I find that occasionally I run into what I call “poopers” or wines that just do not show up. I can remember one two week stretch where I did not taste a single wine that could even be considered above par. That was a bad stretch. This week wasn’t that bad, but I did run into more sub-par wines then what has been the norm lately. Let’s look at what I tasted this week shall we.
2009 Mas de Gourgonnier Le Baux de Provence Rouge (Provence, France) … $21.99
Aromas of eucalyptus, herbs and red flowers with a back edge of cassis. Very Provence like….Surprise! Dark and rustic fruits on the palate backed by loads of minerals and Provincial herbs. Cassis and tobacco leaf notes on a lingering finish. This wine is in-your-face rustic, “old world” in style and is driven by a backbone of acidity. I loved it for it’s charming rusticity, but it will not be for everyone. 88 points
2009 Musella Vigne Nuove Valpolicella Superior (Veneto, Italy) … $20.99
Aromas of cassis, cranberries and anise. This wine has a nice backbone of acidity with notes of blackberries, currants and spice coning through. Nice length on the finish. When I take short notes on a wine like this it usually means I wasn’t blown away for the dollars. Nice wine, just not exciting. 87 points
2008 Clos du Moulin (Medoc, France) … $8.99
Call me weird if you want, but I really like these unclassified country bumpkin Bordeaux. A little rough around the edges and loads of charm.
Notes of cherry, tomato stem and oatmeal on the nose. Notes of blackberry, cassis and leather come through on the front of the palate. Fresh tannins lead into a somewhat short finish with a little leather and cassis action with some tar and dirt thrown in. Love this wine. Can’t help it, especially at this price. 70% merlot & 30% cab. 88 points
2009 Four Vines “The Sophisticate” Zinfandel (Sonoma County, California) … $25.99
Very vibrant on the nose with notes of black raspberry and blackberries. Bold, spicy fruit on the palate with notes of black raspberries, black licorice, mocha and vanilla on the front end and mid-palate. Vibrant backbone on this wine with a long-Ass toe curling finish with a little pepper on it. Worth every penny. 92 points
2010 Punto Final Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) … $11.99
A little stink on this baby with a little chalky earth and boysenberry on the nose. Fairly intense on the palate with with plum and candied boysenberry notes coming through. The intensity stays from start to finish backed by smooth, structured tannins. Hits of spice and tobacco on a long finish. I find myself getting bored with a lot of the malbec coming out, especially in this price range. However, this one caught my attention. 89+ points
2010 Tinto Negro Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) …$8.99
Aromas of blackberries and minerals with a “grapey” component on the back end along with a hint of green tobacco. Very plush on the front of the palate with dark fruit notes coming through. There is a little alcohol spike on the mid-palate along with a little black olive component that flows into a somewhat short finish of char and black olive. I found this malbec to be a little boring and close to a “Pooper”. 86+ points
2009 Rigal Malbec (Vin De Pays, France) … $10.99
Aromas of perfumed blackberries, black licorice and dark fruits. Fresh, soft tannins that back up notes of boysenberries, black tea and tobacco. Slight grip on the finish with mouthwatering, tart dark fruits. This wine borders on “flabby” but skirts it by just a thread. There are things I like about this wine, but it just does not deliver what it promises. 84+ points
2009 Nieto Senetiner Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) … $14.99
On the nose you get leather, tobacco, perfumed blackberries and ripe black currants. Black currants penetrate the palate with some interesting marinated spices up front with a little stewed plum element coming through. Finishes with notes of leather, currants and tobacco leaf. Nice balance and structure. 88 points
2010 Tilia Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) … $9.99
This baby has some stink on the nose with restrained aromas of gingerbread and blackberries. Smooth, dark fruits on the front of the palate with a nice chocolate component. Sweet tannins with a hit of spice, currants anise and chocolate on the finish. Well structured wine with nice balance. There are a lot of folks who will like this one. 88+ points.
2007 Kennedy Shah Tempranillo (Rattlesnake Hills, Washington) …$19.99
Aromas of black currants with a little alcohol coming through and notes of perfumed tobacco, red flowers and hits of maple. Big hit of currants and black cherries up front with a nice flow through the mid-palate. There is a slight mineral component that comes through with a finish of spice, anise and a slight grip in the mouth. Nice balance with soft, structured tannins. I love the Kennedy Shah line-up of wines, and this did not let me down. 88 points
2009 Pacific Wine Enterprises, Eye of The Needle “Little Italy” Red (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $14.99
Aromas of orange creamsicle and raspberry sherbet. Reminds me a little of Juicy Fruit Gum with raspberry as the main component. Very fruit forward on the palate with a raspberry/cherry medley thing going on. This red dries up a bit on the mid and finish with a citrus cherry thing going on backed by fresh, sweet tannins. This is a wine that has “New World” written all over the front side, but finishes “Old World”. 89 points
2009 Line 39 Petite Sirah (North Coast, California) … $9.99
Very bright notes of blueberries and blackberries with hits of anise and oats. Dusty tannins back bright notes of blackberries and currants with underlying vanilla. Smooth creamy finish, this wine is a little one-dimensional but hits the delicious category. 86 points
2010 Mourchon Cotes-Du-Rhone (France) … $12.99
It’s nice to see a little resurgence in the sales of Cotes-du-Rhone in my wine department this year. It has always surprised me that they didn’t do better, since they are blends from the Rhone Valley in France, and blends from California and Washington are the hot ticket right now. A blend is a blend. Right? Anyway, this one unfortunately will not help the cause.
Very stinky on the nose with notes of dark fruits and beef. However, it is hard to get past the poopy nose. Notes of cola, spice black plums and blackberries come through up front with just a hint of spritz. Finishes dry and tight. Very light overall and slightly funky. If you are going to try a Cotes-du-Rhone for the first time, please do not start here. 77 points
2008 Chateau Bonnet Bordeaux, Andre Lurton (France) … $9.99
Here is another blend from France that consists of merlot and cab. Aromas of leather, cherries, earth and hits of red currants. Red cherries on the front of the palate flow into the mid-palate. Light tannins with a little wood and spice on the thin finish. Earth notes hang around the palate from front to finish with a little green twig action. This is a simple little Bordeaux that is o.k. for the price. 86 points
2009 Tamas Double Decker Red (Central Coast, California) … $8.99
I believe it was the ’07 that I went nuts over last time, so I was hoping that this blend would live up to it’s older sibling. A blend of cab, petite sirah and barbera, I found the nose to be very challenged with only slight hits of red currants and blackberries. Big blackberry notes up front on soft tannins. Consistent fruit from start to finish with a nice intensity leading into a medium length finish.
I think a lot of folks will like this one, it’s big and juicy with a nice intensity. The lack of a nose bothered me a bit, and I would have liked a longer finish. However, it is a good wine but not up to the level of the ’07. 87 points
2008 Ventisquero Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley, Chile) … $10.99
Aromas of tomato stems soaked in ripe cherry juice with hints of black currants. Solid fruit on the palate with notes of barbecue spices, dark cherries black currants. A little black olive element shows up on the mid-palate leading into notes of black tea, spice and tobacco leaf with just a slight grip on a long finish.
I am a huge fan of this winery, and this cab is a steal for eleven bucks. 89+ points
2008 Ruffino Il Ducale(Tuscany, Italy) … $19.99
Notes of perfumed cedar, cassis, herbs and a slight stink on the nose. Cherry and red currants on sweet tannins. The wine expands on the mid-palate with notes of leather, cassis and currants that flow into a long pleasing finish. This is a rustic little red with balanced acidity, and enough fruit to keep it interesting. 60% sangiovese, 20% merlot & 20% syrah. 88 points
2010 Matthews Blackboard Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $11.99
Notes of red delicious apples and hints of sulfur come through on the nose. This baby is an acid freak on the palate. Very bright with notes of green apples, grass and minerals. Heavy acidity on the finish. This white is a bit awkward and way to tight on the finish to get anything out of it. This is even too much for my “geeky” palate. 78 points
2010 Reininger Helix Chardonnay (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $14.99
Nice light pear and apple notes on the nose backed by hits of ginger and spice. Creamy on the palate with notes of Bartlett pear flowing across the palate into a finish of green apple skins and pear. Nice balance, clean on the palate but not crisp. 88 points
2008 Carpe Diem Chardonnay, Firepeak Vineyard (Edna Valley, California) … $15.99
All the elements of a California chard come through on the nose. Notes of pear, butte, oak and toast. Notes of ripe pear and oak hit you on the front of the palate and stay full from start to finish. There is a core of freshness that shows on the mid-palate leading into a lingering finish of toasty pears and spice. There may be just a little too much oak present for my taste but for those looking for that style, this is a great buy. 88 points
2010 Sainte Eugenie Reserve Corbieres (France) … $16.99
I love the nose on this baby with notes of raspberry, cranberry, black licorice and red flowers. It’s a little tart on the palate, which isn’t a problem for me, but may not be for everyone. Nice bright fruit notes of cranberry and strawberry flow across the palate on smooth, fresh tannins. As it opens up, the wine seems to get a little softer with some cherry notes coming through. This is a killer red for hamburgers or pizza. 40% syrah, 30% carignan & 30% grenache. 89+ points
2009 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon) … $39.99
This is a story about a rep who loves Drouhin pinot, so every time he comes to visit it is no surprise he comes with a sample of this wine. I love this guy and his predictability. That being said, I myself am consistently impressed with this pinot noir. Aromas of bright cherries, black tea and a little perfumed action going on. Bright cherries on the palate backed by notes of black tea with a little white pepper showing up on the long finish. I would say this wine is just a little tight, and needs about three more years in bottle… Then, watch out! 90 points
2010 Decoy (By Duckhorn) Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, California)… $24.99
Duckhorn is a powerhouse winery out of Napa, so I was looking forward to trying this entry level cab under the Decoy label. Aromas of cassis, black licorice, coffee beans and bittersweet chocolate with a hint of oak coming through. Dark fruits with some green bell pepper thrown in show up on the palate with notes of cassis and oak coming through. Balanced acids and a clean finish. This cab tasted just a little watered down for me and slightly boring. Kind of disappointing for a cab that goes for twenty-five bucks. 83 points
I did a few more reviews then normal this time and I hope I didn’t put you to sleep. I wanted to end it with a “pooper” since that is the title of this tasting report. I hope the next round is a little more successful in finding some nice gems for you to go hunting for. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man
