This wine gives a strong baked red apple profile intertwined with rich and bold black and red peppers with intermittent cinnamon and nutmeg. A delicate tannic structure and abundant acid.
****
Now, more than 500 wine reviews. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
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This wine is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Shiraz; the Shiraz unfortunately overwhelms and over powers the Cabernet Sauvignon paving the way for a overly dark red fruited wine; there is almost no complexity and the tannic structure weak and disappointing.
****
Now, more than 500 wine reviews. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
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Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia, Syrah / Shiraz | 
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Paso Robles for me is a geographical marker for the center of Central Coast wines. I am excited by many wines from Central Coast; may not have the polished Napa Valley feel but the quality of wines are getting better vintage over vintage. This Cabernet Sauvignon is layered with gorgeous and silky tannins; well structured; abundant and balanced notes of black and red fruit Coulis, Pioppini mushroom, Turkish fig, and underbrush. A very nice Cabernet that would gives superb quality.
****
Now, more than 500 wine reviews. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
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Portugal strength in it’s namesake wine Port has made all of it’s other wines less than sought after—a second class citizen. That is very unfortunate because Portuguese non-fortified wines need to be discovered. There are so many Portuguese beauties out there. The appellations are apt for some wondrous reds. The Iberian Peninsula is a great place for growing hearty reds.
Do not fear an appellation like Alentejo, Dao, Douro, Bairrada; actually seek them. Do not fear what may sound like un-recognizable grapes like Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Aragonês, Trincadeira, Castelão, Touriga Nacional, Arinto, Alvarinho, Fernão Pires, Baga, Sousão, Alfrocheiro, Antão Vaz, Arinto, Moreto, Alicante Bouschet, Seara Nova, Rabigato, Viozinho, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao, Jaen, Loureiro, Azal, Trajadura, Maria Gomes, Verdelho, Codega do Larinho, Viosinho, Roupeiro, Encruzado, Malvasia Fina, Camarata, Tinta Miúda, Preto Martinho, Cerceal, Tinta Amarela, Trajadura, Pedernã, Rabo-de-Ovelha, —instead embrace them. The Tinta Roriz and Aragonêz is what is known as Tempranillo in Spain.
If you seek food friendly white wines with generous acid—you have come to the right country. Think Alvarinho and Arinto these wines are hauntingly gorgeous; delicate, light, crisp and their acid will encapsulate memories of these wonderful wines with seafood and poultry.
Many Portuguese reds are bold; not only do the Portuguese use native grapes they have been growing wines everyone knows – Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot, etc. While these wines are delicious I am a fan of the Trincadeira Preta, Tinta Roriz / Aragonês, and Castelão. These wines are evocative of exotic spice and wood, bramble, herbs, mushrooms, Fall leaves, and red and black fruit confit.
These wines are hard to find—despite Portugal being a very large producer; it is hard to find in almost any U.S. wine retailer; but don’t let that discourage you. Keep searching…..start asking at your favorite restaurants and wine retailer. Many of these wines are tremendous values that need discovery and need attention. Portugal the soon-to-be-discovered wine country
****
Now, more than 500 wine reviews. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Portugal | Permalink
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One doesn’t think of Pinot Blanc and Mendocino; I saw this on a wine list and had to try this with the seafood I ordered. This wine gives lime, orange zest, slivered almond, and green apple on finish.
****
Now, more than 500 wine reviews. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com
© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Mendocino County, Pinot Blanc | Permalink
Posted by jamesthewineguy
An equal rating to the Marimar Estate wine from W.H. Smith; though this one I detected exotic mushroom in addition to it’s floral, smoke and herbaceous notes. Another splendid wine from W.H. Smith.
****
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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast | Permalink
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A wine whose sophistication upon first inspection is good not great; the nose tells you something the taste brings this wine to full circle. This wine gives delicate rose petal, herbaceous notes like Eucalyptus, humidor, earth, smoke; this wine is a delight.
****
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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast | Permalink
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A vibrant and complex Pinot Noir; offering subtlety and position; a position of a wine with finesse and strength; a savoir faire; this wine gives rich and vibrant ground clove, allspice, dark baked red cherry, seared Plout, fragrant cedar and Oaxacan chiles. A blissful wine.
****
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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
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I don’t think of Australia as my go to for Chardonnay; a very drinkable wine with generous acids encapsulating a mild gold color with considerable citrus notes and subtle hints of cashew.
****
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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Chardonnay, South Australia | Permalink
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This wine gives some Kadota fig, baked Granny smith apple, and gentle touches of baking spices; the wine didn’t unfold to the complexity that makes for a memorable Chardonnay.
****
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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez
No Comments » | Chardonnay, Columbia Valley | Permalink
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