Syrah Peumo Marqués de Casa Concha 2005 ($18)
Dark and plush, with espresso, fig paste and plum sauce notes pushed by mocha and dark licorice on the finish. Rich, smoky finish shows fine-grained tannins and the density for moderate cellaring. Drink now through 2009. 7,200 cases made. From Chile.
Archive for December, 2007
31 Dec
CONCHA Y TORO SYRAH 91 points
31 Dec
Cabo Wabo Reposado
Aroma is herbal, with a trace of honey, then blossoms into a bouquet that’s peppery, herbal, waxy, floral. Palate is medium-bodied, oily, resiny, herbal and semisweet, with balanced flavors of green pepper, red pepper, toffee and honey. Finishes gracefully.
30 Dec
2006 Brander Uno Mas 91 points
White Blend, Santa Ynez Valley, $22
Right up there with last year’s bottling, this Grenache Blanc-Sauvignon Blanc blend is unoaked, offering pure flavors of terroir-inspired fruit. High acidity backs up the lemongrass, pineapple, peach and honeysuckle flavors that finish so dry and spicy.
29 Dec
Voss 2006 Sauvignon Blanc 91 points
Sauvignon Blanc (Rutherford); $20
It’s rare to get a white wine from Cabernet-centric Rutherford, but Voss does a good job with this dry, crisp, low-alcohol Sauvignon Blanc. You can taste the coolness of the vintage in the tangy acidity and the gooseberry-accented citrus, fig and white pepper flavors.
29 Dec
Frida Kahlo Anejo
100% Agave Tequila
The nosing passes find scents of brine, peanut butter and lanolin with later sniffs discovering soft notes of vanilla, hemp and dried herbs. The palate entry is grassy and sweet; the midpalate stage is a tad restrained, but oily/buttery and deeply herbal. Finishes mildly sweet, and more timid than I like for [...]
29 Dec
Crauford 2005 Zinfandel 92 points
Kilt Lifter Brown Vineyard Zinfandel (Napa Valley); $32
A great Zin from Napa, this shows the classic structure of a claret, but with Zin’s distinctive personality. Briary, brambly wild berries, mocha and masses of white pepper are the aromas and flavors.
28 Dec
Masottina NV Extra Dry 89 points
Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene; $21
This sparkler has a touch of playful sweetness without being sticky or cloying. As far as its aromas are concerned, you’ll detect citrus, floral notes, minerals and a slightly smoky or musky quality on the periphery
28 Dec
Corzo Anejo Tequila
A delicate, non-woody bouquet with notes of fennel, pickle brine, cucumber, green pepper, and escarole. The palate entry is medium-dry, and peppery; at midpalate tastes of semisweet oak, agave sugars and herbs are added. Ends up more dry than sweet and keenly earthy/vegetal as the oak element vanishes.
27 Dec
03′ Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio L Andrea 91 points
Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio 2003 L’Andrea (Colli Perugini Rosso); $45
A blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this is a wine that imparts great intensity and a wide range of aromas including red fruit, dried mint leaf, root beer and white truffle. It boasts a beautiful color, firm tannins and smoky flavors in [...]
27 Dec
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Rose 98′ 94 points
Perfect for a NEW YEARS EVE TOAST!
luminous, deep gold/red and a persistent, fine mousse. The rich, intense nose displays notes of dried fruits (black figs, dates) and mild spices (vanilla) in harmony with a softer, almost creamy base. On the palate the texture is deep, dense and tightly woven. The structure of the pinot noir [...]
