Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.8

Here’s your argument for cellaring value-priced new world reds in #magnum bottles. Got this from #wsjwineclub fairly recently after release and put it in the bottom of my wine fridge and forgot about it. This weekend a family get-together gave an opportunity to open this #patagonia #malbec. After sitting a while and later in the weekend it started to really stretch out. Plush blackberry, plum, spiced vanilla nose. Lip-smacking acidity on the palate is balanced by lush fruit, sweet vanilla, some coffee notes and peppery spice on the finish with supple tannins rounding things out. Bonus - cool tartrate crystals on the bottom of the cork. — 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.7

#mendocino Co. #merlot which gets appreciably more expressive a day after opening in the wine fridge: Bramble fruit, vanilla custard; palate shows slight peppery spice aroma and a fair bit of acidity with distant tannins on the finish. Oak application is reasonable. I’m getting less mistrustful of the sub $20 value Merlots from regions outside Napa - there’s definitely a movement towards quality across the board though this one has farther to go. #wsjwineclub — 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

Never tried the #grosmanseng grape in this #sauvignonblanc blend. Lovely lemon zest, white flower, honeysuckle aroma. Bracing acidity on the tongue, slight salinity, lemon peel - best aromatics and balance once it warms up a bit in the glass. I can see how it would be excellent with oysters, but an invigorating summer wine by itself. #wsjwineclub — 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Big #touriganacional #tintaroriz #syrah #alicantebouschet 35/25/25/15% blend. First day it’s venting off the vanilla from oak but day 2 out of the wine fridge and it’s much more interesting. Purple black in the glass. Dense bramble fruit, slate and pepper aromas, solid acidity and moderate soft tannins avoids the flabby trap. The winemaker seems to be improving every vintage. #wsjwineclub — 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Quite interesting dried grape #malbec #syrah #argentina blend. The wine was tight right after opening with uncouth iron/metallic flavors but a day or two in the wine fridge transformed it. Stewed plum, raisins and a nice peppery foundation on the nose, juicy acidity, continued black pepper, earthy fruit and medium tannins on a longer finish. Stout, spicy wine that stood up well to chili and tomato sauce pizza. #wsjwineclub — 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

100% #malvasia Putinata - white flower, citrus and light stone fruit on the nose. Medium weight on the palate with a pleasing oiliness and prototypical Italian white almond flavors. Not only is it delicious - it’s flexible in pairing and nicely accompanied grilled Texas Gulf seatrout. #wsjwineclub
— 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Other than Châteauneauf-du-pape, this is probably one the better #cotesdurhone I’ve had from #wsjwineclub. Weighty nose featuring cassis, blackberry preserves, slate, garrigue, forest floor. Meaty palate with bitter cocoa, some acidity and chewy tannins. I might have laid it down a few years to see what happens but the weather’s getting cooler here in Houston so here we are. — 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

This 2018 #pinotgrigio is just as sophisticated as the 2015 I drank a few years ago. Citrus, green orchard fruit, wet stone aromas with slight white flower undertones, a fleshier weight on the palate, mineral layers. This PG gets more expressive and enjoyable as it warms up in the glass. #wsjwineclub — 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.8

#lodi #zinfandel - blackberry jam, stewed plum aromas. Nicely concentrated in the mouth with the cooked dark fruit theme continuing, fair bit of acidity but more coffee, dark chocolate notes than I expected and very subtle spice. So many great old vine Zins out there in this price range - this one doesn’t stand out. #wsjwineclub — 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.8

Côtes-du-Tarn #gaillac white blend features green apple, lemon, light white flower nose, very light character - think a more floral Pinot Grigio, but quite refreshing on a hot summer day. #wsjwineclub — 4 years ago