Mike de Maria
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Following (11)
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Reviews (77)
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Reviews
Domaine Des Fées Côtes Du Rhône 2010, Ac, Unfiltered
Rhône, France$14.95
Bought two bottles of this on a recommendation from one of the wine consultants. I tasted and returned both bottles. There seems like there's a good wine hidden in there but I couldn't get over the 'bitter' note at the end that Mr. Lawrason mentions. It alone makes this wine undrinkable, but then you add a very pronounced and evident 15% alchohol and it becomes even more undrinkable. I thought the first bottle might have been off, so opened the 2nd and it was the same. Awful.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Tessellae Louis Roche Old Vines 2011, Côtes Du Roussillon
Languedoc, France$17.00
Just what I want out of a Southern France wine - dark fruit and savoury flavours in harmony. Medium full bodied, with nice structure and acidity. It's like a bite of venison with an herbal savoury blueberry sauce in a bottle.
3.0 Stars
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Luigi Bosca Malbec Lujan De Cuyo 2009
Argentina$21.95
This is a big step backwards from last year's vintage. Disappointing, and not worth the price.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Ónra Negre 2009, Do Costers Del Segre
Spain$16.95
Took John's advice and had this with BBQ smoked ribs with roasted beets in a bacon thyme vinaigrette. Worked wonderfully. Very solid BBQ wine.
3.0 Stars
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Ramosceto Lacrima Di Morro D'Alba 2010, Doc
Marche, Italy$14.95
What a wonderful wine experience. This really is a different tasting wine and unlike most other reds. It is has a very interesting nose, with heavy perfumed floral notes and lychee (really). The palate gives the same flavours with nice fresh acidity a touch of nice tannin for structure and a pleasant finish. This wine might not be a "90" in the traditional sense, but the experience of tasting something new gives it a bump. Definitely worth checking out.
3.0 Stars
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Xavier Côtes Du Rhone 2010
Rhône, France$16.95
I really wanted to like this wine for two reasons. First, Rhone is my favourite wine region. But mostly because my son's name is Xavier. That being said, this didn't quite live up to what I was hoping. I've had the Chateauneuf from Xavier and it's much better bang for the buck. This wine at $16 certainly isn't overpriced, but it's just very average. It's red fruit dominated, with some of the Rhone garrigue/savoury type notes. Lively, juicy, a little bit of alcohol heat. I was really hoping it'd be better.
3.0 Stars
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Château Plaisance Cuvée Alix 2005, Ac Premières Côtes De Bordeaux
Bordeaux, France$24.95
Yummy mature french wine. Elegant and well balanced with cherry/plum mixing with leather/earth. Nice acidity, and refined tannins. This wine really evolved and opened up over the evening. It's not often you can get a solid (and mature) Bordeaux for under $30. Solid value.
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Columbia Crest H3 Merlot 2007, Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley
Washington, Usa$19.95
This is the 2nd bottle of H3 that I've tried. I drank the 1st bottle immediately after it was released was not very impressed. One year in the cellar and overall, again not that impressive. It was all oak, acid and tannin at first with the fruit very closed. It didn't improve much over the 2 hours it was open prior to and during dinner, but when I had about half a glass left, 3 hours after the bottle was opened, the fruit finally showed up and it was quite nice. I'd give it more time in the cellar to see if it might open up more.
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Finca El Encinal Crianza 2010, Do Ribera Del Duero
Ribera Del Duero, Spain$17.95
Generic, sweet, and commercial tasting. Tastes like it could have been made anywhere.
2.0 Stars
(0)V