Seems like a pretty modern take on Rioja. Ruby in color. The nose has cherries, slight dust, and a bit of black cherries. On the palate, this is drinking well. Cherries, black cherries with medium tannins. Nice finish. Easy drinking but also a bit of depth. This will please with or without food. This retails for around $20 which is a great value.
This is very good and for $30 a nice value. Purple in color. The nose has black cherries, slight mocha, spice and plums. On the palate, this has a wonderful texture. Juicy and plush. Lots of black cherry fruit. The mocha note carries thru. Medium to full bodied. Good acidity. Delicious. Will work with heavier foods (think cassoulet). This has some upscale with future development and should be good for another decade, maybe more.
Purple in color. The nose has black cherries, slight barnyard and a bit of cigar tobacco. On the palate, this is medium bodied. Drinking well right now with black cherry fruit and underlying earthiness. Good acidity. Should be pretty food friendly for medium or heavier foods. Nice finish. Drink now. It might last for five more years, but won't get any better.
This seemed to be in a great place right now. Ruby in color. The nose is cherries, slight sour cherries and slight anise. On the palate, this is still youthful but showing nice depth. Slightly viscous. Sour cherries and cherries with underlying anise and minerals. Good finish. This will work with a wide variety of foods, even sea food. Probably needs another five years until peak and then should drink well for another decade after that.
This is a Cab/Merlot/Cab Franc blend from South Africa. Purple, ruby at the rim. The nose is interesting. Red fruits with some bell pepper notes. A bit of tobacco as well. On the palate, this seems a bit better. Cherries and some cassis. Underlying earthiness. Good finish. Drinks like a nice Bordeaux with a bit of age on it. The bell pepper on the nose will be welcome to some and a problem for others. Seems to be at peak right now. Drink sooner than later.
Purple in color. The nose is great with black raspberries, black pepper, slight charred meats and hints of bacon. On the palate, this is pretty ripe for St. Joseph but well with limits. Lovely, full texture. Lots of black raspberry fruit with underlying earth. Deep with layers that unwind in the glass. Still young but getting there. Needs bigger or spicy foods to match. Works well on its own. A bit expensive for a St. Joseph but well worth the $60 tariff release price.
The cork was soaked thru but did not leak. This drank well. Not amazing but excellent and correct. This actually looks more like a tawny that a vintage port (ruby). Same with the nose. It is nutty with some raisins. On the palate, this is sweet. It is sadly Maderized, but that said, it drinks nicely. Went well with a Spanish Musicians Tart (lots of dried fruit). There is hear and alcohol. Obviously, not what this wine should have been in its youth but it is 55 years old and a fine way to end an evening.
The last Bruno Giacosa was one of the premier producers in Barolo. Sadly, he passed away a couple years ago. The top wines he made were given a red label and Riserva status. This bottle is still youthful but it is drinking great. Purple, ruby rim. Still looks quite young. Tight nose; cherries, slight tea leaves and dried roses. A bit of tar. Just the slightest bit of VA with air, which is good as it ends up bringing out the aromatics. Delicious on the palate. Tight layers of cherries, cherry candy, anise and earth. Firm but manageable tannins. Finish goes on forever. Needs anot
Yowza! What a great wine. Seems to be at peak right now though should stay here for a while. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. What a great nose. Cassis, black licorice, spice and slight blueberries. Very deep. On the palate, this is deep and complex. Lots of black cherry and cassis fruit. Underlying minerality. Spice. Amazing texture; luxurious. Lots of glycerin. Long finish. Will work with bigger foods. One of those wines where each sip makes you want another.
Perhaps the best Merlot made in America. This is drinking great right now, at or near peak. Purple in color, thin ruby line at the rim. The nose is great with coffee, cherries, black cherries, and spice. On the palate, this has a wonderful texture. Rich and luxurious. Slight tannins. Black cherry fruit. Long finish. This is deep and voluptuous with lots of complexity. This should be here for a while (ten years?) and still last another decade after that.
