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Entries Tagged as 'wine'

MacMurray Ranch 2007 Central Coast Pinot Noir

January 1st, 2009 · No Comments · wine

Well, dear reader, it has been over two months since a decent review, so we had better get cracking with a new year approaching fast freshly arrived. Not sure where we picked this bottle up, but no matter – this is better than just decent pinot noir for under $20 (I think it’s less than [...]

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Zonte’s Footstep Shiraz Viognier blend

May 8th, 2008 · No Comments · wine

From Langhorne Creek in Australia, another red blend. My wife really enjoyed this blend of shiraz and viognier, but I was just okay with it. This wine is packed with fruit and has the hint of sweetness and butteryness of a viognier. It even has some subtle pepper from the shiraz. This would be a [...]

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Cline Oakley four Whites

May 8th, 2008 · No Comments · wine

We’ve been noticing how vineyards are assembling interesting blends of whites and reds. Just when you finally settled on a preference for a cabernet franc/shiraz blend over a cab sauvignon/pinot noir, now we see blends of multiple varietals, which in the whites has become really intruiging. Hmm. The label on this particular bottle has a [...]

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2003 Tempranillo/Shiraz Valencia “Tempra Tantrum”

April 30th, 2008 · No Comments · wine

Yummy! Nice bite, solid red nose, this is a great wine with red, rare steak or even a meaty pizza. I have to admit, I was skeptical with a name like Tempra Tantrum, but one the first swill, I was convinced. Good solid woody, earthy nose and hints of ripe berry, this finishes very smoothly [...]

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Champagne: Veuve Clicquot NV Brut Cuvée

January 25th, 2008 · No Comments · wine

The grand dame (widow, actually) of Champagne, this is one of our all-time favorites. Excellent with cheeses, spicy dishes and we’ll find any excuse to open a bottle. Exceptional bubble feel, very smooth, almost velvety, with complex blends of lemon, lime, pear, butter and honey. On the finish there’s ever so subtle suggestive notes of [...]

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La Crema 2006 Pinot Noir

January 19th, 2008 · No Comments · wine

A very nice Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – beautiful ruby color, delicate blackberry, cherry and earthy notes, wonderfuly smooth. Mild tannins on the finish – very tolerable. Overall, I’d say this was an exceptionally smooth, well-rounded pinot. What I have a hard time discriminating is the bouquet – it’s either very simple and nonintrusive, or [...]

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The Crossings 2006 Unoaked Chardonnay

January 17th, 2008 · No Comments · wine

This is a delightfully light and crisp New Zealand chardonnay. It starts with notes of pear and lemon, and develops into a nutty buttery almost olive-like finish. This would probably pair well with some sharp or full-flavored cheeses. If you like your chardonnays to be more fruity and less oaky, this is probably a good [...]

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Clos Mimi 2005 “petite rousse” Syrah

January 11th, 2008 · No Comments · wine

Light, fruity syrah with simple bouquet. It has a light taste, ever so slightly spicy, and on the finish I could swear there’s a little mint – spearmint? This is a good afternoon before-the-barbecue red – this could go well with burgers but it’s a bit too light for the main course (or at least, [...]

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Black Opal Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

January 11th, 2008 · No Comments · wine

label: “…packed with ripe black cherry characteristics and a smooth, soft taste…” This is a Cabernet that tastes very solid and mature – almost more plum than cherry. A little hint of pepper, as though there were a Cab Franc struggling to get out. Very smooth, great mouthfeel. This is a nice wine to enjoy [...]

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Champagne: Domaine Ste. Michelle Extra Dry

January 1st, 2008 · No Comments · wine

Lovely, lightest golden color. No ‘winey’ aftertaste. Overwhelming favorite from the group – complex nose with many fruits. Difficult to compare to bruts, a completely different style of champagne. Up next: comparison to other Ste. Michelles and a head-to-head with Veuve Clicquot, the heavyweight champ. Bubble taste not as refined as the Moët, larger, coarser [...]

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Champagne: Piper Heidsieck Brut

January 1st, 2008 · No Comments · wine

Light gold color. On opening, tasted ‘funny’ – slight chemical or artificial odor? Sweetest tasting brut in the bunch, but also had strongest bitter aftertaste. Driest, crispest taste – sweet hints of apple on nose. Generally liked least from tasting group. Bubble taste: not nearly as refined feeling as the Moët. Overall: disappointingly bitter.

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Champagne: Moet & Chandon White Star

January 1st, 2008 · No Comments · wine

Medium-light golden color – dry lemon taste. Tasters had varying opinions, but generally fair. Slightly bitter aftertaste. Bubble taste (the bubbly version of mouth-feel) was much smoother, finer, refined feel. Overall: solid, well-crafted; a safe favorite.

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Muscat: Domain de Durban 2005 Muscat de Beaumes de Venise

December 27th, 2007 · No Comments · wine

Medium golden color, typical syrupy consistency. Smooth, buttery feel with nose of burnt sugar more than caramel, almost like peanut brittle. Almost a bit overwhelming. Perfect match with a good stinky blue cheese.

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Muscat: Two Hands Brilliant Disguise 2006 Moscato

December 27th, 2007 · No Comments · wine

“Kind of like Sprite,” but in the light, citrus-y refreshing style. Nose full of chocolate and pear. Wonderfully bubbly and surprisingly light in color.

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Twenty Rows – 2004 Red Wine

November 8th, 2007 · No Comments · wine

Finally got around to trying this wine, and was I pleasantly surprised.

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