Château Bel Air
Cuvée Jean Gabriel Lussac-Saint-Emilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
These notes are pop and pour, written with a cold coming on, so maybe misleading. Blackberries and plums, with a little tobacco. Acidity is medium, tannins strong-ish. With alcoholic heat, it seems a little rough. Overall it seems like a good value Bordeaux, probably will be better with some air or time. — 6 years ago
Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Diamond Collection Black Label Claret California Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Blackberry and plum aroma. In the mouth it’s heavier, spicier, and hotter. It brings in wood, black pepper, and pretty strong acidity. It might settle down with some air. But first impressions is that it’s big and interesting, and a good value. — 6 years ago
Georges Dubœuf
Beaujolais Gamay 2017
Jammy fruit as expected, though the fresh components are now fading to a dried fruit flavor. — 6 years ago
Poderi Luigi Einaudi
Dolcetto di Dogliani 2016
Red berry fruit with chalk, acidity, and astringent tannins. This is how it is shortly after opening. I wouldn’t be surprised if it softened some with more air. But the flavors seem pretty simple, and though it is already close to good balance, I don’t see it getting very complex. It’s a good table wine, which worked with salmon roasted with sesame seeds, rice, and stir fried vegetables. — 5 years ago
Viña Real (CVNE)
Selección de Fincas Rioja Garnacha 2015
Blackberry, cranberry, and cherry fruit, with citrus acidity, a little heat, and a little dust. — 6 years ago
Patient Cottat
Anciennes Vignes Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Pears, green apple skin, and just a little melon. But there’s less fruit and flowers than I expected. It’s the chalk and oyster shell that dominates. There’s some acidity, but maybe not enough, and it comes off as under-ripe. Pleasant enough, though. — 6 years ago
Château de la Huste
Fronsac Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
Plum and blackberry jam, with a little fig. Also some stone and earth. Moderate tannins and acidity. Good value, easy drinking. — 5 years ago
Emiliana Organic Vineyards
Coyam Los Robles Estate Red Blend 2011
Blackberries, blueberries, with a little raspberries and cranberries mixed in. This is a blend of Rhône and Bordeaux grapes, with the Rhône seeming to me to be dominant, but tempered. The nose has some herbs and a hint of tobacco leaf. Minerality is a mix of stones and earth with a bit of dry dust. The acidity seemed nicely balanced, and tannins low to moderate. I would have liked a little more of the latter. But it was a good price for the quality. — 5 years ago
Torbreck Vintners
Woodcutter's Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016
Lots of jammy dark berry and plum fruit. There are hints of tobacco, smoke, and black pepper, going in a Rhône direction. It doesn’t quite get there, but it’s still pleasant and easy drinking. Acidity is a little above medium, tannins are lower. There’s a little heat in the finish. — 6 years ago
James P Grover
Currants and cassis with a little citrus peel, smoke, olives and oak. Nice acidity and tannins producing a good balance. Very good value. — 5 years ago