Toasted Head 2010 Untamed Red Review

Toasted Head Winery

Toastedhead.com

13.5% abv

Clearance price $8.00

At Kroger

Blend: 45% Syrah, 28% Petite Sirah, 14% Zinfandel, 9% Merlot, 3% Tannat, 1% Tempranillo

The last time I had the Untamed Red, a few years ago, I was not impressed but, for 8 bones I’ll try it again.

Appearance: black-purple body; ruby highlights

Aroma: some oak mixed with dark berries

Flavors: juicy blackberry, black currant; some oak and spice swirl on the palate;

Mouthfeel: little jammy on the fruit; light earthy feel; pleasing spice on the back and finish; medium medium-full body;

To the Point: a very pleasing wine; and at this price I went back to the Kroger store and bought the rest the bottles.  

2012 Caymus 40 Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon

Caymus Vineyards

Rutherford, California, USA

14.6% abv

One liter bottle

I went to La Bistecca tonight for dinner and Jerry said they had this bottle available and I just had to have it.  The 750 ml bottle should run around 60 bucks retail.  The one liter bottle at a wonderful restaurant like this set me back 140.  It paired well with my filet mignon. Damn, I just love their filet.  

Being young, only 2012, I thought it was ready to enjoy now and should age well.  The boysenberry and blackberry fruits were sitting there in the front row.  Nice fresh oak; some toasted vanilla bean seemed to float around on the back of the palate; silky satin mouthfeel; tannins were well controlled for such a young Cab.  I’ll be picking up a case of this.

Trivento Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Reserve Review

Mendoza, Argentina

14% abv

I bought this bottle at a fund raiser for Waggin’ Tail Dog Rescue.

From what I recall it was around 10 or 12 bucks but, don’t quote me on that. 

Appearance: dark garnet body with a purplish-red rim

Aroma: nice dark berry notes with a touch of sweet earth

Flavors: black currant, plum skin, sweet herbal, light toasty oak,

Mouthfeel: smooth, tannins and acidity seem under control for a young wine, dark berries and earth on the aftertaste, fairly simple, easy to drink, 

To the Point: for the price – good; should make a nice wine to serve at a party; a good inexpensive restaurant wine. 

Clos de los Siete: Review

Clos de los Siete Winery

Mendoza, Argentina

By Michel Rolland

14.6% abv

$35.00 at A Matter of Taste Restaurant

Blend: 56% Malbec, 21% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot

I had a glass and a half at the restaurant and brought the rest home to sit back to do a review and then smoke a fine stogie with it. 

Appearance: deep dark garnet, this is pretty close to black with a purple edge.

Aroma: very dense dark currant note, smoky, it smells like the dark chocolate with berries in it, earthy – mineral soil like

Flavors: heavy soil earthy tone, dark berry concentrate, 90+% dark chocolate that covers the palate, bold and intense.

Mouthfeel: thick and very dry on the palate, tart, earthy, the dry finish reminds me of 95% dark chocolate, leathery texture, lingering aftertaste

You can feel this wine just clinging to your teeth and gums. 

My Strength Rating: 8.5 – this full bodied blend is hearty.  It deserves a big steak.  I think I’ll make plans for that one day.  

Chronic Cellars Sofa King Bueno 2009: Review

15% abv

Paso Robles, California, USA

Blend: 25% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah, 18% Mourvedre, 16% Zinfandel, 15% Grenache, 5% Tempranillo, 1% Tannat

$22.99 The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan

Appearance: deep purple

Aroma: rich dark berries, sweet spice, delicate earth

Flavors: mixed dark berries, the cinnamon slaps you silly, a touch of vanilla, 60% dark chocolate style,

Mouthfeel: thick, jammy on the tongue, long thick layers of dark berries linger on the palate,

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – the long lingering notes raises the point value. 

To the Point: If you want to know what a cinnamon note is like in wine then, get this bottle and have a drink.  Very interesting and tasty wine. 

Visit CigarPostings for the cigar pairing

Gerard Bertrand Corbieres 2006: Review

Syrah & Mourvedre

13.5% abv

Gerard-bertrand.com

France

Opened the bottle last night and had a glass with dinner.  The taste was okay, the nose very nice, but I was too tired to do a wine review.  The taste was simple and boring and I did not even finish the glass.  So, I capped the bottle and here I am today doing the review today. 

Appearance: deep garnet

Aroma: black cherry, dark currants, herbal-spice note

Flavors: Much better today.  Firm earthy quality, nice dark berry blend, nice touch of sweet black cherry, pleasing spice.  As I focus on the spice I notice a touch of thyme and white pepper.   On my second glass there is a good smoky note hitting the nose and this transfers to the taste. 

Mouthfeel: firm, jammy at times, smooth overall, tannins under control, nice acidic structure,

My Strength Rating: 7 – very tasty, on the second day, firm and thick texture for a good medium-full mouthfeel. 

If you get this bottle, decant it for at least 20 minutes to get the flavors to open up. 

Visit CigarPostings for the cigar pairing with this wine

Antonio Sanguineti 2008: Review

Nessun Dorma

A Supertuscan

Blend: 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, Syrah 20%

13.5% abv

Toscana, Italy

Appearance: deep purple with a ruby rim.

Aroma: light dark cherries with a little herbal note

Flavors: nice fruit forward notes of dark cherry, blueberry, black raspberry jam. There is a soft mossy earth note and a hint of herbs.  Now and then I get a dusting of a cinnamon feel. 

As the wine opens up the earthy note changes from mossy to an easygoing rich soil feel.

Mouthfeel: a smooth leather texture with lingering dark berries and dark fruits on the palate.  A light dry feel on the aftertaste.

My Strength Rating: 4  - tannins and acidity are low and the flavors are tasty.

To the Point: a tasty wine to sit back and relax with friends or enemies.  This should make you friends then. 

Robert Mondavi 2009 Meritage: Review

Private Selection

13.5% abv

Blend: 41% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon,

11% Petit Verdot, 10% Malbec, 3% Cab. Franc

Vinted & Bottled by: Robert Mondavi

Woodbridge, California, USA

mprivateselection.com

$10.00 a bottle

I bought this bottle at the fundraiser for Waggin’ Tails Dog Rescue

Appearance: deep purple with a nice purple edge

Aroma: mixed dark berries with a slight spice

Flavors: spice is right up front, touch of black pepper, hint of blackberry with a dose of boysenberry, there is a slight watery edge that hits the palate.   Once the wine opens a bit there is just a touch of mocha and a hint of coffee and I am going to add a note of Michigan Cherry.

Mouthfeel: smooth; dark berries dance on the tongue; feels a bit thin at first but fills in a little if you get it to breath. 

My Strength Rating: 4.5 – I was going to do a 4 but, the lingering berry notes said 4.5. 

To the Point: a nice medium bodied Meritage.  Not the most complex wine, a bit thin at first and then fills in a little as it breathes.  For $10.00 a bottle it is a good party wine or a good introductory wine for the newbie.

Front Porch Merlot 2007: Review

Napa Valley

C & T Cellars

Blend: Mostly Merlot with a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon

“…wine to celebrate the simple pleasures in life…”

Appearance: garnet in color with ruby highlights.

Aroma: very aromatic, sweet cherries, berries, and spice.

Flavors: fruit forward and following the nose.  Reminds me of a mulberry or elderberry jam.  Don’t decant. 

Mouthfeel: smooth, lingering sweet berry patch, relaxing, I could sip this all night.

My Strength Rating: 3 – very tasty light bodied red.

To the Point: A perfect summertime red wine whether you are on the front porch or back.  I am on my back porch of my summer place and I may have to fight off a few hummingbirds for this tasty wine.

Triple Overtime 2006 Merlot: Review

Napa Valley

Igor Larionov Select Wines

St. Helena, California, USA

Iltripleovertime.com

Blend: 77% Merlot, 14% Cab Sauvignon, and 9% Franc.

14.6% abv

$20.00 a bottle

Appearance: rich ruby body

Aroma: a wonderful spicebox nose

Flavors: the spice follows the nose, dark and red currants, and plum. 

The second glass displays some more character.  I would recommend opening this bottle and letting it breathe for 15 or 20 minutes (decant) before serving just to get those flavors involved. 

The spice, currants, and plum are still present but, the earthy tones open up to a mushroom and mossy style.  There is also a smooth sweet mocha note in the mix.  

Mouthfeel: smooth, elegant, macho like finish with sweet dark cherry.  The acidity and tannins are low. 

My Strength Rating: 4.5 – This wine just glides across my tongue.  The weight is light and the flavors are plentiful.

To the Point: above average Merlot.  If you like smooth and medium bodied Merlot's this should work for you.  I would buy the Hattrick Reserve Merlot before this one. 

Seven Deadly Zins: Review

15% abv
$11.00 Costco
Lodi Appellation
Vinted and Bottled by Michael and David Phillips
Graton, California, USA

A nice thick, almost creamy, mouthfeel gives way to a good spice taste and firm earthy tones. Cinnamon is one spice that stands out. The alcohol peppery spice adds some zip to the palate. Some tasty dark berries swirl around a note of red currant.

I found this to be okay. There are much better zins out there.

Renwood 2006 Grandpere
Ravenswood 2006
Chronic Cellears 2009 Purple Paradise
Ancient Vines 2008 by Cline
A.Mano 2007

Renwood 2006 Zinfandel Grandpere: Wine Review

15% abv

Renwood Winery

Plymouth, California, USA

Renwood.com

$22.00

My Strength Rating: 7

After the fermentation period the wine was aged for 19 months in French and European oak barrels.

Wine Enthusiast 91 rating.

Blackberry, spice, and pepper on the nose.  The body has a deep ruby color with lighter ruby highlights on the edges.

Flavorful spice profile and green peppercorn greet the palate with each sip.  Dark berry notes dance around with some dark cherry, 80% dark chocolate like dryness and bite, along with a splash of oak.  

Overall, one tasty Zin. 

This Zin has a thick texture, dry aftertaste, with a lingering spice and blackberry jam on the tongue.

This wine has nice complexity on the taste and aftertaste. 

I would buy this again.

Linking you UP - check out the other zins reviewed this month
Ravenswood 2006 Teldsechi
Chronic Cellears 2009 Purple Paradise
Ancient Vines 2008 by Cline
Seven Deadly Zins 2008
A.Mano 2007

Lucente 2007: Wine Review

La Vite Lucente Toscana
Lucewines.com
Montalcino,Italia
50% Merlot, 35% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

I purchased this bottle at the restaurant I go to regularly. It was suggested to me over a year ago and I have purchased it several times since. I really like this bottle and at $50.00 (restaurant price) it better be tasty.

The color is a pretty purple with ruby edges around the rim. Nice berries and a hint of cocoa-coffee greet the nose. The dark berries are present along with a plum taste to smooth things out. The cocoa-coffee note carries over to the taste. All the flavors are smooth just like the texture. The body is a solid medium style.

Terra Andina Reserva 2007 Carmenere: Wine Review

For me it has a nice black cherry and dark berry taste without the bite of a blackberry. There is a solid spice presence without being peppery. Definitely dry on the palate and comes across chewy and meaty. That means this wine has some body. This is yummy. The wine just coats the mouth with its grapey goodness.

This is a must buy.

Pairing this wine up with a cigar should be easy. One thing I don’t want to do is go too full bodied. I don’t want too strong of spice and pepper from the cigar. I want to work with the fruit profile of the wine. I am going to select a Por Larranaga Maduro Cigar. This cigar is mild to mild-medium in body.

This is a good pairing. The cigar lets me enjoy the full grapiness of the wine and the wine actually helps this cigar out some. The Por Larranaga Maduro is a good break from the bold and fuller bodied smokes but, it can be a little uneventful. The wine seems to transfer some of it flavors to the cigar.

Calluna Vineyards 2008 Red Wine: Review

Calluna Vineyards
Santa Rosa, California, USA
$29.00 at The Fine Wine Source

I am going to have to ask an expert in the wine industry but, I believe that a winery has to pay for the name ‘Meritage.” And, that brings up the point that so many bottles today have the name ‘Red Wine’ on the bottle instead of ‘Meritage.’ Is it the sign of the economy? These bottles are usually from 2007 or 2008. Maybe it is just me or maybe wineries are not paying for the name Meritage.

Any who, Calluna Vineyards Cuvee has a great ‘blend’ here: 44% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cab Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot. The five classic grapes used in a Bordeaux and could use the name Meritage.

Aroma:
Some nice ruby highlights shine through this plum colored body. The nose is soft earth and soft dark berry with a hint of smokiness. Nothing special on the nose but, it is only a 2008 bottle it may mature into something good.

Personally, I like these blends when they have four or five of the grapes involved and when they have a higher percentage of Cab Franc in the blend. This is just my personal preference but, I like the earthiness and the tart red fruits that a Franc grape brings to the game. I like to see 20% or more of Franc in the blend and especially when there is a higher percentage of Merlot in the mix like this wine. Just a personal thing.

Body:
The first thing I notice when drinking the first glass is the texture of this wine. It is medium-mild, smooth, with an almost crisp like feel. There is a nice lingering aftertaste that helps to maintain that medium body profile. The acidity seems low to moderate as well with the tannins.

This coming summer when you attend your local farmers markets you will have to look for some currants to buy. This past summer I found a vendor who had some and this was a good experience to taste some fresh red and black currants.

Taste:
Speaking of currants, this wine has a nice black currant profile. There is a soft red raspberry note, some mossy earth, a little tobacco, an undertone of oak, and a little watery edge on the palate. I cannot think of the last time I noticed a watery edge on a good red wine but, here it is.

I personally think this wine is just showing its immaturity. From what I taste here today I am thinking that it will be really good in 2013.

And with that thought, I just sold myself on a few bottles to put in the 2013 section of the cellar.

Next Day Tasting:
The black currants are a little fuller, the earthiness is a little thicker, and I don’t notice that watery edge today.

Wow, four days after opening:
Smelled safe.  Quick sip - not bad, ok, I'll ty another sip - uhm, it is better tasting today than the other days.  I have one glass left in this bottle I guess i'll finish it.  I thought this was going on the plants outside - I don't remember the last time I had a bottle make it past two days. 


I still think this is a wine you buy today to keep for a couple of years.

Villa Antinori 2006: Wine Review

13.5% abv
Tuscany, Italy
Sangiovese 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%, Merlot 15%, Syrah 5%
12 months in oak casks – then 8 months in the bottle
My Strength Rating: 3.5

Nice red berries on the nose. Followed by a smooth delivery of red berry, blueberry, and a soft mossy and mushroom like note. This is a very good ‘mild to medium’ bodied wine to be enjoyed with lighter fare like veal or creamy pastas. A mild or mild to medium bodied cigar would be nice with this wine.

Triple Overtime 2005 Cabernet Franc and La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 6 Maduro

The Wine
Triple Overtime 2005 Cabernet Franc

14.5% abv
Iltripleovertime.com
Napa Valley, California, USA
Igor Larionov Select Wines
My Strength Rating: 4.5

Igor Larionov is a former Detroit Red Wing hockey player and being from the Detroit area as well as a hockey fan I just had to buy this bottle. As it states on the bottle about Igor, “…being the oldest player in NHL history to score a triple overtime goal in the Stanley Cup Finals on the way to winning his 3rd Stanley Cup Championship.” Oh, how great that moment was and how great it was to see him skating for the Red Wings. I did not make it to the Fine Wine Source when Igor visited (about a year ago) and signed bottles of his wines but, Jim Lufty got me a few bottles of his fine wine with Igor’s signatures.

Here is the description from the bottle, “…bouquet of cedar, spice and black fruits. In the mouth there is an abundance of sweet cherry, blackberry and vanilla…”

On the opening of the bottle there is plenty of sediment on the cork and within the neck of the bottle. Oh, this is good stuff.

Based on the first glass; to me I get the spice and black fruits and berries on the nose along with a sweet vanilla-cherry note. I am not picking up the vanilla on the taste but, the sweet cherry and blackberry along with black currant fills the palate. A pretty straight forward wine. The tannins and acidity are moderate making it approachable for most palates. The mouthfeel is smooth overall.

Decanted second glass; the black fruits are a little richer and there is a little more earthiness on the nose while the sweet vanilla-cherry notes become more of an undertone.

Now, this is what I like about Cab Franc wines - the earthy style is showing up. While, the earthy notes are showing up it still is smooth in texture. The sweet cherry, blackberry, and black currants are still on board for a very tasty wine.

The medium body of this wine and its smooth texture will give it some good range for pairing with food and cigars. This is a nice Cabernet Franc.

The Cigar
La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 6 Maduro
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Filler: Mexican, Dominican, Brazilian, and Nicaraguan
Size: 5-7/8” x 60
My Strength Rating: 6

This is one smooth and rich tasting cigar. I have always enjoyed the Serie R line-up from La Gloria. The key to a tasty cigar with the maduro is to get a jet black stick and not the ruddy blackish-brown stick. Back when I use to buy these by the box I would have the tobacconist open the box up before I would purchase the box to make sure I was buying the jet black ones.

Now, this is not a complex cigar. Just like the Triple Overtime wine this cigar is pretty straight forward. This cigar has a very rich and tasty earthy-coffee style. The earthiness is like the rich soil that the plants are grown in. The coffee is a rich and thick Espresso style. On the second half of the smoke there is a green peppery spice that builds to add some character. The earthy style becomes thicker as you near the end of the cigar.

I think the earthy style of this cigar will go well with the wines cherry and blackberry taste.

The Pairing
I would like to sit back with Igor and enjoy this pairing. The earthy profiles are working with each other for a good medium bodied experience. The moderate spice and espresso like notes of the cigar are nice with the berries from the wine. This is a good pairing to just sit back and enjoy.

Justin Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Justin Vineyards and Winery
Paso Robles, California, USA
Visit their web site for tasting notes
JUSTINwine.com

I was out to dinner and I saw the Justin Cab 2008 on the wine list and I had to give it a try. Justin has to be one of my favorite Cabernets and well, favorite wineries.

This Cabernet was aged in oak barrels for 17 months.

The nose has a nice berry aroma that leans toward the red berries.

The taste is very nice but, not complex. The red notes are at play: red cherries and red currant. The texture comes across velvety smooth. While it comes across as a pretty simple wine it will be interesting to see how it ages. I think I’ll be buying some pretty soon and I’ll wait till the end of 2011 to see how it is aging.

Fess Parker 2007 Pinot Noir: Wine Review

Santa Barbara County
fessparker.com
Visit their web site and buy yourself a raccoon skin cap

This is one tasty wine with notes of bing cherry, raspberry, pomegranate?, and just plain loads of berries. This would be fun to wine to play the game, “what berry am I tasting?”

There is just the right touch of mocha, just a touch.

The aroma is just super special.

This is a terrific Pinot Noir. Pick up a bottle and give it a try.

Hannah Nicole 2006 Meritage: Wine Review

This wine has the five classic Bordeaux grapes.
35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec.
Hnvwines.com - a good web site to visit

Here is what it says on the bottle, “…fills the mouth with distinct flavors of black cherry, plum and cola. Firm tannins, exhibiting a softness from the Cabernet Franc, hints of mocha and currants, followed by the classic Brentwood Terroir note of cocoa dust the linger on in the finish.”

I purchased this bottle from the Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan for $11.00. This bottle needs some time to open up, so decant for a half an hour. It still seemed a bit thin on the taste.

There are nice notes of dark berries and black currant. While it has the five classic Bordeaux grapes it is still an average Meritage. I did not find the mocha-cocoa notes they describe. The best I could come up with was a light earthy quality. A simple wine overall and nothing that special.