It's only wine but I like it
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Following (3)
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Reviews (1267)
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Reviews
Thymiopoulos Young Vines Xinomavro 2013, Naoussa
Naoussa, Greece$18.95
Fresh lively red fruit (think sour cherries), reminiscent of Sangiovese or Nebbiolo. Hints of herbs and smoke, though oak is all but invisible. The crisp acidity and fine tannin carry the finish. Drink over the next couple of years for the vivid fresh fruit. Nice indeed. Tasted Dec 2016.
3.5 Stars
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San Leonino Chianti Classico 2011, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$19.95
A fine Chianti Classico, with all the character one hopes for in CC. Bright red cherry fruit, hints of leather, pleasantly tart with fine acidity and tannin. Lingering finish. A model for Sangiovese that I wish more producers followed. Tasted Jan 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Quinta Dos Roques Vinho Tinto 2012, Doc Dão
Dão, Portugal$18.95
A medium-bodied red, with fresh red fruits, bright acidity and appraochable tannin. Hints of spice and medicinal notes on the finish. Decent enough but a bit simple for $19. There are better values from the Dao. Tasted Nov 2015.
3.5 Stars
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Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas 2013, Doc Douro
Douro, Portugal$14.75
A very fine vintage for Duas Quintas, perhaps the best I have yet tasted. Concentrated black fruit, hints of black tea, licorice and meaty notes supported by firm tannin. Length and complexity well above the price point ($17 as I recall, marked down to under $15 - go figure!). Next time, I will buy more than one bottle. Can drink now or hold through 2020. Tasted April 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Santa Julia Reserva Malbec 2014, Mendoza
Argentina$13.95
A simple easy drinking malbec. Pleasant ripe fruit with hints of herbs, but with little depth or complexity and a short finish. Ok quaffing wine, no more. Tasted Nov 2015.
3.5 Stars
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Mas Des Bressades Cuvée Tradition 2014, Ap Costières De Nîmes
Rhône, France$16.95
As always, this wine nicely reflects the region. Herbs, black loves, pepper support the ripe black fruit. Not at all heavy, this has good balance. Just seems that this vintage is a bitter less complex and short finishing than the last vintage I tried. Still, a very good wine. Tasted Feb 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Castellani Filicheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2011
Tuscany, Italy$18.95
Unfortunately, this Nobile is not up to quality of the fine '09 and '10. This vintage seems a bit light and hollow. It's not a bad wine, in fact quite decent, just a bit simple and lacking in character. Tasted Oct 2015.
3.5 Stars
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Mazzei Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2013, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$20.75
This CC attempts to bridge the gap between traditional and modern and succeeds. Bright red fruit, crisp acidity, along with notes of vanilla from the new oak. My preference is for a touch less oak but the Sangiovese character shines through, so much so that the oak is just an enhancement. Ripe, but not overly so, this is really delicious. Drinking well now, should easily hold a few more years. Tasted July 2017.
3.5 Stars
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B De Belcier 2010, Ac Côtes De Bordeaux Castillon
Bordeaux, France$22.95
These days, with the ludicrous prices for classified growth Bordeaux, one needs to search to the "lesser" regions if one wants a red Bordeaux. This Merlot based Castillon (with less amounts of Cab and Merlot) is a fine example of right bank Bordeaux at a decent price. Nicely balance ref fruits with well integrated oak. Drinking nicely now, could hold a few more years. Enjoyed this thoroughly. Tasted Feb 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Domaine Val Auclair Les Barras 2013
Languedoc, France$16.25
Notes of black pepper, spice and herbs along with earthy black fruit. A treak of minerality runs through this red. A good wine, but I found it a bit dull/plodding. I wonder if this isn't just a bit young at the moment as the tannin seems to dominate the finish. I should think that this will show better with another 18 months in bottle. Tasted May 2016.
3.5 Stars
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