Adelseim Pinot Noir 2008 & Pacific Rim Dry Riesling 2007

Got this wine on sale for $19.99, which is a pretty decent deal (it usually retails at around $26). This Oregon Pinot Noir has been featured in so many wine stores and has such a pretty label, I had to get it, even though Pinot Noirs are usually too fruity and unsubstantial for my taste. The Adelseim Pinot certainly lived up to the hype. It has an understated and refined elegance which sets it apart from most of the "big" wines out there. Worth the bang for the buck.

 

Nose: fruit-forward with notes of cherries and juicy, gummy grapes.  Floral undertones. Bright, lemony and sweet. Imagine fruits and nuts enrobed in a silky layer of chocolate.

 

Tongue: sweet, juicy, and succulent. Mellow tannins. Flavors of sweet berry fruits. Slightly spicy, peppery undertones. Light bodied without being watery. Graceful and refined. A tad too acidic, otherwise very well balanced.

Price: $25

Rating: 4.5/5

 

I have learned from my limited experience with American Rieslings that they are usually too sweet for me. Since this one explicitly says "dry", I decided to give it another chance. Obviously, my idea of "dry" (as in bone-dry) is far removed from a relatively dry riesling. I guess this is relatively dry compared to Pacific Rim's other Rieslings, which could have up to 9% residual sugar, whereas their Dry Riesling only has 0.75%. Sweetness aside, this wine is pretty mediocre for is lack of depth and complexity.

 

Nose: apples and pears

 

Tongue:  sweet. Fruit-forward flavors of apples and apricots. Lack acidity. Dull. A slight mineral finish

Price: $10

Rating: 2.25/5

Value Wine Finds: Domaine Brazilier Coteaux du Vendomois 2009 & La Sauvageonne Les Ruffes 2008

One of the featured wines in the Wine and Cheese Cask, so I decided to give it a try. I was not expecting much, since it was only $10, but the best things come when least expected :) I was surprisingly pleased at the complexity and richness of the flavor of the bottle. Definitely a steal!

Nose: very nutty, with big aromas of walnuts and almonds. Flavors of strong black tea, with whiffs of the salty ocean wind.

Tongue: smokey, light bodied, slightly dry, and a bit watery. Young tannins. Flavors of cured meat, smoked cedar plank, and burnt coffee. Woody. A nice lingering smokey finish, though the smokiness can be a bit overwhelming.

Price: $9.99

Rating: 3.5/5 

Randomly went into Bauer Wine store with my friend. They happened to have this wine open for tasting. We fell in love with it on the first sip. The $12 price tag made it even better. It is a yummy blend of 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 30% Carignan, and 10% Cinsault. You should decant it for a while before serving to open up its aromas and flavors. After that, you can just guzzle the whole baby down.
I should buy more wines off of random wine store rendezvous :)

Nose: very aromatic. Filled with salty, nutty, chocolaty, and creamy goodness

Tongue: medium bodied, with smooth and mellow tannins. Velvety mouthfeel. Sweet and fruity upfront with a slightly creamy, vanilla finish. A all around pretty well balanced wine. Very easy-drinking on its own or paired with roasts or pasta.

Price: $11.99

Rating: 4/5

2008 Ludovicus Celler Pinol

This was one of the cheap wines I randomly picked on a shopping splurge spree at 3AM one crazy night. I must say that the satisfaction of my materialistic soul when I received the shipment of wines was well worth the $130 :) I happen to start with this wine, which did not disappoint. It is from the Terra Alta region of Tarragona province (if that says anything to you). It is aged 3 months in French and American Oak barrels, and is a blend of 35% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo, 25% Syrah, and 10% Carbernet Sauvignon - all very masterfully blended to create a complex wine.

Nose: meaty, chewy texture, with flavors of chocolate, vanilla, spices. Somewhat heady at first

Tongue: sweet, a bit raw, with light, short lasting tannins. Spicy, smoky, reminiscent of tar and tobacco. Prunny (in a good way). A velvety mouthful. A juicy and succulent wine. Overall well-balanced, though a bit heady at times.

Price: $10.99

Rating: 4/5