Jul 28 2010

Santa Ema Merlot (Chile, 2007)

Category: MerlotMike @ 10:31 pm
This wine is a Merlot from Chile that we picked up while perusing the wine isles at our local Costco.  We couldn’t resit it with a bold “90 points” baked right into the neck label.
$9 from Costco.
Two and a Half Trophies
  • Smells sweet with cloves and strong vanilla
  • Tastes much dryer than it smells
  • Blackberry and very aggressive vanilla tastes that grow stronger as the wine opens up.
  • Like a smooth talking friend who is super nice but then one day suddenly get’s on your case about what is a non-issue and will not let it go… makes you want new friends.
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (1 ratings, average: 3.00 out of 5)
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May 23 2009

Campo Viejo Gran Reserva (Spain, 2002)

Category: BlendMike @ 9:34 pm
Campo Viejo 2002 We are excited to say that this wine is our 100th review here at justagrape.com! We couldn’t have picked a more complex or interesting wine that this little Rioja gem from Spain.
$15 from Costco
Four and a Half Trophies
  • Aromas of leather, wood, citrus grove and figs.
  • Flavors are big and bold.
  • Earth, leather and tobacco.
  • Toasted oak and figs.
  • Wild and rambunctious with a purpose… like and old west outlaw who rides into town… shoots up the saloon… steals the women… and rides out of town on a mission.
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (8 ratings, average: 3.63 out of 5)
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May 06 2009

Sokol-Blosser Meditrina (Oregon, Non-Vintage)

Category: BlendMike @ 1:27 pm
Sokol-Blosser Meditrina This is a blend of Syrah, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel from Sokol-Blosser in Oregon.  This is a very unique blend that we liked quite a bit.  We have usually been impressed with Sokal Blosser wines, and that is how this one made it into our reviewing wine glasses.
$13 from Costco
Four Trophies
  • Smells of cherry, candy apple with a hint of tobacco and cloves
  • Flavors of strawberry and subtle vanilla
  • Smooth and velvety after decanting
  • You meet a girl… she initially seems very girly and feminine… then you get to know her more later, and find that she loves cigars, scotch and is a huge fan of video games.
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May 23 2008

Tin Roof Merlot (California, 2005)

Category: MerlotMike @ 7:43 pm
Tin Roof Merlot (California, 2005) This is a merlot from Tin Roof. We had this wine with steak on the grill to celebrate the end of the teaching year for Eddie.
$8 from Costco
Three and a Half Trophies
  • Subtle mint and smoke in the smell.
  • Bold and robust.
  • Tastes of prune straight from the bottle, but after decanting more of a plumb taste.
  • More dry than sweet
  • A bit tart on the finish
  • Bold and in your face….like Like the drunk guy at the hockey game…he is loud but at the same time some of the things that he says just crack you up and you hate seeing him thrown out. Our recommendation is that you try this wine out. It may not be for everyone but for someone it will be a very good time.
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (4 ratings, average: 3.75 out of 5)
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May 11 2008

Catena Malbec (Argentina, 2005)

Category: MalbecMike @ 4:40 pm
Catena Malbec (Argentina, 2005) This is a Malbec from the Mendoza region in Argentina.
$18 from Costco
Three and a Half Trophies
  • Spicy aromas with a hint of marmalade.
  • Oak flavors with higher tannins.
  • Decanting is recommended.
  • Tastes of dried cherries.
  • Like a person who floats around from one group of friends to another group of friends….they come and go as they please and you never know when they are going to show up… but when they do show up, they are usually pretty fun to hang out with.
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (1 ratings, average: 3.00 out of 5)
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May 06 2008

Boarding Pass (Australia, 2005)

Category: ShirazMike @ 9:30 am
Boarding Pass (Australia, 2005) This wine is a Shiraz from South Australia.
$15 from Costco
Four Trophies
  • Smells like green apple.
  • Very rich and creamy mouth feel.
  • Full bodied.
  • Peppery and bold with a great finish.
  • Looking at the label we did not expect much from this wine. It was kinda like going out on Halloween and expecting those little bite size candies that you usually get……but…every once in a while you run into that house that that gives you the full size candy bar….now that is exciting!!
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Jan 19 2008

Gordon Brothers Merlot (Columbia Valley, Washington 2005)

Category: MerlotEddie @ 8:34 am
gordon-brothers-merlot.jpg This wine is a Merlot from the Columbia Valley of Washington. This wine was a great little find. I noticed that Wine Spectator gave the 2005 91 points; but the 2006 had not been rated yet. As I looked through the box containing all the Merlot I only saw the 2006….but to my delight as I was about to give up I found a 2005 at the bottom. If you can find this we would recommend trying it. We are also planning on going back and picking up the 2006; so be on the lookout for that review.
$14 at COSTCO
Four Trophies
  • Very Rich and rustic
  • Scents of leather and wood
  • Very masculine and earthy in aroma
  • Initial burst of black cherries in the the taste fading into a more rugged woody flavor
  • Nicely balanced and structured
  • Moderate Tannins but decanting smoothed it out some.
  • This wine is a warm fireplace on a snowy Christmas morning. Friends can gather around it while it gives off a warmth that makes everyone feel comfortable and happy to be there.

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