Segal's 2011 Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $18.99-$20.99, 89 points, had a bright ruby appearance with two thin rings around the glass rim: an orange purple transitional ring and a customary clear one at the glass wall.
Earthy perfume, candied red cherry, and blueberry on the nose were very good.
The medium-plus body with fair to good acidity and mild-plus tannin (textually a bit rough) carried the aroma onto the palate perfectly, but black currant and pomegranate flavors arrived late palate and trailed deep into the fair finish of gentle spice notes and a hint of the 13.5% alcohol.
Index-of-reviewed-wines
Copyright 2010-2014 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
Barkan 2011 Classic Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.99-$13.99, 86 points, appeared chameleon in color, turning first ruby red then pinkish purple, and finally a bland rosewood red with a thin clear rim, depending how you looked at it.
The subtle toasty black currant/plum aroma was pleasant.
Almost full bodied with good acidity and medium tannin.
Flavors were a bit green and overpowering, almost too much tart grape-skin, but the minty eucalyptus was interesting.
Finished fair with tart pomegranate, spice, plum notes, and almost no notice of the 13% alcohol.
Index-of-reviewed-wines
Copyright 2010-2014 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
Lady of the Lake 2012--White Wine (Greece),
$14.99, 88 points, appeared as a bright almost luminescent polished gold color.
A most unusual aroma reminiscent of the petrol and minerals notes found in a German Riesling with the full spectrum of smells (flowers, Lychee, and melon) found in some Gewurztraminers.
Almost a medium bodied white wine with fair acidity, off dry, with flavors of hibiscus, jasmine, granite minerality, and unripe honeydew melon which cascaded into a complex finish of black pepper, ginger, green olives, and a hint of the 12.5% alcohol.
Varietals are 60% Roditis and 40% Batiki.
Sadly, I did not find Lady of the Lake in New Hampshire, but over the Massachusetts line in Somerville at a lovely wine boutique (Ball Square Finewines) noted for its variety of Greek Wines, though there were plenty of interesting Italian, Zinfandel, and other wines to choose from.
Index-of-reviewed-wines
Copyright 2010-2014 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
Tenute Silvio Nardi 2008 Brunello Di Montalcino, $35.99-$49.99, 93 points, poured deep pomegranate red trending sunburst orange toward the transparent rim.
Red and black cherry with roses and toasty caramel on the nose were lovely.
The medium-plus body carried mouth watering acidity with firm grainy tannin on a moderately smooth texture.
Flavors faithfully mirrored the aroma, but finished long with a touch of bourbon (14% alcohol) and red pepper.
Index-of-reviewed-wines
Copyright 2010-2014 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
Jacob's Creek Sparkling Moscato Rosé, $11.99-$14.99, 88 points, appeared a lovely apricot/peach color with early vigorous tiny bubbles, aroma of flowers and grapefruit, light crisp body that sweetly translated the aroma onto the palate with good acidity, and finished with sweetly tart citrus and a hint of the 9% alcohol.
I'm guessing this wine will pair well with almost anything (maybe not scrabbled eggs), but add some chopped-up fruit and mix with this sparkler as you would a sangria, and I'll bet it will be a barbecue or party favorite.
(See Sparkling wines)
Index-of-reviewed-wines
Copyright 2010-2014 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
Château Giscours Margaux 2010 Bordeaux Red Wine, $96.04-$112.99, (Inflation! Ouch!!!!) 95 points, welled black at the core, and trended a royal purple color near the clear glass rim.
On the nose lovely cedar and roses were subtle, but the not so subtle toasty blueberry and black fruit were equally lovely!
The near full body carried a crisp acidity and ripe drinkable tannin. Had a silky smooth texture with a bounty of unfolding flavors beginning from those of the aroma and layered with coffee, mint, and developing plum notes.
Finished with the power of cola, warmth from the 13.5% alcohol, and mouth-tingling spices.
Varietals were 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.
This 2010 vintage of the Château Giscours Margaux was vastly divergent and better (in my humble opinion) than was the Chateau Giscours Margaux 2009 Bordeaux. Here you will see that I probably wasn't going to buy this wine again, but what a treat. Incroyablement beau!
Index-of-reviewed-wines
Copyright 2010-2014 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
Salmon And Trout 2011
Bordeaux White Wine (80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon), $7.99, 84 points, began a bright burnished brass color, smelled mostly like cantaloupe with a gentle floral note, was light-plus bodied with good acidity and off grassy flavors with a wash of citrus.
Finished with tart citrus, a touch of the 12% alcohol, and a hint of ginger.
Paired okay with sautéed sea scallops.
I bought this wine at the Londonderry Market Basket.
Of course, this just might not be enough for some of you, so here's my answer to that: Just The Facts Ma' am :-)
Index-of-reviewed-wines
Copyright 2010-2014 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
