Wine Reviews You can Use

Black cherry hue with aromas of bakers cocoa, cigar ash, savory spiced dark berries *Palate--sharply acidic that is out of control; chewy tannins, blackberry foundation with a slightly bitter finish that lingers for a moment. This Martini Cab which runs around $16 is angular to say the least and the acidity of this cab is like a razor which is why *I am questioning my palate's health. I know when things aren't quite up to snuff and while I have never had this particular experience due to my palate, I want to be cautious and declare my review of this wine may be impaired.  If I have any left tomorrow I will try it again and add an addendum.  "If" it is as acidic as it seems now, this wine will be need 5 years to mellow out.

Inky dark purple hue with aromas of tar, mocha, rich ripe blackberries, and plenty of savory spices. Silky, thickish, rich chocolaty dark ripe berry foundation, tarry nuances, loads of spice, and rich lingering fruit filled finish and a tail end touch of smoke. Yes this is a 20 megaton fruit bomb that should appeal to the modern day palate of red wine lovers who don't "like" red wine for the most part and don't want to spend a lot of money.  At $8 this is hard to beat.  And while I have my moments of wine snobbery--I mean I have been studying wine for over 40 years--I LOVE this!  So there, deal with it.  From the land of down under it's a blend of Shiraz (Syrah or Sirah) Grenache and Cabernet but I tell you, this is pretty much all Shiraz!  I say raise a glass!

Light lemon yellow with aromas of vanilla pudding with light lemony touches and powdery bouquet. Palate--Pin prick bubbles, with lighter citrus flavors on an off dry foundation with a quick finish. Here's the get a grip factor--I paid $5 for this *Methode Champenoise sparkler from Washington state and the folks who make remarkable value wines of every stripe.  I'm sure this wasn't the release price but when you find it like this, you have to grab it and raise a glass! *This is the true "Champagne" process of making sparkling wine right in the individual bottle.

Cranberry jelly hue with aromas of dark berry with powder cocoa notes, cigar ash, and more robust nearly floral aromas above the rim Palate--Nice berry presence with chewy tannins, cocoa, a touch of tea, and a lingering finish. This Livermore Falls Cab is decently made if a little fruit bomby. It should continue to open on breathing and warming up from cellar temp which this time of year is around 52 degrees.  Around $15, this is a pretty solid value so raise a glass.

Dark, inky hue what I expect from Syrah with aromas of cinnamon with an under layer of cocoa, and rich dark sweet berry. Palate-Rich dark fruit is set off by lip smacking tannins and this was after 24 hours of breathing. This is a tightly wound and obviously young Syrah which will benefit from a couple more years of time but is a decent quaff now. At the $11 price point this is a nice value and rich, a fruit forward wine with decent structure. I'll grab more when I get a chance so raise a glass!

Cherry garnet hue with expansive aromas filling the space between the glass and my nose.  Big cherry/berry nose with gobs of spices, cigar ash. Palate--mouth filling front palate with glorious toasted cumin (a first in all my years of study) boldly presenting, and other spices. Lean structure that will benefit from a couple more years in bottle, but ever so drinkable and enjoyable now.  Finish lingers for a good while. This Sonoma Merlot (Sonoma Valley) is well made as I would expect from Buena Vista and at the end of this sentence it is still finishing.  Nice! I paid $12 for this bargain marked down on special from $27.  If there's more when I return, I will be stocking up so raise a glass!

Pale straw with aromas of vanilla, with a tang of lemon and a slightly powdery bouquet. Palate--Lively bubbles with off dry citrus flavors and vanilla pudding.  A touch flabby for what I prefer.  Surprisingly lingering finish of green cut grass. Spanish sparkling wine (Cava) can be a fresh and tasty alternative to more pricey sparklers with half the quality. (My favorite is Freixenet which runs around the $10 price point.) I paid $14 for this one and wouldn't buy it again.