Toasted Head Untamed Red 2007: Tasting

Untamed is Uneventful

I am not a fan of Merlot but, Toasted Head Merlot is very good in my book. I know this is not a Merlot wine. Untamed is a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel, and Petit Sirah. The description on the bottle says, ‘Uninhibited, even slightly unruly …,’ I am ready for some big stuff here – right?

I get some berry notes. I would not call it ‘big’, ‘juicy’, or ‘rich’. Spice? What spice. Maybe some earthy notes, right. No, no earthy notes. This is pretty boring stuff here. I am truly disappointed with this Untamed Red. Untamed is uneventful even for a one dimensional wine. I do not remember how much I paid for the bottle but, if I saw this bottle on sale for $5.oo I would pass it right up. I would not even buy it for an unruly friend.

A Wine Review: Midnight Cabernet Sauvignon

The Wine - Midnight Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Nebula

This wine has a very dense dark body with a nice ruby color on the edges. It has a 14.2% abv. I selected this wine because it is from Paso Robles. Justin Winery and Liberty School are both from that region and I really like both of those Cabs.

The nose of this wine has a solid dark berry and spice profile. Right after opening the tannins are speaking. After a little time to breath the balance kicks in and the flavors come alive. The dark berries and cherry notes are yummy and mingle well with the spices and some oaky and vanilla oaky notes. This is a fuller bodied Cab. I am going to rate it a 7.5 on my strength scale. I could see an 8 but, the wine has such a nice finish of berry and plum that does not have that bitter bite of a strong blackberry. The earthy structure just coats the palate for a solid Cabernet Sauvignon taste.

This is a must buy. I would love to compare this to Justin Cabernet some day. This bottle cost me $18.00 at Everyday Wines in Ann Arbor.

I would recommend a big juicy steak on the grill with this wine.

Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore 2007: Review

I have always liked a good glass of Valpolicella. A lot of them are mild-medium in body. Along with that lighter body there is a solid berry or fruity aroma and the taste usually follows suit. This makes it a yummy wine that most people can enjoy.

Now, when I took a sip of this one I was surprised. If I did not have the bottle in front of me I would never guess Valpolicella. Two words are on the bottle to let you know that this is going to have a little more body than your average Valpolicella. First, Ripassa, meaning that the grapes go thru a slight re-fermentation which, helps to increase the alcohol and adds a little more body to the final product. This wine is then stored in tanks for 6 months before being moved to smaller oak barrels for 18 – 24 months. The second word on the bottle is Superiore. The Superiore label will mean that it has an abv of 12% or more. In the case of this bottle it is 14%. Watch out because this wine does not feel like it’s 14%.

The color is a deep amethyst with ruby hues on the edges. The nose on this wine is very berry and fruity. The wine has a wonderful taste. A variety of dark berries, blackberry, black currant, and blue berries greet the palate. There is a nice 80% dark chocolate quality that helps to add some character. At times I get a nice sweet grape taste on the edge that is then mingled with the fuller dark black berry and currant twang. To me this wine has a nice rich and thick body for a Valpolicella. I really like this wine. This is a must try and I am going to buy some more. I believe it is from Everyday Wines in Kerrytown, Ann Arbor, Michigan. From memory – I think it was around $14.00 a bottle. At that price this is a great buy.

the turk 2005 Blend: Review

What a great blend - 50% Shiraz, 28% Grenache, 16% cabernet, 6% mourvedre

By: Turkey Flat Vineyards
Barossa Valley
Australia
14.5%abv
turkeyflat

I remember a couple of years ago Carl, a friend from the cigar store, was raving about this bottle of wine. I said, ‘Let’s try it.’ The response was, ‘I can’t find it.’ Then, someone did find some and brought in a bottle. We all sampled the wine and everybody was in agreement, “This is really good!”

I finally got Jim Lutfy, from the Fine Wine Source (Livonia, Michigan), to get me a case last year. I am now down to my last three bottles. This is the farewell tour, so to say then. The 2005 turk was an excellent blend.

I am looking forward to the 2006, which is a different blend consisting of: 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Shiraz, 24% Mourvedre, and 18% Grenache.

the turk 2005 has a deep purple color. The bouquet is absolutely wonderful. The dark berries and fruit along with the spices hit the nose and I am in red wine heaven. As the wine hits the tongue I realize there is a smorgasbord of flavors to be had. The two dominant notes to me; dark berries and pepper (like a fine ground black pepper.) Then, the earthy and smoky style kicks in to coat the palate with red wine delight. Then, as I swallow that last sip, I taste the spice and peppery notes on the back of the palate.

Let me try to explain the mouthfeel. You know how your mouth gets coated from a piece of … let’s say 70% dark chocolate.  It just covers every square inch of your mouth. That is what I experience from this wine. It has that nice almost jammy feel on the palate.

The smokiness, the variety of berries, the spices, the earthy quality, the pepper – wow, this wine has some complexity.

If you can find a bottle of the 05 – I say, “BUY IT.”

And, Jimmy, can you get me the 06?

Bombing Range Red 2006 Blend

By: McKinley Springs, Prosser, Washington

Here is the story behind the name of this red wine, as it is stated on the bottle. “During WWII the U.S. Government asked our family, and other families in the Horse Heaven Hills to leave our farms so the area could be used to train fighter pilots. Bombing Range Red is our tribute to our troops and the colorful history of the Horse Heaven Hills.”

Bombing Range Red is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Syrah, and 4% Mourvedre. From their web site, http://www.mckinleysprings.com/, the description is – Raspberry and blueberry jam aromas with violet and cinnamon. The taste is rich blackberry, mocha and currant.

I love the look of this wine when it is in the glass. It is dense!  (No, honey, I am describing the wine) When I hold it to the light I cannot see through this puppy. So, I expect a fuller mouthfeel and some good complexity going on with this wine when I taste it.

This wine has a bold flavor profile of dark berries. It is like you could spread this across your toast in the morning. The two Cab grapes add a solid earthy quality. The mocha profile to me is more on the aftertaste. Honestly, with every sip I think, ‘life is good,’ I love the berry taste. I don’t notice much in the spice profile but, that is okay because I really like the thick berry profile coating my palate. As the wine opens up there is more of a soft peppery note and some spice. The Syrah and Mourvedre grapes are noted for bringing the spice and the pepper notes to the table but, these two grapes only makeup 12% of this blend. So, the focus is on the Cab grapes. The complexity is not great, but very good in the berry category.

This is an excellent choice for a value priced wine.

A Wine Review: Fess Parker’s Syrah 2004 Rodney‘s Vineyard

On the bottle it reads: “rich, full-bodied wine… berry, cherry, cassis, clove, spice, earth, toast, and smoke flavors.” Once again, a lot of wineries proclaim they have a ‘full-bodied’ wine. And, once again this is right on mark. But, it is Fess Parker Winery, he was Daniel Boone, and he wouldn’t lie now. This is my second bottle of this vintage and I think it is becoming a new favorite.

This is a fuller bodied wine that is loaded with flavor and it still has elegance to it. The nose is smoky upfront with dark berry and earth on the back, to me. The smokiness continues in the taste. I have had a lot of wines that talk about a smoky profile and usually I never get it. Well, this one has it. The bite of blackberry is right up there with that wonderful smokiness. Take your time tasting this baby. Wash the mouth with this wine and experience the flavors. While it has a big profile of dark fruit it also has a spicy feel to the taste. While, the mouthfeel is on the fuller side it also has a pleasing feel to the texture.

The Fess Parker’s Syrah Rodney’s Vineyard is a must buy.