Johnston Spissinger Wine Blog

Yalumba Barossa Patchwork Shiraz 2008 - $18

2011-06-09T18:37:00.000-07:00

David: Dark purple, almost black. Nose of black currant, a little rubber, chocolate and a little violet. Full bodied. Good acidity balance. Delicious dark fruits. Raisin and blueberry with liquorish. Strong but soft tannins. Quite delightful.
Score: 4.2/5

Patrick Lesec Gigondas Cuvée Romaine Les Espalines 2004 - $18

2011-06-03T16:15:00.001-07:00

65% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah
50+ year old vines
90% in 1-4 year old barrels, 10% in stainless steel

Don't remember the price exactly.

David: Dark inky crimson. Nose has rose petal, blackberry fruit, a little pepper and spice. That Rhone grenache smell. Full bodied with moderate acidity. Warm, velvety texture. Ripe blackberry and blueberry fruit envelop the palate. Dark and spicy. Big and tannic. A little heat but not distracting. Long finish is a little briary with a little pepper. Delicious wine.
Score: 4.2/5

Chateau Vieux Taillefer, Saint Emilion Grande Cru 2006 - $19

2011-05-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

David: A lovely dark crimson color with hints of orange around the edge. A nice nose has red and black currant with iron and some bready raspberry tart. Full bodied with moderate acidity. The wine has dense fruit which is delightful to swirl. Big but soft tannins. Finishes long with some berry flavor. Very pleasant.
Score: 4.1/5

Porca de Murca Tinto - $6

2011-05-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

David: Dark purple. Nose of rich, dark fruits. Sweet blueberry, a little pepper and cinnamon. Full bodied. A wonderful balance of acidity and sweet berry and cherry. Good tannins give it structure. Delicious and well layered. Acidity picks up a bit and then moves into a sweet berry finish. Six bucks! Are you kidding me? Definitely the best wine I have had at this price point. Gotta get me a case of this.
Score: 4.2/5

Ruffino Il Ducale 2005 - $20

2011-05-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

Super Tuscan.

Blend is: 60% sangiovese, 25% merlot and 15% syrah

David: Dark red with slight brownish tint. Nose is sulfury barnyard but over-powering. Some violets. Full bodied with good acidity. Big pomegranate fruit with a chocolatey taste. Powerful but smooth tannins. Decent finish. Enjoyable wine.
Score: 4.0/5

Guigal Gigondas 2007 - $22

2011-05-09T17:52:00.000-07:00

55-60% Grenache, around one-third Mourvedre and the rest Syrah.

Parker: 92-94

David: Medium purple in color. Nose of roses, earth, leather, raspberry, crushed rock. Nose seems to fade in intensity over time. Full bodied. Medium acidity. Subdued fruit. Immediately peppery and spicy. Layered. Strong tannins. Some blackberry fruit which darkens into molasses and finishes dry with black liquorish and blackberry liquor. Pretty good if your looking for a dark spicy wine.
Score: 4.0/5

Franck Balthazar Syrah 2009 - $18

2011-05-07T14:53:00.000-07:00

Northern Rhone near Cornas.

David: Dark Purple. Nose of raspberry tart, iron. Raspberry fruit has decent acidity and structure. Tannins are powerful but smooth. Finishes with fruity grape. Pretty good but a little disappointing given the prestigious growing area.
Score: 3.9/5

Palestra Douro 2008 - $8

2011-05-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

Portuguese grapes: 40% Touriga-Franca, 40% Tinta-Roriz and 20% Tinta-Barroca.

David: Medium dark purple. Nose is thick with violet and floral aromas. A little scorched earth and a little chocolate, steel. Medium to full bodied. Nice black cherry fruit with good acidity balance and decent structure. Nice finish. A great value. Should try some others from Douro.
Score: 4.0/5

Bearboat Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2007 - $16

2011-05-03T17:23:00.000-07:00

David: Ruby red. Delicate nose of strawberry and red currant, vanilla. Warm and fuzzy nose-feel. Medium to full bodied. Smooth as satin. Fruit forward. Moderate acidity. Strawberry and cherry fruit is quite delicious. Sweet and round tannins. Long finish.
Score: 4.1/5

Chateau Picau-Perna Bordeaux 2005 - $17

2011-05-02T18:40:00.000-07:00

70% merlot. Rest cab.

David: Opaque purple. Nose of sweet blueberries, violets, herbs. Medium to full bodied. Low acidity. Very tasty blueberry fruit though not incredibly complex. Big powerful tannins remain rounded. Nice gentle finish. A very enjoyable wine.
Score: 4.1/5

Markham Merlot Napa 2006 - $16

2011-04-30T18:17:00.000-07:00

David: Dark purply red. Nose is a little strange. Smells almost like a white wine. Peaches, carrot and root beer are evident. Nose was a little more relaxed on the second day with roses and cedar. Full bodied and yummy. Spicy and concentrated plum and raisin. Strong tannins. Good structure. Plummy tasting finish. Liked this better on the second day. Probably better to decant for several hours.
Score: 4.2/5

Li Veli Passamante Salento 2008 - $9

2011-04-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

The negroamaro grape from Puglia.

David: Dark ruby red in color. Nose of violets, cedar and spices. Quite floral. Medium to full bodied. Nice cherry fruit with good acidity. Tends toward cranberry especially toward the finish which ends a little overly tart. Mild tannins. Overall, quite nice. Not a bad value.
Score: 3.9/5

Chateau Puech-Haut Prestige 2009 - $17

2011-04-23T19:38:00.000-07:00

55% Grenache and 45% Syrah. 93 point Parker!

David: Dark purple in color. Nose has pepper, violets, some Syrah tire smell. Full bodied, good weight. Black fruits, pepper. Strongs tannins. Good structure. Well layered. Good complexity. Finished long. Very nice.
Score: 4.1/5

Produttori del Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2008 - $20

2011-04-23T15:57:00.001-07:00

Produced from younger vines and so is sold cheaper as "Nebbiolo" rather than Barbaresco but still from the Barbaresco region.

David: Light, brick red. Nose is subtle. A little cherry. A little roses. Very faint of mint and dusty earth. Nose seems to get even less noticeable with time. Medium bodied, soft, silky mouthfeel. Concentrated cherry fruit with decent acidity and balance. Some tannins and a soft pleasant finish. Not a knockout but a pleasant wine. A tad too light and a little boring and not worth the price.
Score: 3.8/5

Cataldi Madonna Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2008 - $17

2011-04-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

David:
Nose is dominated by minerals and iron with some floral notes and herbs, maybe fennel. Full bodied with plenty of weight. Wonderful red fruits, cherry and raspberry, with great acidity, balance, concentration and structure. Mild tannins. Nice finish. Overall, a very nice wine. Good with food.
Score: 4.1/5

La Bastide Blanche Bandol 2007 - $23

2011-04-19T17:26:00.000-07:00

Over 75% Mourvèdre.

Decanted for 2 hours.

David: Dark, inky red. Nose of leather, roses and blueberry. Full bodied, low acidity with modest cherry fruit and chocolate overtones. Quite tannic. Alcohol is prevalent but not over the top. Finishes a little bitter. Quite nice now but the wine should improve significantly over the next few years. Would probably also benefit from several hours of decanting.
Score: 4.0/5

Montebuena Rioja 2009 - $9

2011-04-18T17:47:00.000-07:00

100% Tempranillo

David: Garnet colored. Pleasant nose shows raspberry tart, vanilla, new leather, tobacco. Medium bodied. Good acidity. Raspberry and blackberry fruit. A little light on the palate. Doesn't pack a big punch after the initial attack. Pleasant enough but not too impressive.
Score: 3.8/5

Jean Marc Brocard Chablis Domaine Sainte Claire 2008 - $18

2011-04-13T16:15:00.000-07:00

David: Deep gold in color. Nose of fig, pear and stinky orchards. Some minerals. A little spice. Medium bodied. Good acidity.
Score: 4.0/5

Elegantia Cotes du Rhone Valley Selections 2009 - $9

2011-04-09T17:55:00.001-07:00

We tried the very nice Gigondas from this producer a week ago.

David: Purple/red in color. Nose is distinctive grenache, with some sweet vanilla, chocolate and spices. Full bodied. Ripe raspberry compote on the palate. Juicy, fruit bomb. However, a little lacking in structure. Finish adds some pepper and some bitters. Overall, a decent wine and decent value but no where near as nice as the Gigondas though at half the price, that isn't surprising.
Score: 3.9/5

Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz 2008 - $14

2011-04-02T19:27:00.000-07:00

David: Dark purple, almost black in color. Nose of dark fruits, baking spices, earth and perfumy floral notes. Full bodied with moderate acidity. Good weight. Blueberry and plum fruit. Quite concentrated yet not overly fruity. Almost mellow. Acidity picks up a little on the end. Tannins not too dominant. Solid finish. Good with pasta and probably good with food in general. A gentler wine than the Wolf Blass we had last.
Score: 4.1/5

Wolf Blass Shiraz President's Selection 2008 - $18

2011-03-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

David: Completely opaque, black purple. Nose smells like a burning tire. A really extreme shiraz burnt nose. Full bodied. Little fruit. Like biting into a piece of black liquorish, beef jerky. Huge tannins. Some spice. Long finish. Clearly a well made wine but it is a little over the top for my tastes. A shiraz made in the extreme-shiraz way. The wine actually drank better on the second day. The nose lost the burnt tire and it became more likable.
Score: 4.1/5

Elegantia Gigondas Rhone Valley Selection 2009 - $19

2011-03-26T16:18:00.000-07:00

A mystery wine. Can't find much info on it.

David: Medium purple in color. Nose of flowers, roses and violets with black currant and blackberry fruit. Aromas of stone and steel with a little forest floor as well and peppery spice and that distinctive Rhone grenache aroma. The nose is good but the wine really excels on the palate. Starts with an explosion of concentrated blackberry fruit with wonderful acidity balance. Then it adds pepper and spice and good tannins. Finally picks up with liquorish. All these blend together in a long and delicious finish.
Score: 4.3/5

Chateau Les Gravieres Saint Emilion 2008 - $22

2011-03-18T17:49:00.000-07:00

100% Merlot.

David: Dark purple red. Nose of concentrated red fruits, graphite, berries, some floral tones. Medium to full bodied. Lots of acidity. Cranberry and blackberry fruit. Strong tannins. Well layered with a nice juicy finish. Good stuff.
Score: 4.2/5

Selection Laurence Feraud Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret 2007 - $17

2011-03-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

90% Grenache and 10% Syrah.

David: Medium purple red. Nose of roses and lavender, red fruits, a little cranberry and oak. Spritzy mouthfeel. Medium bodied. Good well layered fruits get a little jammy and some coco. Some bitter notes. Good complexity. Strong tannins. Long finish. Very nice.
Score: 4.1/5

David Bruce Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands 2008 - $18

2011-03-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

David: Deep yellow. Nose of freshly cut wood, tangerine, mango, creamsicle. Medium bodied. Good structure and balance. Not too heavy. Not too much alcohol. Solid finish.
Score: 4.1/5

Bogle Petite Syrah 2008 - $9

2011-03-12T15:28:00.000-08:00

David: Dark purple. Nose of cedar, smoke, briary blackberry, almond. Full bodied. Good weight and structure with dense fruit, good acidity and powerful tannins with good finish. Another great bargain from Bogle.
Score: 4.1/5

Ninety Plus French Fusion Lanquedoc 2008 - $15

2011-03-11T19:30:00.000-08:00

David: Medium purple in color. Nose of blackberry, petunias, sweet oak, a little spice maybe nutmeg. Has what I call nose-texture. Full bodied with low acidity. Blackberry, blueberry fruit. Decent structure. Could use perhaps a bit more acidity. Strong tannins. Layers nicely into liquorish or anise with some pepper.
Score: 3.9/5

Chehalem 3 Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 - $20

2011-03-08T15:54:00.001-08:00

David: Medium depth, ruby red in color. Nose is nice, cherry and baking spices, some oaky overtones but not overly aromatic. Medium bodied, with good cherry fruit, good weight and good acidity balance. Layered tastes. Silky mouthfeel with some tannins. Finish is solid with a little liquorish and mild spice.
Score: 4.1/5

Damilano Nebbiolo d'Alba 2008 - $14

2011-03-05T17:05:00.001-08:00

David: Light, red brick in color. Nose of roses, cherry and some earthy latex smell. Light to medium bodied. Decent acidity and structure. Cherry fruit with dry liquorish. Light tannins. Good finish. Overall, pretty good, well made but kinda light for me.
Score: 3.8/5

Pacific Rim Wallula Vineyard Riesling 2007 - $15

2011-03-04T16:25:00.000-08:00

David: Light gold in color. Nose of white flowers, pineapple and some minerals. Medium to full bodied, with big citric acid, big peach, lime fruit. Nice purity and good structure. Sweetness is not very apparent behind the acidity. Overall, I think the citrus gets carried away. Not a style that I really like.
Score: 3.8/5

Yellow Tail Shiraz Cabernet 2009 - $7

2011-02-26T16:07:00.001-08:00

David: Medium purple in color. Nose of plum. Prominent oak aromas, vanilla. A tad much but not so bad. Fruity with a little sweetness. Classic Yellow Tail likibility and lack of complexity. Gentle tannins. As usual, a decent wine for the price.
Score: 3.8/5

Bisceglia Terra di Vulcano Aglianico del Vulture 2007 - $13

2011-02-24T17:57:00.000-08:00

David: Medium to dark purple. Nose of violets, red currant cranberry. Some herbs and maybe a little leather. Not oaked so is mostly fruit and floral scents. Medium bodied with high acidity. Decent tannins. Fruity finish.
Score: 3.8/5

Colonia las Liebres Bonarda 2009 - $7

2011-02-23T16:47:00.000-08:00

David: Dark purple in color. Nose is a bit subtle. Some cranberry fruit, minerals. Not much beyond that. This is unoaked so there are no oak aromas. Medium to full bodied. High acidity with blueberry fruit. Fresh and juicy. Prominent tannins and a decent finish. Overall, Ok. Certainly good for $7 but not too exciting either.

Score: 3.8/5

Ridge Zinfandel East Bench 2008 - $25

2011-02-19T19:53:00.000-08:00

Wine #200. Whoo-hooo!

David: Magenta in color. Not too dark. Nose of briary fruits, scorched earth, typical zin-foxiness. Some minerality, big black pepper. Medium to full bodied. Some sweetness and some fruitiness but quite earthy and peppery. Big alcohol but not hot. Low acidity. Pretty good balance. Nice long finish. Overall, quite a tasty zin.
Score: 4.1/5

Domaine Grand Nicolet Rasteau Vieilles Vignes 2008 - $15

2011-02-16T15:38:00.000-08:00

Old Vine Grenache.

David: Dark crimson in color. Nose of blackberry, pressed flowers, oak, that distinctive grenache smell. Full bodied. Luscious strawberry and cherry fruit. Weighty but silky texture. Soft tannins and a tasty finish. A pretty nice wine. Nothing jumps out at you but it is well made and enjoyable.
Score: 4.0/5

Villa Medoro Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2006 - $16

2011-02-14T16:25:00.000-08:00

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is made from the Montepulciano grape and from Abruzzo Italy.

David: Dark plum colored. Nose is subtle not huge but shows blueberry, floral notes, maybe lilac, and polished leather. Full bodied, moderate acidity, silky smooth with delicious plum and blueberry fruit and subtle spices. Soft but powerful tannins. Nice finish.
Score: 4.0/5

Barca de Piedra 2008 - $13

2011-02-12T17:11:00.000-08:00

David: Medium to dark purple in color. Nose of red fruit, smoke, wet stone, pastry bread. Medium bodied, medium acidity. Black cherry fruit, grape juice and berries. Mellow. Not too exciting but tasty enough. Typical Spanish red.
Score 3.8/5

Grandmaster Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2009 - $14

2011-02-10T17:29:00.001-08:00

Got this at Whole Foods for about $14. Said it was $13 off so I took the bait.

David: Brick red, quite dark for a pinot. Nose is quite interesting. Very woody and herbal with just a little cherry fruit. Definitely sage. A little foxy. Some vanilla. The nose evolved quite a bit while the bottle was open. Full bodied with low acidity. Good red fruits, cherry and mulberry but very dry. Big tannins dry the mouth. The finish has some bitter liquorish and woodiness. High alcohol. Interesting wine but a little disjoint.
Score: 3.9/5

Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - $8

2011-02-06T18:03:00.000-08:00

David: Light purple in color. Very interesting aromatics. At first, it was briary, with blackberry and ripe, foxy dark fruit. After a while it developed more of a currant bun nose. Both were enjoyable. Medium to light bodied with good acidity. Fruity. Not too complex. Light tannins. But quite enjoyable. A great value for $8.
Score: 4.0/5

Domaine Andezon Cotes du Rhone 2008 - $12

2011-02-05T18:08:00.000-08:00

David: Dark purple. Nose of cranberries and garden tools. Some funky stink to it. Full bodied and tart. Quite fruity and perhaps a tad sweet. Pomongranate fruit, grape cool-aid. Mild tannins. Finish is short. Hard to get passed the nose. Not impressed especially after the first one was corked.
Score: 3.5/5

Rocky Gully Shiraz Viognier 2007 - $14

2011-02-02T17:52:00.000-08:00

95% Shiraz. 5% Viognier.

David: Medium purple in color. Nose of plum and currant, pomegranate , toasted oak and chocolate. Full bodied, medium acidity. Tasty dark red fruits on the palate. Soft tannins. Decent structure. Pretty good finish.
Score: 3.9/5

Domaine Grands Bois Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee Philippine 2009 - $13

2011-02-01T16:46:00.000-08:00

We have tried two wines from this Domaine before. We liked the Cairanne better than the Cuvée les Trois Soeurs . 55% Grenache - 35% Syrah - 10% Carignan

David: Medium purple in color. Nose of ripe raspberry, wet stone and a little iron. No sign of oak. Medium bodied, medium acidity. Fresh black currant and strawberry fruit is quite delicious. Soft tannins. A little peppery earthiness is well balanced with the fruit. Finishes nice. Not quite as nice as the more full bodied Cairanne but for a bucks less, it is also a good value.
Score: 4.0/5

Tres Picos Garnacha 2008 - $14

2011-01-29T17:17:00.000-08:00

David: Deep purple/red with tints of magenta. Lovely nose of soft red fruits, vanilla bean, perfume and spice box. Dense and silky on the palate with high glycerin. Medium acidity. Cherry and berry fruit is delicious and followed with sort tannins and nice finish. Overall, very nice and a great value.

Score: 4.2/5

Les Deux Rives Corbieres Rouge 2008 - $10

2011-01-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

David: Medium purple color. Nose of fresh raspberry tart. Reminds me of a steely cab franc but this is mostly granache and syrah. Medium bodied and medium acidity. Zippy mouthfeel. Berry fruit has layers and good structure. Nice sleek tannins. Very long finish with waves of mixed berries. Overall, very nice and quite a bargain.
Score: 4.1/5

Arrowood Kuljian Dry Creek Syrah 2007 - $28

2011-01-17T16:45:00.000-08:00

David: Dark purple in color. Nose of prune, root vegetables and a little violet and maybe chocolate. Full bodied, low acidity. Meaty texture. Some plum fruit but quite savory. Big tannins. The mid palate fruit gets taken over by liquorish and black pepper in the long and pleasant finish.
Score: 4.1/5

Urban Ribera Tinta Del Pais 2007 - $13

2011-01-14T19:21:00.000-08:00

David: Medium purple in color. Nose of black cherry fruit and smoke and vanilla oak. Full bodied, medium acidity. Silky smooth. Cherry and berry fruit is quite delicious. Mild tannins but a pretty long finish with a little liquorish. Quite nice.
Score: 4.0/5

La Spinetta Langhe Nebbiolo 2007 - $27

2011-01-10T15:39:00.000-08:00

David: Nice garnet color is not too dark. A little orange-toned near the edges. Nose is delicate with cherry, leather and roses and other flowers. Medium bodied, moderate acidity, silky texture with delicious cherry fruit. Firm tannins give it sufficient structure. Nice finish.
Score: 4.1/5

Norton Malbec 2010 - $8

2011-01-08T15:31:00.000-08:00

David: Magenta in color. Nice nose of fresh raspberry, pepper, a little earth and a little smoke. A hint of fox fur is interesting. Medium bodied with nice boysenberry fruit, moderate acidity. Good clean finish. A great value.
Score: 4.0/5

Stonier Reserve Chardonnay 2005 - $25

2011-01-03T16:10:00.000-08:00

David: Bright yellow in color. Complex nose of citrus, pineapple, spice, pepper, almond and stinky wild flowers. Full bodied and complex on the palate with good structure and balance and a long finish.
Score: 4.3/5

Catena Malbec 2008 - $20

2010-12-31T15:57:00.000-08:00

David: Dark purple in color. Nose of blueberry and plum, cedar and pencil lead. Full bodied, medium acidity with concentrated, dark fruits. Pure and delicious with decent tannins a long finish.
Score: 4.1/5

Taltarni Pyrenees Shiraz 2005 - $22

2010-12-24T17:31:00.000-08:00

David: Dark purple in color. Nose of ripe plum, rose petal and iron-rich soil. Full bodied. Rich blueberry and raisin fruit with high acidity. Very ripe with big tannins. This might be a good wine to age. Long blueberry finish.
Score: 4.0/5

Balthasar Ress Hattenheimer Schützenhaus Riesling Kabinett 2008 - $18

2010-12-24T14:17:00.001-08:00

The Christmas Eve Riesling.

David: Light straw in color with hints of green. Nose of grapefruit, peach and minerals with toasted honeycomb. Medium bodied, fairly sweet with enough balancing acidity. Layered fruits: apple, peach and citrus. Long finish. Overall, very nice.
Score: 4.0/5

A Mano Primitivo 2006 - $8

2010-12-18T18:37:00.000-08:00

David: Medium purple red in color. Nose of black cherry, root vegetables, violets and pepper and herbs. Full bodied, medium acidity and smooth texture with good black berry fruit. Moderate tannins. Tasty finish. Overall, quite nice and a good value.
Score: 4.0/5

Jessica: Distinctive tannins; well balanced sweetness with tart and herbal tones. Mild fruit, licorice and lavendar. Very enjoyable.
Score: 4:3/5

Michel Torino Don David Malbec Reserve 2008 -$14

2010-12-17T17:39:00.001-08:00

David: Pretty dark red, purple in color. Nose of red currant,blackberry and sour cranberry. A little damp earth and maybe tobacco leaf. Medium bodied. Very sour cranberry fruit dominates and overpowers every other characteristic. Some tannins. Was a little better on the second night but I think the tartness is too overwhelming. Still it is quite well made and interesting.
Score: 3.7/5

Big Terra Red Petite Syrah 2004 - $15

2010-12-15T16:19:00.001-08:00

From the Illinois River Winery. Grapes from the Snow Lakes Vineyard, Northern California.

David: Inky, dark purple in color. Nose of dark fruits, blackberry and blueberry and earth. A little leather and baked bread. Medium to full bodied. Low acidity. Subdued blueberry fruit with sufficient tannins. Dry and a little earthy. Moderate length finish. A decent wine overall but lacking a little in structure.
Score: 3.8/5

Stefano Farina Dolcetto d'Alba 2009 - $10

2010-12-14T16:08:00.000-08:00

David: A light ruby red. Nose of spruce forest, roses, chocolate and a little fox fur and fresh bread. Medium to light bodied, medium acidity with tart raspberry fruit and under-ripe berries. Heightened acidity in the finish. Overall, a little thin and tart. Not my favorite style but OK.
Score 3.8/5

Tres Pinos Three Pines Cuvee 2009 - $5

2010-12-14T15:59:00.000-08:00

A little redundantly named.

David: Medium depth color. Jammy nose with a little foxiness. Fruity but flat on the palate. Lacks structure. Not terrible but completely uninteresting. Designated to be cooking wine.
Score: 2.5/5

Ajello Nero d'Avola 2008 - $11

2010-12-11T15:31:00.000-08:00

David: Medium to light brick red in color. Nose of red currant and roses. Medium bodied. Medium to high acidity. Vibrant red fruit is followed by bitter herbs, a bitterness that accelerates into the finish making it less than pleasing.
Score: 3.2/5

Elena Walch Pinot Bianco 2008 - $14

2010-12-08T19:46:00.000-08:00

David: Medium gold in color. Intense aroma is rather hard to describe. Maybe lychee or baked apricot tart. Stinky wild flowers with honey? Orchard fruits left out in the sun too long. Medium to full bodied. Moderate acidity. Decent fruit with some grassiness. Good structure. Gets dry and austere toward the end. A little hot. A complex and interesting wine but a little strange.
Score: 3.8/5

Barton & Guestier Vouvray 2008 - $10

2010-12-06T15:38:00.000-08:00

A sweet Vouvray, Chenin Blanc.

David: Pale straw in color. Nose of honied pear and maybe peach and some flowers. Full bodied, mouth coating. Quite sweet but with good acidity keeping it interesting and complex. Overall, very tasty.
Score: 4.0/5

Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos 2008 - $12

2010-12-04T16:16:00.000-08:00

David: Lovely, bright beet red. Nose offers up ripe red fruit, assorted berries. Exotic blend of spices, rose petal, cocoa and woody aromas. Full bodied with medium acidity. Nice berry fruit and soft but grippy tannins. More interesting aromatically but a pretty tasty wine.
Score: 4.0/5

Domaine Castillon Costieres de Nimes 2007 - $11

2010-12-03T17:45:00.000-08:00

David: Medium, red, purple in color. Nose of red currant, a little oak, and violets. Medium bodied, silky texture. High acidity. Red fruits, raspberry. Turns into pomegranate with time. Mild tannins. Medium length finish picks up acidity and a little liquorish. Decent wine. A little boring.
Score: 3.8/5

Domaine les Grands Bois Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne Cuvée Maximilien 2009 - $14

2010-12-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

50% Grenache, 35% Mourdevre, 10% Syrah, 5% Carignan. From the Cote du Rhone village of Cairanne.

David: A dark beet juice purple in color. The complex nose shows blueberry fruit, loamy soil, graphite, some floral notes, some pepper and spices and baked bread. Full bodied, moderate to low acidity. Totally dry with subdued blueberry, liquorish fruit. Gets a little peppery at the end. The tannins are grippy and powerful and give the ending a fine austerity.
Score: 4.0/5

Vina Honda Monastrell 2007 - $10

2010-11-26T17:30:00.001-08:00

David: Medium purple red in color. Aromas of plum, cran-grape, violets. Medium bodied. Soft on the palate with medium to high acidity. Cherry and cranberry fruit. Mild tannins. Fermented in stainless steel so lacks some of that oak character that is common in these Spanish reds (for better or worse). A fairly tasty wine and good value but not especially distinctive.
Score 3.8/5

Firesteed Pinot Noir 2008 - $13

2010-11-25T22:50:00.000-08:00

Oregon Pinot Noir.

David: Light brick red in color showing long legs on the glass. Complex nose with red currant and tart cherry, some floral components. At first showed a little barnyard mulchiness. Evolved into more of a pine forest with some hint of gaminess, maybe a little cedar. Silky smooth of the palate, medium to full bodied, good acidity. Delicious red fruit. The silkiest of tannins dry the mouth for the nice cherry finish.
Score 4.0/5

Vignerons de Caractère Vacqueyras Chemin des Rouvieres 2007 - $17

2010-11-25T22:24:00.000-08:00

70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre

David: Light ruby red in color. Nose of red currant and vanilla. Medium bodied, velvety texture. Nice red fruits on the palate, currant and strawberry with some briary flavors as well. Medium acidity and generally well balanced. Sufficient tannins to give it a little more structure. A pretty tasty and overall good wine though lacking the complexity I would expect in a 90 point Vacqueyras.
Score: 3.9/5

Paradis Chinon Cuvee Signee 2008 - $10

2010-11-24T15:49:00.000-08:00

Cab Franc from Chinon (the Loire).

David: Light purplish red in color. Nice nose of red currant, assorted berries and the tiniest bit of fox fur gaminess. Pure silk on the palate. Medium bodied. Just the right amount of acidity to balance the delicious red, jammy fruits. Well layered. Simply delightful. Tannins are very gentle, almost unnoticeable. Finish is long and pleasant. What a steal for $10 (on sale at Wine Library from $13). Much nicer than the other Loire red we had a few weeks ago.
Score: 4.2/5

Domaine Duseigneur Lirac Antares 2007 - $17

2010-11-22T17:31:00.000-08:00

60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre. Lirac is a small region near CDP.

David: Dark purple in color. Nose of raspberry tart. A little stinky gaminess with herbs and flowers. Full bodied. Sweet on the palate with blackberry fruit, some pepper. Acidity picks up on the back end giving it more liveliness and structure. Smooth tannins. Pretty good finish with pepper and lingering sweetness.
Score: 4.0/5

Yellow Tail Shiraz 2009 - $6

2010-11-20T16:10:00.000-08:00

David: Yellow tail is the best selling wine in America. It is cheap, six-bucks. One would think it would not be very good (think Carlo Rossi) but I find it surprisingly good and certainly a good value at six bucks. Maybe the unwashed masses are really getting some taste for wine?

Medium dark purple red in color. Nose is cherry with a little raspberry, quite fruity with oaky vanilla. Big fruit on the palate, ripe cherry and plum. Good acidity is balanced with a little sweetness. A little bit of shiraz, smoked meatiness. The acidity picks up again on he back end and tart cherry runs into a long finish. Decent structure if not overly complex. Definitely tasty and versatile with food. It is no surprise, given the price and effective marketing why this is America's top selling wine.
Score:3.8/5

Chateau Cru Juste Blanc 2008 - $14

2010-11-16T17:05:00.000-08:00

Mostly sauvignon blanc with some semillon.

David: Light grayish yellow. Nose is a little tight. Grassy with some stone or chalk. Some very light perfume. High acidity is the theme on the palate. Light bodied and a little hollow on the mid-pallate. Sour lemon is the dominant fruit taste which carries through to the long, lemon zest finish. Was impressed that this tasted just as good after being left in fridge for a week.
Score: 3.8/5

Jess: Did not like.
Score: 3.2/5

Gwen: Smells like lemons.

Chateau La Croix Mouton Bordeaux Superieur 2008 - $15

2010-11-12T16:29:00.000-08:00

A blend of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc

David: Medium depth ruby color. Nose of red currant, a little raspberry. Not much else. Steely acidity. Medium bodied. Fresh red fruit is subdued. The wine tastes a little like the Loire cab franc we had recently; that is, a little under-ripe. I thought it was merlot and cab franc but would have guess more cab franc. Dry, a little bitter and austere. But the wine is pretty well balanced. Good tannins and a decent finish. Just a little boring. Not my favorite style of red.
Score: 3.7/5

Favorite Wine Values so far

2010-11-09T20:23:00.000-08:00

Terranoble Pinot Noir - Chile $12
Hughes Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet 2008 $10
Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 2007 $15
Domaine de la Janasse Bussiere - 2007 $15
Georges Duboeuf Morgon Domaine Jean Descombes 2008 - Beaujolais $13
Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel 2007 $11
Croix du Mayne Cahors - 2007 $11
Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti Superiore "Le Orme" 2007 $13
Chateau Haut Sarthes Blanc 2008 $9
Botromagno Primitivo 2005 $14
Prima Mano Primitivo - 2006 $14
Les Jamelles Pinot Noir Vin de Pays d'Oc 2008 $10
Domaine Pierre de la Grange (Luneau-Papin) Muscadet 2008 $14
Bellum Providencia 2006 $14
Crios de Susana Balbo 2007 - Cabernet Sauvignon $13
Ollivier Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet 2009 $12
Domaine Herbauges Muscadet Clos de la Fine - 2008 $12
Vitiano 2007 $10
Maipe Malbec 2009 - Mendoza, Argentina $9
Indaba Chenin Blanc 2009 $8
Confluence , by McKinley Springs 2007 $14
Dominio de Eguren Protocolo Tinto 2007 $7
Punto Final Malbec Classico 2008 $12

Fontezoppa Verdicchio Di Matelica 2009 - $12

2010-11-08T17:11:00.001-08:00

David: Medium depth yellow with a little greenish tint. Nose of honeyed apple or pear or perhaps white peach with a tiny hint of citrus. The most distinct aroma is almond which is quite delightful. Also a little minerality. Alcohol is also apparent on the nose which is a little distracting. Medium to full bodied with a bit of zippiness to the mouthfeel. Vibrant acidity. Subdued fruit. Layered. Quite dry with the nutty tastes and a little iodine bitterness balanced well against the acidity. Long finish.
Score:3.8/5

Urban Uco Malbec 2008 - $12

2010-11-06T16:28:00.000-07:00

Malbec from Mendoza

David: Dark purple. Fresh blackberry nose with a little sweet oak. Slightly floral. Medium to full bodied. Decent acidity with a little sweetness. Big blackberry, cherry fruit dominates the attack with big round tannins making an appearance followed by a hint of black pepper. A likable fruit driven wine if not terribly complex.
Score: 3.9/5

Jessica: Full bodied. High alcohol. Big dark fruit. Medium finish; seems to lack complexity. Tannins present but do not stand up to the powerful fruit which dominates.
Score: 3:8

Kangarilla Road Shiraz 2006 - $15

2010-11-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

David: Dark maroon in color. Sweet oak is the first thing you notice on the nose. Dark fruit, and some hard to define spices, maybe dill and a touch of menthol. Full bodied and sweet but with powerful acidity which races off overpowering the sweetness. Red cherry, blackberry and grape juice loops through cycles of lip-smacking tartness. Silky tannins add more structure. Kind of interesting at first but the overpowering oak nose gets a bit tiring.
Score: 3.8/5

Domaine du Penlois Beaujolais Chardonnay 2007 - $16

2010-11-03T16:34:00.000-07:00

Yes they have red wines in the Loire. They also have whites in Beaujolais. Chardonnay that is. I don't actually remember the price or where exactly I got this. (Whole Foods has it for $17)

David: Medium depth, yellow color. Nose of luscious fruit cocktail and crushed rock. Full bodied. Medium to high acidity is balanced wonderfully by delicious fruitiness and minerals that develops nicely on the palate into that distinctive Chardonnay dry chalkiness. Perfect balance and nice finish.
Score: 4.3/5

Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Bourgueil Alouettes Cabernet Franc 2008 - $13

2010-10-29T17:39:00.001-07:00

A Cab Franc from the Loire region. Yes, they make reds in the Loire. Who knew?

David: Medium to light red/magenta in color. Nose of red currant, rose garden. Medium to light bodied. Racy acidity. Tart, cherry, raspberry fruit. Good structure but simple and light. Nice grippy tannins. Pleasant finish. Quite different from the big ripe, reds from regions with more sunshine. Defintely well made. Interesting to try these different styles.
Score: 3.8/5

Aia Vecchia Lagone 2007 - $15

2010-10-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

A blend of cabernet, merlot and cab franc.

David: Dark crimson. Nose has flowers, maybe violet, cranberry, leather and sweet oak. Medium bodied with strong acidity layered on top of delicious blueberry/raspberry fruit. Silky tannins and the acidity and the copious fruit give it excellent structure and enough complexity. Nice long, fruity finish.
Score 4.1/5

Chateau Mourgues du Gres Costieres de Nimes les Galets Rouges 2007 - $14

2010-10-26T16:22:00.000-07:00

78% Syrah and the rest Grenache, Mourvedre, and Carignan. From Nimes in Languedoc, the south of France.

David: Dark purplish red in color. Amazing nose of ripe red currant and blackberry, garrigue, floral aromas. Also some oaky tones with even a bit of cinnamon and spruce forest. Full bodied, with heavy glycerin mouthfeel. Fruity with good acidity balanced amazingly well layered with darker earthier notes. Soft tannins. Transitions well into darker more bitter flavors on the back end with a long finish. Excellent wine and a good value. I was surprised a bit on finding out that this has so much syrah since it doesn't have much spiciness or typical syrah flavors. I guessed it was mostly grenache.
Score: 4.2/5

Chapoutier Bila Haut Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2008 - $13

2010-10-22T18:40:00.000-07:00

David: Color is medium purple. Interesting nose of red currants, a bready pastry aroma and some crush rock minerality. A tiny bit of balsamic vinegar with cracked pepper. Medium bodied with low acidity. Blueberry and cherry fruit is somewhat muted and turns into pepper with firm but soft tannins. Finishes with stale black liquorish, pepper and some bitterness. An interesting wine and quite different from the usual fruit-bomb variety.
Score: 3.9/5

Finca El Portillo Malbec 2008 - $9

2010-10-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

A Malbec From Mendoza

David: Dark purple in color. Expressive nose with black and red currant, loamy soil, tobacco leaf and (perhaps a bit too much) sweat oak. Full bodied, medium acidity. Good fruit but not a fruit bomb. A little spice. Overall, nice and balanced. Soft tannins. Finishes more with earth, a little bitterness but less overall taste. Seemed to get a little better with air/time. Doesn't knock your socks off but a pretty solid wine and a good value.

Score: 3.9/5

InZinerator, Scott Harvey 2006 - $15

2010-10-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

David: Color is light purple. Typical zin nose: black briary fruit, lots of oaky vanilla, a little muchiness. The sweetness comes through even on the nose. Very syrupy sweet on the palate. Full bodied. Low acidity. Huge fruit. Big tannins. Just too sweet for me.
Score 3.2/5

Illinois River Winery Claret - $19

2010-10-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

A non-vintage wine made by a local winery. Made from a grape called
Noiret or NY73 indigenous to New York State.

David: Light magenta in color. A little effervescence is made evident by a few bubbles. Raspberries, boysenberries jump at you on the nose. Smells like berry soda pop. Not very wine-like. Very acidic. Medium bodied. Tastes somewhat like berry soda pop too. Aged in French Oak but I can't pick out many oak characteristics due to the prominent tart fruit. Finishes very tart.

Overall, not impressed. Interesting to try new grape varieties but this is not my cup of tea.
Score: 3.3/5

Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 - $20

2010-10-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

Got this on sale for $11.

David: Color is medium dark, purplish red. Just like the last two wines, the nose is red currant with a little toasted oak and slight sour cherry. Some violets. A hint of mulchy stinkiness. Lush red fruit on the palate, cherry lollipop. Silky soft mouthfeel with mild tannins. Medium to low acidity. A little boring. Worth the sale price, not the full price.
Score 3.8/5

Falesco Vitiano 2008 - $9

2010-10-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

We tried the 2007 before and found it quite good.

David: Light purplish red. The nose is distinctly red currant mixed with sour cherry and some oak characteristics. Medium bodied, decent acidity. Round tannins. Sour cherry fruit comes on quickly. However after that, it goes a little flat. Not enough structure. The finish is a bit dull. A decent wine but becomes a little simplistic, especially on the back end. Definitely inferior to the 2007 that we had.
Score 3.8/5

Domaine Seguinot Bordet Chablis 2008 - $16

2010-10-04T16:11:00.000-07:00

Our first Chablis.

David: Color is pale yellow. Delicate nose of honey, peach and creamy oyster shell minerality. Delicious on the palate. Medium bodied with lively acidity. Honeyed melon, green apple fruit. Good balance. Good finish. I think I will like this style.
Score: 4.1/5

Trinchero Merlot 2007 - $26

2010-10-03T16:37:00.000-07:00

Got this Napa merlot half off on the sale rack at Meijer.

David: Purple red in color. This merlot is very similar to the previous $9 merlot from Bordeaux. Nose of red currant, herbs, vanilla, rubbery earthiness. Full bodied, red currant fruit, median acidity. Fruit bomby. Silky texture, soft but powerful tannins. Decent finish. A tasty though fairly ordinary merlot. Not that much better than the previous $9 wine. Easily worth the discount price but not the full one which is typical of Napa wines.
Score: 3.9/5

Chateau Mylord Bordeaux Superieur 2008 - $9

2010-10-02T07:53:00.001-07:00

Probably mostly merlot.

David: Vibrant, cherry red color. A nice nose showing pure, fresh red currants. Rose petal, thyme. A faint whiff of rubbery, inner tube earthiness. A touch of vanilla. Medium bodied. Silky smooth texture. Good acidity. Simple structure, not much tannins. Showing cranberry fruit, darkening a little into a more liquorish, blue fruit finish. Pretty likable wine on the cheap.
Score: 3.9/5

Domaine de Baron'Arques Limoux 2004 - $18

2010-09-27T17:48:00.000-07:00

I think we bought 4-5 bottles of this for around $15 at Binny's on sale. But I have seen it priced anywhere from $15 to $45. From Limoux in the Languedoc. Close to Bordeaux both literally and figuratively. We liked the 2003 which we also got on sale.

David: Beautiful cherry red color. Very expressive nose shows roses, strawberry taffy, an explosion of red fruits, plums, cranberry, pine forest, sweet oak. Medium to full bodied. Big red fruits on the palate with a little sweetness. Berry tones become evident here. Tannins are soft. Pleasant finish. Quite different from the 2003 but equally enjoyable. Quite a bit of bottle-to-bottle variation in this 2004 vintage as well. This was our third bottles of 2004.
Score: 4.2/5

Massaya Classic 2007 - $11

2010-09-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

A blend from Lebanon. 60% cinsault, 20% cabernet, 20% syrah.

David: Beautiful brick red color. Long legs form on the glass. Complex aromatics. Tobacco, herbs. Ripe red and black fruits. A hint of menthol and orange peel. A bit of fox fur gaminess. The syrah adds a little inner-tube aroma. Full bodied. Plenty of glycerin. Good acidity. Good fruit. A little bit like tempranillo in the flavor profile. Strong tannins. Nice long finish. Good value.
Score 4.1/5

Finca Vieja Tempranillo 2009 - $6

2010-09-24T19:40:00.001-07:00

David: Color is crimson. Nose is typical tempranillo. Red fruits, with pretty high acidity and a little spice. Not bad. Not very exciting. Not a bad value for the $6 price tag but not very memorable either.
Score: 3.5/5

Domaine Charvin Vin de Pays de la Principauté d'Orange ‘à côté’ 2008 - $9

2010-09-24T16:29:00.000-07:00

A rhone red blend, VDP.

David: Medium purple/red in color. Nose of red and black fruits, earth, herbs. A little vegetal. A tiny hint of barnyard. Medium bodied, medium to low acidity. Some tasty black cherry fruit but the fruitiness gives way to dusty, earthy tones and it finishes dry, earthy and with escalating bitterness. Mild tannins and kind of lacking interesting structure. Kind of goes downhill continuously.
Score: 3.6/5

Hecula Monastrell 2007 - $11

2010-09-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

We tried the 2005 before and liked it a lot.

David: Beautiful dark crimson in color. Nose of rich dark fruit, sweet oak, cedar and forest floor. Medium bodied. Blueberry fruit on the palate is very dry, not sweet. Definitely more tannic than the 2007. Slightly bitter woody finish. This would be more enjoyable with a few more years of cellaring.
Score 3.8/5

Scott Harvey Zinfandel Mountain Select 2004 - $17

2010-09-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

Our second Scott Harvey wine after the Barberra .

David: Beautiful light reddish copper color, showing the age. Nose is briary but not showing huge fruit. More earthy. Herbs like bay leaf are present. Some light coffee or cocoa. On the palate, it shows good cherry, black berry fruit. Some sweetness. Firm tannins. Showing a hint of oxidization. Perhaps it doesn't have many years left. Long finish. A classy Zin.
Score: 3.9/5

Chateau Lestrille Entre-Deux Mers - $11

2010-09-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

A white Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc.

David: Light golden color. Classic Sauvignon Blanc nose. Some pineapple. A little muskiness, citrus and white peach. Floral notes. Medium bodied. Mouthfeel is a little Chardonnay-like. Medium acidity. A little hollow on the palate at first but it picks up and becomes a bit more interesting. Overall, a decent refreshing wine but not too exciting.
Score: 3.8/5

Heartland Shiraz 2006 - $14

2010-09-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

David: Beautiful dark purple brown. Rich nose of black currant, prunes, vanilla, a little smoke and menthol. Full bodied. Smooth and silky on the palate. Medium acidity. Delicious, opulent dark fruit with chocolate and with some lovely spiciness. Good structure and depth if not overly complex. Mellow but very tasty. A little liquorish on the finish.
Score: 4.1/5

Penascal Temranillo Shiraz 2006 - $7

2010-09-12T14:30:00.000-07:00

85% Temranillo and 15% Shiraz. From northern Spain.

David: Dark crimson. Nose of ripe, tart, dark fruits. A bit of the distinctive tobacco, tempranillo smell. Vanilla oakiness and floral notes. Started out a bit tart but mellowed with time. Full bodied. Big fruit is pleasant and soft on the palate. Perhaps a little sweetness. Shiraz adds some interesting spiciness and tannins which are still mild. Enough structure to stay interesting. Another good value Spanish red.
Score: 3.9/5

Feudo Arancio Nero d'Avola 2009 - $7

2010-09-10T17:19:00.000-07:00

Nero d'Avola from Sicily. This grape can attain 18% alcohol and has long been used as a blending grape.

David: Crimson in color. Nose is black cherry and not much beyond that. After a while it began to take on more blueberry. Also shows a little earthy tar character. Full bodied, with good acidity. Quite a fruit bomb. Tannins are sweet and mild. Acidity picks up a bit and give its some structure and depth into the long finish. Not overly complex but quite interesting and a good value.
Score: 3.9/5

Cono Sur Carmenere 2008 - $9

2010-09-07T15:31:00.000-07:00

A Carmenere from Chile

David: Dark garnet color. Nose has ripe black current, tobacco, chocolate, bell pepper. A bit of volatile earthiness, maybe shoe polish. Full bodied, medium acidity. Silky smooth. Delicious, big red fruit. Soft tannins. Tasty finish with lingering sweetness. Great value.
Score: 4.0/5

Castillo de Fuendejalon Crianza 2006 - $8

2010-09-06T16:08:00.001-07:00

A blend of 75% old vine grenache and 25% old vine tempranillo. Bottle is wrapped in paper which is interesting.

David: Dark purplish crimson. Nose of cranberry, cinnamon, a little smoke, a little minerality. Tastes like it smells: ocean spray cranberry grape juice. Tart with some sweetness. Lacks complexity and depth. A crianza, so it is oaked but not much of that coming through. Not offensive but pretty boring.
Score: 3.4/5