The Official Wine Thread

[audiophilia]

I tasted all the varietals at Duckhorn in July. Wonderful wines, all.

 

[PandArts]

WOW! Great stuff Audio!

Okay so here's my Saturday night grillin' vino! A nice little Argento 2008 Bonarda for $12.00 that has a really nice blend of dark fruits and spice that coat and sooth the palette.

This one was for Sunday night and was just superb...especially for $10.50! 2002 Wooded Island Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep ruby red with hint of amber/brown around the edges. Warm dark fruits, oak and river rock on the nose. Lucious mulberry and black berry with smooth undertones of oak and dark chocolate lead the way into soft chewy tannins and a long velvety finish! I really could not believe this was only $10.50 and will be back to buy up what they have left!

 

[audiophilia]

What's the appellation of Wooded Island?

 

[PandArts]

Originally Posted by audiophilia

What's the appellation of Wooded Island?


Columbia Valley

About Wooded Island Vineyards
Wooded Island Vineyard's is one of the most scenic and most beautiful vineyards in the Columbia River appellation, near the tiny town of Taylor Flats. Named for the island located directly in front of it, Wooded Island's 620 acres in found on 1.8 miles of Columbia River shoreline near the famous Columbia River Reach. Set alongside the Columbia River, the views from the vineyards are spectacualr. Spacious view of the river, Rattlesnake Mountain, and the White Bluffs - sunsets don't get any better than this. Merlot 29.2 acres, Syrah 10.2 acres, Cabernet Sauvignon 19.2 acres.

 

[Bartolo]

Originally Posted by audiophilia

Wow. I've heard nothing but raves about Sea Smoke.

Well there are three (?) Sea Smoke pinot variants, each unique.

Our (my wife and my) tastes run far less fruit-bomby that those of many 'big' reviewers including Parker and many Wine Spectator writers. There are vast differences between the very fruit-forward style of the Sea Smokes and the style sought by many producers of fine Burgundies. We prefer the latter. Same grape, VERY different style.

Hugh fruit bombs have been getting very high Parker and WS ratings for a while now. So, part of the industry follows, and produces more such wines, leading to this merry-go-round effect. For example, in the mid-1990's I used to really enjoy many California zins. Back then the predominant style was much different than the even-more-fruit-forward style that predominates today.

 

[Raoul Duke]

Here are the bottles I've enjoyed over the last month or so. I generally stick within the $18-$30 range and they are all fairly young because I am a small timer:

From left to right, ranked from best (1) to worst (8): Plunkett Blackwood Ridge 2005 Shiraz (8), Mitolo Jester 2006 Shiraz (2), Evans & Tate 2004 Shiraz (4), Penfolds Hyland 2006 Shiraz (5), d'Arenberg The Dead Arm 2006 Shiraz (1), The Colonial Estate Explorateur 2006 Shiraz (3), Piping Shrike 2006 Shiraz (6) and Kilikanoon Killerman's Run 2006 Shiraz (7) As with other Ontarians, I am at the mercy of the vintages section at the LCBO and their exorbitant prices. Great stuff in this thread so far...keep it up.

 

[audiophilia]

Originally Posted by Raoul Duke

...because I am a small timer:

No such thing. Enjoy. We'll enjoy your thoughts and recs.

Originally Posted by Raoul Duke

Great stuff in this thread so far...keep it up.

Glad you are enjoying the thread. I figured a great site like this needed a more focused thread.

As for the wines, I've tried the Jester, Hyland and Dead Arm. The first two are good, enjoyable wines, the Dead Arm I had was epic.

 

[Piobaire]

...

 

[Raoul Duke]

Just picked up this one while I was out this evening...

Wyndham Estate George Wyndham Founder's Reserve 2005 Shiraz In Ontario, it was just released this past Saturday. Has anyone here had an opportunity to try it? I'm going to give it a shot on Thursday and I'll report back with my thoughts.

 

[audiophilia]

Let us know. I've had the regular stuff in a tasting and was singularly unimpressed. But the magic 'Reserve' may kick this up some notches.

Cheers.

 

[gomestar]

To all:

Please read this little article. Seems like many points sound familiar, where have I seen, heard, or read them before???

With love,
gomestar

 

[PandArts]

Originally Posted by gomestar

To all:

Please read this little article. Seems like many points sound familiar, where have I seen, heard, or read them before???

With love,
gomestar


Great little read!

 

[audiophilia]

Good value Pinot. Fresh, modern, balanced, with some delicate fruit. CAD$21.00 88/100

 

[audiophilia]

I changed the name of my thread to include whites/port, etc....

 

[binge]

Whew, thanks for stating that. Seriously, I was doubting my own memory there.