Tenuta Poggio Verrano Dròmos Maremma Toscana 2007
Colour: Clear medium ruby core
Nose: Smoked meat, roasted red and green pepper, cedar, savoury, black cherry, blackberry, oak.
Palate: Dry, full-bodied, medium+ acidity, medium+ tannins. Juicy cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, cedar.
Finish: Medium+ finish, plums, mineral, oak.
Score: 83+/100
Exceptional nose, smoky and savoury, with a touch of green for extra depth. Concentrated dark fruit and integrated oak influence on the palate, with nice and soften tannins. This wine is exceptional value for $40CAD(Price does not affect score). Ready to be consumed now!
Château d’Armailhac Pauillac 2013
Colour: Medium+ purple core
Nose: Fresh rose which faded away, plum, sweat, oak.
Palate: Dry, Medium+ bodied, medium+ acidity, medium+ tannins. Plum, blackcurrant, oak.
Finish: Medium- finish, dark fruits and touch of spice.
Score:76+/100
I suppose this wine is in its “dumb phase” at the moment, the nose fades away rather quickly, and the tannins still a bit tight. Not much to say about it. Would hold off for 2-3 more years.
Château Rauzan-Ségla Margaux 2013
Colour: Medium ruby core
Nose: Blackberry, violet, white flower, black cherry, smoke.
Palate: Dry, medium+ bodied, medium+ acidity, medium+ tannins. Plum, light cherry candy, tobacco, oak.
Finish: Medium+ finish, oak, mineral, and a touch of savoury note.
Score:81+/100
Rather elegant wine, great balance of fruit and floral notes on the nose, with a touch of smoke. The palate carries a nice array of dark fruits, integrated oak, and tobacco note. The finish is decent length with a kick of savouriness on the back end. Very approachable now, but could also be cellared for few more years.
Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2013
Colour: Clear dark purple core
Nose: Dentist office, blackberry jam, vanilla, mint, green note.
Palate: Dry, full-bodied, medium acidity, full tannins. Blackcurrants, vegetal, earthy, dark fruit jam.
Finish: Long finish, oak, plum.
Score: 79+/100
Not sure if it’s just this bottle, but the nose has a weird dentist office note. The rest are rather standard for higher priced Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, a big and powerful fruit, but a bit one-dimensional. Would be 80+ if it didn’t have that weird note on the nose. Drink now or cellar for 3 more years to soften the tannins. Would go wonder with a nice slab of steak!