February 23, 2009

2005 Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon

YEAR: 2005
WINERY: Trellis
FLAVOR: Red, Cabernet Sauvignon
ORIGIN: Sonoma, USA
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $6
NICKNAME: "Trellis Cabernet"

Labels: , , , , ,

1 Reviews:

At February 23, 2009 at 10:55 PM , Blogger psydr said...

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

I have to tell you, I'm a bit shocked by this vino. I nearly gave it a 5 Star for the pleasant surprise. Smooth. No bitter tannin aftertaste what-so-ever. Very berry with a hint of cherry. Perfect legs. Not too thin. Not to thick. Very subtle nose which might relate to the smooth overall texture and mild acidity. A really pleasant wine. Kudos to Trellis for producing such a wonderful concoction on the cheap.

Palate-wise, I'd say this Cab more resembles a Pinot than it's true heritage. It's probably a tad thin for your standard Cabernet. Very refreshing.

Served with stuffed chicken thighs and a fantastic rice pilaf, this wine really hit the spot tonight. I'm wondering if it was the roasted almonds that brought the flavor to life. Normally, this dish would be served with white wine, but I couldn't have made a better pairing if I'd tried...

 

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February 22, 2009

2007 La Boca Malbec

YEAR: 2007
WINERY: La Boca
FLAVOR: Red, Malbec
ORIGIN: Mendoza, Argentina
PURCHASED: Trader Joe's, Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $5
NICKNAME: "La Boca Malbec"

Labels: , , , , ,

2 Reviews:

At February 22, 2009 at 9:19 PM , Blogger psydr said...

3 OUT OF 5 STARS

This is a very nice Malbec. Light and airy. There is blackberry in the color, nose, and palate. Tons of wood involved here as well. The oak really comes through. And there is a hint of cinnamon here too which I feel really enhances this wine. After all, 75% of taste is smell. I don't really notice it in the palate, but it's clear as day in the nose. Unfortunately, I can't give this bottle a 4 STAR because there is that annoying little metallic tinge afterward. It's kind of a cool, alkaline flavor similar to licking a flag pole in late autumn. I've noticed it in a few wines from Argentina lately. I have no idea where it comes from. Maybe from the storage casks after the oak aging. I just don't know.

 
At May 8, 2010 at 6:24 PM , Blogger Karl S Mann said...

perhaps the metallic taste is a fact that you are buying a "value" wine at Trader's....try trading up

 

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February 9, 2009

2005 Washington Hills Shiraz

YEAR: 2005
WINERY: Washington Hills
FLAVOR: Red, Shiraz
ORIGIN: Columbia Valley, USA
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $7
NICKNAME: "Washington Hills"

Labels: , , , , ,

3 Reviews:

At February 9, 2009 at 11:19 PM , Blogger psydr said...

3 OUT OF 5 STARS

A nice, solid wine. The nose tipped me off to the concoction's sweetness. A little thin and whispy for a Shiraz, but I rather like such a wine these days. The flavor was indeed sweet, but this sensation was almost immediately followed by bitterness. In fact, I had no sooner confirmed the sweet taste on the tip of the tongue when the tannins hit the back of my tongue. Nothing to be upset about. The tannins are gone in a flash. This is followed by nothing. Oddly enough, there is a distinct lack of flavor in the aftertaste...

All-in-all a good vino. Just not great. It did compliment my flank steak quite well this evening, but I just can't quite allow myself to award a fourth star. I'll just have to stick with my gut instinct here.

 
At February 16, 2009 at 10:55 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm curious to know more about the compliment that this wine paid to your flank steak. What did it say?

 
At February 18, 2009 at 5:18 PM , Blogger psydr said...

The flank steak was marinated in a homemade kalbi sauce for a couple of days, so the resulting product was slightly sweet with a hint of sesame. Cooked to perfection with a hint of red center, the meat was matched perfectly to this vino selection. We all know red wines are to be consumed with red meat, but this pairing was quite remarkable.

Literally, I believe I heard, "hey meat, fancy meeting you hear."

 

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February 7, 2009

2007 French Maid Cabernet Sauvignon

YEAR: 2007
WINERY: French Maid
FLAVOR: Red, Cabernet Sauvignon
ORIGIN: France
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $10
NICKNAME: "French Maid Cabernet"

Labels: , , , , ,

2 Reviews:

At February 22, 2009 at 11:00 PM , Blogger psydr said...

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

This is pretty good stuff. Of course it hits our upper price ceiling, but so what. I enjoyed this Cabernet. I feel like it's been a while since I've been semi-excited about a Cab.

Cherry and anis here, but not in a bad way. I'm usually not a fan of anis in the palate, but it might be doing this vino a little good.

The color is dark. Dark as a Cab should be.

Legs are strong. More reminiscent of a Merlot. Clinging to the sides of the glass, there is more of a thick, syrupy indication here than is actually present. I don't find this wine to be thick or overly sweet. And there is no bitterness in the aftertaste.

I've actually picked this bottle up before but failed to review it. It was good enough to purchase again, and I felt a review was due.

 
At February 26, 2011 at 8:28 AM , Anonymous jill said...

I just bought it at a gourmet/farmer's market in S Florida for 3.99.

 

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