Quick Reviews
Paul Jaboulet Aîné “Les Cédres Rouge” – Châteauneuf du Pape – France – 2008
Lush velvety swoon, this is babymaking CDP. Mild tannins yield to complex berry and black forest mystery. Allow to rest in the glass for 10 minutes before drinking.
Recas Alb Demisec – Fetească Regală – Romania
Tart and breezy, very drinkable alone or with appetizers. Lacks character otherwise, like a pale cousin of Gewurztraminer. Worth buying if you can find it at a larger retailer or importer.
Hugel Alsace Cuvée les Amours – Pinot Blanc – France – 2014
As with anything from Hugel & Fils, it’s a superb and unbeatable Alsatian treat.
Longer review coming soon.
Cigar Zin – Old Vine Zinfandel – Napa – 2014
Mediocre zin will pair nice with a meaty plate but don’t expect much if drinking it by itself. OK but not memorable.
Cuvée Nicolas Bordeaux Supérieur – France – 2011
Powerfully big nose would make Adrian Brody jealous: damp and farmland and fruit telegraph a wild cup to follow. In the mouth it’s more subdued and mature; soft tannins accent a medium dry blend of dark berries and the a hint of chocolate. Lack of finish keeps this from a higher rating.
Unparalleled – Sauvignon Blanc – New Zealand – 2016
Lacking minerals like a diamond mine made of marshmallows. Surprisingly bad. Worst NZ SB I’ve tasted… ever.
Barker’s Marque Arona – Sauvignon Blanc – New Zealand – 2016
I continue to be disappointed by the bottles coming from this producer. Lacking character, this drinks like a far cheaper imitation of an NZ SB,and not like the real deal. Yes it’s tangy and has some minerality but the overall experience is flat and dull. Tastes like a run of the mill Riesling dipped in limestone. It’s OK so it gets three stars but only barely.
La Playa Estate Series Red Blend – Chile – 2015
Hint of licorice and basement must but quickly drowned out by the fruit. Paired OK with a blackened steak but was quickly forgotten. Not bad, just not memorable.
Eifel Pfeiffer Heinz Eifel “Shine” – Riesling – Germany – 2014
Syrupy texture telegraphs sugar that never arrives. That’s fine, because as a result it’s not sweet, but also lacking much of anything else. Not much nose, but on the tongue it’s light apple and pear. That gooey mouthfeel just didn’t work for me though. Might be two stars, but gets a bonus third for the pedigree.
Cape Mentelle Georgiana – Sauvignon Blanc – Australia – 2014
Sea salt, lemon and tangy fruit make this a fantastic glass. Not sweet and pairs well with fish or spicy crab cakes, but drinks well on its own. Best Australian Sauv-blanc I’ve tasted yet. A tiny lack of finish keeps this from five stars, but its a near miss.