Thursday, August 31, 2017

FreakShow 2014 (Michael David) Lodi Red Wine





FreakShow 2014 (Michael David) Lodi Red Wine, $16.99-$19.99, 87 points, poured core black grading red to purple/red at the clear wine ring with wicked waves of clinging drapes.
Profuse aromas of cedar, clove, cherry fruit, waves of alcohol, and dry cocoa powder were a little overwhelming.
Massive body with fair-plus acidity and a wooly underlayment of tannin managed flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long and intense on a hot 15.5% alcohol inspirited spice, and climaxed roundly with a cherry liqueur (quite jammy).
I know many people that will love this wine, but it was too syrupy and alcohol dense for my palate.
Varietals were 71% Syrah, 25% Petite Sirah, and 4% Souzao (typically a "Port' grape).

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Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Castellare 2015 Chianti Classico





Castellare 2015 Chianti Classico, $21.99-$24.99, 90 points, was a graded cranberry red with a broad transparent wine ring at the heavily draped glass bowl.
Aromas of red raspberry jam with hints of cocoa powder, black tea, and a floral vibe were excellent though a bit shy.
Medium-bodied with good acidity very fine firm tannins carried flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on the trailing palate, tart pomegranate, moderately spicy, and with a balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Maybe the closest Chianti Classico to a Rosso di Montalcino I've tasted.
Paired fine with meatballs and spaghetti.



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Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Carol Shelton Wild Thing 'Rendezvous' 2016 Rosé (Mendocino County)




Carol Shelton Wild Thing 'Rendezvous' 2016 Rosé (Mendocino County), $12.74-$14.99, 90 points, poured a bright cranberry juice red.
Profuse strawberry aroma was softened with hibiscus (quite nice).
Light-bodied with better than good acidity carried a bit of bubble gum flavor along with strawberry and a floral vibe.
Finished long on the trailing palate, watermelon, ginger, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my El Nachos Grande.
Varietals were 76% Carignane, 18% Zinfandel, 5% Pinot Noir, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon.



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Monday, August 28, 2017

Cairdean Vineyards St. Helena, Napa Valley 2012 Merlot







Cairdean Vineyards St. Helena, Napa Valley 2012 Merlot, $12.74-$29.99, 90 points, poured core black grading a burgundy purple/red color with a narrow transparent wine ring and thick legs.
Aromatic dusty red raspberry, white chocolate, and a hint of cedar were excellent, but was only the tip of a rather complex array.
Medium-plus body with good acidity and still firm grainy tannins carried flavors that mirrored the aromas along with tangy pomegranate and plum.
Finished long on the trailing palate, cherry fruits, and a warm 14.2% alcohol inspirited spiciness.
Paired perfectly with our Texas burgers.

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Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard 2015 Dry Riesling






Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard 2015 Dry Riesling, $17.99-$19.99, 88 points, poured a light gold color with a green cast and clearing at the glass edge.
Shy aromas of lemon, apple, and a hint of sour pear were just okay for me.
Light-bodied with good acidity and flavors that mirrored the aromas were a bit neutral, but paired fine with our deep fried battered-dipped butterfly shrimp.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a bit of dragon fruit, and hints of the 12% alcohol and ginger; quite a dry white wine, though some of us noted a bit of sweetness.

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Sunday, August 27, 2017

Riesling Northwest (USA)







Goldfeather, Columbia Valley, Washington 2019 Riesling, $11.69-$12.99, 88 points

Hogue Columbia Valley Late Harvest 2010 Riesling, $8.49-$11.99, 88 points

Hogue Columbia Valley 2012 Late Harvest Riesling, $8.10-$10.99, 86 points

Kungfu Girl Washington State 2010 Riesling, $9.90-$14.00, 90 points

Kungfu Girl Washington State 2011 Riesling, $11.89-$13.99, 89 points

Kungfu Girl Washington State 2012 Riesling, $11.89-$13.99, 90 points

Kungfu Girl Washington State 2014 Riesling, $9.49-$13.99, 88 points

Love Oregon 2012 Riesling, $12.74-$14.99, 88 points

Mercer Yakima Valley 2013 Riesling, $9.99-$14.99, 90 points

Pacific Rim Columbia Valley 2010 Riesling, $9.99-$11.99, 89 points

Polka dot Washington 2012 Riesling, $8.49-$11.49, 90 points

Ryan Patrick Columbia Valley 2015 Riesling, $8.49-$11.99, 90 points

Ryan Patrick Olsen Brothers Vineyard Yakima Valley 2018 Riesling, $12.59-$13.99, 90 points

Snoqualmie 2010 Winemakers Select Columbia Valley Riesling, $9.34-$10.99, 87 points

Tattoo Girl Columbia Valley 2017 Riesling, $14.99, 86 points

Washington Hills 2014 Late Harvest Riesling, $9.99-$12.99, 84+ points

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2010 Riesling, $10.19-$14.99, 89 points

 Willamette Valley Vineyards 2018 Riesling, $13.99-$15.99, 89 points

Riesling (Australia)

Riesling (California)

Riesling (Finger Lakes, New York)

Riesling (Germany)


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Riesling (California)



California Rieslings
 are the Rieslings with surprises, like guava, peach,
 and sometimes just something else,
 because warmer climate Rieslings are just a bit different.




NHWM's short list of reviewed Cali Rieslings:


Bee You Wine Company Monterey County 2019 Riesling, $8.99, 86 points

Bogle Vineyards 2011 California Riesling, $9.99-$11.99, 87 points

Bonny Doon The Heart Has Its (2013) Rieslings, $7.99-$14.99, 86 points (California)

Carmel Road Monterey 2014 Riesling, $8.99-$10.99, 86 points

Dashe McFadden Farm Potter Valley, California 2017 Dry Riesling, $19.54-$22.99, 89 points

Fess Parker Santa Barbara County 2013 Riesling, $14.99, 85 points

Firestone Central Coast 2011 Riesling, $8.41-$12.95, 90 points

Firestone Santa Ynez Valley 2010 Riesling, $10.99-$12.99, 90 points

J.Lohr Monterey County-2010 Riesling $9.99-$11.99, 90 points

Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Monterey County 2010 Riesling, $9.99-$11.99, 87 points

Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Monterey County 2015 Riesling, $8.49-$11.99, 86 points

Maddalena Monterey 2014 Riesling, $5.94-$13.99, 89 points

Morgan Double L Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands 2013 Riesling, $19.54-$22.99, 86 points

Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2015 California 2015 Riesling, $7.64-$10.99, 84 points

Seaglass Monterey County 2011 Riesling, $9.99-$11.99, 89 points

Wente Riverbank Arroyo Seco Monterey 2011 Riesling, $8.41-$13.99, 89 points

Riesling (Australia)

Riesling (Finger Lakes, New York)

Riesling (Germany)

Riesling Northwest (USA)

Riesling (USA)


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Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Monterey County 2015 Riesling







Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Monterey County 2015 Riesling, $8.49-$11.99, 86 points, poured a medium gold color.
Smells of sweet apple sauce with a hint of petrol and a floral vibe were okay.
Light-plus off dry body with mouthwatering acidity adequately managed flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, tart, and a well-balanced 12% alcohol.
Paired fine with my turkey breast and tomato on Dave's seeded 'Killer' bread sandwich.




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Saturday, August 26, 2017

Swanson Napa valley 'Cygnet' 2011 Merlot


Swanson Napa valley 'Cygnet' 2011 Merlot,
$13.59-$31.99, 91 points, poured an opaque Bordeaux red wine color with a moderately broad clear wine ring and heavy legs.
Aromatic fruity aroma was accented with juniper, chocolate, and a whiff of the 14.6% alcohol.
Near full-bodied with good acidity and firm grainy tannins was nevertheless comfortably smooth.
Plum, black and red raspberry, mushroom, and tart pomegranate flavors were excellent.
Finished long on the trailing palate and a warm alcohol inspirited spiciness.
Varietals were 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Paired well with our teriyaki meatballs, briny goat's cheese, and buttered asparagus.
Swanson Napa valley 'Cygnet. 2011 Merlot was a surprisingly good red wine with a high value closeout QPR.

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Friday, August 25, 2017

Vin du Lac Barrel Select, Yakima Valley 2013 Chardonnay (Columbia Valley)





Vin du Lac Barrel Select, Yakima Valley 2013 Chardonnay (Columbia Valley), $10.19-$19.99, 86 points, poured a coppery gold color.
Aromas of soft flower perfume and caramel were pleasant.
Medium-plus body with fair acidity carried along an oak dominant flavor profile deep into the finish; oh, other flavors were underneath the 'wooden' veneer, flavors of mint, melon, and fennel, but those and even the reasonable 13.7% alcohol couldn't get me to buy this Chardonnay again.
Paired okay with our honey-fried chicken.

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

Shannon Ridge Lake County 'Buck Shack' 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon







Shannon Ridge Lake County 'Buck Shack' 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $12.74-$31.99, 89 points, poured core black grading purple/red toward the broad bleeding clear wine ring and glass bowl of fat legs.
Aromatically in flux the progression of cedar, earth, currants, dusty blackberry, and grape gradually favored freshly laundered linen and sea breezes (excellent).
Medium-plus body with good acidity and slightly astringent tannins managed cocoa, oak, and black fruit flavors.
Finished fine on tart pomegranate, truffle, easy spices, drying tannins, and a modest 14% alcohol.
Paired well with my meatball sub.
Comments: Give this wine a couple of years in the cellar, and I think this wine will appropriately soften and deepen; the close-out price just might make this a gem of a Cab to remember.

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Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Vina Robles Estate 2015 'White 4' White Wine (Paso Robles)



 

Vina Robles Estate 2015 'White 4' White Wine (Paso Robles), $6.79-$15.99, 90 points, was a light straw yellow color.
Aromatic bubble gum and pome blossoms with delicate hints of green melon and black pepper were quite nice.
The light-plus body with good acidity transmuted four varietals (Viognier 49%, Sauvignon Blanc 23%, Verdelho 20%, and Vermentino 8%) into a coherent gestalt with a balanced flavor profile of vanilla, ginger, honeydew melon, and a hint of guava.
Finished long on an amazingly reigned-in 14.5% alcohol, the trailing palate, and a soft stoniness.
Paired fine with my cheese enchiladas.
Just look at this close-out price; if you're having need of white wine for a gathering, this one could save you a bundle, and please the crowd too.

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Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Agostino Petri di Vicchiomaggio 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva




Agostino Petri di Vicchiomaggio 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva, $20.39-$23.99, 88 points, was a  well-dark maroon with an obligatory transparent wine ring and a leggy glass bowl.
Aromas of menthol, cherry fruits, and just a hint of the farm were just okay for me.
Medium-bodied with mouthwatering acids and firm grainy tannins supported good flavors of cherry fruits with plum and citrus notes.
Finished well on tart pomegranate, black tea, spice, and a spot-on 13.5% alcohol.
Paired nicely with sausage pizza.



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Monday, August 21, 2017

Reversanti 2011 Barbaresco (DOCG)





Reversanti 2011 Barbaresco (DOCG), $16.99-$28.99, 89 points, poured a candy-apple red with a broad clear wine ring and glass bowl of considerable 'tears'.
Aromatic earthy red cherry, a hint of perfumed roses and sea breezes were excellent.
Medium-bodied with high acidity and astringent grainy tannins somewhat mismanaged flavors of cherry fruit, black tea, and mint by drowning them in the wine's structure and an unbalanced 14% alcohol.
Finished intensely on hot spices and the trailing palate.
Paired okay with our deep-dish pizza.
Comments: If intense acidity and tannin with a noticeable alcohol is a style of wine that pleases you, or you have maybe ten years to wait for this wine to be tamed (no guaranty), then this will please, especially the price.

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Sunday, August 20, 2017

Ravines Finger Lakes 2014 Dry Riesling





Ravines Finger Lakes 2014 Dry Riesling, $15.29-$17.99, 91 points, appeared a light gold color grading clear at the glass edge.
Smells of apple, honeysuckle, and a hint of (dare I say: passion fruit) were excellent.
Light-bodied with mouthwatering acidity carried satisfying flavors of pome fruit, a hint of the tropical, and the slightest sense of petrol.
Finished long on an interesting sour grapefruit, ginger, and a potent 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our fried bean curd with minced shrimp.

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Riesling (Finger Lakes/New York)

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