February 18, 2014 – Florida Jim Cowan’s 2014 Tasting Notes Archive
February 18th, 2014 | 
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Jim Cowan Photo by Chris Witkowski - click to enlarge
The 2014 archive is presented by date the notes were compiled and submitted. Prior year’s tasting notes may be found here.
February 18, 2014
All wines purchased at Total Wine, St. Petersburg, Florida.
2009 Marquis de Monistrol, Cava Brut Winemaker’s Select:
12% abv; energetic bead, nice creaminess but still bright and lively in the mouth; charming and the equal of many N/V Champagnes. Buy more. $15. Find this wine
2012 Terramore, Nero D’Avola:
12.5 % abv, organic grapes, screwcap; correct to its variety with hints of an herbaceous side; a bit of a puzzle as I like it and at the same time I’m not sure of it. I’ll buy another and try again. $10. Find this wine
2012 Greek Wine Cellars, Assyrtiko Santorini:
12.5% abv; aromas, textures and flavors that reference Chenin blanc with the addition of some sappy fruit that is both sweet and bright (the wine, however, is dry); best at refrigerator temperature as it becomes oddly cloying at room temp. Probably not. $13. Find this wine
2011 Poderi di Carlo, Ribolla Gialla Venezia Giulia:
12.0% abv; no evidence of skin contact as this is acidic and not especially intense, but it does have the characteristic scent of peach and nutmeg just at a lower intensity; quite clean and very bright, dry. I like it but I seem to crave more flavor. Maybe more. $13. Find this wine
2012 Hugues de Beauvignac, Picpoul de Pinet Coteaux du Landguedoc:
12.5% abv, screwcap; floral and citrus nose; clean and crisp in the mouth with light fruit flavors; nicely persistent. Interesting both cold and warmed to room temp. Maybe more. $11. Find this wine
2011 Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler, Riesling (Dry) Mosel:
11.5% abv, screwcap; a touch of sulphur on the nose but otherwise it’s what one would expect; despite the labeling, there’s a sweetness to the fruit although it finishes dry. Unremarkable but not unpleasant. No more. $15. Find this wine
2011 Rocca Felice, Nebbiolo d’Alba Famiglia Lanzavecchia:
13.5% abv; ripe but quite correct nose with some layers and depth; excellent nebbiolo flavors, good complexity and even some finesse, this is quite accomplished and delicious with a level of complexity that is unexpected. Something very nice to drink while one’s Barolo ages. I’ll buy a good bit more of this. $16. Find this wine
2008 G del R, Bierzo:
13% abv, the grape is Mencia; needed about 2 hours in the decanter to open into a darkly fruit, earthy wine with a touch of brett; not so much as to overwhelm but rather as nuance. Actually, made the wine more interesting. Probably buy again. $15. Find this wine
I find it fun to bottom feed and see what can be found with good quality below $20. This round I had pretty good luck. And found one diamond in the rough.
Best, Jim
January 11, 2014
1990 McDowell, Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino:
12.8% alcohol; some bricking at the edge, medium garnet; expansive nose with bottle bouquet, plum, herb and iodine aromas; rich and almost lush in the mouth but without weight, solid fruit flavors with considerable complexity, accents of earth, brush and herbs, maybe even some mint; good length and no drying tannins. More like an older Bordeaux than expected and no hint of decay. Fine wine. Find this wine
2008 Drouhin-Laroze, Gevrey-Chambertin:
13.5% alcohol; beautiful nose of fruit and earth with a touch of spice, very alluring; silk in the mouth and complete, clearly Burgundy in delivery and weight, mouth-watering; good length that is every bit as delightful as the palate and nose. Charming in so many ways and as pretty a pinot noir as I have had in awhile. Find this wine
N/V Louis Roederer, Champagne Brut Premier:
12% alcohol; vigorous bead; smells slightly of fruit and bread; clear, clean taste with lively acidity and the texture of light mousse. I know little of Champagne but I enjoyed this and would be happy to drink it any time. Find this wine
2009 Ladd Cellars, Pinot Noir Cuvée Abigail:
14.5% alcohol; feminine but not frail, this Sonoma Coast pinot has the texture of satin with good fruit (both treble and bass notes) and some nice earthy/spicy accents, starting to close down just a little, decanter time helps. Seductive is an often over-used descriptor but here, it is warranted. A lovely pinot with as pleasing a texture as any I can remember. Find this wine
2011 Centonze, Frappato:
12% alcohol; a deft, lightweight, pure wine with supple fruit, an elegant delivery and surprising sustain. The style reminds me of Beaujolais but the flavors are all frappato. Charming wine and less than $20, retail. Find this wine
Best, Jim
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