Snooth.com - recent reviews by rcatavino

Bai Gorri Reserva 2004

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:46:08 -0400

Name: Bai Gorri Reserva
Vintage: 2004
Varietal: tempranillo blend
Winery: Bai Gorri
Region: Spain > La Rioja
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

rcatavino's Rating: 3.5/5
rcatavino's Review: Darker color to this reserva and a nose that makes me think I'm in bordeaux with a spanish mistress. Pencil lead, and anise spice with an undercurrent of dark fruit. Really bold and walking with a foot in today and a foot in the yesterday. Lush in the mouth at first I feel like I'm old spain with rusitc flavors and yet as I swallow a bright note of candied cherry springs forth giving me a balancer to the austere herbalness. Juicy wine with very strong and coating tannins, I'll give this wine a long wait...5-10yrs, and I think you may have something as long as the fruit sticks around.

As posted on Snooth

Bai Gorri Crianza 2004

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:41:16 -0400

Name: Bai Gorri Crianza
Vintage: 2004
Varietal: tempranillo blend
Winery: Bai Gorri
Region: Spain > La Rioja
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

rcatavino's Rating: 3.5/5
rcatavino's Review: Deep maroonish red, with a nose that is restrained. Fat twizzler cherry with a load of dark spice, clove and nutmeg come to mind. The nose is one that is fun and developing with touches of violets, earth and I hate to say it but sweat...hmmm. Not in a bad way(very cliche) but really it has a funky rich cherriness to it. In the mouth this is a pleaser with a rich round fruit and lots of vibrant spice, framed by a dry oak finish. Seriously this is like a painting on the wall in an oak frame where the subject matter is stewed cherries sitting atop raw earth and sprinkles of violet petals and cloves. Fun, with a richness, that cleans itself up on the finish.

As posted on Snooth

Bai Gorri Maceracioc Carbonica 2007

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:33:26 -0400

Name: Bai Gorri Maceracioc Carbonica
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: tempranillo blend
Winery: Bai Gorri
Region: Spain > La Rioja
SnoothRank: 3/5

rcatavino's Rating: 3/5
rcatavino's Review: Bright red color on this wine with a nose that fresh and alive. Really enjoy it when a wine opens like this right away with some complexity. Sour cherry with a bit of funk, and a lightly stewed quality. In the mouth that freshness carries through with a great big acidty. Light acridness on the finish combines with a ton of minerals, while the fresh cherry fruit plays second fiddle. Still a touch of carbonic on it, but overall a simple fresh wine. Probably great with a slice of deep dish!

As posted on Snooth

Bodegas del Palacio de Fefiñanes Albariño de Fefiñanes Rias Baixas Blanco Joven 2007

Thu, 29 May 2008 14:35:39 -0400

Name: Bodegas del Palacio de Fefiñanes Albariño de Fefiñanes Rias Baixas Blanco Joven
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Albariño
Winery: Bodegas del Palacio de Fefiñanes
Region: Spain > Galicia > Rías Baixas
Price: $25.54
SnoothRank: 3/5

rcatavino's Rating: N/A
rcatavino's Review: Lightly effervescent and delicate golden color. The nose is a bit musty with some woody notes that I at first took for cork, but it may not be. On the palate it is mustier, and I'm starting to think this is a bad bottle. The finish sums it up, lightly corked, but just enough as to where it loses it's freshness.

As posted on Snooth

Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2003

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:57:50 -0400

Name: Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port
Vintage: 2003
Varietal:
Winery: Taylor Fladgate
Region: Portugal
Price: $102.50
SnoothRank: 4.5/5

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

As posted on Snooth

Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2003

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:57:48 -0400

Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva 2000

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:32:58 -0400

Name: Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva
Vintage: 2000
Varietal: Tempranillo; Garnacha; Mazuelo; Graciano
Winery: Bodegas Muga
Region: Spain > Rioja
Price: $60.67
SnoothRank: 4/5

rcatavino's Rating: 4.5/5
rcatavino's Review: Pale maroon in color, the nose on this wine shows sour cherry, rosehips, cardamom and delicate dusty wood. In the mouth this is a wine with impeccable acidity that is juicy and fresh. Wafting spices linger in my mouth at the finish like a kitchen in the midsts of dinner. Fresh cherry flavors with a vibrancy and balance that makes me smile. Near perfect wine.

As posted on Snooth

Krohn Colheita Port 1967

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 07:42:32 -0500

Name: Krohn Colheita Port
Vintage: 1967
Varietal:
Price: $100.00
SnoothRank: 4/5

rcatavino's Rating: 4.5/5
rcatavino's Review: Light in color with a slight tinge of ruby to a rather dark nutty brown color. Light dusty nose with wood varnish, vanilla, light wood, sweet caramel, turron and light roasted nuts. In the mouth it's rich and has a strong acidity with a medium to high sweetness. Rich and very complex with tons of nuts and caramel qualities. Overall a very nutty wine with light orange zest, cinnamon, vanilla and nougat, with some hints of wood polish. Really a fun and very complex palate with lot's of nuance and subtlety. With time I get hints of cherry and other light berry notes, though this wine is about the caramel and spice.

As posted on Snooth

Freixenet Carta Nevada Brut Reserva NV

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 07:26:39 -0500

Name: Freixenet Carta Nevada Brut Reserva
Vintage: NV
Varietal: Parellada; Macabeo; Xarel.lo
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

rcatavino's Rating: 3.5/5
rcatavino's Review: Somewhat larger bubbles than other cavas and a nice light golden color overall. The nose has a a light toasted quality and with some almond aromas, and lemon zest. In the mouth the wine is fully dry with a softness that leaves the mouth refreshed on the finish. Not a strong wine with delicate flavors of lemon, melon, toast and minerals. Good value for a large gathering.

As posted on Snooth

Taylor Fladgate Quinta Vargelles Port 2005

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:16:54 -0500

Name: Taylor Fladgate Quinta Vargelles Port
Vintage: 2005
Varietal:
Winery: Taylor Fladgate
Region: Portugal
Price: $60.49
SnoothRank: 4/5

rcatavino's Rating: 4/5
rcatavino's Review: Deep dark color to this wine. Alcohol hits me at first though blows off quickly leaving a spicy profile to the wine. Dark chocolate with a backdrop of fruit that hints at cranberry, blueberry, and chokecherry, yet it still to tight to fully see. Lush and rich in the mouth like a silken glove on the tongue, and with an acidity that is strong and in your face. Deep rich raspberry flavors with a chocolatey richness and hints of clove, anise and pepper. Violets begin to show up with more air, and in reality if this wine is to sing it needs a long time in bottle or a long decanting before hand.

4hrs later

Still not sure about this wine but the nose has surely developed. Marzipan, coconut and vanilla notes mingle in the atmosphere of a musty old bodega. Strangely enough I'm reminded of Alicante Bouschet when tasting this wine, and it's pure fruit flavors. Opulent with a high acidity and probably a long life in front of it.

As posted on Snooth