2 Big Box Wines

My tasting partner and I happened to be in our local big box store and he just can not pass up an opportunity to buy and try a new wine.  We did not ask for recommendations, but decided to go on our instincts and to use the reviews that were posted.  We bought 2 wines and tried them both recently.  Both were a bit of a disappointment.

First, Tasca d'Almerita Lamuri Nero d'Avola IGT Sicilia,  2008 (13.5% alcohol) which had a rating of 92 from a well known wine taster.  We took a chance on this one, since neither one of us had heard of this wine or grape.  This wine is 100% Nero d’Avola grape, which is indigenous in Sicily, Italy.   It has been compared to New World Shirazes in taste, with sweet tannins and plum or peppery flavors.  My tasting partner and I thought it was uninteresting.  I suggested that it might be a good showing for that particular grape, but as a wine, it was just okay.

 Tasca d'Almerita Lamuri Nero d'Avola IGT Sicilia,  2008       $16.99  90 pts

Next we tried Jean Rijckaert Monthélie Pinot Noir Vielles Vignes, 2009 (13% alcohol).  Interestingly, it is labeled as a Pinot Noir even though it is made in Southern Burgundy, France.  Again, it was slightly acidic and uninteresting. 

 Jean Rijckaert Monthélie Pinot Noir Vielles Vignes, 2009    $17.99  88-90 pts