Light red wines for the holidays

La Purisima Monastrell 2013

La Purisima is a small co-op winery in Yecla, Spain -  a region I've never heard of until now. I must admit I was initially attracted to this wine by its sublime label, but the wine itself was just as beautiful. The wine is 100% Monastrell and aged in oak for 3 months, which allows the intense fruit and crisp acidity of the Monastrell grape shine through. Perfect for all occasions and a VERY good value. 

Nose: light, silky, perfumy; milk, violets

Tongue: soft tannins, light bodied, juicy, fruit forward at first (strawberries) with lingering floral and herbaceous undertones

Price: $9.99

Rating: 4/5

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Thymiopoulos Young Vines 2013 Naoussa

I love trying out new varietals, which can be a hit or miss. I had never had great experiences with the Greek wines I ordered in restaurants, so I had low expectations for this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. This wine was complex, balanced, and well rounded. It is also light-bodied and great for sipping on. I am now looking forward to trying their other un-pronounceable varietals and blends!

Nose: light and floral, hints of chocolate, violets, starfruit. Cream undertones

Tongue: light bodied, yeasty; flavors of hawthorn, strawberry. Peaty aftertaste

Price: $14

Rating: 4.25/5

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Bebame Red 2012

Finally, a domestic wine from El Dorado County, CA. The Bebame Red is a blend of 93% Cabernet Franc and 7% Gamay Noir - grapes one does not typically associate with California. Nor does this taste like the usual big obnoxious California reds on the shelves these days. This wine carries a lot more finesse - like a waltz vs. hip-hop (that is, california cab)- and as with the theme today, is light bodied and highly quaffable. Would definitely buy more bottles next time.

Nose: warm and nutty, with flavors of almonds, strawberries, and grape
Tongue: light but juicy, spicy, with a finish of vibrant acidity. Fruit forward with hints of raspberries; a kick of ceyenne pepper lingers in the aftertaste; very well rounded

Price: $18

Rating: 4/5

Wines for the Lazy Summer Days

Got this elegant white from a tasting at the local wine store. I am loving the Gruner Veltliner and Pinot Gris wines that Oregon is producing. It's a terroir to rival big California without the inflated price!

Nose: refreshing notes of honey, lemons. Stemmy

Tongue: lemons, honeysuckle, muscat, and rich lychee jelly. Rich, off-sweet, succulent. Slightly creamy. Very layered and complex for a white

Price: $15

Rating: 4.25/5

Made from 100% Lugana (AKA Verdicchio) grapes in Sirmione, Italy. Never was a fan of the Italian Pinot Grigios so popularized in the States, but Italians really know how to make AMAZING wines with their indigenous grapes! This is a great example of them. Sip it on the porch or with some sharp cheeses, seafood, or Asian food. You won't regret it! Also love the label design on this one :)

Nose: fresh, lemony, tart. Notes of granny-smith apples, peaches, and pears

Tongue: Semi-dry, ripe on the tongue, with flavors of melons and honey. 

Price: $16

Rating: 4/5

A red wine for summer? Why not? Marquette is a relatively new grape grown in the Northeastern States designed to withstand the cold weather. Shelburne Vineyard of Vermont makes a light-bodied yet complex wine with this grape that makes for a wonderful sipper in the hot summer days by the pool. Drink it slightly chilled.

Nose: woody, notes of mulch, mud, desert, roasted marshmellows, asparagus, and artichokes

Tongue: light-bodied and velvety, floral and peppery. Flavors of dark berries, hickory, cherry, and violets

Price: $18

Rating: 4/5

Two amazing wines for your money: La Sabonite Rouge & 2011 Oltrepo Pavese Malvasia Piume

This is the only red wine produced by Sabonite, and this $15 red, though vintage-less and deemed a "table wine", it tastes like a gem. Very quaffable and refreshing on the tongue. Be careful about having too much!

Nose:  spicy, roasty, & nutty with mineral backnotes. Aromas of slate, cloves, caramel, marshmellow, vanilla, and cedar

Tongue: light bodied, with barely noticeable tannins. Smoky and complex in flavors - bell peppers, spice, smoke, tomato, chestnuts, vanilla, and butterscotch - balanced with refreshing minerality. 

Price: $15

Rating: 4.25/5

I've had very good experiences with all of the Martide red wines I've tried. Their beautiful watercolor labels of their vineyard farm animals are definitely a plus. The Piume (meaning 'plume' in Italian), made of Malvasia grapes, is special in every way. I was first struck by the deep honey orange color. The distinctively delicious aroma and mouth-feel makes this one of my favorite whites. To be drunk alone or with spicy food and sharp charcuterie. 

Nose: full of tropical fruits and sweet honey - flavors of pineapple, mango, juicy, very perfumed, citrus blossom, wildflower honey, biscuits 

Tongue: med-bodied with dry finish. Tart flavors are prominent, with upfront notes of lime, almonds, quince and lychee. Remniscent of the New England fall foliage.

Price: $18

Rating: 4.5/5

Sure cure for the winter blues: curl up and drink the 2010 Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico

2010 Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico

I thought I had been forever sick of Chianti after my Chianti binge some 1 year ago, but I guess I just never tasted the right one.The Verrazzano Chianti is a classic Chianti but without domination by the savory cured-meat taste that characterizes many Chiantis I've attempted recently. This Chianti is sophisticated, velvety on the palate, and harmonic. Perfect for those staying-in freezing winter nights :o)

Nose:  immediate notes of cedar, caramel, warm vanilla, lavender honey, and date. Fruit flavors of strawberry and black cherry comes through after the wine opens up with some aeration.

Tongue: spicy and mouth-filling. Medium bodied with a velvety texture. Flavors of warm ceder, hikory, coriander, cardamom and salted sticky toffee. Acidic finish.

Price: $18

Rating: 4.5/5

Wines to splurge on for the holidays: GROTH 2010 CABERNET SAUVIGNON & Circle of Life White 2011

This wine is a huge splurge (by my standards) at $45, but your finessed palate will thank you for the sacrifice. I had my first sip of this wine completely ignorant of the fact that it was a $45 cab and it blew me away - the hallmark difference between a truly amazing wine and an expensive wine.

Nose:  spicy and warm, with full notes of hickory and wet earth. powerful.

Tongue: complex, deep, full-bodied and lush. Fills your mouth with flavors bursting of dark-chocolate, seaweed, and spiciness. Bold & lasting tannins. Yes it's very sexy

Price: $44.99 

Rating: 4.5/5

The Circle of Life white is a biodynamic wine produced by a stunning vineyard in South Africa. At $15, it is not really a splurge, and it is so delicious that you can stock up and have it with all your holiday festivities. Or year-round, for that matter. The next best thing would be to visit the breathtaking biodynamic farm in South Africa.

Nose: layered with notes of pear, white peppercorns, honey, apples, lemons, juxtaposed on a background of wet hay, corn, asparagus. Finished with flavors of vanilla cake..yum

Tongue: sweet & fruit-forward, notes of cantalope, honeydew, honey, pears, and tangerine

Price: $14.99

Rating: 4/5

Beating the snowy weather with vino

Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre 2010 Veronese

This wine was supposedly made in the special "Repasso" method. Whatever that is, it's surely doing a great job. I haven't had a red this delicious in too too long 

NOSE: deliciously layered and aromatic; notes of roasted chestnuts, dried porcini mushrooms, and aged oak; briny, reminiscent of the ocean floor. 

TONGUE: flavors of sea salt, cured meats, & peppercorns. light and mellow on the palate; fine leathery tannins with an elegant dry finish; would pair perfectly with hard cheeses. LOVE LOVE LOVE"

Price: $12 (taste more like a $20 wine!)

Rating: 4.5/5 

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Reinhard Schafer ZUM Mosel Riesling 2012

Riesling is very hit of miss for me, especially with the recent on-slew of commercial soda-like bottles made for suburban party girls. Fortunately, the ZUM Riesling is a hit. It even rhymes with 'yum'!

NOSE: pineapple,  honey, muscat gummies, apple. 

TONGUE: spritzy, bright, with lively acidity,  just the right amount of sweetness,  peachy. Lighthearted and fun to drink

Price: $10.99

Rating: 4/5 

Once again: the Good, the Okay, the Ugly

ZD Chadonnay 2012

Hallelujah! Finally a Cali chardonnay that I like :D

Nose: sweetness - pineapple, honeysuckle, daisies, mead

Tongue: sweet, notes of honey, papaya, pineapple (think tropical fruits!); toasted coconut and grapefruit rind lingers like bittersweet memories on the tongue

Price: ~$25

Rating: 4.25/5
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Johansing Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon

Perhaps I should change the title to "the Best, the Great, and the Ugly", 'cause this bottle is a mighty fine thing too

Nose: spicy, heady, musky like dark, damp wood; feel yourself romping through muddy, wet rainforest; as you let the wine aerate, the aroma turns into smores and campfire

Tongue: smooth, velvety, with balanced acidity. Begins with warm flavors of hazelnut, caramel, burnt sugar, molasses, and cinnamon, giving into orange and citrus flavors

Price: ~$28

Rating: 4/5 

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Frey Organic Red Wine

Granted, this wine was $9.99, but I've definitely had a lot better luck with this price range. I should probably stop buying random wines just because it's organic.

Nose: at first promising notes of smoke, embers, and tiramisu soon gives into lingering aromas of sawdust and musky alcohol

Tongue: first impression was "ugh did I just drink my cough medicine?" Then comes flavors of pickles, rotten tomatoes, licorice, and shoe varnish

Price: $9.99

Rating: 2/5 

The best Pinor Noir I've ever had. and a mediocre disappointment from Trader Joes

This is a $20 wine I accidentally got at a wine store tasting with my friends. I usually don't spend to the upper teens for wines, especially now that I'm a broke medical student. But retrospectively, it was well worth the splurge. I am usually not too big on Pinor Noirs - they are too fruity and light bodied for me, and not enough of the ummph. The Sean Minor Pinot might make me convert. It is light, but filled with so much juice and tingling flavors at the same time. It tickled all my pleasure-sensing tastebuds with delight. Unfortunately, it did not last. Ah well, till the next time I splurge....

Nose: fruity, strawberries, oranges, raspberry, a bit of oak. Marshmellows in the background

Tongue: juicy, silky smooth. Notes of cherry and strawberry, a bit of chocolate, a bit floral . Perfectly balanced.

Price: $20

Rating: 4.5/5 <3 <3 <3
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I read a lot of positive notes about this wine while looking up general reviews for Trader Joe's wines. Apparently, Trader Joe's received so much high demand for this wine, they had to bring it back year after year. As for me, I found it very mediocre for such hype. Maybe it's because I was drinking it right after I finished the amazing Sean Minor Pinor Noir above.  At $6.99, it paled in comparison to TJ's $4.50 Found Objects Malbec. Probably not going to buy this again.

Nose: a bit "off" (1st thing I noticed), notes of sawdust and rotting wood, backed by toffee and chocolate.

Tongue: zesty, dry, light bodied, with lingering tannins. Flavors of raspberry, dark chocolate, caramel, and hickory. Bitter aftertaste. On the acidic side, but not too overwhelmingly so.

Price: $6.99

Rating: 3/5

The wine that pulled me through anatomy exam: Sokol-blosser Meditrina {7}

It all started when I picked this wine for its standout bottle design from the dull racks at Wegmans. And I was blown away. It literally blasted me through the final exam of the Head + Neck block of my anatomy class. I wish I had it not for my Limb block exam :-/

Nose: warm, robust, and filled with depth. Notes of milk chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and s'mores. A whiff of spice

Tongue: sweet, light bodied, with light tannins and a citrusy finish. Velvety, mellow, smooth, and very balanced. Flavors of cherries, muscat, and brown sugar. Simple and drinkable by itself or pair it with a nutty cheese.

Price: $12

Rating: 4/5

FYI, Meditrina is a masterful blend of 50% Syrah, 22% Zinfandel, and 20% Pinot Noir. The bottle also doubles as an elegant vase ;)

Parducci Petite Sirah 2007 & MAN Vintners Chenin Blanc 2009

This is a small-priced wine with a big taste. I got it on wine.com using a Groupon. It retails around only $9-$13. I was pleasantly surprised at the depth and sophistication of this wine. As a plus, the grapes are sustainably grown, and the label is pretty :)

Nose: Yummy flavors of chocolate, caramel, coffee, and oak. Earthy

Tongue: big, bold, dark, and very dry - not for the faint of heart. Structured and long lasting tannins, but not overwhelming. Very well balanced. A bit raw for now. It could use a bit more time on the shelf. Notes of wet earth, truffles, dried currants, with a hint of smokiness. Definitely drink this with a substantial meal (mmm...I'm thinking of bloody steaks).

Price: $11

Rating: 4/5

 

While I'm not a huge fan of whites, I've definitely had better Chenin Blancs than this. It was way too bitter - I think it was sitting in my fridge for more than a month before I finally finished it! I guess you can't always have the luck of running into cheap good wines (like the Parducci).

Nose: fragrant, warm floral, and nutty, with notes of peaches, honey, and vanilla

Tongue: sweet at first, with a tangy aftertaste. Top notes of toasty honey grahams and apricots, but has a overwhelmingly bitter and stemmy aftertaste. 

Price: $8

Rating: 2.5/5

Med School and Revival of Wine reviews

I'm back from a long hiatus getting used to the med school lifestyle. Hiatus from this blog does not mean hiatus from wine drinking. No way. Wine gets me through exams, so as a consequence, I've been able to savor even more than I used to  ;) After all, it's good for my cardiovascular system! (and helps me sleep)
Anyway, here are two of my recent bottles:

2009 Argiolas Perdera

 

The 2009 Argiolas Perdera is a Sardinian wine made with 90% Monica grapes, a varietal I have never heard of. When you think of Italian wine, Tuscany or Puglia comes to mind, or even Sicily (Nero d'Avola!), but definitely not Sardinia, or Monica grapes for that matter. So this was a bit of a stretch on-the-whim buy for me. 

And yes I am so glad I got this wine. It was amazing, and only $12!

Nose: spicy, with notes of young oak and dark chocolate

Tongue:velvety, smooth, purple and bright. Top notes of apricot, strawberry, toffee, and chocolate.  Nice velvety finish, very yummy. Round tannins. Light to medium bodied. Highly recommended!

Price: $12

Rating: 4.5/5

 2008 Azienda Agricola Cos Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico

 My parents got this as a present. Seeing as they do not drink wine, I kindly saved it from going to waste :) It turns out that this was one of the more expensive wines for me, retailing at around $25 (yeah I'm a cheap shot). Maybe it was a bad idea to google the price, because I got overly excited with high expectations, which it didn't quite live up to...

Nose: strong warm and woody. Notes of wet earth, mulch, old world oak. Vinegar, milk chocolate, nuts, toffee flavors.

Tongue: juicy, slightly spicy, mouthfilling. Medium bodied, very mellow and creamy. Flavors of marshmallows. Yeasty and briny. Unfortunately it smells better than it tastes. A bit too acidic.

Price: ~$25

Rating: 3.5/5

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

2008 Guggenheim Malbec & 2008 Don Pascual Tannat

 Got the Guggenheim Malbec as a recommendation from one of my favorite local wine stores. Unfortunately, I was not too impressed. It is not a bad Malbec per se, but it is nothing extraordinary. For a fan of Malbecs, this one is mediocre at best :-/

Nose:  dark chocolate, earthy, hints of soil and minerals, prunny

Tongue: meaty, pretty light-bodied for a Malbec, sweet, juicy and berryful. Medium tannins, with an acidic, lean, and raw finish

Price: $9.99

Rating: 3/5

My Tannat virginity has been broken, and I liked it! No, I lied. I LOVED it.
Got this Tannat on a whim while browsing at Cardullo's in Harvard Square - they have a great selection of wines, not to mention other awesome European imports of chocolate, teas, and condiments. Very glad I decided to get this bottle. It is delicious heaven <3

Nose: top notes of chocolate and vanilla. Woody, nutty. Smells like dessert :)

Tongue: chocolaty at first, with a peppery finish. Ripe, rounded, and velvety tannins. Balanced, medium bodied, juicy. Taste like desert :)

Price: $12.99

Rating: 4.5/5

Downs and Ups: Tierracalar Macabeo 2009 & Conde de Baldemar Crianza 2005

Tierracalar Macabeo 2009

I ordered this wine from WineInsiders.com. It is some sort of Spanish white blend. NEVER order wines from there! only reason I bought from that site was because of a Groupon coupon they put out. Out of the 5 wines I received from them, I did not find one that I liked. Wait...actually I did not find one I was not repulsed by! I would not drink this if it was free.
Anyways, I think I am going to think twice or three times before getting wines online now. Besides, wine shopping in 3D is so much more enjoyable!

Nose: sweet and syrupy. Very one-dimentional

Tongue: dry, tart, bitter, and very watery. Grassy. Tastes like a mix of apricot kernel and toothpaste. Ugh. Pretty much undrinkable actually..

Price: $9.99

Rating: 1.75/5

Conde de Valdemar Crianza 2005

On a brighter note, my tastebuds were rescued when I had a glass of this Rioja. Had it with steak, and it was amazing! This is a delicious, complex, substantial wine. It warms up my insides (along with a slab of juicy steak) like no other! It's also drinkable enough by itself sitting beside the fireplace on a wintry night with whomever you so desire ;)

Nose: meaty, bold, and heady. Whiffs of forest and wet earth.

Tongue: smooth and full bodied with velvety tannins and a nice, rounded finish. Succulent in the mouth. slightly spicy, bold, ripe, complex and sophesticated.

Price: $20

Rating: 4.55/5

A small glass of heaven: Coturri Sandocino

I cannot stop goshing about this wine. It is just about THE best vino I have ever had! (I just got my second bottle, which is rarely done since I usually would rather try more new wines)
Recently, all the reds I have tasted were mediocre at best, so I was worried that my tastebuds might have gone awry. Hence I brought the Sandocino in for a calibration test. If even this one fails to impress me, then I am going to give up wine tasting, period.
Luckily, I did not have to give up wine. The Coturri Sandocino tasted better than ever after all those mediocre reds.

...I could chug the whole bottle right now.

...on a 2nd thought, chugging a whole bottle of the 14.5% alcohol content wine is probably a bad idea - it is not quite Friday yet.

*sigh* I guess I will have to practice some self control....

Nose: rich, deep, velvety, and layered aromas. Strong notes of dark chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, and coffee

Tongue: rich, bold, creamy, and full-bodied, with velvety tannins that wraps around your tongue (mmmm!). Very balanced, juicy. At first spicy, cinnamon-y, juicy, and fruit-foward, with an earthy coffee-flavored finish.

Price: $20! (or...priceless)

Rating: 4.9/5 (I am reserving my score of 5 until I have tasted the rainbow)



and what are you doing just sitting there?! Go get your Coturri Sandocino!

Cheap wines: The Good, the OK, the Bad, and the VERY Ugly

The Good:

2009 Casata Monticello Dolcetto D'Asti

Bought this one in a 2 for $16 deal from Bauer Wine & Spirits on Newbury St. I did not expect too much since it was so cheap, but I was pleasantly surprised. This wine has amazing complexity and punch for such a price :)

Nose: slightly heady, deliciously spicy, with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, plums, warm spices, chocolate, nutmeg, and raisin

Tongue: sweet, velvety, slightly spicy, acidic, light tanins. A pleasant light to medium bodied wine with medium depth.

Price: $8.99 or $16 for two

Rating: 3.25/5


The OK:

2008 Brunellesco Soave

 Again from Bauer Wines, this time it was only 2 for $12! Gotta love them for the amazing deals :). It was my first Soave, which I have been meaning to try in the longest time, and it was a good first impression. The crazy cheap price was a big plus...

 It inspired a "vino goddess" doodle

 Nose: herbal, lemony, zesty. Notes of honey, ginger, and honeydew melons. Slightly sweet

Tongue: very light, spritzy, citrisy, and crisp. Off-dry. It got pretty watery and flat quickly after opening though.

Price: $6.99 or 2 for $12

Rating: 3/5


The Bad:

 2007 Piazzo Barbera

 This one was only $7.99 I think, from the liquor store at BJs. I was excited to find a cheap Barbera after the memories of the great Matilde Barbera wine from my last post. But this was nothing like it. The Piazzo Barbera puts Italian wines to shame. It was totally raw and lean and mean :(, only thing i liked was the smell

Nose: sweet, nutty, vanilla, cinnamon, plums. Warm

Tongue: acidic, slightly spicey, with light to medium tanins. Medium bodied. Notes of forest berries and warm spices. Fairly lean and raw

Price: 7.99

Rating: 2.25/5




*drumrolls*.......now The VERY Ugly:

  2008 La Mano Mencia Roble

I really can't get over the fact that Robert Parker gave this wine a wooping 90 points! Sadly, that is the reason I actually bought this wine. It was one of the worst, if not THE worst wines I have tasted. I even doubted my own delicately cultivated tastebuds for a minute! Are my tastes that different from Mr. Parker's? But after a search at other bloggers' views online, it so happens that a great majority disagrees with him just as much as I. Whew, a relief to know that my tongue is still sane...

Nose: rotting meat, rotten fruits

Tongue: heady, raw and young. Notes of dark berries. Uber-bitter and stringent. Little to no depth. Barely drinkable ugh

Price: $7.99 (wouldn't drink it even if it were free)

Rating: 0.5/5

Martilde OLTREPO PAVESE Barbera 2005 & Cycles Gladiator Central Coast Chardonnay 2005

I bought this wine at CentralBottle Wines after tasting it during one of their Thursday wine events. For a $13 bottle, this wine is extremely impressive. The beautiful label is another plus :) Antonella Tacci herself creates the artwork and produces the wines with her long-time companion and partner Raimono Lombardi. The winery Martilde is a combination of their beloved cats Martina and Matilde. This wine is a feast for the eyes, nose, and tongue!

Nose: sweet, succulent, juicy, and very creamy. Smells like yummy creme brulee and tiramesu. Juicy, with notes of cherry, warm spices, and delicious milk chocolate

Tongue: ultra smooth, robust - can hold down pretty much anything (except maybe raw steak), flavors of the forest and wet earth. Full bodied, bold, and spicy.

Price: $13

Rating: 4.5/5

I'd like to think that I'm a fairly open-minded person and would hate to call myself an ABC (no not American Born Chinese, but Anything But Chardonnay). I have never tasted a California Chardonnay that I liked, but I love Chablis (basically a French Chardonnay, which is mostly unoaked). So I thought that my dislike of Cali Chards might be because of their heavy oaking. This Gladiator Chardonnay boasts of a "subtle use of oak". Besides, the label is gorgeous. I thought I would give it a try. The result? Well, maybe I am an ABC after all...

Nose: toasty, light, with notes of kiwi, honeydew, and pear. Crisp

Tongue: shallow, short finish. I didn't detect any oakiness. Notes of honeysuckle. Stemmy, acidic, slightly aggressive

Price: $10

Rating: 2.8/5

Argento Malbec 2008 & Tolaini Valdisanti Toscana 2005

Had this wine during my Malbec phase last year. I got it from the University Wine Store in Cambridge as a recommendation from their very rude wine seller, and made a mental note to never go there again.  At $12 a pop, I thought it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. It was a average-tasting Malbec when I first opened, nothing special. However, the wine does not keep at all. The second day after opening it stunk of rotten meat. It goes without saying that it did not taste all that great either. Nope...not going to go to University Wine Store or consult their wine seller or buy Agento Malbec ever again...

Nose: heady fumes of rotten meat, raisins, berry

Tongue: slightly spicy, offensively acidic, raw, muddy, tastes almost like stomach acid. Medium finish.

Rating: 1.5/5

Price: $12

The 2005 Tolaini Valdisanti was as good as the Argento Malbec was bad. Kuddos to my friend Helen for getting it as a recommendation from a very nice and knowledgeable wine seller downtown.

The Valdisanti is a masterful blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, and 5% Cabernet Franc from the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. A red Super Tuscan! I have been wanting to try the Super Tuscan wines everyone is raving about for a while, so I opened the bottle with giddy anticipation. The wine did not disappoint. It smelled like yummy desert and was succulent and full in the mouth (though a tad too tannic).  Goes great with bloody red meats on a cold wintry day. Going down in the books as one of my faves :)

Nose: very aromatic, with notes of vanilla, tiramisu, and cashews. Warm and nutty 

Tongue: rich, bold, and creamy. mouthful of tannins. Flavors of chocolate and coconut.

Rating: 4/5 (a tad on the pricey side)

Price: $23