Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2011

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2011: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2011
Is this B-V Nouveau worth buying?...

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed
Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2011, 12.5% alcohol about $15.

There were no marketing materials and the back label was silent so let’s quote the Duboeuf web site (only the non Villages offering was described). “For the nose, a veritable palette of bright floral aromas is interlaced among blackberries, wild strawberries and blueberries, with hints of black and red currants. Taste the Beaujolais Nouveau 2011 and revel in its full, smooth body with a fine, silky harmonious texture and exceptional richness.” And now for my review.

At the first sips these fermented grapes presented the taste of dark bubble gum. It was long. The initial meal featured slow cooked beef. This liquid’s acidity was raw. When paired with the accompanying potatoes our French friend’s bubble gum taste intensified. The other side dish was leeks sautéed in olive oil. In response the drink’s acidity was muted but I still noted some harshness. I doused the meat with Louisiana hot sauce and still got raw acidity.

This review of a Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2011 continues on my website.

An Abruzzi Italy Vino Novello 2011

An Abruzzi Italy Vino Novello 2011: An Abruzzi Italy Vino Novello 2011
Do you want to party with this Vino Novello?...

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed
Tollo Novello Rosso Terre di Chieti Indicazione Geografica Protetta 2011, 12.5% alcohol about $9.

There were no marketing materials so let’s start by quoting the back label. “A wine that celebrates each year’s harvest and made with 75% Montepulciano and 25% Merlot. GIOCALE is young and fresh wine with a strawberry aroma. The taste is reminiscent of black cherry with a hint of ripe watermelon and a soft, sweet fruit finish. Do not age.” And now for my review.

At the first sips these fermented grapes were sweet and harsh. I tasted some plums. The initial meal featured slow cooked beef. The new liquid offered expressive but not excessive acidity and not a lot of fruit. When paired with the accompanying potatoes our Abruzzi friend’s acidity soured, dominating everything. The other side dish was leeks sautéed in olive oil. In response this wine mellowed and I got a burnt taste in the background. Then I doused the meat with Louisiana hot sauce. But the wine remained raw.

This review of An Abruzzi Italy Vino Novello 2011 continues on my website.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

A Victoria Australia Shiraz

A Victoria Australia Shiraz: A Victoria Australia Shiraz
A real old-time wine maker...

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed
Tahbilk Shiraz 2006, 14.0% alcohol about $15.

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note: With a deep garnet color, the 2006 Shiraz is a little funky / gamey to begin, with a core of ripe blackberries, earth, and cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied with a medium to high level of fine tannins and medium to high acid, it is superbly balanced by concentrated fruit and gives a long spicy finish. Approachable now, this wine should be delicious to 2018+. Score – 92. (Lisa Perotti-Brown, MW, at the Robert Parker website, June 2010.) ” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was somewhat sweet. It was very long and round. And it packed a punch. The initial meal centered on kube, ground beef in ground bulgar jackets in a sour sauce brimming with kale. The Shiraz’s acidity increased. There was lots of dark fruit and the libation was very round. I added lots of Louisiana hot sauce. The wine was still long and dark but by no means improved. When paired with the side salad composed of broccoli shoots, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and red onions this drink remained long but became unbalanced, offering too much acidity.

This review of A Victoria Australia Shiraz continues on my website.

A Central Valley Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

A Central Valley Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon:
And it's Kosher too at this price...

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed
Tierra Salvage Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, 13.5% alcohol about $10.

There were no marketing materials so let’s start by quoting the back label. “Origin: This wine is made from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape produced under the excellent microclimatic conditions of the Lontué Valley. Tasting Characteristics: A young wine of ruby color and fruity aroma. Soft, well balanced body, easy to drink, intense. Recommended to accompany seasoned red and white meats. Best served at room temperature (18º C - 64º F).” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was very refreshing with nice acidity and dark cherries. The initial meal centered on kube, ground beef with ground bulgar jackets swimming in a sour sauce brimming with kale. The Cab was long and fruity, offering almost no tannins but a touch of chocolate. This wine had power. After I added lots of Louisiana hot sauce the wine soured and lost its edge. When paired with the side salad composed of broccoli shoots, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and red onions this drink became too sweet and also too acidic.

This review of A Central Valley Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon continue on my website.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

A Tasmania, Australia Riesling

A Tasmania, Australia Riesling: A Tasmania, Australia Riesling
A cool little wine-making island south of the Australian mainland...

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed
Tamar Ridge Devil’s Corner Riesling 2008 12.0% alcohol about $15

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. Tasting Note : A lifted, exotic bouquet with lime and tropical fruit; the palate is generous and rich with an abundance of sweet fruit coming through on the finish. Drink [until] 2014. Score - 91. (James Halliday, on the Australian wine companion website, March 2009) And now for my review.
Tamar Ridge vineyards in moderate priced wine

At the first sips the wine had a touch of sweetness, tasting of lime, and presenting refreshing acidity. The initial pairing was with a cheeseless lasagna based on a moderately spicy salsa. This Riesling was palate cleansing with strong acidity, good length, and some sweetness. There was lime in the finish. The accompaniment was spinach pancakes with potatoes, oat bran, and garlic. And now the wine was sweeter but too acidic.

This review of A Tasmania, Australia Riesling continues on my website.

A Blended White Catalan Wine

A Blended White Catalan Wine:



OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed
Don Alfonso Cabernet Sauvignon (V) 2009 12.5% alcohol about $10

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. Tasting Note : Pale straw yellow with a green tinge; floral with citrus aroma; light body, crisp acidity, medium length finish, good quality wine. Serving Suggestion : Serve with seafood or pasta dishes. And now for my review.
Rene Barbier vineyards in tasting cheap wine

At the first sips the wine was quite light tasting of unripe apples. Its acidity was somewhat harsh. The initial pairing was with a cheeseless lasagna based on a moderately spicy salsa. Now the wine’s acidity was more refreshing perhaps because it was dealing quite well with the dish’s light grease. It seemed that the apples were almost ripe. The accompaniment was pancakes made from spinach, potatoes, oat bran, and garlic. Now the apples were biting but ripe with good, crisp acidity

This review of A Blended White Catalan Wine continues on my website.

Monday, November 21, 2011

A Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

A Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Wine Reviewed
Ruffino Lodola Nuova Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2006 13.5% alcohol about $22

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. Tasting Note : You can't beat the value of this wine: you simply won't find a better wine for the money. Juicy, round and ripe with aromas of black plums, black raspberry and vanilla smoke. Food matches: spicy black bean dishes, steak-and-cheese enchiladas. Score - 89. (Natalie MacLean, at her web site, June 6, 2009)And now for my review.

If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider A Vino Nobile di Montepulciano of northern Italy. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you’ll have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour.

This review of A Vino Nobile di Montepulciano continues on my website.