Caparzo 2008 Brunello DI Montalcino

Caparzo 2008 Brunello DI Montalcino, $29.06-$37.99, 93 points, begins with a high clarity ruby red and a clear rim at the leggy glass wall.
Bright toasty red cherry, earth, and flowers were aromatic.
Medium-bodied with bright acidity and layered but comfortable tannin complimented a rich assortment of harmonious flavors, with red cherry, strawberry, hints of bourbon, tobacco, and dried savory herbs which were carried along with a moderately smooth texture.
Finishing fairly long with spice, wrapped-up a very good red wine.
I'm going out on a limb with this Brunello, and having not seen any reviews, I can't help but declare this the best QPR Brunello I've bought and tasted so far.
Having Italian cuisine tonight? Put this red wine on the table and watch your family or guests smile. Chocolate anything for dessert? Delicious!

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Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills 2009 Chardonnay

Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills 2009 Chardonnay, $11.99-$14.99, 88 points, had a canola-oil yellow appearance with a similar consistency included.
Perfume, honeydew melon, vanilla, and butterscotch made for pleasant aromas.
Medium-plus body was smooth with fair acidity.
The beauty of this wine came to the fore as the wine reached room temperature, displaying flavors that followed the aromas with ginger notes and a peppery finish.

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Writer's Block 2009 California Cabernet Franc

Writer's Block 2009 California Cabernet Franc, $14.49-$15.99, 86 points, appears ruby at the core trending crushed black fruit toward a clear rim.
Earth, clove, and a floral red cherry are aromatic.
My first taste caused me to grimace from a combination of bitterness, high acidity, and a sour hint, but I shook that off and the wine settled down to drinkable, and paired okay with my Rib-eye steak.
Medium body and scratchy tannin carry a rather rough red wine, but the overall flavor is good, having a tart red and black cherry, hints of butterscotch and menthol, culminating with a moderately spicy finish.
Produced and bottled by QMS group, Kelseyville, California.

Oh, just a note about spring finally arriving (weather-wise) to New Hampshire, found Portsmouth adorned with sunshine, mild zephyrs, blossoms and families walking the old streets with one of the last brick and mortar music video stores, multiple cafes, art studios, and restaurants.



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Acorn Alegria Vineyards Russian River 2008 Cabernet Franc

Acorn Alegria Vineyards Russian River 2008 Cabernet Franc, $22.94-$29.99, 91 points, begins with the color of Cabernet Sauvignon's black currant and a broad clear rim touching the glass's surface.
Beautiful color and aroma, are propitious, and with a wafting fragrance of flowers, cinnamon, cedar, and red cherry, I became more and more curious.
Medium bodied with lip-smacking acidity and mild, yet persistent tannin throughout, spearhead a balance between robust flowers and spice that's properly bridged by black fruit and green herbs.
Finishing long on the palate with ascending spice, the imprinting of straight Cabernet Franc begins in earnest.
This powerful expression of North American Cabernet Franc is not only reflective of a unique vineyard, but gardens of flowers and herbs, evergreen forest and sky.
Acorn winery continues to impress!



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Cabernet Franc (USA)

Cabernet Franc (USA) introduced by Wine Peeps

This is a work in progress to aide those "Smart" phone users in a format designed for quicker and easier reference, and as a less cumbersome index.

 

Acorn Alegria Vineyards Russian River 2008 Cabernet Franc, $22.94-$29.99, 91 points
Barboursville Vineyards (Virginia) 2012 Cabernet Franc Reserve, $24.99, 90 points
Barboursville Vineyards (Virginia) 2013 Cabernet Franc Reserve, $20.39-$23.99, 89 points
Darioush Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Franc, $50.99-$59.99, 93 points

Hook and Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Chalk Hill, Estate 2021 Cabernet Franc, $18.70-$45.99, 90 points
Januik Weinbau Vineyard Columbia Valley 2010 Cabernet Franc $25.24-$32.99, 89 points
Kenefick Ranch Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Franc, $25.99-$51.99, 91+ points
Line 39 Central Coast 2012 Cabernet Franc, $8.99-$9.99, 83 points
Merriam Dry Creek Valley Jones Vineyard 2006 Cabernet Franc, $28.79-$35.99, 91 points
Red Newt Cellars Finger Lakes 2012 Cabernet Franc, $19.79-$21.99, 87 points
Sogno Columbia Valley 2007 Cabernet Franc, $22.99, 89 points
Spring Valley Vineyard Walla Walla Washington, Katherine Corkrum 2011 Cabernet Franc, $34.99-$42.99, 91 points
Writer's Block 2009 California Cabernet Franc, $14.49-$15.99, 86 points


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Acorn Alegria Vineyards Russian River Valley 2006 Sangiovese

Acorn Alegria Vineyards Russian River Valley 2006 Sangiovese, $20.39-$35.99, 90 points, begins pomegranate red with a clear surface rim.
The wax and caramel aroma with hints of fresh sod and alcohol (14.1%) is subtle, but good.
Medium bodied with high acidity and moderate tannin makes for perfect pairing of spicy food, saucy meals, or red meat cuisine; I found it went well with Mexican pizza, but others were not so pleased with its food friendliness.
Heat, spice, and a hint of wood wrap-up a fair whisky-like finish.
Traditionalists may poo-poo this effort, but I'm not one of them, and though not up to the complexity, texture, or sophistication of a Brunello, in its own way meets and surpasses the quality of many Chianti wines I've had.




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Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Bourgueil 2008 Cabernet Franc

Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Bourgueil 2008 Cabernet Franc, $14.99-$16.99, 86 points, appears bright ruby in color and trends purple toward the transparent rim.
Nearly mute, the only hints of aroma I could get were plum and red grape.
This light to medium bodied red wine has fair acidity and mild tannin.
Though the flavors of dried herbs, licorice, and plum are good, they are a bit weak and undistinguished.
A long trailing and descending palate makes-up the finish. The 12% alcohol is nearly unnoticeable.
Though I had no problem sipping this wine by its lonesome, I'd describe this as a red-table wine.




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Luna Napa Valley 2007 Sangiovese

Luna Napa Valley 2007 Sangiovese, $22.89, 85 points, presents a rather Tannat black color trending a copper-red toward the clear rim.
The nose is quietly musty with earth, and hints of an old-grey-mare (maybe a bit brett-y), a nose to sneeze-at!
This is a full-bodied Sangiovese, acidic, very dry, and more tannic than the previous American Sangiovese wines tasted.
Plum fruit, caramel flavors are plentiful, and the nose is the remainder of the palate.
Finishes short and disappointingly bland, but the possibility that this wine has been compromised leaves me questioning just how to judge the 2007 Luna Sangiovese.
I bought this wine at Klem's Mobil in Windham.



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Terra d'Oro Amador County 2007 Sangiovese

 

Terra d'Oro Amador County 2007 Sangiovese, $9.90-$13.75, 85 points, begins red, trending caramel in color with a clear rim.
Black cherry and olive, a bit of dirt, and oh yes, caramel, make-up the nose.
Medium body carries bright acidity and medium tannin.
Flavors are the nose with a touch of bitterness, and finishes fair on heat (14.5% alcohol), spice, and caramel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chatom Calaveras County Gitano 2008 Sangiovese

Chatom Calaveras County Gitano 2008 Sangiovese,
$16.20-$18.00, 91 points, begins in the glass as a near pomegranate red with flashes of copper and pink with a clear rim.
Nearly mute, the aroma has a hint of celery and earth, but bourbon and caramel boasts its 14.9% alcohol, and reminds me of some Italian Sangiovese wines without any floral notes, or little in the way of fruit.
Medium bodied, with good acidity and moderate tannin, Chatom seems more whisky-like than any fruit-forward wine I've tasted from California, but a hint of rum-like plum was noticeable.
The finish is "hot" and with some chipotle Cholula spice, goes on and on!
I'm guessing that this will be California's Sangiovese benchmark wine; being only my second American Sangiovese tasted.
I bought this wine at the Londonderry Hannaford's super market, and it is disappearing, so I must me a Johnny-come-lately, but as often is the case, when they are gone, they are gone!



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Sangiovese (USA)

Sangiovese (USA) continues my exploration, having abandoned with last May's foray into the red wine, in tasting Sangiovese wines produced in the United States, which in Italy has made Chianti and Brunello so incredibly great. Some have said that the difference, the divide so to speak, is wide and unbridgeable, but the knowing is in the tasting.
Below is my work-in-progress listing those American efforts I can find in New Hampshire (Not Many).
Producing a Sangiovese wine of character in the USA seems to be a challenge, and if not Italian also-rans, then I look for a new expression of the wine worthy of the name.

Acorn Alegria Vineyards Russian River Valley 2006 Sangiovese, $20.39-$35.99, 90 points
Chatom Calaveras County Gitano 2008 Sangiovese, $16.20-$18.00, 91 points
Luna Napa Valley 2007 Sangiovese, $23.99, 85 points
Petroni (Sonoma Valley, California) Poggio Alla Pietra Estate Grown 2011 Sangiovese, $28.04-$74.99, 90 points
Terra d'Oro Amador County 2007 Sangiovese, $9.90-$13.75, 85 points
Valley Of The Moon Sonoma County 2008 Sangiovese, $10.19-$14.99, 87 points


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Stark Raving White Wine

Stark Raving White Wine, $9.00-$9.99, 86 points, begins as a pale straw yellow, with aromas of sweet melon trending cantaloupe.
Textually, Stark Raving White is moderately smooth, light-plus body, just off-dry, and with fair acidity, finishes short with just a hint of spice, but paired wonderfully with my spiced baked haddock.
A blend of Chardonnay and Moscato, I found the Moscato to be more noticeable, and that is fine with me, but it's not a typically sweet Moscato, but curbed and drier.
I don't usually think of White Wines as table wines (not sure why), but that is just what this Rosenblum Cellars White Wine is.
Just wondering if anyone else saw the resemblance to Hugh Jackman? or maybe Robert Downey Jr.?





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White Wines (USA)

White wines, as referred to here, are simply blends of different white wines, and are not strictly speaking a single (75%-100%) varietal. *
What makes a white wine verses a red wine is the grapes are not red, purple, or black, or if the skin be one or more of these colors, it is removed before the turning of grapes into wine (i.e., champagne from Pinot Noir grapes).

Primarily the white grapes used in USA white wine blends are Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Viognier, and Chenin Blanc.
However, many white wines may be quite exotic, the Sokol Blosser Evolution white wine is a blend of Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Semillon, Muscat, Sylvaner, and Rivaner,  while the Stark Raving White is a blend of Chardonnay and Moscato, and the St. Francis White Splash is a blend of Gewürztraminer, Malvasia Bianca, Viognier, and Pinot Grigio; these however, are not the norm, but the idea behind white blends is to add or subtract from a single varietal's inherently strident flavor profile or to add complexity. So, for example, Duckhorn will add Semillon to its Sauvignon Blanc to soften, add texture, aromatics, and who knows what else, but the results are quite good.

This is a work in progress to aide those "Smart" phone users in a format designed for quicker and easier reference.

*Adelsheim Ribbon Springs Vineyard 2013 Auxerrois, $17.99-$21.99, 89 points
Anne Amie Vineyards Cuvée A Amrita 2015 White Wine, $11.04-$14.99, 91 points

Anne Amie Estate Willamette Valley 2022 White Wine
Big House 2009 White Wine, $6.79-$7.99, 88 points
Clos Du Val Proprietary 2015 White Wine, $16.99-$45.99, 90 points
Conundrum 2009 White wine (a blend of four varietals), $18.99-$22.99, 89 points
Conundrum 2011 White Wine, $17.09-$21.99, 90 points
* Covey Run 2006 Semillon Ice Wine, $22.99-$25.99, 90 points
Evolution White Wine, $16.99-$20.99, 90 points
* Fess Parker's Marcella's Santa Barbara White Wine (Viognier) $15.99-$18.99, 91 points
* Flag Hill 2013 Cayuga White Wine, $10.39-$13.95, 87 points,
Insomnia 2010 White Wine, $7.99-$8.99, 84 points
Jezebel Oregon 2009 White Wine, $13.59-$18.99, 91 points
LIMERICK LANE 2010 Cuvee Blanc, $10.19-$23.99, 90 points
Pine Ridge 2009 Chenin Blanc + Viognier, $12.99-$14.99, 90 points
Pine Ridge 2012 Chenin Blanc + Viognier, $11.99-$14.99, 89 points
Pine Ridge 2013 Chenin Blanc + Viognier, $11.99-$14.99, 90 points
Pine Ridge 2016 Chenin Blanc + Viognier, $11.99-$14.99, 89 points
* Seghesio Russian River Valley 2012 Arneis (White wine),$10.99-$18.99, 91 points
St. Francis White Splash 2010 White Wine, $7.64-$10.99, 86 points
Stark Raving White Wine, $9.00-$9.99, 86 points
Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas 2015 Blanc White Wine, $18.69-$21.99, 91 points
Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas 2016 Blanc White Wine, $18.59-$21.99, 90 points
Treana Central Coast 2009 Marsanne-Viognier, $14.40-$20.00, 90 points
* Truchard Carneros Napa Valley Roussanne, $23.00, 88 points
* Valley Of The Moon Sonoma County 2012 Pinot Blanc, $13.29-$17.99, 88 points
Vina Robles Estate 2015 'White 4' White Wine (Paso Robles), $6.79-$15.99, 90 points
Vinum Cellars White Elephant 2014 White Wine, $17.99-$19.99, 90 points

* Willamette Valley 2020 White Pinot Noir, $21.24-$28.99, 86 points
*Zocker Paragon Vineyard Etna Valley 2015 Grüner Veltliner, $10.99-$19.99, 86 points


* Single white wine varietals maybe listed here until an index file name is designated.

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Château Fonroque Saint-Émilion Grand Vin-Grand Cru Classé 2009 Bordeaux

Château Fonroque Saint-Émilion Grand Vin-Grand Cru Classé 2009 Bordeaux, $43.19- $47.99, 93 points, begins with the color of black currant, crushed black berries and a transparent rim.
Black and red fruit with earth and black olive are aromatic.
The near full body has a bounty of acids and gripping tannin, though I tend to like the backbone of a more tannic red wine, something to remember when buying especially young French red wine.
Plum flavors plus those that follow the nose are balanced and very good, but the immense spice notes and trailing heat (14.5% alcohol) make for an incredibly long finish with just a touch of menthol.
Varietals are 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc.
This is a straight-forward wine, it is dense and delicious, food friendly, but will drink long and cerebrally by itself; Saint-Émilion proves, once again, that it is a wine region that tends to appeal to MY palate.

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Dan Aykroyd Sonoma County 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Dan Aykroyd's "sharp-knife" wit, splitting Julia Child on SNL,  and her love of wine, seems to have made a Cabaret of Dan Aykrod's 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon! $14.99-$21.99, 90 points, begins with the color of black currant, crushed black berries and a clear ring at the glass edge.
Red raspberry, sweet red cherry, and a hint of roses makes-up a startling bouquet.
A plethora of wild and vibrant red and black berries are proof of Cabernet Sauvignon's cellar-ability (I'm guessing this wine has some years left in it).
The medium-plus body carries good acidity and moderate tannin into a fair juicy finish with white and black pepper notes.
All jesting aside, this is a good wine, a little edgy, but presented just a bit different from most Cabernets I've tasted, with bright flavors, food friendly, and making for an interesting conversation, you'll probably not be disappointed!


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Kunde Sonoma Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Kunde Sonoma Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.99-$21.99 90 points, oh yeah, is one of those as recently described, I'm paraphrasing, most boring of wines to review! (Not! Not NICE?)

Kunde 2007 Cabernet begins purple-red in the glass, but there is a shade of lip-stick pink as well (to me, just a bit unusual) and a clear rim reveals a yet young wine.
The wine, right out of the wine-cooler, is a bit cold, but a damson plum and toasty vanilla gracefully lifts out of the glass.
Slightly bigger than medium bodied, this delicious Cabernet builds on mild acidity and moderate tannin (just a bit of pucker ability), to deliver an easy-going earthy black currant and blackberry fruit flavor with hints of dried herbs and tobacco that find their way deep into a mellow finish that gathered its spicy wits as it warmed.

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Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2006 Merlot

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2006 Merlot, $15.29-$22.99, 91 points, appears more Bordeaux-red than the 2010 vintage, retains its youthful clear ring, and smells more a black currant with earth tones.
The near full body presents good acidity, mellow-smooth though substantial tannin, rich plum flavor on a spiced based black fruit that carries seamlessly into a wholesome finish with just a shade of chalkiness.
I bought this Merlot three years ago, and with good fortune and consistent winemaking, hopefully the 2010 will age as gracefully. So, when I said this about the 2010 Robert Mondavi Merlot yesterday: bucks the trend of "drink young!"  I believe I was right about that.

When the world around us is going crazy. . .Vaughan Williams carries us into the blue sky!
With that, there are breakers and there are makers; be a maker today!

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Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2010 Merlot

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2010 Merlot, $16.19-$22.99, 90 points, bucks the trend of "drink young!" Yeah, it's good now, but I'm guessing two or three years in the cellar will only improve the drinkability of this "Big" merlot; the wine is in your face from the get-go with a bright ruby trending purple color (broad watery rim), to the wafting aroma of plum, black and sweet red cherry with cinnamon and clove.
The near full body is lush and almost jammy, moderate tannin and acids both pressing down along with a pushy flavor profile reminiscent of the aroma, but approaching that syrupy quality that turns me off, yet not quite there, and thank you Mondavi for that.
The finish gathers spice and tart red cherry and carries it a considerable distance with just a hint of mint.
Apothic Red Table Wine lovers might just benefit from tasting this Merlot as an exercise in understanding what a step-up this Merlot is, yet remain in their comfort zone.


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Petrolo Galatrona 2005 Merlot

Petrolo Galatrona 2005 Merlot,
$55.24-$120.99, 93 points, has been in its wooden crates at the Wine store for some time (maybe years), the prohibitive price deflecting its purchase for a rather long time, but after a year or so, this highly rated Italian Merlot persuaded me to give it a go, and after cellaring it another year, the occasion of tasting a number of Merlot wines, this wine's age, and my curiosity precludes waiting another day.

 

Petrolo Galatrona 2005 Merlot begins in the glass with wafting aromas, and before I even had a chance to look at the wine I was smelling it; with strong black currant and just hints of cooking spice, I was left a bit wanting and let-down from its propitious beginning.

This Merlot is without doubt the densest, blackest, and most full-bodied Merlot I've ever seen.

Texturally it is satin-smooth, with moderate acidity and mild and milky-like tannin; I am now beginning to understand the legend that is Petrolo: powerful yet delicate, verdant yet flavorfully balanced with rich black fruit, dried herbs, and a lean round meatiness that makes this Merlot a cut above all the most recent tastings) perfect for vegetarians who miss 'the' taste).

With the judicious addition of spice, the finish seems to carry the trailing palate to the conclusion.

If you are one of those people who has a propensity for only easy drinking  red wines, but want something special, or if you have joined "Miles" in denouncing Merlot, I dare say that the ONLY problem you'll have with this one is the price.

 

 

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Kenwood Sonoma County 2007 Merlot

Kenwood Sonoma County 2007 Merlot, $11.69-$15.99, 89 points, shades just shy of Bordeaux in color, with more purple, near opaque at the core, and a yet remarkably broad clear rim.
Bright red and black fruit (mostly black currant) with sweet cooking spice are aromatic.
The medium-plus body is lush, has fair acidity, coats with smooth-mild tannin, and is still big on boysenberry, blackberry and black currant with just a hint of smoky red meat.
Finishes fair with a diminishing palate, a more noticeable spiciness, and a touch of mint.
I have always been a fan of Kenwood's red wines; one of my first appreciated Pinot Noir wines was Kenwood, and with such an amazing Quality-Price-Ratio, I doubt that you'll go wrong buying their red wines.



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Roth Alexander Valley 2009 Merlot

Roth Alexander Valley 2009 Merlot, $26.09-$28.99, 91 points, radiates black currant and blackberry red from a near black core to its clear surface rim.
Profuse spiced plum and black fruit begin the nose and follow through toward earth notes.
Black currant is the primary fruit flavor I noticed, but nuanced chocolate and tobacco notes are pleasantly slight.
The medium-plus body is strikingly acidic for a Merlot, and moderate tannin pushes this usually mellow wine into the masculine sphere; followed by accelerating heat (14.6% alcohol) and spice transitioning into a long finish with just a touch of eucalyptus.




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Château La Marzelle Saint-Émilion 2009 Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux

 

 

Château La Marzelle Saint-Émilion 2009 Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux, $44.90-$48.99, 93 points, begins quite purple in color, yet retains a slight Bordeaux black currant red, and though the core is opaque, the surface rim is predictably transparent.
A profuse and pervasive fruity aroma reveals a beautiful standout red raspberry in the avant-garde of boysenberry, black olive, earth, celery-salt, and a touch of toasty vanilla.
Château La Marzelle Saint-Émilion 2009 Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux's medium-plus body carries the nose onto the plate with rolling approachable tannin with good acidity (cut through my rare strip-steak with ease), but added a trending long finish of mouth-tingling spice and just a hint of warmth (13.5% alcohol).
This wine maybe great in ten years, but I think it's great right now, and though it is smooth, it is not silky smooth; compared to so many very good Californian red-wines. This wine is just a cut above (flavor, consistency, balance and integrity are the gestalt which makes this a wine to expose the shame of some reviewers! As I try to understand it: Compared to what?

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Máté 2007 Brunello di Montalcino

Máté 2007 Brunello di Montalcino, $42.83-$58.99, 94 points, bursts upon the scene with a supernova-like ruby-shimmering orange, touching the surface clear at the glass rim.
Yes! Bask in the sunshine of a wine.
This is not just solar-fruit in a bottle, but the bottle becomes a vase of fragrance as well. Though some amount of swirling and swishing is necessary to set this Brunello free, aromas of dominant earth tones leads the train of hinted notes of black cherry, coffee, and rose pedal.
This is a substantial wine, though the body just passes beyond a medium threshold; the sharp acidity is what might be expected from a good-young Brunello, as is the approachable (to me) layers and layers of tannin.
Máté 2007 Brunello Di Montalcino texturally is edgy, coats your mouth with spice, eucalyptus, dark cherry, and heat, lots of heat (15% alcohol), all of which transitions into the long finish, with the addition of menthol (no silk here).
As the wine "breathed", more red fruit became apparent with strawberry leading the way, and a touch of tart pomegranate following.
This wine is not for the faint hearted, at least not now, and it seems to accentuate the "hot" 2007 Brunello wines I've tasted this year.
Some musical fire to go with your wine and cuisine (Italian): Fireworks by Stravinsky ?

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Chalk Hill Sonoma County 2006 Merlot

Chalk Hill Sonoma County 2006 Merlot, $29.99-$49.99, 90 points, begins more Bordeaux red than the previous collection of California Merlot wines, though near black at the core, trends more red than a typical Bordeaux , and culminating clear at the rim.
Aromatically more earthy than those recently reviewed, the age of the wine is manifest in a more vegetable-like black currant than blackberry fruit.
The medium-plus body has good acidity and moderate tannin.
Flavors of black currant and mulberry are still juicy, and a cedar-like smoky meatiness with dried herbs adds to the complexity.
Chalk Hill climaxes its Merlot with a long finish of spice and considerable heat (15% alcohol).
I'm thinking that this wine is on the decline!



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Margaret Thatcher

Just saying good-bye to one of History's "great" leaders, Margaret Thatcher!

1925-2013

  When you are as old as I am, you see more transition, more looking back than forward, and maybe just a little more sadness.
  Whether Margaret Thatcher was a personality you loved or hated she was your (English) flagship for eleven years; I wonder how many even know who she was? When Elisabeth Taylor died, I said to the cashier at the super market that it was a sad thing (her passing away), and the girl said to me: "Who was she?" I wonder if tomorrow I mention Margaret Thatcher to the cashier, if she'll know who she was?
  Well, this is my toast to the "Iron Lady"! Cheers!

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Castle Rock Napa Valley 2007 Merlot

Castle Rock Napa Valley 2007 Merlot, $10.15-$13.99, 85 points, fits perfectly into the category of "Red Wine", as the color is a true red with a clear rim.
The aroma is a toasty earth with hints of vanilla, sweet cooking spice, and cedar.
Just bridging the line of a medium bodied wine, it weakly displays fair acidity, light tannin, and flavors of blackberry, licorice, and a little smoky meatiness.
The finish is weak too, but it is juicy and adds some spice too.
There is no ill flavors to gainsay this wine, but it is a bit mediocre and remains substantially a red table wine.





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Rombauer Carneros 2006 Merlot

RombaueR Carneros 2006 Merlot, $25.49-$32.99, 90 points, begins dark red with some bricking toward a clear rim.
A bouquet of rich earth, clove, coffee, violets, and black currant expressed exuberance.
This medium-bodied Merlot had good acidity and mild tannin.
Flavors were reminiscent of a Dry Creek Zinfandel, with briary blackberries, hints of clove and violets without any edginess; thus it was texturally silky and quite smooth.
Finished moderately long on spice, heat (14.4% alcohol), and a touch of menthol.

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Lockhart 2010 Merlot

Lockhart 2010 Merlot, $9.90-$13.75, 89 points, appears to be a true ruby-red color, as true as any I've seen, and has the diagnostic clear rim of a young red wine.
Earth, sweet cherry, and licorice are aromatic.
Texturally smooth (not as smooth as velvet;-) with a medium-plus body carrying good acidity, fair fine tannin, blackberry and black cherry flavors in a juicy package.
The moderately long finish is the trailing palate with the addition of plum notes and white pepper.
Lockhart 2010 Merlot offers a tremendous quality, price, ratio (QPR) red wine.
Bought at the Londonderry Hannaford's supper market.

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Emma Pearl Central Coast 2009 Merlot

Emma Pearl Central Coast 2009 Merlot, $13.99-$16.99,  89 points, is one of those wines that no review or tasting is required to purchase; just look at the label and you can see a "Martha Stewart" decorating a table-setting with it. Yeah, it is on the thin-side of an apron more expensive than your bin-sale Merlot, but when you're playing the role of a "Martha Stewart", you dig a "five" deeper into that purse to impress. Right!

In the glass, the color appears slightly more ruby than pomegranate and is quite clear, but is crowned with only a thin clear rim.
Mildly aromatic, the nose is a sweet red cherry, light cinnamon and cedar, with just a whiff of alcohol (14.5%).
Good acidity and mild tannin are carried by its medium body and a "normally" smooth and textured Merlot.
Flavors of  tart red cherry, plum, with hints of smoke and alcohol trail long into a spicy finish.

I was pleasantly surprised by this Merlot, and I would certainly recommend it, but the caveat is that great spice on the finish: some may prefer less of it.

Bought at the Londonderry Shaws super market, but is now available at the NHLSs.

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