A McLaren Vale Australian Cab

Wine Reviewed
D’Arenberg The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 14.3 % alcohol about $15. (I paid $20.)

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : (includes 10% merlot, 3% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc): Glass-staining ruby. Aromas of cherry compote, boysenberry and pipe tobacco, with subtle smoke and cracked pepper accents. Lush and creamy in texture, offering hefty dark fruit flavors that are sharpened by a spicy nuance. Finishes smooth and long, with soft tannins adding gentle grip. This wine drinks very well now after a brief decanting. Score – 90. (Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar, July, 2012). And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was too sweet but quite long and fruity. It offered some darkness accompanied by balanced acidity and tannins. Japanese rice crackers with Wasabi invited dark, dark cherries to join the mix. If only that non-endearing sweetness would go away. In the presence of slow cooked chicken meatballs swimming in a tomato sauce the purple liquid showed great balanced and its sugar level was down. The accompanying potatoes made our Australian friend good and dark but it was excessively sweet. A medley of mixed beans and chickpeas made me note the drink’s darkness, length, and, alas, the high sugar content. Fruit juice candy made a great match of dark cherries and oak in my glass.

This review of  McLaren Vale Australian Cab continues on my web site at

http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Near_weekly_15_dollar_wine_reviews/Y2013/mclaren_vale_australian_cab.php

A Mass Market Australian Cabernet Sauvignon

Can you get a decent Cabernet Sauvignon at this price?...

Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon

We have already reviewed three wines from this very major Australian wine producer. Casella wines. In 1957 the Casella family left Sicily for New South Wales, Australia. Eight years later they purchased land and by 2003 they were producing 5 million cases of Yellow Tail wines yearly. A good friend of mine claims that his wife would be happy to drink only Yellow Tail wines. I won’t judge. Actually, I will judge this wine. And compare it to another Australian Cab, one coming from what is often a considered a great Australian wine area instead of just somewhere… And it will cost you about twice the price.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 13.0 % alcohol about $7. (I paid $12.)

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Deep purple with intense aromas of currant and oaky vanilla. The palate is rich with confectionary black fruit and wood spice. The finish is rich and mellow. Serving Suggestion : Grilled red meats, spicy sausages, hearty stews and hard cheeses.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was sweet and slightly grapey. It offered some acidity and no tannins. Japanese rice crackers with Wasabi cut its acidity but increased the grapeyness. In the presence of slow cooked chicken meatballs swimming in a tomato sauce this purple liquid became fairly thin and short, but it was pleasant. The accompanying potatoes lengthened our Australian friend and reduced its sweetness. A medley of mixed beans and chickpeas continued this transformation. Fruit juice candy cut off the sweetness in my glass and just about everything else.

This review of a Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon continues 
on my website at http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_mmac.php

An Alsatian Chasselas

Wine Reviewed
Jean Geiler Réserve Particulière Chasselas 2011 12 % alcohol about $14.

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Description : It’s rare to see a single-variety Chasselas from Alsace where it is more commonly used in the region’s blended wines (known as Edelzwicker). An amazingly good value, it’s easy to see why this version from Jean Geiler was singled out. Look for lime, spring flowers, pear and mushroom aromas. Dry and soft-textured wine with a lively crisp finish. Perfect quaffing white or serve it with goat cheese appetizers.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was elegant and oily, tasting of pears. Wasabi coated peanuts rounded and lengthened the liquid. In the presence of barbecued chicken breast the wine tasted metallic accompanied by light but pleasant acidity. A quinoa side dish gave our Alsatian friend a burnt taste and solid acidity. Steamed broccoli kept this acidity good and I tasted smoke in my glass. In response to fruit juice candy I noticed a few apricots but the libation was flat.

This review of a Chasselas from Alsace  continues on my web site at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Near_weekly_15_dollar_wine_reviews/Y2013/alsatian_chasselas.php

Revisiting A Chilean Viognier

Cono Sur Bicicleta Chilean Viognier

Several years ago we reviewed a Chilean Viognier. And now we are back. As you may know, Viognier is a relatively uncommon white grape that shines in the French Rhone Valley. The Vina Torornal winery was founded in 1993. They own 1800 hectares (4500 acres) in Chile. The Colchagua Valley is a zone in the Rappel Valley, itself part of the Central Valley wine region. This particular area was once devoted to bulk wine but is now producing better wines. The winery has made a major commitment to the environment as reflected in ISO certifications. The Bicicleta in the name refers to widely-used vineyard transportation. The companion wine is made from another relatively uncommon usually Swiss white grape, Chasselas, coming from Alsace, France and costs about half again as much.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Cono Sur Bicicleta 2012 13.5 % alcohol about $10.

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Pale gold colour; tropical fruit aromas with melon, peach and orange blossom notes; dry, medium bodied, with great acidity and flavours of grapefruit, peach, green apple and pineapple; good length on the finish. Serving Suggestion : Serve with stir-fry or wok sautéed white meats, vegetables and creamy poultry dishes.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine offered upbeat acidity, with a nice length and the taste of melon. Wasabi coated peanuts cut its acidity but added some smokiness to the liquid. In the presence of barbecued chicken breast the wine darkened. I tasted pears and some metal. A quinoa side dish rendered our Chilean friend more forceful. Steamed broccoli led to more of the same. This wine was long and provided lots of pears. In response to fruit juice candy the libation flattened but did offer some apricots.

This review of a Chilean Viognier continues on my web site at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_racv.php
 

A Central Italian Pinot Noir

Wine Reviewed
Borgo Reale Selection Pinot Nero IGT Kosher 2011 12.5 % alcohol about $15.

Borgo Reale Pinot Noir

There were no marketing materials so let’s start by quoting the back label. “The Apulian vocated clayey soils and sea breezes make Pinot Noir one of the most intriguing wine among the wide range of the Borgo Reale selection. The colour is an intense red, but it is on the nose that the uniqueness of this wine comes out. You can feel sweet notes of berries and cassis, yet a warm sensation. The palate is elegant, harmonious and well structured. Essential for special occasions and to be enjoyed on its own.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was subtle but excessively sweet and insufficiently acidic. When it encountered a commercial Shepherd’s pie this drink gained in length but was thin and the tannins were virtually absent. Japanese rice crackers made almost no change to my glass’s contents except that the sugar problem worsened. Then I doused the dish with a generous amount of Chinese chili sauce. In response Red lengthened and its acidity perked up. But it was still too sweet.

This review of a  Pinot Noir from Central Italy  continues on my web site at http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Near_weekly_15_dollar_wine_reviews/Y2013/central_italian_pinot_noir.php

Patriarche Pinot Noir

A Languedoc (France) Pinot Noir

Can you get a decent French Pinot Noir at this price?...

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Patriarche Pinot Noir VDP 2011 12.5 % alcohol about $10.

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Pale ruby colour; light cherry and spice aromas; sweet fresh cherry flavour, soft finish. Serving Suggestion : Serve with cold roast beef.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was too sweet. It was long and plummy. When it encountered a commercial Shepherd’s pie this drink offered balanced acidity and tannins but it was thin and too sweet. Japanese rice crackers strengthened and lengthened the contents of my glass. Then I doused the dish with a liberal amount of Chinese chili sauce. In response Red picked up some pepper.

This review of A Languedoc (France) Pinot Noir continues on my web site
at http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_lfpn.php