Monday, June 30, 2008

TAZ - PINOT GRIS

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $20
Producer: Taz Vineyards
Region & Country: Templeton, California, USA
Grape Variety: Pinot Gris
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 05/15/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 06/30/2008

Appearance: Pale gold
Nose: Soft fruit and flower scent
Taste: Fruity and light
Finish: Has a slight ash taste
Overall Impression: It's good, but we turned it into a sangria. That made it even better.

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

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

DURBANVILLE HILLS - SHIRAZ

Vintage: 2004
Price Range: $15
Producer: Durbanville Hills
Region & Country: Durbanville, South Africa
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: Taste Food & Wine, Chicago, IL - 05/17/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 06/17/2008

Appearance: Purple-ish black
Nose: Light, pepper scent
Taste: Light, fruity and berry
Finish: Acidic and warm
Overall Impression: I have had better when it comes to a Shiraz, but this one wasn't a complete let down. It might be better as a stand-alone wine.

Overall Rating
: 88/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars

Monday, June 16, 2008

DIABLITA - RED WINE

Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $20
Producer: Everett Ridge Winery
Region & Country: Sonoma County, California, USA
Grape Variety: Red Wine (Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah & Petite Sirah
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 05/15/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 06/16/2008

Appearance: Very dark; almost a blood red
Nose: Light, but slightly hot
Taste: Very sweet. It has a blackberry taste
Finish: Has a spicy kick
Overall Impression: Although this is a fun wine that doesn't need food and would probably make an excellent sangria...I'm not a fan.

Overall Rating: 82/100
Overall Value: ** / 5 Stars

Thursday, June 12, 2008

FIVE RIVERS - CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $7
Producer: Five Rivers Winery
Region & Country: Hopland, California, USA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: Jewel Grocery Store, Chicago, IL - 06/06/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 07/02/2008

Appearance: Glossy, ruby red
Nose: Fruity and sweet-like scent
Taste:
Very sweet & fruity-cherry
Finish: Starts to warm the tongue
Overall Impression: Five Rivers is a good, cheap wine. Maybe good to bring to a party because it is cheap. There was nothing great in particular. It was pretty plain.

Overall Rating: 84/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars

Monday, June 2, 2008

YARRA RIDGE - CABERNET MERLOT

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $11
Producer: Wine World Estates
Region & Country: St. Helena, California, USA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Merlot
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 05/15/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 06/02/2008

Appearance: Deep, dark purple
Nose: Light, rich and fruity
Taste: Spicy, yet full; Very bold
Finish: Citrus, warm to the tongue and throat
Overall Impression: If you want a wine that is very spicy, bold and full, this is your wine.

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