Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Eola Hills Wine Cellars, Lodi (California) Zinfandel 2010
Michael Franz
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March 27, 2012
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 This satisfying, succulent Zin shows even ripening and just the right sweet tone in its fruit, which recalls both red and black berries.  Admirably...
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Calcareous Vineyard, Paso Robles (California) Syrah 2008
Michael Franz
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March 27, 2012
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 Ripe and rich and meaty, this is a serious Syrah with a dramatic personality.  Nascent bottle bouquet gives this a pleasantly earthy aromatic undertone,...
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J. Lohr Estates, Paso Robles (California) Syrah 2010
Michael Franz
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March 27, 2012
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 A juicy, jammy, fun-filled mouthful of Syrah, this is dark and deeply flavorful, with loads of supple dark berry fruit and virtually no wood...
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d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale (South Australia) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Gerald D. Boyd
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March 27, 2012
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 Coppermine Road is one of d’Arenberg’s best known red wines from the McLaren Vale region, south of Adelaide.  Made from low-yield vines the wine...
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Penley Estate, Coonawarra (South Australia) Cabernet Sauvignon – Shiraz 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
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March 27, 2012
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 Penley Estate is one of the leading red wine makers in Coonawarra, a premium South Australia region for Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.  This blend...
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Rodney Strong, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2010
Robert Whitley
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March 20, 2012
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 No, we’re not kidding, this is a gold-medal-winning estate grown Russian River Valley Pinot for $20.  It is beautifully structured and well balanced, exhibiting...
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Dellatorri, Chianti Riserva (Tuscany, Italy) 2008
Michael Franz
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March 20, 2012
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 This is my first encounter with this wine, but we are off to a very good start together.  Appropriately fresh and tart, it nevertheless...
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Hahn Family Wines, Central Coast (California) 2010
Michael Franz
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March 20, 2012
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 Very tasty at a very appealing price, this delicious blend is comprised of 62% Grenache, 34% Syrah and 4% Mourvedre.  The fruit is open...
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John Duval Wines, Barossa Valley (South Australia) 2008
Michael Franz
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March 20, 2012
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 A winning blend of 52% Shiraz, 26% Grenache and 22% Mourvedre, this features ripe but nevertheless fresh fruit recalling both red and black berries. ...
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ZD Wines, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Michael Franz
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March 20, 2012
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 A muscular, masculine wine, this nevertheless manages to show real balance and poise despite its very considerable power.  Ripe and round in style, with...
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Trefethen Vineyards, Oak Knoll District (Napa Valley, California) Merlot 2009
Michael Franz
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March 13, 2012
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 This delicious Merlot shows a fine balance between rich, flavorful fruit and smoky, spicy oak.  These two main components work very well with one...
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J. Lohr, Paso Robles (California) Syrah 2010
Robert Whitley
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March 20, 2012
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 Jerry Lohr is the king of California’s Central Coast in many ways.  He makes voluminous amounts of wine, so he controls a great deal...
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