Sunday, March 30, 2008

MEMO - MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $10
Producer: Mario Ercolino
Region & Country: Torino Di Sangro, Italy
Grape Variety: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 03/18/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 03/30/2008

Appearance: Deep, dark purple
Nose: Deep, fruity grape & other fruits
Taste: Smooth, with a good spiciness
Finish: Warm
Overall Impression: This was a very good wine. I liked how it was spicy, yet fruity. This wine really surprised me and I would definitely get it again and recommend it to many.

Overall Rating
: 92/100
Overall Value: ****.5 / 5 Stars

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

ARROCAL - RED SPANISH WINE

Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $20
Producer: Ribera del Duero
Region & Country: Gumiel de Mecado, Spain
Grape Variety: Red Spanish Wine
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 03/15/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 03/25/2008

Appearance: Very dark and deep red
Nose: Sweet; it has a strong scent of berry
Taste: Dry, yet still fruity
Finish: Spicy and warm; the taste lingers in your throat
Overall Impression: I enjoyed the flavor and it went very well with dinner.

Overall Rating: 89/100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars

Saturday, March 22, 2008

FINCA LOS PRIMOS - MALBEC

Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $15
Producer: Valentin Bianchi
Region & Country: Mendoza, Argentina
Grape Variety: Malbec
Recommended By: WineStyles

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 03/18/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 03/22/2008

Appearance: Dark, raspberry red
Nose: Hot; the scent is very powerful and not very pleasant
Taste: Spicy, very acidic and dry
Finish: Warm, and then it fades
Overall Impression: I don't think this wine was worth the price. I did not really care for it.

Overall Rating
: 70/100
Overall Value: ** / 5 Stars

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

PIETRA SANTA - SANGIOVESE

Vintage: 2004
Price Range: $20
Producer: Pietra Santa Winery
Region & Country: Hollister, California, USA
Grape Variety: Sangiovese
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 11/15/2007
Place & Date Tasted: *First tasted in late November 2007 at a Hilton hotel room in Evanston, IL, but I never recorded it. Home - 03/18/2008

Appearance: Glowing, deep red
Nose: Hot aroma
Taste: Spicy, black pepper, citrus fruit
Finish: Spicy and warm on the throat
Overall Impression: This was a very good wine. It was definitely a great taste that was worth the value. The spiciness and the boldness is what makes it so wonderful.

Overall Rating
: 92/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars

Sunday, March 9, 2008

SMOKING LOON - MERLOT

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $10
Producer: Don Sebastiani & Sons - Three Loose Screws
Region & Country: Napa Valley, California, USA
Grape Variety: Merlot
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: Dominick's Grocery, Chicago, IL - 03/09/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 03/09/2008

Appearance: Dark, deep purple
Nose: Scent of raspberry and cherry
Taste: Soft, fruity and juicy
Finish: There is a hot citrus taste with a slow fade
Overall Impression: The Loon has a good flavor that it not over-priced. It is a great wine to bring to parties or to kick it at home with dinner.

Overall Rating
: 87/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars