Brunello Di Montalcino 2004 Col D’Orcia: Review

Tenuta Col D’Orcia

Montalcino, Italy

100% Sangiovese

Appearance: deep crimson with a lighter crimson edge

Aroma: rich black berry with soil earthy tones

Flavors: dark berry mix with black berry leading the way, black soil, and the oak starts to show up as the wine opens up so does the spice.

Mouthfeel: good structure, tannins are present and undercontrol, same with the acidity, the acidity is more noticeable on the finish, firm yet moderate aftertaste, coats the palate

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – a pleasing medium-full Sangiovese,

To the Point: a very tasty wine, the mouthfeel is pleasing and supple; if you find it buy it. 

Clancy’s 2008: Review

Blend: Shiraz, Cab. Sauvignon, and Merlot

Peter Lehmann of the Barossa

Tanunda, South Australia

Peterlehmannwines.com

14.5% abv

This was a bottle I picked up at Costco back when I had a membership. So, I must have bought this bottle back in 2010. I did not decant or open the bottle for any length of time.  I just twisted that ‘cap’ right off the bottle and got to business.  On the first two sips I liked this wine. Let’s see how it goes beyond the first two sips. 

Appearance: deep garnet with a shiny ruby edge.

Aroma: sweet cherry surrounded by dark berries – a rather appealing nose.

Flavors: a good bright display of dark berries and cherry right after opening, I kept waiting for more and … I kept waiting …

Mouthfeel: good delivery of flavors at first and a smooth finish.  Lingering dark berries on the palate.  But, the more I drink of this wine the thinner it seems to get, the wine just never seemed to open up and with time it just seemed to lack any luster. 

To the Point: I became disinterested with this wine.  It seemed to get thinner rather than fuller as it opened up.  I’ll skip this one. 

Vino Nobiledi Montepulciano 2003: Review

Denominazione Di Origine Controllata Garantita

Capoverso

Siena, Italy

Vinicapoverso.com

Uswineimports.com

13.5% abv

Appearance: deep dark garnet with a little ruby around the rim.

Aroma: dark berry, the alcohol is happy that the cork is popped; later the aroma was dark berry and earthy, the alcohol got a chance to burn off, so to say.

Flavors: heavy on the dark berries, it reminds me of a mixed dark berry pie filling, there seems to be a little bit of an inky note, firm soil note,

Mouthfeel: leathery, dark berries cover the tongue,

My Strength Rating: 7.5 – medium-full feel from the thick berry profile and the earthy tones. 

Sirius Red: Review

Grape Dessert Wine

Black Star Farms

Old Mission Peninsula

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Blackstarfarms.com

18% abv

375 ml bottle

$28.50

Appearance: deep dark burgundy with ruby highlights

Aroma: dusty baker’s chocolate powder, mixed nut shells, light earthy tone, slight alcohol scent

Flavors and Mouthfeel: almost syrupy, little dusty and slightly grainy feel to the mocha, spice from the alcohol so, it has a light peppery tone, slight medicinal feel also coming from the alcohol, black cherry, hint of anise and/or horehound, I think I like the idea of horehound here because it has a spicy style that is bittersweet and this wine has that style.  Now, it all comes together, black cherry, horehound, alcohol with a slight medicinal feel – this sounds like the perfect cough drop lozenges. 

My Strength Rating: 5.5 – a good medium body dessert wine.

To the Point: May not be for everyone. The slight medicinal style may be at issue; while I like it … my wife did not. 

Black Star Farms Inn

Blue Water Winery Cab Sauvignon and Franc: Review

2009 Vintage

65% Cabernet Sauvignon

35% Cabernet Franc

Blue Water Winery

Carsonville, Michigan, USA

North of Lexington and South of Port Sanilac

13.5% abv

$16.00 I think, damn I forgot to get the price list from them.

Bluewaterwinery.com

Appearance: Bright and shiny ruby color with a little watery edge on the rim.  Lighter in color than I would expect but, this is a fairly new winery they have been around since 2004. 

Aroma: fruity, cherry and raspberry like with a dusting of spice.

Flavors: very pleasing, sweet cherry, black raspberry, just a dash of pink peppercorn,

Mouthfeel: smooth, fresh, pleasing to the palate, clean aftertaste, tannins seem low, and the acidic level seems low.  I would guess this one is not for aging. 

My Strength Rating: 4 – a mild-medium Cab Blend.

To the Point: Okay, it is not going to make it with the big boys, yet.  But, it is very enjoyable to drink.  They have only been making wine for six or seven years now and I am looking forward to following their wines in the future. 

I enjoyed it with a homemade pizza.

Read their article in the Oakland Press

http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/08/17/life/doc4e4bd050ab6c2475397712.txt

I think this will pair well with a good mild-medium bodied cigar and I have one in mind and I just reviewed it yesterday.  So, let me grab a new one out of the humidor and let’s do a wine and cigar pairing.