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Crazy Labels-French Wine

 

DSCF0973 thumb Crazy Labels French Wine          DSCF0968 thumb Crazy Labels French Wine

 

DSCF0975 thumb Crazy Labels French Wine          DSCF0976 thumb Crazy Labels French Wine

 

              DSCF0992 thumb Crazy Labels French Wine           DSCF0993 thumb Crazy Labels French Wine

 

Let me know your top 3 labels shown here in the comments section. Thanks

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CORKSCREWs REVIEWs

 

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A. Faustini Wines-Secret Veil-Cabernet Sauvignon-Napa Valley-California-2006-$30.00-($50.00)-A nose of dark fruits and spice, dark purple in color.  A full bodied, still young Cab, decanted for an hour plus, with blackberry, cassis, vanilla and spicy oak, layers of flavor with a long finish.  Drinks more like a higher end Napa Cab, great value.                     WE-89                    CR-91                     Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

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Domaine Guillon-Jean-Micheal Guillon-Santenay-Les Bras-Chardonnay-Gevrey-Chambertin-France-2006-$40.00-A nose of citrus and spice, medium to golden yellow in color.  A medium to full bodied Chard, with lemon, honeysuckle, grapefruit and hazelnut spices, a classic French Chardonnay.                    NR                     CR-91                     Good with seafood, cheeses, salads.

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CORKSCREWs REVIEWs

 

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Novy Cellars-Novy Family Winery-Syrah-Page-Nord Vineyard-Napa Valley-California-2007-$16.00-A nose of sweet dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color.  A smooth, full bodied, rich with currants, blackberries, chocolate and spice with a long finish, great QPR.                   RP-89                WE-94                 CR-92                   Good with meats, chicken, pizza.

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Thierry Germain-SoliTerre-Samur-Chenin Blanc-France-$14.44-A nose of citrus and honey, golden yellow in color.   A smooth, crisp white wine, layers of apple, peach, honey with great acidity and minerals, great QPR.                    NR                   CR-90                   Good with seafood, cheeses, salads.

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CORKSCREWs REVIEWs

 

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Domaine Des Relagnes-Les Petits Pieds d’Armand-Chateauneuf Du Pape-France-2003-$28.88-A nose of cherry and spice, dark amber in color.  A smooth, elegant CDP, full bodied with raspberry, cherry, plums and currants.  Has a licorice and pepper finish, a very good wine, decant for at least one hour.                   RP-91+               WS-89                 WE-94                 CR-91              Good with meats, chicken, cheeses.

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Bodegas Luna Beberide, S.L.-Fina La Cuesta-Bierzo-Spain-2008-$14.92-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark black in color.   A full bodied dry red, with cherry, plum, cola and spice, was decent but a bit sour and chunky.                       RP-91                  WS-88                  WE-88                 CR-87                       Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.

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CORKSCREWs REVIEWs

 

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Trespass Wine-Cabernet Sauvignon-Trespass Vineyard-Napa Valley-California-2002-$36.25-A nose of dark fruit and spice,  dark amber in color.  A elegant, smooth full bodied Cab.  With blackberry, currants, some tobacco and spice, good finish, a solid wine, decant for an hour.                 RP-90              WS-88                  CR-91                      Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

 

 

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V. Guibert-Mas De Daumas Gassac-Haute Vallee Du Gassac-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Petit Verdot-Pinot Noir-Syrah-Vin De Pays- De L’Herault-France-2007-$8.99-A nose of funk and earth, dark purple in color.  A disjointed, really undrinkable kitchen sink blend.  It would of gone down the drain but used it for cooking.                   NR                    CR-70                    Good for cooking.

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CORKSCREWs REVIEWs Top 25 Wines Of 2010

 

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Sea Smoke Cellars-Southing-Sta Rita Hills-Pinot Noir-Santa Barbara County-California-2004-$65.00-A beautiful nose of dark fruit and spice, dense ruby color, a little darker than some Pinot’s.  A lush, smooth full bodied Pinot, black currants, black cherries, cola, great acidity, spice, a full minute finish.  When you buy a wine a few years back and know if you lay it down it will get better and the wine rewards your patience, that’s special.  One of the top two or three Pinot Noir’s I have ever had, was disappointed when the last drop was gone, amazing.  What drinking wine is all about.              RP-90+             WS-93             WE-93             CR-95              Good with lamb, chicken, veal.

 

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Caldwell Vineyard-Proprietary Red-Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah-Napa Valley-California-2004-(.375 ML)-$28.65-A nose of bold dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color.   A smooth, full bodied and elegant blend, with blackberries, currant, plum, with rich vanilla and spice tones, drinking now in a perfect zone but still has a 5 yr+ drinking window, a awesome wine.                    RP-92-94              WS-94             CR-96                    Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

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Benzinger Family Winery-Tribute-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Cabernet Franc-Petit Verdot-Sonoma Mountain Estate-California-2002-$62.50-A bold nose of dark fruit and spice,  dark amber in color.  A smooth, full bodied blend, currants, crème de cassis, graphite, smoke, decanted for one hour.  A beautiful wine, have had three bottles over the past five years, all were fantastic.              RP-93                   CR-95                  Great with steak, chicken, pasta.

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Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars-Cask 23-Estate-Cabernet Sauvignon-Napa Valley-California-2000-$110.00-The Super Bowl calls for pulling out a prize from the cellar, decanted for 1+ hour, nose was a elegant currant and spice, beautiful dark amber in color.  Smooth, great flavors of currants, some earth, spice, great mouth feel, 30-45 second finish.  It’s always a bit scary when you open an older wine and hope and it’s aged well, this one did not disappoint in any way.  I was sad when I took the last sip, what a great bottle of wine.                 WS-91              CR-94               Great with prime rib, onion soup, chicken.

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Orin Swift Cellars-The Prisoner-Red Blend-Napa Valley-California-2005-$34.99-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color.  A smooth, full bodied delicious blend, red berries, blackberry,  with spicy mouth feel, long finish, a great bottle of wine and sadly my last of this vintage.              WS-93 (WS #17 on Top 100 2007)                  CR-95                  Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

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Joseph Phelps Vineyards-Insignia-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Petit Verdot-Napa Valley-California-1997-$120.00-A classic nose of dark fruit, still big nose even after being decanted and being 13 years old, dark purple amber in color.  Black cherry, plum, currants, licorice and vanilla, an exceptional bottle of wine.                RP-96                WS-97              WE-95              CR-96         Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

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Bodegas Nieto Senetiner-Cadus-Single Vineyard-Cabernet Sauvignon-Mendoza-Argentina-2003-$22.22-A nose of dark fruit and some oak, dark purple in color.  A smooth, full bodied Cab, black currants, blackberry, spice cake and molasses flavors, with a nice finish.   Second time tried in last few months, consistent result.          WE-90            WS-89             CR-91              Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

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Linne Calodo-Problem Child-Zinfandel-Syrah-Mourvedre-Paso Robles-California-2006-$48.00-A nose of smoky dark fruit, dark black in color.  A smooth, full bodied Rhone blend,  raspberry, black berry, plum, smoke and spice, delicious.    Linne Calodo is making some of the World’s best Rhone style blends.                RP-91                WS-95                 CR-94                     Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

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R Wines-Marquis Philips-9-Shiraz-McLaren Vale-Australia-2006-$29.99-A big nose of dark fruit and spice, black purple in color.  A full, full bodied Shiraz, smooth, delicious, blackberry, blueberry, some chocolate, bacon smoke, good stuff.  I have tried the last three vintages, one of my favorite wines.                 RP-92-95               WS-91                CR-93                    Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.

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Vinedos de Paganos-El Puntido-Rioja-Spain-2004-$45.00-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple black in color.   A big full bodied red, black cherry, blackberries, plum, roasted meat, a delicious wine, decant for a couple hours.     I have had the 2003 and now 2004, both were excellent.             RP-90             WS-90              WE-96               CR-92                          Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

 

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Chateau Teyssier-Le Carre-Red Bordeaux Table Wine-Saint Emillion Grand Cru-France-2006-$45.99-A nose of dark fruit, deep purple in color, a smooth, medium bodied, very good considering it’s young to drink, black currants, cherries, licorice, a nice wine.                  RP-93               WS-90               WE-90                CR-92                    Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

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Fattoria Casa Di Terra-Terratico Di Bibbona-Poggio Querciolo-Italy-2006-$29.98-A nose of dark fruit and coffee,  beautiful amber color.  A smooth, full bodied blend, black and blueberries, nice use of oak, with a nice polished finish, a special wine.             WS-93             CR-92              Good with meats, pasta, cheeses.

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Tablas Creek Vineyard-Cotes de Tablas Blanc-Viognier-Roussanne-Marsanne-Grenache Blanc-Paso Robles-California-2008-$14.99-A bright nose of citrus, golden yellow in color.  A smooth, medium to full bodied blend.  Lemon zest, honey, peach, apple with a nice acidity and a long finish, a great value.   I visited the winery a few years back in the Paso Robles area, there are allot of great wineries in that area.                  RP-91-93                WS-89                 CR-90                 Good with seafood, cheeses, salads.

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Sarah’s Vineyards-Besson Vineyard-Syrah-Santa Clara Valley-California-2005-$17.77-A very interesting nose of spice and currants, big and bold, dark purple in color. A delicious Syrah, big, smooth,  black currants, black cherries, a very complex wine with a long finish.   Second time I have tried in the last few months, a very good wine.                  RP-90                 CR-92                Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

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Keesha Vineyards-Petite Sirah-Lodi-California-2008-$9.99-A big nose of dark fruit and cassis, purple black in color.  A big full bodied, like syrup, blackberry, smooth, cassis, dark chocolate, a wine that has the body and taste of a $40 bottle.            NR               CR-91              Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

 

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Caldwell Vineyards-Varietal Collection-Syrah Rose-Napa Valley-California-2009-$25.00-A sweet nose of bright fruit, beautiful light rose color.   I am not a Rose fan……now I am, at least for this one.  Fresh strawberry, cherry, plum and cinnamon with the perfect acidity, flat out delicious.  This was Caldwell’s first Rose, hard to top perfection, perfect for summer.  I visited with John and Joy Caldwell earlier this year, great people, a must visit if your are visiting Napa.                 NR                CR-91          Good with seafood, cheese, salads.

 

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Altamura Vineyards & Winery-Cabernet Sauvignon-Napa Valley-California-2002-$65.00-A nose of dark fruit, a classic Cab aroma, dark amber in color.   A smooth, delicious full bodied Cab, black currants, berries, chocolate, great mouth feel and long long finish.   Decant for two hours, a classic wine.                       RP-92                  WS-89                 CR-93                   Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

 

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St. Francis Winery & Vineyard-Old Vine Zinfandel-Bacchi Vineyard-Russian River Valley-California-2006-$37.50-A nose of blackberry and spice, dark garnet in color.   A full bodied, delicious Zin, blackberry, smoke, toast, some vanilla, a great tasting red.   I really have enjoyed the St. Francis Reserve Zins over the years, they have a great tasting room.                  NR              CR-92              Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

 

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A. Faustini Wines-Beach House No 34-Sauvignon Blanc-Rutherford-California-2008-$30.00-A nose of crisp spicy citrus, straw in color.  A smooth easy drinking white, lemon zest, grape fruit, minerals and a very long finish, has more weight than a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  I was not a big fan of a Sauvignon Blanc, more of a Chardonnay fan for whites, but this was very enjoyable, seek it out.                  NR                   CR-91                     Good with cheeses, seafood, salads.

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Jean-Pierre Boisson-Chateauneuf Du Pape-Elisabeth Chambellan-Vieilles Vignes-France-2007-$21.99-A juicy nose of currants, medium ruby in color.  I hate to admit, but this is the first full bottle of a CDP I have tried, mostly had sampled at a wine tasting event, but with the recession these are now affordable.  A delicate, smooth, red currants, minerals, light pepper, vanilla, very good.             NR                CR-91                 Good alone or with chicken, Chinese food, salads.

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Three Loose Screws-Mia’s Playground-Chardonnay-Russian River Valley-California-2008-$12.99-A nose of bright fruit and spice, golden yellow in color.  A smooth full bodied Chard, pineapple, peach, with a creamy oaky but not over the top finish.  A very good QPR, drinks like a wine twice it’s price.                   NR                    CR-90                   Good with chicken, cheeses, salads.

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Barossa Valley Estate Limited-E & E-Black Pepper-Shiraz-Barossa Valley-Australia-1998-$80.00-A elegant nose of dark fruit and spice, very dark purple in color.  Had dinner with good friends who brought this beauty, smooth mix of blackberry, blueberry, plum, cedar and even after being 12 years old had a 30 second finish. It’s always intriguing when you get to open and enjoy a older classic, highly rated wine that due to proper cellaring delivers a memorable experience.                 WS-95  (WS- Highly Recommended)           CR-94          Great with pasta, veal, chicken.

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Montirius-Gigondas-Terre Des Aines-Grenache-Mourvedre-France-2005-$22.22-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color.  A smooth full bodied rich blend, blueberry, plum, fig, crushed rocks and spiced cola, a enjoyable wine.                  WS-91               WE-90               CR-91              Good with meats, chicken, pasta.   

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Bodegas Emilio Moro-Ribera Del Duero-Red Table Wine-Spain-2006-$19.99-A nose of dark fruit and smoke, dark black in color.  A full bodied, smooch, a rich blend, black cherry, blackberry, with a vanilla and spice finish, a very good QPR.   I have tried the 04, 05 and now 2006 all have been very good.               RP-92                 WS-91                   WE-87                CR-90                   Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.

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Yates Family Vineyard-Fleur De Veeder-Merlot-Napa Redwoods Estate-Mount Veeder-California-$33.95-A nose of sweet dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color.  A full bodied, delicious Merlot, yes it’s a Merlot, 100%, cassis, raspberry, velvet favors, mocha,  a very long finish.            WE-88               CR-92                 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

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CORKSCREWs REVIEWs Worst Wines Of 2010

 

 

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Palmina Wines-Subida-Tocai Friulano-Santa Ynez Valley-California-2008-$18.98-A funky nose of honey, a cloudy yellow color.  A mess, a bad Californian try at a Italian white, honey, bitter, just awful, maybe someone would like it, not me.             NR               CR-70             Good if you move onto the next bottle.

Peirano Estate Vineyards-The Immortal Zin-Old Vine-Lodi-California-2008-$9.99-A big nose of over the top dark fruit, dark purple in color.  Blackberry, Blueberry, spice, a bit overdone, a little hot, but for $10 bucks and a midweek day it’s ok.              NR             CR-80           Good with burgers, ribs, pasta.  

Viti Santa Maria-Brazilo-Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon-Brazil-2006-$6.99-A nose of sweet dark fruit, dark ruby in color.  I had tried some Brazilian wines recently at a wine tasting event and was surprised at how good they were…this was not one of them, a bit disjointed, initial taste is ok but then leaves a funky aftertaste.               NR            CR-75           Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Casa Lapostolle-Cuvee Alexandre-Apalta Vineyard-Merlot-Carmenere-Colchagua Valley-Chile-2007-$17.99-A nose of dark sweet fruit, medium dark amber in color.   Currants, plum, spice, tannic, has rough spots, average at best.  I usually enjoy all the Cuvee Alexandre varietals, not this one.          NR             CR-75               Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

E-70788-Ave-Gran Riserva-Malbec-Mendoza-Argentina-2007-$21.98-A nose of funky figs, dark black in color, needed to be decanted for hours to get fid of funky smell.  A full bodied Malbec, fig, licorice, coffee, just did not enjoy the mouth feel, got a little better as it opened..but not that much.                WS-91                CR-80                    Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Kilikanoon Wines-The Lackey-Shiraz-Australia-2006-$11.99-A over the top big fake fruit bomb nose, kind of artificial, dark purple in color.  I enjoy most Australian Shiraz, don’t mind a big fruit bomb..as long as it tastes real, this one for me was a lost lab experiment.  Blackberry, plum and bacon, awkward taste, I did not get what the critics got.                RP-89               WS-89              CR-70       Good with a big steak that can mask the taste of the wine.

 

 

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Casella Wines-Yellow Tail-The Reserve-Cabernet Sauvignon-Australia-2007-$12.99-A disjointed nose of dark fruit, dark amber in color.   I tried this at a wine stores recommendation…and to give this wine a fair chance, it was the opposite of what the label stated, not velvety, not complex, no structure,  not enjoyable.                     WS-87                   WE-86                  CR-79               Good as a cooking wine.

Tulip Hill Winery-Cellar Select-Cabernet Sauvignon-Tracy Hills-Mount Oso Vineyard-California-$12.75-A nose of musty dark fruit, dark amber in color.  A rather harsh Cab, currants, red berries, but not smooch, hard finish.                   NR                CR-76                Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Domaine D’ Andezon-Cotes-Du-Rhone-Les Vignerons D’Estezargues-France-2007-$9.99-A sour nose of cherry, dark amber in color.  Sour black cherry, like spice, licorice, tried 3 times over a weekend, enjoyed it more early last year..and I love wines from the Southern Rhone, maybe it was just this bottle.           NR          CR-78           Good with pasta, chicken, veal.

Arnot-Roberts-Clary Ranch-Syrah-Sonoma Coast-California-2006-$30.00-A nose of sour cherry, dark purple in color.  I had always wanted to try a bottle from this winery of very small production wines, but…  Sour cherry, sage, tea, tried three different times, just did not enjoy the flavor, too sour.               RP-91                CR-76             Good with burgers, pasta, steak.

Philippe Gimel-Saint Jean Du Barroux-L’Oligocene-Red Grenache-Syrah-Carignan-Cinsault-Cotes Du Ventoux-France-2004-$23.99-A distinct smell of brandy, kind of funky, amber in color.  I am not sure if something happened to the wine, I usually enjoy any Southern Rhone wine but that distinct brandy smell also was what the favor was, dark fruit, spice, kept trying to enjoy it but could not.                RP-90            CR-70             Good with another open bottle of wine to kill the taste.

Les Cretes-Coteau La Tour-Vino da Tavola-Italy-2005-$34.99-Not sure of the real price I paid since it was in a 3 pack and was the throw in bottle..funky nose, ok terrible nose, only thing normal was color, a ruby red.  A terrible wine, made it past a couple sips, not sure what RP was thinking, somehow turned out to be a decent cooking wine.               RP-92                CR-50                Good as cooking wine.

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Vavasour Wines-Dashwood-Sauvignon Blanc-Marlborough-New Zealand-2009-$11.99-A light nose of citrus, pale straw in color.  Green apple, grapefruit, a little lien, flat on the finish, not as refreshing as I would like.  I enjoyed the 2008 a lot more, one more example on how much the same wine be so different each year.         WS-87             CR-82         Good with seafood, cheeses, salad.

DiMajo Norante-Sangiovese-Terra Degli Osci-Italy-2006-$10.99-A sweet floral fruit nose, medium in color.  Blackberry, strawberry, earth, was better last year.            NR            CR-81      Good with pasta, salad, chicken.

Primarius Winery-Pinot Noir-Walla Walla-Oregon-2007-$18.00-A light nose of cherry and spice, medium ruby in color.  A light bodied, thin,  cherry, spice, nothing special, not much length to the finish.               WS-81              CR-3               Good with chicken, cheese, pasta.

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CORKSCREWs REVIEWs

 

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Chateau de Beaucastel-Coudaulet-Cotes-Du-Rhone-Mourdedre-Grenache-Cinsault-Syrah-France-2004-$21.29-A nose of black cherry and spice, dark black in color.  A medium to full bodied blend,  a bit funky or tired.  Black cherry, raspberry,  plum and licorice but seemed past its peak, was expecting more.                   RP-90               WS-90               CR-87                Good with chicken, chesses, salads.

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Arista Wines-Pinot Noir-Sonoma County-California-2008-$19.99-A classic Pinot nose of cherry and spice, medium amber in color.  A smooth, medium bodied Pinot, with cherry, cola, plum and raspberry, a good finish and a solid Pinot for the price.                    NR                     CR-90                    Good with chicken, cheeses, salads.

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CORKSCREWs REVIEWs

 

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Domaine de Durban-Beaumes-de-Venise-Cuvee Prestige-Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre-France-2005-$16.50-A nose of earthy dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color.   A medium to full bodied blend, smooth, rich, plum, red currants, with some earthy spice notes, a good value.             NR             CR-87                 Good with meats, chicken, salads.

 

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Smith And Hook Winery-Cabernet Sauvignon-Central Coast-California-2006-$16.50-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark amber in color.  A full bodied Cab, with blackberry, cherry, currants, good tannins, a good value Cab.                NR                   CR-88                   Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

Posted in California, France, Red WineComments (0)

CORKSCREWs REVIEWs

 

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Chateau Beauchene-Premier Terroir-Cotes Du Rhone-Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre-2007-$12.23-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark amber in color.  A medium to full bodied blend, raspberry, currant, cherry, earth and pepper, a good value.              NR                CR-88              Good with chicken, cheese, pasta.

 

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Michael & David Philips-Petite Petit-Petite Sirah-Petit Verdot-Lodi-California-2007-$13.99-A nose of meaty dark fruit, dark purple in color.  A full bodied wine, blackberry, cherry, chocolate and earth.   This wine delivers for it’s price, and has a great fun label.               RP-88              WS-86             WE-84             CR-88             Good with burgers, chicken, pasta.

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