Snooth.com - recent reviews by rcscgrhpx

La Spinetta Il Nero di Casanova Toscana IGT 2004

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:07:20 -0500

Name: La Spinetta Il Nero di Casanova Toscana IGT
Vintage: 2004
Varietal: Aleatico
Winery: La Spinetta
Region: Italy > Tuscany > Toscana Igt
Price: $21.29
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

rcscgrhpx's Rating: 3/5
rcscgrhpx's Review:

As posted on Snooth

Vina Cobos From Paul Hobbs Felino Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza 2007

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:07:01 -0500

Name: Vina Cobos From Paul Hobbs Felino Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery: Viña Cobos
Price: $17.99
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

rcscgrhpx's Rating: 3/5
rcscgrhpx's Review:

As posted on Snooth

Chappellet Vineyard Merlot 2005

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:06:53 -0500

Name: Chappellet Vineyard Merlot
Vintage: 2005
Varietal: Merlot
Winery: Chappellet Winery
Region: USA > California > Napa
Price: $24.19
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

rcscgrhpx's Rating: 3.5/5
rcscgrhpx's Review:

As posted on Snooth

Feraud-Brunel Cotes-du-Rhone Villages 2007

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:38:47 -0500

Name: Feraud-Brunel Cotes-du-Rhone Villages
Vintage: 2007
Varietal:
Winery: Féraud-Brunel
Region: France > Rhone Valley > Southern Rhône > Côtes-du-rhône
Price: $15.99
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

rcscgrhpx's Rating: 4/5
rcscgrhpx's Review: Another outstanding Rhone from the infamous 2007 vintage. The nose is extremely fresh and vibrant with notes of raspberries, strawberries, cherries, cranberries and a touch of smoke. There's so much fruit on the nose that you'll anticipate a fruit bomb, but it isn't over the top at all. It's elegant, we'll integrated and delicious. Cherries come through in the mid-palate and the finish is rich and peppery. This is off-the-charts on the QPR scale.

As posted on Snooth

Hecht & Bannier Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2005

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:45:40 -0500

Name: Hecht & Bannier Côtes du Roussillon Villages
Vintage: 2005
Varietal: Garnacha^Mourvedre^Syrah
Winery: Hecht & Bannier
Region: France > Languedoc-roussillon > Roussillon > Côtes du Roussillon > Côtes du Roussillon Villages
Price: $23.99
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

rcscgrhpx's Rating: 3.5/5
rcscgrhpx's Review: A great bargain! Very vibrant and fresh with hints of cherry, smoke and roasted herbs on the nose. The palate is velvety at first and firms up on the mid-palate and finish; leaving a lingering finish of plum and dark chocolate. I'm obviously a fan of Roussillon blends, and this one hits the spot.

As posted on Snooth

Vina Maquis Lien Colchagua Valley Syrah Blend 2005

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:21:09 -0400

Name: Vina Maquis Lien Colchagua Valley Syrah Blend
Vintage: 2005
Varietal: Syrah
Winery: Vina Maquis
Region: Chile > Colchagua Valley
Price: $18.50
SnoothRank: 3/5

rcscgrhpx's Rating: 3/5
rcscgrhpx's Review: I was expecting a bit more punch from this wine when I saw the blend of grapes. The nose was rather tight and subtle with traces of dustiness and ripe red fruit. The first taste was nicely focused and had a nice freshness and juicy quality. The mid-palate transitioned to cherry flavors and something slightly bitter; perhaps dark chocolate. The finish had a bit of grip and spice, which didn't last very long.

I think it would have benefited from decanting, since it opened up the second day.

As posted on Snooth

Pali Wine Co. Pinot Noir Bluffs 2007

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:31:33 -0400

Name: Pali Wine Co. Pinot Noir Bluffs
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Winery: Pali Wine Co.
Region: USA > California > Sonoma County > Russian River Valley
SnoothRank: 3/5

rcscgrhpx's Rating: 3/5
rcscgrhpx's Review: This is a very simple pinot noir that will appeal to a lot of palates. The nose has a dusty, muddy, smokey quality with hints of flowers, cherries and cranberries. Sweet fruit is apparent on entry and the mid-palate doesn't change very much. Lots of cherry juice with a dose of strawberries and cranberries. The finish is fairly short and the tannins are very mild and a bit sweet. Definitely a friendly, fruity pinot that is very one-dimensional ... but extremely drinkable. It paired very well with BBQ chicken and strip steak with a Chipotle sauce.

Notes from www.paliwineco.com ...

500 Cases Produced
13.8% Alcohol

The second of the two Pali AVA blends, this is a very pretty and balanced wine easily associated with the Russian River Valley. Deep red cherries, lavender, rose petals and herbs on the nose. Juicy, rounded mouth feel. A bit tight now but should open up nicely by release.

As posted on Snooth

Pali Wine Co. Pinot Noir Huntington 2007

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:20:19 -0400

Name: Pali Wine Co. Pinot Noir Huntington
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Winery: Pali Wine Co.
Region: USA > California > Santa Barbara
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

rcscgrhpx's Rating: 3.5/5
rcscgrhpx's Review: I bought this along with the "Pali Bluffs 2007" cuvée from the Russian River Valley. For my palate, the "Huntington 2007" from Santa Barbara is superior, with more concentrated fruit, darker fruits and a longer finish. In a blind tasting, it could easily be mistaken for a Cabernet. My notes match the description from the web site to the letter ... so I've included the wine maker's comments.

Notes from www.paliwineco.com ...

250 Cases Produced
14.4% Alcohol

The first of the Pali AVA blends, the Huntington is ripe, lush and concentrated. Lifted aromatics of ripe plums, earth, wild blackberries and white pepper. A medium weight wine with round and lush mouth feel. Fruit-driven with layers of juicy red cherries, cranberries, toasty oak and sweet tannin.

As posted on Snooth

Atteca Garnacha Old Vines 2007

Tue, 19 May 2009 12:47:46 -0400

Name: Atteca Garnacha Old Vines
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Grenache
Winery: Bodegas Ateca
Region: Spain > Aragón > Calatayud
Price: $12.80
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

rcscgrhpx's Rating: 3.5/5
rcscgrhpx's Review: A good Garnacha ... no question. The color is a shimmering garnet/ruby right to the edge. It's a fruity, spicy, medium-bodied wine with supple tannins and classic Garnacha DNA. Loads of black cherry juice with bits of blackberry and plum. Even though the alcohol content is high, it's very light on its feet and not at all hot. Old vines aren't always better ... just different ... and in this case the altitude and age of the plantings provides a very polished and balanced profile with loads of flavor.

As posted on Snooth

Mo Monastrell Sierra Salinas 2006

Tue, 05 May 2009 12:07:48 -0400

Name: Mo Monastrell Sierra Salinas
Vintage: 2006
Varietal: Mourvèdre
Winery: Bodegas Sierra Salinas
Region: Spain > Alicanté
Price: $13.99
SnoothRank: 3/5

rcscgrhpx's Rating: 3.5/5
rcscgrhpx's Review: Another great value from Spain. Not complex, but not hollow. Very consistent on the attack, mid palate and finish. The red fruits tended to build a bit for me, which I liked ... and the acidity was perfect to drink alone or with food. I can see this being a very food-friendly wine that would go great with BBQ.

As posted on Snooth