Limb Vineyards (Australia)
Limb Vineyards Patterson Hill Shiraz 2004 – only 13.5% but still shows a touch of alcohol on the nose with the deep fruit flavors – ultra smooth on the palate with really big flavors of berry and plum – long finish.
Limb Vineyards Patterson Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 – really intense wood spice and mint on the nose – full and mouth coating on the palate with a good style across the palate – juicy acidity on the finish – better in the mouth than on the nose – classic S. Hemisphere cab flavors. Good.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tohu Vineyards (New Zealand)
Tohu Vineyards (New Zealand)
Tohu Sauvignon Blanc Mugwi 2006 – green pea and asparagus – pungent and as intense as it gets – really juicy and long lasting flavors – chalk and fresh green veggies.
Tohu Pinot Noir 2006 – dark cranberry color – really big cherry, roasted toasted aromas – with a juicy approach – depth of fruit is quite full and long – nice acidity with a fresh quality on the palate – good length on the fruit – really well-made New World Pinot Noir.
Tohu Sauvignon Blanc Mugwi 2006 – green pea and asparagus – pungent and as intense as it gets – really juicy and long lasting flavors – chalk and fresh green veggies.
Tohu Pinot Noir 2006 – dark cranberry color – really big cherry, roasted toasted aromas – with a juicy approach – depth of fruit is quite full and long – nice acidity with a fresh quality on the palate – good length on the fruit – really well-made New World Pinot Noir.
Tahbilk Estate (Australia)
Tahbilk Estate (Australia)
Tahbilk Viognier 2006 – Pale gold color – aromas are peachy and perfumed – lean and dry flavors – very precise, razor sharp style – 14.5% alcohol – great length – quite impressive style.
Tahbilk Marsanne 2006 – second oldest Marsanne vineyard in the world – brassy gold color – chalky, steely minerality – cool freshness aromatically – light on the palate – really tasty – very good.
Tahbilk Viognier 2006 – Pale gold color – aromas are peachy and perfumed – lean and dry flavors – very precise, razor sharp style – 14.5% alcohol – great length – quite impressive style.
Tahbilk Marsanne 2006 – second oldest Marsanne vineyard in the world – brassy gold color – chalky, steely minerality – cool freshness aromatically – light on the palate – really tasty – very good.
Domaine de Lagrezette (Cahors DOC)
Domaine de Lagrezette (Cahors DOC)
B
een in US for about 12 years, never very organized or a lot of market penetration.
Property founded in the 12th Century.
Growing Malbec for 300+ years.
Domaine de Lagrezette Zette Malbec Cahors AC 2003 – dark color, ultra ripe flavors on the nose – huge flavors on the palate with a really big ripeness level – there is a hole in the mid-finish, but quite easy drinking with a good grip on the finish.
Chateau Lagrezette Malbec Cohors AC Cru d’Exception 2003 – deep color smoky nose with really ripe fruit flavors – soft juicy and quite easy to drink – with loads of supple fruit – good wine to drink – finishes with a bit of grip. Good.
Chateau Lagrezette Cahors AC Cuvee Dame Honneur 2003- Malbec, Merlot (92/8) – deep cranberry red – smooth fruit flavors on the nose - ultra ripe and smooth on the palate with a good acid balance and deep flavors. Quite impressive (should be for the money).
Chateau Lagrezette Cahors AC Le Pigeonnier 2000 – really dark color – huge nose with loads of smoke and ultra deep berry flavors – quite layered aromatics – mouth coating and full on the palate – really big on the palate and really big through the finish – quite big, long and layered. Will last a long time – will the fruit?
B
een in US for about 12 years, never very organized or a lot of market penetration.
Property founded in the 12th Century.
Growing Malbec for 300+ years.
Domaine de Lagrezette Zette Malbec Cahors AC 2003 – dark color, ultra ripe flavors on the nose – huge flavors on the palate with a really big ripeness level – there is a hole in the mid-finish, but quite easy drinking with a good grip on the finish.
Chateau Lagrezette Malbec Cohors AC Cru d’Exception 2003 – deep color smoky nose with really ripe fruit flavors – soft juicy and quite easy to drink – with loads of supple fruit – good wine to drink – finishes with a bit of grip. Good.
Chateau Lagrezette Cahors AC Cuvee Dame Honneur 2003- Malbec, Merlot (92/8) – deep cranberry red – smooth fruit flavors on the nose - ultra ripe and smooth on the palate with a good acid balance and deep flavors. Quite impressive (should be for the money).
Chateau Lagrezette Cahors AC Le Pigeonnier 2000 – really dark color – huge nose with loads of smoke and ultra deep berry flavors – quite layered aromatics – mouth coating and full on the palate – really big on the palate and really big through the finish – quite big, long and layered. Will last a long time – will the fruit?
Castello Monaci (Puglia)
Castello Monaci (Puglia)
Vineyards replanted since 1999 – winery locate in the heart of Salento
Monaci Liante Salice Salentino DOC 2006 – Nergoamaro 80%, Malvasia Nero 20% - very dark color – sweet plumy, cherry nose fills the nose with lovely flavors – super soft on the palate with a load of tangy fruit flavors – very pleasantly balanced and drinkable with a peppery finish – great little country red wine. Like this a lot. Liante is the local name for the southerly winds.
Monaci Maru IGT 2006 – Negroamaro 100% - deep black purple color – super easy drinking with great balance of flavors and fruits – cherry and strawberry flavors - smooth and quite soft, but still good acid balance on the finish – delicious. Maru is the local name for Negroamaro.
Monaci Piluna IGT 2006 – Primitivo 100% - dark color – pepper on the nose with smoke and a bit of heat – big wine, fills the mouth with deep flavors – quite full with a bit of tannin – probably one of the biggest $8 bottles of wine around – long, dryish finish with loads of fruit that carry through for at least a minute or more. Quite impressive. Piluna is the amphorae that they keep water.
Monaci Artas IGT 2004 – Primitivo 85%, Negroamaro 15% - 45 year old vines which are dry farmed – Tre Bicchieri - not tasted.
Vineyards replanted since 1999 – winery locate in the heart of Salento
Monaci Liante Salice Salentino DOC 2006 – Nergoamaro 80%, Malvasia Nero 20% - very dark color – sweet plumy, cherry nose fills the nose with lovely flavors – super soft on the palate with a load of tangy fruit flavors – very pleasantly balanced and drinkable with a peppery finish – great little country red wine. Like this a lot. Liante is the local name for the southerly winds.
Monaci Maru IGT 2006 – Negroamaro 100% - deep black purple color – super easy drinking with great balance of flavors and fruits – cherry and strawberry flavors - smooth and quite soft, but still good acid balance on the finish – delicious. Maru is the local name for Negroamaro.
Monaci Piluna IGT 2006 – Primitivo 100% - dark color – pepper on the nose with smoke and a bit of heat – big wine, fills the mouth with deep flavors – quite full with a bit of tannin – probably one of the biggest $8 bottles of wine around – long, dryish finish with loads of fruit that carry through for at least a minute or more. Quite impressive. Piluna is the amphorae that they keep water.
Monaci Artas IGT 2004 – Primitivo 85%, Negroamaro 15% - 45 year old vines which are dry farmed – Tre Bicchieri - not tasted.
Tenuta Rapitala (Sicily)
Tenuta Rapitala (Sicily)
Rapitala Piano Maltese Bianco 2006 – Cataratto & Grillo – pale straw color – really fresh aromatics – light and delicate on the palate – lower acidity, but quite easy to drink – touch of lemons rind and apples – good.
Rapitala Casali 2005 – Cataratto and Chardonnay – pale straw color – softer on the palate but decent acidity – quite fresh and pleasant to drink – soft fruit flavors and a clean finish.
Rapitala Campo Reale 2006 – 100% Nero d’Avola – deep color – juicy, youthful aromatics – sweet tar and brambly berry aromas – quite easy to drink – really fresh but not grapey youth, if you know what I mean.
Rapitala Nuhar 2005 – Nero d’Avola 70%, Pinot Nero 30% - dark cranberry color – cinnamon and spices on the nose with cherry flavors – pine accents – soft on the palate with a touch of grip easy fruits and cola flavors – bit tight on the finish.
Rapitala Nadir 2005 – Syrah 100% - deep color – smoke and roasted notes with some decayed scents – smooth and juicy on the palate though – quite easy to drink and supple feel on the finish. Good.
Rapitala Solinero 2002 – Syrah 100% Late Harvest – big aromatics with some cooked notes – really sweet almost raisin notes – big wine. 12-18 months in new French oak.
Rapitala Hugonus 2002 – Nero d’Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon (50/50) – very dark – more dark and stewed aromas – big profile on the palate – thins a bit on the finish.
Rapitala Piano Maltese Bianco 2006 – Cataratto & Grillo – pale straw color – really fresh aromatics – light and delicate on the palate – lower acidity, but quite easy to drink – touch of lemons rind and apples – good.
Rapitala Casali 2005 – Cataratto and Chardonnay – pale straw color – softer on the palate but decent acidity – quite fresh and pleasant to drink – soft fruit flavors and a clean finish.
Rapitala Campo Reale 2006 – 100% Nero d’Avola – deep color – juicy, youthful aromatics – sweet tar and brambly berry aromas – quite easy to drink – really fresh but not grapey youth, if you know what I mean.
Rapitala Nuhar 2005 – Nero d’Avola 70%, Pinot Nero 30% - dark cranberry color – cinnamon and spices on the nose with cherry flavors – pine accents – soft on the palate with a touch of grip easy fruits and cola flavors – bit tight on the finish.
Rapitala Nadir 2005 – Syrah 100% - deep color – smoke and roasted notes with some decayed scents – smooth and juicy on the palate though – quite easy to drink and supple feel on the finish. Good.
Rapitala Solinero 2002 – Syrah 100% Late Harvest – big aromatics with some cooked notes – really sweet almost raisin notes – big wine. 12-18 months in new French oak.
Rapitala Hugonus 2002 – Nero d’Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon (50/50) – very dark – more dark and stewed aromas – big profile on the palate – thins a bit on the finish.
Nickel & Nickel (2004 Cabs)
Nickel & Nickel (Napa) with Tom Gilhooly
N&N Winery sits between Mondavi, Opus One, Turnbull and Cakebread
2004 Cabernet Sauvignons – all 100% varietal
Carpenter Vineyard (Napa Valley) – very deep purple color – sweet crushed black berries, some wood spice, brambly raspberries and summer woods – fairly full style on the palate with big fruit – medium tannins and dryness – big spices with deep fruit and grip on the finish – moderate length – slight medicinal (in a good way) flavors on the mid-palate. Last vintage of production for Carpenter – vineyard was replanted to Chardonnay.
Branding Iron (Oakville) – sits in front of Martha’s Vineyard – subdued nose with sweet crushed fruit – quite soft and rich on the palate – amazing intensity and depth with a smooth approach – less tannic than the Carpenter, supple even – beautiful complexity of the fruit – balanced tannins on the backside – still a bit of grip but really quite good.
Tench (Oakville)– redder color – coolest vineyard – planted in 1969 – right next to Screaming Eagle - sweet supple aromas – supper soft on the palate – really juicy on the palate with great sweet vanilla and red fruit flavors –good grip on the palate – balanced finish with decent tannins – not as huge, but quite drinkable.
John C. Sullenger (Oakville) – purple red color – deepest aromatics – probably the most complex so far – layered and ripe fruits aromas that carry through to the palate – very big, but balanced style loaded all the way through – definitely the best.
Rock Cairn (Oakville) – deep purple color – sweet, blackberries and smoke spice with a bit of mint and sweet oak – smooth and quite supple on the palate – big and juicy with great mouth-feel- slightly softer attack, but really delivers through the finish with a good grip and a big finish – this is Napa Cab!
Vogt (Howell Mountain) – dark – probably the darkest and most opulent in color – sweet oak and blackberries – deep cinnamon flavors and Asian spices – good balance on the palate with tang and intensity – lengthy and complex finish – quite good.
Dragonfly Vineyard (St Helena) – not tasted
N&N Winery sits between Mondavi, Opus One, Turnbull and Cakebread
2004 Cabernet Sauvignons – all 100% varietal
Carpenter Vineyard (Napa Valley) – very deep purple color – sweet crushed black berries, some wood spice, brambly raspberries and summer woods – fairly full style on the palate with big fruit – medium tannins and dryness – big spices with deep fruit and grip on the finish – moderate length – slight medicinal (in a good way) flavors on the mid-palate. Last vintage of production for Carpenter – vineyard was replanted to Chardonnay.
Branding Iron (Oakville) – sits in front of Martha’s Vineyard – subdued nose with sweet crushed fruit – quite soft and rich on the palate – amazing intensity and depth with a smooth approach – less tannic than the Carpenter, supple even – beautiful complexity of the fruit – balanced tannins on the backside – still a bit of grip but really quite good.
Tench (Oakville)– redder color – coolest vineyard – planted in 1969 – right next to Screaming Eagle - sweet supple aromas – supper soft on the palate – really juicy on the palate with great sweet vanilla and red fruit flavors –good grip on the palate – balanced finish with decent tannins – not as huge, but quite drinkable.
John C. Sullenger (Oakville) – purple red color – deepest aromatics – probably the most complex so far – layered and ripe fruits aromas that carry through to the palate – very big, but balanced style loaded all the way through – definitely the best.
Rock Cairn (Oakville) – deep purple color – sweet, blackberries and smoke spice with a bit of mint and sweet oak – smooth and quite supple on the palate – big and juicy with great mouth-feel- slightly softer attack, but really delivers through the finish with a good grip and a big finish – this is Napa Cab!
Vogt (Howell Mountain) – dark – probably the darkest and most opulent in color – sweet oak and blackberries – deep cinnamon flavors and Asian spices – good balance on the palate with tang and intensity – lengthy and complex finish – quite good.
Dragonfly Vineyard (St Helena) – not tasted
Donnafugata (Sicily)
Donnafugata (Sicily)
Based in Sicily, founded in 1851 by Diego Rallo
Meens “Fleeing woman”
30% Solar driven winery
Now imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners
Donnafugata Anthilia IGT 2005 – Ansonica, Cataratto (50/50) – moderate acidity with a bit of bitter almond and salt water accents, stone fruits and finished with a nice richness approaching a sweetness – classic S. Italian style white wine.
Donnafugata Chiaranda DOC 2005 – Ansonica and Chardonnay (50/50)– lighter than the previous wine in color – light apple and peach aromas, some sweet green notes – a fuller style than the previous with a good amount of mellow oak flavors showing – lush finish (70% barriques for 6 months) – pretty seriously wine.
Donnafugata Sedara IGT 2005 – 100% Nero d’Avola – no oak – real bright, youthful aromas with loads of sweet berries – juicy on the palate with loads of sweet fruits and a juicy mouthfeel – low tannins, slight dryness, good grip – classic rustic country red – good.
Donnafugata Tancredi DOC 2003 – Nero d’Avola 70%, Cab Sauv 30% - 14 months in French first and second pass oak – big smoky nose with deep fruit and herbs- dry on the palate – very big wine with a good grip – medium length on the finish.
Donnafugata Mille e una Notte DOC 2003 – Nero d’Avola 90%, 10 other native grapes – 15-18 months mostly new French barriques – quite dark – smooth and mellow nose: pepper, spice and blackberries – really soft and juicy on the palate with a full throttle finish with a good balance and tannin style – again a big wine, but a bit better polished overall.
Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2005 – 100% Zibibbo (moscato d’Alessandria) – deep golden/amber color – spices, dried apricots and cinnamon aromas dominate – rich on the palate with a definite sweetness, but a very lively tang of acidity reminiscent of orange and nectarine – quite tasty and fresh for a dessert wine – quite lovely.
Based in Sicily, founded in 1851 by Diego Rallo
Meens “Fleeing woman”
30% Solar driven winery
Now imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners
Donnafugata Anthilia IGT 2005 – Ansonica, Cataratto (50/50) – moderate acidity with a bit of bitter almond and salt water accents, stone fruits and finished with a nice richness approaching a sweetness – classic S. Italian style white wine.
Donnafugata Chiaranda DOC 2005 – Ansonica and Chardonnay (50/50)– lighter than the previous wine in color – light apple and peach aromas, some sweet green notes – a fuller style than the previous with a good amount of mellow oak flavors showing – lush finish (70% barriques for 6 months) – pretty seriously wine.
Donnafugata Sedara IGT 2005 – 100% Nero d’Avola – no oak – real bright, youthful aromas with loads of sweet berries – juicy on the palate with loads of sweet fruits and a juicy mouthfeel – low tannins, slight dryness, good grip – classic rustic country red – good.
Donnafugata Tancredi DOC 2003 – Nero d’Avola 70%, Cab Sauv 30% - 14 months in French first and second pass oak – big smoky nose with deep fruit and herbs- dry on the palate – very big wine with a good grip – medium length on the finish.
Donnafugata Mille e una Notte DOC 2003 – Nero d’Avola 90%, 10 other native grapes – 15-18 months mostly new French barriques – quite dark – smooth and mellow nose: pepper, spice and blackberries – really soft and juicy on the palate with a full throttle finish with a good balance and tannin style – again a big wine, but a bit better polished overall.
Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2005 – 100% Zibibbo (moscato d’Alessandria) – deep golden/amber color – spices, dried apricots and cinnamon aromas dominate – rich on the palate with a definite sweetness, but a very lively tang of acidity reminiscent of orange and nectarine – quite tasty and fresh for a dessert wine – quite lovely.
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