James Cole Napa Valley Petit Verdot – 2006 – 8.9 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

This wine is 100% Petit Verdot; this varietal is not often a wine of it’s own accord. This wine presents a highly bright acid; vivid herbaceous notes of lavender and Eucalyptus and baked blackberry.

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A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2009 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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James Cole Napa Valley Chardonnay – 2006 – 9.0 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

This is a focused and sterling Chardonnay with mild gold color; hues of honey, cantaloupe, almond and fennel.  More Burgundy than California; a sophisticated yet approachable Chardonnay.

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A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2009 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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James Cole Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 2005 – 9.1 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

A bold structure and what holds the backbone of this wine is not the wood but a lattice and weave of tame dark fruit, pronounced ground simmering spices, earth, and leaves

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James Cole Napa Valley Malbec – 2006 – 9.3 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

When one thinks Malbec Argentina comes to mind.  I have searched for an American equivalent in terms of quality not necessarily flavor profile and have for the most part been dissatisfied until now.   James Cole winery produces a wine that gives an authentic expression to appellation.  This wine demonstrates how this varietal can be produced in California and can be both similar and quite different from it’s South American brethren.  This wine gives a plenitude of blackberry-açaí Coulis, cardamom, ground allspice, Porcini mushroom and bramble.

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A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2009 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon – 9.0 – 1995 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Although the label says Cabernet Sauvignon this wine also contains Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot.  This wine needed and benefitted by being decanted.  Very tight and not immedately friendly on first sip.  The wine opened up in just 15 minutes; this wine gave a smooth and delightful; this wine gives blackberry, cherry, espresso, mineral and black truffle.

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A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2009 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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Imagery Sunny Slope Sonoma Valley Merlot – 2001 – 9.0 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Deep blackberry, coffee, anise-black pepper, underbrush and truffle.  This wine is aging quite well and has retained it’s original brightness but has taken on it’s age in such a refined way.

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A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2009 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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Rayun Rapel Valley Syrah – 2007 – 8.7 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

I was excited to see the closure was a screw-cap much preferred to a  synthetic closure.  This wine exhibits cranberry, strawberry, toast, clove and fennel.  A very nice value–purchased at Bi-Rite in San Francisco for under $8.00.

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A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2009 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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Viu Manent Colchagua Valley Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon – 2007 – 8.8 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

A consistently beautiful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon; notes of chocolate, Abalone mushroom, cherry confit and sweet spices.

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A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2009 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:

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Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – 2007 – 8.7 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

A very mild Sauvignon Blanc with subdued notes of nectarine, mineral, hint of freshly cut grass and dash of mace.

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A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2009 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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Maipe Salta Torrontés – 2008 – 9.0 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

A zesty gorgeous wine; wonderfully dry yet blissful packets of exotic fruit–gold kiwi, passion fruit, and guava; cardamom and  toasted almonds; a wine that is excellent with food and excellent as a standalone; a great value and especially in this weather easily drinkable at 13.5% alcohol it is a very approachable wine.

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A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2009 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy