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MALBEC
El Portillo
Malbec 2007 . . . .
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8.99
88-89/100 - Our score.
Malbec is the red hot grape variety this year and it
is examples like the El Portillo that make it the fashionable
choice. Our notes simply state: Bright fresh berries, very clean
and very delicious. The bright berry flavors are of strawberry,
cherry and black berry. Malbec needs the warm days and cool
nights that the high elevations of Mendoza bring to completely
ripen. Produced from vines at 3,500 feet above sea level the El
Portillo has a bit of leather and smoke to complement all the berry
fruit. The finish is long, smooth and supple. Very clean and very
delicious. (Argentina)
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Camaraderie |
ZINFANDEL
Windmill
Lodi Zinfandel 2006 . . . .
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9.99
88/100 - Our score.
With 24% Petite Sirah included in the blend, this wine
barely qualifies to be called Zinfandel. But that is a
good thing, since the Petite Sirah has added a wonderful meaty
richness to the wine. Lots of juicy blackberry flavors that are full
on the palate, uncommon to a Zin at this low price. You’ll like this
one. (California)
Joel Gott
Zinfandel 2006 . . . .
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13.99
90/100 - Wine Advocate. “Joel Gott, the brilliant restaurateur (think
of Taylor’s Refresher in St. Helena as well as San Francisco ...
America’s best hamburgers and Ahi burgers), also produces wines
under the capable guidance of his talented winemaker/wife, Sarah.
...Even better is the brilliant 2006 Zinfandel, which boasts fabulous
ripeness along with a full-bodied, tarry, briery nose revealing plenty
of pepper, spice, black cherries, and berry fruit. This full-bodied,
dense, bargain-priced Zin includes 5% Alicante Bouchet in the
blend.” (California)
SYRAH/SHIRAZ
Jacob’s Creek
“Reserve”
South Australia Shiraz 2005 . . . .
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9.99
88/100 - Our score.
88/100 - Wine Spectator. “Lithe and appealing for a sense of delicacy
to go along with the focused cherry and plum flavors, lingering
against refined tannins. Drink now through 2012.” (Australia)
Melville
“Verna’s Vineyard”
Santa Rita Hills Syrah 2006 . . . .
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19.99
93/100 - Wine Advocate. “From one of the Santa Rita Hills’ superb
vineyard sites, the Melville wines are made by Greg Brewer.
The 2006 Syrah Verna’s Vineyard exhibits sweet, peppery, black
raspberry and black currant fruit along with more definition and
minerality as well as the classic opulence and suppleness that
makes Syrah such a captivating and endearing wine. It should
evolve easily for 6-8 years.” (California)
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE BLENDS
| Boekenhoutskloof “The Wolftrap” Western Cape 2007 . . . . . 7.99 88/100 - Our score. 88/100 - Wine Spectator. “Has good concentration, with soft edges, showing plum, anise and violet notes backed by a moderately toasty finish. A very friendly blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Viognier from South Africa. Drink now.” (South Africa) |
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NQN
“Picada 15”
Nequen Patagonia 2007 . . . . . 8.99
88+/100 - Our score.
There is more to Patagonia than just penguins, oil and fly-fishing.
This region in southern Argentina, known
as the “end of the earth”, is planted with about 15,000 acres of
high-altitude vineyards. These 15,000
acres are the southernmost vineyards in the world. The NQN winery
was established in 2001. The name Picada
15 comes from a crossroads near the winery. (Could it also mean the
alcohol content of the wine which happens to be 15%?) It is a
field blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
Malbec and Pinot Noir. All of that information is interesting in a
cocktail-party chit-chat sort of way, but what
really makes this wine special is in the bottle. Attractive
aromas of ripe berries, cinnamon and some green
bell-pepper are apparent on the nose. In the mouth it is
smooth and velvety with flavors of blackberry and
cherry. A unique wine and an astounding value, it is juicy,
flavorful and simply delicious. (Argentina)
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Maquis |
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| Our Scoring Scale 96 -100 - Extraordinary 90 - 95 - Exceptional 85 - 89 - Above Average |
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| 84 and below - | You won't find it at the Wine Discount Center |