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Adventures in Tasting

Robert Lewis Stevenson said:
"Wine is bottled poetry."
That about sums up the fascination and romance humankind has had with wine for thousands of years. I thoroughly enjoy exploring the broad spectrum that winemakers constantly offer up to us. Living in California with an airplane affords my wife and me ample opportunities to easily reach wineries, big and small, all over the state. The more we see and taste, the more amazing the sheer variety of excellent wineries appears. In an attempt to make some sense of it all, I've started compiling impressions of our tastings - both at home and on the road. Some of these are listed here for your consideration.


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2004 The Climber

Region: 
Napa Valley
Price: 
$18

Rating (1-5 stars): 
**** (Excellent)
Value (1-5 stars): 
**** (Excellent)
Place/Date Tasted: 
Steamboat Springs, CO - April, 2008
Impressions
Color/Aroma: 
Deep ruby red
Palate: 
Fruity blend of raspberry and cherry. Somewhat smokey with a hint of chocolate
Finish: 
Very smooth fruit blend. The chocolate hints grow in the finish.
Overall: 
I've been eating Clif Bars for years, but had no idea the family had a winery. I stumbled upon this lovely blend while on vacation in Steamboat Springs and was pleasantly surprised by it's exceptional quality. One might think a "Clif Bar wine" to be something of a gimmick, but I urge you to try a bottle if you can find one.
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2005 Mio Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore

Region: 
Italy (Veneto Region)
Price: 
$20

Rating (1-5 stars): 
*** (Good)
Value (1-5 stars): 
*** (Good)
Place/Date Tasted: 
Home - March, 2008
Impressions
Color/Aroma: 
Pale ruby
Palate: 
Subtle fruit with strong spices
Finish: 
Lingering spice
Overall: 
This was a wine club selection from Wine Styles. As the tasting notes promised, I found this Italian blend a pleasant, light red with strong spice overtones. It went well with lamb chops and I'm certain it would balance nicely any bold meat dish.
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2005 Tobiano Pinot Noir

Region: 
Casablanca Valley, Chile

Rating (1-5 stars): 
**** (Excellent)
Value (1-5 stars): 
*** (Good)
Place/Date Tasted: 
Home - February, 2008
Impressions
Color/Aroma: 
Light purple, hint of raisin
Palate: 
Complex mix of fruit, hint of smoke
Finish: 
Currants & hint of chocolate
Overall: 
This is a delightful, light pinot. Visually it looks very light, but it's palate surprises with a complex blend of fruit, smokiness and some spice. I don't know what it costs, as it was given as a gift, but I would buy a few bottles if I could find them locally. It's imminently drinkable with or without food.
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2005 Fetish Playmates

Region: 
Barossa Valley (Australia)

Rating (1-5 stars): 
*** (Good)
Value (1-5 stars): 
*** (Good)
Place/Date Tasted: 
Home - January, 2008
Impressions
Color/Aroma: 
Very deep purple - almost black. A hint of cinnamon
Palate: 
Very soft and round, fruity
Finish: 
Fruit gradually increases
Overall: 
If one can get passed the quirky name and the screw-cap, one will find this to be a very pleasant, easy-to-drink blend (89% Shiraz, 8% Mataro, 3% Grenache). It complemented well the lamb chops this evening.
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Famila Oliveda Brut Joven Cava

Region: 
Spain
Price: 
$24

Rating (1-5 stars): 
*** (Good)
Value (1-5 stars): 
*** (Good)
Place/Date Tasted: 
Wine Styles - December, 2007
Impressions
Color/Aroma: 
Light straw
Palate: 
Sweet and fruity. Medium alcohol content.
Overall: 
A very nice champagne, for those not looking for a really dry variety.
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2004 Richard Hamilton Shiraz

Region: 
Australia
Price: 
$25

Rating (1-5 stars): 
*** (Good)
Value (1-5 stars): 
*** (Good)
Place/Date Tasted: 
Wine Styles - December, 2007
Impressions
Color/Aroma: 
Dark purple
Palate: 
Bold, but smooth
Overall: 
A bold, complex wine that would hold up well with rich meats, such as beef or lamb
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2005 Malm Cellars Cross Blend

Price: 
$21

Rating (1-5 stars): 
** (Average)
Value (1-5 stars): 
** (Average)
Place/Date Tasted: 
Wine Styles - December, 2007
Impressions
Color/Aroma: 
Dark purple appearance
Palate: 
Subtle fruit complex, strong alcoholic taste
Finish: 
Hint of chocolate?
Overall: 
This blend (92% Syrah, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon) did not have the subtle complexities I've come to expect from blends.
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2004 Soltano Malbec

Price: 
$21

Rating (1-5 stars): 
** (Average)
Value (1-5 stars): 
** (Average)
Impressions
Palate: 
Soft and smoky, almost dirty
Finish: 
Ashy
Overall: 
I was not particularly impressed with this Argentinian malbec. No particular flavor stood out, just a rather "muddy" feel. Perhaps the 6 months it spent in new oak was the culprit.
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2006 Lobster Key Sauvignon Blanc

Price: 
$21

Rating (1-5 stars): 
*** (Good)
Value (1-5 stars): 
*** (Good)
Impressions
Color/Aroma: 
Lots of fruit, astringent
Palate: 
Sharp, very fruity (hints of peach)
Finish: 
Hint of cream
Overall: 
This is a very nice sauvignon blanc from Australia. We discovered it at a tasting at Wine Styles in Torrance, CA. It's rather bold, making it good with strong cheeses or pates.
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