cuvée Rabelais Pinot Gris 2011, Ac Alsace
Alsace, France$19.95
Beautiful, beautiful Pinot Gris with great complexity and value. Medium straw in the glass, so no evidence of extended skin maceration or peachy hue. Wonderful tropical and ripe fruity notes on the nose that are backed by an almost almond and mineral note. Great texture in the mouth with the slightest hint at being off dry, but perfect acid that holds everything tight and clean. A rich peachy and pear extract linger on the mid palate that give this a long wonderful finish. Food pairings could be endless, a pure joy on its own. Drink now or cellar till 2016. Tasted Jan '13
3.0 Stars
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Moris Morellino Di Scansano 2010, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$16.25
Very tight and showing youth now but this wine will show exceptional value if you have patience for 2014 to 2017. Subtle cherry, tea and spice on the still shy nose. Big gripping tannins with ripe dark cherry and raspberry licorice palate. This wine has all elements in high volume to assure cellar potential. Tasted Oct '12
3.0 Stars
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Remo Farina Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2010, Doc
Veneto, Italy$17.95
Mid range Ripasso, worth the $17, but there are others in the same range that I would score higher. Medium ruby in the glass with a bright violet streak. The nose assures its Italian heritage with some old world charm(bret), followed by fresh red and purple berries and a hint of clove spice. The palate is medium body, easy going tannin, and lots of soft red and blue fruit to satisfy. This wine is easy to chug and won't be offended by white or red meats and tomato sauce dishes. Drink now. Tasted Jan '13
3.0 Stars
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Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Villages Nouveau 2012, Burgundy
Burgundy, France$15.95
Satisfies the urge we get the third week in November. Aromatically its a potpurri of raspberry, cherry and grape gum, with that mild hint of cotton candy. Not as much of the banana milkshake as I expect from most BN, but still had mucho tutty fruity permeating the room. The palate is soft and juicy like and ranks high on the crushability scale. Other than white fish, there not too many foods that this wine wouldn't wash down. Drink within hours of purchase.
3.0 Stars
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Neromora 2009, Doc Irpinia Campi Taurasini
Campania, Italy$15.75
An enjoyable wine, though not the truest expression of the Aglianico grape. Deep purple almost black in the glass, not the redish rust I was expecting. Nose suggest new world style with judicious new oak, lots of vanilla, mocha coffee. Ripe blueberry and cherry notes follow with some grilled herbs. The palate is not as austere or sturdy as most Aglianico's, softer tannin but still high acid, creamy oak on the finish. More blue and black fruits with only a hint of that volcanic tomato. Pasta with meat sauce or garlicky eggplant dish. Drink over next 3-5 yrs. tasted Nov '13
3.0 Stars
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Cattier Premier Cru Brut Champagne 2002, Ac, Chigny Les Roses
Champagne, France$49.95
Excellent vintage Champers for under $50. Standing light gold with fine and persistent bubbles. Toasty, caramel and pineapple upside-down cake on the nose. The palate is wonderfully rich and complex, balanced with a copper-like mineral and ripe Macintosh apple finish. The acidity is still high and refreshing so I think this 02 vintage will have no problem going another 5 years. Tasted Feb '12
3.0 Stars
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Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough
Marlborough, New Zealand$19.05
$17.95 LTO at SLGA. Classic Marlborough stylie - big, bold, brash in yo face with green veg and ripe yet sour tropical fruit. The colour is light straw with a tinge of green. The aromas are all about passion fruit, asparagus, thai basil, green papaya, lime and apple skins. The palate is richly fruited with tangy salivating acids. Packs a flavour punch and goes down easy, especially for the higher alc. Its what I was looking for. Would buy again. Bring on grilled seafood and fruit salsa. Drink now. Tasted Jan '14.
3.0 Stars
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