todd10

San Pedro Sideral 2016, Do Cachapoal Valley

This wine displayed aromas of cassis, but what I really enjoyed was the earthy scents. The finish was long. Nice acidity and smooth tannins. I enjoyed the taste because it was not all about fruit but it had a little of that earthy flavor to it too. Through out the night, it did not evolve, so I see no reason to decant.
Tasted March 2020

Undurraga Terroir Hunter Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Cauquenes, Maule Valley

Terroir Hunter wines are wines were Underraga looks for new terroir to grow grapes in Chile. I think with this wine, the hunt is over. The nose has a wonderful mix of black current and toffee. Very well balanced wine with smooth tannins. A nice tasty finish. Flavors of dark fruit. The wine was fantastic from the moment that I opened it so I see no reason to decant. As it breathed for a while, the aromas of toffee dissipated to a spicier black pepper aroma.
This $25 dollar wine could easily go head to head with some $75 bottles that I have had recently.
Tasted June 2020

Framingham Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Marlborough

Fantastic aromas of grapefruit and passion fruit. I could swirl and sniff this all night.
Nice acidity level. Great tropical fruit flavors.
Tasted October 2022

Marques Del Atrio 2 Cepas Blanco De Guarda Viura/Tempranillo Blanco 2019, D.O.Ca Rioja

I had this wine last night and lost my notes. I do recall nothing special on the nose, but why this wine got a 92 was the layer flavors. Vanilla, oak, apple, peach. It is all there and more I enjoyed the complexity of flavors.
Tasted February 2024

Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Colchagua Valley

I see that I loved and rated the 2017 vintage a 91. 2018 did not dazzle me so much. I did enjoy the raspberry that was on the nose, but the tannins were so strong that my mouth dried out on one sip. With that said, the tannins did smooth out as the night progressed, so I would recommend to decant to calm those tannins. A long finish with taste of dark fruit. It is an okay wine, but nothing too special (unlike the 2017 vintage that I was very happy with).
Tasted April 2021

St. Hallett Faith Shiraz 2017, Barossa, South Australia

I tasted the 2018 Vintage.
I was pleasantly surprised with this wine. The nose had herbal perhaps earthy aromas. I can best describe with aromas of bay leaf and sweet tobacco.
It was a nice balanced wine with a nice finish. I found the tannins very smooth considering this is such a young Shiraz.
Nice taste. Without being sweet it was like candied dark fruit (if that makes sense).
No need to decant.
Tasted July 2020

Morambro Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Padthaway

The first aroma I had I was thinking some kind of meat roast. I went through my herbs and realized my wife makes my roast with rosemary. I have read "hints of rosemary" before but this easy to detect for us not professionals. I highly recommend those that want to experience other things besides dark fruit and oak to give this a try.
Flavors of dark fruit and rosemary. Nice tannins (but not to powerful) that can hold up to a a nice beef dinner.

Throughout the evening, it did not evolve much, so no need to decant.

Tasted September 2020

Huff Estates South Bay Vineyards Chardonnay 2019, Prince Edward County

Before I swirled this wine I was getting buttery notes. Swirling produced some citrus notes with some minerality.
This wine has a nice touch of acidity and a long finish. I enjoyed the oak influenced flavors.
Tasted March 2022

Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2019

Aromas of grapefruit hit me first. That was followed by aromas of cut grass and dill. I was surprised that this wine did not have the crisp acidity that I was expecting. I was disappointed at first that it was not the crisp wine I wanted but then I began to love the nice tropical fruit flavors with a refreshing lime finish.
Tasted February 2021

Ontañón Reserva 2011, Doca Rioja

This wine had aromas of tabacco and oak. I was hoping for more complexity for a wine that is 10 years old. This wine did have a nice long finish. I found the wine had a nice balance.
Over the few hours that the wine was opened, I did not find any improvement so I see no reason to decant.
Nice wine but I was expecting more complexity.
Tasted February 2021