Grilos Vinho Tinto Red Blend Dao – 2006 – 8.6 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

This wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Aragonês (Tempranillo in Spain) and Alfrocheiro.  This is a bright wine from the Dao region.  13% alcohol and very inky and dark.  The initial taste is spice finishing with Boysenberry.  This wine is a reminder of how wondrous Portuguese wines are and vary by region.  This wine is the tip of the proverbial wine iceberg.  There is tremendous value to be found and on this label it is unfortunate to give a varietal breakdown of this wine.

I have said that Portugal is not just about fortified wines but an undiscovered wine country. I would keep a look at for Portuguese wines on your next wine buying adventures.

YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nwn1cpddCk

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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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Le Tristan Val de Loire Cabernet Franc – 2007 – 8.9 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

This wine a component in the Bordeaux wine tradition does stand out on it’s own.  Like Malbec is not just a blending grape anymore it is also a bonafine varietal that deserves focus.

This wine from the Val de Loire is a beautiful wine and it is an expression in earth and earthiness.  This wine is bold in notes of Porcini mushroom, moisten earth after rain and subtle fruit notes of cherry and plum.  Low in alcohol –12% and high acid make for a splendid wine with food or on it’s own.

I love Cabernet Franc because it’s signature is it’s own—and cannot be mistaken for a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Pinot Noir.

I give this wine an 8.9 out of 10 points.

I found this wine at Bi-Rite Market in SF for $10.99 bottle

YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N57LNLNe9k8

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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

Infinitus Castilla Syrah – 2008 – 8.7 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

This wine presents with 14% alcohol a bit higher than I would have expected but doesn’t drink too hot.  This wine presents with generous roasted red fruit – raspberry, blackberry, a scent of cedar and and finishing with a high acid and a final taste of fennel.  A subtle wine and not a berry bomb– a good wine to serve with food–burgers, and marinara dishes.

I found this wine at Canyon Market www.canyonmarket.com in San Francisco for $7.99.

YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AWzasgr83M

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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

Viu Manent Colchagua Valley Malbec – 2008 – 8.6 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

One does not always think of Malbec and Chile but this is a good example of how this varietal can be grown in Chile and can have a unique signature.  This wine is distinctly different than Mendoza Malbecs but easily recognized as a Malbec.  This wine has mild pepper notes, gorgeous stewed blueberry notes encapsulated with baking spice and fennel.  What would make this wine outstanding is if it had a screwcap or real cork–this bottle closure is a synth cork.  A good value.  I purchased this wine at Canyon Market – www.canyonmarket.com in San Francisco for $6.99 a bottle

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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

Pey Marin Marin County Pinot Noir – 2006 – 8.9 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Most people don’t realize that on the way to wine country from San Francisco are passing a very little known wine producing county—one of California’s wealthiest.  But this makes sense considering it is perfectly cool and for a Pinot Noir grape this is a good home.  This wine presents with vitreous hues, notes of rose petals, ground cardamom, black pepper and roasted blackberry.

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A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: http://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

Abrazo del Toro Garnacha Tempranillo Cariñena – 2008 – 8.6 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

This wine is 80% Garnacha and 20% Tempranillo–this wine has an intense red raspberry focus, robust acid structure, low alcohol of 13% and lighter than expected baking spice notes of cinnamon and cardamom.

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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

Terra Savia Sanel Valley Vineyards Mendocino County Merlot – 2005 – 8.9 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

This bottle of wine was full of surprises.   First, I met the wine maker late last year and I really liked him–Jim Milone and his view of wine and wine making.  I enjoyed the suite of wines that I tasted.  I was in Bi-Rite Market this weekend and I saw this bottle at $7.99–on a lower shelf as if it deserved so little attention.

I was a bit skeptical–maybe it was $7.99 for a great reason.  I came home opened it up immediately and expecting just an average wine as best.  And my first sip was –this is a good wine but… then I gave it time to open up.

This Merlot is markedly different than much hotter wine regions–like Napa Valley.  This Merlot does not start and end with a fruit bomb–instead the Mendocino climate–and it can vary in this region but overall a cool night is usually in store during grape growing time.  This wine exhibits notes of roasted blackberry-blueberry, richly herbaceous, and subtle yet evocative spice notes of cardamom and ground clove.

At $7.99 a bottle it is a profound deal.  Perhaps the only reason a $7.99 bottle is that it is a 2005 vintage–don’t let that scare you–it is a very nice wine.  I’m going back for more.

YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vD8Mjz2zk8

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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

Bogle California Sauvignon Blanc – 2008 – 8.4 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

A decent but not a thrilling Sauvignon Blanc–Sauvignon Blancs can be exciting and work deliciously with seafood.  This wine contains notes of dried lemon peel, blood orange zest and fennel.

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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

Turley Old Vines California Zinfandel – 2007 – 8.8 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

This Zinfandel exhibits lovely notes of rose petal, nutmeg, cardamom, Crimini mushroom and wood.

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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

Domaine Carneros Ultra Brut – 2003 – 8.8 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

A superbly dry sparkling wine encompassing notes of dried almond, hibiscus and measured notes of kiwi and guava.

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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