 VinoCritic.com
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Archives (and Reader Blogs): Your turn to rate the wines
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One of the original California Cult wines, this wine remains virtually impossible to find, unless you are one of the lucky few on the mailing list, or you are willing to pay through the teeth on the secondary market.
The wine lives up to the hype, with a huge bouquet, thick presentation on the palate, and long lingering finish. If you have the budget for these kinds of luxuries, it will be hard to top an Abreu from a good vintage.
4.75 stars |
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I absolutely love this wine. I frequently buy it in half bottles for about $15. Full bottles are in the upper 20's to low 30's. The wine is released ready to drink, with no need for aging. The bouquet is marked by black fruit, wild cherry, and campfire smoke. The wine has plenty of fruit on the palate, and pairs well with a wide range of food (from burgers to rack of lamb).
4 stars |
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I had completely given up on the Scholium Project after drinking the horrific "Prince in his Cave" white wine that tasted like old grapefrit juice. The Sylphs, however, has redeemed this winery, in my opinion. This is a 100% Chardonnay from a relatively unknown Napa area vineyard. Nice golden color, a buttery, toasty nose, and lovely honeysuckle, and pear round out the palate.
4 stars. Available primarly from the winery's website. |
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The future on Pinot Noir in the USA may very well center around Oregon, and producers like Shea are the reason for this. For now, Oregon is still an up and coming region, and most Oregon Pinot's are not too hard to locate at top notch retailers. Vibrant strawberry-cherry fruit and a wonderfully smooth finish characterize this top flight Pinot.
4 stars |
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A very underappreciated Syrah-Shiraz producer from the Mc Laren Vale region of Australia. This wine can compete with the best Syrahs from France's northern Rhone area. Perfect in every respect, and not at all faded with 13 years of age. Not so much a fruit bomb like so many California syrah's, but a more brooding, smokey syrah with crushed stone, black fruit and and stewed plums all well balanced into a delightful wine.
4.25 stars |
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Simi makes great cabs every year. I put them at the top of the heap for Sonoma caberent. Their standard cab is very good (and costs about 25 bucks), and their reserve cab is outstanding (costs about 50 dollars). Dark color, big fruit forward bouquet, and thick on the palate. Put it in a line up with famous Napa reserve cabs and be prepared for a surprise from this Sonoma sleeper.
4.25 stars |
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Perhaps an unfair assesment, as I am not a huge fan of German Riesling (I am much more a fan of Riesling from Alsace). Decent, but withouth the rich extraction I like from a nice Riesling.
3 stars |
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Made by the same people who produce Quintessa, this wine rivals it's big brother at about one half the cost. Simply splendid, with bold fruit and a big bouquet of black fruit, smoke and mocha.
4 stars. Half bottles can be found fairly frequently if you like that format. |
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I love this Chanti year after year. Probably my favorite Chianti producer today.
4 stars. Can be found for under 30 bucks. Often times can be found at Costco. |
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Decent enough Barbera, but I don't agree with Wine Spectator's 90 point scores for this wine. Seems to tart and acidic to warrant a 90 point score, but decent, and pairs well with marinara based Italian food. Can't beat the price (10 to 15 dollars at Costco).
3 stars |
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