Winegeeks Wine Reviews

Chateau de Camensac Haut-M�doc 1997

Mclaren_jk posted a review:

This was classified as a Fifth Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux classification and if anything it's drifted away from the quality one might expect, and certainly it's been overtaken by a few of the crus bourgeois. And in this 12 year old wine I didn't find anything to really blow me away. The nose had an appealing undergrowthy warmness with a bit of rotting apples, blackcurrant, wood and some toffee. The palate was a little disappointing though, as it was pretty thin but hot. There was not a lot of fruit here, but a little sweetness and really this wine struggled to achieve more than a pass.

Rating: 2.60 / 5.00

Ch�teau Troplong-Mondot Saint-�milion 1994

Mclaren_jk posted a review:

This is a top-notch wine; it's premier grand cru classe (level B) of Saint Emilion; I was really looking forward to cracking it open. In the event, it was even better than I had anticipated. Eminent wine critic Robert Parker gave this vintage 96/100 and while I'm no accolyte of the man, it's good to know I own something that is held in high regard. The nose was strong with soft earth, composty and dark mushrooms, blackberries, cherries and thyme. It has a massive, mouth-filling palate with lots of tannins, a black fruit load and a long, velvety finish. It has a wonderfully balanced structure in which the tannins, acid, fruit and sweetness mingle happily to produce a wine of fantastic pleasure.

Rating: 4.60 / 5.00

Ch�teau Mazeris Canon Fronsac 2000

Mclaren_jk posted a review:

From the right bank in Bordeaux, Fronsac and Canon Fronsac are regarded as the little brothers of Saint Emilion and Pomerol. But while they don't have the same cache as those appellations, there's a lot to be said for their like. Wines have been made here since the Roman times, so they know what they're doing in Fronsac. Chateau Mazeris (in the 'posher' Canon Fronsac region) has a great reputation and so it was with some excitement that I opened this 2000 vintage. (The year 2000 was a great year for Bordeaux - maybe not as stellar as 2005 or 1995, but still superb.) On the nose, the wine was open - its aromas were free-flowing (sometimes wines can seem 'closed') with lots of blackcurrant, a little bit of bramble, some leather and wood. On the palate, it's intense and fruity - this is the merlot coming through. Again the blackcurrant and blackberry is there, with a little of plum and a smidgen of toffee on the very back of the finish. It feels really, really smooth and luxuriant with silky tannins that at eight years old, are completely approachable. There's a lovely big structure - full bodied for sure - and the finish is long. I actually think that this is a beautiful wine and for people who dip into Saint Emilion, this is a completely sensible alternative, offering what is good value. I don't think it's easy to find this quality for less than �20.

Rating: 4.35 / 5.00

Treana Viognier/Marsanne Paso Robles Mer Soleil 2003

Purpleteeth posted a review:

I really love this wine from the Central Coast, (read that Paso Robles) every time I have this wine and it does not matter what year it is, this wine rolls over my palate like a steam shovel of fermented fig, honey and nutty goodness. If you have not had the pleasure of "her" company, seek her out and try it today. I say her, simply because Treana sounds like a girls name, I know this appears chauvinistic, but I don't care! This wine is widely distributed, but I picked it up @ the Costco here in San Diego for about $15.00. You really can't go wrong! It is great to drink by it self or paired with food. I paired this wine with some BBQ'd pork chops, scalloped potato's, and a yummie spinach salad.. Not sure if you can read the label all too well but this wine is Viognier 66% and Marsanne 34%. These two blended varietals are match made in heaven. I would definitely score this wine at least 93 Pt's and I've snatched off the label and thrown it into my wine journal! (Yes I am that kind of cork dork, I keep a wine journal with the labels of wine I like, what I paired it with, how much I paid, where I purchased it from and of course my how my palate scored a particular wine. )

Rating: 3.99 / 5.00

Pepperwood Grove Syrah California 2005

Cramek posted a review:

This earthy, beautifully colored Syrah is full of peppery spices (as the name implies) and dark fruits. Well balanced and definitely worth a taste!

Rating: 3.60 / 5.00

Ch�teau Pesqui� Terrasses C�tes du Ventoux 2005

Ryansnyder posted a review:

I thought this Cotes de Ventoux had a good flavor profile of extracted black cherry and cassis, as well as barrel spices. But I couldn't get over the fact that this didn't taste like a Cotes de Ventoux, but instead more like a young New World counterpart.

Rating: 3.20 / 5.00

Passopisciaro Franchetti Sicily 2005

Esbrown posted a review:

Last but not least was the 2005 Passopisciaro Franchetti. A blend of Petite Verdot and Cesanese, as far as I am concerned this is the benchmark for Sicilian wines. Too often wine lovers think of Sicily and immediately think Nero d'Avola, but here is proof that incredible things can be created from this jewel of an isle. Dark and brooding, yet lithe and elegant, this wine seemed to provide a new sensation at every turn. Aromas of smoke, blueberries and blackberry jam wafted from the glass with ease and determination. The palate was rich and complex, with notes of fresh black raspberries, an earthen grip and a little barrel spice on the finish. There were plenty of tannins on the very long finish, but already they were well-integrated and chewy despite the very young age of this masterpiece.

Rating: 4.60 / 5.00

Passopisciaro Sicily 2005

Esbrown posted a review:

The 2005 Passopisciaro was crafted from 60-100 year-old Nerello Mascalese vines that are grown at very high elevations. This indigenous grape variety is like an uncut gem just waiting for the masterful hand of Mr. Franchetti to hone it and reveal its true brilliance. The wine and the estate derive their name from local town, which in turn received its name for the local fish-monger's road Similar in weight to a Pinot Noir, the wine opened with a rush of red cherry and orange blossom on the nose followed by deeper more ethereal notes of dry earth and a gamey, animal note. The palate was as smooth as silk and seemed to caress my cheeks with gentle tannins not unlike the sort found in a well-aged Bordeaux. Full and present, but not obtrusive, this is is an amazing and thought-provoking wine.

Rating: 4.35 / 5.00

Tenuta di Trinoro Tuscany 2006

Esbrown posted a review:

I was lucky enough to sample the 2005 Tenuta di Trinoro about a year ago and I found it to be amazing. The 2006 Tenuta di Trinoro may be even better! A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this is as close as heaven and Bordeaux can get to southern Tuscany. A rich frame of power, tannin and grace was given flesh by a sea of dark fruits, earthen spices and a touch of mineral nuance. The aromas positively leapt from the glass, and the finish went on for what seemed like an eternity. Truly an extraordinary wine.

Rating: 4.40 / 5.00

Tenuta di Trinoro Le Cupole Tuscany 2005

Esbrown posted a review:

Starting with the 2005 Tenuta di Trinoro Le Cupole, which is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot with splashes of Cesanese, Petite Verdot and Uva de Troia. Though technically the second wine of Trinoro, this is a first-rate Tuscan red. The Cabernet Franc provides a haunting perfume on the nose that swings from blackberry essence to violets and finishes with hints of mocha and dark earth. The palate is rich, round, plush and more concentrated than most anything else hailing from Tuscany, but it stays light on the tongue with a balance of natural acidity on the finish.

Rating: 4.00 / 5.00