Thomas T

Marqués De Riscal Reserva 2007

Ruby red with a bit of garnet in colour. Strong nose of blackberry, spice, and cedar. Medium + body, with chalky tannins. Flavours are similar to the nose with a little more plum and earthiness. Long finish.

Had this with a rack of lamb and it was an excellent pairing.

Tasted September 2012.

Chateau Des Charmes Gamay Noir 'droit' St. David's Bench Vineyard 2010, St. David's Bench

This wine was fruity; very ripe to jammy with lots of cherry and strawberry here. While a few years old at this point, there were still mild tannins and a long finish. I quite enjoyed this wine, especially paired with a herb-seasoned roast chicken.
Tasted January 2014.

Castillo De Monseran Garnacha 2010, Carinena

While I enjoyed this wine, I had recently drank both the Cannonau Di Sardegna Riserva, and the Cannonau is Sardinia, Italy's local name for Grenache. I perferred both of these to this Spanish take.

Check out all three of my reviews at:

http://www.everydaywineaficionado.com

Perrin Réserve 2009, Ac Côtes Du Rhône

Coming from the eastern bank of the Rhône, and just north of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, it is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
It is a simple wine with red berries and spice aromas. Soft tannins with light red berries, a bit acidic. It may be showing its age here, having lack-luster berry tones, mostly a herbaceous flavours.
Tasted March 2014.

Domaine Boyar Blueridge Xr Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2009

A medium-light golden colour. Medium-strong nose consisting of fruit scents, particularly pineapples and peaches. Dry with medium acidity. Along with the fruit flavours from the nose there is a definite smokiness. Good finish.
Tasted March 2012.

Vicchiomaggio Ripa Delle Mandorle 2009, Igt Toscana

Excellent value. While I wasn't blown away by this wine to rank it as high as some others, I felt it was very easy drinking and enjoyable.

Read my full review at:

http://www.everydaywineaficionado.com

Folonari Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2009, Veneto

An excellent wine and I feel well worth its price. Aromas of blackcurrant and lots of spice. On the palate, the spice is a more subtle, with plum and leathery notes to add to the complexity. Nicely balanced, with a lengthy finish. Tasted December 2011.

Wayne Gretzky Estates No. 99 Cabernet Merlot 2008, Niagara Peninsula

A very easy drinking and well balanced red. The aroma is strong of fruit tones, mainly berries (red and black) and some plum. A slight smokey note, as well.

Read my full review at:

http://www.everydaywineaficionado.com

Palacios Remondo La Montesa 2009, Rioja

I found this wine to have aromas of red berries, fig and fennel. While on the palate it was lightly tannic, with a light-medium body. Spice notes were more noticeable here than on the nose. Very good finish.
Tasted March 2012.

Terre Del Barolo Vinum Vita Est Barolo 2008

Wet-stones and sweet licorice-y vanilla scents. I found it was light on fruit notes although some plum and raisin. Soft and supple tannins gave the wine a medium bodied mouth feel. After about an hour of decanting the wine opened up on the berry side with some cherry notes, although at the expense of the already soft tannins. For the price, I have found more enjoyable wines.
Tasted January 2014.