¡hooray vino!

Bell's Hopslam

2010-03-02T14:32:00.004-05:00

Region: Comstock, Michigan, USA
Brewed With: Honey
ABV: 10%
Price: $20 per six-pack

I have to thank my wonderful friend Melanie for holding onto this one for me. If I had truly known what I was in for, I would have grabbed two.

This very-limited edition brew out of Michigan is a real treat. A beautiful amber tone with a thin head, this beer has a nose that I can only describe as a floral-kiwi with a backing sweetness. On the tongue, the biting bitter is, I am not saying this lightly, perfectly complimented by the slight honey sweetness ushering in a fruity backbone that lingers and lingers through it's silky-smooth finish. I won't say best beer ever, mostly because there are so many left to taste, but this is the best brew I have had the fortune in tasting. If you like good craft beer and can gets your hands on a sixer of this, you would be a fool to pass it up.

Poured out of a 12oz. bottle into a slim pilsner glass for enjoyment purposes, as would be best for a pale ale.

Repeated Absence

2010-03-02T14:27:00.002-05:00

If I was in school, I would have been expelled. Life is such an amazing phenomenon and it loves to throw curve-balls at you every chance it gets. Alright, I am gonna keep this brief and move along to my first new review, though I cannot promise how often I will be able to keep this up. Here it goes:

I am beginning a sommelier's course!

Yeah, I am thrilled. Learning the knowledge to really set me down the wine road is an exciting prospect. I will keep you all informed. And now, a beer review.

Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau 2009

2009-11-19T10:43:00.004-05:00

Region: Beaujolais, France
Grapes: 100% Gamay
ABV: 12.5%
Price: $10

As you see, after three years or so, I finally figured out how to take pictures with my Macbook...but I digress.

Like the Duboeuf, the Drouhin Nouveau has that light, almost juice-like color, but unlike last year's vintage, this wine has legs. Not much, but more than I expected out of a Beaujolais Nouveau. The aroma is fruity, almost like a dessert. Very light, with a cherry and dark fruit flavor that clings to your mouth. Not as rich as the Duboeuf, but pleasant.

EDIT: I am changing my story. After sitting out for 30 minutes to an hour, the Drouhin becomes a much more mellow, well-rounded drink with a richness that isn't as punch-you-in-the-face as the Duboeuf. This is truly the better wine of the two, it just needs a moment to find itself.

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2009

2009-11-19T10:38:00.002-05:00

Region: Beaujolais, France
Grapes: 100% Gamay
ABV: 12.5%
Price: $10

With the color of grape juice you would buy at the supermarket, this wine is a simple harvest wine that exudes a fresh, fruity aroma with a hint of herb. Flavor-wise, it is an uncomplicated cherry tart with that hint of herbiness showing through in the background. Maybe tart is too sweet a term, but there is a light, distinct sweetness to this wine. Give it a slight chill and have it with a light fare meal, especially poultry.

The Third Thursday Of November

2009-11-19T10:34:00.002-05:00

Every year on the third Thursday of November, the new vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau is released. It is a tradition that, I believe, dates back to World War 2 when Germany destroyed a large amount of vineyards in France. This "New Wine" is released on the same day each year and is a "drink-now" variety. Last year was terrible. Lets see how this year stacks up...

d'Arenberg's The Stump Jump 2007

2009-10-26T11:02:00.006-05:00

Region: Adelaide, Australia
Grapes: 62% Riesling, 18% Sauvignon Blanc, 8% Marsanne, 6% Viognier, 6% Chardonnay
ABV: 13%
Price: $12

Pale in color with the scent of sweet lemon custard, you would believe this wine to be sweeter than it in fact is. Only slightly sweet with a pleasantly tart acidity. Simple, but a good choice for someone trying to move into drier wines for the first time.

Region: Southern Australia
Grapes: 50% Grenache, 29% Shiraz, 21% Mourvedre
ABV: 14
Price: $12

Light ruby in your glass. Almost bright. Nose of dark fruits and oak with plum and blackberry standing out on the palate with a delicious spice overlay. Wonderful finish. Best $12 red you will buy this year.

Port-Salut

2009-10-14T09:29:00.003-04:00

Origin: France
Where & When: Whole Foods, October 10, 2009
Milk: Cow
Style: Semi-soft/Washed-rind
How Used: On a cheese board with sea-salt pita crackers

Modeled after a cheese previously made by Trappist monks. Strong aromas lead into a very mild cheesewith a salty-sweet flavor. Texture is soft like a spreadable cheese, but spongy and springy in that it won't spread and it will return to original shape. We found it delicious on crackers and would make a great addition to a cheese platter at a party.

El Nido Clio 2006

2009-10-09T13:11:00.004-04:00

Region: Jumillia, Spain
Grapes: 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 70% Monastrell
ABV: 15.5%
Price: $50

This wine is a beast to be tamed, to be sure. After it's first three vintages, this fourth continues to rank up there with some of the best wine out of Spain, maybe out of all of Europe, this year. With its completely opaque inkiness and almost incense-like nose, this wine hits you with a full-bodied punch of dark fruit, cranberry and brown sugar-cinnamon with a slight earth and oak note hanging out in the background. Epicurean.

Goldeneye Pinot Noir 2006

2009-10-08T12:34:00.005-04:00

Region: Anderson Valley, California
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
ABV: 14.5%
Price: $60

Admittedly a little young, but with a couple hours in a decanter, it opened up wonderfully! With a very light color and a delicate nose, Goldeneye's 2006 offering is light and tart with elements of tobacco, coffee, and earth backed with brightness and lovely red berry notes. Complex and will become even more inviting as a few more years pass.

Unfashionably Late

2009-10-08T08:35:00.002-04:00

Yeah, I'm still here, still drinking wine, eating cheese, enjoying good brew. Still keeping notes. Reading a book on understanding cheese. Reading another on the adventures of outlaws after the collapse of the United States. New post (probably) coming soon.

Graveyard Post, Part 1 of ?

2009-07-16T13:40:00.007-04:00

Here's the thing: I have been slacking. I know to you few who read this blog, this isn't news. Here is the deal: I have a lot of reviews written down, but a great deal of it probably can no longer be found or is phasing out. In an effort to not be wasteful, I am going to cram all the wine that I think may be old news here. Who knows? You may find some of it and this will be of use. No pictures, just text.

Bergevin Lane Syrah 2004

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington

Grapes: Syrah

ABV: 14.9%
Price: $20

Deep purple, spicy and full of jammy blackberries. Pleasant acidity.

Flat Bed Red Zinfandel 2005

Region: Napa Valley, California

Grapes: Zinfandel

ABV: 14.5%
Price: $15

Dry with notes of cherries and strawberries. Punch-In-The-Face flavor.

Mauritson Zinfandel 2005

Region: Dry Creek Valley, California

Grapes: Zinfandel

ABV: 15.1%
Price: $20

Dark, spicy, light in body and flavor with a cherry bite. A little bitter on the finish. Probably not one of their better years.

Weingut Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner 2005

Region: Germany

Grapes: Riesling

ABV: 12%
Price: $17

Bright, with a nose of grapefruit and melon, this riesling seems to have quite a bit in common with a sauvignon blanc. Light acidity, somewhat sweet, but with very enticing citrus notes.

Chateau Guirauton 2006

Region: Graves, France

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion

ABV: 12.5%
Price: $16

Golden, full of melon, lemon/lime with a mineral backing. Very full-bodied.

Waterbrook Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 13.7%
Price: $20

Thick and dark with a spicy nose. Bone dry on the palate, spicy, raspberry and an oaky finish.

Longhop Boomerang Shiraz 2005

Region: Adelaide, Australia

Grapes: Shiraz

Price: $14

Ruby, with scents of cherries and tobacco. Spicy, earthy tobacco flavors give way to a lingering cherry finish.

Pillar Box White 2006

Region: Padthaway, Australia

Grapes: 66% Chardonnay, 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 14% Verdelho

ABV: 12.5%
Price: $10

Amber in color and incredibly light and crisp in flavor. Cool and refreshing.

Chateau Guirauton 2006

Region: Graves, France

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion

ABV: 12.5%
Price: $16

Golden, full of melon, lemon/lime with a mineral backing. Very full-bodied.

Well, that should start us up. I have a ton more, but I should get back to work. We will continue shortly. Until next time, enjoi!

Hugues de Beauvignac Coteaux du Languedoc Picpoul-de-Pinet 2008

2009-07-16T13:27:00.005-04:00

Region: Coteaux du Languedoc, France

Grapes: 100% Piquepoul Blanc (Picpoul-de-Pinet)

ABV: 12.5%
Price: $12

Its a mouthful to say, but worth the effort! Pale gold bliss with a soft tangy-floral nose. Very smooth and mellow, full of ripe pear and lemon with a citrusy-floral finish with just enough oak to give it a slight butteriness. Would compliment seafood or alfredo pasta wonderfully.

Clos de los Siete 2006

2009-06-12T16:28:00.002-04:00

Region: Mendoza, Argentina

Grapes: 45% Malbec, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah
Price: $20

Made by the renowned Michel Rolland, this blend is dry, heavy and toasty with notes of vanilla, coffee, tart cherries and rich plum. Bright acidity, silky tannins, full-bodied and mouth-filling with a long, lingering finish.

Cousiño-Macul Cabernet Sauvignon Antiguas Reservas 2006

2009-06-12T16:24:00.003-04:00

Region: Maipo Valley, Chile

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $18

Sour cherries fill the nose and palate leaving a lingering finish of a dry, tart bite. A little acidic for a cabernet.

Portal del Alto Carménère Gran Reserva 2005

2009-06-12T16:16:00.003-04:00

Region: Maule Valley, Chile

Grapes: Carménère
Price: $10

Carménère is a rare grape these days now only grown in South America. Once thought to be Merlot, it was since discovered that this long-lost grape (that was ripped out of French vineyards because of believed inferiority) thrives in places like Chile. I haven't had Carménère before, so I thought this would be a real treat. I do not know if this is typical of the grape, but I found that the wine would not open up aromatically. It had a very earthy smell with little fruit to speak of. Did this wine surprise, though! Dry, but loaded with dark berries and plum on the palate with a great finish. Delightful!

Portal del Alto Merlot Gran Reserva 2007

2009-06-12T16:13:00.002-04:00

Region: Maipo Valley, Chile

Grapes: Merlot
Price: $10

Slight preface: I am not normally a Merlot fan. I don't mind it in meritages, but to my palate they are typically a little bitter. Good news here, though. This wine, while very light with a lot of good fruit flavors, was not bitter to me. Light, though.

Portal del Alto Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2005

2009-06-12T16:09:00.002-04:00

Region: Maipo Valley, Chile

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $10

A light color and toasty oak aroma offset this heavy red full of dark fruits, oak and minerals. This wine will pony-up to any steak you throw at it.

Famiglia Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

2009-06-12T09:29:00.002-04:00

Region: Argentina

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $15

Light ruby, with notes of oak and dark fruit on the nose. Toasty & peppery with the fruit breaking through, bone-sucking dry on the palate with an intense, long finish.

Famiglia Bianchi Malbec 2006

2009-06-12T09:12:00.004-04:00

Region: Argentina

Grapes: Malbec

Price: $15

Dark in color, bright in flavor. Aged in French and American oak barrels for 10 months. No worries about it being too oaky, though. Very fruit-forward. Full of ripe cherries and black fruits. Acidic, but very pleasant.

South American Wine Spam?

2009-06-12T09:04:00.002-04:00

Don't mind if I do.

For those not in "the know", South America is one of the top regions to find inexpensive, yet impressive vino. Wine Spectator's Wine Of The Year was Clos Apalta from Casa Lapostolle in Chile. Don't take their word for it, though. Find your own answers in the world of wine. Its not the question of what someone else likes, but what you like.

Personal opinion: for the money, reds from Argentina and Chile are hard to beat. They tend to be ripe and vibrant and the wineries use some of the latest technology and techniques to keep variation down from one vintage to the next. What does that mean for you? It means that if you liked that 2007 Alamos Malbec from Mendoza (which, for under $10, is a steal and is completely delicious), you will most likely enjoy the 2008 as well.

Where does that leave us? Tasting notes coming.

Vinterra Chardonnay 2006

2009-05-18T12:47:00.003-04:00

Region: Napa Valley, California

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 13.5%
Price: $15

Light and bright at first glance with a pleasant nose of melon, comes across very earthy and oaky, almost, but not completely, masking a background of citrus. Very dry. For oak lovers.

Tin Roof Sauvignon Blanc 2005

2009-05-18T12:36:00.005-04:00

Region: North Coast, California

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

ABV: 13.5%

Price: $7

Pale amber with lots of crisp citrus and tangy tropical fruits. Very acidic, but not unpleasant. Would be great with spicy food.

Miguel Torres Santa Digna Cabernet Rosé 2007

2009-05-17T16:07:00.004-04:00

Region: Chile

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 14%

Price: $9

A very deep ruby for a rosé wine with a nose of grapefruit and melon. These continue on the taste buds with an added plummy-ness. Light alcohol burn with the finish due to high content. Very rich for a rosé.

Les Tours de Beaumont 2005 Haut-Médoc

2009-05-17T15:50:00.004-04:00

Preface: I have so many of these things to put up. This is a little thing called "ketchup".

Region: Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, France

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

ABV: 13%
Price: $14

Light bodied, with a nose of toasty wood and sweet berries. Tannins are a little too strong, overwhelming what might otherwise be a fine, if a little light, red blend. Blackberry is drowned leaving only the spicy tannins and bits of oak.

Samuel Adams Imperial Double Bock

2009-05-15T22:52:00.004-04:00

Preface: So, I am on a strange beer kick.

Region: Ohio, USA
Type: Double Boch
Price: $10 for a 4-pack
Alcohol Level: 9.5%

Dark, rich, with a distinct malty sweetness as well and a nice complimenting bitterness and woodiness.

Unibroue Trois Pistoles

2009-05-03T09:48:00.005-04:00

Region: Quebec, Canada
Type: Strong Dark Ale
Finish: Bottle Fermented
Price: $12 for a 4-pack
Alcohol Level: 9%

And now for something completely different! This beer is a thing of beauty. Pitch black opacity with a small head, this beer has a very strong roasted flavor that hits the palate like a 2x4, but with a sweetness that seems to almost mirror a dessert wine in the finish. It is a monster of a beer. Drink from either a goblet or a cognac glass for optimal feel and flavor. Unibroue claims it will cellar for up to eight years. Enjoy responsibly, as it hits you rather hard.

Vinturi Wine Aerator

2009-04-23T08:30:00.003-04:00

Preface: Some call it a break, I call it unexcused laziness. Here we go once more into the breach!

What Does It Do?: This simple little device makes most wine better. Period.

What Is It Good For?: Everything.
Price: $40

This device, simply, changes everything. If you like wine and don't have a budget for pre-aged Rothchilds or Sassicaias, or the time or space to cellar wine to the optimal age, or don't want to leave the bottle open all day waiting for the wine to finally open up, this gadget is a must.

A must.

The Vinturi Wine Aerator is a simple device. Place it over your glass, pour wine through, drink! The Vinturi pumps just the right amount of air into the wine, opening up the nose and blasting the flavors forward, while in most cases quelling the astringent bite that many wines can have. It works for both red and white (even though they have two different products aimed individually at red or white, they are both the exact same, just a different color).

It won't make a bad wine good, but it can make a mediocre wine great and a good wine fantastic. Highly recommended.

La Ninota Priorat 2005

2008-09-05T11:17:00.003-04:00

Preface: Huge break...sorry about that. Here we go again!
Region: Catalogne, Spain
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot, Tempranillo, Carignan
Price: $18

This dark red meritage (pronouced like heritage) from Spain has a nice body and can only be described as "ultra-dry" (ie, it will make you want a glass of water afterwards). The nose is a strange oaky-plumy beast and the wine is full of ripe black fruit (plums and dark berries) with hints of coffee and spice.

Conde de Valdemar Reserva 2004

2008-07-24T08:23:00.004-04:00

Preface: So I was lazy this week...here is part 7 of my 11 part series of Spanish wine...
Region: Rioja, Spain
Grapes: Tempranillo
Price: $22

The Conde de Valdemar is a nice full-bodied red with a beautiful ruby red color and notes of raspberry and oak. Would be great with a meal off the grill.

Viña Mayor Reserva 2002

2008-07-18T07:02:00.004-04:00

Preface: Part 6 of my 11 part series of Spanish wine...
Region: Ribera del Duero, Spain
Grapes: Primarily Tempranillo
Price: $18

This red was aged for 5 years before being released to the unsuspecting public. Was it worth the wait? Personally, I don't think so. It has a very heavy aroma of tobacco, is incredibly dry and somewhat like leather with the hint of cherries and oak in the background.

Cosme Palacio Y Hermanos Rioja 2004

2008-07-16T07:07:00.005-04:00

Preface: Part 5 of my 11 part series of Spanish wine...salud!
Region: Rioja, Spain
Grapes: 100% Tempranillo
Price: $10
Alcohol Level: 13.5%

Another incredibly dry red, this one with an undefinable nose (my collegues and I were thinking possibly the french oak barrel it was aged in coming out very strongly). While the nose is not very appealing, the wine was a nice light red with flavors of spice, coffee, prunes and blueberries.

Barahonda Monastrell 2006

2008-07-14T08:40:00.005-04:00

Preface: Part 4 of my 11 part series of Spanish vino...enjoy!
Region: Yecla, Spain
Grapes: 100% Monastrell (Mourvedre)
Price: $12
Alcohol Level: 14.5%

Bone-suckingly dry with loads of tannins. Medium red in color with a spicy nose. I get cherries and licorice out of this wine, but they are hidden behind the bold tang of the tannins. Not to be enjoyed without food, for sure.

Condesa de Leganza Rose 2006

2008-07-13T10:40:00.005-04:00

Preface: Part 3 of 11 in my ongoing run through Spain...
Region: Castilla La Mancha, La Mancha, Spain
Grapes: 100% Tempranillo
Price: $12

Intense in every way. Dark pink with a very-berry nose. Raspberries and blueberries fill your mouth with every sip and linger for the finish. Delicious and very refreshing.

Falset Marçà Garnacha Rose 2006

2008-07-09T08:08:00.007-04:00

Preface: Part 2 of 11 in my ongoing romp through Spain...
Region: Montsant, Catalonia, Spain
Grapes: 100% Garnacha (Grenache)
Price: $10

Light pink with a nose of sweet cherries. Tastes like cherries, tobacco, and cedar. Not very refreshing, really. Unless you like wood.

Bodegas Algareiro Albariño 2006

2008-07-07T17:09:00.006-04:00

Preface: Took a break for the Forth, but that does not mean that I wasn't enjoying some wonderful (and not so wonderful) wines. This is my first installment of eleven wines from Spain that I recently got a chance to taste. All will be short, sweet, to-the-point and possibly incomplete due to time restrictions (I was at a company tasting and they moved far too quickly). Enjoy.
Region: Rías Baixas, Spain
Grapes: Albariño
Price: $10

Yellow-green in color. A very dry white wine that seemed more like a Pinot Grigio or a typical Chardonnay than anything special. A nice amount of citrus, but lots of floral overtones that I found mildly unpleasant. Nicely balanced acidity, though.

Rosemont Hill Of Gold Shiraz 2004

2008-06-26T23:04:00.002-04:00

Region: Mudgee, Australia
Grapes: Shiraz (Syrah)
Price: $12
Alcohol Level: 13%

Completely against my expectations. Deep purple in color with a nose of spices. Flavor is very spicy, with a slight sweetness behind it, full of dark fruits. "Oaky" comes to mind. Even with all this, the wine was a lot lighter than I expected it to be. Would be recommended to people who like Pinot Noir.

Carmen Reserve Chardonnay 2006

2008-06-23T07:52:00.002-04:00

Region: Valle de Casablanca, Chile
Grapes: Chardonnay
Price: $7
Alcohol Level: 14%

Light amber in color with a sweet nose. This Chardonnay has no oakiness and is very tangy and acidic. I caught flavors of melon, lemon and lime. Citrus flavors linger on the finish.

Diseño Malbec 2006

2008-06-20T09:48:00.004-04:00

Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Grapes: Malbec
Price: $9
Alcohol Level: 13.5%

This wine has the aromas of cherries and blueberries. Maybe raspberries as well. The color is a deep red-purple and the flavors are juicy with a hint of spice. Tart and nicely acidic with a very-berry blueberry finish.

Aberlour 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch

2008-06-14T11:29:00.007-04:00

Region: Speyside, Scotland
Finish: Double Cask Matured - Traditional Oak and Sherry casks
Price: $66
Alcohol Level: 43%

How about this as a change of pace? I am not much of a scotch drinker, but this is no ordinary scotch. With a peppery-sweet nose, his Double-Gold winning(1) scotch fills your mouth with spices that range from ginger to cinnamon with a slight sweetness in the background that was like honey and extra-dark chocolate. The finish is rich and smoky and lingers on your tongue for what seems like forever (and that's not a bad thing at all). Every sip warms your bones like nothing I have ever encountered before. Tried "on the rocks" and "neat" and enjoyed both ways. Intense and wonderful.

My two friends and I shared the entire bottle in one evening.

(1) 2007 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Château du Glana 2003

2008-06-12T11:08:00.007-04:00

Region: St-Julien, Bordeaux
Grapes: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc
Price: $20
Alcohol Level: 13%

Here is a real Bordeaux. 2003 was a really good year in Bordeaux and brought about some very nice wines. The Château du Glana is a bright red wine with the aromas of berries and spice. With a sip, you are greeted with a nice mouthful of spices with a background of dark fruits (I sensed blackberry and plum). Light in body with a very blackberry finish.

My opinion, if you want a French wine for your fancy meal, you would not be disappointed by this wine. It would go great with lamb, sausages from the grill and strong cheeses, but does not have the body for a heavy meat like steak.

Auvigue Mâcon-Villages 2006

2008-06-11T07:41:00.008-04:00

Preface: This is my chance to clean out a bit of a stockpile I had built up of these things. Call me obsessive...

Region: Mâcon-Villages, Burgundy, France
Grapes: Chardonnay
Price: $17
Alcohol Level: 13%

Chardonnay. The most popular varietal of wine in America. This wine, from the taste, has not seen much oak. If you like a big, woody Chardonnay you need to look elsewhere. This wine is a beautiful pale-gold in color and has a sweet and slightly citrus aroma. Upon taste, you are greeted with a very subtle acidity and a nice fruity (somewhat citrusy) mouthful. The finish can only be described as lemony. Would be great with a seafood meal.

Nothing that really stands out, but a really solid bottle of wine.

Shellback Sauvignon Blanc 2007

2008-06-09T21:54:00.007-04:00

Region: East Coast - New Zealand
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
Price: $6
Alcohol Level: 12.5%

This wine is citrus. Like crazy citrus. The scent is very strong (citrus). The flavor is like a hit to the face (with a cornucopia of citrus fruit). I caught the flavors of passion fruit and melon specifically. Very smooth wine with a light acidity.

And its cheap. Like hella cheap. Take this wine to the beach in your cooler. You won't be unhappy. I mean, six bucks? I think you can spare it.

Mouton Cadet (Red) 2005

2008-06-08T23:02:00.009-04:00

Preface: I decided to start off with an inexpensive wine to get the ball rolling. While I have been getting more and more into wine over the past year, I have never decided to brave the classic wine, the bourdeaux wines of France. While I have tried a few, this is the true beginning for my journey into "real" French wine.

Region: Bourdeaux (general)
Grapes: 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
Price: $7

At first glance, this wine has a deep red hue. The coloration shows that this wine will leave you with a major case of wine lips. The wine has a rich aroma of spices with fruit scents in the background that makes for a very pleasant nose. Upon tasting, you are greeted with strong tannins with blackberry and cherry lingering in the background for a smooth finish. This wine has a pleasant tartness to it, and sucks the moisture out of your mouth.

When I bought a $7 Bourdeaux, I suppose I had different expectations. I found this bottle very pleasant after spending about 10 minutes cooling off in the fridge (gotta get it a little closer to that wonderful 65 degrees). This wine will suck the moisture from your mouth, but not to the point where it is unpleasant. It does not specify a region, which I assume means that the grapes just come from wherever. Thankfully 2005 was a great year in Bourdeaux. While I have had wines I have enjoyed much more, for seven bucks, you cannot go wrong with this French table wine. This would go great with a steak or maybe some lasagna, and it won't cost you a fortune should you have company to share it with.

The Beginning Of The Ending!

2008-06-08T00:21:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the Untamed Palate. I work in a wine shop and I want to share my love of wine with other people. Here I will try to review at least one wine a week, giving you my thoughts on taste, consistency, scent and anything else that would affect your enjoyment of this wonderful substance. Thank you and enjoy.