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!
January 15, 2009
2006 Luna Benegas Cabernet Sauvignon
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Bodega Benegas
FLAVOR: Red, Cabernet Sauvignon
ORIGIN: Mendoza, Argentina
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $10
NICKNAME: "Benegas Cab"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Argentina, Bodega Benegas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red
1 Reviews:
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January 15, 2009 1:39 AM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
I'm just happy this wine isn't as damn sweet as the last several. On this basis alone I give it a 3 STAR rating. It's not great. In fact, it's a bit bitter, but I crave a bit of bitter right now.
The nose: A cherry and blackberry and other darkness. It's decent. I'm happy. May I continue to be so. I might just finish this bottle this evening. We'll see.
While this wine is a bit bitter, it has a fair to good aftertaste. Nothing leaving an overly sour taste on the tongue. No overwhelming tannins. Let's rejoice.
In general, I praise this purple stuff with a plaque of non-crappiness. Try a bottle. I think it's worthy... even as a ten dollar venture.
January 7, 2009
2006 J. W. Morris Cabernet Sauvignon
YEAR: 2006WINERY: J. W. Morris
FLAVOR: Red, Cabernet Sauvignon
ORIGIN: California, USA
PURCHASED: Trader Joe's, Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $3
NICKNAME: "Cheap-as-Dirt Cab"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Cabernet Sauvignon, J. W. Morris, Red, USA
1 Reviews:
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January 7, 2009 11:04 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
For $3 you really can't go wrong. This wine is average. Maybe a tad sweet in the tooth and a bit leggy, but for three bucks what do you expect? Still, I'm giving this beverage a 3 STAR rating. I've had much worse bottles at ten times the cost.
This stuff can be picked up at Trader Joe's for nearly free, and it's a good bottle to have around for non-discerning guests. Serve it. People won't puke. Most of them won't even be offended.
November 7, 2008
1 Reviews:
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November 8, 2008 1:06 AM ,
psydr said...
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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...
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
2 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!" -
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February 16, 2009 10:48 PM ,
said...
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If indeed I "could care less" what my vino tastes like, then am I not by definition someone who cares what my wine tastes like? Why would you recommend to me a wine which you think "just stinks"?
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. -
At
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...
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2 OUT OF 5 STARS
Sorry folks. This is a slight re-evaluation of this wine: I just don't dig it. It's not very good.
Originally, I held back from giving it a lower score based on its price. But, really, even the low cost doesn't make it a better wine. I'm going to go back to my gut instinct and give this bottle a 2 STAR. It's just not very good. Certainly below average...
There's a hint of tar and a scent of "just don't drink too much of me, or you're going to regret it." Does that make sense?
1 Reviews:
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March 18, 2008 11:27 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is a damn good wine. Personally, I was incredibly surprised to find a Barbera for under $10. From Alba, in the region of Piedmonte, this is a great wine. Eat with steak. Eat with pasta made by a redhead. Anything red is good with this bottle. I just can't believe I found a bottle for $7! Cheers to Trader Joe's.
Now, don't get too excited. It's by FAR not the best Barbera I've consumed. But for under $10 it IS. Who sells a Barbera for less than $10? Well, Trader Joe's. That's who.
What is it I want to see in my near future? A bottle of Barolo for $10 or less. Please, please let it be. Yeah, right. One day. We ALL hope for it. While we're at it, let's hope for under-twenty Nebbiolo and/or Gatinnara.
Of course the day THAT happens dogs and cats will be sleeping together and I won't actually have to travel to the wine store to purchase a bottle of my favorite vino. My favorite bottles will just start appearing before each meal via some sort of teleportation device... Ah, welcome good "vino" future. Welcome.
March 16, 2008
1 Reviews:
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March 16, 2008 4:44 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
Of course this was a good wine. It's from Piedmonte - home to the grandest grape known to mankind - the Nebbiolo.
While Barbara is no Nebbiolo, it IS a very tasty varietal if aged appropriately in oak. Coming from Alba, one of the smaller producers of Barbera, this particular bottle is an excellent example of what can be achieved with a Barbara.
Yum!
This bottle is almost double our theoretical maximum here on my blog. But I've been reconsidering my price ceiling. I may just raise the bar to $20 to allow for reviews of a greater percentage of wines I enjoy... I'd like to hear some feedback on that...
2006 Palacios Remondo La Vendimia Rioja
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Palacios Remondo
FLAVOR: Red, Tempranillo
ORIGIN: Spain
PURCHASED: Spanish Table, Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $13
NICKNAME: "Palacios Remondo Rioja"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Palacios Remondo, Red, Spain, Tempranillo
1 Reviews:
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March 16, 2008 3:04 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Not a bad Rioja. Good deep purple in color with great clarity. Palate is a bit sweet for my taste with a slightly bitter aftertaste or "bite." I don't really have anything to complain about here. It just doesn't grab me. There's almost something about it I just don't like. The bitter postlude is also marred by a slight nutty taste.
I don't know. This is an average wine I guess. Feel free to try it. I just think there are a ton better wines out there for your hard-earned bucks.
I enjoy Riojas quite a bit. So, hopefully, you'll see more reviews of them here soon.
March 3, 2008
2 Reviews:
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March 4, 2008 1:19 AM ,
psydr said...
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2 OUT OF 5 STARS
Another mediocre wine. Not terrible. But not even remotely average. This wine was cheap for a reason. Fairly sweet with a strong hint of berry...
Let's move along. -
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April 10, 2008 11:53 AM ,
said...
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I gave this one a 4 of 5 - above average. A lighter style cab, w/ soft tannins, dark fruit & choc on the palate and a nice black currant nose. Seemed well put-together to me. Maybe my sweet-tooth doesn't pick up the sweetness that you found, but I found this to be a pretty good deal @ $7.99 (btw, the bottle I bought was from Mattawa, WA, from WA grapes).
February 23, 2008
2 Reviews:
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February 23, 2008 10:40 PM ,
psydr said...
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1 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is a bad, bad wine. And I don't mean that in the good way. This stuff is thicker and sweeter than molasses. Honestly, it was difficult to swallow. It's a good thing the sink drain is only a few feet away. This bottle will not be finished by yours personally. I'm pretty sure the toilet will see the end of this offering.
The reason I didn't give this bottle a ZERO: Because it's not quite as bad as the worst wines I've tried. But I would NEVER serve this stuff to anyone I didn't despise.
Usually I apologize to a winery I give such a low rating to, but in this case I'm not going to... A ONE is not a ZERO. -
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May 9, 2009 12:39 PM ,
said...
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Wow, clogging the sink drain. Funny. Hey, review some white wines.
1 Reviews:
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February 24, 2008 3:18 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
A bit sweet, but a good wine. Berries and plumb are the predominant flavors here. The resulting fluid is a bit thick for my taste but not offensive. The bottle went down quite easily with the ribs I devoured alongside...
2006 Mad Housewife Cabernet Sauvignon
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Mad Housewife
FLAVOR: Red, Cabernet Sauvignon
ORIGIN: California, USA
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $8
NICKNAME: "Mad Housewife Cabernet"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mad Housewife, Red, USA
2 Reviews:
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February 23, 2008 10:31 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Pretty good for a Cabernet. Certainly a hint (or more) of cherry here. Good job. Just not terribly exciting. You know what I mean. Sometimes you taste a wine and say, "this is it." And, sometime you don't. Besides, average isn't a bad thing. -
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March 24, 2008 8:20 PM ,
Jay said...
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3 out of 5 stars
Maybe 4 really. This one is pretty good, I guess. I find myself usually thinking..."Eh, sure. It's wine." This one is pretty tame, not terribly exciting, but it seems that may be what I like. Smooth and unoffensive. I can dig it.
It went well with my mixed up dinner of chicken satay and fajita chicken frozen pizza.
2006 Borsao Red Wine
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Borsao
FLAVOR: Red, 80% Garnacha, 20% Tempranillo
ORIGIN: Spain
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $7
NICKNAME: "Borsao Red"
Labels: 2006, Borsao, Grenache, Mixed Varietal, Red, Spain, Tempranillo, UNRATED
February 20, 2008
2006 Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Smoking Loon
FLAVOR: Red, Cabernet Sauvignon
ORIGIN: California, USA
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $9
NICKNAME: "Smoking Loon Cabernet"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red, Smoking Loon, USA
2 Reviews:
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February 21, 2008 8:28 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Decent Cabernet. Very smooth and breathes well. The first and the last glass were equally tasty. Not terribly fruity, but there is some hint of cherry or maybe even raspberry...
I feel comfortable recommending this wine, but there are many others I would suggest you try first. But don't hesitate to pick up a bottle at the store. You should enjoy. -
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August 14, 2008 9:01 PM ,
Pastor's Perspective said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
Thank you for your favorable review! This bottle has quickly become one of our family favorites to pour for our guests. Thanks too for helping me identify the interesting & enjoyable mixture of flavors.
February 19, 2008
1 Reviews:
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February 19, 2008 10:21 PM ,
psydr said...
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0 OUT OF 5 STARS
This wine is absolutely terrible, horrible, awful. It was so disgusting that I couldn't finish the first glass... and I really, really tried.
I placed it aside for a few hours in hope that time would breathe some non-wretched flavor into this unforgettable stew of ghastliness. No luck! Still intolerable.
Disappointing considering I gave their Cabernet Sauvignon a 4 STAR rating recently. I expected more. I don't know what else to say.
Sorry Llama.
February 10, 2008
2006 Alice White Cabernet Shiraz
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Alice White
FLAVOR: Red, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Shiraz
ORIGIN: South Eastern Australia
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $7
NICKNAME: "Alice White Blend"
Labels: 2006, 4 STAR, Alice White, Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mixed Varietal, Red, Shiraz
1 Reviews:
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February 10, 2008 7:44 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
Alice White is on a roll. These are good wines. This is just a tad bit more tart than the plain ol' Shiraz, but still very good. For $7 at your local convenience store, these wines are a steal.
Keep up the good work Alice!
February 6, 2008
1 Reviews:
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February 6, 2008 10:46 PM ,
psydr said...
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2 OUT OF 5 STARS
Honestly, this wine just isn't very good. I found it very bland with a hint of icky in the background. Don't get me wrong. It wasn't terrible. And considering it's $4/bottle cost it's probably some sort of bargain...
There are better $3 bottles out there, so why buy this one?
2006 Caravaggio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Caravaggio
FLAVOR: Red, Montepulciano
ORIGIN: Abruzzo, Itally
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $5
NICKNAME: "Caravaggio Montepulciano"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Caravaggio, Italy, Montepulciano, Red
3 Reviews:
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February 6, 2008 8:37 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is your standard Montepulciano, though I've certainly had better. Upon first taste, there's your standard glimpse of bitter followed by an oaky, charcoal smoothness. A very good drinking wine which went especially well with my pasta this evening. -
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March 12, 2009 1:02 PM ,
Linda G. said...
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Hi Where did you buy this Caravaggio? I have a friend that is searching for this wine, i cannot find it for him!!
Thanks! -
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March 13, 2009 12:20 AM ,
psydr said...
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Oh, my. That was over a year ago. I'm not exactly sure where or if it's even still available. Perhaps QFC or Safeway. Or I might have picked it up at Trader Joe's.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
February 2, 2008
1 Reviews:
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February 2, 2008 3:19 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Smooth and basic. My first sip had a slight tart aftertaste, but those which followed did not. The label is a bit cheesy, but what's in a label? This is a good wine.
January 30, 2008
2006 Snoqualmie Whistle Stop Red
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Snoqualmie
FLAVOR: Red, 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
ORIGIN: Columbia Valley, USA
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $8
NICKNAME: "Whistle Stop Red"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mixed Varietal, Red, Snoqualmie, USA
1 Reviews:
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January 30, 2008 11:45 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
A good blend. Merlot and Cabernet blends tend to compliment very well. These varietals tend to be on opposite ends of the grape spectrum for me. Therefore, the combination of both tends to produce a somewhat medium flavor. Merlot will cancel the bitter of Cabernet, while Cabernet tends to tone down the sweetness of Merlot. Overall, I would say this is a good wine. I almost gave it 4 stars...
1 Reviews:
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January 30, 2008 8:23 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is another popular and average wine readily available in every market in Seattle. It's good. A hint of cherry. Slightly sweet.
January 28, 2008
2 Reviews:
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January 28, 2008 6:29 PM ,
psydr said...
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5 OUT OF 5 STARS
Excellent! This is a great Pinot Noir at a great price. A hint of cherry. No bitter. Not too sweet. It's perfect. Honestly, I can not believe this is a $7 bottle of wine. Hats off to Mirassou. You are sure to see more of their wines reviewed here very shortly... -
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May 10, 2008 3:58 PM ,
psydr said...
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5 OUT OF 5 STARS
So, a friend of mine brought this bottle over last night to a little dinner we hosted. It hadn't struck me I'd already reviewed the bottle a couple months ago until the silky liquid hit my tongue. I thought, "this is an excellent, excellent Pinot." I checked the Psydr Wine List and sure enough, there it was. I'd already given it a 5 STAR rating.
Well, just to solidify the rating I thought I'd rant a little about it once more. My buddy said he picked up the bottle on sale for $8, but I remember paying only $7. Either way, it's a great value. Shoot. It'd be a great value at twice the price in my humble opinion.
January 24, 2008
2006 Big Fat Llama Cabernet Sauvignon
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Big Fat Llama
FLAVOR: Red, Cabernet Sauvignon
ORIGIN: Cachapoal Valley, Chile
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $8
NICKNAME: "Big Fat Llama"
Labels: 2006, 4 STAR, Big Fat Llama, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, Red
1 Reviews:
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January 24, 2008 1:06 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
A pretty smooth Chilean Cabernet with a not-so-subtle hint of oak. I rather liked this wine. I little fruity but very nice. If it wasn't for the slight overpowering taste of oak, I would have given the wine a perfect score. Not bad for an $8 bottle I say!
Take a bottle over to your next dinner party. Everyone should enjoy the bright label as much as the wine itself.
January 11, 2008
2006 Yellow Tail Shiraz
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Yellow Tail
FLAVOR: Red, Shiraz
ORIGIN: South Eastern Australia
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $8
NICKNAME: "Jumpin' Shiraz"
2 Reviews:
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January 11, 2008 8:03 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
A very decent wine. Smooth, good flavor. No real bite or bitter aftertaste. A nice balance of tannins. Perhaps a hint of berry. Went very nicely with my Chinese food this evening.
I may have discovered the reason why Yellow Tail is in every wine, grocery, and convenience store within 50 miles of my home. It's cheap and well done.
Bravo. -
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February 4, 2008 8:04 PM ,
Jay said...
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3 stars
I'm beginning to notice a trend in my personal wine tasting. With many wines, such as this one, I'm not so excited upon first taste. A very few sips later I'm just fine with it. Initially I thought it was a bit...sour maybe. Now that I'm on my second glass it's pretty tasty.
Wouldn't be my first choice but if I'm shopping at the mini-mart, I'll pick it up again.
December 24, 2007
2006 Cycles Gladiator Central Coast Syrah
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Cycles Gladiator
FLAVOR: Red, Syrah
ORIGIN: Central Coast, USA
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $8
NICKNAME: "Naked Biker Lady"
3 Reviews:
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December 24, 2007 4:14 PM ,
psydr said...
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0 OUT OF 5 STARS
Much too sweet for my taste with a bitter, overriding aftertaste. I'm not really sure what other flavors raced across my tongue. But I'm pretty sure they were just doing their best to get away from the rest of the concoction.
I would never serve this wine to a guest. I would probably only purchase this wine again if there was a recent earthquake at my local store and this bottle was the only survivor. Even then I might consider raiding my bathroom cabinets for rubbing alcohol first.
Really, this wine is terrible. Sorry Cycles Gladiator... -
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December 25, 2007 8:01 PM ,
said...
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Not a star in the sky.
This one isn't so hot. A little funky really. A bit nondescript at this point in my wine reviewing life. Perhaps, later, I'll have words to describe my discontent.
In the interest of not being wasteful I think I'll have another glass. -
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December 25, 2007 8:18 PM ,
said...
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One star, just for the label really....
Not so keen on this wine. If you like wine that tastes like it's been infused with low-grade vinegar, this is the wine for you. Has a sour aftertaste as well.
A solid C for me...and by solid I mean it might be a C-. But definitely not a D+.
I best can describe this wine as a Kate Moss. A nice label, but dirty and leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth.
1 Reviews:
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
Just when I was losing all hope, Zestos chimes in. What a relief from the last many, many wines I've tried over the past several days. This fella really hits the spot. I do believe I'm starting to acquire quite a taste for the Garnacha (aka Grenache) wines. I'm becoming more and more of a Spanish wine lover every day.
So, this guy rhymes of blackberry, current, raspberry, and cherry. Throw in anything else red and fruity and you'll start to understand the sensations I'm encountering. This is a very pleasant fruity blend. Not overly sweet. Just right really. I believe this is where the Garnacha comes in. Delicious.
The legs are perfect. Not soupy thick or chewy. And not overly thin. Really, the consistency of the concoction is perfect. Kudos to Zestos. This is one of the main characteristics of a vino which makes or breaks for me.
I'm so excited to encounter a decent wine finally that I'm probably over raving here, but that's okay. It's better to exagerate a positive than a negative. Usually humans tend towards the opposite. I'm happy to break the mold.
This is a very good wine, but not great. I can't quite give it a five star. It's soooo close though. And Zestos has given me plenty of reason to pick up the rest of their offerings. I'm eager to sample them all!
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