lifestylewunderkind's Wines Subscribe to this Feed

lifestylewunderkind's Review:

This brings us back to what Rose wine should be like. I know it's mass-produced without much passion, but drinking this slightly mellow, full-bodied and fruity rose wine, experiencing the delectable floral touch and the pleasant mellow finish just brings it all back to the point: It does not matter how this wine was made, as it is bright and easy to understand and delicious for a summer evening with tapas. Wine lover or not, you're probably going to like it. It's not complicated, it's not something to philosophize about, but it's special for being so approachable and at the same time so genuinely good. And it holds what it promises, I like the bottle and label, and it's just all fine. I wanted to dislike this wine, wanted to call it a simple wine that's mostly brand and least of all a decent wine, but it's genuinely won me over. It simply allowed me to stop 'pontificating' and start enjoying!

lifestylewunderkind's Review:

Very reasonably priced wine. Full flavour, great body, smooth with a very nicely worked in sweetness, low in acidity. A very enjoyable wine reflecting typical South-of-France flavours as well as the smoothness of the Merlot grape. Could have a little more length, though, but I'm not expecting that at this level. A great everyday wine, wonderful!

lifestylewunderkind's Review:

As expected, the wine shows a few signs of ageing: It has a beautifully mellow, warm aftertaste, yet all of its ripe freshness and citrus and appely notes are still present. On the palate it has a very pleasant acidity that's just right and beautifully woven into a very pleasant smoothness, which works together very well with its light and a little crisp freshness. The finish reveals said mellow and soft flavour wrapped into a creamy texture, giving this wine a long, very pleasant finish that creates a very nice sensation on the tongue. Perhaps that's where the supposedly white almondy notes are to be found, as the winemaker's notes describe it. Anyway, you really sense that this is a very good wine, and it once again leads me to the conclusion that there is no such thing in wines as cheap & cheerful. Just an example: I recently tasted the quite decent French "Arrogant Frog Ribet White" Sauvignon Blanc for approximately 5, and despite its grapefruit and lichy-like powerful aromas and freshness (and not being flat, which is already an achievement with Sauvignon Blancs for under 10), it lacked the refinedness of a good, 15-20 old-world Sauvignon Blanc. To apply it to this review: Sadly, the inexpensice Alsace Pinot Blanc's just aren't any good. I'd rather spend my money on one bottle of this marvellous 2005 Hugel than on a few bottles of the cheap plonk. If you like fresh pinot noirs with raffinesse, you should really try this wine, especially because the 2005 Vintage is so good.

lifestylewunderkind's Review:

breathtaking, probably going to be the best glass of wine I ever had. fantastic flavours, richness, simply perfect.

lifestylewunderkind's Review:

A very drinkable Tuscan wine. Full bodied, smooth, quite expressive, light on the palate and a little bit rustic describe the wine's character best. On the nose, blackberry and vanilla are most noticeable. The grapes for this extraordinary wine are extracted only through the force of gravity and then stored first in young french barriques and after that in large, older barrels. For the 10 category, this is a very reasonably priced and enyoable Italian wine.

lifestylewunderkind's Review:

Dark fruits and spices on the nose, with subtle hints of vanilla. Full-bodied mouth with spicy and powerful fruit aromas, slightly oaky and surprisingly refined for a 5--Wine. By the way, this wine was rated as one of the best wines under 5 - a reasonable decision! Enjoy with beef or, even better, the famous spanish Iberico pork with herbs and freshly ground pepper. Surely not a great wine, but excellent to drink and simply enjoy - no cheapness on the palate! Good wine, but excellent value for money!

lifestylewunderkind's Review:

This Red wine from Chateau Villerambert Julien, one of the relatively unknown jewels in the Minervois, is not only of great quality, but also great value. The nose is complex, with ripe blackberries and some cherry, a hint of tahiti vanilla and fresh tobacco, with underlying notes of herbs and soft, woody spices. The mouth is full-bodied and amuses the palate with full aromas of cocoa and spices with hints of blackcurrant, wrapped into an extremely smooth and rich texture with a fantastically long finish. Decanting the wine intensifies the aromas and gives the wine an even stronger character, though it lacks the finesse of great reds. Instead, it shines with a lightness rarely seen in a minervois red, which perfectly accompanies its inherent smoothness. The 2002 red is probably the Chateau's best wine up to date. Sadly it is no more available around where I live - I strongly recommend trying this almost great wine which, in my opinion, gives you more pleasure than pretty much any other Minervois in that range.