Today, via WineMad, I saw the SF Chronicle’s Sipping News article (click here to read) about a new wine search engine, Able Grape at www.ablegrape.com.
This is a serious wine research tool. A search of tempranillo returns about 120K hits. The search results can be filtered in several ways, e.g., research, tasting notes, varietal info, and more.
There is a supporting blog at ablegrape.wordpress.com. Very well done!
Read wine reviews from around the web at winemad.net.
Valentine’s Day quaff, Abadia Retuerta Seleccion Especial Sardon de Duero 2003. Fruity, easy drinking, but overpriced @ $21, so QPR of 2/5.
Read more wine reviews from around the web at winemad.net.
Popped and poured 2006 Falesco Sangiovese that I picked up at The Wine Library on a recent visit (blogged here).
Nice fruity quaff, no oak, OK QPR.
Watch Gary V. review this wine at winelibrarytv.com.
Read more wine reviews at winemad.net.
1998 Lan Vina Lanciano Rioja Reserva (click here for more reviews): popped and poured: delicious bright cherry on the nose and palate, lightly acidic. Paid $22, good QPR, would purchase again.
Note to self: seek out some Shiraz Petit Verdot (click here for reviews with tasting notes). This based on a review, Camden Park Shiraz Petit Verdot – Lovethatwine.co.uk (2/2/2008), that popped up on WineMad.net.
LoveThatWine labeled it a Really bold red, which suits WineMad well.
Yalumba Shiraz-Viognier South Australia The Y Series 2006, 88pts, WS
WineMad paid $8.99 @ Joe Canal’s.
Yalumba’s notes: Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier is bright and youthful. The nose is full of spices, licorice and plum fruits with subtle hints of Viognier emphasised by soft jam of fresh purple grape aromas.
The palate is supple, chewy and delicious with sweet vinour fruits and loose-knit tannins. A spicy, savoury and silky wine with a lingering finish.
WineMad’s review: spicy nose, dark berry, peppery, dark fruits on the palate, medium finish. Excellent QPR. Recommended.
WineMad has added a new tab: and Cheese! It is still in beta as we look for additional, quality sources of information about the world of cheese.
Picked up a bottle of Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines 2006 for $7.50, popped and poured… Wow! Delicious, with a great QPR… Cherry, berries, bright, touch of vanilla on the palate, some mint and smoke on the nose, will stock up on a few more of these as a weekday drink. Recommended.
Elio Altare, Dolcetto d’Alba 2006 with tortellini and pesto.
WineMad’s first Dolcetto, from the venerable barolo producer, Elio Altare. Tasting notes: on first sniff, notes of children’s vitamins! Decanted. Nose evolved quite a lot over a few hours. Fruity and pleasant with some depth, good QPR.
