You can read additional food and wine blogs where I talk specifically about California food and wines.
Land of Food and Wine:
http://www.landofwineandfood.com/blog_jamesmelendez.aspx
Thanks,
James Meléndez
Jaime Patricio Meléndez
James the Wine Guy
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Posted by jamesthewineguy
This is a very dry Sauvignon Blanc; plenty of exotic notes; passion fruit, papaya, pineapple and gold kiwi; this wine is perfect for the most hearty of seafood dishes. A beautiful straw color is elegant and is as good as it tastes.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
Of the three Zinfandels from this vineyard – this being the youngest – I preferred the least but it may be that time improves each vintage. 2005 had a higher rating that did 2004 and 2003 had the highest rating. This wine gives bramble, fall maple leaf, some nutmeg and an abundance of blackberry.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Paso Robles, Zinfandel | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
Very disappointed with the synth cork which imparts an especially noticeable taste. It took a while for the wine to recover from this shock; the wine with either a natural cork or screw cap would have shown through much more naturally and would have been a superb experience. I am fascinated with Chilean Malbecs which often impart Eucalyptus; this wine not only had Eucalyptus it also exhibited Blackberry Coulis, Allspice, fresh sanded wood and forest floor.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Colchagua Valley, Malbec | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
I was excited when I saw this wine – I thought what a great value—Meritage…Napa Valley..$9.99….. later I noted that there was no vintage??? I went to Grover Street Winery’s website but there was no explanation. The wine was singular in dimension and the wine displayed few characteristics of a what I expect in a Meritage… namely structure. I did detect some fruit, there were very few spice or wood notes. I thought the wine needed a bit of time to open up; 30 minutes later it was the same experience. I was disappointed.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Meritage, Napa Valley | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
I looked at this bottle that I had been gifted; the back panel said it was produced by Benessere; but there was no information on it’s varietal breakdown. I went online, first to Benessere, but they made no mention of it. I went to a wine retailer but they called this a Meritage but they also cited it contained Sangiovese? Well is it really a Meritage? The label just says “red wine” if it was a Meritage it would have said so on the label.
The wine was overall disappointing; having very little structure; going from high fruit impact to heat and then a very weak finish. There was some white pepper, blackberry, and blueberry with a bit of baking spice.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Napa Valley, Red Blend | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
Duo Cabernet Sauviginon Merlot exhibits cherry, cranberry, cedar, and Indian simmering spices. This wine has a nice structure and it is apparent this is a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend; beautiful ink color, and nice acid. This bottle had a real cork—I don’t always expect this from this value oriented wine.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley, Merlot | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
Even though Becker Vineyards says that this Malbec is in the style of Mendoza Malbecs I do not think is a fair description. I think Mendoza Malbecs have a unique and to not be copied style all due to that lovely Mendoza’s Andean Terroir. This Malbec has a deeper red fruit component than it’s pepper-herbaceous quality that you might find much further south from here. This Malbec exhibits vanilla, bramble, deep red fruit confit, and slight anise. Great with a steak or an afternoon glass of wine get together with friends. I think this wine shows Texas has promise for very good Malbecs to come. Can’t wait to try more. And I hope someday soon that this wine is more widely distributed; Becker Vineyards deserves more attention.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
1 Comment | Malbec, Texas | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
I am now open for 2008 wine review period. Please contact me for shipping address.Thank you,James the Wine Guy
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Posted by jamesthewineguy
A very effervescent wine; constant streaming of medium to small bubbling orbs; the wine presents with a straight-forward mineral, slightly toasted brioche, guava and citrus peel.
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Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Champagne | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
