Wine Reviews You can Use

Very light raspberry juice colored hue with aromas indistinguishable as I just opened this directly from my temperature controlled wine fridge.  54 degrees is just too cold to get any semblance of bouquet. To be continued... Palate--Loads of spices which are both partly pie spices (sweet) but mostly a bit savory.  Almost over powering. We shall see what time and temperature does. *Aromas of sweet fruit with abundant spices and a palate which is still perplexing which is why I wanted to re-review this a day later after it came to room temp. The hue of this wine was concerning out of the bottle with a slight look of aging at the rim. On re-review the wine tastes older than it should.  It isn't corked, but I do not like this Pinot especially at the over $20 price point. This may be an outlier so I'll leave it here... *24 hours later 

Peculiar hue showing a little age which is unusual for a wine this young.  Aromas of sweet bright red berries with a twinge of strawberry and pie spices. Palate--Nice first impression with lots of delicious Pinot flavors on a lively structured foundation. Some hints of cocoa rear palate and on the end. Finishes with some zip.  Pinot Noir is a finicky grape. Nog everyone can work with it well. It is the signature grape of the greatest Burgundies costing hundreds of dollars per bottle. But California and Oregon has done well by the varietal producing lovely wines in the $20 price point and over as well as under.  This is an inexpensive one yet has a lot to commend it. At $10 this is a value Pinot so raise a glass!

  Mature garnet hue with aromas of cigar ash, fruity berry, licorice, and brambles.  Palate--Elegant structure, smoke on the mid palate, blackberries and rustic red fruit with a finish that hangs on and on. This is a solid single vineyard Zin from Amador Co. with a lovely foundation married with perfect acidity and fruit. At 10 years old it is really holding well.   I have had better single vineyard zins but not since Rosenblum Cellars sold out the man. At around $30 this is pricey. But if you find it on sale (because of it's age) don't let that worry you. This Zin will hold for another 3-5 years but don't chance it, open that bottle now and enjoy optimal Zinfandel pleasure.  I will be pairing it with grilled (if the weather holds off) venison chops and garden fresh potatoes.  Raise a glass!

  Barely any bouquet above the rim and very light as you into the bowl. A rather pronounced aroma of clove accompanied by cinnamon.  Palate--Clove carries through to the palate on first impression, with moderated tight flavors of dark berries and a finish that is a bit awkward.  (In fairness, this is right upon opening) From the label to the wine I am not a fan of this old vine Zin. I am glad I only paid $9 for it but won't do it again. Meah...

  Light straw hue with aromas of lovely seductive fruit-filled bouquet full of sweetness and very light baking spices with a steely edge to the tropical fruit compote. Palate--Vanilla, razor sharp acidity, a foundation of off dry sweetness, a mid palate creaminess, with a citric feel but a lingering finish of tropical fruit salad.  I visited Buena Vista two different times quite a few years ago and they had the best tasting room staff of all the wineries I had been to over the years in Napa, Sonoma and Temecula. This wine is a reflection of the quality of their company in all they do. I don't believe I have ever had a less than stellar experience with a BV wine and this shows why.  This wine was released around $30 but I found it at a State store reduced to $13; an absolute steal! This 5 year old Chard is prime time and showing no hint of going south.  Pairing tonight with New England clam bake dinner and we will be raising a glass!!! 

Deep purple hue with aromas of a fruity, spicy, red berry and cherry melange and sweet fruity cherries above the rim. Palate-- It is rather vigorous on the palate with a very steely first impression, a beam of cherry berry goodness, and even a finish that lingers a bit. I have been a patron of this wine for over two decades. At $8 this is a reliably value wine with a good heritage. It is an all around pleaser in its simplicity and worth a try in any of its productions, red, white or rosé.

  Lighter hued cranberry color with aromas of sweet red berries and dried red fruit with a touch of spice.      Palate--Fruit forward, easy to quaff with soft tannins, and a simple pleasant all around red.  Just don't confuse this with a "real" cabernet Sauvignon.  At $7 (Trader Joe's) let's get real... It's better than two buck chuck!