Wine Thread

[KDawgCometh 2]

okay, this wine is one that everyone needs to check out. I got it at my store for $17 and this one is well worth it. Rhone varietals that are being done in america are just being done right and are some of the more exciting stuff out there at all price points. This is just really good stuff:

• 2006 Seven Hills Viognier - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (2/7/2008)nose: very nice nose. tropical fruit, minerals, hazelnut, and a bit of nutmeg spice. well integrated nose that is fun to smelltaste: nicely coates the palate with soft tropical fruit, nutmeg, and hazelnut. a bit oily on the palate, but in a really good way as it just leaves a very nice full mouth finishoverall: this is extremely good. The flavors are subtle and slightly muted unfortunetly, but this really works its way on the palate. Very tasty but a bit basic. Still this is very good and well worth checking out especially if you want to try something different. Well worth the money (89 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

[nutzbuster 7]

okay, this wine is one that everyone needs to check out. I got it at my store for $17 and this one is well worth it. Rhone varietals that are being done in america are just being done right and are some of the more exciting stuff out there at all price points. This is just really good stuff:

• 2006 Seven Hills Viognier - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (2/7/2008)nose: very nice nose. tropical fruit, minerals, hazelnut, and a bit of nutmeg spice. well integrated nose that is fun to smelltaste: nicely coates the palate with soft tropical fruit, nutmeg, and hazelnut. a bit oily on the palate, but in a really good way as it just leaves a very nice full mouth finishoverall: this is extremely good. The flavors are subtle and slightly muted unfortunetly, but this really works its way on the palate. Very tasty but a bit basic. Still this is very good and well worth checking out especially if you want to try something different. Well worth the money (89 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

So this is a good pick for someone who likes wine every now and then but otherwise doesn't know dik about good wines from bad wines?I will try it.I just bought a 2004 Fransiscan Magnificant the other day too...gonna save it for whenever the inlaws finally decide to come visit.

[KDawgCometh 2]

So this is a good pick for someone who likes wine every now and then but otherwise doesn't know dik about good wines from bad wines?I will try it.I just bought a 2004 Fransiscan Magnificant the other day too...gonna save it for whenever the inlaws finally decide to come visit.

it's a very good wine. If you aren't familiar with the scoring, just jread the notes themselves to see what the flavor profile is likeI suggest you return the fransican magnificat and get a 05 Worthy Sophia's Cuvee or 05 Cliff Lede Claret. Both are miles better and $10 cheaper

[Painter567 0]

Just popped the cork on the 1998 Bordeaux I picked up last weekend. Letting it decant for a bit....smells wonderful.

[Kaveros 0]

Poets Corner is alright if you don't want to spend a fortune.

[KDawgCometh 2]

I believe I read that Sams Wine is doing a Bordeaux night in the next week or so... I forget the day, maybe 14th or 16th or something.

i'm not going to it. They haven't put up a list of what's being tasted out and I've already committed the money that would go to that tasting to go to a Gaja tasting which will be much more worth my moneyhere are some wines that I've had recently that are all under $22 that I would highly reccomend

• N.V. Trevor Jones Jonesy Old Tawny Port - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (2/9/2008)saturday afternoon port tasting (Binny's Highland Park, Highland Park IL): nose: real nice nutty notes on the nose with some cola aspects and raisins. very nice nosetaste: real good firm notes of nuts, caramel, cola, and some raisiny aspects toooverall: this is a real steal of a wine at under $10. very easy drinking and good sweetness to it. Excellent value (88 pts.)
• 2005 L'Oca Ciuca (Drunken Goose) Super Tuscan L'Oca Ciuca (Drunken Goose) - Italy, Tuscany (2/8/2008)nose: very nice forward nose of blueberry, floral notes, cherry, spices, and a bit of barnyardtaste: nice and very easy drinking. floral notes, blueberry, and a bit of barnyard hay on teh back palate. getting very little of the syrah characteristics on the palate outside of some tannins and structure. much more sangiovese and merlot style on the palate, but with a bit more weight due to the syrahoverall: this is a really nice wine at $9. the finish is lacking, but the flavor profile is very nice and this is extremely easy drinking. a nice fun wine to drink (87 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

• 2004 Caldora Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Yume - Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (2/9/2008)nose: really nice soft feminine nose with blueberry, cherry, floral notes, cocoa, and lilacstaste: very pretty mouth of blueberry, lilacs, cherry, cocoa, and a bit of coffee beans and some slight bits of tar on the back palate sneaking throughoverall: a very pretty wine. Nice and soft and very easy to drink. Well put together, this is a real winner. just an excellent wine (91 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

• 2004 Podere il Palazzino Chianti Classico La Pieve - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico (2/10/2008)nose: real nice mix of old and new chianti styles on the nose. Blueberry, cherry, floral notes, with earth tones too. Nice, soft, and subtletaste: nice and firm on the mouth with floral tones, soft cherry, blueberry, and some earthen notesoverall: an excellent wine. Nice and subtle that really works itself across the palate (91 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

• 2005 Jim Barry Shiraz The Lodge Hill - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley (2/14/2008)really dark purple color, amazingly darknose: nice big aussie nose, but not over the top or fruitbomby. Instead it's very well integrated and has some good depth to it. Lots of black flavors with black berries, anise, dark cherry, and smoke tones. A bit hot on the nose tootaste: lots of anise with blackberry, dark cherry, and bits of eucalyptus and black pepperoverall: this would be really good if the finish didn't die so fast. Really nice and integrated on the palate this is very tasty and well put together. Not over the top at all, there is some good balance in this (88 pts.)
• 2004 Domaine Raspail-Ay Gigondas - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas (2/13/2008)really dark and inkynose: extremely pungent nose. I was smelling this the second it was poured into my glass from the decanter. filled with garrigue, spices, floral notes, and black fruits. just a great and sumptuous nosetaste: very nice light weight on the palate filled with spice, garrigue, black fruits, with some black pepper and black licorice notes. nice filling mouthoverall: a really wonderful wine. nice long black fruit finish with black licorice mixed in. really nice structure on the wine and is just very well put together. (91 pts.)
• 2005 Maven Pinot Noir - New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough (2/11/2008)nose: nice burgundian "dirty" nose with red fruit, earth tones, and some dark cherrytaste: real nice balance and weight on teh palate with earth tones, cherry, and rockish flavorsoverall: I'm a big fan of this one. Really excellent wine that is really rooted in the burgundy style. It's interesting to see a marlborough pinot bring this flavor profile as I'm used to seeing marlborough PNs be more fruit forward. Nice finish too on this (90 pts.)
• 2006 De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc - South Africa, Coastal Region, Tygerberg, Durbanville (2/11/2008)nose: interesting sancerre type nose of smoke notes, lemon, and lots of mineral tonestaste: very french in style and weight with lots of minerals, wet rocks, smoke tones, and some citrus flavorsoverall: extremely nice old world style Sauvignon Blanc. Very interesting on the nose and on the palate (89 pts.)
• 2006 Dievole Pinocchio Nero d'Avola Sicilia IGT - Italy, Sicily, Sicilia IGT (2/11/2008)nose: real nice ripe nose filled with red fruit, floral tones, chocolate cherry, and blueberriestaste: very nice and smooth on the palate. Good feel and density that is light and easy to drink with chocolate cherries, floral tones, and some red fruitoverall: very nice and easy. Fun to drink, it isn't really deep, but is a really good value. It does well at what it needs to do, so you can't ask much more from it (87 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

[KDawgCometh 2]

so, I did my spanish tasting last night. Every wine that was consumed was under $32. Hopefully some gems will be found for people:CHICAGO CREW SPANISH NIGHT - Habana Libre, Chicagol IL (2/15/2008)the WL chicago crew got together for an under $35 spanish tasting with the goal of bringing interesting spanish wines for under $35 a bottle. There was some pretty good stuff and some stuff that wasn't so hot, but overall the quality was very good and there were some good finds

• 2000 Llopart Cava Brut Cava Leopardi Brut Reserva - Spain, Catalunya, Cavanose: extremely yeasty nose with some minerality and apple tones tootaste: nice and smooth with good effervescance on the palate. Good minerality with hints of green apple and lemonsoverall: very nice and easy cava. Good feeling on the mouth and a decent finish. This one is probably towards the end of it's life (87 pts.)
• 2001 Dominio de la Peseta Crianza - Spainnose: sweet tones on the nose of oak, cassis, vanilla, and black berriestaste: nice smooth attack on the palate of blackberry and vanilla mostly with hints of black currants and some dark cherryoverall: this was very good until the finish just died. There is the immeadite flavors, but no mid palate and finish to really speak of, which brings it down a good amount. (86 pts.)
• 2001 Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, Riojanose: good deep nose of dark cherry, toasted oak, plums, and blackberriestaste: real silky feel with dark cherries, vanilla, toasted oak tones, and some sour cranberryoverall: this is really nice. Luscious and smooth with a really nice sour finish (89 pts.)
• 2006 Telmo Rodríguez Godello Valdeorras Gaba do Xil - Spain, Galicia, Valdeorrasnose: very nice mineral driven nose with some lemon peel, wet rocks, and grassy tonestaste: interesting as it is sweet on the palate with a nice mineral and lemon attackoverall: very nice. Good cross of a NZ style blanc and a french Blanc. It is a bit simple though on the flavor profile, but it does them well (87 pts.)
• 2005 Bodegas Juan Gil Jumilla - Spain, Murcia, Jumillanose: fairly new world on the nose with red cherries, oak, and some cranberry tonestaste: nice and decent with cherries, red currants, and bits of cranberryoverall: a very solid wine but the finish dies a bit. It's well put together but just fails at the end (87 pts.)
• 2004 Bodega O. Fournier Ribera del Duero Spiga - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Dueronose: really deep and succulent nose of black currant, dark cranberry, tobbacco, and some dark roast coffeetaste: great weight on the palate with dark cherry, sour cranberry,tobbacco, and black currantsoverall: just a beautiful wine. A lot of complexity going on and extremely enjoyable. Really nice lasting finish with good firm tannins (92 pts.)
• 2004 Clos Galena Priorat Galena - Spain, Catalunya, Prioratnose: nice dusty nose that is bordeaux-esque with cassis, black licorice, sour cranberry, blackberries, and some cedar taste: very big structure on the palate with sour cranberry, black currant, dark cherry, and cedaroverall: this is a really great wine. Lots of structure and nice classy tannins. Brings a wonderful long finish of black cherry liqueur. This one can age very well too, an excellent wine (92 pts.)
• 2006 Hermanos del Villar Verdejo Rueda Ipsum - Spain, Castilla y León, Ruedanose: very interesting nose of citrus fruit, sea shells, and minerals. Very rounded on the nose, but also has some brightness to ittaste: hrm. Hard to decipher what the flavors are as it dies almost immeaditely on the palate. It feels more like mineral water on the palate and is frustrating considering how intersting the nose is. very faint mineral flavors, but it's frustrating as there was something interesting to look forward tooverall: the nose was very nice and fun to smell, but the palate just died. A jekyll/hyde aspect with it. darn (84 pts.)
• 2006 José Pariente Verdejo Rueda - Spain, Castilla y León, Ruedanose: nice and grassy nose with a nice punch of citrus fruit and seashellstaste: good feel on the palate with nice crisp acidity filled with ctrus notes and mineralityoverall: very nice and easy drinking. I like the crispness that this brings and is a very nice wine (87 pts.)
• 2005 Alvaro Palacios Priorat Les Terrasses - Spain, Catalunya, Prioratnose: nice, deep, rich nose of coffee, spice box, cranberry, and dark cherrytaste: really rich feel on the palate with dark cherry, spicebox, and coffe tonesoverall: a really beautiful wine that is long on class and polish and leaves you with a really nice black liqueur finish (93 pts.)
• 2003 Alvear Montilla-Moriles Fino "en rama" - Spain, Andalucía, Montilla-Morilesnose: smacks you back with a lot pheynl alcohol but also has some almonds and hazelnut components behind ittaste: the pheynl alcohol is a bit too much on the flavor for me, but it then does lean into really nice and pleasant notes of almonds, hazelnuts, and cashew characteristicsoverall: has a really long almond finish which saves the wine for me. It's best on the back end and changed my opinion of it overall. Overall though I've yet to be impressed much by sherry, and this didn't impress me much either (82 pts.)

Lots of fun as always and it was great to meet some new people outside of the normal cast of characters. The food was really good, but the service and hidden fees from Habana Libre left a bit to be desired. Still, it was a really good time overall and it was fun as alwaysPosted from CellarTracker

[KDawgCometh 2]

is anyone drinking anything lately? it feels like a one way convo. Here are three wines I've had recently that I would really reccomend that are under 26:

• 2006 Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz/Grenache - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (2/23/2008)nose: really nice boquet of dark cherry, coffee beans, blueberries, floral notes, with hints of allspice and tar. Nose is nice and full, but has some softeness to it too. Not overbearing at all, just a classic glaetzer styled nose of blanced fruittaste: nice firm structure and full on the palate. Spice, black currant, dark cherry, and blueberry with bits of tar and lavender fill the mouth. Good up front, but not that full on the mid palate. overall: this is a really good wine. Very well structured and balanced with even a bit of finesse and medium weight. A very tasty wine that gives a nice finish of spice and blueberry (90 pts.)
• 2006 Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontés - Argentina, Mendoza (2/22/2008)nose: real nice interesting nose of tangerines, mangoes, and apricot, with some straw and lemon tonestaste: very nice flavorful mouth with tangerine and apricot with some grass and lemon zest notesoverall: this is really really good. Nice crispness to it and tangy flavors. Very long finish of tangerine and lemon zest. This honestly tastes like the wine version of magic hat #9 (89 pts.)
• 2005 Casa Silva Carménère Casa Silva Gran Reserva - Chile, Central Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley (2/17/2008)very dark colornose: nice rich new world styled nose of cherry, mocha, blueberry, hi-toned floral notes, with bits of dust components, red currants, and spice box. Very nice nosetaste: nice silky feel on the palate with asian spice, red currants, cherry, blueberry, and even some black fruitoverall: this is an excellent wine. There is a lot going on with this wine and it leaves you with a really nice finish of mocha and spice. nice and silky. this wine is what I really like about carmenere (90 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

[El Guapo 8]

Sorry Keith, my wife just had our Daughter and I have been regulated to the occasional beer. So shortly she will be able to drink again, I will try some of you recomendations.

[KDawgCometh 2]

Sorry Keith, my wife just had our Daughter and I have been regulated to the occasional beer. So shortly she will be able to drink again, I will try some of you recomendations.

No worries, I just didn't want this thread to go into the dark depths of OT. Hopefully some people have checked out some of the wines that I've red'd and will let me know what they think since many people seem to be very cali heavy

[Suited_Up 2]

I've had a couple bottles of Tapena Tempranillo lately, as well as the Tapena Garnacha.Enjoy both enough to have bought it a 2nd or 3rd time. The Tempranillo has a swetter more mellow flavor to it, a bit more easy to drink, but the Garnacha has more character I would say. I didn't pay enough attention to give you specifics, but these are both wines that you can find almost anywhere (Since I got them at Jewel), and not bad for 10 bucks.

[KDawgCometh 2]

kurt, you should check out some nero d'avolas from sicily. you can get a bunch for under 15 and it's a good way to start getting into italian vino

[El Guapo 8]

Keith I am having a lovely Yellowtail Shiraz/Cab blend Lol. I only have 10 dollar bottles and 50 dollar bottles in my collection right now, and since I did not know if my wife was going to react to it, I did not want to open an expensive one.

[KDawgCometh 2]

yea, you should definitely add some depth to what you have. Tons of great stuff from the rhone, italy, spain, and australia in the 15-50 range. In fact, you can find a bunch of cotes du rhones for around the price you paid for that swill that you're drinking

[crazyIvan 0]

I'd like to contribute, but KDawg keeps posting all these award winning wines and ratings and shit. I'd just post what I like and what tastes good to me, not what a bunch of stuffed shirts said is good.Just raggin on ya, Keith.

[Suited_Up 2]

kurt, you should check out some nero d'avolas from sicily. you can get a bunch for under 15 and it's a good way to start getting into italian vino

I'll try to remember that for when I am picking something out. That's the hardest part with the italian and french ones, I just never remember.

[El Guapo 8]

I'll try to remember that for when I am picking something out. That's the hardest part with the italian and french ones, I just never remember.

This is the main reason I have not gotten into these wines. They names all sound the same to me, even when I know what I am looking for, I have a hard time figuring out if it is what I really want.

[KDawgCometh 2]

I'd like to contribute, but KDawg keeps posting all these award winning wines and ratings and shit. I'd just post what I like and what tastes good to me, not what a bunch of stuffed shirts said is good.Just raggin on ya, Keith.

those are all of my personal notes, so yes, to me they are award winning

I'll try to remember that for when I am picking something out. That's the hardest part with the italian and french ones, I just never remember.

or choose not to remember

This is the main reason I have not gotten into these wines. They names all sound the same to me, even when I know what I am looking for, I have a hard time figuring out if it is what I really want.

so, instead of just taking a stab at something new, you go back to yellow tail? For shame, for shame. A lot of the stuff I try I just ask my manager about, or I just eye a wine and think well, that may be interesting, I'll check it out. nothing ventured, nothing gained

[El Guapo 8]

so, instead of just taking a stab at something new, you go back to yellow tail? For shame, for shame.

HaHaHa. I had it in the liquor cabinet. I keep it around for people who have no idea about wine, and like I said I didn't not want to open an expensive bottle.

[KDawgCometh 2]

lol, right on, but it still doesn't excuse you from trying to say that all italian and french wines sound the same. I've said repeatedly to focus on Cheateauneuf-Du-Pape, Cotes-Du-Rhone, and Gigondas. that's all you need to remember as far as leaning into french wines. Don't even worry about straight up domaine and chateau names, just remember the regions and give it a go. It's just lazy to say that they all sound the same, the same could be said inversely for someone that hasn't had much american and australian wine before as they all have funky names. I just encourage people to drink more then their normal rut and check out new stuff cause there is tons of great vino in the world and it takes drinking from many different regions to know where your true tastes lie

[Suited_Up 2]

Geez, this got 3 pages in. OT's been busy!I finally had a french wine last night.2006 La Ramillade Cote Du Rhone.Was actually pretty darn good. So well balanced, nothing stood out too much, which is nice. Very easy to drink. :)Also had Altos Las Hormigas 2006 Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)Not quite as good. Oh well.

[MyPlayIsRAB 0]

Chateau Picard, 2364 Vintage is all i drink**** ive watched too much star trek lately

[leftygolfer 7]

No worries, I just didn't want this thread to go into the dark depths of OT. Hopefully some people have checked out some of the wines that I've red'd and will let me know what they think since many people seem to be very cali heavy

Now that I am moved in, I will be cracking open some stuff and will report. Keep posting Keith. We all apprectiate your notes/comments.Here's the menu for a dinner I am having for my wedding party: Wedding Celebration~ Cocktail Reception ~Coconut ShrimpCornucopia Quesadilla with Pico de GalloCurried Chicken Salad on Wontons with Sliced Grapes~ Champagne Toast by Jeff ~Roederer Estate Brut N.V., Anderson Valley, CaliforniaMenuLobster BisqueLobster Medallions, ChivesBabich Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, New ZealandShafer Red Shoulders Ranch Chardonnay 2004, Napa ValleyRoasted Vegetable & Goat Cheese TerrineEggplant, Red Pepper, Zucchini, Organic Mesclun GreensExtra Virgin Olive Oil, Aged Balsamic Vinegar Choice of EntréeSwan Creek Farm’s ChickenSunchokes, Baby Carrots, Porcinis,Winter Truffles, Pan JusPan Seared BarramundiCarrots, Shiitakes, Cucumber Emulsion, Peanut Foam, Smoked Grapes Roasted Rack of LambYukon Gold Potato Puree, Haricot Vert with Toasted AlmondsBarolo ReductionA by Acacia Pinot Noir 2005, CaliforniaChâteau Montelana Estate 2001, Napa Valley (Magnum)Château Margaux 1990 (This is from my cellar)Trio of DessertsPetite Chocolate Soufflé CakeCaramelized Apple Napoleon, Passionfruit Pâte de FruitsChateau Suduiraut 1 er Cru Classe 2001, SauternesThanks to Keith for his suggestions.

[El Guapo 8]

Now that I am moved in, I will be cracking open some stuff and will report. Keep posting Keith. We all apprectiate your notes/comments.Here's the menu for a dinner I am having for my wedding party: Wedding Celebration~ Cocktail Reception ~Coconut ShrimpCornucopia Quesadilla with Pico de GalloCurried Chicken Salad on Wontons with Sliced Grapes~ Champagne Toast by Jeff ~Roederer Estate Brut N.V., Anderson Valley, CaliforniaMenuLobster BisqueLobster Medallions, ChivesBabich Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, New ZealandShafer Red Shoulders Ranch Chardonnay 2004, Napa ValleyRoasted Vegetable & Goat Cheese TerrineEggplant, Red Pepper, Zucchini, Organic Mesclun GreensExtra Virgin Olive Oil, Aged Balsamic Vinegar Choice of EntréeSwan Creek Farm’s ChickenSunchokes, Baby Carrots, Porcinis,Winter Truffles, Pan JusPan Seared BarramundiCarrots, Shiitakes, Cucumber Emulsion, Peanut Foam, Smoked Grapes Roasted Rack of LambYukon Gold Potato Puree, Haricot Vert with Toasted AlmondsBarolo ReductionA by Acacia Pinot Noir 2005, CaliforniaChâteau Montelana Estate 2001, Napa Valley (Magnum)Château Margaux 1990 (This is from my cellar)Trio of DessertsPetite Chocolate Soufflé CakeCaramelized Apple Napoleon, Passionfruit Pâte de FruitsChateau Suduiraut 1 er Cru Classe 2001, SauternesThanks to Keith for his suggestions.

Should I PM you my address for the invite so its not awkward for you when I crash your wedding?

[El Guapo 8]

I am enjoying a 2003 Robert Sinskey merlot right now. Its pretty good, its been breathing for about 3 hours now and has really opened up, I smell some cherry blackberry and maybe even some plum a little floral, but heavy enough be served with a steak. I had it with some Chicken pasta in a cheese marinara sauce.2004 bottle goes for about 38 dollars. This is probably a $45 bottle +/-.