2007 Walnut Crest Merlot

On October 31, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2007 Walnut Crest Merlot by Emiliana Vineyards in Chile. I found this 100% Merlot varietal for under $6 and will be interested to see how it compares to the 2007 Walnut Crest Cabernet Sauvignon. I want to compliment Emiliana again for their tremendous commitment to the environment.

Color

This is a darker than average Merlot. Dark red and purple.

Aroma

Good aromatic nose full of dark fruits and pepper.

Flavor

Sweet fruit on the attack. Strawberry and red currant flavors turn into cherry on the mid-palate. The finish is hot and spicy. It is also notably dry. It should pair very well with pasta and tomato-based sauce.

Rating

This is not a bad wine; though, it is not a special wine either. It could make a good everyday bargain. I rate it 87 points.

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2007 Walnut Crest Cabernet Sauvignon

On October 31, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Vino SimetríaToday I am tasting a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Rapel Valley in Chile. The 2007 Walnut Crest Cabernet Sauvignon from Emiliana Vineyards which has achieved ISO 14001 certification for their commitment to the environment. In addition to Walnut Crest, Emiliana also produces the Natura brand. I found this bottle for under $6.

Color

Nice dark red color in the glass.

Aroma

The first thing I detect is a black currant aroma, but shortly after there is a earthy component. Almost like mushrooms. Very interesting.

Flavor

Beautiful fruit on the attack. Sweet cherries and raspberries. The mid palate has sour cherries and the finish is very long and spicy. This wine starts out super smooth and then finishes pretty aggressively due a little to the tannins but mainly due to the alcohol. It is hot on the end which might offend some tasters. Perhaps it is a little off balance. The oak treatment is also mild which I definitely appreciate. Overall it isn’t a big wine but should go well with many meat dishes and strong cheese.

Rating

I think this is a solid wine. It has enough fruit and other flavors/aromas to make it interesting and is surprisingly smooth. I rate it 89 points. It is certainly bringing good value.

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2005 Domaine des Rouet Chinon

On October 30, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2005 Chinon from Domaine des Rouet in France. These Loire Valley wines are commonly made of Cabernet Franc blended with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. I found this bottle for under $11.

Color

This wine has dark shades of purple and is a little thin.

Aroma

The nose of this wine is dominated by vegetables. Green pepper is present and some hints of thyme and other herbs. After smelling so many fruit driven noses lately, I find the aroma of this wine pleasing.

Flavor

The attack is dull, but the mid-palate has a lot to offer. There are sour red cherries and red raspberries and it finishes with some nice tannins. The finish shows some true lasting power which indicates to me that this wine could cellar well. If you like a wine to have flavor and not be over sugar driven, then this wine definitely qualifies. It may pair well with pasta and vegetables.

Rating

I like this wine. It is a bit plain and simple, but is decent. I suspect it won’t appeal to many palates and recommend having it with food. I rate it 86 points.

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2006 Hogue Riesling

On October 30, 2009, In White, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2006 Riesling from The Hogue Cellars in Columbia Valley Washington. I found this wine for under $8 in a screw cap bottle. Interestingly, Hogue switched to screw caps after doing a 4 year closure study and concluding that the screw caps are superior. Bravo!

Color

The color on this wine is very interesting. It has yellow components and not as much golden. It is attractive in the glass.

Aroma

This is a very aromatic wine. I detect orange, peach and mango. Very fresh and fruity aroma.

Flavor

The attack is all fruit. Sweet apricot and orange quickly fade into a mid-palate of grapefruit, apricot and cream. The finish is long with lingering apricots. There is a hint of green apple on the end. My one complaint is that this wine is not acidic enough to balance out all the sweetness of the fruit. If you like dessert wines then this will be right up your alley.

Rating

If you want a very sweet Riesling then I recommend you give this a try. If you are searching for a dryer, more acidic mineral driven Riesling, then stay away. I rate it 87 points.

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2008 Cono Sur Carmenere

On October 29, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am really excited to be tasting the 2008 Carmenere from Cono Sur in Chile. I’ve been looking for several months to find this and although I paid way too much for it, I am very happy to at least taste it. I found it for under $14 but am certain it is available elsewhere for under $9. I’ve previously spoken about their vineyards and reviewed the Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and the Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a un-oaked blend of 85% Carmenere, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Syrah, and 1% A. Bouchet. I think that last one is really Alicante Bouschet, but am not certain. Anyone know?

Color

The color is a typical dark purple and red.

Aroma

I started smelling this wine as soon as I poured it. It has some blackberry fruit aromas, but it is not fruity. It smells more earthy and woody.

Flavor

The attack has dark fruit flavors such as blackberry and some sweet dark plums. The mid-palate is especially nice with a sweet cherry flavor and a smoky aspect. The tannins on the finish are very good. This is a very smooth wine. Easy to drink and will pair well with all meats. However it is tasty enough to be enjoyed alone.

Rating

This is a very good wine. It is probably the best Carmenere I have had from Chile to date. I strongly recommend it and rate it 91 points. I’d love to see it carried in more mainstream stores!

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Aroma: Eucalyptus

On October 29, 2009, In Education, By dcpatton

Eucalyptus grows in warm climates and is native to Australia. Sometimes known as Gum trees. It is widely introduced into many of the wine growing regions of the world notably California, Chile, and Spain. The eucalypt character shows up in wine as the familiar menthol aroma associated with the oil from the plant. While researching this aroma, The VINEgeek, Jim Wilkerson of http://www.vinegeek.com/ pointed me at a couple of good articles on the subject.

The first, Gumming up the works, is a good discussion on the industry impact seen in different regions.

The second, Monitoring Eucalyptus Flavors, is a recent scientific study of the phenomena in California and determines exactly which chemical is responsible for the aroma in the grapes. It also suggests that the chemical is transmitted through the air into the grape skin.

With this in mind, look for reviews in the next few days of some wines that are good candidates for having Eucalyptus aromas present.

Have you detected Eucalyptus in any wine lately? If so, which ones?

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2008 Campos Reales Tempranillo

On October 29, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2008 Bodegas Campos Reales Tempranillo from La Manch, Spain. This Jorge Ordonez selection was available for under $7 and has a plastic cork (screw top next? fingers crossed). I assume it is 100% Tempranillo. Anyone know?

Color

This is really dark in the glass with a nice deep purple.

Aroma

Great dark fruit on the nose with blackberries and blackcurrant. There is also some green bell pepper and banana. I don’t often get banana but this wine definitely has a hint. No oak either.

Flavor

The attack has some black currant and black cherry. It is not overly sweet. The black cherry is strong on the mid-palate and there are tannins giving it some dryness. The finish is really dry and has some heat. This is a very young wine so over time it will get smoother. What it lacks though is having strong fruit or vegetable flavors. Overall it is a bit plain. It will pair well with grilled meat.

Rating

I think this wine has some things going for it, such as no oak and a nice nose. It also has some issues with the fruit. At this stage I rate it 85 points. If you like dry red wines, then it is a decent offering.

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2007 Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon

On October 29, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon by Cono Sur in a bottle with a nice screw top. I’ve previously spoken about their vineyards and reviewed the Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. I am still on the lookout for their Carmenere. I found this bottle for under $8.

Color

It is a dark red color, but not as dark as some cabernet sauvignon wines.

Aroma

It has an earthy aroma with hints of dark berries such as currant. I like the nose on this Cabernet Sauvignon.

Flavor

Blackberries and black cherries on the attack followed by sour cherries in the mid-palate. The finish is a bit quick and the alcohol (13%) is noticeable. I like the wine, but it is nothing outstanding and a bit simple. It isn’t overwhelmed by oak and is a good medium weight wine. It will pair well with pork and cheese.

Rating

I am a big fan of the environmental commitment of Cono Sur and the low price. This isn’t their best wine, but is a drinkable one. I rate it 87 points.

Have you tried a Cono Sur yet?

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2005 Coloma Garnacha Roja

On October 28, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2005 Coloma Garnacha Roja by Coloma Vineyards and Winery in Spain. This 100% Garnacha Roja (Grenache) varietal from their Amelia Vineyard in southwestern Spain close to Portugal is available for under $9. The winemaker is Amelia Coloma.

Color

The color of this wine is a deep red which is not quite opaque, but close.

Aroma

The nose is very aromatic. It has bold red berries such as strawberry, raspberry and cherry. There is a strong menthol component as well. Definitely a different nose than a lot of red wines. Very interesting.

Flavor

The attack is quite fruity with strawberry and cherry. Then sour cherry takes over and the finish is very tannic and dry. I am struck by how dry this wine is. Overall it is not a complex wine but the fruit is solid and it should pair well with food. But it needs to be a food that is full of flavor such as blue cheese or beef because this is an intense wine (fruit bomb without the oak).

Rating

I like this wine. The aroma is intriguing and the fruit is tasty. However it is a bit one dimensional and the finish is very dry. I rate it 88 points.

Have you tried a grenache with dark chocolate? It is supposed to be a great pairing.

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2008 Maipe Malbec

On October 28, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2008 Maipe Malbec from Proviva S.R.L. in Mendoza, Argentina. I found this wine on sale for under $9 and have been told it is good.

Color

The color is a nice dark purple. Completely opaque.

Aroma

Nice dark fruit on the nose. I detect blackberries, black cherries and just a hint of bell pepper.

Flavor

This is definitely not a shy wine. It has a immediate upfront fruit flavor of strawberry and plum. The middle is characterized by cherries and the finish is very long with excellent tannins and spice. This is a surprisingly complex wine. In fact your own palate may pick out many other flavors and I’d love to know what you find. Please leave comments if you get the chance to try it. I think it is pretty widely available. This would pair very well with pasta dishes.

Rating

I highly recommend giving this a try. It is a strong effort for the price. I rate it 90 points.

Have you tried it yet?

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