Review: ***+ $ Pedro Romero Amontillado Medium Sherry, Spain, non-vintage - BEST VALUE

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By way of background, opening thoughts: Amontillado sherries are in between the dry, light fino's and the more intense, rich oloroso's.  All Amontillado's are fortified after fermentation.  Within the category, this one we are sampling today is in the medium category, which means it is lightly sweetened. 

Original tasting and review : This is Pedro Romero Amontillado Medium Sherry, Spain, non-vintage, finished via fortification to 17.5% alcohol.

In the glass: Shows a light brown color, think deep Scotch whiskey.

On the nose: Poured cool and swirled vigorously, shows mashed walnuts and sweet carmel.  From the aroma, seems like this will be thick, rich and sweet.

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact a sweet nutty middle, lightly infused with the oxidized elements common to sherry.  Brings in notes of oranges and tobacco, sifting to a long and surprisingly clean finish.

In summary: Overall, rates three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, with a plus for the distinct nutty elements.  Best value, as are many of the classic Spanish sherries.

(c) Copyright 2011 Spirit of Wine, all rights reserved.  If you are a winery, distributor or marketing agent and you would like to see your (or your client's) wine featured at Spirit of Wine, here are two options: 1) Wait, pray and hope - we may find you someday; 2) Submit a wine for review.  No charge.  Particulars are here.   If you are reading this full posting on any site other than Spirit of Wine, chances are it is a copyright violation.

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Pedro Romero Amontillado Sherry.

Review: *** $ Bodegas Lan Crianza, Rioja, Spain, 2006 - BEST VALUE

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By way of background, opening thoughts: Crianza wines from Spain have spent a full year in oak barrels.  Today we are sampling a value-priced yet well-regarded crianza from the Rioja region.

Original tasting and review : This is Bodegas Lan Crianza, Rioja, Spain, 2006, finished at 13.5% alcohol, made from 100% tempranillo.  We're tasting it just about at the midpoint of its ideal drinking window from three to five years from vintage date.

In the glass: LAN Crianza shows as deep, dark ruddy red in the glass, opaque from about an inch from the edge.

On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, shows soft red fruit and oak.  From the aroma, seems like this will be simple, easy and fruity.

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact soft, round, balanced fruit on the mid-palate.  Shows lush, softened red berry, followed by tannins and acids which have spent their five years working to surround the fruit with an easy, gentle frame.  Finish is of modest length and impressively clean.

In summary: Overall, balanced sip rates three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, making it a best value at its bargain price point.  Following long decant, full day kept cool in partially filled bottle: A bit of pleasant old world funk coming across now on the nose.  The soft, medium body palate is now nicely poised between old and new world. 

(c) Copyright 2011 Spirit of Wine, all rights reserved.  If you are a winery, distributor or marketing agent and you would like to see your (or your client's) wine featured at Spirit of Wine, here are two options: 1) Wait, pray and hope - we may find you someday; 2) Submit a wine for review.  No charge.  Particulars are here.   If you are reading this full posting on any site other than Spirit of Wine, chances are it is a copyright violation.

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Review: ***+ $$ Lucas & Lewellen Cabernet Sauvignon, Valley View Vineyard, Santa Barbara County, California, 2006 - GOOD VALUE

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By way of background, opening thoughts: Santa Barbara is an AVA quite south in California, just above Los Angeles.  Here we are tasting a well-aged cabernet sauvignon from the region.

Original tasting and review : This is Lucas & Lewellen Cabernet Sauvignon, Valley View Vineyard, Santa Barbara County, California, 2006, finished at a big 14.6% alcohol.

In the glass:  This L&L cabernet shows as deep ruddy red, moving almost opaque in the middle of the glass.

On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, shows lifted, tangy, slightly medicinal and bold, some floral and savory spice elements too.  From the aroma, seems like this will be a most interesting experience.

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact a textured, lightly sweet and solidly fruity mid-palate, bringing some raspberry tang along with a deep, ripe blackberry core.  Age and light decanting has settled the fruit down, allowing distinctive, yet soft, tannins, to crawl into focus.  Some smoke and dry leaves emerge as the long finish works its magic. 

In summary: Overall, rates three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, with a plus for its nicely-toned, balanced and sophisticated style.  This is not looking for any further age.  Good value.

Following long decant, full day kept cool in partially filled bottle: Softer, light red nose.  Palate moves to soft raspberry and red berries.  Easy, sweet, pleasing, lightly contemplative.

(c) Copyright 2011 Spirit of Wine, all rights reserved.  If you are a winery, distributor or marketing agent and you would like to see your (or your client's) wine featured at Spirit of Wine, here are two options: 1) Wait, pray and hope - we may find you someday; 2) Submit a wine for review.  No charge.  Particulars are here.   If you are reading this full posting on any site other than Spirit of Wine, chances are it is a copyright violation.

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Lucas & Lewellen Cabernet Sauvignon.

Review: ***+ $$ Orrando Tempranillo, Sierra Foothills, California, 2010 - GOOD VALUE

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By way of background, opening thoughts: We just reviewed a cabernet sauvignon from the lesser-know Sierra Foothills AVA of California.  Here comes another wine from the save region, this time a fresh, young tempranillo.

Original tasting and review : This is Orrando Tempranillo, Sierra Foothills, California, 2010, finished at 14.2% alcohol.

In the glass: Light to medium ruby red. 

On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, shows bright purple with some underlying black oak on the nose.  Hints of peppery vanilla. From the aroma, seems like this will be fruity, somewhat bold with noticeable acids.

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact solid and deeply fruited on the mid-palate, bringing blackberry and black cherry.  Light acids lighten the depth, with few tannins.  Finish is brief and clean, except a little bit of red berry climbs into your cheeks with the acid and hangs out until the owner closes down the place. 

In summary: Overall, rates three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, with a plus for solid attitude.  Good value, based on its value to price ratio.

Following long decant, full day kept cool in partially filled bottle: Light red on the nose with charred oak.  Very consistent on the palate.

(c) Copyright 2011 Spirit of Wine, all rights reserved.  If you are a winery, distributor or marketing agent and you would like to see your (or your client's) wine featured at Spirit of Wine, here are two options: 1) Wait, pray and hope - we may find you someday; 2) Submit a wine for review.  No charge.  Particulars are here.   If you are reading this full posting on any site other than Spirit of Wine, chances are it is a copyright violation.

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Sierra Foothills tempranillo.

Review: ****+ $$ Lustre Vineyards Syrah Fiddletown, Sierra Foothills, California, 2009 - BEST VALUE

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By way of background, opening thoughts: The Sierra Foothills are a lesser-known AVA (American Viticultural Area) in California, even though it is one of the largest AVA's in California.  Here is a syrah from that region.

Original tasting and review : This is Lustre Vineyards Syrah Fiddletown, Sierra Foothills, California, 2009, finished at 14.4% alcohol.

In the glass: Deep ruddy red and magenta, almost but not quite opaque in the center of the glass.

On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, shows seductive inky, purple and black fruit tones, with intriguing cedar overtones.  From the aroma, seems like this will be plump, mouth-filling and layered.

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact mouthfilling as expected, but with even more layers of flavor than anticipated.  Rich blueberry pie sets the palate, accompanied by firm surrounding tannins that create an envelope for carrying the rich fruit to a lingering finish, which displays definite milk chocolate overtones.

In summary: Overall, impressive, multi-layered experience rates four stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, making this a best value.

Following long decant, full day kept cool in partially filled bottle: Consistent nose, a bit milder, but with some oak flowing in now too.  Layers and layers on the palate.  Gets a plus for these layers.  Already an awesome value, and nicer still with this additional air time.

(c) Copyright 2011 Spirit of Wine, all rights reserved.  If you are a winery, distributor or marketing agent and you would like to see your (or your client's) wine featured at Spirit of Wine, here are two options: 1) Wait, pray and hope - we may find you someday; 2) Submit a wine for review.  No charge.  Particulars are here.   If you are reading this full posting on any site other than Spirit of Wine, chances are it is a copyright violation.

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Sierra Foothills syrah.

Review: ***+ $$ Austral Reserve Compass Red, South Eastern Australia, 2010 - BEST VALUE

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By way of background, opening thoughts: South Eastern Australia is home to red varietals such as shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.  This red blend doesn't reveal its grapes anywhere, but it does hail from South Eastern Australia.


Original tasting and review : This is Austral Reserve Compass Red, South Eastern Australia, 2010, finished at 13.4% alcohol, which is quite modest - almost low - by Australian red wine standards.

In the glass: Medium deep ruby red.

On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, shows deep, oak-tinged black fruits.

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are an initial deep, smoky sense of dark but sweet fruit, followed by a combination of deep red currants and blackberries that fill your mouth with a lingering acid "squeak".  The finish rides along on that squeak, and leaves spicy red currants to linger for a very long time.

In summary: Overall, rates three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, as I would be more than pleased to make my way back to this wine again someday.

Following long decant, full day kept cool in partially filled bottle: Consistent but softer nose.  The palate has knitted together wonderfully, bringing waves of deep, rich fruit, more extra ripe blueberries than blackberries, with little perks of acid lifting the finish.  Gets a fourth star with the air, making it a best value, based on its value to price ratio. 

(c) Copyright 2011 Spirit of Wine, all rights reserved.  If you are a winery, distributor or marketing agent and you would like to see your (or your client's) wine featured at Spirit of Wine, here are two options: 1) Wait, pray and hope - we may find you someday; 2) Submit a wine for review.  No charge.  Particulars are here.   If you are reading this full posting on any site other than Spirit of Wine, chances are it is a copyright violation.

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Review: ***+ $$ Covaso Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Mendoza, Argentina, non-vintage - GOOD VALUE

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By way of background, opening thoughts: Mendoza, Argentina - a land known for malbec - is also doing some remarkably good work with cabernet sauvignon.  Let's try one now.

Original tasting and review : This is Covaso Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Mendoza, Argentina, non-vintage, finished at 14.1% alcohol.  Very unusual (and frankly disappointing) to see no vintage associated with this wine.  Typically, that feature is reserved for the lowest of the low-priced brands of varietals.

In the glass: Deep bloody burgundy, opaque from a half inch from the edge of the glass, with purple blackish highlights.

On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, shows soft but sturdy classic fruit, some oak and purpleness.  From the aroma, seems like this will be big, blousy and soft. 

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact big, deep, ruddy dark red, with husky fruit accompanied by teeth-staining soft tannins, and a mellow body that seems to imply some age.  The fruits are muddled and mushy, but are lifted by the tannins and enough acids to give a little perk.  The finish is lingering and clean. 

In summary: Overall, three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, with a big plus for its rich pleasure-giving elements.  Misses fourth star just because it lacks true distinctiveness.  Good value.

Following long decant, full day kept cool in partially filled bottle:  Consistent nose.  Remains a balanced and friendly palate. 

(c) Copyright 2011 Spirit of Wine, all rights reserved.  If you are a winery, distributor or marketing agent and you would like to see your (or your client's) wine featured at Spirit of Wine, here are two options: 1) Wait, pray and hope - we may find you someday; 2) Submit a wine for review.  No charge.  Particulars are here.   If you are reading this full posting on any site other than Spirit of Wine, chances are it is a copyright violation.

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Review: ***+ $$ Terra Grande Crianza, Almansa, Spain, 2008 - GOOD VALUE

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By way of background, opening thoughts: Spanish Crianza's see six months in oak casks.  We'll try one here with a couple years of additional bottle age.

Original tasting and review : This is Terra Grande Crianza, Almansa, Spain, 2008, finished at 14% alcohol.  It is a blend of 50% monastrell (mourvedre), 30% tempranillo and 20% cabernet sauvignon.

In the glass: Deep ruddy red, some bricking at the edge. 

On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, shows light, bright fruit, some purpleness.  From the aroma, seems like this will be tangy and perhaps simple.

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact surprisingly generous, deep and layered, with chewy black oak and unsweetened caramel.  Some tobacco as it moves to a modest and full finish.

In summary: Overall, rates three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, with a plus for depth.  Good value.

Following long decant, full day kept cool in partially filled bottle:  Consistent nose.  The palate is more expansive and slightly sweeter.  The caramel is more caramel-ier.  Nice chewing tobacco.

(c) Copyright 2011 Spirit of Wine, all rights reserved.  If you are a winery, distributor or marketing agent and you would like to see your (or your client's) wine featured at Spirit of Wine, here are two options: 1) Wait, pray and hope - we may find you someday; 2) Submit a wine for review.  No charge.  Particulars are here.   If you are reading this full posting on any site other than Spirit of Wine, chances are it is a copyright violation.

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Almansa Crianza.