Bodega SUR DE LOS 100% Malbec 2007 (Mendoza, Argentina)

kennuncorked Tasting Notes

Production Practices:
Reported not produced using "Sustainable", "Organic" or "Biodynamic" practices.

Appearance:
With the glass tilted, the wine is clear and transparent. The core is a deep violet that is consistent to a narrow deep pink (with bluish highlights) rim..

Nose/Aromas:
Clean with medium minus intensity of sweet leather, black currents (raisiny) with a hint of dark bitter-sweet chocolate (might be a baker's chocolate aroma).

Palate:
Dry, medium bodied with medium minus tannins and medium yet mouth-watering acidity. bodied with medium mouth-watering acidity. The fruit characteristics seem to be medium minus similar to the nose.  There seems to be no perception of alcohol burn (the alcohol level = 13.9 %) indicating that the alcohol is well integrated into the wine.

Finish/Length:
Clean with a medium finish that seems to focus on the black currents and dark bitter-sweet chocolate.

Cost:

Approximate retail price: US$12.00.

Producers Notes:

No tasting notes available from producer.

Ochoa Merlot 2001 (Navarra DO, Spain)

kennuncorked Tasting Notes

Production Practices:
Reported not produced using "Sustainable", "Organic" or "Biodynamic" practices.

Appearance:
With the glass tilted, the wine is clear and opaque.  The core is a dark cherry core that is consistent until reaching a narrow dark pink narrow rim.

Nose/Aromas:
Clean with prounounced red berry fruit (i.e. cherry) with hints of mint and vanilla in the background..

Palate:
Dry, medium plus bodied with medium mouth-watering acidity, and medium minus tannins. The fruit characteristics seem to be medium plus intensity (similar to the nose) of cherry with hints of mint and vanilla.  There is this refreshing hint of fresh green bell pepper (am I imagining this?). There seems to be no perception of alcohol burn (the alcohol level = 12.5 %) indicating that the alcohol is well integrated into the wine.

Finish/Length:
Clean with a medium plus finish that focuses on the cherry and the refreshing green bell pepper (again I do not know if the green pepper is my imagination).

Cost:

Approximate retail price: US$14.00.

Producers Notes:

No Tasting Notes from producer.

LAXAS Albariño 2007 (Rias Baixas, Galacia, Spain)

kennuncorked Tasting Notes

Production Practices:
Reported not produced using "Sustainable", "Organic" or "Biodynamic" practices.

Appearance:
With the glass tilted, the wine is clear and transparent. The core is a pale to medium gold color (14k gold) fading to a narrow water-white rim.

Nose/Aromas:
Clean with hints of flowers combined with hints green apples, pear and peach.

Palate:
Dry, medium bodied with a slight hint of a tingle (think seltzer with most of the fiz gone) on the tip of the tongue (why I am perceiving this I do not know) with medium but yet mouth-watering acidity. The fruit characteristics seem to be medium plus intensity of green apple, lemon and grapefruit. There seems to be no perception of alcohol burn (the alcohol level = 12.5 %) indicating that the alcohol is well integrated into the wine.

Finish/Length:
Clean with long finish that focuses on the lemon flavor.

Cost:

Approximate retail price: US$15.00.

Producers Notes:

A clean, bright, straw-yellow wine with greenish sparkles. Presents and intense aroma on the nose, perfectly blending fruity and flowery notes, highlighting apple and fruits with stone (apricot). On the mouth, the freshness typical of the Albariño wine is noted, with a low, perfectly balanced acidity balanced with the structure and body of the wine. Tasty, sweet and glyceric.

Ochoa Blanco 70% Viura (aka Macabeo) 30% Chardonnay (Navarra DO , Spain)

kennuncorked Tasting Notes

Production Practices:

Reported not produced using "Sustainable", "Organic" or "Biodynamic" practices.

Appearance:
With the glass tilted, the wine is clear and transparent. The core is a pale wheat (almost water-white) that seems consistent to a water-white rim.

Nose/Aromas:
Clean with pronounced intensity of flowers with hints of unripe pineapple, ripe pear and peach.

Palate:
Dry, light bodied with medium minus acidity.  The fruit characteristics seem to be of light intensity with the citrus (unripe pineapple) and lemon zest.  Interesting that (retro-nasal flavors are the peach and the pear). There seems to be no perception of alcohol burn (the alcohol level = 13.0 %) indicating that the alcohol is well integrated into the wine.

Finish/Length:
Clean with a short finish.

Cost:

Approximate retail price: US$10.00.

Producers Notes:

No tasting notes available from producer.

FEIST Madeira "Rainwater" Style

kennuncorked Tasting Notes

Production Practices:
The wines of Madeira appear to have "historic sustainability", especially for the United States.

Vines are grown in tiny plots—typically, a smallholder will grow vines on pergolas, with cabbages and other crops growing underneath. There are an estimated 14 000 different vineyard plots on the island, and with a total vineyard area of 1700 hectares (approximately 42,000 acres), The average plot is about 1.214 hectare (about 3 acres) although most are just a fraction of a hectare. Therefore, each of the major wine producers will buy grapes from many hundreds of different growers, creating obvious difficulties for quality control.

Appearance:
With the glass tilted, the wine is clear and transparent. The core is a rich burnt orange/amber gently fading to a medium orange rim. 

Nose/Aromas:
Clean with a pronounce intensity of caramel, orange peel, and dried figs.  (Serve slightly chilled -55 degrees Fahrenheit/12.65 degrees Celsius)

Palate:
Sweet, medium plus bodied, with a slight hint of tannin (unexpected) with mouth-watering acidity.  The fruit characteristics seem pronounced and similar to the nose "caramel, orange peel, and dried figs.  There is no perception of alcohol (the alcohol level = 19.0%) indicating the alcohol in well integrated into the wine and all the components are in balance.

Finish/Length:
Clean with a long finish with the slow fading of all the fruit flavors on the palate.

Cost:

Approximate retail price: US$14.00.

Producers Notes:

Madeira, is a volcanic island situated in the Atlantic Ocean some 400 mile off the North African coast.  It was discovered in 1419 by Portuguese explorers and is famous for its dessert wine of the same name which is unique in character and taste.  FEIST MADEIRA is made in strict accordance with the traditional methods.  FEIST MADEIRA was aged and matured in oak casks for 3 years, then bottled on the island.  Esteemed for its concentrated aroma and suble flavour , it can be served as an aperitif or an after dinner drink.

Michel Torino CUMA Torrentes 2007

kennuncorked Tasting Notes

Production Practices:
Made with "Agencert  Certified" Organic Grapes.

Appearance:
With the glass tilted, the wine is clear and transparent. The core is a very pale gold color that seems consistent to the rim.

Nose/Aromas:
Clean with light to medium intensity of peach, papaya, and tangerine.

Palate:
Dry, medium bodied with no tannin and mouth-watering acidity. The fruit characteristics seem to a tropical fruit cocktail of peach, papaya, tangerine, and pineapple.  There is no perception of alcohol (the alcohol level = 13.5%) indicating the alcohol in well integrated into the wine and all the components are in balance.

Finish/Length:
Clean with a long finish.

Cost:

Approximate retail price: US$11.00.

Producers Notes:

Cafayate has become a top area for the production of Torrontes as its soil and climate conditions enhance this grape's varietal character. Intense perfumed aromas of tropical fruits with some floral hints of roses. Elegant and complex wine with a rich, mellow, and fruity taste.

Deen de Bortoli Pinot Noir Vat 10 2005

kennuncorked Tasting Notes

Production Practices:
Sustainable Grape growing and Sustainable Wine making practices.

Appearance:
With the glass tilted, the wine is clear and transparent. The core is a pale garnet (maybe burnt orange color) moving to a broad dark pink rim.

Nose/Aromas:
Clean with a medium to pronounced intensity of blackberry, blueberry aromas with a hint of clove in the background.

Palate:
Dry, light to medium bodied, low intensity of tannin with medium acidity. The fruit characteristics seem to be light intensity of cinnamon spice with a hint of unripe red fruit (strawberry or raspberry). There is no perception of alcohol burn (the alcohol level = 13.5%) indicating the alcohol in well integrated into the wine.

Finish/Length:
Clean with a medium minus finish.

Cost:

Approximate retail price: US$13.00.

Producers Notes:

Medium brick red in color with purple hues. Complex cherry-like Pinot fruit aroma with some earth characters and light oak influence. On the palate the wine offers a intense concentration with strawberry and spice flavors, accentuated by brief skin maceration after ferment. The wine shows true varietal character and is well structured, balanced with silky tannins adding texture and great length.

Deen de Bortoli Sauvignon Blanc Vat 2 2007

kennuncorked Tasting Notes

Production Practices:
Sustainable Grape growing and Sustainable Wine making practices.

Appearance:
With the glass tilted, the wine is clear and transparent. The core is a pale wheat (almost water-white) that seems consistent to a water-white rim.

Nose/Aromas:
Clean with medium intensity of aroma much like fresh grass or green herbs.  There is a hint of lemon zest and ripe pear in the background.

Palate:
Dry, light bodied with medium mouth-watering acidity. The fruit characteristics seem to be medium intensity of fresh grass, green herbs and unripe pear. There seems to be no perception of alcohol burn (the alcohol level = 12.0 %) indicating that the alcohol is well integrated into the wine.

Finish/Length:
Clean with a short finish.

Cost:

Approximate retail price: US$10.00.

Producers Notes:

Light straw with lovely green hues. Clean, fragrant, slightly grassy aroma with underlying tropical characteristics. A vibrant yet delicate palate balanced with good acidity. Intense gooseberry and grassy flavors with tropical notes also evident.

Deen de Bortoli dB Petite Sirah 2006

kennuncorked Tasting Notes

Production Practices:

Sustainable Wine making practices. (Grapes purchased from outside vineyards-no assurance about grape growing practices)

Appearance:
With the glass tilted, the wine is clear and almost opaque. The core is a pronounced (deep) purple with a hint of violet fading to medium dark pink rim.

Nose/Aromas:
Clean with pronounced black cherry and black licorice aromas.

Palate:
Dry, medium to full bodied with medium minus intensity of tannin with medium (yet mouth-watering). The fruit characteristics are a medium intensity of black cherry and black licorice .  There is no indication of alcohol burn (the alcohol level = 13.5%) indicating the alcohol is well integrated into the wine.

Finish/Length:
Clean with a medium minus finish.

Cost:

Approximate retail price: US$7.00.

Producers Notes:

Deep purple in color with ink hues. Rich ripe plum with sweet, well integrated mocha-chocolate oak. Concentrated fruit palate with persistence of flavors well supported by mocha-chocolate oak and rich fruit..

Deen de Bortoli Chardonnay Vat 7 2005

kennuncorked Tasting Notes

Production Practices:
Sustainable Grape growing and Sustainable Wine making practices.

Appearance:
With the glass tilted, the wine is clear, bright and transparent. The core is a pale gold color that is fairly consistent fading to a narrow water-white rim.

Nose/Aromas:
Clean with a pronounced intensity of vanilla with a hint of pineapple.

Palate:
Dry, full bodied (buttery) with mouth-watering acidity. The fruit characteristics seem to be medium intensity of pineapple, peach with a hint of vanilla..  There is a slight perception of alcohol burn on the sides of the tongue (but not unpleasant) with the the alcohol level = 13.5%).

Finish/Length:
Clean with a medium plus finish.

Cost:

Approximate retail price: US$10.00

Producers Notes:

Pale lemon in color. Rich aromas of peaches, figs and toasty vanillin oak. A full bodied wine showing ripe stone fruit flavors and rich vanillin and nutty characters. A creamy texture adds to the length of the wine This wine starts off rather toasty and woody-smelling, but the wood is much less noticeable on the palate, where pear and peach flavors take over, given focus by crisp, citrus notes on the finish.