The Watcher 2008 Shiraz: Review

Fetish Wines

Australia

14.5% abv

Under 20 bucks

Appearance: deep purple, almost black body with a purple rim

Aroma: mix berries and a soft spice box nose

Flavors: juicy berries that remind me of mulberry, black plum, and mixed currants.  There are notes that make me think of milk chocolate, spice box, and a soil earthy tone. 

Mouthfeel: juicy berries, soft feel (in a good way), lingering berries, not as spicy as a Shiraz could be stereotyped as. 

My Strength Rating: 4.5 - Medium body overall.

To the Point: the main focus of this wine is on the berries.  Overall, a very tasty Shiraz.  I would buy again.

2008 Vintners Select

Black Star Farms

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Blackstarfarms.com

12% abv

$29.50 a bottle

The true blend is kept a secret from what I was told at the Black Star store in Traverse City.  They select grapes from some of their ‘micro-lots’ to create this tasty blend that has the Merlot grape as the main focus. 

Appearance: deep garnet with a ruby edge. 

Aroma: mixed dark berries with a nice touch of spice.

Flavors: to me blackberry jumps out front with a nice acidic touch, then throw in a dash of spice, a little smoky feel, and a bit of dark chocolate. 

Mouthfeel: good balance with the tannins and acidity, nice smooth leathery feel, lingering dark berries on the palate. 

My Strength Rating: 5.5 – medium and just on the edge of medium-full.

To the Point: this is a very tasty blend that is well worth the price.  Looking at their web site they are out of the 08 and they have the 09 in stock.  I am looking forward to picking up the 09 this winter when I make my next visit to the Traverse City area. 

Autumn Flight: Review

No Vintage

J&J Cellars’ Shandon Estate

Barbera

Paso Robles

San Miguel, California, USA

15.2% abv

jjcellars.com

Appearance: rich crimson with a touch of ruby around the rim.

Aroma: good spice hits the nose and then a boysenberry likeness comes through.

Flavors: boysenberry, black cherry, red current, black licorice

                                         
Mouthfeel: smooth tannins, acidity under control, juicy berries

Catena Malbec 2007: Review

13.5% abv
Bodega Catena Zapata Estate
Mendoza, Argentina
$15.00 a bottle

One thing about Malbec wines they sure can be a great value. 

This family has been growing grape vines since 1902.

This Malbec is a blend of ‘becs’ from four of the family’s vineyards. Maipu 20%, Lujande Cuyo 10%, Tupungato 40%, and San Carlos 30%.

Appearance: very dense body, blackish purple, with a ruby crystal edge around the rim.

Aroma: dense dark fruit on the nose along with dark chocolate

Flavors: blackberry, mulberry leading the way; 85 to 90% dark chocolate like; you can just taste the rich soil the grapes were grown in. 

Mouthfeel: smooth on the tip of the tongue, thick leathery feel on the mid and finish; prolific aftertaste of dark berries; good balance yet I do notice the acidic bite of blackberry and a high percentage dark chocolate bite;  half-way through the first glass the palate feels jammy, the dense flavors just coat the teeth and gums.  

My Strength Rating: 8.5 – a quality full bodied Malbec

To the Point: if you like a true full bodied Malbec – well, this is it. 

Black Star Farms 2008 Merlot and Franc: Review

Blend: Merlot 76% and Cabernet Franc 24%

Old Mission Peninsula

Black Star Farms

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Blackstarfarms.com

13% abv

$45.00 a bottle

Opening the bottle has the heart beating a little fast because the cork has a lot of seepage and it looks like the wine has made it way to the top of the cork.  The cork does have a wax topper.  I smell the cork and it does not smell bad and then a quick whiff from the bottle all seems well.  I pour a little into a wine glass and it seems okay.  No outstanding nasty taste.  Okay, let’s set up to do the review. 

Appearance: garnet body with a ruby edge.

Aroma: fresh red berries with a dusting of earth.  Light overall.

Flavors: Red currant, plum, spice from the oak, cocoa powder, and black soil.



The cork was not looking good



Mouthfeel: smooth on the delivery and then a bit jammy on the finish, lingering berries on the palate, full-medium body overall,

To the Point: a tasty red wine, but was it worth its $45 price - weeelllll?  45 I probably will not buy another but, for 30 sure.   

Lallier Grande Reserve Champagne: Review

Happy New Year! 

Grand Cru

Brut

65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay

Aged 5 years in the bottle

12.5% abv

Champagne-lallier.fr

Ahdvintners.com

Ay France

$39.99 from Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan

Appearance: straw

Aroma: very light overall with yeast, crisp apple, fresh mist of bubbles, my wife is going with apricot

Flavors: pear, apple and a pinch of white peach on the deliver; instead of biscuit I am going to call it a mineral earthy yeast note; crisp citrus on the mid and finish that reminds me of lemon peel

Mouthfeel: super fine effervesce that tickles the tongue, dry on the back of the palate, long lingering dry aftertaste of citrus

To the Point: if you are looking for a quality bubbly this will work but, you’ll have to do some searching to find it – I’ll bet.  Look for your quality wine shops or party stores. 

Don't overlook the white fruits on the delivery.  Savor each sip. It is easy to just focus on the citrus.