todd10

Ramón Bilbao Tempranillo Gran Reserva 2015, Doca Rioja

On the nose, you get lots of oak. In fact, it may be too much as to me, it may have over powered any other secondary aromas.

Nice flavors of dark fruit and a perfect amount of tannins. I found later in the evening that the wine became more balanced, so decanting may help.

Tasted December 2024

Tessellae Vieilles Vignes Carignan 2015, Igp Côtes Catalanes

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.