2006 Francois Bour Cotes Du Rhone

On account of bastardos helping themselves to my tools in the garage, I'm being forced to replace them... This gets expensive. Where does this pertain to wine, you ask? Well, economic hardships forced me to drink on the cheaps last night. I found this and a few others at a nearby gas station. The local Shell, believe it or not, stocks Stags Leap, Clos Du Val, and many other respectable wines....

This was not one of them.

I have always relied on fuel stations for their gasoline, but I never imagined I would pay two bucks to bring a bottle home and drink it. Wow! I'll use quotes from Anchorman to rate this.

Eye- Looks like the contents of a dirty diaper filled with indian food.

Nose- Pungent... stings the nostrels. I'm not going to lie to you, it smells like pure gasoline!

Taste- The inside of a prosthetic leg

Finish- it's a deep burn... it burns deep!

I've never been in prison, but the jail wine made of spit, yeast and fruit cups will please the palate more than this. Note to self- never sacrifice good wine for the sake of a few bucks. Stick to buying hot dogs, soft drinks and fuel at Shell stations.

-7/10

2010 Finca El Origen Reserva Malbec

VALUE ALERT! This is a wonderful bang for your buck if you like the Malbec grape... A young yet mature wine from Valle De Uco in Mendoza.

I am not always a fan of malbecs (unlike my cohort and good friend, Bluedog) and yet I am swept away by the layers of ripe fruit that are masterfully balanced by earthy, rich tannins; they hold each other together beautifully to a loooooong finish. For less than ten bucks, buy it and drink it tonight!

Eye- Crayon Purple

Nose- Ripe berries and pencil shavings

Mouth feel- Tannic yet not overly so

Taste- Ripe summer raspberries tapered into balance with leather for a finish that lingers on the palate.

Do it.

8/10

2008 Ernst & Co Pinotage

I'm baaaack! Though I have taken a rather long hiatus from my oenophilia/editorial/critical duties, I finally decided to jump back in... what a great feeling to be writing again and what a splendid wine to start with... and what a terrific value at that! The wine... 2008 Ernst & Co Pinotage.

One word- Good. Delicious South African wine that I found on clearance for four dollars a bottle... I think I just might buy a case... or two!

Eye- dark garnet

Nose- smoke and ripened fruit

Mouth feel- soft and warm

Taste- smoked bacon, ripened berrries and tobacco on the front with a subtle vanilla coming in to the tart blackberry finish that stays on your palate.

Rating- 7.5/10! drink now

2009 NORTON MALBEC

I bought this at an Airforce base about six months ago. I had a beautiful guest come over for dinner this past week and I wanted her to help me clear out some of my wines in the closet; I hadn't had a Malbec in a while.




Eye- dark garnet


Nose- coffee and ripe berries

Mouth feel- astringent at first, then it softens

Taste- unbalanced, tannins (too young perhaps) come to the front, but quickly give way to tart, earthy, cherries and light fruit. it finishes fairly well.



Decant this wine and pair with a sharp cheese or perhaps a gamey meat.


I definitely enjoyed who was across the table from me more than what was in my glass;) I saw one review score it at 90... I'm not a sommelier but I know when I've found a wine that I won't buy again. On the other hand, I never enjoy a malbec quite like I do my zins and cabs, so perhaps it's a matter of subjectivity.

4/10

2009 ICONOCLAST FASCINATION- MERITAGE RED

Fantastic wine with the cabernet grape adding good tannic layers to the mineral rich cherry jamminess that is overtly expressed from the zinfindel grapes. finishes long; smooth almost sweet ending.



nose- cherry and plum

eye- garnet

mouth feel- balanced with good structure

taste- a dry red that has an almost sweet backbone to it; this'll be a good conversion tool for the white and sweet/ demi sec drinkers. Serve this at your next party and it'll start conversation with it's value and its pairing versitility.

7.5/10!

Lolonis Cabernet 2005

This was half-off at the local mart, and so I couldn't pass it up.  I usually do Zins more often so this will be a treat of difference.

Look/Smell - Sweet, green apple and the juiciest grape.  Red, then purple.  Sweetness is in the tartness.

Taste - Tart, plummy, green apple.  Tannins are light.  This one is suspiciously sweet for how high its alcohol content is.  The tannins come after the tart, they coat the tongue like a sheet, not like a blanket.

Rating - 6
Although this one is pleasing, I expect more from a cab.  It should be full of flavors and balanced.  This one is exceptionally tart which is unique but also its downfall.

Zaco Vina Tempranillo Rioja 2006

This one caught my eye because it was an older vintage of a varietal I had not yet tried.  It was right next to the Malbecs, my favorite varietal which intrigued me.  The bottle is very sexy which probably also led to my purchase.  This wine was created in Spain.

I let it rest for about 25 minutes, making sure it was chilled to around 60 degrees (by feel, but it was better than not think about it at all).

Look/Smell - Cherries and peach, not unlike a sweeter Malbec.  Deep red like cherry juice.  The cherry smell is wonderful.

Taste - Deep tannin profile, cherry flavors remain but are in the background.  The grapes are tart and warm, and the alcohol is only apparent on the warming after-swallow.

Rating -9
This one is worth every penny, and being around $12 it is an easy choice for your night-time sip.