WineLife365 » 2-Star http://www.winelife365.com Enjoying Life with Wine 365 Days a Year Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:43:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 The Deadly Rock http://www.winelife365.com/the-deadly-rock-trio-wine-review/ http://www.winelife365.com/the-deadly-rock-trio-wine-review/#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2010 02:15:08 +0000 Mark http://www.winelife365.com/?p=7472 As I was drinking the 2004 Oriel Setena, the 2007 Vina Gormaz Tempranillo and the 2007 El Jamon Tempranillo, one word that came to mind:  Kryptonite.

All three of these red wines are products of Spain and all three tasted like minerals and rocks to me – more specifically, wet metallic stone.  Not that I’ve spent much time with rocks in my mouth, but there was an almost flinty kind of thing stirring around that completely overpowered any fruit and spice components that these wines might have possessed.  Although I embrace the infinite tastes and qualities offered by different types of wine, I have to admit that I’m a bit challenged by this characteristic.  For now I’ll keep an open mind, but in the case of the 2004 Oriel Setena  (MSRP $18.50*), the 2007 Vina Gormaz Tempranillo ($9.99) and the 2007 El Jamon Tempranillo ($9.99), the metallic quality was acting more like kryptonite robbing these wines of their ‘super powers’.

2 Stars out of 4.
* Sample

]]> http://www.winelife365.com/the-deadly-rock-trio-wine-review/feed/ 0 Looking For Fireworks http://www.winelife365.com/concannon-central-coast-shiraz-2007/ http://www.winelife365.com/concannon-central-coast-shiraz-2007/#comments Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:22:03 +0000 Mark http://www.winelife365.com/?p=7345 “Just give me one more chance” seemed to be the message that the 2007 Concannon Central Coast Shiraz was trying to send me by the second sip on night #1.  It wasn’t too long ago that I was in a similar situation with another Concannon Vineyard red wine.  However, on that occasion the Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah had won my taste buds over by the third night.  Could lightning strike twice?

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the 2007 Concannon Central Coast Shiraz.  I held out hope over a two day period for a similar rousing experience.  Sadly though, that something special that happens when a wine hits your tongue and fills your mouth, so that you almost don’t want to spoil the moment by swallowing it, just didn’t happen with this American Shiraz. 

The 2007 Concannon Central Coast Shiraz delivers a one-dimensional upfront dosage of moderately sweet red berries, partnered with lots of toasted vanilla-oak flavors, and struggles to display any fireworks on its finish.

2 Stars out of 4. 

SRP: $10.00

]]> http://www.winelife365.com/concannon-central-coast-shiraz-2007/feed/ 0 Abandoned Halfway Up The Mountain http://www.winelife365.com/snowline-pinot-gris-2008/ http://www.winelife365.com/snowline-pinot-gris-2008/#comments Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:51:28 +0000 Mark http://www.winelife365.com/?p=6597 It’s from Oregon, it’s Pinot Gris, it’s got a pretty picture of snowcapped mountains on the label, but unfortunately the 2008 Pinot Gris from the peeps at Snowline Vineyards just doesn’t quite hit the same elevation as many of its Oregon peers.  The 2008 Snowline Pinot Gris dials up the right acidity, but doesn’t quite muster up enough crisp fruit flavors to get your taste buds all the way to the top of the mountain – it dumps you off the lift somewhere in the middle.

 2 Stars out of 4.
(Price: $8.99)

]]> http://www.winelife365.com/snowline-pinot-gris-2008/feed/ 1 Blah, Blah, Blah http://www.winelife365.com/alamos-cabernet-sauvignon-2008/ http://www.winelife365.com/alamos-cabernet-sauvignon-2008/#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:47:53 +0000 Mark http://www.winelife365.com/?p=6336 You know exactly what I’m talking about people: Wines that are, well…just ok, but you’ll drink them ‘cause there’s nothing offensive or bad about them, or maybe there’s nothing better in your house at the moment.  As you’re drinking it, you’re fantasizing about your taste buds being curled up nice and cozy with something other than what’s been planted squarely in front of you.  Such was case with my experience with the 2008 Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza, Argentina.  This Cab retails in most places for about $10.  Let me first say, if you’re interested in trying a solid Argentinean Torrontes for under $10, the peeps at Alamos make a pretty good one!  This was the very reason why I decided to give their 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon a whirl.  Unfortunately, nothing really popped out of the glass to give my palate a workout.  Although it was not offensive, it just tasted a bit tired and dull.  It was just OK.

On that note, I give the 2008 Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon 2 Stars out 4.  Do yourself a favor and grab a bottle of their Torrontes – It’s much better than “OK”!

]]> http://www.winelife365.com/alamos-cabernet-sauvignon-2008/feed/ 17 I Was Looking For Some Action http://www.winelife365.com/excelsior-cabernet-sauvignon-2007/ http://www.winelife365.com/excelsior-cabernet-sauvignon-2007/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:40:18 +0000 Mark http://www.winelife365.com/?p=6201 …but all I found was cigarettes and alcohol.

I really love and appreciate wines of unique character.  This past weekend in New York, I was reminded of how much this actually means to me, as I found lots to love in the wines I tasted from Argentina and Brazil.  Frustratingly though, one place that I can’t seem to fall in love with is South Africa.  Maybe it’s the wines and producers that I’m trying, maybe it’s just me.  Maybe it’s a little of both!?  Who knows.

Time and time again over the years, whether it’s been a Pinotage, a Cab, or even a Syrah – I’ve been greeted by that distinctive smell and taste of smoky, red cherry tobacco that leaves me feeling green for days in an awful kind of way.  Is this familiar smell and taste just a byproduct of the climate, geography, and soil conditions that exist in South Africa?  Or, does it have more to do in creating a particular style of red wine that is uniquely South African?  Whatever it is, I just can’t seem to find many South African red wines under $20 that satisfy my palate.

Last night marked another chapter in my quest to find a satisfying and affordable South African red wine that I could fall in love with.  On the advice taken from a wine guy at my local wine shop, I decided to give the 2007 Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon a shot.

My wine guy gave this wine two enthusiastic thumbs up.  I, on the other hand, give this wine 2 stars out of 4.  Why?  For $7.99, it provided that familiar long lasting smoky, rich cherry tobacco flavor that I just can’t stomach.  However, it is unique – that’s for sure!  On that merit alone, I’m sure that someone else will appreciate it for what it is, just like my local wine guy did.  My mission to find an affordable 4-star South African red continues.

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