Wine Reviews


IDF1countrydescriptiondesignationpointspriceprovinceregion_1region_2taster_nametaster_twitter_handletitlevarietywinery
1203112030ItalyAromas of coffee, espresso, toast, black plum, vanilla and berry fruit open this wine. The straightforward palate delivers rich black cherry accented with vanilla, chocolate and licorice alongside tight tannins that leave an astringent finish. Drink after 2018.9050PiedmontBaroloKerin O’Keefe@kerinokeefeAmalia 2010 BaroloNebbioloAmalia
1203212031SpainTraditional Rioja aromas of leather, vanilla, dried red fruits, spice and dill turn earthy with airing. This is healthy but mature on the palate, with oaky flavors of vanilla accenting core pie cherry, red plum and raspberry. Oak spice and acidity reverberate on the finish. Drink now.Don Jacobo Reserva9023Northern SpainRiojaMichael Schachner@wineschachBodegas Corral 2005 Don Jacobo Reserva (Rioja)Tempranillo BlendBodegas Corral
1203312032USThe husband-and-wife team behind this label deliver a well-balanced, approachable but serious wine in this bottling. Aromas include red rose, dark violet, pomegranate, limestone and clove. On the palate, there is luscious black cherry fruit, with slate and acidity to stand it up straight.9030CaliforniaSanta Maria ValleyCentral CoastMatt Kettmann@mattkettmannBrophy Clark 2011 Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)Pinot NoirBrophy Clark
1203412033ItalyIt opens with pretty aromas of red rose, wild cherry, leather, earth and balsamic notes. The palate delivers juicy black cherry accented with black pepper and licorice, with brawny, teeth-coating tannins. Drink 2016–2021.Riserva9024PiedmontBarbarescoKerin O’Keefe@kerinokeefeCantina del Nebbiolo 2009 Riserva (Barbaresco)NebbioloCantina del Nebbiolo
1203512034ItalySurprisingly ripe and dense for the vintage, this opens with aromas of plum, vanilla and chocolate that carry over to the palate along with espresso and coffee. It has a forward nature with tame acidity and soft tannins that make it already accessible. Drink 2015–2025.Rapet90103PiedmontBaroloKerin O’Keefe@kerinokeefeCa'Romè 2010 Rapet (Barolo)NebbioloCa'Romè
1203612035FranceTight acidity characterizes this wine. It's fresh, touched by some toastiness and minerality. The dominant character is the fresh herbaceous character that brings out sliced apple and chive flavors. Attractive now, it will be even better in 2016.90BordeauxPessac-LéognanRoger Voss@vossrogerChâteau Cantelys 2012 Pessac-LéognanBordeaux-style White BlendChâteau Cantelys
1203712036USA lightly funky whiff of the chicken yard underlies the aromatics, but for most tasters it will be an asset, as it does not block the pretty cherry fruit. These forward, appealing cherry flavors, matched to natural acidity and lengthened with that whiff of funk, make for a delicious and value-priced effort.Oregon9022OregonWillamette ValleyWillamette ValleyPaul Gregutt@paulgwine Coeur de Terre 2012 Oregon Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)Pinot NoirCoeur de Terre
1203812037USPinot Gris from 2013 is looking very good in the Willamette, with crisp, concise, complex flavors. Here it's a mix of lemon, lime and pineapple, with refreshing minerality.9018OregonWillamette ValleyWillamette ValleyPaul Gregutt@paulgwine Lange 2013 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)Pinot GrisLange
1205412053USRaw oak is the dominant scent, which overlays a less intense cherry aroma. It feels medium bodied, with a certain flatness about its core. Acidity lends the finish some zip, but it lacks focus overall, ending on a hazy mocha note.Reserve8329VirginiaVirginiaNarmada 2009 Reserve Cabernet Franc (Virginia)Cabernet FrancNarmada
1205512054USSweet and simple, this features fruit-juice-like flavors of orange, pineapple and apricot. A great big burst of lemony acidity saves it.8315CaliforniaNapa ValleyNapaRutherford Ranch 2011 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)Sauvignon BlancRutherford Ranch
1205612055SpainDry berry, leather and spice aromas lead to a juicy, high-acid palate, with red cherry, tart plum and pepper accents. It remains zesty, clean, simple and sharp on the finish.Reserva8325Northern SpainRiojaMichael Schachner@wineschachSonsierra 2008 Reserva (Rioja)TempranilloSonsierra
1205712056USThis doesn't taste quite ripe, with vegetal flavors marring the raspberry and cherry notes. Otherwise, it shows a softly tannic mouthfeel.Camp 4 Vineyard8330CaliforniaSanta Ynez ValleyCentral CoastTercero 2009 Camp 4 Vineyard Mourvèdre (Santa Ynez Valley)MourvèdreTercero
1205812057ArgentinaThis opens with a familiar taste of artificial, roasted char, then it moves on to soupy berry aromas. It feels scratchy, with flavors of hickory, baked plum and berry.828Mendoza ProvinceMendozaMichael Schachner@wineschachFunky Llama 2011 Merlot (Mendoza)MerlotFunky Llama
1205912058ArgentinaFiery, hard and closed on the nose, this has a chemical hint. It feels acidic and sappy, with a weird mix of flavors that run from fish and fake butter to earthy, leathery raspberry. Stalky on the finish.DOC8229Mendoza ProvinceLuján de CuyoMichael Schachner@wineschachLagarde 2010 DOC Malbec (Luján de Cuyo)MalbecLagarde
1206012059USA note of cracked pepper—a defining characteristic of Syrah—is the first note to hit, followed by scents of tobacco and blackberry liqueur. The palate tastes tart and acetic, showing a prominent balsamic tone. Drinking this with food might tame the acids a bit.8233VirginiaVirginiaDoukénie 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah (Virginia)Cabernet Sauvignon-SyrahDoukénie
1203912038USFull-bodied, structured and leathery, it's characterized by a combination of plum and gamy meat, accented by a taste of black olive tapenade. It finishes smooth and toasty.Fleur de Veeder9040CaliforniaMount VeederNapaVirginie Boone@vbooneYates Family Vineyard 2010 Fleur de Veeder Merlot (Mount Veeder)MerlotYates Family Vineyard
1204012039USWith 4% Petit Verdot added for body and color, this Cab is otherwise on the brighter side of red fruit and acidity, nicely balanced and approachable in cranberry, cassis and a wink of violet. It's not as meaty and robust as the winery's Morisoli, a tamer version of a similar beast.Vittorio's Vineyard9048CaliforniaNapa ValleyNapaVirginie Boone@vbooneV. Sattui 2010 Vittorio's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)Cabernet SauvignonV. Sattui
1204112040ItalyCrushed rose, violet, leather, espresso and dark berry aromas lead the nose. The bright palate offers black plum, fleshy raspberry, black cherry, coffee, toasted oak and black pepper alongside fresh acidity and teeth-coating tannins. Drink after 2018.Fossati Riserva90PiedmontBaroloKerin O’Keefe@kerinokeefeDosio 2008 Fossati Riserva (Barolo)NebbioloDosio
1204212041USThis lovely wine shows perfect physiological ripeness, with high acidity intact. Melon and white peach fruit flavors anchor a snappy, fresh, all-stainless style.9019OregonWillamette ValleyWillamette ValleyPaul Gregutt@paulgwine Elk Cove 2013 Pinot Blanc (Willamette Valley)Pinot BlancElk Cove
1204312042USHolding its wines in barrel and bottle longer than most before release, En Garde's Cabernet shows ample, leathery tannin that will benefit from further aging, in addition to being hedonistically enjoyable now. Cinnamon and clove are the most pronounced aromas and flavors, followed by black currant.9088CaliforniaDiamond Mountain DistrictNapaVirginie Boone@vbooneEn Garde 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Diamond Mountain District)Cabernet SauvignonEn Garde
1204412043ItalyThe nose is still a bit closed, but the palate is more expressive and accessible. It delivers ripe black cherry, sweet raspberry, subtle oak, vanilla and espresso flavors alongside firm tannins. It's good now but will be better after 2018.9045PiedmontBaroloKerin O’Keefe@kerinokeefeFrancone 2010 BaroloNebbioloFrancone
1204512044FranceThe wine is round, full in the mouth and rich. With yellow fruits as well as red apple flavors, it's ripe without missing out on a more steely, cool and herbaceous backdrop. Drink now.Les Herses9028Loire ValleySancerreRoger Voss@vossrogerGitton Père et Fils 2012 Les Herses (Sancerre)Sauvignon BlancGitton Père et Fils
1204612045AustraliaThis wine's plum, mocha and cedar notes are carried by ample body and a silky texture. It's a round, supple blend of 59% Shiraz, 31% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre that finishes long, reverberating with fresh acids and mocha shadings. Drink it over the next several years.Plexus9040South AustraliaBarossa ValleyJoe Czerwinski@JoeCzJohn Duval Wines 2011 Plexus G-S-M (Barossa Valley)G-S-MJohn Duval Wines
1204712046PortugalA solid, tannic wine that has both great rich fruits and a dry core that needs to soften with age. It tastes powerful without sacrificing a perfumed and floral elegance. This is a serious wine, with a dense texture and potential. Drink from 2016.9013DouroRoger Voss@vossrogerKopke 2011 Red (Douro)Portuguese RedKopke
1204812047USIt pulls together toasty oak sweetness in the aromas and delicious ripe cherry and cranberry flavors with bass notes of black plum and clove. Full-bodied, it has firm but not tight tannins that add to the velvety texture.9050CaliforniaAnderson ValleyJim Gordon@gordone_cellarsLa Crema 2012 Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)Pinot NoirLa Crema
1204912048USBrilliant pink with a touch of orange, this refreshing and light-bodied wine tastes fresh and strawberrylike. It has an appetizingly crisp texture and clean fruity finish.Rose of9028CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia OtherJim Gordon@gordone_cellarsLusso Della Terra 2013 Rose of Merlot (California)MerlotLusso Della Terra
1205012049USThe green gooseberry and apricot side of Sauvignon Blanc comes out in this crisp, clean wine. It tastes a little too sweet, though, giving it a cloying, candied taste.Estate Zingy8320CaliforniaSanta Ynez ValleyCentral CoastButtonwood Farm 2011 Estate Zingy Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley)Sauvignon BlancButtonwood Farm
1205112050USThis tastes like an alcoholic fruit drink with apricot, orange and mango flavors. Still, it's clean and pleasant.Coastal Series839CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia OtherJenica Peak 2011 Coastal Series Chardonnay (California)ChardonnayJenica Peak
1205212051USShy, timid notes of white peach and tropical fruit are offset by hints of vanilla and nutty biscuit. It feels medium to full bodied, but this lacks intensity and concentration overall. A touch of spice on the midpalate adds interest.8328VirginiaMonticelloKeswick Vineyards 2011 Chardonnay (Monticello)ChardonnayKeswick Vineyards
1205312052USThis is a simple North Coast Cabernet with herbal and green olive and pepper tones.8310CaliforniaNorth CoastNorth CoastVirginie Boone@vbooneLine 39 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (North Coast)Cabernet SauvignonLine 39

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