Miscellaneous Red Wine Wine Tasting Notes

2004 Mosby
Vigna Della Casa Vecchia Dolcetto
Score: 88.0
Dolcetto, meaning "little sweet one," is a Northern Italian variety that is quite rare in California. Though this version has more fruit character (blackberry-blueberry), it also has a complex earthy note that I've not found in the original.

2002 Martin Weyrich Il Vecchio
Paso Robles Nebbiolo Lampia and Michel Clones, Reserve
Score: 88.0
In aroma and flavor profile this is as close as any California producer has come to emulating Barolo - it has the requisite tar and roses character, yet it adds a bit of green peppercorn as well. Its only deficiency is a high alcohol (14.6%), which shows in the finish. The tannin is firm, as is typical of the variety, but it is aging appropriately. It should hit its peak around 2010.

2002 Martin Weyrich Insieme
Paso Robles [Miscellaneous Red Wine]
Score: 88.0
This is one of the most fascinating blends I've come across. It's a combo of Calfiornia grapes whose antecedents hail from Italy and France. Barbera (39%) is a northern Italian grape. Petite Verdot (26%) is one of the grapes that makes up a small portion of Bordeaux wines. Petite Sirah (Duriff - 26%) is traditionally fokund in southern Rhone blends, and Sangiovese (9%) is from central Italy. It offers up deep dark berries - blackberry, loganberry - and dark plums, accented by cinnamon notes. It's dry, of medium body and tannin, and shows the structure necessary for extended aging. Give it another 5 years in the bottle. Only 193 cases produced.

1997 Banfi
[Italy] Dolcetto dAcqui DOC
Score: 87.0
"Heres a case where a wine need not be complex to be thoroughly enjoyable. This is a lighter style, elegant Dolcetto, with silky texture and vibrant berry fruit. If you want to search for it, theres a hint of soil-leather character in the background, but what matters here is the fruit and the exquisite balance. A great value, drink over the next year or two. Pairs well with roast beef, smoked salmon, cheese and pasta dishes. "

1999 Montevina
Amador County Sierra Foothills Nebbiolo Rosato
Score: 89.0
"A dynamic rose that will make believers of even the most stuck up oenophile. Its just off-dry, with delightful floral-strawberry fruit, good acidity and balancing astringency. A great quaff for a picnic or with salmon or pork chops. Needless to say, a fabulous value."

1999 Mosby
Vigna della Casa Vecchia Santa Barbara County Dolcetto
Score: 85.0
"Dolcetto is usually lighter weight than this. Meaning 'little sweet one,' the Dolcetto grape makes a wine often compared to Pinot Noir. This one shows spicy plum and roasted tomato character, with toast and spice notes on the palate, and medium tannin. A big, rustic wine to pair with hamburger or spaghetti."

1999 Concha y Toro Terrunyo
Peumo Valley Carmenere
Score: 79.0
"Tarry licorice, smokey, bittersweet chocolate, moderate tannin, slightly bitter finish. Interesting, but the fruit is lacking."

1998 Delas Freres
Les Reinages Gigondas [france] [red rhone]
Score: 81.0
"The nose is characterized by black plum and black pepper, while the astringent palate adds some licorice notes with some unpleasant bitterness in the finish. "

1997 Delas Freres Cuvee Francois de Tournon
Saint-Joseph [france] [red rhone]
Score: 95.0
"A dry, medium-bodied Syrah with peppery strawberry-plum fruit, a touch of leather, moderate tannin and a tart, drying finish. A bit more austere on the palate than the nose would lead you to expect."

1998 Delas Freres
Les Reinages Gigondas [france] [red rhone]
Score: 81.0
"The nose is characterized by black plum and black pepper, while the astringent palate adds some licorice notes with some unpleasant bitterness in the finish. "

1997 Delas Freres Cuvee Francois de Tournon
Saint-Joseph [france] [red rhone]
Score: 95.0
"A dry, medium-bodied Syrah with peppery strawberry-plum fruit, a touch of leather, moderate tannin and a tart, drying finish. A bit more austere on the palate than the nose would lead you to expect."

1996 St. Supery
Napa Valley Meritage Red
Score: 93.0
"A classic Bordeaux-style blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignnon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 4% Merlot, the '96 St. Supery Meritage offers up rich, concentrated blackberry and cassis fruit, with some light spice, hints of vanilla, smoke and dark chocolate, with firm well-integrated tannin, outstanding balance and a long, very fruity and complex finish."

1999 Schloss Castell
[Germany] Muller-Thurgau
Score: 88.0
"Consistently among the best Muller-Thurgaus available, Schloss Castels is a dry version with light body and lots of apple fruit. Beautifully balanced, light and refreshing, with a pleasant mineral and fruit finish."

1997 Etchart Arnaldo B. Etchart
Vino Fino Tino [Cabernet and Malbec] Reserva
Score: 93.0
"A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, if it didnt state the varieties on the back label I would have thought this a Cabernet Franc. The Etchart Reserve is inky purple, displaying rich aromas of dark chocolate and ripe blackberries that follow through to the palate with a layer of spice and a hint of smoke. A self-assured wine, in which all of the elements fit together seamlessly, this is a world class gem waiting to be discovered. "

1997 R.H. Phillips Toasted Head
Dunnigan Hills Malbec
Score: 84.0
"Used as a blending grape in Bordeaux, and Argentinas most successful varietal, Malbec is rarely bottled as a varietal in California. This one is quite good, dry and fruity, with firm structure and moderate tannin. The fruit is reminiscent of sour cherries. "