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Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $20
Producer: Coldstream Hills Winery
Region & Country: Coldstream, Australia
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Recommended By: WineClub
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 3/2/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 7/25/2009
Appearance: Deep, glossy purple; light-bodied
Nose: Over-ripened berries and some spices; there is an unpleasant smell of something, but I can't quite put my finger on it
Taste: Sweet, almost sour fruit; starts of tasting juicy
Finish: Dries up and acidic; the sweetness lingers with a hint of ash
Overall Impression: This was definitely not the best Pinot Noir I've had, but I would say it's pretty average. Christie couldn't say anything when she tasted it because she informed me that she was going to gag. I wasn't that dramatic about it. I think the sourness of the fruit seems to throw off the taste.
Overall Rating: 85/100
Overall Value: ** / 5 Stars
Oh my! Excuse my language!
Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $20
Producer: R Wines
Region & Country: Eastwood, Australia
Grape Variety: Grenache
Recommended By: Easter Gift from Erika Swain
*Nothing says "Happy Easter" than presenting someone with a bottle
Place & Date Purchased: The Swain's, Chicago, IL - 4/12/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 7/24/2009
Appearance: Glossy, slightly translucent and yet cloudy; full-bodied
Nose: Strawberry jam and cherries; strong fruit scent
Taste: Sweet berry taste that has a juicy smoothness at first and then also has a spicy kick to it
Finish: Dry, lingers and slightly acidic
Overall Impression: When I was presented this wine, I seriously didn't know what to expect. After tasting it, I loved it. After discussing with Erika that I loved it, she was surprised. She said that when she had it, it tasted like "wine and cigarettes" to her. So, I'm wondering if the following is the reason:
A) Our taste buds are completely different
B) She was probably smoking cigarettes while drinking it
C) She had a bad bottle
It could be a number of things. Here's another thing I'm pondering. If it was so bad, why was she giving it to me? Erika, you got some 'splaining to do. But I thought that this was a fantastic Grenache! I loved the boldness and the finish. I loved how it smelled like jam, but it didn't taste like it. And for the price, you can't go wrong.
Overall Rating: 96/100
Overall Value: ***** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $10
Producer: De Bortoli Wines
Region & Country: Bilbul, South Eastern Australia
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 5/9/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 6/4/2009
Appearance: Brilliant, clean straw to gold color; Full-bodied
Nose: Grass, herbs, soft honeydew, creamy scent
Taste: Full flavor, clean sweetness, slight cream
Finish: Lingers, warm on the throat, sweet aftertaste
Overall Impression: The sweetness of this Chardonnay overpowers the creaminess, but that isn't so bad! It was a wonderful white! I know that I've had better, but this one held its own. It definitely has a great full-flavor.
Overall Rating: 92/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $10
Producer: R Wines
Region & Country: Eastwood, Australia
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Recommended By: Tasting
Place & Date Purchased: World Market, Evanston, IL - 10/26/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 10/28/2008
*Shrimp pasta in a white cream sause
Appearance: Brilliant, pale gold; light bodied
Nose: Light & clean scent; green apple
Taste: Fruity & light; sweet
Finish: Creamy, yet slightly tart; taste lingers
Overall Impression: This is another fun Halloween wine that you can bring to a party. Although, I wouldn't mind drinking it year round as well. So I guess Pure Evil is not just for Halloween anymore. This Chardonnay had a great flavor. It was okay with the food.
Overall Rating: 90/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2004
Price Range: $20
Producer: Sergio Carlei
Region & Country: Victoria, Australia
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Recommended By: Wine Club
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 05/07/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 05/07/2008
Appearance: Dark, cherry red
Nose: Plum scent with cheery accents
Taste: It is a little spicy, but very flavorful
Finish: Dry finish and slightly acidic
Overall Impression: This wine went well with pasta, but I believe it would be a good stand-alone wine as well. It was very tasty and I really liked it. Good!
Overall Rating: 90/100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars
Vintage: April 2003
Price Range: $20
Producer: Pretty Sally Estate; McKay-Davies-Corney Family
Region & Country: Melbourne, Australia
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: Wine Club
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 02/15/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 02/20/2008
Appearance: Reflective purple
Nose: Extremely fruity; scent of cherries
Taste: Smooth, sweet, very fruity and cherry
Finish: Fruity and had a semi-candy tasting finish
Overall Impression: It was fair, yet dry. It had a nice fruit flavor, but I didn't think it was worth the price.
Overall Rating: 83/100
Overall Value: **.5 / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $20
Producer: McLaren Vale
Region & Country: Australia
Grape Variety: Grenache
Recommended By: Wine Club
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 01/15/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 02/04/2008
Appearance: Purplish red
Nose: Extremely hot aroma
Taste: Very fruity, smooth and sweet
Finish: Warm and spicy
Overall Impression: I really liked it. It surprised me and I would definitely get it again.
Overall Rating: 94/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $11
Producer: De Bortoli
Region & Country: Bilbul, Australia
Grape Variety: Vat 4, Petit Verdot
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 11/10/2007
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 12/29/2007
Appearance: Very dark burgundy
Nose: Raspberry aroma; oak spice scent
Taste: Hot, slightly bitter and acidic
Finish: Lingers...and not in a good way.
Overall Impression: I was not very impressed, but others that have tried it definitely liked it. I probably should have let it breathe more.
Overall Rating: 71/100
Overall Value: *.5 / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2007
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