January 21, 2007
My mouth was salivating upon first thirst. I had intuited what this Malbec was going to bring; I was anticipating the absolute delight that I was going to receive. I like everyone else give more reception to a label. This label evoked a strong and confident and bold malbec. Then…. I discovered a synth cork. To me this lowered the experience markedly so. I try to have an open mind but the brilliance and brightness this wine could have had was lowered and the finish was obscured by the synth cork; the finish had an aqueous and metalic finish.
Retail Purchase Price: $10.99
¡Salud!
****
Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
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Malbec, Mendoza | 
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Posted by jamesthewineguy
January 15, 2007
A brilliant sherry; not to far on either the dry or sweet spectrum; a bit more on the sweet than the dry. A perfect after dinner wine and the hint of pecan, maple syrup, and gravenstein apple make this a drink most everyone of your guests and more importantly you will have in stock in your personal bar. As much as I like this am in sure delight with a PX wine.
¡Salud!
****
Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Sherry, wine | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
January 15, 2007
I recently read a blog saying that Malbec was a backup singer wine. There was a sketch depicting the flavor spectrum of Malbec and how this sketch showing a representation of a middle wine I am guessing was this person’s proof of how this varietal is a blending grape and not a grape of it’s own. I go not by a sketch of the flavor spectrum but through a flavor this grape exhibits. Malbec from Mendoza is bold and has many abundant flavors and most certainly has stood on it’s own for sometime. This varietal is exciting; and often more compelling than a Merlot. A Cabernet Sauvignon can be a less exciting wine that one might expect. I heavily favor certain appellations to get the right Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. I know that many a critic often picks on Carignane or Charbono as wines that should not exist on their own but only for blending. I would say anyone who has not tried a Malbec a good Malbec may be missing an essential biological appreciation for this bold wine. I eagerly await to drink one a week; with a choice cut of beef or even a hamburger. Malbec is a love for a wine that goes to it’s exquisite and full body and full flavor at all tasting points. Dynamic notes of pepper, blackberry, blueberry, bramble, cedar, cinnamon, cardemom, baking chocolate, boot polish and fall leaves.
¡Salud!
****
Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
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Posted by jamesthewineguy
January 15, 2007
Slight pepper enhanced rather than deterred from the full flavor spectrum. I experienced robust blueberry, toffee, bramble a dusting of cinnamon and Ecuadorean dark chocolate.
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patrico Meléndez
No Comments » | Malbec, Mendoza | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
January 11, 2007
A bold and confident chianti deep and rich; baking cocoa; ripe raspberry, a slightly scented with exotic eastern spice. A fruit brilliant wine that extends from initial taste to finish.
¡Salud!
****
Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
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Posted by jamesthewineguy
January 8, 2007
I would buy Mark West Pinot and I used to buy it when the grapes were sourced from Russian River; now the bottle says the grapes are sourced California coastal regions. For me the Russian River bottle was quite superior to this bottle. This wine gave to much heat both in alcohol and pepper. Pinot peppers can be quite good as long as that is not the majority flavor your palette senses. I like my Pinot balanced with pepper, cranberry, dark ripe berries and a dusting of chocolate.
¡Salud!
****
Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
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Posted by jamesthewineguy
January 6, 2007
This Portuguese vinto tinto was a nice table wine that should be enjoyed with food. The high acid contain demands food and if you drink this as a stand alone might find it too tart. This pairs very well with simple food burgers, pizza or even a lamb kabob. The wine exhibits tart early harvest rainier cherry, a dusting of cinnamon, and plum.
Salud!
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
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Posted by jamesthewineguy
January 6, 2007
I never buy Clos du Bois because I have successive disappointments in each purchase. I know that I can never purse my lips to try any Chardonnay that might produce. This Cabernet Sauvignon was good not great as evidence of my rating. I cannot see what made this a reserve. Calling out a wine as a reserve in my opinion needs a wow factor; I looked up this price (I have not purchased CdB in a long time - this was a gift) and it is a low $20s wine. This Cabernet packed a rich density of dark berry and less in the euclyptus that I often associate with Napa Cabernets. I do like Alexander Valley Cabernets and sometimes are Napa’s poor country cousin and they should not be viewed this way. I would not go out and purchase this wine– it clearly was not a bad Cabernet experience its just that I know there are better experience to be had.
¡Salud!
****
Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
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Posted by jamesthewineguy
