Kottabos's profile

2009 Pascual Toso - Malbec
The aroma of this deep red Malbec reminds one of dark fruit and strong coffee. The coffee characteristic is echoed on the palate, where it joins flavors of blueberry, black pepper, and underbrush. Fleshy and structured with mid-palate tannins, this wine is an incredible bargain for the price.

2010 Testarossa Prima Pinot Noir
Slightly dull burgundy in color, with an aromatic nose of red cherry, root beer, vanilla, and strawberry shortcake, the palate is soft, with flavors of candied cherries, cola, and brisk acidity.

2009 Montrose
Astoundingly inky purple in color, this promises to be big wine - but not for many years to come. Prior to release and just poured from the bottle, the nose is reticent, with dark berries, cacao, and ink most prominent. Upon entry, the entire tongue is coated with tannin - hardly any flavor is permitted to escape its grip. When this wine arrives, do not be hasty. If you can, hide it in the bowels of your cellar so that one day, decades from now, you can experience this wine in its full-flavored glory.

2009 Tronquoy-Lalande
Prior to release, this wine's aroma is reticent - displaying only mixed berries and alcohol. On the palate, it tastes rather soft and flabby but with tongue-coating tannins. There is some graphite and wildflower flavor, but over-all, this wine is quite closed and young. Put this down and forget about it for a few years.

2010 Clos Floridene - Blanc
40% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, & 20% Muscadelle, this delicious Graves smells and tastes of mineral-laden grapefruit and Meyer lemon robed in lip smacking acidity in beautiful balance with the fruit. An excellent value.