Foley Rancho Santa Rosa Pinot Noir presents rose, white pepper, anise, fresh sanded wood; a nice stand alone but this is a very food friendly Pinot Noir.
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© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
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Pinot Noir | 
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Posted by jamesthewineguy
Silky and well structured; you know this is a California Pinot Noir but this Pinot; there is something special about coolness and Pinot; the mysteries of Pinot deepen and once again one cannot help but fall head over heals for this mystical experience.
Arista Mononi produces a rich, lush, and gorgeous jewel hues; I like Pinots to have vitreous quality; this way you can usher in what the senses will experience.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
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This shiraz is bold and confident; I like shiraz to taste like wine not like a raspberry spritzer. This shiraz gives generous amounts of fruit: deep red, boysenberry, blackberry and spice: allspice. The boldness stands up to a generous piece of beef but can easily be paired for lamb.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
1 Comment | Australia, Syrah / Shiraz | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
Wirra Wirra RSW McLaren Vale Shiraz presents fruit balanced, roasted red berries, slight cinnamon, cardamom, basil and black pepper.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Australia, Syrah / Shiraz | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
Alta Vista Premium Malbec 2004 presents with an amazing heat; not from Alcohol but from a serious red pepper, Oaxacan simmering peppers, mint, eucalyptus, cedar and worn leather. The taste is complete from initial sip to finish. Can stand alone but with a choice piece of beef this would be even better.
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Malbec | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
What’s the perfect pairing to wine? Food! I am passionate about both: so take a look:
JAMESTHEFOODGUY.WORDPRESS.COM
James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Food | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
A lovely South African red blend - Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot; a lively blend of poached red fruit, slight cardamom, and cedar with polished mineral finish.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Blend, South Africa, wine | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
A reasonable and approachable Petite Sirah. Sometimes a Petite Sirah can be so off putting that I nearly always question a Petite Sirah at hand. But this is a lovely Petite Sirah that gave an equal portion of fruit and Oaxacan cooking spices and this wine is a wondrous match for chocolate. I recently enjoyed this wine at Yield Wine Bar in San Francisco.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Petite Sirah, wine | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
I take my ratings seriously and take a judicious view of my wine ratings. My ratings reflect a founded and firm and realistic view of wine. Not all wines are the same; many bottles, certain budgets and a desire for good wine keeps us trying to maximize the selection process. I was asked about my wine ratings and I believe them to be judicious; I know some reviewers give rankings that to me are consistently too high. A wine rating can only have integrity if it is utilized with respect and caution. As I have said previously that I think a wine below a 7.0 is not worth drinking. I am a firm believer that anything above is worthy endeavor. I further more believe that wines between 8.5 and 8.9 are noble wines and because if one views this as a B+ though not an “A” is worthwhile. I drink an 8.5 to 8.9 on most of my wine drinking days. I would love to consume 9.5 to 10.0s but I don’t–but these wines are extraordinarily rare and love to share these with my closest friends. A 9.0 to 9.4 are exceptional wines and as the scale goes to 10.0 it should be viewed with a logarithmic sense. A 9.0 to 9.4 can be hard to find and priced to match–although this is not always the case. An 8.5 to 8.9 wine should be considered.
© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | My Wine Rating System | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
I don’t often see Doña Paula wines often. I had not even had a bottle before this rare moment I picked up and drank it with a nice ribeye dinner. Doña Paula’s Lujan de Cuyo Malbec drank quite well. It was a well balanced wine with a noticeable oak finish but the fruit and spice were equally present. This wine had an abundance of dark chocolate, cinnamon, dry brush, pimento, streamed mineral and white pepper; a lovely wine with or without food.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Malbec | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
