Psydr Short & To-The-Point Wine Reviews
Below are reviews of fun little finds purchased locally. The typical cost per bottle is $10 or less, and the label probably has a little more pizazz than your traditional Barolo. But don't judge the bottle by the label. These reviews are personal and certainly non-professional evaluations of wines we've tried. Enjoy!
November 7, 2008
October 21, 2008
2006 Mano a Mano Tempranillo
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Mano a Mano
FLAVOR: Red, Tempranillo
ORIGIN: Spain
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $9
NICKNAME: "Mano a Mano Red"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Mano a Mano, Red, Spain, Tempranillo
1 Reviews:
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October 22, 2008 1:12 AM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
A nice change from the other vino I've had this evening... even though I'm going to give it the exact same rating (3 STARS). I just happen to like Tempranillo more at the moment, but I can't let that sway my judgment.
Clearly dog is the motif for this evening as both reviewed beverages have canines on their labels. That wasn't on purpose. That's just how things turned out.
Oddly enough, I find this Tempranillo to be sweeter than the Merlot I consumed just an hour ago. It's a good sweet. Right now, I prefer it.
There are some earth and oak tones here as well. There were clearly oak casks involved in the aging of this beverage. While there usually are, there's no doubt here. Licking the actual casks would be the only way to create a stronger oak palate. Watch out for splinters.
A small amount of bitter and a slightly pungent nose. Not a terrible pungent. Just a hint of not-quite-right.
All-in-all this is an average vino.
October 19, 2008
2006 Goats do Roam Red
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Goats do Roam
FLAVOR: Red, Blend
ORIGIN: South Africa
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $7
NICKNAME: "Goat Red"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Goats do Roam, Mixed Varietal, Red, South Africa
1 Reviews:
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October 20, 2008 12:17 AM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Plum. Tons of plum.
While the blend is not listed, if I were to guess, I'd say Shiraz was the predominant varietal. It has the same sweet characteristics and color. The nose, however, is of plum. Smooth. No bitter tannins. And a slight fruity aftertaste.
A decent wine from South Africa. I'm tempted to give it 4 STARS, but I just can't.
October 14, 2008
2006 Red Guitar Tempranillo Garnacha
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Red Guitar
FLAVOR: Red, 55% Tempranillo, 45% Garnacha
ORIGIN: Navarra, Spain
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $10
NICKNAME: "Red Guitar Red"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Grenache, Mixed Varietal, Red, Red Guitar, Spain, Tempranillo
1 Reviews:
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October 27, 2008 9:27 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
This one is a surprise. At first whiff I was sure I was to be disappointed. Nope. This is a good wine. The nose betrayed it's actual character by releasing a scent of sweet, sweet licorice. Not being a licorice fan, I'm usually immediately turned off by such wines. But this one wasn't so bad. In fact, I rather enjoyed it. It was a tad sweet and a bit leggy. And there IS a hint of anise in the palate. However, it wasn't overpowering, and the hint of pepper helped dull down the sweet. Overall it was a good balance. If you enjoy licorice, then this is the bottle for you. I see no reason not to purchase this wine. It's a good bottle to "throw in the mix" every now and then...
1 Reviews:
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October 27, 2008 9:30 PM ,
psydr said...
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2 OUT OF 5 STARS
Quite a startling contrast to the vino I just had. While the previous blend from The California Wine Party was smooth and without a hint of acidic bitterness, this is the polar opposite. Very acidic. I feel as if the enamel is being stripped from my teeth as I write this review. The wine makes me want to brush my teeth. I don't know. It's probably not the most bitter beverage I've tried as of late, but it's certainly not inviting me back to purchase it again. I don't like it. It's almost chalky. Ick. No thanks Crucillon.
2006 The California Wine Party Franc/Merlot
YEAR: 2006WINERY: The California Wine Party
FLAVOR: Red, 70% Cabernet Franc, 26% Merlot, 4% Petite Sirah
ORIGIN: California, USA
PURCHASED: Trader Joe's, Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $5
NICKNAME: "Wine Party Red"
Labels: 2006, 4 STAR, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Mixed Varietal, Petite Sirah, Red, The California Wine Party, USA
1 Reviews:
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October 27, 2008 9:33 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
Good nose. Maybe slightly sweet in smell. Dark and slightly clouded. Not the clearest of beverages. Good flavor though. Not bad at all for a cheap wine. Surprisingly, there is very little aftertaste. For some reason I was betting on a bit of the bitters after swallowing. Maybe because the color was a little off. Or maybe is was something I sensed in the aroma. Either way, I couldn't have been more wrong. This wine starts off smooth and finishes in exactly the same way. Some might describe it as having a slightly watered down feeling, but personally, I just think it's a nice, smooth vino. I tend to prefer a thinner wine at times. They just seem more refreshing.
Anyway, this is a good buy and can be found at your local Trader Joe's. Pick up a bottle and let me know what you think.
October 13, 2008
1 Reviews:
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October 27, 2008 9:35 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is what I would refer to as a "medium" wine. Every aspect of it seems to fall somewhere in the middle of any given range. It's neither smooth nor does it have great bite. There isn't a significant acidic bitterness involved, but it's certainly not sweet. The legs are neither strong nor weak. In general, this wine would be a great crowd pleaser at a party where no one really knew anything about wine. Nothing wrong with that. And, really, that's probably a pretty good audience to gather if your a small wine maker from Argentina. Nothing wrong with that at all. I don't think I'd buy it again, mostly just because I like a little bit more of an argument in my beverages. There isn't one here. You open the bottle. It says, "hello." You drink it. It says, "good bye." No real story. No passion...
September 6, 2008
2006 Smoking Loon Pinot Noir
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Smoking Loon
FLAVOR: Red, Pinot Noir
ORIGIN: California, USA
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $10
NICKNAME: "Smokin' Loon Pinot"
Labels: 2006, 4 STAR, Pinot Noir, Red, Smoking Loon, USA
1 Reviews:
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September 6, 2008 8:11 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
So, I was standing there at my local corner store racking my brain trying to decide which of their lovely wines would best compliment my jalapeno cheddar dip and Tostitos scoops when my eyes came upon this Smoking Loon. After quietly pulling up the Psydr Wine Review site on my new iPhone, I was quickly able to determine I have yet to review this bottle. Soon I was out the door with my new discovery. Now, sitting on my favorite couch, I have the following information to dispatch:
This is an excellent Pinot. Great nose. Almost refreshing like that first whiff of coffee in the morning. While a little leggy visually, the wine itself does not have a thick or sticky texture. The palate is very, very, cherry-berry. How's that for a description? Sorry. That's just what came to mind on first swallow. It's a very smooth wine which is fairly typical of the Pinot and probably why I tend to enjoy them so much.
I think you'll be a happy little camper if you choose this wine. Sometimes they DO carry the good stuff at the corner store. Whadaya know...
Okay, so now it's time for the chips and cheese. I was holding off for the review. Enough of that! I'm hungry.
September 4, 2008
2006 Snoqualmie Syrah
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Snoqualmie
FLAVOR: Red, Syrah
ORIGIN: Columbia Valley, USA
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $7
NICKNAME: "Snowqualmie Syrah"
September 1, 2008
1 Reviews:
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September 1, 2008 9:28 PM ,
psydr said...
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2 OUT OF 5 STARS
Somehow, this is the first Malbec I've reviewed here. Yet I know I've consumed several over the past many months. Perhaps they were above what I considered an acceptable price-point for this blog. Or, I just didn't take time to review them. Malbec is not among my favorite varietals, and truth be told, you folks only see reviews for about half the wines I purchase. I just don't have time to review them all.
Anyway, here goes... This is an okay wine. It's typical of a Malbec: Dark in color. Slightly leggy. Strong scent of earth. There's also the standard bitter aftertaste.
And then there is a quality I just don't quite have the words for, but it seems to be present in most, if not all Malbecs. Here's my best shot: There's this scene in The Christmas Story where one kid triple dog dares the other to stick his tongue to a frozen pole on the playground. Well, it is my belief this is the flavor Malbecs exude. Let's label it as cold steel. If you've ever licked a cold metal rod of any sort, you might know what I'm talking about.
There. Done.
1 Reviews:
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September 1, 2008 1:39 AM ,
psydr said...
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0 OUT OF 5 STARS
Okay, so sometimes I pick up a bottle based on the label alone. It's kind of like reading a book by its cover... Well, kinda. And with a prologue like "Evil" and a mantra of "It's just wrong," how could I resist? Vessel purchased!
Excited, I scurried the bottle home from the local grocer with a little extra skip in my step. Upon reaching my humble abode, I popped the cork... Oh, no, wait... I unscrewed the cap and poured a small sampling into one of my favorite tester glasses. You know. The ones having a line revolving the center point saying, "optimista" above and "pesimista" below. No? Then by all means go out and purchase a set. They're great!
Moving on. Next came the pour and a moment or two of wait while checking the color and sampling the nose. Color: dark. Almost a muddy grape. Nose: tobacco and licorice. And I'm afraid these are the same two characteristics I would use to describe the palate. I'd almost go as far to say my sampling tasted as if I had lifted someone's dip cup to my mouth accidentally.
This vino is aweful. It really is. I appologize Evil Winery. I really do. But you folks will have to come up with something a little better to put in a 750ml bottle if you're planning on selling it to me. I will NOT purchase such a Cabernet again. Ever...
July 11, 2008
2006 Veo Grande Cabernet Sauvignon
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Veo Grande
FLAVOR: Red, Cabernet Sauvignon
ORIGIN: Colchagua Valley, Chile
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $8
NICKNAME: "Veo Cabernet"
Labels: 2 STAR, 2006, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, Red, Veo Grande
1 Reviews:
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July 11, 2008 7:48 PM ,
psydr said...
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2 OUT OF 5 STARS
Not terribly exciting. Not offensive, but there is a little too much Earth in my glass. I feel like Mother Earth just wasn't quite done preparing these grapes. It's either that or the dirt was just never sifted from the concoction properly. The flavor isn't bad, but the aroma was a bit on the sour side. In general, this just isn't a very good wine. I'm going to move on...
June 10, 2008
2006 Viu Manent Cabernet Sauvignon
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Viu Manent
FLAVOR: Red, Cabernet Sauvignon
ORIGIN: Colchagua Valley, Chile
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $6
NICKNAME: "Viu Manent Cabernet"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, Red, Viu Manent
1 Reviews:
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June 11, 2008 6:45 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Honestly, this wine did not strike me as very good. However, I can see how it might appeal a little bit more to the masses. Therefore, the 3 OUT OF 5 STARS.
The stuff just isn't that tasty. There is a hint of cherry, but there is also an overwhelming taste of blandness. Question: Can blandness be considered a taste?
I taste cherry dirt. Is that descriptive enough? There's a lack of flavor with a hint of dirt, cherry, and anise...
But, really, this is probably an average wine. Not terrible. Nothing I'd personally drink again. But also a wine I believe very unlikely to offend.
Try it if you like...
June 9, 2008
2006 Redwood Creek Pinot Noir
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Redwood Creek
FLAVOR: Red, Pinot Noir
ORIGIN: Pavia, Italy
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $7
NICKNAME: "Redwood Noir"
Labels: 2006, 4 STAR, Italy, Pinot Noir, Red, Redwood Creek
1 Reviews:
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June 9, 2008 7:51 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
I was a little surprised by this wine. Considering where it was purchased and the amount paid, I mostly expected a mouthful of tar and ash. Instead, I was treated with the smooth, sweet taste of dark cherries. I really did enjoy this bottle. The aroma was quite pleasant, and the color very good.
Overall, I fully recommend you try this cheap wine from Italy. Now for the best part: Head on over to your local 711 to pick one up...
May 9, 2008
2006 Cortijo III Tinto Rioja
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Cortijo III
FLAVOR: Red, 80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha
ORIGIN: Rioja, Spain
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $7
NICKNAME: "Cortijo Rioja"
Labels: 2006, 4 STAR, Cortijo III, Grenache, Mixed Varietal, Red, Spain, Tempranillo
1 Reviews:
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May 9, 2008 8:28 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
Not bad. In fact, quite good. This is a more-than-drinkable wine. There's a bit of tannin here but no real bitter aftertaste. Smooth.
My first sniff revealed a bit more acidity than I would prefer, but the first taste quickly made me forget. This wine is full of flavor. There's a good mix of berries here: Raspberry, blackberry, and cherry. Not overwhelming. Just good.
I certainly recommend you pick up a bottle. I am positive you'll be pleased.
May 7, 2008
2006 Aquila d'Oro Toscana
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Aquila d'Oro
FLAVOR: Red, Sangiovese
ORIGIN: Tuscany, Italy
PURCHASED: Trader Joe's, Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $4
NICKNAME: "Aquila Toscana"
Labels: 1 STAR, 2006, Aquila d'Oro, Italy, Red, Sangiovese
1 Reviews:
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May 9, 2008 6:17 PM ,
psydr said...
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1 OUT OF 5 STARS
Yuk! This vino just stinks. It's bitter and loaded with tannins. There's no reason to ever throw down hard-earned case for this bottle... at least not for drinking. It's a very shallow, uneventful wine which I'll more-than-likely never purchase again... not even for $4.
This is hard to believe, but this wine is not worth $4. I wouldn't spend more than $2 if I were you. If you can find it for that, and you could care less what your vino tastes like, then go for it.
Usually the $3 and $4 bottles at our local Trader Joe's are more than worth the money, but not this guy. I say to TJ's, "send it back!"
May 6, 2008
2006 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Syrah
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Robert Mondavi
FLAVOR: Red, Syrah
ORIGIN: California, USA
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $9
NICKNAME: "Robert's Private Syrah"
1 Reviews:
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May 6, 2008 7:31 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
A very tasty wine indeed. I've had good luck with the Mondavis and particularly enjoy their Syrahs. I'll often order a bottle when out dining if nothing else looks new and exciting. You just can't seem to go wrong purchasing a Mondavi.
I feel like I sound like a Robert Mondavi commercial...
This Syrah is quite dark in color but has a very subtle nose. The palate is struck with a hint of raspberry and cherry... I think. No earthy tones here and no real hint of oak. Just goodness.
April 21, 2008
2006 Yellow Tail Pinot Noir
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Yellow Tail
FLAVOR: Red, Pinot Noir
ORIGIN: South Eastern Australia
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $8
NICKNAME: "Yellow Tail Pinot Noir"
Labels: 1 STAR, 2006, Australia, Pinot Noir, Red, Yellow Tail
1 Reviews:
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April 21, 2008 10:16 PM ,
psydr said...
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1 OUT OF 5 STARS
Okay, this stuff is pretty bad. I'm a little disappointed in this Yellow Tail varietal since the Shiraz scored so well.
This bottle was ridiculously sweet for a Pinot. Retarded sweet really. Not good.
Skip it... No, really, skip it.
April 13, 2008
2006 The Ghost of 413 Syrah
YEAR: 2006WINERY: The Ghost of 413
FLAVOR: Red, Syrah
ORIGIN: Columbia Valley, USA
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $10
NICKNAME: "Ghost Syrah"
2 Reviews:
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April 20, 2008 12:19 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is one tasty beverage! The color: ruby as ruby can be. The nose: very fresh and fruity. The flavor: very, very good. There are hints of darker berries here but not bitter in any way. A really smooth and delicious wine.
The name is kinda groovy too. You really need to give this bottle a try. -
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October 28, 2008 6:44 PM ,
Nessa said...
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Keep up the good work.
2006 Jacob's Creek Shiraz
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Jacob's Creek
FLAVOR: Red, Shiraz
ORIGIN: Barossa Valley, Australia
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $8
NICKNAME: "Jacob's Shiraz"
1 Reviews:
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April 20, 2008 12:26 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Here's another average wine. Good. Not great. Inexpensive. Maybe a tad on the sweeter side for a Shiraz.
These bottles seem to be about as readily available as bot Yellow Tail and Alice White and similar in quality. There seems to be several cheap, inexpensive Aussie wines out there at the moment. I enjoy each of them. However, none of them are my favorites... so far.
1 Reviews:
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April 20, 2008 12:28 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
A little sweet but not overly so. However, I don't usually associate sweet with Pinot Noir, so something is amiss here. Decent wine though. Don't NOT try it.
2006 Fat Bastard Shiraz
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Fat Bastard
FLAVOR: Red, Shiraz
ORIGIN: Carcassonne, France
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $10
NICKNAME: "Fat Hippo Shiraz"
1 Reviews:
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April 13, 2008 7:43 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
A nice Shiraz. A few tannins here, but the flavor is nice. Bright, rich color. A wonderful Shiraz with a fantastic label. Who wouldn't love a Fat Bastard Hippo? Well done Fat Bastard.
1 Reviews:
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April 13, 2008 7:10 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is a pretty darn good Valpolicella. A bit dry, but very good. Dark cherry and oak flavors. No bitter aftertaste. Smooth going down. A very earthy wine. Nice.
I was a little apprehensive about such an inexpensive Valpolicella. But it was good. I'm looking forward to continuing through this vessle of goodness with my upcoming meal of smoked salmon over penne with a light cream sauce!
March 30, 2008
2006 Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Robert Mondavi
FLAVOR: Red, Pinot Noir
ORIGIN: California, USA
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $10
NICKNAME: "Mondavi Pinot Noir"
Labels: 2006, 5 STAR, Pinot Noir, Red, Robert Mondavi, USA
1 Reviews:
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March 30, 2008 9:06 PM ,
psydr said...
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5 OUT OF 5 STARS
This wine is just excellent. I love it. Gorgeous color and smell. More quaffable than water. It's just a delight to drink. This is possibly the best wine I've reviewed in quite sometime. I'm not kidding.
There's some cherry here and a slight oak palate as it glides off the tongue and down the back of the throat. Perfect. Incredibly smooth. I just can't say enough about this wine. Bravo Robert Mondavi!
Do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle on your very next trip to the store. It is readily available at most stores in the Great Northwest...
March 19, 2008
2006 Tierra Del Sol Syrah
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Tierra Del Sol
FLAVOR: Red, Syrah
ORIGIN: Mendoza, Argentina
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $8
NICKNAME: "Tierra Syrah"
1 Reviews:
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March 20, 2008 12:05 AM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Again, not too bad. There is almost a hint of licorice here. I'm pretty sure I've never used such to describe the flavor of a wine before. In fact, I rather dislike licorice. But, in this case, it's not bad. I don't really know how that works...
Another smooth wine from Tierra Del Sol. Zero harshness during nor after. This bottle could probably compliment just about anything you stir up in the kitchen... that's red and bloody.
My bottle missed dinner but helped accompany me through a sitting of Goya's Ghosts. Not my favorite film. But not terrible either. Since No Country for Old Men I've been looking forward to viewing another film with Xavier Bardem. He's a fairly convincing actor I'd say...
Is it okay to accompany a Spanish film with Argentinian wine? I'm not sure, but everything seemed to go alright. No complaints.
2006 Tierra Del Sol Tempranillo
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Tierra Del Sol
FLAVOR: Red, Tempranillo
ORIGIN: Mendoza, Argentina
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $8
NICKNAME: "Tierra Tempranillo"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Argentina, Red, Tempranillo, Tierra Del Sol
1 Reviews:
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March 19, 2008 9:13 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Very smooth with a good, solid earthy flavor. A nice Tempranillo which goes quite well with many foods. No bitter aftertaste. Nothing really to dislike at all. An enjoyable bottle from start to finish.
I found this bottle in a local stop of mine. It had several bretheren varietals along side it. In fact, I believe I also picked up the Syrah. Perhaps it'll be my next review.
So far, so good.
March 18, 2008
2006 Walnut Crest Cabernet Sauvignon
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Walnut Crest
FLAVOR: Red, Cabernet Sauvignon
ORIGIN: Chile
PURCHASED: Trader Joe's, Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $5
NICKNAME: "Walnut Cab"
Labels: 2 STAR, 2006, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red, Walnut Creek
2 Reviews:
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March 19, 2008 12:05 AM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Folks, I was really going to tear into this wine. It's NOT great. Then I realized it's $5. How bad could it be? Answer: Not too bad. I guess on the reality scale of 0 to 5 it's a fairly average wine. Therefore the Three rating.
It's not great, nor terrible. Therefore average. Not a bad thing to be in this HIGHLY competitive industry of "cheap" wines. To be cheap and NOT suck is the key... And this wine doesn't suck...
Earthy. Cherry. Light Tannins. That's what I taste... -
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June 11, 2008 6:57 PM ,
psydr said...
1 Reviews:
Another sweet beverage. There is however a little more substance to this vino. There's more Earth and tannins. A bit too much for my taste and too much of a contrast to the sweetness I'm experiencing. These are both immature wines that could use some more time in the bottle. The sugars have yet to break down properly.
I picked these two bottles up due to their price and label. Nifty label. Good price. I figured this would be a good opportunity to sample a Tempranillo and Garnacha from the same vineyard simultaneously and compare the two side by side.
The result is... I believe I prefer the Tempranillo to the Garnacha. But the Tempranillo wins by only the slightest of margins. It's ever so slightly sweeter and has less of a bitter aftertaste. However, I'm pretty certain the Garnacha would be the preferred beverage with food.
I know I'm only giving these fellas a 3 STAR rating, but I would not hesitate to purchase either again. They're both decent wines and probably crowd pleasers on any given day...
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