by Winepisser | Nov 24, 2017 | Quick Review
Rose Shiraz? From France? Yes, please! This was the last glass of a tasting of European wines, paired against a plate of cured meats. The nose was almost spicy like gewurtztraminer but the glass was a more tame but sophisticated (dare I say buttoned down?) light sip....
by Winepisser | Nov 24, 2017 | Quick Review
Amber color at the ridges and bright red overall, the nose is subtle with only hints of cherry. On the palate it’s slightly smoky and bright with black cherry. Paired well with spicy chicken dish. Blend is of Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Carignan and...
by Winepisser | Nov 24, 2017 | Uncategorized
This blend is made of Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Chardonnay. Curious blend offered at a super low price but which nevertheless is really not bad. There’s barely no character of the sauvignon Blanc left after all the mixing with viognier and chardonnay but...
by Winepisser | Nov 24, 2017 | Quick Review
Very very weird fizzy drink made from the albilla grape, usually used for Peruvian pisco. Sweet but not raisiny, this almost tastes like Inca Kola for adults. Still it’s not bad and insanely cheap. Give this to folks who hate wine and they might come away happy...
by Winepisser | Nov 24, 2017 | Quick Review
Bad bottle? A tangy unripe mess that disappointed all who tried it. My review doesn’t track with others’ so perhaps disregard it. From Mendoza, which usually provides reliable reds.
by Winepisser | Nov 24, 2017 | Quick Review
Fantastic malbec with intense fruit. Needed time to breathe for sure, though, so allow at least a half hour after opening.
by Winepisser | Nov 24, 2017 | Quick Review
Very pleasant flavors of blackberry and chocolate but lacking in tannins and finish. Nevertheless it was a hit with a large group of wine enthusiasts; just didn’t hit all my buttons.
by Winepisser | Nov 23, 2017 | Quick Review
Lacking character but with some bracing tannins that make up for it. Paired OK with traditional Thanksgiving Day turkey, of all things.
by Winepisser | Nov 22, 2017 | Quick Review
Citrusy lemon overpowers the natural grape here, but otherwise it’s a fine NZ SB. This one is very dry so may not win over those who are not already fans of the region’s sauvignon Blanc. It’s certainly great, but could have benefitted from the...
by Winepisser | Nov 20, 2017 | Quick Review
Competent but unremarkable SB from Sonoma.
by Winepisser | Nov 19, 2017 | Quick Review
No tasting notes.
by Winepisser | Nov 15, 2017 | Quick Review
Bright tart apple smacks bracingly with the usual mineral yumminess of NZ SB proving once more that the kiwis cannot seem to produce a single exception to their standard of excellence. Very nice.
by Winepisser | Nov 14, 2017 | Quick Review
Mosel reez is like sex, even when it’s bad it’s great, unless too much money has changed hands. This one gets middling reviews but is just great nevertheless. Very slight nose, but on the palate it’s traditional German Riesling. Semi sweet with faint...
by Winepisser | Nov 11, 2017 | Quick Review
Faint but floral nose flirts to reveal a fruit forward, bright and almost tart glass once on the tongue. California should pay attention, this is how chardonnay is supposed to be made. Just lovely.
by Winepisser | Nov 10, 2017 | Quick Review
Pungent nose of apple and onion grass is way better than it sounds, and really gives this a unique character. On the palate it’s a bit more traditional in the Cally SB sort of way, with tart fruit prominent here. Lacks the nautical mineral noted of New Zealand...
by Winepisser | Nov 5, 2017 | Quick Review
Ugly blend that is too fruity by half with another half of nearly chemical reek. Only some bright acidity saves this from a 1 star rating.
by Winepisser | Nov 3, 2017 | Quick Review
Color is like a 70s blacklight poster, deep purple baby. Potent blend with legs like an octopus, and just-right tannins. Finish was slightly lacking for me and it didn’t break out as particularly original, but it’s a very fine wine nevertheless.
by Winepisser | Oct 28, 2017 | Quick Review
Grassy and citric like it should be, but lacking nearly any hint of fruit. It’s rare that I would say this, but this SB comes off as overdry for a Marlborough offering. Many might like that, though.
by Winepisser | Oct 28, 2017 | Quick Review
From other reviews I was not expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised. Nose gives off tobacco and only hints of fruit, but the palate just explodes with a melange of dark berries. You’d be forgiven for thinking this was a blend but it’s all malbec....
by Winepisser | Oct 28, 2017 | Quick Review
Wow, what a disappointment. Unusually fruit forward for an old vine zinfandel. Comes across as black cherry with an emphasis on the cherry. Actually came off as TANGY, if you can imagine that for a zin. The smooth tannins actually work against this, since they...
by Winepisser | Oct 28, 2017 | Quick Review
Put up in a one-on-one PS battle against the horrible Handcraft offering, this one won the contest by a mile. Well made petite sirah, with mild tannins being the main characteristic. Earth and fruit on the nose, while the palate puts forth cherries with an ever so...
by Winepisser | Oct 28, 2017 | Quick Review
Handcrafted by robots, or maybe people without hands? Mediocre PS that wilted when paired with a relatively bland chicken dish. Fruit disappears quickly and this has less legs than a cabaret show performed by amoebae. Probably good for cooking, if you don’t want...
by Winepisser | Oct 28, 2017 | Quick Review
Considering they are generally respected as the masters of pinot grigio, I’m rarely impressed the Italy’s latest offerings of this variety. This one presents more of the same: bright yellow color but little else; some notes of lemon and flowers but only if...
by Winepisser | Oct 28, 2017 | Quick Review
Fortunately it’s not the margarine mess that passes for California chardonnay these days (CA should just cede the wineries to the dairy industry), so this is pleasant enough. Slightly crisp with hints of citrus but with enough oak to please the fans. (No year...
by Winepisser | Oct 27, 2017 | Quick Review
Mediocre zin from Cosentino winery will pair nice with a meaty plate, but don’t expect much if drinking it by itself. OK but not memorable.
