VineSugar Tasting Notes

2005 Seghesio Family Vineyards Blend $40

Rating: 5 Stars

Acclaim: Highly Recommended

This is a tough one to find; you may have to belong to their wine club to get your hands on it. This red fields blend is an homage to their late mother who dreamed of making wine from their century-old vineyards. It's one of the most smooth, complex well-balanced wine I've had the pleasure to enjoy. The balanced blend brings layer after layer of juicy, sexy flavors. The mouthfeel is so full an juicy with the silkiest tannins that make their presence know but melt like truffles. This wine is sheer perfection in every way and red wine lovers will find every quality they could ask for - rich black berries, chocolates, earth and spice.

Author: Ryan O'Donnell

Posted Jan 06, 2008 11:02 am

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2006 Tapiz Chardonnay $15

Rating: 3 Stars

A very inviting nose of apples and pears. The mouthfeel is very pleasant; full but not overly complex. Loads of crisp, clean fruit flavors with a mineral, well-balanced acidic finish. Don't look to be blown away but this is very good wine that will please large crowds and if you see it on sales, it's a great buy!

Author: Ryan O'Donnell

Posted Jan 06, 2008 10:46 am

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1994 Hardys Shiraz $90

Rating: 0.5 Stars

Word of the web is that this wine is some coveted stuff. High marks across the board stating that it would age for 10-15 years. Well, let me be the first to say that it didn't make the journey. Unless you like that old musty cellar, essence of foot and a lingering finish gnarly wood with the most faint hint of black fruit. Perhaps it was good at one time but this wine is WAY past it's prime. I have no reason to question it's storing conditions considering the source but it was a gift so it's tough to say.

Author: Ryan O'Donnell

Posted Jan 06, 2008 9:27 am

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2004 Coral Mustang Tempranillo Vista Creek Vineyards $24

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 19:33:58 +0100

Rating: 4 Stars

Acclaim: Smart Buy

Coral Mustang's Tempranillo has a dark, brooding personality. When you first meet this wine, you are not 100% sure of its character. The first smell of this wine gives off a mask of tannins and dryness that leaves you intrigued to know more, but again not sure if you'll like the wine or not. After a minute of reflection and swirling-of-the-glass, this Tempranillo opens up to reveal hints of dark fruit. Like prune or raisin, plum and blackberry. Shivering with anticipation to find out more, the first sip, on the tip of the tongue, there is that prune or raisin taste. Then roaring through your mouth, there is a very pleasant dryness that isn't chalky nor is it a bitter flavor. I was very surprised by the wonderfully smooth and subtle finish. The finish seemed to balance out the rush of flavors and dryness in the beginning. I retasted this wine about 2 hours after I opened it and it was even better. The tannins soften on the smell and taste. There was so much more rich plum and blackberry to go along with the prune or raisin flavors.

I found the Coral Mustang Tempranillo 2004 is even better after the wine is decanted. This is a great wine to drink now, or you can have it with dinner and most certainly this is a wine that you would want in your cellars and age it.

Would I take this wine home? Yes. For 20 bucks, this is a steal. And even for 40 bucks, I would still would take this wine home.

Author: Caleb Neeper

Posted Oct 13, 2007 7:06 am

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The Mustang Winemaker @ Dec 08, 2007 11:33 am:

Thank you for your review!
This wine is maturing very nicely- your suggestion of decanting is spot on not only for the aeration but since it was not filtered it has some sediment-something many are not accustomed to. Shows how little manipulation to the wine has been done to preserve the flavors of the grape.Thank you again,
Penelope Gadd-Coster, Winemaker/Owner

2003 Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc $20

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 19:33:58 +0100

Rating: 0.5 Stars

At first I thought the wine was "off" but this is the fourth half-bottle I've tried and the nose is the same. Wet oak, mushrooms, antiseptic qualities. Not qualities I look for in a Sauvignon Blanc. The flavors follow the nose with their fruit-lacking, musty and down right unpleasant aspects. This wine not just bad, it's horrible. Granted, I've never made wine before but I'd like to think I could make something more drinkable than this. How do you screw up Napa Valley grapes?

Author: Ryan O'Donnell

Posted Aug 10, 2007 5:09 pm

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2006 Wolf Blass Riesling $10

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 19:33:58 +0100

Rating: 2.5 Stars

Pale yellow with green hues are obvious. Bright aromas of lemon, lime and hints of oranges and white peaches. Very approachable with delicate fruit and flavors flavors. The acidity lingers nicely throughout but is a little overwhelming against the flavors. The finish offers cleansing lemon zest. A nice, mindless wine for everyday drinking.

Author: Ryan O'Donnell

Posted Aug 09, 2007 6:44 pm

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2005 Hogue Riesling $10

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 19:33:58 +0100

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Acclaim: Great Value

This wine whomps your senses with coconut followed by stone white fruits, apricots, honeysuckle and a flint/mint quality. Very creamy texture with vibrant apricot flavors. Very well balanced; not a sticky sweet as I was expecting for a "Late Harvest" wine. The finish a nice acidity that fades equally with the fruit. Very generous and balanced.

Author: Ryan O'Donnell

Posted Aug 08, 2007 6:12 pm

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2002 Leasingham Shiraz $25

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 19:33:58 +0100

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Deep, intense color that is sure to stain your teeth! Dark fruit married with chocolate, sweet tobacco tickle the nose. Full bodied with loads of blueberries and sweet black berries that linger well into the finish. This is a hearty wine but one that's full of bright berries and ripe tannins.

Author: Ryan O'Donnell

Posted Aug 02, 2007 6:46 pm

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2004 Quivira Zinfandel Anderson Ranch $34

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:00:03 +0100

Rating: 5 Stars

Acclaim: Highly Recommended

Like a woman's sexy leg in fishnet, thigh-high stockings from behind the bedroom door, this wine teases your senses in every way. Intoxicating aromas that ooze sensuality! Luscious black cherries and creamy vanilla with hints of plum and oak spices. The first sip: you lean back in your seat. The second sip: you're eying the bottle because you won't want to give away another drop! Full, hearty flavors that linger for minutes. Loads of wild berries, with a creamy cocoa and vine-ripened peppers quality. Well-integrated tannins allow this to stand up to anything. This wine is stunning.

Author: Ryan O'Donnell

Posted Jul 30, 2007 6:36 pm

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Annette @ Sep 13, 2007 1:00 pm:

I love this zinfandel it has the perfect balance of juicy fruit and tannins. It is not a fruit bomb, rather it has just enough spice and great mouth feel. It has delicate berries on the nose and a lingering finish. I usually have to take two bottles home with me. It was one of the first zins to get me to stop drinking only pinots.

2004 Murrieta's Well Meritage $35

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:55:13 +0100

Rating: Stars

Author: Ryan O'Donnell

Posted Jul 23, 2007 6:40 am

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Anthony Bacevice @ Nov 14, 2007 9:55 pm:

This is an excellent wine. The initial nose is entertaining. The flavors on the palate are profound. The long finish is also memorable. This is especially good with steak, or lamb. I enjoyed this wine with both steak and lamb chops.