Wine Review Round-up: French, Spanish, Italian and California
With the new gig, a little behind on wine reviews…
It’s been a while since I’ve done a wine round up and lately I’ve been fortunate enough to try some really great wines at all price points. Since I started my new job in Dallas, I have been instituted “Thirsty Thursday’s,” where I gather my co-workers and we have team building with wine involved.
Wine Review Round-up
I’ve listed my favorites in several different categories based on trying more than 40 wines. These were often tried by region, varietal or price point.
Value Wines ($15 and Under)
2011 Domaine Maby La Forcadière – a dry rose with a nice minerality and notes of raspberry and flowers. I really enjoyed this rose and I don’t give compliments on roses lightly.
2011 Bolla Soave Classico – a well-priced summer wine with citrus, apricot, peach and a nice crispness.
2012 Bodegas Ostatu Rioja Blanco – tropical notes, crisp and refreshing. Another great summer refresher.
2012 Vina Ventisquero Sauvignon Blanc – citrus, tropical fruit, minerality with a nice balance of herbs and a creamy texture.
2012 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc – apple, grapefruit and pear.
2011 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Reserva Carmenere – a nice expression of Carmenere with blackberry, forest floor, mocha and spiciness.
2010 Matchbox Dunnigan Hills Syrah – at $10, this wine with notes of raspberry, currant, black fruit, cocoa, spice and jam, was the best red wine that I’ve tried at this price point. It had depth and complexity that I have never found in a $10 bottle.
2009 Ruiz de Viñaspre – I tasted lots of red fruit and floral notes in this 100 percent tempranillo. It was a well-balanced wine and very drinkable with or without food.
2010 Vina Zaco Rioja Tempranillo – lots of vanilla and spice with blackberry and mocha.
2009 Bodegas Bilbainas Vina Pomal Crianza – blackberry, licorice, cedar, mocha and spice make this a well-balanced wine.
$15 to $40
2001 Ramirez de La Piscina Gran Reserva – all spice, flowers, cherries, currant and lots of depth. This is an elegant wine that is drinking very well today.
2005 Finca Allende Rioja Allende – notes of blackberry, cherry, earthiness with layers of depth.
2005 Deobriga Rioja – smokiness combined with lots of red fruit, flowers, vanilla, spice and tobacco.
2006 Grupo Olarra Bodegas Ondarre Reserva – a very smooth wine with lots of rich red fruit, dates and spice.
2009 Domaine Bressy-Masson Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Cuvee Paul Emile – this was a rich and smooth wine with notes of blackberry, fig, tobacco, black tea, spice and chocolate.
2009 Domaine du Pesquier Gigondas – this was a big wine with lots of terrior, berry, black cherry and herbs. This was a very well balanced wine.
2010 De Martino Legado Reserva Carmenere – another good expression of Carmenere with notes of tobacco, flowers, vanilla and cassis.
Over $40
2007 Finca Monteviejo – a powerful wine with blackberry, plum, mushroom, currant, dried fruits, spice and earth. Exactly what a great Rioja should taste like.
