I did a review of this about 5 months or so ago and figured it would be good to see where it is at now and a little info on my thoughts on wine reviews.
Good show. I like McManis – many of their wines, just a good solid easy to find wine. 87? man. I would have said 89 for the price point. Happy April Fools day. no kidding, right?
ErieWineGuy
Yea, I honestly think you do a great job of discussing wine. I'm not just blowing smoke or saying this to be overly friendly or agreeable.
I've only seen a few reviews, but so far, I always come away with a really good idea of what that wine tastes like and how it drinks. I hear basic flavors, simple or a little complex, some specifics on acidity or tannins, any notable comments in general.
Also, one can tell that even in a simpler, less exhaustive style than others may review wine in, that you have quite a bit of knowledge and confidence in tasting wine.
You tell about the wine, like a buddy of mine would talk to me about that bottle of wine. You don't have to necessarily have a lot of words, to accurately convey to me whether or not you liked the wine and why.
You get the idea….I've gone on enough…..
Thanks for the review – look forward to more.
ErieWineGuy
You're being too modest.
In just the few minutes since my last comment, I found out that you've reviewed 22 wines on Cork'd.
I've only been watching WLTV for about 11 months or a year now, but I should have realized that it's number 1 fan-rated commenter was you, and that you've had your tentacles out in several areas, for some time now.
Good going!
zonk
Kahuna
Most of us that enjoy a bit of wine from time to time also drink it, we never spit, we put our own cash down on the counter, so we drink it all, and try to appreciate it, even if it disappoints, so your straight forward blog /advice as a wine consumer is appreciated.
zonk
http://www.moyeboystoys.blogspot.com/ Michelle
I, too, appreciate and enjoy your wine reviews, and would like to see you do more of them in the future. A request: how about a Zinfandel? You have done a Primativo, and a few Petite Syrahs, but don't recall seeing you review a Zin,which is a favorite of mine.
Thanks for another fun show!
KAHUNA
Thanks Zonk – it is just amazing how much more I can relate with someone who drinks wine- as opposed to an expert just tasting it- Hope all is well with you.
KAHUNA
Thanks Erie – hopefully you will see some more reviews up there soon. I am back logged right now and need to get a bunch more done- they are written on scraps of paper all over
KAHUNA
Thanks – I always feel like if I would buy it again that is the best rating I could do- Even though I give scores if I give I would buy it again then that tells a bigger story than the score
KAHUNA
No kidding – I really enjoy this wine not as much as the 07 Petite Sirah but it is a damn good bottle and for the price a no brainer
KAHUNA
Thanks Zonk – it is just amazing how much more I can relate with someone who drinks wine- as opposed to an expert just tasting it- Hope all is well with you.
KAHUNA
Thanks Erie – hopefully you will see some more reviews up there soon. I am back logged right now and need to get a bunch more done- they are written on scraps of paper all over
KAHUNA
Thanks – I always feel like if I would buy it again that is the best rating I could do- Even though I give scores if I give I would buy it again then that tells a bigger story than the score
KAHUNA
No kidding – I really enjoy this wine not as much as the 07 Petite Sirah but it is a damn good bottle and for the price a no brainer
Search For An Episode
Welcome!
This site is a place where I will be sharing family recipes and preserving them. Nothing is worse than hearing of family recipes that have died off and with it a part of your family tradition. Also I will be creating some new recipes, trying out others, having fun and connecting with family and friends. There will be videos shot poorly and edited even worse. There will be some wine reviews also, please check back often and feel free to comment.
2005 Bodegas Diaz Bayo Ribera del Duero Nuestro - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero (8/15/2010)
very dark in color was a little shocked for some reason - nose attacked with some big blackberry jam and whiff of the 14.5% comes through with a touch of vanilla- The fruit attacks up front and would make you think this is a much younger wine. Great dark fruit - feel to thrown anyone in the description cause they are there. what seperates this from just being a fruit bomb is that it has secondary flavors baking spice and shaved pencil and the oak while present is not overbearing.
There is a bit of a bitterness on the finish and agree this is not a great wine to pair with food in general but I think some smoky bbq or chipotle pork dish at $18 I would re-buy this (90 pts.)
2007 Mockingbird Hill Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/12/2010)
very nice cabernet for under $15 - what makes this nice is that the fruit shines through - the nose is a big blueberry pie with a hint of alcohol followed by a beautiful up front fruit attack of cherry with a little pomegranite the mid range of this wine lacks depth and character and the finish rounds out with some tart cassis- what is surprising is that the finish with its in check oak actually lasts a while-going to save some and see if the mid pal rounds out later- nice wine that I would rebuy (87 pts.)
N.V. Ca' Furlan Cuvée Béatrice - Italy, Veneto (7/25/2010)
Really enjoyed this prosecco - color was a light straw color and the nose had some refreshing floral notes and almost a pineapple hint on the nose- I would call the a champagne drinkers prosecco in that is very low on the sweetness scale. This wines starts to change a lot as it warms up and you almost get some of the tropical flavors you would find in a Sauvignon Blanc -nice acidity on the finish- Have had 3 bottles so far and will be getting more for $10 this is a no brainer- Oh and it has a champagne type closure so you do not need a corkscrew like other prosecco's (89 pts.)
2009 Bodegas Ateca / Zabrin Calatayud Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines - Spain, Aragón, Calatayud (7/25/2010)
Another Jorge Ordonez wine that delivers in the sub $10 range- forget sub $10 paid $6.39 for it- I mean come on that is an outright steal - this wine checks in with somenice cherry/rasberry and a hint of the alcohol comes through - there is a pleasant easy drinking nature to this wine that we really enjoyed- the brightness of the fruit was met with a little backbone and its youth is clear on the finish which can show a touch of the 14.5% alcohol. This is a go to wine when you are looking at a Dolcetto or a beaujolais heck if you are a California bright fruit pinot noir drinker and can not find something under $20 to fit you needs for a daily - give this a whirl it may do well for you (86 pts.)
2008 X Winery White X - USA, California, North Coast (7/3/2010)
was very discouraged about the light color of this wine but this really came through with much more flavor than I thought- seems like the extra 4 months in bottle since others have reviewed it have allowed this wine to come together more- I honestly can not see anyone not enjoying this wine- from a wine geek to a novice- I will post my detailed notes a little later but this is a perfect summer party wine for $12 (88 pts.)
2008 Alexander Valley Vineyards Zinfandel Redemption - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/3/2010)
only had one glass of this and it was very nice - some blueberry/plumb on the nose with a touch of spice- dark berry carried through on the taste and this is some nice cracked pepper notes- a little thin before the finish but that may have rounded out as it breathed a little more- very characteristic of Alexander Valley Vineyards with very vineyard driven wines- light touch by the winemaker- for $16-$17 will try another- (88 pts.)
2003 Toad Hollow Pinot Noir Eye of the Toad - USA, California, Sonoma County (7/20/2010)
Toad Hollow is a great spot to stop in at their tasting room in Healdsburg - fun wines and very easy going staff. Sadly this wine was past its prime - was not aweful but just not very interesting- nose was a little bit of floral and the taste was some muted strawberry- current score is not reflective of what this wine once was- Had a few bottles of this over the years and it was an easy drinking, food friendly wine which checked in at 11.5% alcohol - a once fine Rose' (84 pts.)
2007 Buehler Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/3/2010)
dark fruits on the nose backed by a Hi-C brightness felt like I got a whiff of the alcohol on the nose also- but very vibrant nose- FYI this was in decanter fo 1 hour- taste carried through with the dark cherry, pipe tobacco and a little caramel- oak is clearly present but in balance - the only thing is the alcohol on this wine is way to noticeable on the finish at this point- and that rarely bothers me- the finish is the only thing keeping this from a 90 point wine for me as the fruit is very nice-I think this wine would pair very well with some gorgonzole or blue cheeses - At $20-$22 I would try this again for sure- (88 pts.)
2006 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (6/17/2010)
a 375 enjoyed with the wife so only could review based on 1 glass - went very will with grilled pizza-prosciutto topped- really an ideal wine in 375 format some nice cherry on the nose and a little with a hint of cocoa - carried a little earthyness and cherry with a touch of pencil shaving- enjoyed this an was really at 88 but the last few sips it seemed to be opening up a little more-have more bottles and will give some more air time- great food wine (89 pts.)
2006 Marietta Cellars Petite Sirah Alexander Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (7/9/2010)
very dark wine - over ripe plum and blue berry on the nose- enjoyed the fruit of this wine though at times it felt a bit to the Hi-C side had a solid midpallet with a little baking spice mixed- solid tanin - For the price I would try another bottle of this I just felt this bottle was a little to "jammy" to me. This was in the decantor for 45 minutes- If the fruit mellowed this really could become a stellar bottle- next botle will tell if I buy a few to put away-I think many who enjoy big fruit wines will like this a lot- (88 pts.)