Please post your reviews for red wines here. I encourage everyone to participate in a lively discussion of their favorite red wines. Your review may be as formal or informal as you like. It would be great if you could also rate the wine on a 100 point scale.
CROMBIE: Who's asking about Chianti? Truth be told Garofalo is right. Fontodi, Felsina, Rampolla(who can afford them anymore) are great chiantis. Look for the 2006 and hold onto your 2004's. Anything...and I mean anything coming from Tuscany and eve... moreWho's asking about Chianti? Truth be told Garofalo is right. Fontodi, Felsina, Rampolla(who can afford them anymore) are great chiantis. Look for the 2006 and hold onto your 2004's. Anything...and I mean anything coming from Tuscany and even farther inland is going to be superb for 2006. In vintages like 2006 just basic chianti or chianti colli senesi, rufina, or classico should be stellar. The Riservas are going to be blockbusters and The Brunello's I guarantee...will be completely unaffordable but hopefully not unattainable like some of the classed Bordeaux '05's and Burgundies from '05. I snagged Clos Veogeout from Hubert Montille (6 bottles, only 12 came into Oregon)...and i stayed away from all Bordeaux...well a couple classed growths like Cantermelle and Cru Beorgois. Look into Rosso di Montalcino and Montepulciano, and don't be afraid of Umbria in this vintage. This vintage is like the '97. A little more softer tannins, but pure decadence. One to keep yo... less
October 21, 2008
CultVines: We're are so happy to say that Cult Vines ToKalon Cab was just rated "Best of Show" in this weekend's NYC wine show. Samples are going out to the Wine Library next week.
May 22, 2008
JGarofalo3: Ruffino brown label or gold are pretty consistent well made chianti's and generally available in the mainstream. Given how certain geographies don't get what others do, reccomending something might result in it being unavailable in your area.moreRuffino brown label or gold are pretty consistent well made chianti's and generally available in the mainstream. Given how certain geographies don't get what others do, reccomending something might result in it being unavailable in your area.
Other rules of thumb (for me any way) is sticking with producers you know, like, or are aware of their quality (I think some of the top Tuscan producers are:Felsina, San Giusto a Rentennano, Poggio al Sole (fantastic QPR), Fontodi, Le Cinciole, Rocca di Monetgrossi, Rampolla, Vecchi Terre di Montefili, Riecine) . As for vintages; stick with 2005 (althought might drink tight), 2004 (which was a spectacular vintage) or 2001 and equally avoid juice from 2002. I hope this information helps..................JG3 less
May 14, 2008
wineoaf: Someone was asking about a good Chianti. Just had Giordano D’Aquino Chianti Reserva 2003 and paid $7.99 at Trader Joes. (There mut be magic in the Hawaiin Shirts!) Try it.
May 13, 2008
WineHazard: 2005 Dos Cabezas El Norte (Sonoita, Arizona)
Arizona is the next great wine region, and Dos Cabezas is leading the charge. The El Norte is an intriguing blend of Mourverde, Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah.
Complex, intriguing nose, filled wit... more2005 Dos Cabezas El Norte (Sonoita, Arizona)
Arizona is the next great wine region, and Dos Cabezas is leading the charge. The El Norte is an intriguing blend of Mourverde, Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah.
Complex, intriguing nose, filled with some new notes to me. Big scents of molasses and cinnamon spice, complimented with high cedar, peppermint, and chocolate. As Isipped and swirled on this wine, some familiar notes came out (blackberry, plum, tobacco) and then some not so familiar ones (pencil eraser, rubber and an earthy smell somewhere between chalk and sand).
The first taste was a little disappointing as the entry is rather weak, with little beyond flavors of earth and a touch of cedar. However, I was quickly disabused of the notion that this would be yet another flat, uninteresting wine, as it moved to mid-palate, giving a nice creamy taste of raspberry, swirled with brown sugar, nutmeg and allspice. A nice tannic balance ushers the wine to the finish, where the cream gives way to be... less
March 5, 2008
WineHazard: Quick note: I do regular reviews on my personal wine review site WineHazard.com. Rather than a 100 point sytem, I employ a simple, but very subjective, "what I like," "what I don't like" system. I'll give my tasting notes her... moreQuick note: I do regular reviews on my personal wine review site WineHazard.com. Rather than a 100 point sytem, I employ a simple, but very subjective, "what I like," "what I don't like" system. I'll give my tasting notes here, but for the full review, I point you to WineHazard.com
1999 Quintarelli Valpolicellan (Veneto, Italy)
The wine is very big and very tightly wound, revealing its secrets slowly and seductively. We decanted for five hours before our first taste, and even then, it still had a lot of opening up to offer throughout dinner. When we did wrap our lips around the luscious wine, the first tastes were sweet spices with apple and strawberry. As it delicately moves through the mouth, tastes of cassis, cheese, smoke, spring meadow, mint, strawberry and tobacco all had their turn on the palate, before it finishes with plum and raspberry. The final mouth tastes move from fruit to mint in an enjoyable lingering flavor. Our rack of lamb brought out black pepper, ... less
February 27, 2008
ROYALDIVA1: 2005 Nacala, Innocence, Robertson Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa (90 Points)
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE when I can make a contribution to a cause that is so worthy on behalf of Children. What is even more DELIGHTFUL is when I can taste Fine Wine and make... more2005 Nacala, Innocence, Robertson Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa (90 Points)
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE when I can make a contribution to a cause that is so worthy on behalf of Children. What is even more DELIGHTFUL is when I can taste Fine Wine and make that contribution!!! I LOVE IT!! I hope that many people will join me and lend a hand!!!
The Holland Foundation is making that contribution! There are an estimated 1.5 million orphans in South Africa under the age of 18 who have lost either a mother or both parents. Of these children, about two thirds have been orphaned due to AIDS. The Hollard Foundation strives to provide these children with whatever they need to achieve their full potential in life. A percentage of the profits from the sale of this wine is contributed back to children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS in South Africa through the Hollard Foundation, established by the father of vintner, Georgi Enthoven Charvel.
This Cabernet Sauvignon from the Robertson appellation of South Afric... less
April 11, 2008
JGarofalo3: ROAR is typically sold off their wine list which you can enroll. You will also be able to find some in the secondary market if you use a searcher like Wine Access or Wine Searcher. ROAR wines are very nicely made and joining their list will get you access... moreROAR is typically sold off their wine list which you can enroll. You will also be able to find some in the secondary market if you use a searcher like Wine Access or Wine Searcher. ROAR wines are very nicely made and joining their list will get you access to their newly released wines but like many you will have to have a buying history before you gain access to their finest SV stuff. If you need some help/advice, just reach out. (I have no affiliation to ROAR wines)
April 12, 2008
Mark: Hi Christy, ROAR is made by ROAR. They are a vineyard. Here is a URL to their site - www.roarwines.com
April 11, 2008
ROYALDIVA1: I really have never been into Red Wine until I became a Personal Wine Consultant. But, I must say that Red Wine makes you dig for the ROMANCE....all well worth it. My first true ROMANCE with Red Wine.....
2004 Atipax, Tupungato Reserva, Malbec bl... moreI really have never been into Red Wine until I became a Personal Wine Consultant. But, I must say that Red Wine makes you dig for the ROMANCE....all well worth it. My first true ROMANCE with Red Wine.....
2004 Atipax, Tupungato Reserva, Malbec blend, Mendoza, Argentina
Made with the best grapes from the Tupungato Valley, this Fine Wine is a blend of 50% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Bonarda which shows deep and bright purplish red colors that kind of glitter in the glass. The aromas are softly elegant and it makes you kinda go into a great daydream while trying to connect with the chase of the makeup of this wine. It is juicy with rustic red fruits and spices and it kinda teases you by the virtues of aging 12 months in oak.....you kinda feel the vanilla. Tasting this wine was divine on the palate, it is sweet but has a sorta seductive dose of tannins that are not too edgy and provide structure for a really pleasant finish. It really caught me off guard!! I think I was expecting the ... less
January 29, 2008
Enchanter: Give me red... or I'd rather be dead. ;)
This release from the Douro Valley (Portugal) quinta is wonderful stuff. An oak-aged blend of classic port varieties, it is elegant, soft and jam-packed with ripe, concentrated red fruit. Ready to drink now (and great with game dishes) but it will also ke
Nice bottle. Very California, very Stag's Leap. Cliff Lede recently purchaced this vineyard (can't recall from which previous producer) and has done a really nice job at making quality wines at non-astronomical (notice, I did not say affordable)
2005 Walter HanselHansel Family VineyardsRussian River ValleyCahill Lane VineyardPinot Noir$35.99This was a great Pinot Noir. Garnet red in color with good clarity. Violets, red cherries, tree bark and some spice on the nose. V
Ruby red color, nice spicy nose. Still very young tasting - excellent with tri tip. Rich, fruity taste, rasberries, dark cherry overtones. Really good stuff. Drink in the next 5 years. I would rate this in the low 90's out of 100 - perhaps 93/100
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