2010 Andeluna Malbec

My apologies for not posting anything recently.   Today I decided to try an Argentinian wine.  I think this might be the first review for an Argentinian wine on this blog.  I really enjoy wines from South America -- good bang for your buck.  

Having some homemade pasta (bacon, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, salt/pepper to taste) I decided to open a full body red wine.  This 2010 Andeluna Malbec has aromas of blackberries, cherries, and plums at the first sniff.   The first swirl -- wow, very intense and yes, a full body red. The tannins are well balanced and the finish is slightly spicy (black pepper).   Not bad.  The second swirl was a bit alcoholic, but still spicy and a good balance.  


I am going to give this one 3.5 stars.  I think this is a great table wine and one which you could bring to a casual dinner party.  I purchased this one at Nissin World Delicatessen for Y1,440.   In my personal opinion, a good value for what you are getting.  I'd recommend letting this one open for about 30 minutes.


Summary: Full-body, good balance and slightly spicy finish.  Good value
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Purchase Cost: Y1,440 (Nissin World Delicatessen Groceries)
Other Japanese Retailers: Y1,659 (Rakuten website)
USA Retail Price: $9.95
Food:  Bacon and tomato pasta

2009 Six Foot Six Pinot Noir

As noted in an early blog posting, I managed to pick up some wines from Australia.  I really enjoy wines from the down under; however I think this might be one of my first Australian wine review. 

An interesting label and name, Six Foot Six 2009 Pinot Noir was great. The aromas were very fruity--blackberries, cherries and some accent of grass.  As most Pinot Noir's do, the color tone was light color red.  The first swirl was nice--A fairly complex, and 'soft' wine that is slightly (and I mean very slightly), sweet.  If you have ever tried an Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir, I would say this was its younger sibling.  


I am going to give this one 4 stars.  I really liked it.  The price is decent, the complexity is really nice and the balance was just right. I purchased this one at Nissin World Delicatessen in Azabu Juban for Y2,250.  I would definitely purchase this one again. 
**PS take a look at the Rakuten link below -- looks like a good sale if you cannot make it to Nissin.  
  
Summary: Medium-body, great balance and nice finish.  Good value
Rating: 4 Stars
Purchase Cost: Y2,250 (Nissin World Delicatessen Groceries)
Other Japanese Retailers: Y2,100 (Rakuten website)
USA Retail Price: $19.95
Food:  NA

Wine and a Wine Fridge at Costco

Purchased about 12 bottles from Costco this week and a few from Nissin Intl Store. I also saw a large Haier wine fridge for sale at Costco (80,000yen).  It was tempting, but I guess I will wait -- seemed a bit expensive.

Anyway, stay tuned.. Hope to be posting some more reviews this week.

2001 Le Haut-Medoc de Giscours

To the best of my knowledge, this 2001 Le Haut-Medoc de Giscours is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  According to wikipedia, Haut-Medoc was a salt marsh for animal grazing back in the day; however these days its producing some good wines (I've had a few from this region and have enjoyed all of them).

The wine has good balance of aromas.  Hint of oak, the presence of berries and spices were apparent.
First swirl was nice--  full body and nice texture.  Tannins were strong, and there was a slight bitter finish to the wine.  Second swirl I am not as impressed;  not bad, but nothing spectacular.  A good wine that is fairly easy to drink.

I am going to give this one 3 stars.  I purchased this bottle from the Wine Market store in Ebisu Gardens for Y2,600.  This price seems about market price here in Japan; however I could not find a listing price in the U.S.  Overall, a good wine, but nothing that knocks your socks off.

Summary: Full-body, Good balance, but nothing spectacular
Rating: 3 Stars
Purchase Cost: Y2,600 (Ebisu Gardens, Wine Market Store)
Other Japanese Retailers: Y2,777 (Rakuten website)
USA Retail Price: NA
Food:  NA

Happy belated Australia Day!

Thought I'd post something different today.  In honor of Australia Day (January 26th), do you have any good recommendations for wines from the down under (Australia)?  If so, please feel free to post your recommendation on this post.  On my next trip to the wine store I will also try and pick up a bottle or two of Australian wine.

2009 Perrin Réserve Côtes du Rhône

According to the label it is 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 20% Mourvedre (by the way, I think this is the first time for me to come across a bottle with Mourvedre).  This 2009 Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone is very good.

The hue is deep red and at the nose there are lots of blackberries.  The first swirl; I was impressed.  Good balance--the berries are definitely there with perhaps some cherries in the background.  Interestingly the finish is spicy (black pepper).  Tannins are very light on the second go around.  

I like this wine.  I am going to give this one 3.5 stars.  I would purchase this one again; however I think it might be a tad expensive (not the best value).  I paid Y2,100 at the Ebisu Gardens, Wine Market Store.  On Rakuten it is listed about 10% cheaper at  Y1,890. Regardless, a good wine with an very interesting peppery finish. 
Summary: Full-body, lots of blackberries at the nose; peppery finish 
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Purchase Cost: Y2,100 (Ebisu Gardens, Wine Market Store)
Other Japanese Retailers: Y1,890 (Rakuten website)
USA Retail Price: $12.49
Food:  NA

2009 Château Les Canelles

With 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Malbec this Bordeaux is from the Côtes de Blaye region. 

The aromas of the wine are difficult to distinguish.  I smelled some berries, but also it seemed to have a fairly strong alcohol smell as well. I was expecting a full-body wine, but it was a bit lighter in taste (perhaps a medium body Bordeaux).  


Overall, the balance was not great.  The finish was a bit bitter for my liking and I felt like it had some cough syrup mixed in.  It reminded me of the Mouton Cadet bottle I tried not too long ago (see the review here - 

2009 Baron Philippe Rothschild Mouton Cadet Bordeaux).  

I purchased this one at the Wine Market store, in Ebisu Gardens.  Luckily I did not pay full price as it was on sale for Y1,500.  I am going to give this one 1.5 stars.  

Summary: I was not that impressed. The finish was bitter and balance not great.
Rating:   1.5 stars
Purchase Cost: Y1,500 (Wine Market Store, Ebisu Gardens)
Other Japanese Retailers: NA
USA Retail Price: NA
Food: NA