CorkReview.com

Oliver Winery Soft Red Wine

This wine was given to a family member some time ago as a house warming gift. It stayed on their shelf for sometime gathering dust as they had nothing but bad experiences from Oliver Winery. While I was a bit biased from past tasting, I tried to experience this wine with an open mind.

The sweetness of this wine smacks you in the face right off. It’s probably somewhat of an insult to Welch’s, but that’s all my nose detects, Welch’s concorde grape juice. The taste is loose and sugary sweet, sticking to your lips, making you very thirsty. The finish is unsettling leaving nothing redeeming behind. It’s a difficult to drink wine, the sweetness overpowers anything this wine could have to offer.

19 comments July 31st, 2006 Derek

Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel 2003

On Sunday here, in Indiana, we have a bizarre blue law that denies the sale of all alcoholic beverages, unless at a bar or restaurant. While this normally isn’t a problem, if you’re in a need to do some economical alcohol research, the only option is to either make a run for the state line or “borrow” a bottle (or two) from friends or family.

This Zinfandel has a interesting raspberry smell, almost antiseptic , perhaps a slight mouthwash, with subtle hints of fruit. The smell is short lived, going away almost as fast as you can discern the scents. The taste begins with tannins, carrying through with light cherry hints, pockets of spiciness, returning to lingering tannins at the end. Good level of dryness, bold oak, but overall unremarkable.

Add comment July 30th, 2006 Derek

Seigneurs de Bergerac Rose 2005

It’s been a long long time since I found a Rose that I actually enjoyed, after I had been semi-enlighted to the joys of wine. This wine was included in a sample of wines I ordered along with the Senior Editor in Broad Ripple.

Well rounded Rose with a proper light sweetness. The smell reminds me of a standard chardonnay without being overly sweet, good dessert wine aromas.

Chardonnay meets Merlot.

“Charming Cab/Merlot/Cab Franc blen with big berry”

Quick and Dirty
Red and white, well balanced.

Add comment July 30th, 2006 Derek

Folie a Deux Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Wow. I was not expecting to be swept off my feet on such a hot summer day while sweating my ass off. I definitely put this Cabernet Sauvignon on one of my highest pedestals.

I was overwhelmed by the intense chocolate cherry aromas. The body was smooth and silky with velvety textures and well-balanced tannins. Earthy characters and chocolaty overtones exist strongly from start to finish. This is definitely one my favorite Cabernets thus far. My hats off to you, Flie a Deux Cabernet Sauvignon.

I can’t see how this wine would not go well with chocolate covered cherries and all the other traditional Cabernet type foods.

1 comment July 30th, 2006 jeff

Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2005

This tasting was at the end of the Senior Editor and my visit to Broad Ripple’s Corner Wine Bar. Although the heat was up to around 90, this wine was still somewhat chilled and very enjoyable. I’m sure this wine would have been better a few degrees cooler.

This Sauvignon Blanc had a great aromatic, crispy, nectar-lime smell. Hints of clove and black pepper were hidden throughout but made a full bodied appearnce at the finish. While the finish was short, the flavor remained complex, not overly sweet as I find most white wines.

“Fresh Grapefruit and lime with a near-perfect balance.”

Add comment July 30th, 2006 Derek

Prunotto “Fiulot” Barbera d’Asti 2004

Drinking a wine like this makes me want to move to the old country and start a vineyard. I am not very familiar with the barbera grape but this wine gives me a strong first impression.
I was overcome with the intense plumb aromas that seem to linger forever. The body has very smooth and strong characters with high acidity, and velvety textures. I could not overlook the clove/cherry taste that lasted through and trough. This Prunotto “Fiulot” Barbera d’Asti reminded me of a good cabernet without the dry tannin aftertaste.

I suggest this wine with hearty appetizers and robust cheezes.

Add comment July 30th, 2006 jeff

Parker Station Pinot Noir 2005

I have made confessions in the past of my love for Pinot Noir, but I might pass on the Parker Station version. I tried this wine outside at a local wine bar and the intense heat may have ruined the wine but I will give it my honest opinion.

This wine is made from the pinot noir grape. The aromas are almost nonexistand but from what I could gather, had hints of cinnamon and other spicy characters. The body of the wine has smooth textures with an oaky/earthy aftertaste and also gives the taste of palmgranet. Parker Station Pinot Noir reminded me of a traditional Pinot Noir but very watered down.

Add comment July 30th, 2006 jeff

Grayson Cellars Merlot 2004

Went to the Corner Wine Bar today and had some wine. Kinda cool setup where you can order a “wine sampler” and try several different wines that the bar sells. I don’t recommend going there on a ninety degree day though because it ruins the whole experience trying to ejoy a Cabernet while sweating your ass off.

This Grayson Cellars Merlot has zesty full berry aromas that finish quickly. The textures are well-balanced but short-lived. High acidity with soft tannin highlights created hints of tea-like flavors and a bitter cranberry after taste.

Add comment July 30th, 2006 jeff

Barefoot 2004 Zinfandel

I am not much of zinfandel drinker so you may get more from this wine than I did. If you enjoy heartier and more robust flavors, then this grape can be more satisfiying than a cabernet or merlot.

As for the the Barefoot Zinfandel, at a value of $5.00, I felt it made the whole experiece worth it. The aromas are of vanilla and spice that complement each other to the lingering finish. OK you caught me in my BS, I am just writing what I read off the bottle but I really did smell these flavors. The textures were very dry and the flavors of cherry and raspberry. I had this wine with steak, potatos, and broccoli. I suggest you do the same. enjoy your dinner.

1 comment July 20th, 2006 jeff

Louis Guntrum Dornfelder lieblich 2004

I travel to Germany a lot and I really enjoy running into a fine German wine once in a while. Most German wines seem a little to sweet for my taste but sometimes a great wine with really good food can make all the difference. I ran into this wine while passing through Ramstein AB, Germany one night and I immediately ran out and bought several bottles to take home with me. I save this wine for special occasions and hesitate to take it out of the cooler because it takes some effort to replace.

4 comments July 17th, 2006 jeff

Hogue terroir Sangiovese Rosato 2005

When I visited this winery I was very impressed with the hospitable and knowleable staff. I felt that the people there really wanted to share their passion for wine and their vineyard creations with you. My wife and I ejoyed every minute ligering, enjoying the atmosphere and sampling the some 20 wines they make.

Ok, now for some Hogue bashing. The Sangiovese Rosato was not as impressive as I remember when I tasted it in the tasting room. The terroir is an experimental line form Hogue Cellars and the Sangiovese Rosato is sangiovese style wine but tweeked alittle sweeter. I found it even dryer the second time around and it may have had something to do with it being a 2005 wine. The taste did seem to improve at cooler temperatures(40-45F). I would try this wine with barbeque type foods on hot summer afternoons.

Add comment July 15th, 2006 jeff

Paul Masson Rich Ruby Port

Wow.

I will name my next kid after you Paul Masson. I am quickly becoming a fan of all port wines and this one rates up with the best.

This port has all the qualities and character of Seppelt and Hardy’s but slightly less sweet. The aromas are rich of plum and cherries and the textures are smooth and velvety with a rich brandy aftertaste. Try this wine with cheesecake, Dreyers Caramel Praline Crunch frozen yogurt, or chocolates and cherries but not while driving your car. This wine also goes well on hot summer nights while you are reading corkreview.com(TM).

Add comment July 14th, 2006 jeff

Casarsa Pinot Noir 2004

I was kinda excited to try this one since I love Pinot Noir. Casarsa Pinot Noir was somewhat of a big dissapointment.

The aroma is similar to pinot Noir but the textures were really bland and the taste was down right watery. I could not detect a whole lot of fruit as claimed on the lable. I tried this wine with grilled porkchops marinated in redwine vinaigrette and it was not the perfect compliment even though the pinot nior grape is one of the most versatile.

Add comment July 14th, 2006 jeff

Kendall-Jackson Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Vintners Reserve

I liked Kendall-Jackson’s chardonnay so I decided to give this one a try.

No dissapointment here. The nose was very fruity and had hints of melon, pear, and lime. The taste was very crisp and refreshing with lots of forward fruit. I had this wine with a light pasta and that seemed to not be the best match, but the lable suggests grilled fish.

Senior Editor – J.W.

Corkreview.com quick and dirty

Add comment July 13th, 2006 jeff

Seppelt Australian Tawny Port

Wow. If sex could be put into liquid form and bottled, this would be it. Every time I drink this wine I feel like having a smoke and cuddling afterwards. I have had this wine several times now and enjoy drinking it so much that I forget to blog about it. The aromas are very sweet and brandy like. As with most Tawny ports, the taste is of sweet cherries, heaver charcter, and improves at slightly warmer temperatures (55-60F). This wine is great with rich deserts or just sipping on hot afternoons with good friends. Just be careful to resist the desire to spoon with your friends after drinking this wine!

1 comment July 11th, 2006 jeff

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi 2002 Merlot

I know I have said in the past that I dislike Merlots but after drinking this wine I really have to reconsider. I had some lasagna while tasting this wine and I don’t think I could have found a better match.

I could definately pick up on the blackberry and plum aromas described on the lable as they linger. Also, aging in small oak barels gives this wine softer, more developed velvety flavors that result in a smoothe wine from start to lingering finish.

Enjoy this wine with dark pastas, lasagna, or New York tipsteaks. peace out

Add comment July 11th, 2006 jeff

Snoqualmie vineyards Cirque du Rose 2003

When I visited this winery recently, I was so impressed that I bought a case of wine and my son peed on the floor.

This wine as its name impies is a light red that is slightly sweet and dry; hence it’s a rose’. Cirque du Rose is made with premium cabernet grapes , so if your not a fan of lighter wines, you might find this one appealing. The nose has very robust fresh balckcherry aromas and the taste has very smoothe textures that give a mouthful of fresh, crisp fruit flavors. The wine also seemed to get sweeter with cooler temperatures (45F).

Add comment July 10th, 2006 jeff

Trader Joe’s French Classic Syrah 2004

How do you spell Syrah?

This one is spelled, cheaply and quickly. Don’t waste your time asking for a definition or using spell check. It’s not worth it.

This is another find at Trader Joe’s which, in the past, has proven very positive. This find is a real disappointment, nothing special about this wine.

Overly fruity smell, with a confusing body. The inital taste is flat, with a quick boring ending. The fruit is left in the mouth, with a sweet dullness.

This wine is bad.

Add comment May 8th, 2006 Derek

Lan Rioja Crianza 1999

I went to bat for this wine, swam oceans, and compromised like a good marriage, but was still disappointed. I chilled it, I warmed it, I even sweet talked it, and yet nothing. The end result, dry dry dry.

At $9.99, I had a little hope that this would be something to talk about. But what was really the seller was the fancy graph on the back that displayed the correct drinking age of the wine (3-7 years after vintage). Boy do I feel like a dummy. Put fancy labeling on your wines and they will sell like cheap land in California (no such thing). Ok, the wine did have a slight aroma of blackberries, but you have to use your imagination. The texture had a lot of acidity but no real character to back it up with like in a Cabernet. Whats with the tannin overload. I got to go rinse my mouth out with beer.

Add comment May 4th, 2006 jeff

Yellow Tail Chardonnay 2004

Yellow Tail, the Ford or Chevy of Australian wines so it is allowed to disappoint once in a while.

At $4.99, I did not have high expectations and this wine did not give me any surprises. The nose was rather weak but did display peachy vanilla and coconut aromas, as claimed on the bottle. I just would not use the phrase “leaps from the glass”. This wine was easy to drink, I guess, because I forgot about the whole experience after the bottle was gone. Don’t get me wrong, It is not a horrible wine, I have just had better chardonnays (Pepperwood Grove). Probably good with chicken or pasta but no need to rush out and get this baby.

2 comments May 3rd, 2006 jeff