2002 Onix Priorat Evolució

2002 Onix Priorat Evolució

Beautiful classic ruby red color. The nose is the best characteristic in this wine, showing ripe red cherries, cassis, and raspberries. Very nice red candy aromas. The flavor profile is rich and red as well, but it takes a good 90 to 120 minutes to open up, after opening. Bright, young, red, explosive flavors from entrance to mid-palate, then showing more bitter flavors contributed by the Garnacha, thus adding complexity. Very nice acidity, but far from perfect integration and roundness. The finish is very respectful in length and intellectuality. Nice steak wine.

2006 Torres Atrium Merlot

2006 Torres Atrium Merlot

Nice compromise between old and new world style wine, with very aromatic nose, and more structure than most californian merlots. Good expressiveness but lacks elegance.

2008 Georges Dubœuf Beaujolais Nouveau

2008 Georges Dubœuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Very floral and fruity nose. Very clean and youthful flavor profile. 2008 vintage is much better than any previous vintages of this wine that I have tasted before. Very pleasant Beaujolais/Gamay character. Very harmonious balance. Vibrant, harmonic, young, bright. Very good.

2006 Randall Harris Merlot

2006 Randall Harris Merlot

Nice nose, pleasant and elegant, not overriding. Somewhat off-dry at the entrance with nice spicy evolution towards the end. Very long finish. Too bad this wine evolves fairly quickly in the bottle after opening. Changes and starts to fall apart fairly soon. Lacks backbone to some extend.

2007 Two Oceans Pinotage

2007 Two Oceans Pinotage

Solid wine, good structure, a little boring or annoying after a while. Not bad, though.

2006 Aliwen Reserva Sauvignon Blanc

2006 Aliwen Reserva Sauvignon Blanc

Quaffable, cordial, aromatic, tasty, with nice acidity. An okay every day table white.

2006 Catena Malbec

2006 Catena Malbec

Restaurant purchase. Dark ruby red, quite brilliant. Young wine of expressive and intriguing nose, actually quite beautiful nose, with notes of red and dark cherries, then followed by caramel taffy, and ending with scents of green tobacco leaves. Elegant transition on the palate, delicious creamy texture, with gorgeous transition from mid-palate to end consisting of dark rich caramel notes, cardamon, clove, and spices. Appreciable structure that makes you wonder where this wine is headed in four or five years of cellaring. Tasty notes of dark chocolate. Very good quality fruit and beautiful integration of it in its fine transition. This wine is gorgeous to drink by itself.

Tasting Tags: caramel dark-chocolate

1999 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Don Melchor

1999 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Don Melchor

Very approachable wine now, very smooth and mature, with great length, and very supple and mature. Soft tannins. Very good quality fruit. Very polish and round.

2008 Finca Sophenia Altosur Malbec Rosé

2008 Finca Sophenia Altosur Malbec Rosé

Intense rose color; basic carmine with pleasant transparency and glitter. On the nose, rose petal, sweet red sugar beet, and cherry. Enters the palate decisively and has a very appreciable transition, with length, depth, and character, showing delicious flavors of ripe red cherry and pomegranate, along with beautiful, subtle nuances of cranberry and beets, all parading in lengthy and harmonious transition, with good balanced acidity. In this wine you can taste Malbec, no doubt.

Tasting Tags: qpr

2004 Villa Carafa Aglianico

2004 Villa Carafa Aglianico

Very dark purple color. Quite pleasant, complex and thought provoking nose, showing ripe red cherries, bacon fat, and shitake mushroom; maybe truffles. Medium bodied, showing cranberry, dark chocolate, limestone, cedar box, evolving to tartness, and spicy, pink pepper, green peppercorn, white pepper, and a little tobacco and vanilla notes on a long, long finish. Pairs well with any type of pasta dish. Very cousin-like to some Chiantis.