8. March 2009 by Azat.

This is one of those wines for which I started my blog and the type of wine that I enjoy and love drinking and the type of wine that some day I will offer at my wine bar/shop.

2004 Allende.  It is a beautiful red that is fresh and firm, offers cherry, blackberry, and mineral notes over supportive but not obtrusive tannins. Sleek and polished, with an earthy edge that gives it lots and lots of depth.  Here is what the Wine Advocate said about it.

92 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): “The 2004 Allende, a 100% Tempranillo cuvée, was barrel fermented in a mix of new and used French oak, remained in barrel for 13 months, and was bottled unfiltered. The wine is inky purple-colored and has a superb nose of pain grille, mineral, violets, cranberry, and blueberry. The youthful palate reveals layers of fruit, ripe tannin, and excellent balance. The wine merits another 3-4 years of bottle age and should drink well through 2020. Kudos to Finca Allende for a magnificent set of 2004 Riojas!”

This wine is also ranked 90+ points by Wine Spectator, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar and also by Wine Enthusiast. And the best part is that you can still find this wine for well under 25 dollars at many internet shops.  3 very solid stars

Posted in $$$, ***, Wine, Blogroll | Print | 2 Comments »

15. February 2009 by Azat.

2004 Cantonella Cervoles Tinto (Spain, Costers del Segre): Ah, Espana.  My coworker is at Barcelona and I was reading her facebook and made the decision that today we are going to have a nice Spanish red.  Spain the land of tapas, gambas alla plancha, and sexy citizens and GREAT Tempranillo. Some of the new superstars of the wine grape world are also coming from Spain. Cervoles Tinto is a blend of Tempranillo, Cab, Garnacha and Merlot is an inky pool of forward and full-bodied fruit and smoke that is a rave of Old World restraint and New World gluttony.  The wine is a dark and deep color and an attractive nose of black berries. On the palate, it is juicy with a rich and velvety texture followed by a well-balanced finish.  A absolutely fascinating bottle of red wine.  Robert Parker gave the wine 92 points, too.(prior year 94) And you can still find them in the 20-25 dollar range

Tasting notes from The Wine Advocate:

“Wow! What an amazing, reasonably priced wine. This 1,000-case cuvee, aged 12-14 months in French oak, from one of the appellation’s highest altitude vineyards (it borders Montsant/Priorat), is a blend of 41% Tempranillo, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Grenache, and 11% Merlot. Fabulously fragrant, with notes of crushed rock, black raspberries, blueberries, and cassis, this inky/purple-colored wine boasts great fruit, medium to full body, fabulous texture and purity, and a long, heady finish. This is a compelling as well as provocative wine to drink over the next 7-8 years.”

I would rank this wine a 3-3.5 stars and its very reasonable priced

And by the way, happy Valentine’s Day!

Posted in $$, ***, Wine, Blogroll | Print | No Comments »

25. January 2009 by Azat.

Conundrum is a beautiful wine from Caymus Vineyards.  Although its a separate brand on its own.  It is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Muscat Canelli.  In addition to that they also add small amounts of Sémillon and Viognier.  I first has this wine at my friends Babak Hosseinzadeh’s house and I was blown off my feet at the beautiful aromas and taste of this wine.  Its an excellent food wine that can be enjoyed with  wide variety of international cuisines and a whole range of courses: from appetizers through dessert. To fully enjoy its aromas and flavors, the wine is best served slightly chilled.

Wine makers notes: “Powerful aromas of green apple, tangerine zest and honeysuckle.  Core flavors of apricot, melon, pear and light vanilla are beautifully balanced by the sparkling acidity of citrus fruits. The lush, creamy, mouth-filling texture is heightened by powerful floral and bright tropical fruit notes and leads to a full, powerful finish.”

We enjoyed the wine with a great pasta dish and a wonderful desert that Krista(Babak’s wife) had prepared.

I would rand this wine at 3.5 stars and a good bargain at about $22

Posted in $$, ***, Wine, Blogroll | Print | No Comments »