Friday, November 30, 2012

Marilyn Monroe Merlot 2009


Marilyn Monroe Merlot 2009, $19.49-$26.99, 90 points, is appropriately enough a sensual wine; the Merlot named after the actress is round, gently perfumed, rich and elegant.
Cranberry and pomegranate colors, a toasty fragrance, with a juicy blackberry and currant flavor, garnished by whispers of violets, trailing spice and everything nice fairly finishes this wine.

Nova Wines
Marilyn' Biography




Just a quick comment: this is not a fly-by wine, nor is an after-thought, but there is a tradition here and a very good wine!

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Valckenberg Pfalz 2011 Gewurztraminer


Valckenberg Pfalz 2011 Gewurztraminer, $9.34-$14.99, 88 points, has a bright lemon/lime color.
The aroma is a beautiful lychee nut with hints of light melon, and a floral tone.
A medium-plus body is lush, rich, fair acidity, a bit sweet, with a bursting plethora of white fruit flavors, all of which trail weakly into the anti-climatic finish.






Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Wines


Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, $6.79-$10.99, 89 points, is the wine down on its side and to the left, and if you haven't heard of it, either you will hear of it or you just tend to grab an inexpensive bottle of wine off the shelf; with an incredible price and an incredible wine, this one needs to stick in your memory to take with you to parties, for you dinner guests, or even for a gift! 
Why! Why! Why!
Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon has a slightly cloudy dark ruby color  and the aroma is a lovely medley of whispers, with sweet cooking spice, toasty red fruit, and hints of blueberry wafting out of the glass.
A medium to medium-plus body carries good acidity with firm lasting tannin.
Flavors of red fruit, though just a bit thin are good, and trail gently into a warm spicy finish with the faintest hint of heat (13.5% alcohol).
I was surprised by the quality of this wine, and though, I'm guessing, this is a mass produced, mass appeal red wine, doesn't mean you shouldn't buy this wine. Maybe you have a problem with the big boy producers (I understand that), but like Apple Inc, or Microsoft, the average consumer will want convenience and value; this wine has both, and matches many $15-$20 Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
History of Robert Mondavi Winery

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Decoy Sonoma County 2010 Zinfandel


Decoy Sonoma County 2010 Zinfandel, $12.99-$24.99, 91 points, is my "best-buy" table-wine of the year!
Caveat emptor [Latin, Let the buyer beware.], this is not a smooth, gentle Merlot, nor is it a lush and rich Cabernet Sauvignon, a jammy Lodi Zin, a smooth Russian River Zinfandel, or a thin-tasting "white" Zinfandel, but a brightly intense dry red wine good enough to stand alone or better with spicy foods (Pepperoni pizza comes to mind), but remember that at $12.99 you're getting better than a $25 bottle of wine! No one has paid me to say this, and no wine was given to me. This determination has been distilling in my mind for some time now, ever since it became a NHLS "Power-buy". I have steered several people in this direction over the last few months, and I told them to scold me if I wasn't right about this wine; that invitation holds true to you too,

Decoy Sonoma County 2010 Zinfandel has a bright crystal ruby color.
The aroma is cinnamon, clove, red cherry and a floral quality.
A medium body carries food-friendly acidity, moderate tannin for firmness, bramble berry and red cherry fruit, with a moderate finish bursting with spice and trailing on a hint of heat (14.5% alcohol).
Decoy Winery

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Monday, November 26, 2012

Château Tanunda Grand Barossa 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon



Château Tanunda Grand Barossa 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $15.99-$17.99, 89 points, has a clean Burgundy pomegranate red color, and a broad clear rim.
The aroma is rich red fruit with sweet cooking spice and a touch of heat (14.5% alcohol).
A medium body carries good acidity and structured tannin, with just a kangaroo-hair of tartness.
Flavors of red cherry, a hint of flowers, and damson plum, are fair, but the spice, which is excellent, soon kicks in and into the finish with some of that Aussie heat that makes this a NHWM standout wine.
Château Tanunda

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Christmas photo gallery and gifting that someone special!






  Christmas photo gallery is my way of saying: How do I (you) buy someone a bottle of wine for Christmas?
1. How much do you want to pay?
2. What varietal (grape type i.e. Merlot etc. White or Red) are you looking for?
3. Do you want to order wine through a package carrier? I've prided myself on buying almost every wine here in NH, so ordering wine through the mail is not my forte, and checking with shippers and wineries is necessary to verify that they are approved by the Sate of New Hampshire to ship here. Damaged bottles is always a possibility.
  Recently a store clerk from Market basket asked me what Cabernet Sauvignon wine I recommended for under $15, and the above questions were what I asked him.
  If you are looking for Barefoot or Twin Oak wines, then almost no thought at all is required (Some will be thrilled with those wines), but if you are looking for something just a bit out of the norm, intriguing, personal, and yes, available, then just a few minutes will yield a "treasure" for that "someone" special.
I have two very special wines given to me that I'll always treasure, and I'm sure that's what you would want as well.
Feel free to ask me (See comments), and I'll do my best to get you a personalized answer.










 
 


Copyright 2012 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Bordeaux Red Wines (complete list)





Bordeaux Red Wines briefly stated are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and are from the Bordeaux region of France.

Saint Emilion September 2012 Reclassification

French wine labels can be confusing, so davidstuff.com is here to help.

My disclaimer is I don't pretend to be any kind of expert. However I do enjoy all kinds of wines, especially with my dinner, and have found the limited marketing of Bordeaux wines in New Hampshire, and purchasing and tasting advice somewhat limited. So when I taste a wine, I note a wine, and pass what I've gleaned to those interested.
The following is my list of tasted Bordeaux red wines. This list is intended to be convenient and comparative, but it is also an attempt to accommodate smart phones users.
This list is a work in progress.



Finally, I'd like to bring-up a bit of a controversy regarding "Old" world red wines and "New" world red wines and the transition which occurs as you drink them; from the moment you open that bottle, the wine begins to change. So why do some red wines turn bad tasting so soon?
Well, more than one "casual" wine taster has asked me this question, a question that has been bothering me for some time now.
David Boyer explains the why, where, and how the wine-making philosophy of wineries influences what happens not only in the bottle, but in your glass. Think Structure!

Aurore De Dauzac Grand Vin Margaux 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $29.69-$32.99, 90 points
Bad Boy Bordeaux 2005 Merlot, Approximately $20.00, 88 points
Bad Boy 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine (Merlot), $18.69-$21.99, 90 points
Baron Des Chartrons Grand Vin De 2009 Bordeaux, $8.99, 86 points
Château Angelus Premier Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine, $292.49-$453.99, 97 points
Château Bailly Pessac-léognan Grand Cru Classé 2015 Bordeaux Red, $108.79-$127.99, 97 points
Château Barde-Haut Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $28.89-$33.99, 92 points
Château Barde-Haut Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $37.39-$43.99, 95 points
Château Brown Pessac-Léognan 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine $30.59-$35.99, 93 points
Château Canon 1er Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $59.49-$69.99, 96 points
Château Canon-la-Gaffelière Premier Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $64.17-$75.49, 94+ points
Château Canon-la-Gaffelière Premier Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $89.97-$105.49, 96 points
Château Canon Pécresse Fronsac Grand Vin 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $20.39-$23.99, 92 points
Château Cantemerle, Grand Cru Classé en 1855, Haut-Médoc 2008 Bordeaux Red Wine, $32.29-$37.99, 92 points
Château Cantemerle, Grand Cru Classé en 1855, Haut-Médoc 2010 red Bordeaux, $53.99-$59.99, 95 points
Château Cantemerle, Grand Cru Classé en 1855, Haut-Médoc 2012 red Bordeaux, $34.84-$40.99, 89 points
Château Cantemerle, Grand Cru Classé en 1855, Haut-Médoc 2014 red Bordeaux, $28.04-$32.99, 91 points
Château Cantemerle, Grand Cru Classé en 1855, Haut-Médoc 2015 Red Bordeaux, $33.99-$39.99, 94 points
Château Cantenac Brown Margaux 2011 Bordeaux Red Wine, $47.99-$63.99, 90 points
Château Carbonnieux Grand Cru Classé De Graves 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $39.52-$46.49, 92 points
Château Carignan Grand Vin Cadillac Premières Côtes De (Red) 2010 Bordeaux, $16.11-$24.99, 89 points
Château Carignan Grand Vin Cadillac Premières Côtes De (Red) 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $21.99-$24.99, 88 points
Château Citran Haut-Médoc Grand Vin 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine, $24.66-$28.99, 92 points
Château Clarke Baron Edmond De Rothschild Listrac Médoc 2009 Bordeaux, $39.09-$45.99, 93 points
Château Clerc Milon Pauillac (Baron Philip De Rothschild) Grand Cru Classé 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $107.09-$125.99, 94 points
Château Clinet Pomerol 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $101.49-$116.49, 97 points
Château Condat Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $17.99-$21.99, 90 points
Château Corbin Saint-Émilion, Grand Cru Classé 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $37.82-$44.49, 92 points
Château Croix Cardinale, Saint-Émilion, Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $28.89-$33.99, 92 points
Château Croix Mouton Jean-Philippe Janoueix 2008 Bordeaux Superieur, $14.44-$17.99, 89 pointsChâteau Croix-Mouton 2009 Bordeaux Superieur, $15.29-$17.99, 90 points
Château Croix Mouton 2010 Bordeaux Superieur, $14.44-$17.99, 89 points
Château D'Aiguilhe 2008 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, $26.34-$30.99, 89 points
Château D'Aiguilhe 2010 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, $38.74-$44.99, 91 points
Chateau d'Arcins Haut-Medoc 2008 Bordeaux Red Wine, $16.79-$22.99, 86+ points
Château d'Arcins Haut-Medoc 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $16.79-$22.99, 87 points
Chateau d'Arcins Haut-Medoc 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $17.86-$22.99, 89 points
Château D'Aurilhac Grand Vin Haut-Médoc 2010 Red Bordeaux, $21.59-$23.99, 91 points
Château Dalem Fronsac 2010 Bordeaux, $31.49-$34.99, 91
points
Château Dalem Fronsac 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $22.52-$26.49, 92 points
Château Dauzac Margaux Grand Cru Classé 2010 Bordeaux, $56.09-$65.99, 93+ points
Château David Beaulieur 2010 Bordeaux Superieur, $12.60-$14.00, 87 points
Chateau David Beaulieur 2015 Bordeaux Superieur, $9.99-$11.99, 86 points
Château De Beauregard~Ducourt Grand Vin 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $9.99-$11.99, 87 points
Château De Béchaud Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $25.99-$26.99, 90 points
Château de Bellevue Lussac St. Émilion 2010 Bordeaux, $19.79-$27.99, 92+ points
Château de Bonhoste Grand Vin 2009 Bordeaux Supérieur, $14.44-$16.99, 89 points
Château de Camarsac (Thierry Lurton) Bordeaux Supérieur 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, average price is $15.00, 90 points
Château de Camensac Haut-Médoc 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $31.44-$36.99, 90 pointsChâteau De Carles 2011 Grand Vin De Bordeaux Red Bordeaux, $12.99-$27.99, 90 points
Château de Carlmagnus Fronsac 2010 Red Bordeaux, $24.29-$26.99, 92+ points
Château Fonréaud Listrac-Médoc 2016 Red Bordeaux Wine, $16.14-$18.99, 90 points
Château Fonroque Saint-Émilion Grand Vin-Grand Cru Classé 2009 Bordeaux, $43.19- $47.99, 93 points
Château Forlouis Montagne Saint-Émilion 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $16.19-$19.99, 89 points
Château Franc Mayne Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $34.42-$40.49, 92 points
Château Gazin Pomerol 2010 Red Bordeaux, $116.99-$129.99, 96 points
Château Genins 2010 Bordeaux, $9.99, 85 points
Château Giscours Margaux 2009 Bordeaux, $58.99, 92 points
Château Giscours Margaux 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $96.04-$112.99, 95 points
Château Giscours Margaux 2011 Bordeaux Red Wine, $51.19-$68.99, 94 points
Château Godeau Saint Émilion Grand Cru 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine, $31.44-$36.99, 92 points
Château Godeau Saint Émilion Grand Cru 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $35.74-$41.99, 92+ points
Château Godeau Saint Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $19.54-$22.99, 92 points
Château Grand Corbin-Despagne St. Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2010 Red Bordeaux, $44.82-$48.99, 92+ points
Château Grand Corbin-Despagne St. Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2015 Red Bordeaux, $32.72-$38.49, 92 points
Château Grand-Pontet St. Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2008 Bordeaux Red Wine, $35.69-$41.99, 92 points
Château Grand-Pontet St. Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $29.32-$34.49, 93 points
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac, Grand Cru Classé 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $59.49-$69.99, 95 points
Château Graves de Pez Saint-Estèphe 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $25.49-$29.99, 91 points
Château Greysac Médoc 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine, $13.29-$18.99, 88 points
Château Greysac Médoc Cru Bourgeois 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $24.99 (gift), 88+ points
Château Greysac Médoc 2011 Bordeaux Red Wine, $17.99-$19.99, 91 points
Château Greysac Médoc 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $15.29-$19.99, 89 points
Château Haut-Batailley Pauillac 2010 Red Bordeaux, $65.74-$71.99, 91 points
Château Haut-Bergey Pessac-Léognan 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $22.52-$26.49, 91 points
Château Haut-Bergey Pessac-Léognan 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $24.22-$28.49, 88 points
Château Haut Boutisse Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $28.99-$31.49, 90 points
Château Haut-Brisson Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $22.94-$26.99, 94 points
Château Haut Cadet Saint-Émilion 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $14.87-$17.49, 88 points
Château Haut-Chaigneau LaLande De Pomerol 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $19.12-$22.49, 91 points
Château Haut Gravet Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2009 Bordeaux, $33.99-$39.99, 90 points
Château Haut-Pezat St. Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $22.49-$24,99, 93 points
Château Haut-Robert Tertre De Fontenot 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $10.99, 87 points
Chateau Hyot 2005 Casteillon Cotes de Bordeaux, $19.99, 86 points
Château Hyot 2010 Casteillon Cotes de Bordeaux, $16.99-$19.99, 89 points
Chateau Hyot 2014 Casteillon Cotes de Bordeaux Red Wine, $15.99-$19.99, 89 points
Chateau Hyot Réserve 2015 Casteillon Cotes de Bordeaux Red Wine, $13.59-$19.99, 88 points
Château Jean De Gue Grand Vin Bordeaux Lalande Pomerol 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $36.54-$42.99, 89 points
Château Kirwan Margaux 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $47.14-$55.49, 91 points
Château La Barauderie 2009 Bordeaux Supérieur, $11.04-$12.99, 85 points
Château La Bourrée Castillon Côtes De Bordeaux-2009 Bordeaux Blend, $17.09-$18.99, 90+ points
Château La Cardonne 2009 Red Bordeaux Wine, $17.09-$25.99, 90+ points
Château La Chapelle De Haut-Bages Libéral Pauillac 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $35.99-$49.99, 91 points
Château La Coudraie 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $17.09-$18.88, 86 points
Château La Couspaude Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2009 Bordeaux, $72.24-$84.99, 94 points
Château La Couspaude Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2014 Bordeaux, $42.49-$49.99, 93 points
Château La Croix Chaigneau Lalande De Pomerol 2009 Bordeaux, $11.89-$13.99, 87 points
Château La Croix De Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 2008 Bordeaux Red Wine, $46.99-$64.99, 91 points
Château La Croix De Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 2009 Bordeaux, $42.49-$49.99, 93 points
Château La Croix De Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 2011 Bordeaux Red Wine, $39.99-$53.99, 90 points
Château La Croix De Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine, $39.52-$46.49, 95 points
Château La Justice Fronsac 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine, $16.19-$19.99, 89 points
Château La Marzelle 2009 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux, $44.90-$48.99, 93 points
Château La Sergue LaLande De Pomerol 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $29.32-$34.49, 92 points
Château La Tour Carnet Grand Cru Classé Haut -Médoc 2009 Bordeaux, $39.94-$46.99, 93 points
Château La Tour de Bessan 2009 Bordeaux, $22.94-$26.99, 91 points
Château La Tour De Mons MarGaux 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $19.49-$33.99, 87 points
Château la Verrière Grand Vin Supérieur 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $14.39-$15.99, 87 points
Château La Vieille Cure Fronsac 2009 Bordeaux, $29.74-$34.99, 92 points
Château La Vieille Cure Fronsac 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine (Revisited), $29.74-$34.99, 93 points
Château La Vieille Cure Fronsac 2010 Bordeaux, $34.19-$37.99, 92+ points
Château Lilian Ladouys Saint Estèphe 2016 Grand Vin Bordeaux Red Wine, $23.37-$27.49, 90 points
Château Lusseau St. Émilion Grand Cru 2009 Bordeaux, $31.02-$36.49, 93 points
Château Magdelaine Premier Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $93.49-$109.99, 95 points
Château Magrez Fombrauge Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2009 Bordeaux, $156.39-$183.99, 94 points
Château Maine D'Arman Côtes De Bourg 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $10.09-$12.99, 88+ points
Château Malartic Lagraviere Grand Cru Classé De Graves Pessac-Léognan 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $76.49-$89.99, 93+ points
Château Malartic Lagraviere Grand Cru Classé De Graves Pessac-Léognan 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $41.64-$48.99, 93 points
Château Malartic Lagraviere Grand Cru Classé De Graves Pessac-Léognan 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $56.09-$65.99, 91 points
Château Malescasse Cru Bourgeois Haut-Médoc 2010 Red Bordeaux, $22.19-$24.99, 90 points
Château Malescot-St.-Exupéry Margaux 2008 Bordeaux, $48.02-$56.49, 92 points
Château Malescot-St.-Exupéry Margaux 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $46.32-$54.49, 92 points
Château Malescot-St.-Exupéry Margaux 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $56.09-$65.99, 90 points
Château Marjosse 2009 Grand Vin Bordeaux, $12.69-$13.99, 87 points
Château Marjosse 2015 Grand Vin Bordeaux, $11.47-$13.49, 88 points
Château Meyney St. Estèphe Grand Vin 2009 Bordeaux, $38.24-$44.99, 93 points
Château Mezain Grand Vin De 2011 Bordeaux, $9.34-$12.99, 82 points
Château Michel De Vert Grand Vin De Bordeaux Lussac Saint-Émilion 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $14.99-$17.99, 87 points
Château Monbousquet 2009 Saint Emilion Grand Cru, $50.99-$64.99, 95 points
Château Monbousquet 2009 Saint Emilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Wine, (A blast From The Past) $50.99-$64.99, 95 points
Château Monbousquet St. Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2010 Bordeaux, $63.74-$74.99, 94 points
Château Monbousquet St. Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2010 Bordeaux (Revisited), $63.74-$74.99, 95 points
Château Monbousquet St. Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $43.34-$50.99, 93 points
Château Monbousquet St. Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $51.49-$63.99, 94 points
Château Tour Maillet Pomerol 2017 Grand Vin De Bordeaux, $39.09-$45.99, 94 points
Château Tour Saint Christophe St. Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $27.62-$32.49, 92 points
Château Tour Saint-Georges Cuvée Prestige 2012 Bordeaux Red Wine, $8.10-$8.99, 88 points
Château Trianon Grand Cru de Saint-Émilion 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $25.49-$29.99, 90 points
Château Valfontaine 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $9.99, 86+ points
Château Vieux Meillac 2005 Grand Vin De Bordeaux, $11.99-$13.99, 87 points
Château Vignot Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $25.49-$61.99, 85 points
Château Violette Moulis-en-Médoc Grand Vin De 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $17.99-$19.99, 90 points
Château Vrai Canon Bouché Canon-Fronsac 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $32.29-$37.99, 92 points
Château Vrai Canon Bouché Canon-Fronsac 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $21.24-$24.99, 91 points