90 + Very Good Wine

Moone-Tsai Howell Mountain Hillside Blend 2009

 Comments Off on Moone-Tsai Howell Mountain Hillside Blend 2009
Feb 262013
 
2009 Moone-Tsai Howell Mountain Hillside Blend, Napa Valley, Ca, $85 (S) – Rating 91

A huge fragrant nose of black fruit, licorice, dark spice and eucalyptus. A powerful blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet, typical of Howell Mountain fruit. The wine excites the palate with big flavors of black fruit, black cherry, espresso and cacao with definite earthy notes. Plenty of food pairing acidity to give a med-rare filet a run for its money. Buy This Wine

Feb 232013
 
2011 Giordano Chianti Tuscany d.o.c.g., Italy, $15 (S) – Rating 90

A delicious and very approachable Chianti with bouquet of black cherry and briar with intriguing notes of smoke. The invitingly soft mouth-feel offers flavors of dark cherry, ripe plum with notes of chocolate and espresso. The balanced acidity creates wonderful food pairing opportunities for many Italian dishes. Buy This Wine

Feb 172013
 
2009 Ceja Vineyards Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Carneros, CA, $34 (S) – Rating 91

A crisp style of Chardonnay with an appealing nose of pineapple cream, Meyer lemon and canned pears. Sur lie aging creates a round soft mouth-feel without the flabbiness found in some CA Chards. Well balanced acidity with flavors of green apple, Meyer lemon, ripe pineapple with other tropical notes makes this wine a great food pairing partner. Buy This Wine

Feb 172013
 
2007 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, CA, $45 (S) – Rating 4.2

Consistently one of the best Napa Cabs under$50,  especially for those who prefer a leaner elegant style. The wine offers an intriguing nose of dark cherry and blackberry with subtle smokey whiffs. On the palate expect well-balanced flavors of dark cherry, plum and blackberry with notes of briar and spice. Soft tannins and excellent food pairing acidity adds to the complexity along with hints of espresso in the long finish. Buy This Wine

Feb 122013
 
2010 Emeritus Pinot Noir Hallberg Ranch, Russian River Valley, CA, $47 (S) – 93

Year after year Emeritus Pinot Noir creates on of the great food pairing Pinots. Very accessible from the first pour. A sensual garnet color precedes a nose of dark fruit, smoke and blueberry. The soft mouth-feel is beautifully balanced with good food pairing acidity offering flavors of blueberry, blackberry, raspberry and spice with subtle notes of cinnamon. Previously only available in restaurants and wine bars, the beauty is now available from the winery. Buy This Wine