| Rating |
Wine |
Date
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| 87 |
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7/16/08 |
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$17.99 at Wineq
Strawberry jam with almond slivers on top. Add in some currants and cherries and a dab of tomato sauce. Light & smooth. Really interesting wine, I need to try it again without any other wines to influence it!
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| 90 |
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7/06/08 |
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$25.00 at Pb Hein Vineyards
Chewy smoky beef jerky, served on a leather plate with a touch of dark chocolate. Delicious dark berry & plum with juicy black cherries hiding out. A great find.
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| 89 |
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6/12/08 |
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$19.99 at Wineq
A nice refreshing house white for the end of a hot day. Light golden in color, this wine shows tons of citrus (lime, grapefruit) and green apple with a mineral backbone riding on a tinge of eucalyptus leaves.
This zippy number is a great alternative to Sav Blanc. The Semillion makes it a creamy yet crisp white, with a luscious finish that goes on for miles.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
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| 91 |
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6/06/08 |
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Meyer lemon on the nose. Creamy lemon custard yet unoaked and crisp citrus with a slight flinty bite.
A really nice wine for our rich fish dinner.
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| 92 |
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6/05/08 |
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Bright cherries & strawberries, juicy fruit forward fading in to smokey spice at the end.
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| 90 |
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5/23/08 |
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For such a young wine, I really enjoyed it. Pale ruby in color, with a nose of cherry cola.
It had a very slight petrol finish on the wine, with tons of raspberry and cherry fruit flavors with underlying herbaciousness. Strong green pepper made it slightly chewy but delicious.
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| 91 |
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5/23/08 |
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I think it was the bottle age, because I LOVED this wine.
Had an earthy mushroom nose, with lush and not heavy fruit flavors followed by spicy cloves and nutmeg.
It was a big fruity pinot, without being overpowering in a Sideways kind of way.
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| 88 |
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5/23/08 |
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$10.00 at The Wine Mine
Giant plums, blackberries, blueberries, smoked bacon.
Great for a $10 shiraz, and not killed with oak the way so many others are.
Got to love the local was shops staff!
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| 89 |
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5/23/08 |
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$36.00 at Parsonage Winery
Tons of blue & black fruit, boysenberries, plums, blueberry jam.
Very fruity with a background of smoke.
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| 92 |
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5/23/08 |
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$20.00 at Parsonage Winery
A nice Meritage. 60% Merlot, 20% Cab, 20% Syrah makes a lush rounded wine with a lot of chocolate and pepper.
Interesting foray in to the Carmel Valley wine world
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| 93 |
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5/14/08 |
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Incredible citrus on the nose - lime, lemons, grapefruit. Zippy orange zest.
Tons of peaches, pink grapefruit, granny smith or maybe pippin apples with a touch of oakey roundness to smooth out the sharp Sav Blanc acids.
An absolutely delicious wine on a warm summer day!
1/1 users found this review helpful.
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| 88 |
|
5/09/08 |
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$17.99 at The Wine Mine
Quite alcoholic on the nose, still tastes a bit hot a day after opening.
Smoke, cranberry, raspberry, hibiscus. This is a very juicy beast, and not overbearing in nature.
Long finish leaves raspberry tingles, but is hot a long time after the wine is gone.
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| 90 |
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4/10/08 |
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$20.00 at Artisan Wine Lounge
Who knew Peggy Fleming could skate, AND make a delicious, refreshing rose!
I love this wine for many reasons, not the least of which is because it donates all proceeds to breast cancer research.
Ruby red grapefruit, ripe watermelon, and crushed rose petals play with a lot of raspberry flavors.
It was the perfect glass to go with my roast turkey and sundried tomato aioli panini, with homemade chips.
The crispness cut through the richness of the chips and the aioli nicely. Very refreshing and enjoyable on a nice spring day.
3/3 users found this review helpful.
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| 85 |
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4/03/08 |
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Perhaps it's because this is a young wine, perhaps it's just me.
I am not a fan of the band aid or bacon fat flavor profile is some pinots. This was musty and astringent. I felt like I was drinking a clove cigarette that was soaked in coke, while eating a liquid smoke covered bacon sandwich.
3/3 users found this review helpful.
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| 90 |
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4/03/08 |
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$28.00
Raspberry jam, cherry cola syrup, allspice
A long finish and some texture make this a rich long last wine that lingers long after the mouthful is swallowed.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
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| 91 |
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4/03/08 |
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$45.00
Pomegranate, cherry & light red fruit.
Notes of Dr. Pepper and subtle orange zest. Fruit bomb and powerful juicy flavors. A nice fruity but not heavy pinot.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
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| 94 |
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4/03/08 |
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Meaty, chewy, smoky tobacco flavors.
A dark and brooding syrah, with black fruit - blackberries, black raspberry, cocoa powder.
Almost fig like flavors.
Very smooth and well rounded. Not over done at all, well balanced and full flavored.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
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| 93 |
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2/22/08 |
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$17.99 at Costco
Dry Creek is where it's at! If you are a lover of big, bold, knock you back zins as I am, then try this one.
Big chewy robust zin, tones of smoky bacon frying on a campfire. Luscious, rich zin with raisins and earthly tannins.
Dark fruit, plums, licorice, black raspberry flavors.
A sweet end lingers on the roof of your mouth.
This wine normally retails for $28 so I was happy to spot this at Costco which is hit or miss wine-wise.
I look forward to the recent releases in March, when Barrel Tasting commences!
2/2 users found this review helpful.
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| 91 |
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2/21/08 |
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$16.00 at Martin Family Winery
I picked this little baby up the last time I was in Dry Creek.
The winery is in the midst of changing ownership, so they were clearing out some of their older vintages to start with the new name. I knew I always love their zins, so I thought why not - it's cheap and picked up a couple of bottles.
Deep ruby red & purple, heavy in the glass. Rich roasting coffee on the nose. Full mouth feel, with toast and rich notes of oak. Lots of dark berry fruit, like the end of summer deep dark blackberries and cherries and slightly like a dash of Kikkoman ending with a bit of fig on the back of my palate
It's tannic, but they are full of body, which makes it very easy to drink now, or keep for a few years to age gracefully.
A great buy and a great wine!
1/1 users found this review helpful.
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| 91 |
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1/10/08 |
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I got this in my fall wine club shipment, and was excited to try a new zin from my favorite Dry Creek winery.
Rich, blackberry pie, spiced raisins with a chocolate finish and some notes of figs hiding behind the slightly over the top alcohol. This is NOT a wine for the faint hearted, but on a cold rainy day when you want a big red wine and a blankey in front of the fire and don't want a cab, this will do the trick.
2/2 users found this review helpful.
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| 89 |
|
12/19/07 |
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$11.99 at The Wine Club
Lots of rich dark fruit and light spice make this go down easy.
I found fig, plums, and other dark fruit with a touch tobacco on the finish.
Full and round without being overpowering in a cult cab sort of way.
This could easily be a $20 cab, so for the price, this is excellent.
3/3 users found this review helpful.
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| 88 |
|
11/02/07 |
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$4.99 at Cost Plus
Light and refreshing, with lots of honey on the nose, with whiff of apples, bursting with pink grapefruit after the first sip.
A simple sav blanc, but can't beat it for the price.
2/2 users found this review helpful.
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| 95 |
|
10/29/07 |
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$45.00 at Holdredge Winery
This is one of my favorite Sonoma County Pinots, and the 2005 was a hit at last year's Thanksgiving table.
This is a silky & supple pinot, without being overbearing and taking away from the subtleties that make pinot noir such a special wine.
Rose red color with the same roses on the nose, begins with bright cherries and black raspberries. Juicy plums linger and give this pinot an elegant and long finish, with a touch of Dr Pepper.
This is a very mature pinot, and is not going to smack anyone with in the face characteristics. This is a wine I want to linger over, like a good book, and enjoy every single mouthful.
A special drink that should be enjoyed with care.
2/2 users found this review helpful.
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| 87 |
|
9/08/07 |
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$11.99 at Cost Plus
Booooooring!
Yes, I know, it's Ravenswood. I should know what to expect. I normally run the other way when I see the Vintners Blend, but this looked promising, and I've been on a bargain binge lately. Something to do with the AMOUNT of wine I've been drinking.
Anyway, classic Ravenswood with lots of spice and raisin flavors, but not very much depth.
I could have tasted the same flavors in the vintners blend for $7.
Not something I'd buy again.
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| 89 |
|
9/08/07 |
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$5.99 at Trader Joe's
Normally, when I buy wine on impulse from TJ's I am sorely disappointed.
This time however, YIPPEE! How often can you find a $6 wine that you would buy AGAIN? Not often.
This cab is not the big heavy cocktail wine that we are used it. It is light & fruity in the French style, and pair perfectly with food, with a lot of red fruit flavors like subtle raspberry and plum, with tones of smoky tobacco on the finish.
A best buy for your weeknight suppers and BBQs!
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| 89 |
|
9/04/07 |
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$9.99 at Bevmo
As I packed up for the long weekend, I thought I'd bring my crazy relatives a taste of the good life, so I packed two bottles of inexpensive pinot in my suitcase.
Lo and behold, as we opened the Parker Station, Fess Parkers 2nd label (aka Frass Canyon of Sideways fame) 2006 pinot, I was really surprised at the quality of wine coming out of the bottle.
Maybe it was the Long Island air, maybe I was just in need of a good drink but the rich cherries and raspberries went especially well with soy & honey glazed salmon on the grill.
Great buy for midweek pinot, avail at all BevMo, Wine Club & K&L for the same $.
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| 89 |
|
7/23/07 |
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$12.99 at The Wine Club
I was looking specifically for a good zin to drink tonight, and was somewhat dissapointed by the slim pickings at TWC today.
That being said, on one of those notorious end cap "BUY ME BUY ME NOW" displays, I found this gem.
Bold cranberry, pomegranate, currants and pepper give a lighter style but still fruity zin a great punch.
I almost feel like I'm chewing on an alcoholic version of red zinger (which is a GOOD thing, REALLY it is!), which makes my mouth water well after a sip.
For $12.99, I'd buy it again to have with a panini, a pizza, or a burger.
2/2 users found this review helpful.
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| 92 |
|
7/16/07 |
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Sapphire Hill Winery
Big flavors of blackberry jam and bosenberry backnotes with a lot of rich chocolate and cola with Dr. Pepper.
Spicey white pepper, and nutmeg round out this very rich and big Dry Creek Zin.
Dessert in a glass!
This is a cocktail wine, it's so big, it would be hard to pair with anything but the richest of chocolates or cheeses.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
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| 94 |
|
7/01/07 |
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$38.00
Ok? Yeah.
Umm, OH MY GOD!
DRINK THIS WINE!
Having been only the 3rd wine in a LONG line of pinots today, what can I say.
This wine gets the best of show award from me.
Slurp! Yum! Delish!
Rich earth and big fruit, with hints of tobacco and lavender, with plums and black raspberries on the finish.
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| 92 |
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7/01/07 |
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$38.00
OK, if you are looking for sex in the glass, in a Pinot that is, you have found it!
I don't care how much this wine cost, this is worth it. For $38 you have found an elite but affordable everyday fabulous pinot.
YUM! My friend, the Wine Pimp, tricked me in to trying this wine p- ok he said "DRINK THIS" and i listened, but seriously. Holy crap!
I love a big pinot, and Eno goes beyond with Cola, Dr Pepper, clove on the very very very long finish that numbs your tongue when you are least expecting it, spice, wild raspberry and overripe blackberries. At the same time this wine maintains it's Pinot soul, with that yummy earthiness and tobacconess that pinot requires to keep it's varietal identity/
This is an unexpected pinot gem that keeps on giving.
BUY IT!
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| 90 |
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7/01/07 |
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$45.00
Another Pinot Days favorite, this wine has rich, sweet berries, with notes of black cherry and pepper with lavendar on the finish. This wine stands alone and doesn't really need food to bring out it's beauty but food is always a good thing with Pinot.
Yum! If you are looking for a special Pinot Noir, you cannot go wrong with ANYTHING from Rosella's Vineyard. Their fruit (even if from the evil southland) is consistantly tasty and clearly grown to respect the traditions of the varietal while playing with the flavors.
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| 89 |
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7/01/07 |
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$36.00
Remember the guy in the cowboy hat from Sideways? Well here he was, in flesh, at Pinot Days in the city! San Francisco that is...
This wine is in the traditional lighter style of pinot (which i personally like) a bit tart, with good old oak and fruit very forward on the pallate.
Tasty to be sure, but hard to judge without the correct food to go with it.
By contrast...check out the La Encantada review...
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| 89 |
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6/22/07 |
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$14.99 at The Wine Club
Upon first whiff, there were scents of rich tobacco, and earth mixed with a blackberry bramble in the summer heat. The first few sips were a touch on the sour plum side, followed by leather and rosemary.
After I walked away from my glass to focus on syrah #2 of the evenine, and let this one open up a bit, it morphed in to a rich creamy shiraz, with a hint of sweetness wrapped around ollaberries. Not normal blackberries mind you, because they are too sweet, but some variant with a touch of tartness, and some blueberries.
A good wine, but not sure it's worth the $15 when there are so many other great wines out there for the same price.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
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| 87 |
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5/21/07 |
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$9.39 at Safeway
Once, many moons ago, I was a big fan of BV and a card carrying member of their wine club.
Many moons have passed, and as I searched the on sale items at Safeway for a nice picnic red, up pops my old friend Beauseaux. How Bozo has gotten a new suit of clothes, but is still an old reliable wine for every occasion - if you can find it for under $10.
This particular vintage seems to be aiming for the big fruity style of blend, which suits me just fine. Upon first pour, I smell massive petite sirah, lots of zin, and me thinks a pinch of mouvedre to round things out.
It tastes like you are drinking blackberry pie slathered in raspberry jam, which is JUST fine for me and my picnic at "HAIR" on Mt. Tam!
Very simple, fruity, big tooth staining red, which would be great with brownies or BBQ sauce, even teriayki. Because it's got such a sweet base, you'd do well to pair it with something of substance to balance it out. We're not taling about anything complex here, but if you want a fun zippy red for a bbq or beach, here's your pal.
4/4 users found this review helpful.
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| 88 |
|
5/21/07 |
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$8.99 at K&L Wine Merchants
This wine has grown on me. When I first opened it, it was "oh ok another mediocre Cab Franc". On the 2nd day however, it has opened up nicely to show off some merlot-like aromas, with olives and leather wafting off of the glass. But, after the first sip, I am hit with a big soft wine, sprinkled with black pepper, cocoa powder, plums and smoke. Now, I don't mean regular fireplace smoke, but campfire in the woods with mossy trees smoke. It really worked well with my dinner balsamic chicken, but after opening up a bit, it's a great cocktail wine as well. Great buy for the money! I bought it on a whim while stocking up, and I'd buy it again.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
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| 85 |
|
3/31/07 |
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$19.99 at Trader Joes
Big juicy cherries. Dry finish w/ lots of tannins. Juicy plums.
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| 88 |
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3/31/07 |
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$8.99 at Trader Joes
Dry, with tobacco and dried cherries. Sweet port/sherry finish. Huge aroma, big fruit, plums. Sweet smooth finish, yet dry.
2/2 users found this review helpful.
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| 90 |
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3/31/07 |
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$7.99 at Trader Joes
Rich & deep. Sweet & big. Clove & fig. Lots of cocoa on the finish, nutmeg. SPICE, pepper. Long finish.
2/2 users found this review helpful.
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| 86 |
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3/31/07 |
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$10.99 at Trader Joes
Big flavor, but tastes like rubber. Spicy & bold. Little sour on the finish.
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| 76 |
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3/31/07 |
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$14.99 at Trader Joes
Funky bouquet, gasoline. Sweet finish lingers. Tastes cheap. Doesn't feel like a sauv blanc. YUCK
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| 90 |
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3/31/07 |
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$4.99 at Trader Joes
Lemon/lime soda without the fizz. Not as crisp as others tasted. Lots honey, blood oranges. Very smooth not harsh. Really like this one.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
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| 90 |
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3/31/07 |
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$8.99 at Trader Joes
Grassy crisp nose. Grapefruit, mouthwatering. Slightly fuzzy. Granny smith apples. Lots of grass on the nose. Lemon on the first sip. Classic Sauv Blanc, very refreshing, pucker up! Ass kicker
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| 92 |
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3/31/07 |
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$7.99 at Trader Joes
Apples and melon off the bat. Honeydew melon. Sweet at first but finishes crisp. Key lime, grassy notes at the end. Juicy oranges. Crisp & Refreshing but still well balanced, makes my mouth water.
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