Penfolds BIN 128 Shiraz 2006: Review

Coonawarra

Penfolds Wines

Australia

14.5% abv

$29.90

I have not had this wine in years, it has to be eight or ten, and I am looking forward to enjoying this fine red wine.  I have always liked BIN 128 and 28 Shiraz.

Appearance: black-purple with a purple rim

Aroma: pepper mill mix spice, earthy tones, splendid floral and underneath all this is a rich dark berry note.

Flavors: nice pepper mill mix – it is like I can taste the sweet pink peppercorn, the musty white, spicy green and the citrus spicy black peppercorns; there is an enjoyable thick earthy tone of soil and oak wood; black plum skin, cherry and dark berries.  To me this is not a fruit forward wine – it is earth and spice forward. 

Mouthfeel: thick, bold, mouth-coating, jammy, spicy, lingering dark berry and spice on the aftertaste, full-medium feel

To the Point: just as I remember maybe even better. A very good to excellent bold Shiraz.  I enjoyed the first glass with my dinner – a French demi-glazed shitake mushroom Filet Mignon.  

Korbel Sweet Rose’: Review

Methode Champenoise

California Champagne

F. Korbel & Bros. Inc

11% abv

Around $12.00/$10 on sale

First off I am not a fan of Rose’ bubbly for some reason maybe it reminds me of the old Cold Duck wine my parents would drink.  What the hell is Cold Duck!  I think there was a wine called that – dose anybody remember that?  Red wine mixed with Champagne?  Please post

Appearance: raspberry blush and bursting bubbles

Aroma: I am staying with the raspberry theme; hint of raspberry

Flavors: nice touch of sweet cherry and raspberry with a hint of sweet crisp apple. 

Mouthfeel: plenty of effervescence to go around here; sweet red berries linger on the palate – strawberry like.

To the Point: a tasty bubbly, good with a berry dish – maybe a raspberry chipotle chicken meal or a raspberry cobbler dessert.  How about adding a little color to a Champagne toast.   For an inexpensive bubbly – pretty good here.  

Korbel Sweet Cuvee: Review

California Champagne

F. Korbel & Bros. Inc.

Guerneville, Sonoma, California, USA

Korbel.com

750ml bottle

Around $12.00/sale around $10

Appearance: straw color with plenty of bubbles

Aroma: light, touch of sweet pear, fresh apple

Flavors: candied white summer fruit that reminds me of pear, red delicious apple, peach, and a hint of sweet pineapple

Mouthfeel: sweetness dominates and then the effervescence, the sweet fruity style lingers on the palate

To the Point: would make a good dessert wine all by itself and because of the price point (inexpensive) it would be good for a large party; it might be too sweet for me to pair it with a sweet edible dessert; it is too sweet for me all by itself for one glass is enough.