What Would Mikey Drink

Deep dark and compelling, this is a knock out zinfandel. Delicious chocolate covered cherries, full vibrant mouth feel and a very long finish. Even though this is huge, there’s character and charm. Its 16% alcohol is buried under a wall of freshness. This is a big success for Turley. Retail $70, grade: A. www.whatwouldmikeydrink.com

Here’s a short recap of a perfect tasting with some good friends. 1995 bollinger rd. maderized ;( 1996 Salon. Incredible aromatics of brioche and lemon rind. Really spreads across the palate like a twinkling sky. Bright so strong. Impeccable balance. Finish lasts minutes. Truley says crisp apricot puree. Adley says kumquat. Brian says sering acidity. [...]

A nice quaffing wine, but not a good value. Its complex and tropical, with musty, peachy, very sweet (is there residual sugar?) flavors that do not hold together. Its clumsy. However, it sails into a nice, long finish. From the north fork of Long Island. Retail $27, grade: B- www.whatwouldmikeydrink.com

Lovely ruby. Great aromas like an enchanted forest. Jill says the smell filled the entire kitchen and correctly guessed it as an 05 burgundy. Somewhat hard palate, but with huge potential. This is just too young. I wonder if the ’05s are starting their slumber? It is dense, and really spreads out across the palate, [...]

Almost a desert pinot, this is lush and very sweet. Bordering on too much. Its got candied cherries, wet dirt, and some brooding forest flavors. The alcohol sticks out like I sat on a thumb tack and the wine lacks balance. While I respect Martinelli and have been on their mailing list a while, I’d [...]

Nice value in an inexpensive Australian Shiraz. Not a typical, syrupy, over alcoholic wine, like many from this part of the world. This one is pretty and feminine, but with power. It’s got some dirt and gunpowder, some jucy, plummy fruits, and an excellent finish. Nice balance too. While it doesn’t change with every sip, [...]

This is a lightly colored, elegant wine. Attractive aromas of spring berries and dirt. A nice subtle wine, that reminds me of both mushrooms and sour cherries. I’d be excited about this at under $20. At this price, not so much. While it has a lot going, it lacks the depth and long finish of [...]

Almost no smell. Sue says it tastes like a mouth full of sugar water. The other three dump out their glass and are on to the next wine as I write this. Interesting sleek mouth feel, but not much else. Muted, neutral flavors lead to a steely, syrupy finish. I taste no oak, which is [...]

Not a big fan of this. It is light, thin and acidic. Not enough spine for its sour character. I have a lot of respect for Argyle Vineyard, they may excellent pinot noir, and even better sparkling wine. But this is a miss, especially at this price. Jill says it tastes like cough medicine. Not [...]

Holy crap! Incredible aromas of morels, fresh truffle, tomato, cherries, earth, and amazing complexity. This is how red burgundy should smell. Just stunning all around, dusty, musty, dirty, fragrant, mint, full bouquet of fruit and an extremely long finish. An absolute joy. Too young, but I love it. Very old vines, supposedly from 1885. Thanks [...]