Wine Reviews You can Use

  Nice inky, dark nearly black hue with loads of aromas of dark berry, blueberry, eucalyptus, and more fruit deep in the bowl with a touch of mint. Palate--This is a 20 megaton fruit bomb filled with ripe blackberries, rich puckery and sweet tannins, youthful structure that will mellow out with time with a lingering finish that hangs on. It has been a while since I have had a fruit bomb as I like to call the style. They are luscious and silky in texture with rich dark berry fruit that is deep and nearly "port-ish."  You either tend to like this kind of wine or not.  Some people think they do not pair well with food but I disagree. You just need the right food to be able to stand up to the monster this wine is. I am pan searing breaded venison chops, mashed potatoes, and a nice big salad.  Good thing opening day for deer is only a few days away as this is my penultimate package from last season.  At $13, this is a really nice wine and will be holding well for 5-8 years! Raise

  A lighter hued Zin with aromas of sweet spicy dark berries. Palate--First impression was "ok" but improved quickly. Hugely spiced with savory offerings and a tannic line that could be a bit off putting but tolerable, a lingering finish which is perhaps its strongest attribute.  Coppola as int eh Academy award winning movie Director has been doing wine for decades. He has several offerings ranging in three basic tiers based on price and style/quality. The red label is the  table wine" offering aka the economy level bottle but they do it well most of the time.  This one ran $14 which is a couple bucks over it's value. It's OK but then again, if it changes with some time open, I'll revise. 

Opaque, nearly black hue, with aromas of ripe sweet perfumey plum with with a bouquet of lilacs just as the cork was pulled. Classy port bouquet that is not developed nearly enough yet with hints of licorice, fennel pollen, eucalyptus, and more. Palate--Elegant, silky with a velvety texture, mouth filling flavors, of all that's in the bouquet. Structurally wonderful and even in its youthfulness at 14 years, it is voluptuous, with a finish of fruit and silk that goes on and on and on. From the fabled vintage of 2007 this earned the Wine Spectator's Perfect score of 100 points. I bought this half bottle on release for $40. A full bottle now will run you over $200--if you can find one. This Port will develop for possibly another 20-30 years.  You read that right!   This lovely creation may very well still be drinking great when I am 6 feet under. Oh well, as glorious as this is, the wine served at the marriage feast of the Lamb of God with the faithful will blow this away. For now