Poliziano 2016 Rosso di Montalcino (DOC)

Poliziano 2016 Rosso di Montalcino, $13.59-$15.99, 88 points, poured a brilliant ruby red with a broad clear wine ring and fat legs.
Smells of Orange pekoe tea and red cherries were pleasant.
Less than medium-bodied with good acidity and fine drying tannins supported table-wine suitability with just enough cherry fruit and nuanced tertiary flavors to organically complement most Italian cuisine.
Finished well on the trailing palate, invigorating pepper spices, truffles, and an appropriate 13.5% alcohol.

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Kim Crawford Marlborough 'Spitfire' Small Parcels 2017 Sauvignon Blanc

Kim Crawford Marlborough 'Spitfire' Small Parcels 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $25.49-$29.99, 88 points, poured a very light brass color with a green sheen.
Aromatic passion fruit with hints of hazel nuts, grapefruit, and gooseberry were grand.
Light-plus body struck me as too light on acids and couldn't quite birth the bouquet onto the palate, but a whisper of tangerine was a spark of life; even the finish failed to develop beyond traces of ginger, grapefruit, and the soft 12% alcohol.

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Volver La Mancha 2012 Tempranillo

Volver La Mancha 2012 Tempranillo, $11.89-$16.99, 91 points, poured core black with purple/red windows and penumbra, transparent rim and stained glass wall sheeting.
Aromatic cedar wood, lush rich black fruits, spiced lamb, and lovely floral vibes were excellent.
Full-bodied with good acidity and grainy drying tannins carried earthy flavors of black fruits, plum, truffle, and a furtive background of flowers, tobacco, and meatiness.
Finished long with a hint of mint and a 15% alcohol inspirited spiciness.

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Feudo Zirtari 2015 Nero d'Avola/Syrah (IGT)

Feudo Zirtari 2015 Nero d'Avola/Syrah (IGT), $8.49-$13.99, 89 points, poured a deep unblemished sienna color with a clear wine ring and light glass draping.
The aromas of cedar potpourri nuanced with blueberries were pleasant and pronounced.
Full body possessed a rather sleek mouth-feel, good acidity, and soft supportive tannins, comfortably drying, produced interesting flavors of eucalyptus, cherry cola, blueberry, fig, and black olives.
Finished long and earthy, but juicy and spicy.
The 13.5% alcohol was well-balance.
If you like a fruit-forward red wine, soft, but dry and with some hidden treasures, at this price-point, this one is a gem.

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Castello Di Cacchiano 2011 Toscana Rosso (IGT)

Castello Di Cacchiano 2011 Toscana Rosso (IGT), $15.99-$18.99, 88 points, poured a deep ruby red grading toward a garnet penumbra, clear wine ring, and moderately draped glass.
Aromas of fig, red raspberry, black olives, cedar, and plum were good.
Medium-plus body with food friendly acids, and still supportive tannins managed to deliver interesting flavors of truffles, oak, black cherry, and Orange pekoe tea.
Finished on the fading palate, very long, very dry, and with a big warm 15% alcohol.

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Georges Vigouroux Gouleyant Cahors 2014 Malbec (France)

Georges Vigouroux Gouleyant Cahors 2014 Malbec (France), $12.99-$15.99, 87 points, poured an impregnable deep purple/red with a broad clear wine ring and moderately thick legs.
Aromas were more complex than at first they appeared, but dominant earth and olive smells were well garnished with cocoa, licorice, toast, and a floral vibe.
Near full-bodied with fair acidity and dry gripping tannins sported the challenging gauntlet of tasting the aromas beyond the dominant earth and olives, though a bit of tangy pomegranate late palate gave some contrast.
Finished fair on awaking pepper spices, plum, just a hint of mint, and a restrained 12.5% alcohol.

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Casa Ferreirinha Esteva 2010 Douro Red Wine

Casa Ferreirinha Esteva 2010 Douro Red Wine, $8.99-$10.99, 85 points, poured an amazingly deep purple/red with the faintest of orange at the broad bleeding wine ring and leggy glass bowl.
Though the aromas of mulberry, plum, and a bit of wood had a slightly sour note, overall the aromas were okay.
Full-bodied, dry, appropriately acidic, and mostly resolved tannin, this eight year-old Douro showed stifled flavors of the aromas.
Finished with hints of fading red fruit, easy pepper spices, licorice, and a well-integrated 13% alcohol.



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Trivento Mendoza Red Wine 2014 (Argentina)

Trivento Mendoza Red Wine 2014 (Argentina), $8.49-$11.99, 89 points, poured a lovely "Bearbrook-bourbon red" (NH Idiom) with a clear meniscus and stained hanging drapes.
Aromas were fruity with mulberry and red raspberry with a whisper of dusty coffee.
Medium-plus body showed good acidity and tannins with a grip.
Flavors of cherry cola, oak, coffee, mint, and briar fruit demonstrated the rewards of mining.
Finished long on the trailing palate, quite dry, a bit of easy pepper spice, and an appropriate 14% alcohol.



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Meerlust Estate Stellenbosch 2014 Red Wine (South Africa)

Meerlust Estate Stellenbosch 2014 Red Wine (South Africa), $13.59-$18.99, 88 points, poured deep purple/reds shifting more red than purple at the broad clear wine ring and leggy bowl.
Aromas were rich, but began with a whisper of funk whisked away by a pleasant cedar potpourri and furtive red fruit.
Medium-bodied with fair-plus acidity and soft round tannins managed earthy red fruit flavors garnished with blueberry and tangy pomegranate.
Finished well with developing and drying tannins, an easy spiciness, truffle, and a balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 57% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 11% Petit Verdot.

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Ridge Estate 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

Ridge Estate 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $49.29-$57.99, 95 points, poured broadly opaque purple/red brightening toward the transparent meniscus and heavily draped glass bowl.
Profuse 'kitchen-sink' perfumed aromas of toast, savory, cassis, orange peel, and juniper with a subtle iodine note were Ridge spectacular.
Full-bodied with good acidity and a spine of firm grainy tannins carried the bouquet onto the palate with chewy black and red fruits.
Finished very long on lingering pomegranate, loam, dry puckering tannins, tongue-tingling warm spices, and a European 13.7% alcohol.
Varietals were 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed rare Angus rib eye.

Ridge, why it's a "go to" winery.
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Villa Antinori 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG)

Villa Antinori 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG), $22.94-$32.99, 90 points, poured an opaque sienna color with a clear wine ring and heavy sticky tears.
Smells began a bit funky, herbaceous, evolving red cherry and soft rose notes.
Medium-plus body with good acidity and a bit of puckering tannins managed to deliver an archetypical Chianti Classico Riserva flavor profile.
Finished fair on cherry fruit, mint, tar, tea, and a traditional 13.5% alcohol.
Paired just okay with our Mexican cuisine.

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Waterbrook Columbia Valley 2017 Sangiovese Rosé

Waterbrook Columbia Valley 2017 Sangiovese Rosé, $16.99, 88 points, was a deep salmon-red color.
Aromas were bright strawberry and bubblegum.
The light-plus body with adequate acidity delivered strawberry onto the palate coated with Necco wafer which followed-through to the fair finish marked by a mouth-tingling white pepper and 12% alcohol.
Paired well with our bean/cheese tacos topped with guacamole and sour cream.

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Ziobaffa Toscana 2013 Red Wine (IGT)

Ziobaffa Toscana 2013 Red Wine (IGT), $10.19-$17.99, 89 points, poured a deep ruby red color with a clear wine ring and thick stained legs.
Aromas were earthy with a soft floral vibe, mulberry, slightly sweet cherry fruit, and black tea.
Near full-bodied with good acidity and a firm underlayment of tannin began a bit 'woody', piquant, and slightly astringent.
Finished long and dry with subtle flavors of coffee, tobacco, cherry fruit, Black tea, and a 12.5% alcohol with some lively warm spices.

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Stemmari Feudo Arancio IGT 2009 Nero D'Avola (Sicilia, Italy)

Stemmari Feudo Arancio IGT 2009 Nero D'Avola (Sicilia, Italy), $7.49-$10.99, 86 points, poured a deep ruby red grading into an orange/red penumbra terminating with a thin clear rim and light glass sheeting.
Tertiary aromas were hard to dig-out with all the innocuous earthy smells.
Medium-plus body still showed a thin layer of tannin supported by fair acidity.
Flavors of plums, black tea, and slightly chalky red fruit were okay and quite acceptable.
Finished fair with easy pepper spices, a bit tangy, and with a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
This was an interesting comparison with the Cantine Colosi 2009 Nero d'Avola, as they were bought and stored together (more to follow).

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Cusumano Estate Bottled Terre Siciliane 2016 Nero D'Avola (IGT)

Cusumano Estate Bottled Terre Siciliane 2016 Nero D'Avola (IGT), $10.19-$13.99, 88 points, poured widely black with Shiraz purple/red edgings, a broad clear meniscus, and moderately sized stained tears.
Aromas of dusty plums, mushrooms, and a soft floral vibe were excellent.
The medium-plus body with good acidity and a thin plank of tannic support presented subtle flavors of cocoa, coffee, and a more pronounced citrusy plum.
Finished mildly spicy, dry, and with an appropriate 13.5% alcohol.

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Cantine Colosi 2009 Nero d'Avola Terre Siciliane IGT, (Sicily, Italy)

Cantine Colosi 2009 Nero d'Avola Terre Siciliane IGT, (Sicily, Italy), $12.74-$14.99, not rated, poured an ominous murky orange/brown color with a rather inconsistent spatter on the glass bowl.
The aromas of plums, raisins, and caramel were ominous too.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and little tannin showed only flavors of apple-cider vinegar.
Alcohol was 14%.
Some wine authorities give Nero d'Avola wine an age-ability of up to ten years, and that would be under perfect conditions.
This one succumbed to my cellar.

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Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva 2014 Negroamaro Red Wine (DOC)

Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva 2014 Negroamaro Red Wine (DOC), $10.19-$13.99, 87 points, poured an impregnable ruby grading brighter reds toward the broad clear wine ring and heavily draped glass bowl.
Aromas were predominately pleasant red fruits with a sweet black tea garnish.
Near full-bodied with good acidity and round, mellow, and sufficiently supportive tannins which ushered-in lush flavors of blueberries, red raspberry, and mulberry.
Almost a 'fruit-bomb' of a red wine, this one reminded me of a Lodi Zinfandel.
Finished very long on the fading fruit, a hint of licorice and milk chocolate, good invigorating spiciness, and a comfortable European-styled 13% alcohol (far from a typical Lodi Zin's 15%).
 
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Cuvaison Carneros, Napa Valley Estate Grown 2016 Sauvignon Blanc

Cuvaison Carneros, Napa Valley Estate Grown 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $10.62-$25.99, 88 points, poured a brass color gilded in gold.
The nose was near dumb with a pleasant enough undistinguished lemon meringue.
Light-bodied, but the soft texture and unusual, for a Cali SB, roundness bestowed the impression of a heavier attribute; acidity was good and helped to give life to flavors of lemon and apple which carried into the fair finish characterized by ginger spiced apple pie and an appropriate 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my sautéed Canadian cod filet and a dessert of Turkish Delight.

Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Cali)

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Luiano 2015 Chianti Classico

Luiano 2015 Chianti Classico, $11.99-$13.99, 89 points, poured a shimmering sienna purple/red color with a broad clear wine ring and moderate legs.
Aromas were soft floral notes with smells of tea and sea.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and a round mouth-feel of tannin managed a balanced smorgasbord of cherry fruit, black tea and olives, flowers, and truffles.
Finished long on the trailing palate, invigorating pepper spices, and a restrained 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our meatball subs.

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Sensi Dalcampo 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG)

Sensi Dalcampo 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG), $14.44-$19.99, 88 points, poured a deep sienna purple/red color with a broad clear wine ring and lightly-sheeted bowl.
Aromas of cocoa, earth, black olives, and cherry fruit were quite good.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and slightly astringent tannins, but not prohibitively so, carried edgy flavors of cherry cola, red licorice, and black tea.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, a hint of eucalyptus, tangy citrus, a hint of cayenne, and an appropriate 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 80% Sangiovese and 20% Canaiolo.
Paired perfectly with my spinach and cheese ravioli in a rich beefy marinara sauce.

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For The Wine Geek (Reposted From 2016)

For The Wine Geek

 

 

 

 

Questions: Is a wine's signature characteristics: appearance, smell, body, dry/sweet, red/white, domestic/imported, flavors, and finish, as a whole or in part, more discernable as the wine's quality increases, and does it fundamentally follow that this is true with more expensive wines?

If these questions interest you, further thoughts are offered within the link above.

 

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Truchard Carneros Napa Valley 2014 Chardonnay

Truchard Carneros Napa Valley 2014 Chardonnay, $14.44-$29.99, 88 points, poured a very dark gold color.
Aromas were soft evergreen, butterscotch, and oaky Chardonnay specific notes.
Full-bodied with fair acidity translated the aromas onto the palate with hints of cantaloupe and apple flavors.
Finished as the wine began and showing an appropriate 14.1% alcohol.
Paired okay with fried chicken, but perfectly with our Buffalo chicken and bean/pepper-jack burritos.

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Moniker Mendocino County 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon

Moniker Mendocino County 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $12.74-$22.99, 90 points, poured core black grading purple/red toward the glass shallows, meniscus, and sticky tears.
Aromatic chocolate, juniper/cedar, black olives, and soft round black fruit smells were interesting and pleasant.
Full-bodied with good acidity and enduring ubiquitous, almost astringent tannins managed to deliver good flavors of plums, cocoa, and nondescript dark fruits.
Finished long, dry, and spicy with a hint of mint and a warm 14.5% alcohol.
My recommendation: At this price, for those that love Cali Cabs and don't mind drinking the same wine over time, or have need for a substantial quantity, this is a wine to buy by the case!

2013 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

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Robert Craig Napa Valley 'Affinity' 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

Robert Craig Napa Valley 'Affinity' 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $56.94-$66.99, 94 points, poured a slightly unfiltered Burgundy purple/red with a broad clear wine ring and clinging stained sheets turning the bowl into a crystal goblet.
Aromatic thuds of black currants were garnished with lovely whiffs of chocolate, toasty plums, and trailing mulling spices.
The full body showed good acidity and firm, but comfortable layers of tannin.
Flavors of truffle and black cherry with those reflective of the aromas and accented with an accelerating spiciness, trailing plum notes, a whisper of pomegranate, and topped-off by a spot-on 14.8% alcohol, made for a well-balanced Cali Cab.

2014 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

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Kim Crawford 2016 Chardonnay (New Zealand)

Kim Crawford 2016 Chardonnay (New Zealand), $11.99-$15.99, 88 points, was a straw yellow with a greenish gold sheen.
The nose was rather complex with smells of apple, tropical fruit, citrus, and a subtle allspice.
Medium-bodied with good acidity managed to overcome slightly burnt caramel flavors with a good balance of flavors reflective of the nose.
Finished well with warm spices, toasty apple-pie, and a circumspect 13% alcohol.
Paired nicely with our fried chicken.

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Fun With Family, Friends, Food, And Wine (Domaine Séguinot-Bordet 2012 Chablis, Reviewed)

Fun with family, new and old friends, food, and wine (wine is for food), was a day to treat others with wines stored away for such a time as this; we poured three wines (links and a review below), tasted some succulent treats (cheeses, fruits, and meats), and had good fun in general.
Conversations included the value of Spotify, scary spiders, spine-chilling snakes, and more 'importantly': "You made me like three wines" (Swedish teetotaler).
Have a safe trip back home!
Cheers!

Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr 2010 Riesling Spätlese, $36,54-$42.99, 94 points

Ridge Lytton Springs 2014 Red Wine, $33.14-$38.99, 94 points

Domaine Séguinot-Bordet 2012 Chablis, $17.84-$22.99, 94 points, poured a glossy medium gold color.
Aromas of soft pome blossoms, warm wet stones, and hints of citrus were outstanding.
The light-plus body with good acidity sported engaging, yet sophisticated flavors of tangerine, lemon zest, edgy minerality, and peach, all of which contributed their own excellence to a harmonious gestalt.
Finished long and sublime on the enduring palate, bright ginger notes, and a perfect 12.5% alcohol.

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