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
Pannon Tokaj Tokaji Aszú 3 Puttonyos 2003, Tokaj Hegyalja
Hungary$21.95
At 8 years of age, the deepening shade of amber comes as no surprise. A swirl in the glass reveals a viscous wine that clings to the side of the glass. Armoas of dried fruit and sweetness waft from the glass. On the palate, powerful notes of dried apricots, perhaps a touch of dried mango and honey. Sweet, yes, but lovely balance and a long, lingering finish. At about $22 for 500ml, this puts Niagara ice wines to shame. Mature and ready to drink but will hold for a bit as well. Lovely!
4.0 Stars
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Romain Duvernay Vacqueyras 2009
Rhône, France$26.95
A very solid, complex Vacqueyras. Still remarkably youthful, both in colour and structure. Loads of ripe fruit, firm tannin and spice/pepper. Nicely balanced. Drink 2016-2021. tasted sep 2015.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2007, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$21.95
From the colour to the palate, there is no doubt that this is a wine designed to impress fans of internationally-styled wines. There is clearly some good fruit here but the heavy-handed oak treatment completely obscures any sense of place. The oak was present from the first whiff right through the finish. Just too much for my palate. Tasted May 2012.
4.0 Stars
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Tardieu Laurent Vieilles Vignes Vacqueyras 2015, Ac
Rhône, France$39.95
Initially, i baulked at he price- $40 for Vacqueyras? But if placed in blind tasting with $50-70 Chateauneufs, this wine would not be out of place. Dense, complex, rip spice/garrigue infused. this wine is simply sensational. Waves of flavour wash over the palate and linger. Wow! One of the very best wines I have tasted in 2020. I actually picked it up on sale for $32. Drinking nicely now but sure to hold through 2025.
4.0 Stars
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Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf Du Pape 2006, Ac
Rhône, France$47.00
My notes are from the '07 vintage. Ripe wine here, in fact over-the-top ripe. Amarone-like 16.3% alcohol and you can definitely tasted it - like someone added vermouth to the must. Sure, CdP are ripe wines, but this is just beyond reason. The grapes for this wine were simply picked 10-14 days too late, I'm sure in an effort to impress a certain influential critic. I actually found it work to finish a glass. Tasted April 2015.
4.0 Stars
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Col D'orcia Brunello Di Montalcino 2009, Brunello Di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy$52.00
Just medium-bodied, this Brunello remains true to Sangiovese, with no recourse to over-extraction or heavy toasted oak. Flavours of red cherries, tart cherries and hints of dried fruit on the palate with a long finish and bright acids. It is remarkable how light and fresh (for Brunello) that this wine is, yet it still fills the mouth with complex flavours, Nicely done. Purchased in Buffalo for $30. Tasted Dec 2017.
4.0 Stars
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São Miguel Escolha Dos Enologos 2015, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Alentejo, Portugal$21.95
BIg ripe red here from southern Portugal. Inky deep purple, almost opaque.
Thankfully, does not go over the top in terms of ripeness. hints on volatility creep in but this seems to simply go along with the slightly rustic nature of the wine. Interesting,different and delicious. Tasted May 2019.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Isole E Olena Chianti Classico 2015, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$34.95
A well-balanced CC here from Isole e Olena, with bright red cherry fruit, perhaps a hint of herbs, virtually nil oak and finishing with silky tannin and bright acidity. Why, then, am I a bit disappointed. Elevated expectations? Elevated price tag? Perhaps a bit of both. A good wine to be sure, but I have had CC many times for under $22 which provided more pleasure. Tasted Dec 2021.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Domaine De Bila Haut L'esquerda 2016
Languedoc, France$27.95
Big, rich, very ripe, lush - all apt descriptions yet this never goes over the top. Concentrated, complex, very long finishing. I love the notes of black pepper and herbs. If this was labelled Chateauneuf du Pape, they could sell if for $60. As it comes from the Roussillon, its only $26. Lucky us. A compelling wine. Tasted Sep 2019.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Kenwood Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Sonoma Mountain
California, Usa$39.95
Ripe, fruity Sonoma cab, which neither fits the ultra jammy Cali red wine model or the savory structured Bordeaux model. Nice balance and complexity without getting heavy at all. Drinking very nicely now, with enough structure for another few years of ageing, though I don't think this wine make old bones. Well done, and in the realm of over-priced reds from California, quite fairly prices. tasted May 2017.
4.0 Stars
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