Archive for the 'Red Wine' Category

Twin Wells Shiraz 2005

Wine: Twin Wells

Type: Shiraz

Origin: South Eastern Australia

Year: 2005

Cost: $7.00

Alcohol: 14%

Purchased: Corridor Wine & Spirits, Laurel, MD

Rating: 4/10

Value: 4/10

Our opinion:

Eeengh. That’s about all we have to say on this one. We drank it… but there was a glass left on the table, which means it couldn’t have been that good. Cheap price, cheap wine. Not worth it either way. Move on!

Others Say:

Winemaker Review: “South East, Australia- Fresh fruit and ripe tannins surround this medium-bodied, smooth and spicy Shiraz. Aromas of dark ripe fruit, chocolate and vanilla are supported by a palate of spicy plum, blackberry flavors and a velvety smooth finish. Enjoy with BBQ, hamburgers, or kebobs. {Fresh, Plum, Medium-bodied}”

From Total Wine:

“Undrinkable; had to pour it down the sink. :-( ”

“Skip it”

One person liked it though:

“If I had read the previous reviews, I probably would have missed this gem. Unbelievable for $7. Very smooth.”

admin on 24 Jul 2008 | $5-10 & Red Wine & australia & shiraz | Comments (0)

Washington Hills Shiraz 2005

Wine: Washington Hillswashington hills shiraz

Type: Shiraz

Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Year: 2005

Cost: $7.99

Alcohol: 13.5%

Purchased: Corridor Wine & Spirits, Laurel, MD

Rating: 5/10

Value: 5/10

Our opinion:

We enjoyed this bottle of wine before, during, and after a meal of carry out curry dishes from Indian Delight in Catonsville. The wine is fine…drinks easy enough.. but it’s not great. It comes at a lower price tag than others we’ve reviewed, but also lacks any intriguing flavors in our opinion. Next to other cheap wines it’s not bad but we wouldn’t purchase this one again. If it came down to this and a bottle of Vendage or Boordy, I’d go with Washington Hills, but if you have full run of the wine shop, keep looking!

According to other reviewers, it seems that the Washington Hills Cabernet Merlot blend is a great choice. Perhaps we should give that one a try before writing them off, because at 7.99 a bottle, cheapos are happy.
Others Say:

Tasting notes: “Notes of black cherry and hints of smoke fill the nose of this deep red wine. Sweet black cherry flavors continue on the palate finishing with smooth silky tannins.”

admin on 14 Jul 2008 | $5-10 & Red Wine & USA & shiraz | Comments (0)

Anakena Chile Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Wine: Anakena

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin: Chile

Year: 2007

Cost: $8.99

Alcohol: 13.5%

Rating: 7/10

Value: 7/10

Our opinion:

It’s hard to compare this wine to others, seeing as it has such a different taste. It was almost peppery and spicy. By itself, and without decantering a while, it was offensive. Give it 20 minutes without touching your glass, and it rounds out nicely. Try it with some beef fajitas, and it’s delicious. Even after the food is gone, the wine is good. Not one we’d have every night, but certainly once every few weeks given the right opportunity.

Others Say:

“Nice deep purple color; earthy aromas with enough fruit to provide a nice balance. Has a nice smooth taste with nicely balanced fruit. Long finsh. A great value wine”

admin on 28 Jun 2008 | $5-10 & Cabernet Sauvignon & Chile & Red Wine | Comments (0)

2006 Casalino Chianti Classico

Wine: Casalino

Type: Chianti Classico

Origin: Italy

Year: 2006

Cost: $14.99

Alcohol: 13%

Rating: 8/10

Value: 7/10

Our opinion:

Yum! I’ve been dying to buy a Chianti Classico for ages, but between the two of us, I’m the only one convinced they are worth it. Generally you cannot find a “classico” at the $10 and under mark, so it’s really a splurge for us cheapos. I’m going to be honest, I don’t remember exactly what this one cost, but it was in the upper end of the 11-15 dollar range. It could have been 16. I’ll have to go back and buy more to find out (oh well….). We got it at Corridor in Laurel, just like the rest of our stash.

We drank this one a few nights ago so my memory isn’t fresh. We must have gotten too drunk afterwards to review it but I will tell you that I remember it being really good. Here’s how I know…. we took “notes” on a todo list. Kosta interviewed me about the wine and my response was “I LIKE IT!” So that’s what’s written first, followed by a feeble attempt to describe it in better detail, followed by some unintelligible scribble and finally some swear words. No drunk review is ever complete with out the words “mother f**ker”.. … right?

“I like it!
smooth
needs to sit a bit
smooth at first
tangy toward end
Smells nice
Comflery

cowwardl a
great Chianti
mother f**keeer

Side note:

I’ve had some chiantis in the cheaper range (< $10) and been very disappointed. This one had the right balance of tannins and dark fruit. Yay for sangiovese. I fell in love with Chianti Classicos in Italy, where they were cheap. If you ever stumble upon a Machiavelli Chianti Classico, have a glass for me. I haven’t looked it up here in the states yet… but I remember the 10 euro price tag in Italy seemed steep next to the others at 2-5 euro a bottle, and that’s the only reason I didn’t bring some home!

This wine is a yummy classico, buy and enjoy. And if you find a cheaper one that’s as good… please, comment.

Others Say:

From thewineman.co.uk:

” From a careful selection of Sangiovese grapes grown on the Fattoria Casalino estate near Siena, owned by Bonacchi. This wine carries the Gallo Nero seal on the neck of the bottle. Ruby red in colour, the wine is soft, harmonious and velvety with a fruity bouquet reminiscent of violets.”

“Serve: At 18-20C to accompany roast meats, game and cheese. Open the bottle 1 hour before pouring.”

admin on 18 Jun 2008 | $11-$15 & Chianti Classico & Drunk Review & Italy & Red Wine | Comments (0)

2006 Feudi di San Marzano Primitivo Puglia

Wine: Feudi di San Marzano

Type: Primitivo Puglia

Origin: Italy

Year: 2006

Cost: $11.99

Alcohol: 13.5%

Rating: 8/10

Value: 7/10

Our opinion:

This was our first “Primitivo Puglia” wine ever, I believe. I was skeptical because I’d never heard of it before, but maybe that’s just ignorant. It was delicious!! Medium bodied, somewhat of a dark fruit flavor. Give it a minute to aerate and voila … verrry smooth, earthy, yet sophisticated.. and drinkable! Yes. It’s gone now…. well except that tiny bit in Kosta’s glass… but I think he’d notice if I took it. :(

Anyway, I want more, so that must mean something!! Buy this one. For us.
Others Say:

We couldn’t find any specific reviews of this wine and vintage, but here’s is a description of the winery:
“The Feudi di San Marzano in Apulia is the latest project by Valentino Sciotti. He is a man who not only dreams big, but who has the vision, determination and professionalism to make sure that his dreams come true. In the case of Feudi di San Marzano, Sciotti’s concept is very simple. He stumbled upon the Cantina Sociale di San Marzano, with its deep tradition in winemaking, and immediately saw potential. By making a few changes in the already state of the art cellar and installing the brilliant Mario Ercolino as chief winemaker, he would be able to produce modern wines with outstanding varietal expression.”

admin on 18 Jun 2008 | $11-$15 & Italy & Primitivo Puglia & Red Wine | Comments (0)

D’Autrefois Pinot Noir 2006

Wine: D’Autrefois Alfio Moriconi Selection

Type: Pinot Noir

Origin: France

Year: 2006

Cost: $9.99

Alcohol: 13%

Rating: 7/10

Value: 6/10

Our opinion:

We don’t usually drink Pinot Noir, so maybe our opinion doesn’t count. But here it is anyway: At first we thought the wine to be a bit tangy, but allowing it to sit as little as ten minutes seemed to improve the taste. The result is a light, fruity wine that is beautiful in color and an acceptable red to drink in 100 degree weather in our sweltering apartment. Nothing too exciting, still a little tangy, but not a bad choice for an everyday wine.
Others Say:

From Cellartracker.com :
“Light bodied, medium fruit. Easy to drink- good every day wine.”
“Simple wine with decent fruit flavors. Was given as a cheap gift. ”
“Light fruit, very nice, good value for money. “

From Wineaccess.com :
“Merchant Review: Vin de Pays, France- Fantastic value in a complex Pinot Noir, from a winery with longstanding ties to Burgundy. An alluring bouquet of cherry and berry fruit is framed by subtle vanilla and spice notes. Ripe, crisp finish. A staff favorite! Enjoy with salmon, chicken or pork. {Fresh, Cherry, Raspberry, Medium-bodied}”
“A nice wine to enjoy with a spicy dishes. Mild and fruity in the front with a very subtle peppery feel in the end. A good wine for $10, though it is not what I expected from a French Pinot.”
“ Most Pinot Noirs under $40 are undrinkable–that’s a fact. :) PN is a tough grape to vinify and most wineries aren’t up to the task. Don’t expect a lot of complexity here, but you do get a nice nose, some varietal flavors, and and a short clean finish. Romanee Conti it ain’t, but $10 you gets you a brief peek at heaven even if it leaves you standing outside the gates”
“ I actually thought this to be a little flat and not really what I expect out of a Pinot Noir. I am much more familiar with California Pinots, and if this is typical of French Pinot, I think I’ll stick with the USA.”

^ Maybe we should try a California Pinot next!

admin on 08 Jun 2008 | $5-10 & France & Pinot Noir & Red Wine | Comments (0)

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