Saturday, May 30, 2009

BAGLIO DI PIANETTO - RAMIONE

Vintage: 2004
Price Range: $18
Producer: Baglio Di Pianetto
Region & Country: Sicily, Italy
Grape Variety: Ramione (Merlot, 50%; Nero D'Avola, 50%)
Recommended By: WineClub

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 5/4/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 5/30/2009

Appearance: Deep purple, very opaque; full-bodied
Nose: Berries, spices and floral scent
Taste: Soft on the tongue with berries, but after it has a bold, slightly dry kick
Finish: Lingers slightly, smooth; the berry taste returns in the very end
Overall Impression: This wine was so well-developed and balanced. It had a great, mature taste. This was a great blend of grapes and went well with spiced steak. I would get this wine again and again!

Overall Rating: 93100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars

Thursday, May 28, 2009

BLACK SLATE - PINOT NOIR

Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $20
Producer: F.W. Langguth
Region & Country: Pfalz, Germany
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir (Pinot Noir, 90%; Regent, 10%)
Recommended By: WineClub

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 4/5/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 5/28/2009

Appearance: Rose red; transparent, yet brilliant gloss
Nose: Cherry, watermelon candy and floral scent
Taste: Juicy; tons of fruit flavor
Finish: Linger slightly; sweet after tones, yet not sugary
Overall Impression: For a Pinot Noir, it's delicious. Usually some Pinot Noirs, to me, have an ashy flavor to it. Not this one! It also was not dry whatsoever. This was all around good and I would get it again in a heart beat!

Overall Rating: 90/100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

LA CHATELAINE - RED RHONE WINE

Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $20
Producer: Le Chatelaine
Region & Country: Cotes du Rhone, France
Grape Variety: Red Rhone Wine - Grenach 50%, Syrah 25% & Cinsault 25%
Recommended By: WineClub

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 11/2/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 5/12/2009

Appearance: Deep purple; Medium-bodied
Nose: Soft floral, almost a perfume scent
Taste: Lite fruit with a very mellow taste; good acidity
Finish: Slight perfume taste and lingers warm on the throat
Overall Impression: I enjoyed this one a lot. It didn't seem to even have to try to be good and I think it's because it was so mellow. This was definitely a good mix of reds. I didn't aerate it, but I didn't think it needed to be. This is just a great, easy going wine. It is perfect for any occasion.

Overall Rating: 91/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

HAYES VALLEY - CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $20
Producer: Clos La Chance Winery
Region & Country: San Martin, CA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: WineClub

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 12/8/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 5/5/2009

**HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO**

Appearance: Raspberry red and full-bodied
Nose: Fruity, earthly and sweet scents
Taste: Light, fruity & sweet; Very juicy taste
Finish: Fruitiness lingers; not acidic
Overall Impression: This Cabernet Sauvignon seems to just wet the mouth perfectly. It's so juicy and fruity, but the best part is that it's not acidic at all. It's just lush, delicious and sweet. I think this would make a great summer cab.

Overall Rating: 97/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars