2003 Il Poggione (Roberto Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino - 90 points (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino) Did a side by side with this wine and the younger little sister; Rosso Di Montalcino. Hands down the Brunello was the winner and I did not even like the Rosso for the money. The nose has lots of dark berries with flowers. Has a hint of eucalyptus. Nice balance of chocolate rounds of a nice dark deep purple color. The tannins are beautiful in structure, just right and matches this real old world wine. I think this wine was a touch young and needs a couple of years but it still opened up nicely after about 30 minutes but I recommend decanting for about 2 hours. Nice dark fruit on the palette and the transition to the finish had some hang time on it. The finish was nicely balanced. This is a should try wine. Love the old world on

this. Tenuta Il Pogginie website

Tags: Brunello di Montalcino, dry wine, Il Poggione, Red wine

2004 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Allomi - Hess web site

(USA, California, Napa Valley)

Holy tannins explosion. But in a good way because this is a nice balanced wine overall. The tannins really attack the sides of your tung and stay for a bit. Love the ceder and cherry on the nose. It had a hint of Welches grape juice feel to the nose in a nice way. This wine distinctive bing cherry and anise flavors and hints of plum and black licorice and a health dose of cedar. Nice deep Cabernet in color and taste. I thought this was beyond an everyday wine and I enjoyed the experience, and that is what this was, an experience. It really rounded out after about 30 minutes. 25 bucks is more than fair for this wine and I will be getting more.

Vineyard Notes:
Grapes were harvested from Hess Collection Veeder Hills vineyard at an altitude of 600 - 1,120 feet.

Production Notes:
21 months in 55% new French oak.

Winemaker Notes:
Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot
The 2004 vintage started with an early spring giving the vines a boost to start off their growing season. This strong start was followed by a warm, consistent weather pattern in summer that ended with several hot fast ripening periods. This short and sweet harvest produced a memorable 2004 vintage with low yield, high quality grapes characterized by ripeness and intensity.

Tags: Allomi 2004, dry wine, Hess Collection, napa, Red wine, Wine Reviews

2005 Steele Wines Zinfandel Old Vine Zin Pacini Vineyard

(USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County)

The nose has lots of vegetable and caramel. The palate Opens with blackberry, strong dark chocolate, and raspberry. Not outstanding but just ok for the money. I find the finish medium-long and a very bark bitter finish. This wine has very strong tannins that really hit the tung hard. Not a fruity wine, a little light on flavors and a pinkish color. Not bold. It does border on a port wine. Seems like this wine does not know where it wants to go. I would give it a pass.

Tags: dry wine, Red wine, Steele Wines, zinfandel

Domaine Boisson Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes Cuvée Elisabeth 2005 -87 points

France, Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Nice nose. creamy with butterscotch, blackberry, black tea, and green peppers. balanced nose and solid. Little earthy. The color is not extremely bold. Little thin but inline with a Du Pape. Light purple and kind of violet. Lots of black liquorish on the palate. Hits the back of the tung and not real hot. Kind of short and the finish is a little bitter. not mush fruit on the start and a little hot with the alcohol. Overall not bad for 22 bucks. feels and taste like a 40 Dollar wine. Enjoy

Tags: Chateau du pape, Domaine Boisson Châteauneuf-du-Pape, dry wine, French wine, Red wine, rhone

Girard Artistry 2004

Impressive nose. Very rich dark purple-red, almost inky, color. Very Minty with roses and lilacs and tons of eucalyptuses. Good oak balance. The taste has a good soft balance of tannins. Not too hot, just enough. Loads of berries and not too bold with a hint of oak. Give it about an hour in a decanter and it really gets impressive. Nice effort. Definite try for 35 bones.

Tags: Bordeaux, dry wine, Girard Artistry, napa, Red wine

Don’t bother. I usually like super Tucson’s but this was a very simple wine. Light with not much body. Had chocolate, black current and dark cherries on the nose. Kind of thin wine for a sangovisse. The palate was short and not exciting at all. Some berries and black pepper with green peppers. Not much to say on this one. Not worth the try.

Tags: dry wine, Red wine, Tenuta di Arceno PrimaVoce Toscana, Tuscany, Wine Reviews