This, according to The Wine Expectorator, is the “Best Merlot in California”. I had to taste it twice to see if they were right. And I’d have to say they’re not far off. I had it blind against the likes of Leonetti (yes, I know that’s not from California but it’s always been my [...]
Author Archive > badman
WOTM – Wine of the Month [10/03] – Switchback Ridge Peterson Family Vineyard Petite Sirah 2007
A thankful departure from the usual Bordeaux I am certain, but we do return this month to Switchback Ridge, my new favourite winery. This time around for the Wine of the Month we have their Petite Sirah.
These notes are from a blind tasting I did up against the T-Vine Napa Valley 2007 and Four Vines [...]
2006 Granite Sprints Petite Sirah
2006 Granite Sprints Winery Petite Sirah Fair Play AVA El Dorado County $20 13.7% abv – available only at the winery which was purchased by Latcham Vineyards in the 1990s.
It’s a very good wine. Slightly sweet nose with dark and red fruit accompanied by a touch of pepper. In the mouth it’s lush blueberries and [...]
WOTM – Wine of the Month [10/02] – Switchback Ridge Napa Valley Peterson Family Vineyard Merlot 2007
Well at least it’s not Bordeaux, Bad Man chuckles ponderously to himself after the last 2 months of Gironde WOTM entrants. But close enough – same varietal. Up this month is my new favourite winery discovery – Angwin’s Switchback Ridge. Everything I’ve tasted from these guys has that expansive mouthfeel, that rich lushness so important [...]
WOTM – Wine of the Month [10/01] – Château La Fleur Saint-Émilion 2004
Yikes – Bordeaux once again takes top honours here in January of our new year 2010. This is a solid right-bank wine, not too pricey yet still a rewarding performer. I misplaced my notes but we’ll be sure to include this in our next Saint-Émilion tasting so come back and read about it then – [...]
WOTM – Wine of the Month [09/12] – Château de La Rivière Fronsac 2001
I (the Bad Man) tend to drink Bordeaux, but I do try to make sure other varietals and regions are represented here in our Wine of The Month postings. Not so this month – being unemployed and looking for a bargain, this $15 9 year old Bordeaux is the clear daily drinker winner!
It’s got that [...]
WOTM – Wine of the Month [09/11] – Mount Eden Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
As we head into the cold winter months, let’s break open a case of good Santa Cruz Cab. And true to form, we weren’t disappointed when we dipped into this blend from Mount Eden Vineyards. Tasted on multiple occasions, some blind some not, this is a consistent winner and solid contender for this installation of [...]
WOTM – Wine of the Month [09/10] – Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Bolgheri 2005
This is an Italian jewel, definitely one of my favourite wines outside Bordeaux. The 2005 Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove from the Bolgheri appellation in Tuscany, Italy, is this month’s WOTM. It has a big strapping body, a little oily on the palette with dark ripe fruit; highly recommended by the Bad Man.
2005 [...]
WOTM – Wine of the Month [09/09] – Chateau Moulinat Haut-Médoc 2005
This epistle is late because I was in Japan, where I was fortunate enough to spend time with fellow members Hamakko and his yet-to-be-named-but-definitely-in-the-club girlfriend. Enjoying a superb wine tasting most every night for my duration, one particular evening’s sampling featured a pair of Bordeaux in an ongoing battle we called the Left Bank/Right Bank [...]
2004 Flying Horse Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Tonight I’m having another bottle of Flying Horse Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley. Stag’s Leap District once upon a time was my favourite Napa appellation, but now I’ve moved over to Oakville. Now I don’t know where these grapes were grown, but I hear the winemaker is none other than Château Latour’s own Denis [...]
