Wine Asylum

Posted by Severius! Supremus (A) on February 11, 2005 at 17:12:26

In Reply to: Introducing My Wine Ratings posted by Severius! Supremus on February 11, 2005 at 14:33:06:

California, Trinchero Family Estate
1998 vintage $10
1999 vintage $11

1998 - Not competative with the better examples of its class, such as the Trinchero 2002 Cab and the Asti Cellar No. 8 2000 cab (proof of how markedly affordable wines have improved year after year since the mid 90s), this Cab is characterized by higher levels of bitterness and dryness.

There is virtually no oak casket aging evident. While not a bad wine - its greenness is well hidden and it shows some care in the balance of its various components - it nevertheless falls short of better rivals.

1999 - Nearly everything I said of the 1998 vintage is also true here, except that oak casket aging, as noted on the label, is in evidence. In greater evidence also is greenness of the fruit and all of the previously noted bitterness.

The wine remains resolutely in the dry end of the spectrum, adding to it a bright, tart finish, which, lacking a proper counterweight, reduces enjoyment.

In all, not really bad, but one can do much better.