Barbera D’Asti Tre Vigne 2007: Review

Bottled by: Vietti

100% Barbera grapes

Asti, Piedmont, Italy

14.5% abv

Vietti.com

The wine is moved from stainless steel tanks to French oak or Slavonian oak casks for 12 months and then back to stainless steel before bottling.

First taster-glass poured after opening: 

Aroma: mixed berries with the focus on red

Flavors: a mix of dark berries and some red berries peeking through, black licorice,

Mouthfeel: smooth, on the light side of medium, lingering berries

Decanted Wine: (20 minutes)

Appearance: deep purple with a ruby edge.

Aroma: black berry like with a tart cherry, a slight inky and dark soil tone. 

After a good walk around the block with the dogs I comeback to a change on the nose.  I am not picking up that tart cherry and slight inky tone.  Wow, I liked it before now, it is just yummy to smell.  It is like smelling a bowl full of blackberries and dark currants mixed with some red currants, red cherries, and a few raspberries; to me there is a delicate earthy minerality with a nice touch of oak.

Flavors: the taste is following the nose; tasty dark berries and red cherries and that slight inky note has followed as well.  I like the black licorice that is swirling around the other notes.    

After that walk with the dogs the flavors are even better.  Decant this wine for a good hour is what I take from this adventure.  That slight inky note is gone; the dark berries are juicy with blackberry and black currant leading the way, a touch of tart red cherry is adding some character, and there are some sweet red berries that are spinning lightly underneath.  I think the vanilla-oak is now coming through after some real good breathing time. 

Mouthfeel: smooth, silky like, moderately coats the palate with berries, a firm medium body style.  While the aftertaste is moderate it is berry-tasty.  The tannins and acidity are well under control at this time. 

To the Point: a great time to drink this wine; remember decant for 45 minutes to an hour.  I wish I had more of this wine. 

I had this wine with dinner later in the day and the inky and tart style stood out with the meal. 

My Strength Rating: 5.5 – medium body

Incredible Red 2008 Zinfandel: Review

Peachy Canyon Incredible Red 2008

Central Coast Zinfandel

Peachy Canyon Winery

Paso Robles, California, USA

13.9% abv

$24.00 Restaurant Price

Peachycanyon.com

Appearance: rich purple body

Aroma: dark berries, cherry, on the light-moderate side, nothing special

Flavors: when I had this at the restaurant I thought it tasted like a Syrah and not a Zin.  With notes of mild blackberry, mulberry, tobacco, and light earthy tone.  Tasted like a cheap 9 or 10 dollar bottle. 

Later, when I was at home I thought the Zinfandel started to show up.  I’ll have to look this one up.  I’ll bet it is a blend which, that’s what I thought it would be.  The notes seemed like the cherry was coming through and the dark berry followed the dark cherry; along with a little herb and spice dancing around.  There is a slight creamy dark chocolate (50% like).    It just seems to lack a little character.  A bit thin at times. 

The second day: I think it tastes better today.  The body is a little firmer with some structure to it.  Yesterday, I thought is seemed a little light and a little thin at times.  The flavors are working together today.  I still get the black cherry and a bit of dark berry, there is a touch or raspberry, the earthy note is moderate at best, and along the way an oaky note developed but, it is just a hint of oak. Oh yeah, the slight creamy dark chocolate note is still swirling around.  I am not picking up any spice.  The mouthfeel is pleasingly smooth with a decent aftertaste of dark cherry, berry, and a semi-creamy feel. 

To the Point: Not bad, good for a bottle that should retail around $10 a bottle.  If, you are looking for an everyday wine or if you have a group of people over this might work for you.  Make sure to decant and let stand for 45 minutes before severing. 

Just looked it up: Blend of 82% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, and 8% Syrah.

Justin Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Justin Vineyards & Winery

Paso Robles, California, USA

Justinwine.com

Appearance: dense purple

Aroma: strong blackberry and heavy earth; the bouquet makes you think this is going to be full bodied

Flavors: thick blackberry, a little chocolate like, a little brown spice like, heavy earthy style.  This wine needs some aging.  I have two bottles and I’ll save one bottle for next year and the other for 2014. 

Mouthfeel: heavy leather like; the tannins aren’t running wild but they need to settle some.

Justin Isosceles 2008: Review

Justin Vineyards and Winery

Paso Robles, California, USA

Justinwine.com

78% Cabernet Sauvignon

13% Cabernet Franc

8% Merlot

1% Petit Verdot

Unfiltered

Interesting?... a four sided Isosceles with no equal sides. 
15% abv
$59.00 From: The Fine Wine Source

Appearance: deep ruby body with a ruby edge

Aroma: Blackberry, smoke and coffee bean

Flavors: big dark juicy berries, with a squeeze of red raspberry and red currant, coffee, chocolate, hint of smoked hardwood

Mouthfeel: smooth, semi-creamy feel, tannins and acidity are good and in balance.

Layer Cake Malbec 2010: Review

One True Vine

Mendoza, Argentina

Layercakewines.com

14.6% abv

$15.99 Holiday Market Canton, Michigan

I saw this at the market store the other week and thought to myself I have not even reviewed the 09’s yet.  So, this week I am going to be reviewing the Layer Cake wines that I have – the 09 Malbec and Shiraz and the 2010 Malbec and Shiraz. 

Appearance: nice rich crimson body with a bright crimson rim. 

Aroma: ripe dark berries

Flavors: juicy dark berries that remind me of blackberry, mulberry, and cherries; light pepper spice, black licorice, smoky, and a little chocolate is started to show up here at the bottom of my first glass. 

Second glass: boy does this wine open up nicely. The flavors blend together for a tasty Malbec experience.  For the money you just can't beat this wine. 

Here are the notes from their web site:

“Tasting Notes: Pure, rich and very elegant; a powerhouse of lush black fruit, silky cocoa, black spice and cream, wrapped around blackberry, cherry and ripe plum.  Layered and complex with a nose to linger over, a finish that never ends.  Sweet anise, hints of tobacco, black chocolate, more cherries and exotic spices, layers of jam.  This wine will stand and perform anytime you think of a Cabernet and want something just a little more exotic.  Born at the base of the Andes and fed by the purest spring waters…I love this wine.”

Peirano Estate Petite Sirah 2008: Review

The Heritage Collection

LODI

Graton, California, USA

14.2% abv

$14.00 at The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan

See Jimmy at The Fine Wine Source

He has the best prices around and tell him

WinePostings told you. 

Appearance: dark purple body with a purple rim

Right after opening:

Aroma: reminds me walking into a winery, fresh grapes galore

Flavors: rich dark berries, dark soil earthy tone with a firm oaky presence, soft white pepper

One Hour after Opening:

Aroma: the big fresh grapes are still on the scene, little smoky note, earthy tones, faint spice

Flavors: big bold dark berries, dusty cocoa, rich soil, the oaky note has mellowed since the opening,

Mouthfeel: thick on the palate, bold flavors, tannins and acidity are under control on this four year old bottle. 

My Strength Rating: 8 –full

Thurston Wolfe 2007 Petite Sirah: Review

ThurstonWolfe.com

Zephyr Ridge Vineyard

Horse Heaven Hills

Prosser, Washington, USA

14.6% abv

$20 or under

Appearance: with just a couple of ounces in the glass it has a nice crimson color.  Once the glass is full it has a deeper darker body with crimson on the edges and highlights.

Aroma: big dark berries with blackberry leading the way; good earthy structure, oak,

Flavors: black currant, blackberry, touch of black cherry, oak, earthy tones, a spicy note develops as the wine opens

Mouthfeel: blackberry bite; thick feel on the tongue; jammy on the palate

To the Point: this is one tasty Petit Sirah.  Must buy