Dourthe - Chateau Pey La Tour

Producer: DourtheName: Chateau Pey La Tour

Region: Bordeaux, France

Vintage: 2007

Price: ~ $14

This was the last wine that I tasted on "Games Night 2009" and I've had it before. From what I remember on my previous tastings it was quite good and reasonably priced. When I tasted it this time it was already late into the night. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't remember what it tasted like because I was drunk. I had such a great time with the Pazzo I didn't really save room for the Bordeaux.

Since I don't remember how it tasted I've included a short review of some wine douche from Boston. He writes:

Big nose once you first cork the wine, however I found it to be a slim body for a Bordeaux. Can smell the earth, dirt, and must of a typical Bordeaux but lacks the great pallet taste. Not bad to have around the house for people who don't know good wine but like Bordeaux's.

So, I think what he's saying is that this wine would be good enough for the peasants but the bourgeoisie would never drink it...

J

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Bacio Divino - Pazzo

Producer: Bacio Divino
Name: Pazzo
Vintage: 2004
Region: Napa Valley, United States
Price: ~ $30

The only thing better than drinking your wine is drinking somebody else's. My friends Ryan and Rochelle brought over a bottle of Pazzo by Bacio Divino from the Napa Valley and it was excellent. I believe they received it as a gift for their wedding and were generous enough to share it with my wife and I on "Games Night 2009" the highlight of which was Taboo.

The colour is clear but deep ruby red and the bouquet has deep notes of black and red cherries, spice and subtle hints of oak. Because this blend is predominantly sangiovese (with petite syrah, cabernet sauvignon and viognier) the palate too has an abundant dark cherry taste but also has smooth notes of spice and earthy wood. The wine is quite balanced with good acidity. It's character persuades you to keep coming back for more and with each taste you discover something new. So frickin' good! Again, excellent wine. Thanks Ryan and Rochelle!

Booyah!
J

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McWilliam's - Chardonnay

Producer: McWilliam's
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2006
Region: South Australia, Australia
Price: ~ $15

I'm gonna have to admit that I'm not that big on white wines. Unless it's a hot summer day or I'm ordering wine for a table with a lot of chicks, I don't usually drink a lot of the stuff. It may also be that I don't exactly like fruits such as melons and grapefruits on their own so why would I want them in my wine. But then again, I don't exactly like eating earthy bark and moss but I don't mind them in red wine either so who the hell knows.

The McWilliam's Chardonnay has a buttery bouquet of peach, citrus and subtle oak. I hear there's supposed to be a little melon aroma in there too but I couldn't get it. On the palate it was rich and creamy opposite citrus fruit and had a nice balance of acidity. I wouldn't say it was complex but it did feel nice to lather your palate with it. I had a taste of this while our friends Ryan and Rochelle were over for drinks.

Okay, peace out!
J

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Masi - Campofiorin

Producer: Masi
Name: Campofiorin
Region: Verona, Italy
Vintage: 2006
Price: ~ 18

I know I've tasted this one before but in all honesty it's been quite a while. So why not again right? The Masi Campofiorin has a bouquet (I hate using that word) of rich dark cherries and really subtle notes of smoke and cedar. It has a full body that wraps your tongue in more dark cherries and blackberries but I wouldn't say that it's fruity. The cherry and berry notes are quite parred down as the tasting progresses because I think the smokey earth tones take over and wrap it all up with a long dry finish. I say "I think" because I kinda had a hard time deciding if things were wrapped up nicely with the smoke and earth flavours or if they weren't wrapped up at all and things fell flat. If someone has tasted this one before I'd love to hear your comments on it. It could also very well be my own inexperience coupled with the fact I'm already gettin' my buzz on!

Peace!

J

PS: you're two o'clock appointment is going to come soon Chris... very soon indeed.
PPS: enough about the goddam Wolf Blass. My point was that it's a decent wine for the price and mass production isn't a good enough reason not to like it.

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1L bottles last too long...

It was a good deal, but I'm still drinking from the 1L bottle of Red Label that I purchased (okay, two 1L bottles) three days ago...

... Okay, I'm done now. Tomorrow I try the Masi!

JM

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Pepperwood Grove - Viognier

Producer: Pepperwood Grove
Varietal: Viognier
Vintage: 2007
Region: California, United States
Price: ~ $30/bottle (in a restaurant)

For my step-father's birthday we went to this little East Indian restaurant for his birthday called Moti Mahal. Cute little place that was fairly steady even for a Sunday night at eight o'clock. Kinda thought it would be nice to have a cool white wine to edge some of the bite off from the spicy food. The nose on this viognier was fairly crisp and refreshing with a bit of peppery spice. It had a light body with tastes of apricots, pepper and even cloves to tie the indian food together. I'm guessing that at $30 per bottle at a restaurant this wouldn't cost a whole lot at retail. It wasn't a complex wine but when you're searching for decent wine without spending too much you're looking for balance more than complexity.

Okay, peace ooouuut...

PS: I'm having some wicked Indian burps... Indian "dot"; not Indian "feather"

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Wolf Blass - Red Label

Producer: Wolf Blass
Name: Red Label
Varietal: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2008
Region: South Australia, Australia

 Wolf Blass really made a name for itself with it's Wolf Blass Yellow Label. It was a big hit, drew lots of popularity and then really entered mainstream wine drinking. Now for some reason, because of it's success, I get the feeling people are turning their backs on this producer. Which doesn't make any sense whatsoever. It reminds me of those indie music douche bags who like the fact that they've discovered this unheard of new band and then once the band gets popular they think they've sold out even though the music hasn't changed.

 "Pinkerton was they're best album and I have all of they're B-sides. Now they suck ass. Fucking sell outs"

 Shut your mouth. Those people like the idea of exclusivity than they like the actual product. Wolf Blass wine is still well produced and just because they're not the little boutique winery any more doesn't mean their quality is any worse.

 The 2008 Shiraz/Cab smells of sweet red fruit like strawberries and raspberries. It has a well rounded body (simple but well rounded) and tastes of more ripe raspberries with a hint of mint and subtle fruitiness. The finish is smooth with a medium dryness.

 PS: If you notice on the image there's a small semi-circle label on the bottle. That's right... it was a 1L bottle (it was on sale. Give me a break).

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