My Wine Dossier
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifestedhis glory. – John 2.6-11
June 2012 | Corazon de Plata | Syrah (50%) Tannat (50%) | Argentina | Tulum Valley | 2010 | 91 | Second attempt with this bottle. I really like tannat, but would prefer it straight. |
June 2012 | L.A. Cetto | Nebbiolo | Mexico | Valle de Guadalupe | 2006 | 92 | This is an incredible grape and unfortunately too rare. This is my second experience with Mexican nebbiolo and I was very pleased. |
June 2012 | Las Vertientes | Malbec | Argentina | Mendoza | 2011 | 92 | This is probably the best malbec I have ever had. It is wonderfully unique. Strong peppery overtones that work well for me. |
May 2012 | Tilia | Malbec and Syrah | Argentina | Mendoza | 2010 | 90 | A great taste for the price. I prefer this mix to a straight malbec. |
May 2012 | Oveja Negra | Cabernet Franc and Carmenere | Chile | Maule Valley | 2009 | 92 | I’ve never had this mix before. It was unique and really works well. Quite sweet. |
April 2012 | Mirassou | Pinot Noir | California | Santa Clara Valley | 2010 | 89 | Overall, not bad. Very inexpensive bottle of wine. Definitely worth the price. |
April 2012 | Roccalta | Sangiovese | Italy | Puglia | 2010 | 91 | One of the best sangioveses I have ever had |
April 2012 | Anciano | Tempranillo | Spain | Valdepeñas | 2001 | 90 | This is the region for the oldest tempranillos. Great price! |
April 2012 | Casa Lapostelle | Carmenere | Chile | Rapel Valley | 2009 | 90 | Full bodied with a richly complex taste. |
April 2012 | Valle Las Acequias | Malbec | Argentina | Mendoza | 2007 | 92 | Strong oaky taste with hints of plum. Quite a distinctive malbec. |
March 2012 | Monte Ducay | Tempranillo | Spain | Carinena | 2006 | 90 | Pleasantly smooth and always better with aeration. I enjoyed it mucho. |
March 2012 | Picton Bay | Pinot Noir | New Zealand | Marlborough | 2011 | 88 | Ok, certainly nothing special. For a NZ Pinot, Nobilo is the best. |
March 2012 | Corazon de Plata | Syrah (50%) Tannat (50%) | Argentina | Tulum Valley | 2010 | 91 | I love the tannat grape. But I can only seem to find mixes locally. |
March 2012 | Dellatorri | Chianti | Italy | Tuscany | 2010 | 90 | Chianti is such a distinctive grape. For that, I enjoy it. |
March 2012 | Montemar Andes | Carmenere | Chile | Curico Valley | 2008 | 90 | I like this grape. Similar to a pinot noir, but perhaps sweeter. |
March 2012 | Grifone | Zinfadel (primitivo) | Italy | Puglia | 2010 | 89 | Smooth. Light bodied. Not notably distinctive from any other zinfadel. |
March 2012 | Santa Julia | Bonardo (charbono) | Argentina | Mendoza | 2008 | 89 | First time with this grape. Tastes similar to a pinot noir to me. It was good, but certainly not life-changing. |
March 2012 | L.A. Cetto | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mexico | Valle de Guadalupe | 2009 | 88 | Not bad for a regular table wine. Not that impressive and not something I would buy again at the price (150 pesos) |
Feb 2012 | Marques del Valle | Cabernet Malbec | Mexico | Valle de Guadalupe | 2010 | 90 | This was a neat mix. I love malbecs. Perhaps a tad too smooth. I am loving Mexican wines. |
Feb 2012 | Vinos Fuentes | Petite Sirah | Mexico | Valle de Guadalupe | 2008 | 91 | An absolutely awesome bottle from Baja. It is sadly not exported out of Mexico making it rather difficult to get a hold of |
Feb 2012 | Arizona Stronghold | Syrah (47%), Grenache (19%), Mourverde (15%), Petite Syrah (14%), Counoise (5%) | Arizona | Cochise County | 2010 | 91 | This wasn’t as good of a mix as the one back in April 2011. Still pretty good stuff, but certainly not worth the price ($25) |
Feb 2012 | Vinos Domecq | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mexico | Valle de Calafia | 2010 | 87 | Pretty good for the price (50 pesos). I would drink this as a regular table wine. |
Feb 2012 | Vinos Fuentes | Cabernet Grenache | Mexico | Valle de Guadalupe | 2005 | 90 | We bought this from their vineyard in Baja. An awesome experience! This bottle was incredible there (which is what I am basing my rating on). The cork on this bottle was bad, so the bottle was less than pleasant. |
Feb 2012 | Found Object | Carmenere | Chile | Colchagua Valley | 2010 | 90 | I’ve never had this grape before, but it tasted very familiar. Very similar to a pinot. Pretty good stuff. |
Jan 2012 | Nobilo | Pinot Noir | New Zealand | Marlborough | 2008 | 92 | This is an incredible wine! Truly unique for a pinot. Very sweet, but pleasantly so. |
Jan 2012 | Don Luis | Merlot | Mexico | Guadalupe Valley | 2008 | 91 | Purchased from Bonifacio’s in San Carlos. This wasn’t too bad for a merlot (generally not a fan) |
Jan 2012 | Bay Bridge | Cabernet Sauvignon | California | Central Valley | 2010 | 85 | Nothing notable. Cheap. |
Jan 2012 | Gnarly Head | Old Vine Zin | California | Central Valley | 2009 | 90 | Rich, dark, quite fruity. Enjoyable. |
Jan 2012 | L.A. Cetto | Petite Sirah | Mexico | Valle de Guadalupe | 2009 | 92 | I love Mexican wines, sadly they’re far too difficult to get outside of Mexico |
Dec 2011 | Clos du Bois | Zinfadel | California | North Coast | 2010 | 90 | Zinfadels are so different than the others. I really enjoyed this bottle. |
Dec 2011 | Gancho Spur | Malbec | Argentina | Mendoza | 2010 | 90 | I love malbecs and this was no exception |
Nov 2011 | Evodia | Garnacha | Spain | Calatayud | 2009 | 88 | Not too impressed here, a rather odd taste for a garnacha. |
Nov 2011 | Red Guitar | Tempranillo (52%) Garnacha (48%) | Spain | Navarra | 2008 | 92 | My fourth try with this label. Apparently it’s getting better. |
Nov 2011 | Marques de Riscal | Tempranillo | Spain | Castilla y Leon | 2006 | 90 | Not bad, but not worth $24/bottle |
Oct 2011 | Artero | Tempranillo | Spain | La Mancha | 2010 | 93 | This was a very impressive Tempranillo at a mere $10/bottle |
Oct 2011 | Nostrada | Tempranillo | Spain | Tarragona | 2010 | 90 | This is a solid tempranillo |
Sept 2011 | Red Guitar | Tempranillo (52%) Garnacha (48%) | Spain | Navarra | 2008 | 90 | Third time with this bottle. It’s worth the price, but nothing too distinctive here. |
Sept 2011 | La Finca | Tempranillo | Argentina | Mendoza | 2010 | 89 | Distinctive oak taste. A great price. |
Sept 2011 | Garnacha de Fuego | Garnacha | Spain | Calatayud | 2009 | 91 | A pretty standard garnacha |
Sept 2011 | Nostrada | Garnacha | Spain | Campo de Borja | 2010 | 90 | Strong, but pleasant. |
Aug 2011 | Finca La Estacada | Tempranillo | Spain | Uclés | 2008 | 96 | This is a tad sweeter than the 2009 – both are equally exceptional |
Aug 2011 | Finca La Estacada | Tempranillo | Spain | Uclés | 2009 | 96 | This is my favorite bottle, sadly I can only buy it from NY. Even so, it is worth it! |
Aug 2011 | Casa Gualda | Tempranillo (90%) Cabernet (5%) Merlot (5%) | Spain | La Mancha | 2010 | 91 | This was a wonderful and unique tempranillo mix |
Aug 2011 | Viña Borga | Garnacha | Spain | Campo de Borja | 2010 | 90 | You can really taste the tanins in this bottle. |
Aug 2011 | Venta Morales | Tempranillo | Spain | La Mancha | 2010 | 89 | Pretty light. Too light. Nothing special |
Aug 2011 | Terum | Garnacha | Spain | Aragon | 2009 | 92 | Purchased from NY. Smooth for a garnacha. |
Aug 2011 | Sangre de Toro | Tempranillo | Spain | Catalunya | 2008 | 90 | A great tempranillo and quite affordable |
Aug 2011 | Viriato | Tempranillo | Spain | Toro | 2007 | 92 | Light. Fruity. Very nice. |
Aug 2011 | Viña Borga | Garnacha | Spain | Campo de Borja | 2010 | 91 | Strong (even for a garncha) |
Aug 2011 | Muriel | Tempranillo | Spain | Rioja | 2004 | 90 | Very enjoyable, but certainly not worth the $40/bottle |
Jul 2011 | Cala Blanca | Garnacha | Spain | Calatayud | 2008 | 90 | Very smooth, pleasant (requires aerator) |
Jul 2011 | Panarroz | Monastrell (60%) Garnacha (25%) Syrah (15%) | Spain | Jumilla | 2002 | 92 | Monastrell and Garnacha make an exellent mix! |
Jul 2011 | Old Vines Gran Reserva | Tempranillo | Spain | Valdepeñas | 2002 | 91 | Pleasant, but twice the price. |
Jul 2011 | Albero | Monastrell | Spain | Jumilla | 2009 | 89 | Not bad for a monastrell. |
Jul 2011 | Ergo | Tempranillo | Spain | Rioja | 2008 | 89 | Too light. |
Jun 2011 | Red Guitar | Tempranillo (52%) Garnacha (48%) | Spain | Navarra | 2008 | 92 | Second time with this bottle. Not bad. |
Jun 2011 | Wrongo Dongo | Monastrell | Spain | Jumilla | 2009 | 90 | Strong. Woody. Very woody. |
May 2011 | Viñedo | Tempranillo | Spain | Carinena | 2009 | 95 | Very impressive – now my favorite tempranillo |
May 2011 | La Gozada | Tempranillo (55%) Cabernet Sauvignon (35%) Graciano (10%) | Spain | Navarra | 2008 | 93 | Quite complex taste – very oaky. |
Apr. 2011 | Chapillon Reves | Carigan (40%) Garnacha (35%) Syrah (25%) | Spain | Priorat | 2006 | 90 | Simple, no complexity. |
Apr. 2011 | Arizona Stronghold | Syrah (31%) Garnacha (24%) Mourverde (24%) Petite Syrah (21%) | USA | Arizona | 2009 | 97 | Major deviation from the wines of Spain, but so worth it. This was probably the best bottle of wine I’ve ever had. |
Apr. 2011 | Condesa de Sarabella | Garnacha | Spain | Calatayud | 2008 | 90 | pretty smooth – quite light |
Mar. 2011 | Tepeña | Tempranillo | Spain | Tierra de Castilla | 2009 | 94 | Best tempranillo I’ve had |
Jan. 2011 | Red Guitar | Tempranillo (52%) Garnacha (48%) | Spain | Navarra | 2008 | 92 | great great mix! |
Jan. 2011 | Terrenal | Tempranillo | Spain | Yecla | 2009 | 86 | Too light – tastes like water. |
Jan. 2011 | Tempra Tantrum | Tempranillo (60%) Shiraz (40%) | Spain | Tierra de Castilla | 2008 | 91 | I like this mix. Let it breathe. |
Dec. 2010 | Marques de Montaña | Garnacha | Spain | Calatayud | 2009 | 91 | excellent, strong |