Sean Minor Napa Valley 2009 Red Wine, $14.44-$19.99, 87 points, was the deepest of ruby red in color, welling almost opaque at the core.
The aroma was a rich clove with hints of cinnamon and boysenberry, but with a back draft of forest fire smokiness.
The texture was lush on a full body, dry with ample tannin.
With prominent plum and licorice dominating this red wine, I found it yet a little green with some tartness.
The finish has a fair duration of spice. This is still a young wine and I'm sure it will prove to be a more interesting wine in one or two years.
The 14.5% alcohol was unnoticeable upon opening, but as is so often the case, on the second day there it arose!
Varietals were 30% Merlot, 23% Petit Verdot, 17% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 10% Syrah, and 4% Malbec.
Index-of-reviewed-wines
Copyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
A friend of mine here had a similar experience with this wine a few weeks ago. He told me he found it "thin" and "just okay."
ReplyDeleteI'm sensing my fondness for this wine is the exception to the rule....
Bill,[sorry for my convoluted writing] I think this is a fine wine, and "thin": If you notice how few wines I describe as "full bodied" you'd know that it isn't thin), but for $14.44 it would be a rather rare-bird (They do exist)for me, as I didn't do(relatively speaking) with the RM 2008 Oakvlle, go crazy, but I thought I reviewed it favorably? The CC was comparable,only just a bit juicier/spicier.
DeleteDecor-wise the SM is the better choice unless you're celebrating a newborn boy.
Oh, I believe I have a SM PN to review as well.
Trying to catch up here...
ReplyDeleteBill, you're definitely not the only one that digs Sean Minor. I'm guilty. It's been a fairly long while since I last had any, & I'm not sure I've had this particular wine. After looking up the tech sheet, I'm pretty sure I'd love it (23% Petit Verdot - could be delicious).
Dennis, if I like a wine that is lighter in style, I call it "light-bodied". If I don't like it, I might call it "thin". To me, that implies watery wines with very little character. (That might've been redundant, but whatever.) From what you described in your post, it sounds like you liked this wine quite a bit, you just prefer it a bit older, perhaps.