Dark,
dense, opaque red to cherry red rim. Dusty nose full of spice, soft blackberry
and cherry fruit with a touch of oak, menthol, and some eucalyptus. Soft entry
onto the palate , this medium-bodied wine features flavors of cherry and
blackberry carried through to the medium length finish by a hint of mint, dried
tobacco, and a touch of dried herbs. Shows great balance between acid, tannins,
and alcohol. Drink now – 2015
2002 - Chanson Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Fèves
Sep 02, 2009
Medium to dark red with a clear rim. Shows a bit of bottle age.
Barnyard, roses, and classic Pinot fruit flavors on the nose. Quite
powerful. Utterly delicious once it hits your palate, a very big wine
with taut tannins that carry through to a long finish, 60+ seconds.
Highly enjoyable.
2006 - Chapoutier Cote Rotie la Mordoree
Aug 28, 2009
Dark red /
purple with a brilliant pink to clear rim. The nose features intense, brambly
ripe raspberry, black cherry, and wild blackberry seesawing back and forth with
spicy black pepper, all under a soft layer of violets. The deep, juciy fruit is
accentuated on the palate by flavors of tar, and a hint of red grape skins.
Muscular & dense, the long finish sticks with you for 90+ seconds.
2006 - Grand Destieu
Aug 24, 2009
Medium ruby red with wide pink rim. A blockbuster nose full of dusty dark fruit
and spice leads to a medium-bodied palate loaded with black fruits and cassis.
This opened up exceptionally well with air, and I would cellar it for a few
years to drink at its full potential. At under $20, this easily drinks like it's
twice the price.
2004 - Volpaia, Castello di Chianti Classico Riserva
Aug 21, 2009
Medium red
with bright, candy red rim. Sharp, tart nose full of earth, wild mushroom, and
sour black cherry. Very interesting. The high acidity on the palate is kept in check by
the strong tannins in the mid to rear palate, and this interplay is complimented
by new oak, cranberry, and sour cherry. A solid wine from a great vintage.
2006 - Armailhac, D
Aug 18, 2009
Classic Bordeaux. This features a bright, dark shiny red color with a
red rim. The nose is full of earth, barnyard, and dark, ripe red
fruits. Very soft on the palate entry, this full bodied wine features
flavors of cassis and dark fruit with a hint of smoke and oak. Soft
tannins make this easy to drink, delicious.
2001 - Montecillo Rioja Gran Reserva
Aug 18, 2009
Medium-light red with tones of purple, leading to a red rim that fades to milky pink at the rim. The nose is full of a slightly sweet, luxurious fruit core surrounded by delicate floral aromas. The balance stays true on the palate and the soft plum and cherry fruits are surrounded a nice layer of cedar and spice. The oak is well integrated and this is drinking great now!
2006 - Solitude, Domaine de la Chateauneuf du Pape
Jul 29, 2009
Medium red, very milky and shiny. Pretty nose of violets, dark flowers, and sweet berries a velvety, intoxicating quality that makes it a joy to swirl and sniff. Palate has loads of juicy blackberry, blueberry, and currants, but is also surprisingly tannic with some wood on the finish. In my opinion, this needs time. Best after 2011.
2005 - Hazyblur Shiraz
Jul 15, 2009
Very dark
red, almost black, with a bright pink rim. Incredibly multilayered nose that
you can feel go into your head and down your throat! Intoxicating nose of
dusty, sweet cherry and blueberry, dark flowers, ample spice, a hint of wood,
pork fat, and a tiny bit of powdered chocolate. On the palate it's huge and
lush, filling the mouth with velvety flavors. The finish lasts for over a
minute with a sweetness balanced by ample acid that's quite pleasing. Any
tannins are very soft. This is an opulent, delicious wine with personality.
2005 - Torres Celeste Crianza
Jul 13, 2009
Very dark, with a unique fragrant nose of crushed purple flowers and an intoxicating sweet element on top. Blueberry city on the palate, with flavors of the crushed berries. Very dense, surprisingly tannic in the mid to rear palate, this probably needs a couple more years in the bottle to smooth out. Very nice.
2007 - Story, Herman Syrah, Nuts & Bolts
Jun 30, 2009
Very dark red with a shiny pink rim. Thick, sweet, and fruit on the nose with elements of white pepper, cured meats, mushroom, spice, blueberries, liquer, and a touch of plum. The palate explodes with pepper & sweet tea. At 16.1% alcohol I thought the finish would be much hotter than it is, but it helps give it a tremendous length.
2006 - Novy Family Wines Syrah
Jun 15, 2009
Tasted blind. Medium-dark red with a pink rim. Some purple tones with lots of spicy, crackling pepper. Some stemmy flavors on the palate (showing its youth) with good earth. Very nice!
For QPR, this is a five-star wine! Medium red with lots of meaty syrah flavors complimented by pepper, cherry, cola, and dark fruits. VERY GOOD. The Viognier adds a lot to this blend and this wine has oodles of character. Think Rhone, not Australia. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
2003 - Cogno Barolo Vigna Elena
May 28, 2009
Medium red to an orange rim. Very shiny. Nose gaind more lift as I swirled the glass, revealing aromas of dark red berries and a pleasing, sweet old wood aroma (in a good way). Nice sweetness on the palate, not as intense as some Barolos I've had and it is still pretty tannic, but the balance here works. Nice.
2004 - Baglio di Pianetto Ramione
May 28, 2009
I really like Nero d'Avola from Sicily for its ability to pair with a variety of Italian foods, and I liked this blend as well. 50% Merlot and 50% Nero d'Avola is medium red to red rim to clear on the outside. Intoxicating nose of deep red berries and a hint of raspberry liquer. Earthy on the midpalate with a bright, slightly tannic finish. Not a huge fruity wine, this one has character.
2007 - Alfred, Domaine Chardonnay Goss Creek
May 26, 2009
Really more like 3.5 stars. Green & gold with a mellow nose of soft oak and minerals. Palate is full of hazelnut & a slight hint of almonds, very full, and manages to pull off being crisp and rich at the same time. Nice!
2006 - Stolpman Vineyards L'Avion
May 26, 2009
90% Roussane and 10% Viognier. Pale yellow, this white Rhone blend fills the mouth with spice, honey, sweet floral notes. Quite delicious, it's a little hot on the finish, but this is a fine example of what the Central Coast can do with white as well as red Rhone varietals.
2006 - Redbank Sauvignon Blanc Long Paddock
May 21, 2009
Pretty delightful. Bright yellow / green, with strong notes of lemon and citrus peel on the nose. Incredibly refreshing, the bright citrus continues on the palate with Mexican lime and some really nice acid. Had me almost fooled for an unoaked Australian Chardonnay, but this is up my alley.
2007 - Mongeard-Mugneret, Domaine Echezeaux
May 21, 2009
This wine (and this vintage perhaps?) is all about texture rather than power. Very nice, with balanced cherry red fruits, acid, and alcohol. Young now, this wine is already beautiful and will continue to develop in bottle.
2006 - Sauzet, Domaine Etienne Puligny Montrachet Champ Gain Premier Cru
May 21, 2009
Stunning & delicious. My first 5 star review on Winezap (I think?). Very clear with only a hint of color, there are lots of fresh squeezed lime notes on the nose that continue onto the palate. Gorgeously balanced with a hint of wood (?) to add to the complexity, this was my favorite 2006 White Burgundy tasted this day. Bravo.
2006 - Cohn, B R Cabernet Sauvignon Olive Hill Vineyard
May 21, 2009
Tasted blind, I pegged this is a California Right Bank style Bordeaux blend. I swore it was Merlot based, but this cab has that unmistakeable New World nose. Dark red with a wide pink rim, very soft notes of sweet fruits and cassis envelope the nose. On the palate, the new oak is very apparent and the plums and purple fruit is slightly tart with medium tannins. Well made, but tricky!
2007 - Cohn, B R Chardonnay
May 21, 2009
Pale yellow straw in color. A pretty nose of soft fruits, apricots, peach, and white flowers. Not too oaky (but oaky enough), the alcohol is a bit high on the palate and the finish is too hot for my tastes. But if California Chardonnay is your thing, drink away.
2004 - St Clement Cabernet Sauvignon Progeny Mt Veeder
May 11, 2009
Medium, shiny red. Lots of richness with blueberry and cassis on the nose and palate. Very well made, almost refreshing with some medium tannins. A very fine bottle of Cab!
2005 - Bertani Le Lave
Apr 28, 2009
Bright green, like melted gummies. Not your typical Chardonnay, but that's because it's half Garganega. Buttery desserts & custard on the nose. The acid on the palate balances out any hint of sweetness and adds lots of minerality & apples. A crisp Italian white that would sing with food.
2006 - Sebastiani Chardonnay
Apr 27, 2009
Rich & buttery and full of vanilla. They don't quite overdo it, and there is some nice spice here. Not right up my alley, but well down.
2006 - Cono Sur Chardonnay, 20 Barrels
Apr 27, 2009
Bright yellow with a shiny green hue. Very fresh. Lots of stone fruits,
nectarine & peach in particular, with some crisp apple. Lively
acidity supports the the gentle flavors of oak with some nuttiness on
the long finish. Very fun to drink, this tastes great now with or
without food, but would be fun to enjoy at the start of summer for the
next half-decade or so. Highly recommended.
2005 - Latour, Domaine Louis Pommard
Apr 23, 2009
More like 3.5 stars. Slightly difficult to pinpoint! Tasted over 2 days. Day 1: Acidic & tart with an intense menthol / medicinal quality. Tannic. Day 2: A bit more fragrant with the medicinal aromas still there. Very nice medium red color with a pink rim. Rough & tumble on the palate, it throws down a mix of cherry, wood, and cola. This could be good if you've got the time.
2005 - Latour, Domaine Louis Gevrey Chambertin
Apr 23, 2009
Tasted over two days. Day 1: Pretty & floral. Slightly tart with cherry and a nice stony minerality. Day2: Medium red, still very nice but the acid is showing a little more. Cola, cherry, floral. "Yummy."
2007 - Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge
Apr 23, 2009
Medium bodied with lots of sweet flowers on the nose. A little woody, should mellow out.
2007 - Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Reserve
Apr 23, 2009
Very muted on the nose, hard to get any solid aromas. Very nice on the palate, mellow, a little green (ha!). Very pleasant.
2007 - Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Croft Vineyard
Apr 23, 2009
Interesting nose, fun to play with. Slightly dusty, but rich and smooth. Flavors of cherry on the palate with some meat and a hint of menthol. Has personality.
2007 - Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Four Winds Vineyard
Apr 23, 2009
Wow. The nose was gummed down a bit with heavy fruit, but it still smelled delightful. Definite white pepper mixed in with the fruit and floral aromas. Cherry pit and underbrush on the palate with nice acid. Fleshy and intense, morphs in the mouth switching between floral and fruit flavors. Very impressed.
2006 - Leoville-Poyferre
Apr 23, 2009
Very pretty with nice balance and a captivating nose.
9998 - Laurent, Jean Brut Blanc de Noirs Champagne
Apr 13, 2009
Bright golden straw color. Honey and spice on the nose continues onto the palate. I jotted down "definitely champagne" with a lush, rich mouthfeel and lots of yeasty toast. Surprising flavors for a blanc de noir (in my opinion). Quite enjoyable.
2006 - Lucia Syrah Susan's Hill
Apr 08, 2009
An amazing dark purple. And I mean DARK and I mean PURPLE. Ripe fruit with incredible concentration, it took a lot of swirling to get that white pepper to come out. Soft on the palate with deep blackberry fruit. Highly recommended.
2006 - Lucia Syrah Garys Vineyard
Apr 08, 2009
Very dark red with dark pink rim. Loads of pepper, blackberries, spice rub, and spoke with some beautiful dark flower aromas on the nose. Soft on the palate with red and dark fruits, this wine evolved over the couple hours I tasted it. Quite delicious and highly recommended.
2006 - Potel Aviron Fleurie Vieilles Vignes
Mar 25, 2009
I was excited to taste this wine after LOVING the Moulin-A-Vent from 2006. This wine was thinner with less of the depth, but had intriguing flavors of strawberry and lots of smoked meat. It was almost like smelling a (good) butcher shop! A little thin and tart for my tastes, but not bad.
2006 - Rippon Vineyard Pinot Noir Central Otago
Mar 18, 2009
Medium ruby red to garnet with a pink rim. Complex nose of black
fruits, tangy cherry, and some violet. Nice balance on this medium
weight wine with more flavors of cherry & rhubarb on the palate,
and the finish goes on for well over a minute! Highly recommended.
9998 - Penfolds Koonunga Hill Merlot / Cabernet
Mar 10, 2009
Dark red core with a pink rim. This has an addictive sweet nose of concentrated blackberry juice that had me sniffing away. The juicy dark berry qualities continued on the palate. Interesting and very tasty.
2004 - Terlato Syrah
Mar 06, 2009
Super bright pinkish red color to a clear rim. Medium aromas of dark
cherry and blackberry with no real noticeable spice or pepper, which I
guess makes sense for the Dry Creek Valley. Medium dark cherry and
blackberry flavors continue onto the palate with some added chocolate and some plum on the
finish. Nice and balanced. (0 views)
2006 - Chapoutier Cote Rotie la Mordoree
Feb 26, 2009
Another blockbuster wine from Chapoutier. Dark red with some purple tones all the way to the rim, the nose us unmistakably syrah with blackberry jam and black pepper. The flavors continue onto the palate with a nice, comforting sweetness in the middle. Hints of anise continue with the peppery characteristics into the long, long finish. This wine is made from the oldest vines in Côte-Rôtie at the top of the Northern Rhone and is unfiltered/unfined and will age gracefully.
2006 - Chapoutier Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac
Feb 26, 2009
WOW. Medium to light red with a pink rim, this wine entices with flavors of bright, sour cherry and some citrus peel on the nose. The flavors explode out onto the palate, starting with red floral notes and heading into cherry cola and sweet cherry. Almost entirely Grenache, the Barbe Rac was aged first in oak and then in the bottle for 12 months. This is a dynamic standout wine whose flavors will only continue to emerge in years to come.
2005 - Cantiana Rotaliana Teroldego Rotaliano
Feb 26, 2009
The 2005 Cantiana Rotaliana Teroldego is less on the rustic Italian side and more on the frisky, tart, refreshing side. A deep red with a dark pink rim, the
wine is light in the mouth and smooth to drink with flavors of blackerry and grape skin. Higher in acid than alcohol, this wine stood up to a homemade pancetta and fried sage pizza.
2003 - David Coffaro ZP2C
Feb 18, 2009
Unbalanced and awkward, yet still pretty drinkable. It's almost
as if the different varietals fight for attention in the glass with
none coming up as the winner. The wood is prevalent here, and the
finish carries this green, stemmy flavor through. Maybe this is just
what 5 year old Zinfandel turns into?
Cory G. 's Wine Reviews
