Castello Banfi or just Banfi as people call it is most known for their world known classic red wines. These include Brunello di Montalcino with it's riservas, Rosso di Montalcino and other signature italian red wines. Their San Angelo pinot grigio is a delicious white wine and 2009 is another consistant wine offering.
Crisp, fresh and lively with no bitterness or harsh finish. The 2009 Castello Banfi San Angelo is a very nice pinot grigio. Only drawback is the price, which while not "pricey" (between $15-$20) - it does come in $5 or so over other pinot grigios I would consider equal. But - quality in Italy comes with a price sometimes! and like I said - $18 or so for a really nice white wine is no big deal. And who said California wasn't pricey?!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Kim Crawford Pinot Noir Review 2007 - Wine Review
Kim Crawford is a consistant year in and year our producer of great value wines including Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. New Zealand is the base and posting a review for the 2007 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir is a pleasure. Tasting it is even better!
This is no light Pinot for starters with big aroma and flavors - oh and the price is under $20. Nuff said? :) Seriously - I'm done paying $50 for cult California Pinot (well mostly lol). Most do not surpass a wine like the Kim Crawford Pinot Noir and they can be twice the price. Now don't get me wrong - I LOVE a powerful Russian River Valley Pinot, but you would be VERY challenged to find a real strong one for $16 for instance.
The 2007 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir has great deep color. It looks like it will deliver great aromas and a full flavor and it does. Most wine reviews and tasting notes focus on the taste of the wine, and I agree - that should be the deciing factor but the "nose" on the wine really is great to mention when it stands out. Hey - the wine lasts longer that way! [take it all in]
The aroma and the palate both work here with delicious cherries, maple and well rounded fresh flavors deliver a great taste and very solid finish.
The 2007 Kim Crawford is a joy and a consistant bottle in our house. Oh - and twist cap too. Gotta love that since I am always losing or breaking my wine openers! :)
Wine Review Rating: 91 Points
A winner any way you cut it!
This is no light Pinot for starters with big aroma and flavors - oh and the price is under $20. Nuff said? :) Seriously - I'm done paying $50 for cult California Pinot (well mostly lol). Most do not surpass a wine like the Kim Crawford Pinot Noir and they can be twice the price. Now don't get me wrong - I LOVE a powerful Russian River Valley Pinot, but you would be VERY challenged to find a real strong one for $16 for instance.
The 2007 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir has great deep color. It looks like it will deliver great aromas and a full flavor and it does. Most wine reviews and tasting notes focus on the taste of the wine, and I agree - that should be the deciing factor but the "nose" on the wine really is great to mention when it stands out. Hey - the wine lasts longer that way! [take it all in]
The aroma and the palate both work here with delicious cherries, maple and well rounded fresh flavors deliver a great taste and very solid finish.
The 2007 Kim Crawford is a joy and a consistant bottle in our house. Oh - and twist cap too. Gotta love that since I am always losing or breaking my wine openers! :)
Wine Review Rating: 91 Points
A winner any way you cut it!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Cuvaison Chardonnay - Cuvaison 2008 Carneros
Cuvaison Chardonnay Wine Review
Hi all. A lot of white wine reviews by me lately. Guess I'm hanging on to summer :) Cuvaison Chardonnay is up next! This is a chardonnay right in my "wheel house" style wise. Balanced, Rich in Flavor but not overly oaky or buttery. It is a California Chardonnay.
This wine cries "have me with clams and shellfish" - wish I had some now!...but I will have to suffer with good Italian Fiore di Sardegna cheese and the Cuvaison.
The wine in the glass has a really nice color that hints at the full flavor, body but non syrupy or heavy chardonnay and that does become true when the aroma and taste come thru.
The nose came thru nice with pine nuts and some buttered popcorn actually! Ok - now I'm craving buttered popcorn lol
The Cuvaison has nice orunded butter and toasted almond flavors but it is not "heavy" on the palate nor any heat here. It's got a little spritz too which I like. The alcohol is fully integrated into this wine and it a young Chardonnay.
The finish is solid but not above average long and it turns a little lighter at the end. I don't mind that in a white wine as I'm looking for crispness, refreshing and flavor and the Cuvaison Chardonnay delivers there!
Cuvaison Chardonnay Price
Ahh... a very good part to this white wine and California Chardonnay is Price! Under $25 and for a strong quality California Chardonnay - that really wails. Compare this to $65 Kistlers and you'll see. And while I love Kistler, Martinelli, Dutton Goldfield and others, the pricing has gotten a little crazy the last 10 years.
2008 Cuvaison Chardonnay Wine Rating: 91 Points
Hi all. A lot of white wine reviews by me lately. Guess I'm hanging on to summer :) Cuvaison Chardonnay is up next! This is a chardonnay right in my "wheel house" style wise. Balanced, Rich in Flavor but not overly oaky or buttery. It is a California Chardonnay.
This wine cries "have me with clams and shellfish" - wish I had some now!...but I will have to suffer with good Italian Fiore di Sardegna cheese and the Cuvaison.
The wine in the glass has a really nice color that hints at the full flavor, body but non syrupy or heavy chardonnay and that does become true when the aroma and taste come thru.
The nose came thru nice with pine nuts and some buttered popcorn actually! Ok - now I'm craving buttered popcorn lol
The Cuvaison has nice orunded butter and toasted almond flavors but it is not "heavy" on the palate nor any heat here. It's got a little spritz too which I like. The alcohol is fully integrated into this wine and it a young Chardonnay.
The finish is solid but not above average long and it turns a little lighter at the end. I don't mind that in a white wine as I'm looking for crispness, refreshing and flavor and the Cuvaison Chardonnay delivers there!
Cuvaison Chardonnay Price
Ahh... a very good part to this white wine and California Chardonnay is Price! Under $25 and for a strong quality California Chardonnay - that really wails. Compare this to $65 Kistlers and you'll see. And while I love Kistler, Martinelli, Dutton Goldfield and others, the pricing has gotten a little crazy the last 10 years.
2008 Cuvaison Chardonnay Wine Rating: 91 Points
Friday, October 22, 2010
2009 Kris Pinot Grigio
I have been enjoying the Kris Pinot Grigio over the last year or so. I only saw it in the stores over the last 2 years I think. I usually don't drink and post notes on that many pinot grigios - but there have been some very good ones lately for me - [see also Tiefenbrunner on this blog]. The 2009 Kris is certainly one I happily recommend. You'll see it between $10-$14 or so.
Nose of green apples and fresh cirtus. The taste is very balanced and rounded with tastes of tropical fruit and good acidity. Has that style that will remind you of good New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc!
The finish is good for a pinot grigio - which is limited. Only negative it is slightly green and hard on the finish. A very solid everyday white wine though. Oh and a screw cap too! UNPLANNED WINE RANT HERE: Why are there any pinot grigios still with cork or synthetic cork? Screw Top is the way to go! I have $40 Pinot Noirs that have gone the screw top way - and I love it! Ok some purists aren't that absolute about it but Pnot Grigio? cmon! [RANT ENDS] :)
Buy the 2009 Kris Pinot Grigio
Not sure where to rate this, I'll go 87-88 Points.
Nose of green apples and fresh cirtus. The taste is very balanced and rounded with tastes of tropical fruit and good acidity. Has that style that will remind you of good New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc!
The finish is good for a pinot grigio - which is limited. Only negative it is slightly green and hard on the finish. A very solid everyday white wine though. Oh and a screw cap too! UNPLANNED WINE RANT HERE: Why are there any pinot grigios still with cork or synthetic cork? Screw Top is the way to go! I have $40 Pinot Noirs that have gone the screw top way - and I love it! Ok some purists aren't that absolute about it but Pnot Grigio? cmon! [RANT ENDS] :)
Buy the 2009 Kris Pinot Grigio
Not sure where to rate this, I'll go 87-88 Points.
Monday, October 18, 2010
2006 Domaine de St. Paul Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Jumille
I am enjoying this wine with my wife now. The 2006 Domaine St Paul Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Jumille is a really polished wine at this early stage. It has deep aromas of spice, dates, prunes, and figs - which I love! Gotta love figs :)
The color of this wine is deep and lush looking. The nose really is terrific on this Chateauneuf du Pape but is hinting at "don't drink me now!" But hey - it's too late lol. I cooked a nice pork roast with oven baked potatoes ready to match with am old world wine.
Ok now I'm picking up really nice vanilla. Wife thinks I'm nuts of course, but hey - it's my job ha-ha
Now on to taste the Domaine Saint Paul. As expected, the wine is restrained and not quite ready. It was opened for 2 hours, but my first wine drinking window analysis is another 2-5 years on this one. It is wonderfully smooth with cherry and mineral flavors and rounded tannins.
I am really loving this wine - oh and the best part (well one of the best parts) is the price! Under $25 which is a total friggin steal here.
The 2006 Domaine St Paul Chateauneuf du-pape (man I hate writing that all out for spelling reasons lol) is a "stock up" wine. A perfect tuck away but it is also not a tannic closed monster that could not be served now.
I'm impressed - for what that's worth! ha-ha
This CDP: 92 Points!
Wine Value Pro System
The color of this wine is deep and lush looking. The nose really is terrific on this Chateauneuf du Pape but is hinting at "don't drink me now!" But hey - it's too late lol. I cooked a nice pork roast with oven baked potatoes ready to match with am old world wine.
Ok now I'm picking up really nice vanilla. Wife thinks I'm nuts of course, but hey - it's my job ha-ha
Now on to taste the Domaine Saint Paul. As expected, the wine is restrained and not quite ready. It was opened for 2 hours, but my first wine drinking window analysis is another 2-5 years on this one. It is wonderfully smooth with cherry and mineral flavors and rounded tannins.
I am really loving this wine - oh and the best part (well one of the best parts) is the price! Under $25 which is a total friggin steal here.
The 2006 Domaine St Paul Chateauneuf du-pape (man I hate writing that all out for spelling reasons lol) is a "stock up" wine. A perfect tuck away but it is also not a tannic closed monster that could not be served now.
I'm impressed - for what that's worth! ha-ha
This CDP: 92 Points!
Wine Value Pro System
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
2008 Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio
Tiefenbrunner has produced some really tasty pinot grigio for a solid price the last few years. I am drinking the 2008 Tiefenbrunner now and it really has some great concentration of fruit and flavor for a pinot grigio - which let's face it, is not the most deep complexing varietal in the world :)
This wine is always a pleasant surprise - even for people who only drink white wine or even just pinot grigio.
The palate has really good concentration of apple, apricot with great crispness and acidity. Not watery at all. The Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio delivers real lively pinot grigio flavors with a good finish and great value.
Under $15 makes a great value for a white wine this good.
Find, Drink and Enjoy!
Nick
This wine is always a pleasant surprise - even for people who only drink white wine or even just pinot grigio.
The palate has really good concentration of apple, apricot with great crispness and acidity. Not watery at all. The Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio delivers real lively pinot grigio flavors with a good finish and great value.
Under $15 makes a great value for a white wine this good.
Find, Drink and Enjoy!
Nick
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