Adam
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Reviews
Pascual Toso Malbec 2010, Mendoza
Argentina$13.95
The is some good flavour here for the price. Dark fruit, charred wood and some spice. But the is an overwhelming heaviness which I think may come from too much sulfite or something. In any case I couldn't drink it.
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Mcmanis Family Vineyards Zinfandel 2010, California
California, Usa$19.95
Spiced fruit bomb with far too much oak and very little poise. Quite sweet and with a resin-y medicinal aftertaste. It's certainly recognizably zin, but not a great expression of the grape.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Luigi Bosca Reserva Syrah 2008, Maipú, Mendoza
Argentina$15.30
Here's a nice woodsy Syrah in a modern style. The nose is smoke, earth and herbs with a concentrated undercurrent of ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum. The palate is smooth, fruit driven with smoke, and and bit of black pepper. The balance is nice with a core of fruit playing off juicy acids and fine grained tannins. The finish is quite long and oddly tinged with dill, like an old Rioja. Good buy. Tasted Feb 2013. I should add that I have had good luck aging many Luigi Bosca Reserve Malbecs and now, Syrah as well. They come off the shelf a bit rough but something magical happens over 2+ years that transforms these wines into 90 pointers.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Sledgehammer Zinfandel 2010
California, Usa$16.95
A fairly monotone but not unpleasant zin. Cassis nose, a bit sulfurous at first. Fruit forward palate of dark cherry and some moderate spice. Medium-full bodied, decent acidity, short finish with some residual heat.
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Wo Western Cape
South Africa$15.95
Coarser than earlier vintages, but still has that characteristic smokiness that I love about Cathedral Cellar cabs. The nose has aromas of cassis, dark cherry and smoked herbs. The palate is warm with cherry fruit and woodsmoke but seems heavier than in the past. Full bodied, a bit sour but with great smoky length. A good value.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir 2011, Central Valley
Chile$10.95
I was very impressed with this wine for the price. Easily beats Pinots I've tried at over twice the cost. Typical cherry strawberry aromas and flavors with a nice smokey/spice wood influence make this wine eminently drinkable. Great acidity, nice overall balance, good finish. Not necessarily top shelf, but tremendous value.
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Abad Dom Bueno Godello 2010, Do Bierzo
Galicia, Spain$11.75
This wine grew on me with time. It's quite intense with ripe tropical fruit and heavy minerality. Papaya is dominant on the nose with a candied fruit palate giving way to wet slate minerality. There are quite a few layers here, making for an interesting experience. The ripe/verging on rotting character of papaya may have thrown me a bit - not particularly "easy going" but I ultimately enjoyed the wine.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Monasterio De Las Viñas Reserva 2006, Do Cariñena
Spain$14.95
Loaded with fruit and mocha without being overbearing. Acids and tannins support the lushness nicely. Finish is quite long. A quite delicious easy going red and nice value.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Castaño La Casona Monastrell 2011, Yecla
Spain$9.65
I recognize that this wine is a cut above many at twice the price (think yellow tail). But despite a few redeeming qualities (fairly layered aromatics for example) it has a characteristic flat glycerine backbone that too me pollutes the palate with a confected and artificial mouthfeel. Many pleasant flavour descriptors are there but they lack focus, blending into a kind of amorphous viscousness. Totally fine for a $9 wine but the Heculas MONASTRELL 2009 for $11.80 is worlds better and offers true refinement for an extra $2.80.
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Maculan Pinot Grigio 2011, Igt Veneto
Veneto, Italy$14.95
An orchard fruit driven nose and palate with a touch of sweetness and a slightly bitter bite on the finish. a simple but enjoyable sipper.
3.0 Stars
(0)V