Tag: review

Auchentoshan 20 Year Old (Whiskybroker)

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Auchentoshan 20 Year Old (Whiskybroker)

Region: Lowland

ABV: 52.6%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask Type: ex-Bourbon

Colour: Pale straw

Nose: White flower, mint bubblegum, malty cereal, citrus peel, fruitloop, eucalyptus, honey, pleasant herbal funk, green apple.

Palate: Cedar, oak, floral, stone fruit, green apple, grassy, honey, mint.

Finish: Medium+ finish, eucalyptus, oak, drying cocoa, pepper.

Score: 86/100

Quintessential lowland, floral notes dominates all the way. Lots of green apples, malt, cedar/oaky notes on the nose and palate; with a nice touch of minty, eucalyptus notes, the finish is drying on the palate, with touch of cocoa and peppery spice to round things off. After the glass is empty, leave it for 10 minutes, the glass semlls like rich raisins! Simply the best Auchentoshan I’ve tried, captures the essence of lowland profile!

Diemersfontein Pinotage 2015

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Diemersfontein Pinotage 2015

Colour: Clear dark purple core

Nose: Strong whiff of cured game meat, espresso, with undertone of blackcurrants, and green peppercorn.

Palate: Dry, medium acidity, medium+, cured meat, coffee powder, juicy blackberry, touch of mineral and oak.

Finish: Long finish, blackberry and smoke.

Score:79/100

Rather unusual for a Pinotage, very dominant smoky, meaty nose, which follows through onto the palate. This wine is very rustic, would need some rustic food such as curry to go with it! Drinking well now!

The Lane Vineyard Block 5 Shiraz 2014

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The Lane Vineyard Block 5 Shiraz 2014

 

Colour: Clear dark purple core

Nose: Mint chocolate(After 8), vanilla custard, blueberry, liquorice, faint plum puree, baking spice.

Palate: Dry, medium-full bodied, medium acidity, medium fine tannins. Ripe cherry, spice box, faint mint, vanilla.

Finish: Long finish, plums, pepper, and baking spice.

Score: 79/100

 

Overall pretty well-made Shiraz from The Lane Vineyard. Very inviting dessert-like nose. On the palate it shows fine grainy tannins, red fruits, touch of mint, and spices. The finish is long and well rounded. Easy drinking but not too complex. Drinking well now, and would do so for at least 5 more years.

Trimbach Riesling 2013

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Trimbach Riesling 2013

Colour: Pale Straw

Nose: Greeted immediately by notes of citrus, green apples, and a touch of peach skin.

Palate: Dry, medium-bodied, high acidity. The nose translate well onto the palate, fresh lemon, green apples, and peaches showing well.

Finish: Medium finish, mineral.

Score: 74/100

 

To me, this is a box standard Alsace Riesling, a great intro to the basic profile of dry Riesling. Showing a good amount of fruit on the nose and palate, balanced out by the acidity and mineral note.
Very pleasing and simple to drink, great with the usual pairing of seafood and chicken. Works perfectly well by itself as a wine you don’t have to think much about. This was a quick casual drink as you can tell I poured in my casual glassware.
This is widely available world-wide, and very consistent in quality. Would recommend those who wants to try out a dryer Riesling.
**Notes taken at about 12-14°C(~54-57°F) for better capture of aroma and flavour. Would recommend serving at 9-11°C(48-52°F).

Château Castigno Secret du Dieux Saint Chinian 2011, Bolla Le Origini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2009, Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino 2011, Gundlach Bundschu Vintage Reserve Red 2012.

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Château Castigno Secret du Dieux Saint Chinian 2011

Colour: Clear medium ruby

Nose: Lower intensity nose, dates, ripe red cherry, touch of plum sauce, liquorice.

Palate: Dry, medium+ bodied, medium acidity, medium+ tannins. Plum, red cherry, touch of pine.

Finish: Medium+ finish, spice and dark fruits.

Score: 76/100

Drinking well now, could also use a few more years in the cellar.

Bolla Le Origini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2009

Colour: Clear medium garnet

Nose: Surprisingly savoury nose, roasted red pepper, smoked meat, undertone of dried cherry, plum, and a touch of peppercorn.

Palate: Dry, medium-full bodied, medium+ acidity, medium tannins. Cherry, plum, integrated oak, Chinese five spice, hints of tobacco.

Finish: Long finish, soft plum.

Score:82/100

The roasted red pepper note caught me off-guard, surprisingly savoury and dry for Amarone, guessing more producer these days trying to go for a drier Amarone rather than an off-dry style.

 

Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino 2011

Colour: Clear medium garnet

Nose: Cured meat, white-out, cherry, dried strawberry, raspberry, plum, and a touch salt.

Palate: Dry, medium-bodied, high acidity, medium tannins. Plum, cured meat, liquorice, cherry candy, touch of dry flower.

Finish: Long finish, touch of oak and salt.

Score: 84/100

Still needs a few more years to get things together, got good complexity and structure to back it up. While the 2011 is approachable now, I’d say cellar for at least 3-5 more years and check back.

 

Gundlach Bundschu Vintage Reserve Red 2012

Colour: Clear dark purple core

Nose: Strong liquorice, blackberry, blackcurrant, green leafy note, oil paint, hint of eucalyptus.

Palate: Full-bodied, medium+ acidity, high grippy tannins. Plums, black currant, black cherry, touch of green note again, mineral.

Finish: Long finish, plums and oak.

Score: 82/100

Prime example of really ripe crop, have decent complexity and structure for further development, the tannins needs to be soften up for another 5 or so years. Personally not my style.

Small Gully Mr. Black’s Concoction Shiraz/Viognier 2013

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Small Gully Mr. Black’s Concoction Shiraz/Viognier 2013

Colour: Medium+ purple core

Nose: Immediately greeted by a whiff of smoke, followed by black cherry and black raspberry, liquorice and baking spices.

Palate: Full bodied, medium+ acidity, medium silky tannins. Spices and dark fruits in harmony, a touch of well integrated oak and vanilla. The fruit is well balanced with acidity.

Finish: Long finish, black cherry and lingering spices.

Score: 81/100

I have to admit I have a soft spot for a smoky wine, and this wine delivers. Also at a fantastic price point consider I got it for $18CAD($13.50USD) on a store clearance.

Masi Campofiorin 2013

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Masi Campofiorin 2013

A very popular wine in Masi’s lineup, also I believe it’s one of their cheapest? Let’s dive in!

Left in the glass for an hour before consumption.

Colour: Deep ruby core

Nose: Clean nose, intense black cherries, red cherries, red currant, touch of oak and spice.

Palate: Dry, medium-bodied, high acidity, medium- tannins, juicy red cherries, plums.

Finish: Medium finish, plums and touch of pepper.

Score:74/100

–Note my scores are tighter than average.

 

Very solid wine, the nose is very pleasant with waves of sweet red fruits. The high acidity of this wine is mouthwatering, giving the impression of juicy fruits and a touch of spice on the palate. Lacks complexity, at this price point I would be much happier shopping for wines like San Vincenti Chianti Classico 2012 which happens to be slightly cheaper as well.

The wine drinks well on its own or with food such as steak or grilled sausages, and pizza. Great for those looking for something that is easy-drinking.