It's only wine but I like it
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Following (3)
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Reviews (1260)
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Reviews
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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J.L. Chave Sélection Mon Coeur 2013
Rhône, France$22.95
Some nice spicy/pepper southern Rhone notes, supporting the slightly tart blackberry fruit. But something seems out of place here. A bit shrill and acidic to me, almost as if the wine was acidified. Not a bad wine, but over-priced in my mind. Tasted Aug 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Santa Carolina Chardonnay Reserva 2015, Leyda Valley
San Antonio Valley, Chile$12.95
A very good chard from Santa Carolina. Nice grapefruit/lemony flavours, with just a touch of wood. Excellent value for $12, worthy of several bottle purchase if you like chard. A superb match to seafood pasta in a buttery wine sauce. Tatsed Dec 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Cabriz Reserva 2012, Doc Dão
Dão, Portugal$11.75
Ripe, soft and a bit jammy. Loads of pruney dark fruit, tastefully oaked. As DL says, satiny texture. The acidity keeps the wine from tasting flabby. A lot of wine here for the $15 price tag (on sale). Nice. Tasted March 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Lua Cheia Old Vines Red 2014, Doc Douro
Douro, Portugal$14.95
Great expression of the Douro here. The fine dark fruit is enhanced with herbal notes but thankfully not abused by any significant oak that I can detect. A nice lingering finish with a bit of tart acidity. At $14, worth getting a few bottles for sure. One of the best values this year at Vintages. Tasted Oct 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Boutari Grande Réserve Naoussa Xinomavro 2010
Greece$22.95
Re-tasted Sept 2018: perhaps a bit more evolved now 2 yrs on but still lovely.
Original note:
The pale red colour gives a first sign of the long ageing process that this wine receives at the winery. Indeed, there are mature flavours of dried fruit, and earthy notes (old wood?). Tart red fruit and some dry tannin folder into the mix....like some "traditional" Italian reds. New world wine fans may turn up their nose at this but I loved it. Wines like this show that the homogenization of the wine world is not complete. Thanks Boutari. Tasted Sept 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Delheim Shiraz 2013, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$17.95
Medium-full bodied shiraz, with pepper and cured meat inflected dark berry fruit. Fairly well balanced, if a bit jammy for my tastes. That said, there is quite a lot here for the money (on sale, forget the price, duh!)….a fine bbq wine for sure. Agree with Sara, chill this for 45 minutes in the fridge before serving. Trust me, it is better with a slight chill. Tasted Aug 2018.
3.5 Stars
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