Toasted Head Cabernet Sauvignon 2012: Review

Toasted Head Winery

Acampo, California, USA

Toastedhead.com

13.5% abv

On sale at Kroger

For $9.59

I just cannot believe that I have never reviewed Toasted Head Cab nor Merlot.  I have always liked the TH Merlot over the Cabernet Sauvignon but, that was 10 years ago or so.  Let’s get on with the review.

Appearance: a somewhat translucent ruby body

Aroma: dark berry bowl with a hint of spice;

Flavors: not too often that I agree with what is written on a bottle of wine but, I my notes were real close to theirs; on the bottle: “… medium-bodied…, blackberry, cassis with hints of cloves and vanilla…”

I had: dark berries that remind me of blackberry, mulberry, and black currant; nice toasted vanilla probably coming from the oak barrel aging; pleasing herbal spice; an agreeable hint of oak builds as the wine opens

To the Point: I still like this wine; a great value wine at $9.59 a bottle on sale (and I got another 10% off); so, $8.65 a bottle – That’s it I’m out of here and going back and buy the rest of those bottles on the clearance table.   

The Big Easy 2010 Review

Fess Parker Winery

Santa Maria, California, USA

FessParker.com

14.9% abv

66% Syrah, 19% Petite Sirah, 15% Grenache

Aged: 20 months in 40% new French & American Oak

Runs around $35.00 bottle

Purchased: Super Fine Wine & Liquor Canton Michigan

Read the posting on the 2009 The Big Easy

Appearance: garnet with a purple edge, nice legs on the glass

Aroma: let this bottle open before enjoying; big juicy dark berries: blackberry, mulberry, boysenberry; solid earthy tone of soil – it’s like you can taste the soil the vines were grown in with each sniff; has sweetness and creaminess of a 55% dark chocolate; here and there I get a whiff of ground white peppercorn with its musty style;

Flavors: the first few sips right after opening the bottle it seemed a little thin; after letting it open the flavors really popped; rich dark berries mingle with the 55% like dark chocolate; a touch of campfire toasted marshmallow; tart cranberry on the mid; peppery spice seems to be more on the finish; nice earthy notes evolve – lighter earthy tone on the front and moderate earthy tones on the back;

Mouthfeel: tannins are under control; nice acidity; hint of sweetness swirls around the dark berry like bitterness; rich berry profile; pleasing earthy tone; dry feel;

Daniel Boone Coon Skin Cap

To the Point: decant this bottle for 30 minutes before enjoying; fresh out of the bottle comes across thin and once it opens up boy is it tasty; just as good as the 2009 blend; might not be as complex as that vintage but damn close; I highly recommend; can age till 2019; I bought a six pack case and I don’t think one of these bottles will make it to 2016 – so, I guess I should buy another six pack!

And, for the cigar lovers – this is great with a fine cigar.  I would recommend a medium rare filet mignon topped with blue cheese and cherries or grilled lamb chops; I will do a full dinner review with this wine down the road.

The Bridge 2009 Syrah Cabernet: Review

Vinifera Wine Company

Paso Robles, California, USA

14.9% abv

Blend: 55% Syrah; 45% Cabernet Sauvignon

Under 10 bucks @ Meyer

I bought this over a year ago. I guess it is time to get the cheap stuff out of the cellar.

Appearance: big purple

Nose: nice syrah type spice and some dark berries swirling around; not complex but interesting

Flavors/Mouthfeel: thin on delivery; dark berries, little peppery spice, lacks depth and character but for around 9 bucks what do you expect; a generic bitterness – seems contrived;

To the Point: save your 10 bucks and put it toward a good bottle of wine; don’t ever serve to a friend – foe you are okay – friend never;

The aroma was okay – nice – after that forget it – since it is winter I’ll make purple snow