Wine Reviews and News for Passionate Wine Lovers

2005 Tintara Shiraz (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale) In Redondo Beach LA for meetings and ate at Baleen in the Portofino hotel.  Great meal and had the Tinara Shiraz in a flight of 4.  This one was clearly the best with ...

2004 Concannon Vineyard Petite Sirah Limited Release  (USA, California, Central Coast) Color was very deep red/purple.  Can't even see through it.  The nose at open had blackberry,  a little cherry and alcohol, and a very unique smell that smells like a perm ...

2004 Charles Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California) A good friend asked me to rate this wine.  2-buck-chuck as they call it, it was very industrial.  Overall not much character.  The nose had lots of cherry and chocolate but it was hinting toward ...

Red Rock Merlot 2005,  82 points Simple would be the word for this wine. Definitely not overbearing.  I'm being sarcastic because this is by far a table wine at best.  New world, tank feel. The nose has cedar, plum, with some ...

McManis Family Vineyards Merlot (USA, California) The color was a thin light purple.  The nose was just ok with darker fruits and tobacco.  The alcohol was very prevalent.  This wine was very short with just a little fruit on the palate, cherry ...

2006 Beringer Stone Cellars Merlot (USA, California, Napa Valley) Not bad for 8 bones. This wine had some depth to it, but overall it was not dynamic or exciting.  Got hints of sour cherry and darker fruits on the start.  The nose ...

2004 Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley) Wow this was a surprise based on the price.  This Napa Cellars Cabernet is way under priced.  You can buy from their site at $29.00 but in my opinion this is a ...

2007 Markham Pinot Noir (USA, California, Napa Valley) This wine was uneventful.  Nice nose that is edgy and crisp with carnation and butter. The color is a dark garnet.  The start is boring and quickly transitions with a hard edge to the mid ...

2005 Jakes Fault Winery Shiraz (USA, California, Sonoma County) I try and try on the 10 dollar wines but very rare to hit one.  This wine was no different.  This wine is very industrial to me and feels fake.  The nose ...

2003 Rutherford Hill Merlot (USA, California, Napa Valley) Veggies throughout.  Deep purple in color and the color and body is decent.  The nose has loads of green pepper, black olive, plum and dark fruits.  The nose is better than the palate.  This ...

2004 Qupé Syrah Central Coast   (USA, California, Central Coast) Ordered this Qupe Syrah in a tasting flight at a restaurant. The color was a typical Syrah. Dark in color with a touch of bright red around the edges. The nose was ...

2004 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Appellation Series San Francisco Bay (USA, California, San Francisco Bay) Very enjoyable nose.  Plum, pear, strong musty ceder and black pepper.  Color is deep purple hinting on brown.  The palate is together and has a little hot bang ...

2004 Alvaro Palacios Priorat Les Terrasses (Spain, Catalunya, Priorat) The nose has smoke, herbs, dark cherries and tobacco with some vanilla. Very deep purple in color. Balanced acidity. Smooth mouth feel. Seems a little smother a couple hours into the opening. The ...

2006 J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Oaks (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) Nice color, deep purple.  The nose was enjoyable big black berries with cedar, green peppers and black pepper.  The palate was a little hot and a dryer wine ...

2003 Bodegas Montecillo Rioja Crianza (Spain, La Rioja, Rioja) This wine was edging toward the Brunello feel.  However the quality level was not there.  The color was deep purple and a hint of dark brown. The nose had some apple and pear.  ...