Psydr Short & To-The-Point Wine Reviews
Below are reviews of fun little finds purchased locally. The typical cost per bottle is $10 or less, and the label probably has a little more pizazz than your traditional Barolo. But don't judge the bottle by the label. These reviews are personal and certainly non-professional evaluations of wines we've tried. Enjoy!
January 15, 2009
November 6, 2008
1 Reviews:
-
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November 8, 2008 at 12:10 AM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is a sweet Tempranillo for sure. Sweet from beginning to end. Probably could've used a bit more time in the casks. Not a bad vino, just a bit of not-quite-ready. I'm not saying it's grape juice or anything. I just think the vintage is a bit immature...
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November 3, 2008
2005 Tomas Cusine Vilosell
YEAR: 2005WINERY: Tomas Cusine
FLAVOR: Red, 49% Tempranillo, 28.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Garnacha, 10.5% Merlot
ORIGIN: Costers del Serge, Spain
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $12
NICKNAME: "Vilosell"
Labels: 2005, 4 STAR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Mixed Varietal, Red, Spain, Tempranillo, Tomas Cusine
1 Reviews:
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November 3, 2008 at 9:23 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is a very good Spanish offering. It really is. Being an accidental purchase, I was taken a little by surprise. When I placed the vessel in my basket at the store I could not find a price listed anywhere. But having grabbed it from the "lower" shelf with the rest of my sub-ten-buck purchases, I just assumed it was similarly priced. However, upon scanning the item during self-checkout I found the bottle to be priced closer to $14, but the clerk gave me a $2 break since the price was not clearly marked. Sweet!
This is a wonderful blend with a strong Tempranillo base. The other key varietal in my opinion is the Merlot. It's addition really smooths out the tannins in the Tempranillo and Garnacha. The nose is mainly berry with a hint of smokey residue. While the palate portrays blackberry and raspberry I would not call it overly fruity by any means. And then there's a little bite in the end. A good bite though. Just enough of one to let you know it means business. Some other reviews have listed this trait as spicy. At least I believe that is what they're referring to. What do I know???
So, we all know red wines go well with red meat. No other red in my experience has proven this to be more so. There's just something about it that REALLY compliments a thick, juicy, delicious fillet. I don't know exactly how to describe it, but I think you'll understand if you give this vino a try. It's almost a dirty, gritty flavor that is very, very good and carnal.
With just the slightest bit less bite in the end, this wine would be perfect, and I would grant it a 5 STAR rating. As is, I'm officially listing this as a 4.9 STAR. I'm excited to try future vintages from Tomas.
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October 21, 2008
2006 Mano a Mano Tempranillo
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Mano a Mano
FLAVOR: Red, Tempranillo
ORIGIN: Spain
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $9
NICKNAME: "Mano a Mano Red"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Mano a Mano, Red, Spain, Tempranillo
1 Reviews:
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October 22, 2008 at 1:12 AM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
A nice change from the other vino I've had this evening... even though I'm going to give it the exact same rating (3 STARS). I just happen to like Tempranillo more at the moment, but I can't let that sway my judgment.
Clearly dog is the motif for this evening as both reviewed beverages have canines on their labels. That wasn't on purpose. That's just how things turned out.
Oddly enough, I find this Tempranillo to be sweeter than the Merlot I consumed just an hour ago. It's a good sweet. Right now, I prefer it.
There are some earth and oak tones here as well. There were clearly oak casks involved in the aging of this beverage. While there usually are, there's no doubt here. Licking the actual casks would be the only way to create a stronger oak palate. Watch out for splinters.
A small amount of bitter and a slightly pungent nose. Not a terrible pungent. Just a hint of not-quite-right.
All-in-all this is an average vino.
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October 14, 2008
2006 Red Guitar Tempranillo Garnacha
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Red Guitar
FLAVOR: Red, 55% Tempranillo, 45% Garnacha
ORIGIN: Navarra, Spain
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $10
NICKNAME: "Red Guitar Red"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Grenache, Mixed Varietal, Red, Red Guitar, Spain, Tempranillo
1 Reviews:
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October 27, 2008 at 9:27 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
This one is a surprise. At first whiff I was sure I was to be disappointed. Nope. This is a good wine. The nose betrayed it's actual character by releasing a scent of sweet, sweet licorice. Not being a licorice fan, I'm usually immediately turned off by such wines. But this one wasn't so bad. In fact, I rather enjoyed it. It was a tad sweet and a bit leggy. And there IS a hint of anise in the palate. However, it wasn't overpowering, and the hint of pepper helped dull down the sweet. Overall it was a good balance. If you enjoy licorice, then this is the bottle for you. I see no reason not to purchase this wine. It's a good bottle to "throw in the mix" every now and then...
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May 9, 2008
2006 Cortijo III Tinto Rioja
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Cortijo III
FLAVOR: Red, 80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha
ORIGIN: Rioja, Spain
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $7
NICKNAME: "Cortijo Rioja"
Labels: 2006, 4 STAR, Cortijo III, Grenache, Mixed Varietal, Red, Spain, Tempranillo
1 Reviews:
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May 9, 2008 at 8:28 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
Not bad. In fact, quite good. This is a more-than-drinkable wine. There's a bit of tannin here but no real bitter aftertaste. Smooth.
My first sniff revealed a bit more acidity than I would prefer, but the first taste quickly made me forget. This wine is full of flavor. There's a good mix of berries here: Raspberry, blackberry, and cherry. Not overwhelming. Just good.
I certainly recommend you pick up a bottle. I am positive you'll be pleased.
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May 6, 2008
2003 Campo Viejo Reserva Tempranillo
YEAR: 2003WINERY: Campo Viejo
FLAVOR: Red, Tempranillo
ORIGIN: Rioja, Spain
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $9
NICKNAME: "Campo Viejo Tempranillo"
Labels: 2003, 3 STAR, Campo Viejo, Red, Spain, Tempranillo
3 Reviews:
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May 6, 2008 at 8:39 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
A Decent Tempranillo. Deep rosey, clear color with a smell and taste of cherry. More so than usual I would say. Not as earthy as one would expect.
This is a good wine, but I'm going to move on. There are better bottles out there. However, if you're looking for a good example from the Rioja region for under $15, this might just be it... -
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February 19, 2009 at 10:27 PM ,
said...
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4 out of 5 stars for the 2001.
Dry. Very nice. Really enjoyed it.
$15 at a local independent wine shop in Atlanta.
3 out of 5 stars for the 1999.
2 years older, more expensive, but not nearly as good as the 2001.
$18 at a local, independent wine shop in Atlanta. -
At
February 28, 2009 at 3:12 PM ,
psydr said...
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Thank you for the reviews Angel. I'm noticing a common theme here from our Atlanta visitors. It appears Atlanta has a higher markup on wine.
I also have tried the 2001. And, I agree it is the superior vintage.
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March 19, 2008
2006 Tierra Del Sol Tempranillo
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Tierra Del Sol
FLAVOR: Red, Tempranillo
ORIGIN: Mendoza, Argentina
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $8
NICKNAME: "Tierra Tempranillo"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Argentina, Red, Tempranillo, Tierra Del Sol
1 Reviews:
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March 19, 2008 at 9:13 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Very smooth with a good, solid earthy flavor. A nice Tempranillo which goes quite well with many foods. No bitter aftertaste. Nothing really to dislike at all. An enjoyable bottle from start to finish.
I found this bottle in a local stop of mine. It had several bretheren varietals along side it. In fact, I believe I also picked up the Syrah. Perhaps it'll be my next review.
So far, so good.
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March 16, 2008
2006 Palacios Remondo La Vendimia Rioja
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Palacios Remondo
FLAVOR: Red, Tempranillo
ORIGIN: Spain
PURCHASED: Spanish Table, Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $13
NICKNAME: "Palacios Remondo Rioja"
Labels: 2006, 3 STAR, Palacios Remondo, Red, Spain, Tempranillo
1 Reviews:
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At
March 16, 2008 at 3:04 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Not a bad Rioja. Good deep purple in color with great clarity. Palate is a bit sweet for my taste with a slightly bitter aftertaste or "bite." I don't really have anything to complain about here. It just doesn't grab me. There's almost something about it I just don't like. The bitter postlude is also marred by a slight nutty taste.
I don't know. This is an average wine I guess. Feel free to try it. I just think there are a ton better wines out there for your hard-earned bucks.
I enjoy Riojas quite a bit. So, hopefully, you'll see more reviews of them here soon.
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February 23, 2008
2006 Borsao Red Wine
YEAR: 2006WINERY: Borsao
FLAVOR: Red, 80% Garnacha, 20% Tempranillo
ORIGIN: Spain
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $7
NICKNAME: "Borsao Red"
Labels: 2006, Borsao, Grenache, Mixed Varietal, Red, Spain, Tempranillo, UNRATED
1 Reviews:
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
Just when I was losing all hope, Zestos chimes in. What a relief from the last many, many wines I've tried over the past several days. This fella really hits the spot. I do believe I'm starting to acquire quite a taste for the Garnacha (aka Grenache) wines. I'm becoming more and more of a Spanish wine lover every day.
So, this guy rhymes of blackberry, current, raspberry, and cherry. Throw in anything else red and fruity and you'll start to understand the sensations I'm encountering. This is a very pleasant fruity blend. Not overly sweet. Just right really. I believe this is where the Garnacha comes in. Delicious.
The legs are perfect. Not soupy thick or chewy. And not overly thin. Really, the consistency of the concoction is perfect. Kudos to Zestos. This is one of the main characteristics of a vino which makes or breaks for me.
I'm so excited to encounter a decent wine finally that I'm probably over raving here, but that's okay. It's better to exagerate a positive than a negative. Usually humans tend towards the opposite. I'm happy to break the mold.
This is a very good wine, but not great. I can't quite give it a five star. It's soooo close though. And Zestos has given me plenty of reason to pick up the rest of their offerings. I'm eager to sample them all!
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