It's only wine but I like it
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Following (3)
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Reviews (1352)
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Reviews
Giacosa Basarin Vigna Gianmaté Barbaresco 2007, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$39.95
I believe this producer (Giacosa Fratelli) is completely separate from famed Bruno Giacosa (no obvious relationship I could find). This Barbaresco is modern leaning, with its ageing in small oak barrels (noted in the sheen of vanilla), yet tries to maintain the character of nebbiolo. For the most part, this merging of styles is a success. The oak, while noted, is not obtrusive and the red fruit and perfumed floral elements shine through. Noted (but pleasant) acidity and firm tannin on the finish. Drinking now, but no rush, this should keep. Nicely done. Tasted Dec 31,2015.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Alvaro Castro Red 2008, Doc Dão
Dão, Portugal$17.95
Medium bodied, with ripe red fruit, along with notes of smoke and spice. I actually found the wine a bit lacking in the middle palate and the finish is only good. It's a good wine for sure, and fairly priced, just not 90+ to my taste. Drinking now or can hold a few years. Tasted July 2012.
4.0 Stars
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La Crau De Ma Mère Châteauneuf Du Pape 2010, Ac
Rhône, France$44.95
This CdP certainly has some authentic southern Rhone attributes. Very spicy and peppery, with loads of herbs mixed in. But there is a dearth of joyous fruit that make wines of the south Rhone so endearing. Also, there is considerable bitterness and sharp acidity. Yet another disappointing CdP - will stick with cheaper Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Rasteau from now on. Tasted Dec 2017.
4.0 Stars
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Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello Di Montalcino 2005
Tuscany, Italy$39.95
As JS notes, quite mature aromas, with notes of dried fruit, earth and forest. Tasting it reveals a much younger wine, full of red fruits, fine acidity and some still firm tannin. I'll disagree with Mr Szabo and Mr Lawrason, I think this wine will not only will age well, but needs another couple of years to reach its peak. This is a lovely, authetic Brunello, but do decant if drinking now. At $40, this is quite reasonably priced by Brunello standards. Tasted Oct 2012.
4.0 Stars
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Domaine De La Côte De L'ange Châteauneuf Du Pape 2010, Ac
Rhône, France$37.95
I must confess that I often find Chateauneuf de Papes a little underwhelming, often overly alcoholic and over ripe. This '10 CdP, though, despite the hefty 15.5% alcohol, has good balance. Yes, plenty of ripeness, but not over the top and just a bit of heat on the finish. I appreciate the concentrated dark fruit, supported by herbs and spice and a solid structure. Seems to be in a really nice place now, but no rush at all, this should keep at least another few years. Wish all moderately priced CdP's were this good. Tasted March 2017.
4.0 Stars
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Montirius Vacqueyras Le Clos 2005, Ac
Rhône, France$28.95
My second tasting of this un-oaked red from Vacqueyras. My original tasting: "tons of ripe dark berry fruit, and spice with a long finish but some serious tannin is evident. Hold for 3 years at least....maybe 5 or more" Well, now exactly 4 years later, the wine is virtually unchanged. Still wonderful spicy dark berry fruit but still quite tannic, but more astringent this time around. The fruit is still holding nicely but I wonder if this will ever quite mellow. Would love to re-visit in another 3-5 years...alas, I have no more bottles. Tasted April 2013
3.5 Stars
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Château Pierre De Montignac 2010, Cru Bourgeois, Ap Médoc
Bordeaux, France$24.95
Yes, this is a big, powerful Medoc. Quite ripe, but with a bag of tannin still, now 8 years on. Still a wine for the cellar, my rating reflects current drinking status. Needs 3 more years at least to provide more joy. Hopefully, the fruit will outlive the tannin. If a 2010 from chateau at this level (cru bourgeois) is still tight, I'd imagine the classified growths may need 25 years plus)...if you can afford them. Tasted Sep208.
3.5 Stars
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Domaine De L'oiselet Vacqueyras 2015, Ac
Rhône, France$22.75
Very ripe, dense, concentrated Vacqueyras from the fine 2015 vintage. Unfortunately, some significant (and rather unpleasant) oxidation is notable on this finish. This would be surprising if this was simply due to age, given the AC and vintage quality. Could be a single bottle issue. Alas, I will never know. Tasted June 2021.
3.5 Stars
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Maison Ventenac Les Hauts De Ventenac Cuvée Jules 2014, Ap Cabardès
Languedoc, France$12.75
A mid-weight multi-grape blend from southern France. Fairly lean, with flavours leaning to the red fruit spectrum along with some pepper and herbal notes and finishing with some sourness. Good wine but one that I never quite warmed to. Tasted June 2018.
3.5 Stars
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álvaro Palacios Camins Del Priorat 2016, Doq Priorat
Priorat, Spain$23.25
A blend of garnacha, cariñena, cabernet sauvignon, syrah and merlot. Hugely ripe, grapey, jammy concentrated flavours. A full throttle wine for sure, yet it has fine balance, a hallmark of Palacios wines. Really good wine here, for drinking now or in the next few years. Tasted Feb 2022.
3.5 Stars
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