Penfolds
Bin 8 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz 2012
Deeeeep Plum with crimson rim
Nose: Big and beautiful. The cab yields vanilla but shiraz dominates for me. Black pepper, treated leather, and unsweet chocolate.
Palate: Complex with a big and silky body. Smooth layered tannins. Ripe and tangy red fruits. Plum and wet tobacco. Salted unsweetened chocolate carries from the nose. Hint of mint leaves as well. Long dry finish with licorice. All framed in a nice oak.
Thought this was a really nice complex and layered effort. I am a fan of this nice bold wine. Great value at $28 price point.
57%Cab Sauv
43%Shiraz
ABV 14.5 — 9 years ago
Cesari
Mara Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore Corvina Blend 2013
Nice cherry color.
Tight on the nose that is fleshy and red fruit laced.
Palate: light/medium body with a slight overbalance to acidity. Low tannin. This is heavy on the sour cherry with subtle vanilla and framed in oak. Bright finish with herbaceous feel. — 9 years ago
Bodega Norton
Privada Mendoza Malbec Blend 2013
Vibrant black cherry color with thin legs
Nose: cafe mocha with leather and blackberry. Laced with cinnamon sugar.
Palate: Full body, sweet coating of tannins with a nice balanced high acidity. Smooth and almost creamy at points likely from the merlot. Ripe raspberry with long lush chocolate. Paired this with a spicy dish of sausage so got a cracked pepper and long lasting finish.
Enjoyed this quite a bit. Costco special which is becoming my go too. Would like to try this alone and will likely climb into the 90+ range for me.
40% Malbec
30% Merlot
30% Cabernet Sauvignon
14%ABV — 9 years ago
Joel Gott Wines
California Zinfandel 2013
Beautiful rich color
Nose: Bit closed. Earthy and a hint of a blended red fruit jam. Opened up to some vanilla
Palate: Big full body like you would expect from a Cali Zin. Med tannins in the middle tongue. Plum and cloves prominent for me. Felt a bit unbalanced with some astringent qualities/heavy acidity. Nice long pepper finish that stayed with me.
Overall nice table wine probably better with food. This one missed the mark in the wrong ways for me. Certain aspects were outstanding but just felt unstructured! From what I hear the 2014 crop of napa zin is the best yet, will be looking forward to see what they can do next year!
ABV 14.4% — 9 years ago
La Antigua
Clásico Crianza Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2011
On the nose tart red fruits and tobacco
Mild tannis with tobacco and spice carrying through. Not bold enough for my taste
70% Tempranillo, 20% Graciano, 10% Garnacha — 9 years ago
La Crema
Monterey Pinot Noir 2012
A haunting pale burgendy
Nose: sugar plum and cocoa
Palate: light smooth body/tannis and nice vibrant acidity.strong monteray minerality, cherry tart, lemon peel, some very small under tones of juniper I got after it opened up a bit.
Paired with a wonderful parmesan rissoto. This pinot has been a long time staple on my table
13.5%ABV — 9 years ago
Cosentino Winery
The Cab Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Deep ruby color
On the nose strong currant and spice opening to red cedar
The palate medium tannin with high acidity. Tart. Strong cigar and vanilla. Dry spice finish.
Thought it was a nice effort for my taste would have liked to see a higher franc mix or merlot blend to tone down the acidity.
75% Cab sauv
10% Syrah
10% Cab franc
5% Petite
ABV 14.5 — 9 years ago
Torre de Oña
Reserva Rioja Tempranillo
On the nose: spice with a red berry mix. I pick up hint of blueberry or that could be the first bottle talking.
Palate: firm tannins with strong finish. Treated leather, tobacco with aged wood and a hint of blackberry.
Tempranillo with 5% Mazuelo
— 9 years ago
Timothy Ryan
Nice deep violet color.
Nose with leather and dark fruits
Palate: medium body, high and heavy on the acidity and long tannins. Pretty unidimensional with straight forward concentrated plum with a wintergreen finish.
Acidity a little stinging at points, not to my taste as I felt like it lacked depth.
13.5 ABV — 9 years ago