Casillero del Diablo: Chardonnay 2004 (Chile)

Casillero del Diablo
Chardonay 2004
Chile

I think it is good. The taste a bit green and clear. I will try it again.

Toscana

Company: Nuvola Vecchia
Vintage: 2000
Type: Red
Style: Table wine
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscan
Cost: $5 (got it from Trader's Joe)

MY TASTING
Sight:4.
Aroma: 3.5
Flavor: 3
Overall: 3
Score: (13.5 x 2.5) + 50 = 83.5
Notes:
Had a long lasting tanning taste. May be good with some red meat, definitely not for sipping. Again, I had this bottle for about 6 years.
Would I Drink Again: No.

Lussac Saint-Emilion

Company: Fetzer
Vintage: 2001
Type: Red
Style: Bordeaux
Country: France
Region: Saint-Emilion
Cost: $10 (got it from Trader's Joe)

MY TASTING
Sight:4.
Aroma: 3.5
Flavor: 3.5
Overall: 3
Score: (14 x 2.5) + 50 = 85
Notes:
Very average. I guess I have to drink it with some food or something. It just don't taste right with just sipping. I was sold on the idea that it was from the Saint-Emilion region, which is a well known producer of wine in France. By the way, I did keep this bottle for some time, I think I bought it in 2002, so 5 years before I drink it.
Would I Drink Again: No.

Harris Tawny Porto

Company: Harris
Vintage: ?
Type:
Style: Port
Country: Portugal
Region:
Cost: under $10

MY TASTING
Sight:4. Ruby red
Aroma: 4
Flavor: 4
Overall: 4.5
Score: (16.5 x 2.5) + 50 = 91.25
Notes:
I like it. The color is ruby red and much clearer and port that I have tried. Not too sweet and flavorful (not quite remember what other flavor that came a long with it) and nice.
Would I Drink Again: Definitely yes

Albertson out of business: wine sales

Albertson groceries stores in Bay Area are going out-of-business. Got the following wines for a total of $46, 40% off. I think they are a bargain.

Origin 2004 Pinot Noir, Vin De Pays, France
Origin 2003 Tempranillo, Vino De La Tierra De Castilla, Spain
Origin 2004 Chianti, Italy
Casilleo Del Diablo 2004 Chardonnay, Chille
Meridian 2004 Pinot Noir, Central Coast, CA
Ecco Domani 2004 Pinot Noir, Italy
House of Nobilo 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
Penfolds Rawson's Retreat 2004 Shiraz Carbenet, Australia.

Now, the only problem is I am running out of space to store all of them. I've lost count, but I think I might have close to 45 bottles, waiting to be sipped!

Fetzer Gewurztraminer 2004

Company: Fetzer
Vintage: 2004
Type:
Style: Gewurztraminer
Country: USA
Region: CA
Cost: $7

MY TASTING
Sight:4. Nice light color.
Aroma: 3.5
Flavor: 4
Sweetness (white): A bit
Tannin (red): n/a
Acidity: n/a
Body:light-bodied
Length:medium to light
Balance: It is ok.
Overall: 4
Score:
(15.25 x 2.5) + 50 = 88.75
Notes:
Well, the name is really weird and I still don't know how to pronouce it after the abbreviation. It tastes a bit sweet but has quite a strong tanning taste, especially for a white white. Overall, it is an average wine for me.

BevMo said,"Tastefully aromatic, the flowery, slightly spicy, medium sweet Fetzer Gewurztraminer is a delicious sipping wine; great all by itself."

Would I Drink Again: yes. I probably wouldn't stock it though!

Colombo Marsala Fine (sweet)

Company: Colombo
Vintage: ?
Type: Port?
Style:
Country: Italy
Region:
Cost: $6

MY TASTING
Sight:4.5. Nice light caramel color.
Aroma: 4.
Flavor: 4.5
Sweetness (white):medium seet
Tannin (red): n/a
Acidity: n/a
Body:strong-bodied
Length:long
Balance: I like it
Overall: 4.5.
Score:
(17 x 2.5) + 50 = 94.75

Notes:
Pretty good for a sweet wine. I give it a high score because it costs only $6. The alcohol percentage is about 18%. It tastes a bit like D.O.M; but on the lighter side. "Straight forward, nutty aromas. Full-bodied caramel & walnut flavors will accent veal marsala.", from Bevmo, and I concurred.

Would I Drink Again: Absolutely. I should stock up on this also.

Penfolds Rawson's Retreat, 2004 Merlot

Company: Penfolds Rawson's Retreat
Vintage: 2004
Type:Merlot
Style:
Country: Australia
Region: South Eastern
Cost: $7

MY TASTING
Sight:4.
Nice ruby color. Aroma: 4.
Flavor: 4.5
Sweetness (white):NA
Tannin (red): very light tanning
Acidity: low
Body:medium-bodied
Length:medium
Balance: I like it
Overall: 4.5.
Score:
(17 x 2.5) + 50 = 92.5
Notes:
An excellent Merlot for $7. I especially like the light tanning taste, which is much more plesant for sipping, if compare to Chianti red.

Would I Drink Again: Absolutely. I should stock up on this!!

Robert Mondavi 2000 Carbernet Sauvignon Central Cost

Company:	Robert Mondavi
Vintage:	2000
Type:	Carbernet Sauvignon
Style:
Country:	USA
Region:	Central Coast, California
Cost	$9
MY TASTING
Sight:	4. Nice ruby color.
Aroma:	3.
Flavor:	4.
Sweetness (white):	NA
Tannin (red):	medium tanning
Acidity:	medium
Body:	medium-bodied
Length:	long
Balance:	I guess so
Overall:	4.
Score:	(15 x 2.5) + 50 = 87.5
Notes:	Not a bad carbernet sauvignon for $9.
Would I Drink Again:	Yes

Husch 2004 Pinot Noir

It smelt like a bad wine, heavy leather smell and the aroma is not like normal wine at all. At first I though may be this is how this wine should taste like, since I never have a Pinot Noir before. But after a few sipping, I think this is just a bad bottle. I discarded the rest of them.

Pineapple wine

In short, this wine is terrible. It tastes like rice wine that we used for chinese cooking, definitely not for sipping.

Gaetano D'Aquino Chianti Riserva 1999

Company:	Gaetano D'Aquino
Vintage:	1999
Type:	Chianti Riserva
Style:
Country:	Italy
Region:	Arezzo, Tuscany
Cost	$12 from Trader's Joe?
MY TASTING
Sight:	4. Nice ruby color.
Aroma:	3. It was not strong at all.
Flavor:	4.
Sweetness (white):	NA
Tannin (red):	medium tanning
Acidity:	medium
Body:	medium-bodied
Length:	long
Balance:	I guess so
Overall:	4.
Score:	(15 x 2.5) + 50 = 87.5
Notes:	I finally realized that all Chianti has quite strong tanning and strong after taste.
Would I Drink Again:	Yes

Clos du Bois Shiraz '03

FACT
Company:	Clos Du Bois
Vintage:	2003
Type:	Syrah
Style:
Country:	California
Region:	Sonoma County
Cost	$8 from Longs Drugs
MY TASTING
Sight:	4. Nice ruby color.
Aroma:	4. Medium and quite complext. I couldn't tell what are they but they are definitely different from Carbernet or other that I've tasted.
Flavor:	3.
Sweetness (white):	NA
Tannin (red):	medium and taste or tart
Acidity:	medium
Body:	quit full-bodied
Length:	long
Balance:	not sure
Overall:	3.
Score:	(14.5 x 2.5) + 50 = 86
Notes:	This is the first Syrah that I tasted since a long time ago. I was eager to evaluate it. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed at first. I sipped the wine w/o any other food and the taste was not smooth nor pleasant on the palate. I tried it again the next day and this time with some cheeses. To my surprise, this time the wine is smoother and quite good to drink; may be a taste of peppery. So, I give it a B-. I should get a better Syrah and then compare it with this one.
Would I Drink Again:	Probably not

Graham's Porto Six Grapes

FACT
Company:	Graham
Vintage:
Type:	Fortified/Desert
Style:	Port
Country:	Portugal
Region:
Cost	$15 from Costco.
MY TASTING
Sight:	4. Clear ruby color.
Aroma:	4. Medium to strong
Flavor:	4.
Sweetness (white):	Good, sweet but not too sweet.
Tannin (red):
Acidity:
Body:	quit full-bodied
Length:	long
Balance:	good
Overall:	4. very nice
Score:	(16 x 2.5) + 50 = 90.
Notes:	I love it and I give it a A. Especially a good value, for under $15.
Would I Drink Again:	Yes

Martel Cordon Bleu

Many people recommends it. I bought it in Penang for almost US$100 in Feb-2005. Then I found it was sold for less than US$80 at Seoul Airport on the way back to US. Bammer!!!

The last bammer is I DON'T quite like it. I guest I am not hard liquer kind of guy, too "spicy" for me. May be I should learn how to make a cocktail with it :D.

Bailey Irish Cream

I really like this stuff, always keep a bottle on hand :)

R. L. Buller & Son Tawny Port

FACT
Company:	R. L. Buller & Son Tawny
Vintage:	2004
Type:	Tawny Port
Style:
Country:	Australia
Region:	Victoria
	Rutherglen
Cost	$11 from Costco
MY TASTING
Sight:	5. Nice dark red or brown color
Aroma:	5. Strong and attractive
Flavor:	4
Sweetness (white):	sometimes it felt a bit too sweet
Tannin (red):
Acidity:	noe
Body:	strong and full-bodies
Length:	long,
Balance:	very well
Overall:	4. Really like it and pretty good value.
Score:	18 x 2.5 + 50 = 95
Notes:	The Wine Advocate The Victory Tawny exhibits a medium garnet color in addition to sweet, unctuous strawberry and cherry fruit. It is a blend of four grapes, Carina, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and Shiraz. Score: 90. —Robert Parker, October 01, 2004. Tasted March 2006. I really like this one and give it an A+. After tasting it, I went and bought another 4 bottles. Sometimes, I think it is a bit too sweet but the flavor is full and complex.
Would I Drink Again:	Yes

Peachy Canyon Zin Port

FACT
Company:	Peachy Canyon
Vintage:	2004
Type:	Zin Port
Style:
Country:	USA
Region:	California
	Paso Robles
Cost	$25 for half bottle
MY TASTING
Sight:	4. Nice dark ruby
Aroma:	4. medium complex and fruity
Flavor:	4
Sweetness (white):
Tannin (red):
Acidity:	low.
Body:	medium and thin (for port)
Length:	medium lingering
Balance:	good
Overall:	4. Nice but not a good value.
Score:	(16x2.5)+50 = 90
Notes:	I give it a B. But I don't think I will buy it again, not for $25 for 375ml.
Would I Drink Again:	Definitely not

Napa Creek Napa Valley Chardonay 2003

FACT
Company:	Napa Creek from Bronco Wine Company
Vintage:	2003
Type:	Chardonay
Style:	Napa mix
Country:	USA
Region:	California
Cost	Under $10 from Trader's Joe.
MY TASTING
Sight:	3. I thought I same some particular; don't quite remember now, need to try it again :)
Aroma:	4. light and fruity
Flavor:	5 smooth and not too powering
Sweetness (white):
Tannin (red):
Acidity:	low.
Body:	light and thin
Length:	medium lingering
Balance:	good
Overall:	4. very nice
Score:	(16 x 2.5) + 50 = 90.
Notes:	I love it and I give it a A. Simple and nice.
Would I Drink Again:	Yes

Sutter Home Moscato '04

FACT
Company:	Sutter Home
Vintage:	2004
Type:	Moscat
Style:
Country:	USA
Region:	California
Cost	$4.99 at BevMo.com
MY TASTING
Sight:	4. clear and brilliant; pale yellow
Aroma:	4. attractive and light, slightly fruity
Flavor:	5
Sweetness (white):	medium sweet
Tannin (red):
Acidity:	almost none
Body:	light and thin
Length:	lingering
Balance:	good
Overall:	5. very nice
Score:	18 x 2.5 + 50 = 95
Notes:	I love it and I give it a A. A+ for excellent value wine as this wine only cost less than $4.
Would I Drink Again:	Definitely yes

Cline Zinfandel California '02

FACT
Company:	Cline Cellars
Vintage:	2001
Type:	Zinfandel
Style:
Country:	USA
Region:	California
Cost	$8.99 at BevMo.com
MY TASTING
Sight:	4. clear and ruby color
Aroma:	4. attractive
Flavor:	3
Sweetness (white):
Tannin (red):	hard and complext
Acidity:	tart and medium
Body:	lmedium and complex, a bit heavy
Length:	long, lingering (with taste of tart)
Balance:	good
Overall:	3, average wine
Score:	15 x 2.5 + 50 = 85
Notes:	I give it a B (average). Lynn likes this one better than Fattoria del Cerro (Vino Di Montepulciano), more compact and stronger taste and complex. But I think I like Fattoria Del Cerro better.
Would I Drink Again:	May be

Fattoria del Cerro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano '01

FACT
Company:	Fattoria del Cerro
Vintage:	2001
Type:	Other Reds
Style:	Other Italian
Country:	Italy
Region:	Tuscany
	Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
MY TASTING
Sight:	4. clear and nice ruby color
Aroma:	4. clean and pleasant
Flavor:	5.
Sweetness (white)
Tannin (red)	dry and soft
Acidity	A bit tart when drink
Body	light and thin, no taste of tartness after drinking, pretty smooth feeling
Length	short
Balance	good
Overall:	4. Light and thin; dry and soft and less tart
Score:	17 x 2.5 + 50 = 92.5
Cost:	$17.95 + tax from Bev&Mo.
Notes:	I give it a A. This wine is thinner compare to Cline Zinfandel and less tart; softer and less complex. At first, the taste of tart disppointment me a bit. However, I tasted it again the next day and the wine is softer and less tart. Next time, It would be nice to open it and let it air for at least an hour before drinking.
Would I Drink Again:	Yes