Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Xplorador by Concha y Toro, Lujan de Cuyo (Mendoza, Argentina) Malbec 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
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November 9, 2010
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 Although Malbec is grown in Chile, Concha y Toro took the grapes for this wine from their vineyards in the Lujan de Cuyo district...
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Xplorador by Concha y Toro, Central Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
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November 9, 2010
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 American oak barrels were chosen for aging 30% of this Cabernet for three months, the other 70% rested in stainless steel tanks for three...
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Xplorador by Concha y Toro, Central Valley (Chile) Merlot 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
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November 9, 2010
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 Xplorador Merlot is not only a year younger than the Carménère, but 90% of the Merlot was aged in stainless steel for four months...
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Xplorador by Concha y Toro, Central Valley (Chile) Carménère 2008
Gerald D. Boyd
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November 9, 2010
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 Once mistaken as Merlot (to which it bears a strong resemblance),  has risen to become Chile’s most distinctive varietal wine.  Tank fermented, 60% was...
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Bodegas Fariña, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon (Castilla y León, Spain) 2009
Michael Apstein
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November 9, 2010
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 In addition to this wine, Bodegas Fariña also produces the Dama de Toro line from, not surprisingly, the Toro region.  Though this one and...
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Emiliana, Rapel Valley (Chile) Merlot 2008
Gerald D. Boyd
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November 9, 2010
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 The Rapel Valley is one of Chile’s top growing areas for Bordeaux varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Deep purple-ruby in color, it has...
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Bodegas Adriá – Vega Montán, Bierzo (Castilla y León, Spain) Mencia 2009
Michael Franz
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November 9, 2010
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 This is an exceptional over-achiever at this price level, and an excellent wine it its own right quite regardless of price.  Medium-bodied, it is...
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Wolf Blass, South Australia (South Australia, Australia) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Paul Lukacs
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November 2, 2010
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 An impressive Cabernet, with deep, cassis-like flavors, evident but not obtrusive oak flavor, and a long finish.  The wine’s initial impression is slightly simple...
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Leonetti Cellar, Walla Walla Valley (Washington) Merlot 2008
Michael Franz
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November 2, 2010
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 Pride has its place, and Three Palms has its partisans, but by my lights this is America’s best Merlot–and one of the world’s best...
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Cecchi, Maremma IGT (Tuscany, Italy) Sangiovese 2008
Michael Apstein
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November 2, 2010
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 Looking for an everyday “pizza wine” at a great price?  Look no further.  This straightforward mid-weight wine delivers bright flavors of red and black...
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David Hickinbotham, South Australia (Australia) Merlot 2008
Robert Whitley
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November 2, 2010
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 This is a most unusual Merlot, and generally not my preferred style, but it does have its charms. This full-blown Aussie red is in...
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Torre la Moreira, Rias Baixas (Galicia, Spain) Albariño 2008
Michael Franz
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June 23, 2009
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A beautifully packaged wine that is also very interesting on the inside, this shows a particularly zesty style for Albariño, with lots of zesty...
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