Wine Sense

90+ rating

Allegrini Palazzo della Torre 2006 -- $20.99 -- "The 2006 Palazzo della Torre comes across as somewhat restrained for this wine. This is a very polished, elegant Palazzo della Torre with pretty layers of mocha, spices and new leather that add complexity to the fresh, vibrant fruit. Palazzo della Torre . . .
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Amisfield Wine Company Pinot Noir 2006 -- $37.99 -- Supple and concentrated, Amisfield Pinot Noir shows the complexity, concentration and texture of great new world Pinot Noir. This is classic Central Otago Pinot with dark rich fruits, spicy aromas and undertones of liquorice and smoke. Finished in a rich . . .
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Argiano NC Rosso Toscano 2007 -- $22.99 -- "The 2007 Non Confunditur reveals a darker profile than the Rosso in its grilled herbs, licorice, dark berries and French oak. The wine shows outstanding length and finessed tannins. This is another lovely bottle from Argiano, and a terrific value. Non . . .
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Bacio Divino Pazzo 2006 -- $28.99 -- "The seductive 2006 Pazzo may not be as rich as the 2005, but it offers a boatload of pleasure at a realistic price. It is a peppery, spicy, slightly herbal, deliciously fruity red that is meant to be consumed during its first 2-4 years of life.Pazzo . . .
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Barone Fini Pinot Grigio Valdadige 2008 -- $12.99 -- A perfect day to sip Pinot Grigio on the porch. This one is just so refreshing with crisp, apple and exotic fruit flavors. Ahhh…the colder the better.
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Bodegas Catena Zapata Chardonnay 2008 -- $17.99 -- "The 2008 Chardonnay was fermented with native yeasts and aged for 9 months sur lies in 35% new French oak. It is light gold-colored with an alluring nose of mineral, baking spices, apple, pear, and tropical scents. This leads to a creamy textured, vibrant, . . .
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Bodegas Martin Codax Burgans Albarino -- $15.99 -- 90 Points Wine Advocate for 2007 Vintage: “in terms of bang for the buck, it has no challenger. The 2007 Burgans Albarino is light gold-colored with a sprightly nose of mineral, spring flowers, and lemon peel. Ripe, balanced, and concentrated, this is . . .
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Calvet-Thunevin VDP des Cotes Catalanes Cuvee Constance 2007 -- $15.99 -- "Tasted from tank shortly before its intended bottling, the 2007 Constance – as usual, Grenache-based, aged part in cement and part in barrel – is vividly redolent of fresh black raspberry and blueberry. With its infectiously juicy, “cool” fruit character . . .
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Chappellet Mountain Cuvee 2007 -- $25.99 -- 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 7% Malbec. This is the wine to choose when you’re looking for vivid, mouth-filling fruit flavors. Our Mountain Cuvee is a winemaker’s blend that results in a complex array of aromas and flavors that deliver pure pleasure . . .
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Charles Cimicky Trumps Shiraz 2008 -- $19.99 -- "The 2008 Trumps Shiraz was aged in predominantly new American oak for 17 months. A glass-coating purple color, it displays a smoky, toasty, spicy nose leading to a fruit-filled, succulent Shiraz with a bit of underlying structure. This lenghy effort . . .
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Chateau de Montfaucon -- $12.99 -- Very solid, with a juicy core of blackberry and plum woven with cocoa and pastis hints. Smoky, spicy finish has nice length. This fruity, rich red is a blend of 50% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 10% Carignan and 10% Counoise. Drink now through . . .
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Chateau La Couronne St.-Emilion 2005 -- $25.99 -- Crushed blackberry notes, with hints of dark chocolate and mineral, follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a long finish of fruit and vanilla. There's very bright acidity in this. Still needs to come together in the bottle. Best after 2012. . . .
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Chave Crozes Hermitage "Silene" 2007 -- $27.99 -- "Very bright and fresh, with a lively floral note leading the way for damson plum, red cherry and red currant fruit, all backed by an elegant, iron-tinged finish. 600 cases made" -Wine Spectator
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Clos Pegase Mitsuko's Vineyard Chardonnay -- $21.99 -- "A pure, clean Chardonnay whose dry richness is balanced with cool-climate acidity and a citrus streak almost like Sauvignon Blanc. Shows pineapple and pear flavors that indicate the varietal, but then crisp, tartly acidic lemongrass and grapefruits kick . . .
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Collection Alain Corcia Chateauneuf du Pape 2007 -- $31.99 -- "The 2007 Chateauneuf de Pape possesses supple red and black fruit, charcoal, olive, resiny Provencal herb, and beef juice characteristics. It is a silky-textured, medium to full-bodied 2007 to enjoy over the next 7-8 years." -Robert Parker
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Concha y Toro Chardonnay Marques de Casa Concha 2007 -- $18.99 -- "The 2007 Chardonnay Marques de Casa Concha offers up toasty oak, butterscotch, pear, and tropical fruit notes. Creamy-textured, round, and full-flavored, all of its components are well-integrated in this serious, flavorful effort meant for drinking over . . .
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Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 -- $22.99 -- The Marques de Casa Concha series begins with the 2007 Carmenere which spent 16 months in French oak. Saturated purple in color, it offers up a splendid bouquet of toasty oak, tobacco, Asian spices, plum, and bluberry. Mouth-coating, layered, and bordering . . .
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Crios de Susana Balbo Cabernet Sauvignon -- $16.99 -- "The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep crimson colored, it has an excellent bouquet of cedar, spice box, cassis, and black currants. This leads to a medium-bodied wine with a smooth texture, intense dark fruit flavors, and excellent depth. There is enough . . .
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Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes 2009 -- $16.99 -- "This brilliant portfolio begins with the medium straw-colored 2008 Torrontes. It offers up an alluring perfume of spring flowers, peach, apricot, and a hint of citrus. On the palate the wine is dry, smooth textured, layered, and succulent while retaining . . .
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Di Majo Norante Sangiovese -- $10.99 -- "The 2008 Sangiovese Terre degli Osci is an incredibly delicious, full-bodied wine with gorgeous clarity and definition. Made in a bold, fruit-driven style, the wine offers terrific depth and a long, polished finish. This harmonious red is a knockout! . . .
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Domaine Chante-Perdrix Chateauneuf du Pape -- $36.99 -- "The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape is an outstanding effort. Upfront, evolved notes of spring flowers, sweet licorice, blueberry, and boysenberry aromas emerge from this dark ruby/plum-tinged wine. Like many 2007s, the fruit character is prominent, and the . . .
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Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf du Pape 2005 -- $54.99 -- Robert Parker "The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape offers a very aromatic display of white chocolate, black cherry, roasted herbs, pepper, and espresso. The wine has excellent concentration, lush tannins for the vintage, and a round, opulent mouthfeel. It is . . .
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Domaine de Montvac Vacqueyras 2007 -- $21.99 -- 91 points Wine Spectator #85 on Top 100 Really fresh, with a solidly built core of red cherry, red currant and plum fruit woven with incense, briar and pastis hints. The long, fleshy finish stays racy and focused. Delicious. Drink now . . .
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Domaine des Terres Dorees (Jean-Paul Brun) Beaujolais Blanc Chardonnay 2009 -- $17.99 -- "The Terres Dorees 2009 Beaujolais Blanc Chardonnay smells of lime, oregano, diverse flowers, white peach, and an apparent amalgam of chalk dust and sea breeze. With a formidable sense of underlying density and mysterious minerality, allied to luscious, . . .
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Fontanafredda Barolo di Serralunga 2005 -- $46.99 -- "Raspberry, mineral and licorice aromas follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Balanced and friendly. Best after 2010. 10,000 cases made." -Wine Spectator "The 2005 Barolo Serralunga is a relatively forward Barolo with . . .
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Girard Petite Sirah 2007 -- $31.99 -- "This is a big, potent, Incredible Hunk of a wine. It’s gigantic in wild, exotic blackberry, blueberry, mulberry, pomegranate, licorice, pepper and dark chocolate flavors, wrapped into firm tannins. Continues a near-perfect streak of ageworthy, dry Petite . . .
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Glaymond "The Distance" Shiraz 2006 -- $31.99
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Hamacher H Pinot Noir 2007 -- $24.99 -- The 2007 Pinot Noir H was blended from vineyards with an average age in the mid-20s. Very fragrant with lots of spice notes including cinnamon and clove as well as rose petal and raspberry, on the palate it reveals an elegant personality. Medium-bodied, . . .
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Ilaria Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon -- $67.99 -- "The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (94% Cabernet Sauvignon and rest Petit Verdot) is a limited production cuvee offering a dense opaque purple color, beautiful black currant, charcoal, and smoky aromas, a gracious, elegant, well-balanced style, medium to full . . .
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J Vineyards California Pinot Gris -- $16.99 -- "Crisp and intensely fruity, with flavors of oranges, hints of vanilla, silky texture and a tart finish." -Fred Tasker, The Miami Herald "The J “California” Pinot Gris is a wonderful blend of 100% Pinot Gris fruit from Preston Vineyard and Saralee’s . . .
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La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino 2004 -- $38.99 -- The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino offers up dark red fruit, flowers and spices in a soft, accessible style. This medium-bodied Brunello flows with beautiful length and ripe, finessed tannins. Clean, mineral notes frame the wine nicely. Anticipated maturity: . . .
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La Massa Giorgio Primo Toscana 2003 -- $49.99 -- "Dark and powerful with intense aromas of tar, berry and raisins. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and big, velvety tannins. Full-throttle. Huge wine. What this lacks in finesse it gives in power. Best ever from here. Best after 2008. 2,915 cases made. . . .
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Lagier Meredith Mount Veeder Syrah 2006 -- $49.99 -- "Once again Lagier-Meredith has fashioned a beautiful, elegant, complex, dark ruby/purple-tinged Syrah Mt. Veeder. Wine producer Carol Meredith’s 2006 offers up abundant, complex aromas of flowers, blue and black fruits, forest floor, and earth. The wine . . .
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Le Ragose Amarone della Valpolicella 2003 -- $59.99 -- Rated 92 points by Robert Paker: Sweet, super-ripe aromatics along with dark cherries, herbs and underbrush waft from the glass as the 2003 Amarone della Valpolicella reveals its elegant, understated personality. The wine shows plenty of length and lovely . . .
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Les Vins de Vienne Crozes-Hermitage Les Palignons 2007 -- $27.99 -- "Inviting, with incense, warm blackberry and plum sauce notes, followed by a dark, olive- and tobacco-filled finish. It all hangs nicely together, thanks to a fresh streak of iron that cuts through the middle. 580 Cases made." -Wine Spectator
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Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 -- $14.99 -- "I am also including their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma, a 290,000-case blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest the other Bordeaux varietals. An exquisite value, this is a seductive, fleshy, fruity wine with excellent texture, body, and balance. . . .
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Lucia "Garys' Vineyard" Syrah 2007 -- $46.99 -- "The dense purple-colored 2007 Syrah Garys’ Vineyard exhibits a gorgeous perfume of boysenberries, blueberries, blackberries, charcoal, camphor, and spring flowers. It reveals full-bodied power along with great elegance and freshness, good acidity, and . . .
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Orin Swift Cellars "Saldo" -- $31.99 -- "This recalls those great old California field blends, but with more polish and structure. Aromas of smoky boysenberry and cracked pepper lead to layered, zesty flavors of plum, tobacco and anise. Drink now through 2013." - Wine Spectator, 91 pts
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Perrin et Fils Cotes du Rhone Villages Vinsobres les Cornuds 2007 -- $22.99 -- "Another equal part blend of Syrah and Grenache is the 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Vinsobres Les Cornuds, also from estate vineyards planted in limestone soils. The freshness of the vintage is well-displayed along with bracing acidity that buttresses . . .
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Petrolo Toscana Torrione IGT 2007 -- $46.99 -- "Clear and precise, with beautiful aromas of plum, berries and chocolate. Full-bodied and refined, with a dense yet elegant palate of plum, chocolate and cherry. Long and caressing. Wonderfully polished. Very fine. Best after 2010. 3,750 cases made." . . .
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Produttori Barbaresco Montestefano Riserva 2004 -- $64.99 -- The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is one of the more reticent wines in this lineup of 2004 Riservas. Its vibrant, fresh color is followed by notes of violets, roses, black cherries, menthol, smoke and licorice. The wine possesses tons of structure . . .
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Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2005 -- $38.99 -- "Once again, the Produttori have turned out a gem in their 2005 Barbaresco. A beautiful, perfumed Nebbiolo, the wine flows effortlessly from the glass with captivating notes of crushed flowers, raspberries, sweet herbs and spices. This classic, mid-weight . . .
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Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Ovello Riserva 2004 -- $64.99 -- The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is deep, dense and incredibly primary. Although the wine clearly possesses remarkable stuffing, there is very little tertiary development here. With air, suggestions of menthol, pine, spices and licorice gradually emerge, . . .
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Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Pora 2004 -- $64.99 -- The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is a dense, chewy offering loaded with ripe red cherries, licorice, tar and sweet wild herbs. The wine’s sheer concentration and power are impressive but today the tannins seem to lack the extra level of elegance that . . .
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Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Rabaja' 2005 -- $66.99 -- "The 2005 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja reveals gorgeous inner perfume in a powerful, structured style. This is a big, hulking Barbaresco, but its potential is evident, as the wine's balance is impeccable. Still, readers will have to exercise considerable . . .
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Selection Laurence Feraud 2007 Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret -- $17.99 -- "The outstanding 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Seguret is a brilliant wine as well as a fabulous bargain. Aromas of licorice, lavender, cassis, and kirsch emerge from this dense ruby/purple-hued offering. Full-bodied and pure with the sweet tannins that . . .
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Siduri Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2007 -- $29.99 -- "The 2007 Sonoma County shows loads of up-front fruit, with pretty blackberry, black cherry, and plum flavors. These flavors broaden on the mid-palate as the wine gains in richness and adds hints of dried herbs. The finish is smooth with very little tannins. . . .
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Soter Vineyards North Valley Pinot Noir 2007 -- $33.99 -- "The Pinot Noirs begin with the 2007 North Valley Pinot Noir. The fruit for this cuvee was picked entirely before the late September rainfall but the wine shows no green character whatsoever. Medium ruby-colored, it exhibits a fragrant nose of cedar, . . .
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The 75 Wine Company "The Sum" 2007 -- $23.99 -- "The real star, and a great bargain, is the 2007 The Sum -- The Seventy-Five Wine Company. This is an absolute steal when it comes to high-class wine. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, and 10% Petite Sirah, there are 5,200 cases of this wine, . . .
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The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir 2007 -- $36.99 -- The 2007 Pinot Noir Estate is more expressive aromatically. Cinnamon, allspice, rose petal, cherry, and raspberry scents lead to a silky, medium-bodied, feminine Pinot with savory red fruits, excellent concentration, lively acidity, and a lengthy finish. . . .
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Tiefenbrunner Pinot Bianco -- $15.99 -- "Lemon cream and honey aromas follow through to a full body, with intense fruit and loads of pineapple cream pie character. Long and rich. 2,000 cases made." -Wine Spectator "This youthfully fresh wine makes an elegant impression. Clear, bright yellow . . .
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Travaglini Gattinara 2004 -- $34.99 -- 90 points Wine Specatator: Delicate aromas of ripe plum, with hints of cedar and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, with very refined tannins and a long, complex finish of strawberry and spices. Flavor Profile: Nose of smoky, earthy, winey dried cherries.Aromas . . .
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Vietti Barbera D'Asti Tre Vigne 2007 -- $21.99 -- "Smoke, tar, licorice and amarena cherries are some of the nuances that emerge from the 2007 Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne. Clean, mineral notes frame the long, silky finish. This over-achieving, juicy Barbera is totally delicious and a great value as well. . . .
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Vietti Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco 2007 -- $29.99 -- "The just-bottled 2007 Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco offers up generous fruit along with menthol, spices and hard candy, showing notable intensity while retaining an essentially mid-weight style. Round, suave tannins add to the long and refined finish. This . . .
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Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape 2006 -- $69.99 -- "The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape reveals the vintage's peppery, earthy spiciness along with notes of forest floor, root vegetables, black cherries, and meat. This rich, medium to full-bodied effort possesses moderately soft tannin as well as good body, . . .
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Vignobles Brunier Telegramme Chateauneuf du Pape 2007 -- $42.99 -- 90 points Wine Advocate The outstanding 2007 Telegramme Chateauneuf du Pape (15.8% alcohol) offers notes of kirsch liqueur, spring flowers, and framboise, medium to full body, good acidity, a beautiful texture, and a luscious, heady finish. It . . .
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Vina Casa Marin Lo Abarca Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 -- $38.99 -- "The 2006 Pinot Noir Lo Abarca Hills Vineyard offers more minerality, a touch of saline, earth notes, cherry, and black raspberry. Velvety on the palate with an elegant personality, this concentrated, beautifully balanced Pinot will blossom with several . . .
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Wishing Tree Shiraz 2007 -- $12.99 -- "A solid effort in the everyday category, with plummy fruit marked by touches of rhubarb and asphalt. The wine’s best feature may be its plump, tender texture." -Wine Enthusiast "Bright ruby. Impressively complex bouquet of black raspberry, cassis, incense . . .
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