It's only wine but I like it
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Following (3)
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Reviews (1220)
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Reviews
Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro Valley
Douro, Portugal$36.95
Consistently a very good tawny with copious notes of dried fruit (prunes, dates) along with caramel/butterscotch. A bit of tannin and cleansing acidity on the finish. Nice, but the price is getting up there. Tasted Nov 2019.
4.0 Stars
(1000+)E
Bodegas Alejandro Fernandez Tinto Pesquera Crianza 2006
Ribera Del Duero, Spain$26.95
Rich, full-bodied with significant sweet coconutty notes from the American oak ageing. Thankfully, the quality of the Tempranillo fruit is high enough to stand up to all that oak. Admittedly, this isn't a style that suits my taste, yet it all seems to be so wlll integrated that I actually enjoyed it. Nicely done, especially if you like the style. drinking well now, should hold as few more years with ease. Tasted Dec 2013.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Du Grand Tinel Châteauneuf Du Pape 2007
Rhône, France$49.95
Medium-bodied, with a nice balance between red fruit, spice and herbs. Tannin are evident but unobtrusive. While not top shelf Chateauneuf, this is still a fine wine. But I can't help thinking that there are equally good Gigondas or Vacqueyras for $8-12 less. Drinking well now, but not for the long term in my mind (drink in the next 3-5 years). Tasted Sept 2013.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Domaine De Longue Toque Gigondas 2006, Ac
Rhône, France$33.00
Textbook red from the Gigondas in the Cotes du Rhone. Plenty of spice and pepper, with deep ripe dark fruit and some firm tannin. Drinking fairly well now, but better in another year or two. Should hold another five with ease.
4.0 Stars
Château Branaire Ducru 2001, St Julien
Bordeaux, France$89.00
Purchased several years ago, this St. Julien still possesses a deep purple colour at 10+ years of age. Fine concentration of dark berry fruit with noted influence of oak ageing. While the oak is not dominant, it does tend to detract slightly from the terroir. Still, a very well made red Bordeaux. Drinking well now, but can hold another 5 years at least. Tasted April 2012.
4.0 Stars
Marziano Abbona Terlo Ravera Barolo 2005, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$36.95
Wonderfully floral fragrance, as one might expect from Nebbiolo. Initially a bit of sweet vanilla flavours from the oak (this sees 12months in 500L French oak before going into large barrels). but this quickly fades. More prominent after this is tart cherry fruit and note of earth, with the high acidity expected of Barolo. Tannin is still firm, so I'd suggestion holding off until 2015. Should keep through 2020 with ease. Tasted April 2013.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Montirius Le Clos Vacqueyras 2006
Rhône, France$28.00
From a biodynamic vineyard, this equal blend of Grenache and Syrah impresses with it's authenticity. The wine sees no oak ageing at all so what you taste is pure Rhone. This wine is quite different from the '05, the '06 being less tannic and shows more of the meaty/leathery flavours from the syrah to go along with its flavours of red berries and local herbs. There is also a notable whiff of barnyard, which detracts slightly ...one of the hazards of Organic/biodynamic wines is the possibility of brett. Still, this is a wine that is impressive for its uniqueness, though not for everyone.
4.0 Stars
Terre Nere Brunello Di Montalcino 2005, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$42.95
Right from the first pour, you realize that this is not one of those Tuscan wines designed purely to impress certain critics. It isn't inky black from over-extraction or (legal or Illegal) addition of non-indigenous varieties. No, this is a Brunello, the way it is supposed to be. Notes of sour cherries, leather and earth, with a firm yet silky structure and no interference in the flavours or texture from over use of wood. In short, this is a delight to taste and quite reasonably priced. Drink now or hold up to 5 years.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Schiavenza Broglio Barolo 2005, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$41.95
The 2004 vintage: A bit darker than expected, but with browning at the edges. Notes of sour cherries, dried fruit and hints of leather. Complex, and long finishing with some still notable tannin, even at nearly 16 years of age. I don't think that tannin even melts away. Fine Barolo here though a notch below top shelf. Drink now or can hold through its 20th b-day. Tasted May 2020.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Château Beauséjour Duffau Lagarrosse 2006, Ac St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé
Bordeaux, France$85.00
Notes for the 2008 vintage.
Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt were now consulting at the chateau. What strikes me about this wine is the balance. Sure, there is some oak but it so nicely folded into the deep ripe fruit (leaning more toward the red spectrum). Despite over 11 years of age, the tannin is still firm though not oppressively so and the acidity is spot on. A bit more complexity would have pushed my score even higher but this is a very fine right banker indeed! Will age another 10 years without issue. Glad that I have another bottle. Tasted April 2020.
4.0 Stars