Alexander Powell

Coto De Imaz Gran Reserva 2001

Finally, a solid traditional example!

a complex, subtle perfume of coconut oil, dried strawberries, musk, clay earth, dusty raspberry and light leather. Light and sensual on the palate, with plenty of dried strawberry, earth and musk. Mellow and easy-drinking, with well-integrated acid, tannin and oak.

The wine isn't trying to be too much, and so it's just right.

Quintarelli Rosso Ca' Del Merlo 2003, Igt Veneto

Saint Desirat Saint Joseph 2010, Ac Saint Joseph

Got to love classic syrah for under $25, undoubtedly one of the wine world's treasures. Very expressive nose of black olive, cured meat, wooded forest (after rain), baked plum, beef stew and a touch of the metallic smell of fresh blood. On the palate it's full of dark, waxy cherries, iodine, and cracked pepper; with ample acidity, grippy tannin and an iron minerality. Great length at this price, and embodies perfection with braised beef roast! Yahoo!!!!

Castello Di San Sano Guarnellotto Chianti Classico Riserva 2008

Very ripe fruit here, I'm thinking of wild raspberries; yet the wine itself is very old world. Accompanying the wild raspberries is a restrained chorus of cedar, spice, pine forest, white mushrooms, toasted almond and wax paper. Quite complex, and not exuberant despite its ripeness. The palate is lean and racy, chiseled with raspberry, mushroom and spice. Unwavering structure on the finish- strong, classy and sharp; just a bit too much alcohol showing up is my only grievance. Still, quite excellent; and thankfully not dominated by cabernet!

Maison Roche De Bellene Savigny Les Beaune Vieilles Vignes 2010, Ac

From memory I felt this was pretty good, and well-priced, but not necessarily a bargain.

Majella Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Chock full of blueberry, cassis, menthol and soundly integrated oak. No doubt a blockbuster style up front, but it possesses an intriguing elegance to it's fruit mass thanks to its succulent acidity, soft yet enveloping tannin structure, finely balanced (albeit high) alcohol and suggestion of minerality. With superb length and overall harmony; this is a tough cab to top for $30 - and the last glass hardly missed a beat on its 3rd night open.

Château Rollan De By 2009, Ac Médoc

really clean and deep fruit expression on the nose, baskets of plum, and cassis, finely enrobed in vanilla, with a strong herbal presence as well. Not overly complex or earthen, but very pleasant. The palate is tooth-stainingly rich and juicy, with a thick satin texture, though the finish is ridden with rugged tannin, and quite drying. Just enough acidity to balance, in a very international fruit-and-extract driven style, but well-made (and well-priced) nonetheless. A real bomber, but I enjoyed it.

Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Premier Cru Beaune Du Château 2009, Beaune

Quite ripe, with cherries, raspberries and pretty florals filling out the nose, complimented with shitake mushroom, and a light whiff of barnyard. On the palate it is quite plump, plush in texture with a lot of raspberry fruit and a touch of meatiness. Just medium in acidity, and its weight in fruit took away from it's refreshment/cleansing appeal in my view. Decent length, and overall I enjoyed it, but didn't think it was exceptional.

A notch above basic bourgogne, and on par with some villages; but I didn't find it to be the great value wine it's heralded as. Fairly priced, that's all.

Susana Balbo Brioso 2006, Agrelo, Mendoza, Unfined And Unfiltered

Too ripe, with prune, cassis liqueur, vanilla and oak spice dominating the nose. The palate is markedly low in acid, and alcohol is off balance. This is drinking as though it's 20%!

While still enjoyable (and the sale price lends some consolation), I expected more from a $35 dollar bottle and such a highly reputed producer.

Luigi Righetti Campolieti Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2010, Doc