Shiraz, Kangarilla Road, McLaren Vale, 2003
A big wine to be sure, but somehow it just works. No complexity here, just loads of dark juicy fruit. Think hamburgers or sausages and you’ll get the idea.
Chianti Classico Riserva, Monsanto, 2002
Damn, this is a great wine from a crappy vintage. Poetically earthy and spicy on the nose, on the palate it explodes into an elegant symphony of power. A classic Classico. What’s wrong with the rest of the producers in this zone?? Buy as many cases as you can lay your hands on and drink over the next ten years.
Spanna Riserva (nebbiolo) Dessilani, Colline Novaresi, 2001
Always a good bargain, this release from Dessilani does not disappoint. Here is real nebbiolo character at a price you can enjoy often. Classic lean, tannic nebbiolo flavors and aromas that make this a nice wine to introduce you friends to the wines from this noble vine. Like all real nebbiolo, this is not a pasta or pizza wine, but better suited to steaks, chops and roasts.
Cabernet Sauvignon, L'Ecole No. 41, Columbia Valley, 2002
Nice, but not very compelling. Just too lean for such a young wine.
Shiraz, 3 Rings, Barossa Valley, 2005
Too much, too much, too much for me. Cassis juice with brandy.
Chardonnay, Arthur, Domaine Drouhin, Dundee Hills
A very pleasant wine with great minerality, firm structure and a enticing lean character that makes you think about what’s for dinner. I would compare it to a good quality Pouilly Fuisse.
Long Haul, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, Mark Ryan Winery, Red Mountain, 2004
Frankly this wine is too much to drink right now and should not be released yet. Dense and powerful with great concentration and great potential, but just not good to drink at the moment. They should have given it at least another year in bottle before release. This has the capacity to be an excellent wine someday - say in 5 or 6 years. Great balance and structure with outstanding depth. I could hardly drink it until it had been open 24 hours. It is indeed going to be a long haul before this is ready to drink
Grüner Veltliner, Lois, Lorimar, 2005
A razor of a wine that’s really cheap! Crisp, mineraly and mouthwatering, this wine is a delightful, if simple, pleasure. A gulper!
Chambolle Musigny, Domaine Amiot-Servelle, 1999
Pure pinot noir here, this graceful beauty expresses everything that makes pinot noir so compelling. Delicate, yet confident on the palate, this wine offers charm, complexity and concentration in all the right places at all the right moments. More or less ready to drink, it will still improve, but why wait?
Dolcetto d'Alba, Roagna, 2004
Just a lovely wine. Lively, fresh balanced yet extremely interesting on the palate. Classically structured, but layered with a good dose of modern fruit brightness. Don’t age this charmer, it’s ready to go.
Syrah, Sheridan Vineyard, Yakima Valley, 2003
Intensely ripe and dense, with a structured backbone and some barely perceptible hints of tobacco underneath all the cassis and oak. Lot’s of pleasure here with a touch of complexity to boot. I’d drink it up soon as the substantial alcohol will only become more prominent as the fruit ages away.
L'Orage, Sheridan Vineyard, Yakima Valley, 2003
Big and juicy with racy ripe dark red fruit flavors and aromas. Big as it is, there is plenty of acid and soft, but very present tannins. This wine is so defined by its deep fruit, I think aging it is a mistake. Not great, but loaded with pleasure.
Chianti Classico, Riecine, 2003
What a wonderful wine! Earthy and layered with complexity from start to finish. Riecine has become my favorite estate in Chianti and they never fail to deliver an excellent wine. If you want to see what made Chianti famous to begin with taste this wine. The pure character of sangiovese in this wine is a marvel and emphasises how most producers have destroyed the character of this great vine in their wines.
Sparkling Wine, Sonoma Brut, Gloria Ferrer
Sweet and dull. Way to expensive at $17. I rather drink a good Cava at $10 than this!
Toscana IGT, Badiola, Mazzei, 2003
I keep trying to like this wine. The nose seems earthy and promising if a little herbal. Yet, it just falls apart on the palate. Not much of a deal here as it is just too boring.