Reviews for end of 2011

Yeah, I neglect this blog alot nowadays. Part of it was I got busy on Beeradvocate posting under MoreThanWine. I got up over 450 beers reviewed in the last couple years. Check it out. But yeah I still do some wine, and Nancy prefers wine though I tend to buy the lower end and sweeter stuff for her. Here's our Fall wines...

Scoring 7 out of 10 for above average:

Penfolds Club Tawny (Australia) - This tear drop bottled unassuming port from Australia only cost around $10 yet was really quite satisfying, giving a richer than average tawny. I've only seen it at Blanchards in Brighton MA.

Noval, Fine Ruby Porto (Portugal) - A decent fruity port.

Mas Amiel, 10 Ans D'Age (Maury, France) - This oxidized red dessert wine from France cost me a whopping $30ish and although decent really didn't stand out any more than ports costing half that.

Haras, Chardonnay, 2010 (Maipo Valley, Chile) - I'd had a higher end wine of this brand which was outstanding so I'm not surprised their rich creamy Chardonnay delivered as well.

Kopke, Fine Tawny Porto (Portugal) - Despite the very high price tag placed on this brand (and I'd only bought the half bottle) I was underwhelmed. Granted it did seem fresh and fruity. It just didn't stand out above other ports costing much less.

Scoring 6 out of 10 for upper average:

Plaugier, Sablet, 2009 (Cotes du Rhone Villages, France) - I thought this was well put together and balanced. Nancy was turned off by it.

Liberty School, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 (Paso Robles, California) - A store attendant in a small neighborhood wine store recommended this and I didn't expect much. Surprisingly it's a good value wine with decent flavor a body. And after we both had some the bottle sat untouched out of the fridge for a good month before I went to finish it and amazingly it still was good.

90+ Cellars, Sauvignon Blanc, Lot 2, 2010 (New Zealand) - A decent sample but not extraordinary.

Cherry on Top, Sweet White Wine, 2010 (California) - Despite being basic sweet blended white wine (5 grapes) it really was pretty good and Nancy wants to repeat it.

Smith Woodhouse, 10 Year Old Tawny Porto (Portugal) - I'd seen this brand for years but never felt like forking $30+ to try it. Finally did. Although the flavor was fine I found it was less interesting and less flavorful than some Tawnies costing a third of this one.

Punkt Gnau, Sparkling Rose Wine (Austria) - A decent dry bubbly.

Borgo Magredo, Prosecco (Italy) - Your standard decent crisp appley prosecco.

Scoring 5.5 for dead center average:

The Beach House, 2011 (South Africa)

Green Barn, Chardonnay, 2010 (Mendocino County, California)

Scoring 5 out of 10 for lower average:

Overlake, Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 (Lake County, California)

Sutter Home, Bubbly Moscato (California)

Jazzy Jack, Moscato (Puglia, Italy)

Louis Perdrier, Brut Excellence (France)

Black Swan, Moscato, 2010 (Australia)

And rounding out the bottom at 4 out of 10 for below average:

Las Valles, Virua - Chardonnay, 2010 (Spain)

Amour de Paris, Peach, Sparkling Cocktail Wine (France)