todd10

J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot 2015, Paso Robles

On my first glass, I was pleasantly surprised. On the nose I was getting a slight hint of cigar box and a little bit of plum. On the palate I was getting dark fruit and a nice oaky finish. I found the tannins were not overpowering but enough to remind you that they are there in a good way. The finish was a nice length at about 25 seconds. I would have rated it a 90 but, as the night progressed, the wine did not evolve but diminished. I still ended up giving it at 89. I recommend if you do try this wine, do not decant.
2015 Vintage tasted March 2019

Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Napa Valley

I had this at a wine tasting on a cruise. On the nose I was only getting the alcohol evaporating from the glass. It would have been nice to decant for a while so I can get more of a sense of what the wine could offer. However, to me the taste was very balanced. The tannin's were smooth. I could not pick up any more characteristics beside dark fruit, but it was okay because of the balance of the wine, I think it was pretty good. With that said, $200 good?? Not sure about that.
Tasted May 2019

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Marlborough

On the nose I got a hint of mango and pineapple. It was very subtle. I was tasting hints of peach. I found the wine not as crisp and acidic as I would like. The wine was good but not great. That is why I gave this 2017 vintage an 88.

Tasted March 2019

Redstone Chardonnay Limestone Vineyard 2015, Twenty Mile Bench

Aroma of citronella! I was shocked to find citronella in a chardonnay but I was sniffing through out the night and that it what I was getting. This was a well balanced wine that I enjoyed a little cooler. I enjoyed this wine even though it was not too complexed.
Tasted August 2020

Ruffino Il Ducale Pinot Grigio 2018, Doc Friuli

Beautiful aroma of a stone fruit such as apricot. It was a refreshing drink with subtle acidity. Nice length.
Tasted Feb 2020

Linajes 12 Tempranillo Crianza 2014, Do Ribera Del Duero

It was good, but nothing special. I am sorry that I am unable to recall any tasting notes, but I know that while I was drinking this, I was thinking 87.

Tasted November 2019

G. Marquis The Silver Line Pinot Noir 2020, VQA Niagara On The Lake

In the glass, the wine was much darker than I expected. On the nose, it had a hint of cherry and at one point a little mint. The nose was not that complexed, but were it lacked in complexity, it made up with a beautiful flavor of dark fruit. The tannins were just enough. I drank this with prosciutto and it matched very well. At this price, this would make a nice house wine.
I see no reason to decant.
Tasted October 2021

Calmel & Joseph Villa Blanche Chardonnay 2016

This was a 2017 vintage that I had last night (Feb 2019).
Not sure what I was smelling. No notes that I can describe.
When I tasted it I was getting apple, but that was it. It was a full bodied wine.
My take on it. I would buy this for sitting around with friends to sip on, but if you want to do a wine tasting, I would stay away. In my opinion, this wine is for drinking and not for tasting.

Campo Viejo Reserva 2015

Cherry and a hint of oak on the nose. This wine did have a nice amount of both acidity and tannins. I found the flavours very basic. You had your typical dark fruit but nothing realy stuck out.
I found the wine did open up a little after a while, so decanting is not a bad idea but not a must.
Tasted June 2021

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

This wine exceeded my expectations. It is not a very complexed wine, but I found this to be a nicely balanced wine. You can expect aromas of dark fruit and some subtle oak. Flavors of dark fruit and as I mentioned a nice balance. You have some tannins but not over powering.
Tasted August 2021