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Hall Winery in Napa, CA
Red, Red Wine....
How I love thee, let me count the ways....
You already know that I started publishing my tasting notes as a way to educate myself for my Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) tests. I wanted to understand each varietal and prepare for blind tasting evaluations. I also wanted to share great wine in my sweet spot pricing point of $17-$35. There will be an occasional wine review over $50, and I will be clear on if I thought it was worth the price.
I really believe you should not drink bad wine, and so I hope these reviews help you choose wine you will enjoy!
Cheers!
B.D.
I also co-host a weekly and bi-weekly virtual wine tastings. If you want to know more about them, or join the next group, reach out to me on Instagram @winewizard.lv
All Red Wine Reviews
Mencia, Gotin Del Risc Bierzo
$16 for this bottle at Total Wine here in Las Vegas. It seems odd for me to purchase such an extravagantly designed label, so I think the full story is in order. Someone in my WSET class recommended this wine to me who happens to work at a Jose Andreas restaurant here in Vegas (strong focus on Spanish wines there) so of course I ran out and tried it! π€©π·πͺ.
Aromas of blackberry, and tart red fruits, and the taste echoed the nose. I also had notes of cranberry, tart cherry, black pepper, slight baking spices with a nice minerality,, and some crushed rocks. There is also a hint if chocolate as it warms. I liked drinking this all by itself, no food required.
Quality: 6
Value: 8.5
Crowd Pleaser: 7
Grabby Hands: π€π€π€
#winewizardlv #lasvegaswine #lasvegas #sommelier #som #lasvegasfoodie #zerotosomm #wine #winetasting #winery #lasvegasfood #beer #winelifestyle #winelife #winelover #somm #winerave #winelovers #grapes #wineoclock #winewinewine #redwine #winestories #winetime #instawine #winestagram #drink #wineaddict #lvwine
Merlot, Alpha Omega
2012 Alpha Omega Merlot: I paid $62 for this bottle at the vineyard years ago (it runs substantially more now). Yes, I know this is out of our general price point, but it was spectacular, so it is worth a review!π€΄π·I was a member here for years and in all the time I've been going there I've never had a bad wine.
On the nose: cherries, plum, vanilla and cedar. When tasting you immediately notice how smooth it is with super silky tannins. Notes of cherry, plum, bakers chocolate, leather, violets, dark fruits, dried herbs, and even some sweet or candied red fruits. Do not pass this up if you can grab a glass at your local bar/restaurant, or if they find a "lost case" in storage direct from the winery.
Quality: 9
Value: 4
Crowd Pleaser: no sharing!!! π 8.5
Grabby hands: π€π€π€π€
#winewizardlv #lasvegaswine #lasvegas #sommelier #som #lasvegasfoodie #wine #winetasting #winery #lasvegasfood #beer #winelifestyle #winelife #winelover #somm #winerave #winelovers #grapes #wineoclock #winewinewine #redwine #winestories #winetime #instawine #winestagram #drink #wineaddict #lvwine #wein #napa
Zweigelt, Schwarz, Austria
2015 Zweigelt: Austria is typically known for solid white wines, but they are trying to be more present in the red wine market. In my opinion this is quite unremarkable. Red cherries and raspberries on the nose with a strange fuel like sensation. Taste includes licorice, cinnamon and a weird floral note. Feels somewhat out of balance. I'm going to stick with Gruner Ventliner for a few more years...
Quality: 2
Value: 3
Crowd Pleaser: 3
Grabby Hands: none
#winewizardlv #lasvegaswine #lasvegas #sommelier #som #lasvegasfoodie #wine #winetasting #winery #lasvegasfood #beer #winelifestyle #winelife #winelover #somm #winerave #winelovers #grapes #wineoclock #winewinewine #redwine #winestories #winetime #instawine #winestagram #drink #wineaddict #lvwine #wein
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