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. — 5 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 — 6 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 — 6 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

#cotesdegascogne Sauvignon Blanc, more subtle green apple, light grassy + soft citrus nose and doubling down with bright green apple taste, lighter body and racy acidity - delicious sipping outside in the summer. #wsjwineclub — 6 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

My previous notes are the same - this #provence #rose really shines as it warms up a bit. I’m glad I have two more bottles of it in my collection. #wsjwineclub — 6 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.8

Per advice from my trusted Delectable peers, I let this #californiacab breathe well over an hour. Really lovely cassis and bramble fruit on the nose. As of now it seems to lack weight on the palate to match that promising aroma - good base of cocoa and some cola, fruit forward character, hints of vanilla from new oak but it’s not excessive; the tannins are faint but starting to taste some juicy acidity. #wsjwineclub — 6 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 — 6 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 — 6 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
— 6 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

My second bottle of this #malbec #pinotage #cinsault blend - still like it a lot for the price. Blackberry jam, cassis, slight leather, cocoa aroma; less of the nail polish aroma once it airs out. Bitter cocoa, coffee notes along with the fruit and lush acidity and neat tannins fading into a long finish. #wsjwineclub — 6 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.7

Copper red #rosato ; the additional concentration brings a touch of tannic structure and a bit of sour cherry but still a rosé that’s particularly food-friendly. #wsjwineclub — 6 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Well-crafted #languedoc #cabernetsauvignon from Domaine Brenac. It may very well be marketed towards US-drinkers with the varietal labeling but that doesn’t mean it’s not good. It takes some time to open up to reveal solid bramble berry nose, good concentration and classic French balance of fruit against acidity plus some hints of peppery spice on the finish and fine tannins. Excellent QPR on this one from #wsjwineclub — 6 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

I didn’t have high expectations for this value #lodi #zinfandel. Blackberry jam aromas dominate. In the mouth there’s the expected rich briar fruit flood but it’s quickly followed by nice acid structure, dark chocolate and coffee notes mid-palate, faint warming spices and tongue-coating tannins on the long finish. It is unexpectedly quaffable and a dandy value at $11 from #wsjwineclub — 6 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. — 6 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 — 6 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 — 6 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 — 6 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

This #languedocrousillon #cabernetsauvignon continues to impress me once it opens up: concentrated fruit-forward up front layered with lovely complex aromas, just enough tartness and soft tannins. #wsjwineclub — 6 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.8

#carinena #tempranilloblend featuring plush black and red berry aromas backed by leather. Richer, fruit-forward style with some vanilla, dark coffee notes followed by some acidity and dense tannins on a long trailing finish. Decent value from #wsjwineclub but I’d like to taste more of the terroir specific earthy layers and a bit lighter touch on the oak and tannins. #wsjwineclub — 6 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Once it’s opened up, this dark #malbec #pinotage #cinsault blend presents a deep well of blackberry and cassis fruit aromas plus a slight nail polish scent which I find pleasant as it’s subtle. Less fruit than you expect on the palate, some cocoa and bitter coffee flavors towards the end trailed by soft light tannins; juicy acidity throughout. Yum! #wsjwineclub — 6 years ago