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zufrieden's Review:

The wine is deep, dense and opaquely red in color. There are layers of forward, moderately mouth-puckering tannins with decent enough pH balance to suggest structure and aging potential. Coffee, blueberry, cigar, raspberry chocolate and wet clay earth predominate on the nose with good merlot varietal flavors lingering for a medium finish. A decent wine with at least 5 years of aging potential. Very good value from this St-Emilion satellite region.

zufrieden's Review:

Church and State Wines located in Brentwood Bay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia sources most of its grapes from the Okaganan Valley as in the case of Saddle Ridge. This 100% Syrah was bottle-aged by the writer for 2 years in reasonable cellaring conditions. The results, as they say, were better than expected. The wine is dark and brooding with havana cigar and plum predominating on the nose. With well-integrated oak and tannin, the wine is perfect for immediate consumption. Leather, white pepper and dessicated black fruit flavors caress the palate followed by a medium to long finish. Excellenct balance.Compares favorably with a Crozes-Hermitage from a good purveyor and vintage. Well dbne!

zufrieden's Review:

This Mendoza Bodega never impressed me much in the past, but this nunber is a clear winner. We have a deep, dense and powerful wine dominated by the plummy, blackcurrant flavors of the 3 principal cepages used in the blend. The Malbec lends some nice rusticity without detracting from the overall sense of quality. Oak is also well integrated, and the wine might even improve with another year or two in the bottle.Excellent red for roast beef, barbecue or sitting by the fire on a cool autumn evening. Recommended!

zufrieden's Review:

Considering the proximity of Colombier-Monpelou to the vineyards of Pontet-Canet, the lack of finesse and class is a little surprising. While the wine is supple, pleasant, soft and very approachable today it lacks flair and seems just a little too bland - especially for a Paulliac.Good for lightweight tippling while watching vintage Science Fiction cinema - something I may atest to from recent experience...

zufrieden's Review:

Nice, dark cherry red color. A somewhat muted, closed nose reminiscent of plums and stewed semi-sweet red fruit. Earthy, with supple, soft tannins. A typical right bank Merlot-based wine, but no classic - particularly from this region. Overall, a fair example a petit chateau Pomerol at a reasonable price - if a tad rustic. Note that there is reputedly some Malbec in the blend.

zufrieden's Review:

Deepest red color. Earthy aroma dominated by slightly stewed Cabernet notes. Typical coffee and blackberry flavors predominate. Tannins are soft suggesting that the wine is now at its peak. Overall, reasonable balance and flavor if a bit lacking in sophistication or charm. A decent Medoc that comes recommended for everyday quaffing.

zufrieden's Review:

Deep, blood-red color. Pleasant, blackcurrant (cassis) and lightly sugared fruit on the nose. The attack is a bit unpleasantly tannic. Oak seems in balance. Nevertheless, satisfactory, almost new-world flavor if not particularly reminiscent of the Medoc. A possible crowd-pleaser (due to new world fruit-forward style) that has reasonable value in today's market and is fairly well made. However, there is not much finesse or elegance. But overall, a much better wine than some amateur reviews might indicate.Good for immediate consumption and over the next couple of years.

zufrieden's Review:

The color of subtle yellow tinted glass, this Prosecco has good mousse with a soft, near-neutral flavor upon entry. This is followed by subtle flecks of cotton candy and grape phosphate with just enough astringency to clarify those confection-like overtones. It is quite dry for the typical fare one sees in St. Mark's Square in mid-summer but good value and quality notwithstanding.

zufrieden's Review:

Extolled in equal measure by Toronto wine journalist Beppi Crosariol and Vancouver wine reviewer Anthony Gismondi, this Pinot Noir is a local masterwork. It shows typical leather and stewed fruit on the nose followed by a satisfying, lengthy finish and flavors of dark chocolate, strawberry preserve and sugared confit. Very impressive and worthy of further bottle-aging. Akin to a top-shelf New Zealand wine, this Pinot is perhaps the best ever from British Columbia.

zufrieden's Review:

Typical Sonoma (Northern California) nose of wild meadow flowers in June with a whiff of oak and spice. Nice, transparent yellow-green hue associated with a young chardonnay. The entry is clean, with toasty oak barrique, ginger and allspice followed by a clean, medium finish. A well-crafted, satisfying draft if a bit hot. Recommended for any summer patio offering - especially with seafood appetizers.