@grapes7: I am always reluctant to review wines, as I’m really hopeless at it. But here are my thoughts for what they are worth. Sam Kim reviewed the Jim Brand Domain (from the Jim Brand website, so it’s public) as follows: “Offering opulence and grace in one, this magnificent wine shows cassis, spiced cherry, vanilla, cedar and cigar notes on the nose. It’s equally impressive on the palate, displaying outstanding concentration and depth combined with silky mouthfeel and fine chalky tannins, offering impressive structure and length.” I really couldn’t detect spiced cherry etc.
What I will say is that is that this is quite a light-style wine. It’s a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot. I couldn’t find the proportions anywhere, but it must have a fair amount of cab franc in it. Light-ish ruby/garnet colour. Delicate nose. Definitely not a fruit bomb and not heavy on the tannins. It was a little hot alcohol-wise initially, but that faded as the wine opened up, so decanting would help. I think it will improve over time, but it’s not essential.
For the price ($30), it was a very pleasant wine, definitely above a quaffer, but if I’d paid the RRP of $85, I would have been pretty disappointed. I’m happy enough with it, but it wasn’t one where I immediately went out and bought another dozen. Sam Kim gave it 96 points. There’s no way this is a 96 point wine for me. In the range of 88-90.
www.vinomofo.com
