Da Ne

Folie À Deux Ménage À Trois Red 2014, California

Too many "fake" characteristics for me to judge this impartially

Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County

First off this acts far more like a zinfandel than a pinot. It is overly extracted, over-oaked and the fruit tastes and smells artificial, like low quality jam blended with some water and some pure alcohol to top it off. Cheers!

Domaine D'astros 2012

Good depth, complexity, and well put together. Only issue was the bitter finish, if not for that would have put this at par with many +-20$ southern french wines at the saq, and ahead of many other regions that whose PQR ratings are lower in my books.

Mas Bécha Ecellence Roussillon 2014

Overpowering aroma of cooked asparagus and Extracted with hints of oak and old compost. On the palate, much la même with far too much alcohol, sweetness and an oaky / creamy finish. Perhaps I just do not Understand This style, as I couldn't imagine enjoying this just about under Any circumstance.

Il Sestante Amarone Della Valpolicella 2012, Docg

Dry figs / plum / dates, some spice goal lacks the aroma, flavor and complexity of Good Amarone.

Otazu Chardonnay 2015, Doc Navarra

Typical nose of concentrated dried pineapple, oak and white fruit. On the palate it is disjointed and does not deliver the richness that the new world aromas promise. Plenty of others in this style (and price point) from chile, canada etc. that one can substitute for this

The Dreaming Tree Crush 2014, North Coast

A touch softer than other commercial california wines, but quite bad nonetheless. The nose showed a nice peppery note (merlot?) to accompany the jam and wood, but the palate was over oaked and jumbled. There is something unnatural about these wines, I would recommend chile first and cali last for commercial consumption, there is so much quality out there for this price point. There should be a targeted campaign against this style.

Apothic Red 2010, California

Coppola Black Label Claret Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Ultra vanillafied, burnt oak, fake fruit..this delivers what one would expect from a menage a trois, apothic red or yellow tail. Very difficult to believe that the man who delivered one of the greatest films of all time (apocalypse now), with its depth of complexity and drawing on dionysian mythology and critiques of modernity had anything to do with this juice (that is aside from the financing perhaps)

Farnese Soluna Terre Du Chieti Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon, Igt Terre Di Chieti

Artificial vanilla and artificial fruit. The finish is long but offensive, with an unrivalled level of artificiality (perhaps because I have not tasted menage a trois, yellow tail, apothic red or other such wines in a while). Literally among the worst production wines that i've tasted, there must something in here other than wine.