Deep ruby. 80% Grenache, but the red berry and black pepper traits typical of Grenache are not as prominent as you might think. 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre produce darker tones of black and blue berries, blue plums and cassis. Firm tannins but sleek texture on the mid-palate and finish. Beautiful now but will probably improve.
Dark crimson, still bright; lightening at the borders. It takes awhile for the bouquet to open but it is well worth the wait. Very aromatic: cherries, earth, rosemary and thyme. And the flavors are even more enticing. Full bodied and rich. Sweet fruit backed by savory tones of tobacco, sea salt and black olives. Powerful, powerful finish. The perfect match for rack of lamb.
Deep gold, looks more mature than it is. Lively smells and flavors--tropical fruit, oak, toasted brioche, butter, vanilla, a touch of honey. Rich and full bodied but equally fresh and vibrant. Would be very enjoyable on its own or at the dinner table.
Nothing cheap about this wine. It sells for about $30 but I bought it for a bit less through Wine Spies.
Medium ruby, still almost as dark as the 2005 Greysac but shading to garnet a bit earlier. Red currants and cherries here plus cassis, leather and cedar. Still has that Poujeaux charm on the mid-palate; ripe and generous. Memories of past greatness show up on the lovely finish.
Medium deep gold. Lively smells of flowers, lime and melon. Has an acidic edge and mineral flavors I associate with Oregon Chardonnay. At this stage of development, I don't detect the lemon curd texture I love in Chardonnays from Willakenzie, Willamette Valley Vineyards and Sokol Blosser wines. For a general Oregon appellation (not even Willamette Valley), however, Roofline offers an impressive array of complex, savory smells and flavors.
Medium light garnet. Fresh berries more than cherries, violets more than roses. but unmistakeably Piedmont Nebbiolo. Aromas and flavors that expand over the course of the meal. Crisp on the mid-palate, ripe on the finish. Not a Barolo but not a quaffer. Clearly a wine that demands to be taken seriously. For $20, I am a buyer.
Light ruby/garnet n color with orangish tones typical of Nebbiolo that has not been aged in barriques--a plus for me. Has all the classic smells and flavors--cherries, roses, violets, raspberries and a touch of black licorice--understated but clearly present. Also that characteristic dryness on the mid-palate, even though the wine is surprisingly high (4.g/L) in residual sugar. (Acidity is 5.5 g/L.) Light in body and power for a Nebbiolo but that doesn't detract from its presence at the dinner table. It goes very well with an Autumn vegetable-oriented meal.
Will it age? I really don't know but I have never met a Nebbiolo wine that didn't gain complexity and depth with several years in the bottle.
Bold, dark color as expected. Incredibly complex bouquet: raspberries, dark cherries, vanilla, chocolate...and more. Rich texture with layer after layer of deep, complex flavors. By nature, Ripasso is slightly sweet, but you wouldn't know it because of the bold, delightfully bitter tannins on the finish. Opens with a flourish, ends with an bang.
Darker than most Pinots in color. Also darker in smells and flavors. At 1800 feet, the Perli Vineyard is above the fog line and, as a result, gets more exposure to sunlight. Black and blue berries, flowers, anise seed and earth. Ripe and friendly with a nice acidic edge. Drinks beautifully now but has good tannic structure for aging.
Medium ruby, has lightened a bit over the last few years. Cherries, dark berries, earth, a touch of clove. Medium bodied, rich texture, characteristic Barbera acidity. This wine has spent some time in new oak but tannins have softened and ripe fruit is showing through. Delicious, medium long finish.
Cork is long and shows only a tiny line of red at the lower end. Medium dark ruby, clear and bright. Has the Thalabert profile and personality. Black currants, cassis, leather. Ripe, almost lush but with characteristic intensity and acidity. Long, complex Thalabert finish. Probably not as good nor as ageworthy as Thalaberts from the 1980s or early 1990s but still very good.
Medium light ruby shading to garnet. Wild red raspberries and cranberries, leather and spice. Ripe fruit with pleasing acidity. Medium long finish. Not as intense as the 2006 but no complaints.
Deep and dark. Blackberries, dark cherries and spice. Lush and smooth. 13% alcohol and residual sugar that is just below what many tasters detect. Well received. We also had the 2024 version which was more fruit forward but not quite as smooth or aromatic. For $5.99 at Trader Joe's, this and other wines from Epicuro are excellent values.
Medium deep, bright dark cherry color. This wine is a 60/40 blend of Grenache and Syrah--more Syrah than most CDR wines and that is showing. More black than red berries, dark cherries, anise seed and a touch of black pepper. Not at all like Gigondas but unique smells and flavors that I like. Ripe fruit, supple tannins, tasty finish..
Light pink color, almost a rose. Smells like a Pinot Noir. Tastes like a Pinot Noir. Fresh red berries and cherries, well defined and detailed. Great acid/tannic balance. Shows the delicacy and depth of a good Pinot Noir. I poured out half a glass a half hour before dinner so I could taste the wine at room temperature as well as chilled. I preferred the room temperature; Donna, the chilled version. Take your choice; it's a nice wine.
Medium dark, no oak, according to the winemaker. Black fruits--berries, plums, currants--plus some lavender, black pepper and leafy notes. Also hints of black olives reminiscent of bottles of Jaboulet's Domaine Thalabert Crozes when I drank them in their youth in the 1980s. Who knows? Whatever, the wine sells for $14.99, and I am a buyer.
Very deep and dark red. Black fruit and dark grape skin tones. No oak that I can detect but plenty of tannin. Compared to Barbera, Dolcetto is generally high in tannin, low in acidity, but this Dolcetto has enough acid to balance the bitter and lead to a firm, delicious finish.
Medium ruby. Not much new oak, if any. Beautiful smells of roses, violets and fresh fruit. Cherries and more cherries--tart enough to tease your taste buds and sweet enough to give pleasure. Enough tannins to provide a firm structure but supple enough to let the flavors shine through. I can't find anything to fault with this wine, except that I never buy enough.
Full yellow gold. Unique smells and flavors: white peaches and cream, honey, lemon curd. Rich texture but not buttery. Long, deep, complex finish One of the favorite whites at our table.
Very pale, bright and clean. Some floral notes in the aroma. Very refreshing: green apple, lime, pear and honeydew melon. Lean and clean with just the right amount of acidity and fresh fruit. For $4.99??
Medium ruby, bright and clear. Grenache strawberries covered with freshly ground black pepper. Syrah body and structure and Carignan spice. Drinks so beautifully at every stage of development and with any meal--from fine dining to carry out pizza. This is my last bottle; I must go and get more.
Deep and dark. Black and red berries, purple plums, lavender. Lots of Syrah qualities. A plush, fruit-filled wine with some weight and complexity on the mid-palate. A good match for the iconic Grillade and Grits dish that is always on the Roadhouse Sunday menu.
Medium garnet with the orangish tints characteristic of Nebbiolo. The characteristic smells and flavors of Nebbiolo are also present. Flowers and tea on the nose Dark cherries, tobacco and black licorice on the palate. Full bodied (although only 13.5% alcohol) with asssertive tannins that fill the mouth and coat the tongue. Dry and savory. Delicious berry fruit on the finish. Suggestions of Barolo at a fraction of the price.
The cork crumbles even though it is completely dry and there is no sign of past leakage. Just a cheap cork, I decide, and this wine deserves better. Very deep and dark. Lush and luxurious. Black berries, very ripe plums and fig. A touch of tobacco on the finish. 15.5% alcohol, but the wine carries it well, perhaps because of higher than expected acidity. Old soil or not, Heathcote is capable of producing top quality Shiraz, and this is a delicious example.
Medium light color. From the first sniff, I start thinking "Viognier," and it is indeed 60% Viognier. Lovely aromatics, pink and white flowers, honey. Apricot flavors on the palate and medium body echoing well constructed blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, Bourboulanc and Grenache Blanc. Elegance, freshness, strength and purity.
Medium ruby, very similar to the Vinsobres. Probably stainless steel and concrete. Classic Southern Rhone: fresh strawberries and red raspberries with peppery spice. More red fruit than the Vinsobres, more acidity, less alcohol (14.5% vs 15%) and more intense smells and flavors. Also has been in the bottle for an additional year. This is my kind of wine. Excellent value at $9.99.
Medium ruby, bright and clear. No sign of new oak aging. 52% Grenache, 48% Syrah, but has the upfront friendliness of wines with higher Grenache content. Fresh berries along with black pepper and licorice. Fruit flavors seem somewhat dilute compared to some of my Southern Rhone favorites, perhaps because of the relatively high alcohol (15%). . But the wine is drinking well right now, and I will buy more if I see it again on the shelves.
Bright and dark, some browning at the edges. Cabernet smells of bright cherry and currants. Savory salinity that brings out subtle nuances. Tobacco and minerals. Has been aged in French oak, but I don't detect any oak influence at this stage. Blends beautifully with the flavors of red wine braised beef.
The label states that acidity is 6.15 g/L with a pH of 3.60 and 12.5% ABV. That's much more acidic than most wines today. And that may well be the reason it tastes so delicious after 39 years in the bottle.
Deep ruby with bricking near the rim. Cherries, roses, violets, black tea, vanilla and coffee. Full bodied. Good tension between acid, tannin and ripe fruit. Expresses the powerful rather than the elegant side of Nebbiolo. More like Barolo than Barbaresco. Multi-dimensional finish.
Medium ruby, lightening at the rim. Bright and clear. Enticing Barbera bouquet of fresh cherries and a touch of mint. Red and black currants, tobacco and pepper on the palate. Tannins are grippy but ripe and lovely. Characteristic Barbera acidity keeps it lively and in perfect balance.
Deep gold color, substantially darker than the last bottle I had two years ago. Otherwise it has many of the same qualities but probably should be drunk soon. Pears, white flowers, toasted almonds and blood orange zest. Medium light body, light oak. Much better as it nears room temperature--a good sign for any white wine. Savory, saline notes on deep fruited finish.
Deep and dark. Enchanting bouquet of black berries and currants, cassis and lavender. Beefy notes on the palate with a medium plus body (14.1%) and an exciting level of acidity--far more than I would expect in a New World Syrah. Tannins are no problem here as they might be with a 15-year-old Hermitage or Cornas and the deep-fruited finish is glorious. This 2010 is still available at the winery for $32.50, but I paid $15 at auction in early 2023. There were numerous bottles available at that time; wish I had bought more.
Medium ruby with significant bricking. Powerful scents of dark cherries, rosemary, pepper and cloves carrying over to classic Gigondas fruit with an uplifting chalky note on the mid-palate. Cayron power, charm and complexity. Long finish.
Deep yellow, bright and clear. Upfront smells and flavors of pear, melon, vanilla with some floral scents. Full bodied and rich, yet with brisk acidity. Now, as the wine airs and warms, the minerals start taking over. Salty, savory, mineral driven. Long, complex finish.
I bought this from Wine Spies for $19. For that price, I would not hesitate to go back for more if it were available.
Medium dark ruby red, shading to garnet. The wine has spent some time in new oak, but that certainly has not diminished its lovely Nebbiolo bouquet. Roses, violets, crushed berries and black tea. Tannins that are grippy but fine textured and countered by red cherry acidity. Long finish with substantial complexity.
Without Nebbiolo on the label, this wine apparently does not sell well in this country, and I have obtained several vintages of this wine on WineBid for $10 or $15 a bottle. They drink well at 8 to 10 years of age, but I suspect they will go even longer.
Very light with amber tones but bright and clear. A glorious fruit and flower bouquet that gets better and better with every swirl and every sniff. I could quit right now and be happy. Delicacy personified. Red raspberries, cherries, ripe and lovely. Tongue tingling acidity. Savory, peppery tones emerge on the long finish.
Full gold. Rich and exciting smells and flavors that change and grow over the course of the meal. Peaches, pears, lemon peel and spice with a touch of honey. Has the body and texture you expect from a red wine. Grabs your attention and doesn't let go.
Medium ruby with amber tones. Expressive nose of berries, cherries, violets and aromatic herbs. Pleasantly warm (14%) on mid-palate. Ripe fruit balanced against fresh acidity. Very traditional. Just the way I like Gigondas.
Medium deep, orangish tones. The bouquet is a bit less vibrant than it was on our last bottle a couple of years ago. The wine was aged in French oak barriques. Flavors, though, are fresh and bright--cherries, black licorice, minerals and earth. Medium body with a good balance of fruit and acidity. Finish that gets longer and more satisfying as the meal progresses.
Deep, dark violet ruby. Bold and spicy Carignan. Dark cherries, blue plums, aromatic herbs. Smoother and less rustic than I expected from old vine Carignan. Bright flavors pick up nuances on second night. Good wine and may get better with more time in cellar.
Beautiful light pink. Wild berries, flowers, white peaches, aromatic herbs. Silky and light on the palate with refreshing acidity. Long, fruity finish.
Medium dark violet/ruby, slightly dull. Syrah black fruits on first night, Grenache red fruit emerges on second night. Spiced cherries and black raspberries. A bit hard on mid-palate, opening up a bit on second night. Good wine but doesn't measure up to my expectations of Cairanne established by the very fine wines of Domaine L'Oratoire Saint Martin.
Bright ruby with amber at the edges. Looking mature at seven years of age and also showing maturity in its smells and flavors. All for the better. Dark cherries, black licorice, pepper and aromatic spices. Good Barbera acidity. Pleasantly gritty tannins on mid-palate add texture and flavor interest. Drinking beautifully right now.
Deep tawny color, clear and bright. Beautiful lifted tawny bouquet. Dried fruit, nuts, dates and exotic spices. Good viscosity and acid. Sweet, smooth and long. Eveybody at our table loved this wine, even those who are not regular port drinkers. I gave it 17.0/20.
Very dark, opaque, purplish. Aromas are a bit muted at first but gradually open. Very ripe flavors--dark cherries, mint, spicy oak. Supple tannins, light acidity. Sweet, medium length finish. My score: 16.0
