|
EACH WEEK WE TASTE 7 - 9 DIFFERENT WINES + BONUS WINES
LISTED BELOW IS JUST A SAMPLING OF THE WINES WE HAVE TASTED IN THE PREVIOUS WEEKS
Return To Archives Page
Wine Tasting May 16 - 19, 2012
ZINFEST
2009 Sbragia Gino's Vineyard (Dry Creek)
93 points, Wine Enthusiast (March 1, 2012):A fantastic Zinfandel, Sbragia's best in years, and one of the best of the
vintage. Shows classic Dry Creek wild blueberry and briary blackberry flavors, with exotic spices, and the exuberance
you want in a Zin. Yet it exhibits a rare control, making it elegant despite the power. Drink now for sheer joy.
2009 Venge Scouts Honor Red Wine (Napa)
55% Zinfandel, 22% Petite Sirah, 14% Charbono and 9% Syrah —from 30 to 60 year-old vinesSmall individual lots of
fruit were destemmed and whole-berry fermentation took an average for 12 days in tank. Aged for 18 months in 60% new American Oak from Missouri. Deep and concentrated black cherry, briary raspberry, cinnamon, clove, pepper,
spice, smoky dark chocolate and dried blueberry.
2009 Green & Red Zinfandel (Chiles Valley)
The grapes come from the higher hillsides in the Chiles Valley, whose floor is 1,000 feet high. Aged 14 months in half
French and American oak. Dry throughout with coffee and cocoa. 93 points Wine & Spirits: One of the best
Zinfandels in 2009. A violet and black cherry-scented beauty, held in a tannic structure that will reward ten years of bottle age. Both fresh and clean tasting.
2009 Ridge Lytton Springs Vineyard (Sonoma)
Lytton Springs was one of the great Zinfandel wineries, acquired by Ridge in 1991. 95 points, Wine Advocate:The
biggest and most structured of these 2009 Zinfandel-based reds, due to the earthier soils and Petite Sirah. Black fruit,
plums, tar, licorice and smoke. Generous, inviting, fairly structured, and will benefit from more bottle age. 74% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah and 5% Carignane.
2009 Micheal and David Earthquake Zinfandel (Lodi)
A wine that for years delivers a style very popular with Zinfandel lovers: high in alcohol, sweet, ripe, dense, soft, and
red fruit jam. With some Petite Sirah and Syrah. Plum, cinnamon, black raspberry vanilla, pie crust and mocha.
2009 Michael & David Lust Zinfandel
A high end Zin from Michael & David. Has a soft texture and decadent mouthfeel, with flavors of creme de cassis,
caramel cream, melted milk chocolate, tangerine zest, cinnamon-spiced gingerbread, and raisin.
Wine Tasting May 9 - 12, 2012
2010 Domaine du Salvard Sauvignon Blanc Unique (Loire Valley, France)
A great value introduction to Sauvignon Blanc from the region in the world most famous for that grape. Made in
temperate controlled stainless steel from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Aged on the lees to add a fuller mouth feel. Keeps the
price low by being able to selectively combining grapes from vineyards anywhere the Loire, though any particular vintage may be from a single appellation. An impressive combination of lime and grapefruit, minerality, refreshing
acidity, and green herb.
2010 Domaine de Fonsainte Corbieres Rouge
A consistent best buy. 60% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 10% Syrah. Hand picked grapes, temperature controlled
fermentation, with carbonic maceration. Made to be supple and fruity, with cherry and blueberry, but also has non-fruit
flavors of liquorice and cocoa. From vineyards with a mixed soil of clay, limestone, and gravel. For about $4 more, the
Demoiselle cuvee is made from their best vineyard with the oldest vines, that is even more deep, complex, and ageworthy.
2009 Bodegas Y Viñedos Del Jalón, Punto Y Seguido Garnacha Viñas Viejas (Spain)
100% old vine Grenache at least 60 years old, from hillside vineyards 1,050 meters high, on soils of slate and quartzite,
with miniscule yields of 1 ton per acre. Fermented in chilled stainless steel tanks, then aged in French oak barrels. Dark
purple. Very aromatic red cherry and raspberry. Minerally and bright rather than heavy. Very youthful tasting right
now, but tasted for a week, gets deeper, more complex, and tannic. Great Spanish Grenache, at a very modest price for what it is. Seldom do we see wines named after punctuation marks. Badly underated at 90 points in the Wine
Advocate.
2009 Post House Missing Virgin (South Africa)
An usual blend of around 70% Pinotage and 30% Petit Verdot grapes. Dark, saturated color with a bluish tone. Violets,
bright acidity, blueberry, and earth flavors. The name refers to the virgin Christian martyr who the Virgin Islands were named for, and a famous rare stamp from that country that unintentially omitted her image.
2007 Vine Cliff Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California)
This estate consistently makes its best wines from Cabernet Sauvignon from its own vineyards in Oakville and
Calistoga in Napa California, that range from very good up to strong candidates for the best in California. The Cabs
are deep, complex, and balanced. The general "Napa Valley" bottling blends across its holdings, and can be soaringly good in great vintages. Also makes an excellent Merlot.
Wine Tasting May 2 - 5, 2012
2009 Little Lion Company Butternut Chardonnay (California)
Round, creamy notes, hints of hazelnut , 14 months on new French oak.. Grapes from the regions of Carneros , coombsville, Santa Luci, and Arroyo Seco in Monteray.
2007 Alexander Valley Vineyards Redemption Zinfandel (Dry Creek, California)
93 points, Beverage Testing Institute: Deep garnet violet color. Classic aromas of mashed raisins, dried raspberries,
and cracked pepper follow through on a supple, plush entry to a fruity medium-full body with great depth, mouthwatering acidity and a high-wire balance of alcohol. Finishes with a long, pure, craisin and plum skin cascade. A
delicious, textbook example of Dry Creek Zinfandel.
2007 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 3% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. 92 points, Wine Advocate:A stunning yet reasonably priced, high end Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. From multiple vineyards. Dense
purple color as well as a big, sweet bouquet of blueberry and black currant fruit intertwined with licorice, bay leaf, cedar and fruitcake notes. Full-bodied, opulent, and precocious.
2007 Post House Shiraz (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
A seriously good Shiraz. Dark black with a nose of blackcurrant, chocolate, pepper, raspberry and spice with a hint of
floral petals. Elegant, dryly tannic, and long.
2007 Powers Cougars Vineyard Syrah Reserve (Wahule, Washington)
The first Powers Reserve Syrah was the 2006, which the North West Wine Press rated as the top Syrah in the Platinum
tasting of 52 Syrahs that won at least one Gold Medal in another judged tasting. Of the 2007 vintage, Winemaker's Notes: Aged 28 months in all French oak, 74% new. Includes 5% Cabernet Franc. Nearly breathtaking in aromatics with
layers of cherry, nutmeg, sarsaparilla and unsweetened cocoa. French vanilla and black currant join quickly on the
palate. Unique delicacy comes from lavender and violets that lead to an explosion of well textured cherry. These all
circle and swirl in your mouth and are enriched by cherry cola, root beer and tobacco. Perfectly suited to savor on its own, and would heighten rack of lamb and roast.
Weekly Wine Tasting April 25 - 28, 2012
2007 Macrostie Wildcat Mountain Pinot Noir (Sonoma, California)
95 points, Wine Enthusiast:MacRostie's Pinots from this vineyard on the edge of the Sonoma side of Carneros always
are big, ripe, powerful and ageable. This '07 shows the fat, ripe character of the vintage, offering luscious raspberry,
cherry, cola, red currant liqueur, bacon, anise, spice and sandalwood flavors. But it's balanced enough to change in interesting ways over the next 5–7 years. Really a glamorous wine for your best meals.
2010 Mas Oller Pur Emporda (Spain)
91 points, Wine Advocate:The deep purple-colored 2010 Mas Oller Pur is made up of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and
20% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 3 months in French oak. Notes of game, Asian spices, lavender, and black fruits
compose the nose of this savory, full-flavored, bargain-priced offering. It will blossom for another 2-3 years and drink well through 2020.
2011 Boland Cappupino Ccinotage (South Africa)
Pinotage grapes made to be centered on intense and complex coffee flavors, with secondary flavors of cherry and
cocoa. The wake up smell of brewing coffee, the roasted flavor of coffee beans, and the aftertaste of coffee grounds. Sort of .the tiramisu of wines. Has no flavors added from coffee.
2008 Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvee (Sonoma Valley, California)
"Mountain" here amounts to sloped vineyards on a volcanic hill at an altitude around 150 feet, but this has the dry tannic structure of most mountain wines in California. Winemaker's Notes: Soft, rich aromas and flavors of juicy
cherry, plum and blackberry, laced with milk chocolate and and roasted coffee bean. Dense, round mouthfeel with soft
tannins supporting generous fruit flavors. The long finish is full of berry and cocoa. A lush, fruit-forward wine intended to be enjoyed within five years of vintage. 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 10%
Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 5% Syrah.
2005 Arns Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (California)
92 points, Wine Enthusiast:Deep and impressively focused, and long in the finish, this rich Cabernet impresses with
fruity blackberry, cherry and raspberry flavors. So rich and ripe, yet balanced with lively acidity and firm tannins. At the age of five-plus, it's probably best now and for the next several years.
Weekly Wine Tasting April 18 - 21, 2012
This Week We Featured the Wines Of Row Eleven, Stratton Lummis and Civello
On Wednesday April 18th Our Guest Speaker Was:
Richard de los Reyes, Founder/Winemaker, Row Eleven, Stratton Lummis and Civello
2010 Civello (California)
Meant to be a unique, playful, and tastyblend. The 2010 version includes Vermentino, Verdelho, Albarino, Pinot gris
and Chardonnay. Fresh flowers, citrus, minerals, and honeysuckle.
2010 Stratton Lummis Chardonnay (Carneros, California)
Unoaked and cold fermented. 100% malolactically fermented. 10 months on its lees. Meant to work well with food.
Single vineyard, Alta Vista, on the Sonoma side. Apple, white peach, minerals, white flowers, refreshing acidity.
2008 Row Eleven Vinas 3 Pinot Noir (California)
Blends across disparate places to be the least expensive Pinot Noir that still captures the red cherry fruit and silky
texture the Pinot Noir grape is famous for, rather than some particular place.
2007 Row Eleven Russian River Pinot Noir (California)
Although labeled as Russian River so the best lots can be combined from different vineyards in this appellation, this
wine comes from only the Sanchetti Vineyard, whose vines at around 30 years old. Does not include stems with the fermenting grapes, partly to get a more delicious and immediately drinkable style. Fermented cool to capture the
freshness and brightness of the red cherry fruit. Aged 13 months in old French oak barrels for roundness and integration with only a light taste of oak.
2009 Row Eleven Santa Maria Pinot Noir (California)
A more powerful and complex expression of Pinot Noir. Includes lots with 50% whole bunches with stems, rather than
just the destemmed grapes, which adds a more tannic structure, protects the wine from oxidation, and makes it more ageworthy. Aged 2 years in French oak barrels, to add vanilla, smoke, and roundness. Denser, layered, and more
mouth coating, with the fruit shifted toward plum and black cherry.
Multi-Vintage Stratton Lummis Riddler Lot 2
Most wines are from a single vintage, and openly tell you what varieties of grapes are used and where the grapes are
grown. But some revel in cloaking that information. As the name "Riddler" suggests, this wine at most gives oblique
hints and leaves the drinker to figure the answers. The winery provided hints are (1) it's a red wine from Napa Valley,
(2) the alcohol is 15.2%, (3) it's from varieties not expected to be grown in Napa, (4) the aromas are raspberry, plum, and
violets, (5) the taste features dark fruits, and (6) Lot 1 had 7 varietals. Implied in naming it only by Riddler Lot # is that
the blend can be anything and change every year. Here's a start for your reasoning. Varietals you can nix because they are the most expected to be grown in Napa are prestigious Bordeaux grapes that command the highest prices -
Cabernet Sauvignon and then its primary blending grape of Merlot. The grape that most strongly hits almost every
hint is Grenache, followed by Carignan and Mouvedre, and then Petite Verdot. Varietals that fit except for being moderately common in Napa but more common in other places, are Zinfandel, Syrah, and Petite Sirah. Other rare
varietals with mostly test plots in Napa are Tempranillo and Sangiovese, but both feature red and black cherry. Lot 1 had suprisingly firm tannins, with a touch of leather and tea.
2008 Stratton Lummis Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville & Rutherford, California)
Uses purchased grapes to hold down costs. Consistently excellent and improves with age, and a best value for Cabs from Napa. Winemaker's Notes: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot. Earth, olive, and cherry on the
nose. Smooth, velvety, and elegant, but balanced by acid and tannin.
Wine Tasting April 11 - 14, 2012
This Week We Featured Wines From The Eric Solomon Selection (European Cellars).
Eric was named Food and Wine Magazine's 2007 Top US Importer.
2010 Maison de la Colline Sancerre La Craie (Loire, France)
Bright, minerally, and refreshing, with a grapefruit and grass edge.
2008 Obalo Rioja Crianza (Spain)
90+ points, Wine Advocate: A toasty nose with notes of leather, incense, violets, and blackberry. Structured on the
palate with excellent grip and length. Will evolve for 2-3 years and drink well through 2020.
2009 Cellar Cal Pal Black Slate (Priorat, Spain)
90 points, Wine Advocate (May, 2011): 46% Grenache, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Merlot and Syrah.
Aged for 12 months in French and American oak. Minerally along with slightly reticent aromas of cedar, black cherry,
and black currant. Somewhat tight, but seems to have the right stuff and need another 2-3 years to fully display its personality.
2010 Gassier Cercius Cote du Rhone Village (Cote du Nimes, France)
93 points, Wine Advocate: 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah from the 70- to 80-year-old Grenache vines on the plateau
south of Chateauneuf du Pape. Tastes more like Chateauneuf du Pape. Another example of what looks to be another great vintage emerging from the southern Rhone – 2010. One of the greatest Cotes du Rhones I have ever tasted.
Wonderfully intense, deep ruby with some purple tinges, with a stunning nose of black raspberry liqueur intermixed
with sweet cherries, licorice, pepper and Provencal lavender. Round, generous, opulent, heady, fabulously intense, and hedonistic. Bravo!
2009 Bodegas Y Viñedos Del Jalón, Punto Y Seguido Garnacha Viñas Viejas (Spain)
100% Old Vine Grenache at least 60 years old, from hillside vineyards 1,050 meters high, on soils of slate and quartzite,
with miniscule yields of 1 ton per acre. Fermented in chilled stainless steel tanks, then aged in French oak barrels. Dark
purple. Very aromatic red cherry and raspberry. Minerally and bright rather than heavy. Very youthful tasting right
now, but tasted for a week, gets deeper, more complex, and tannic. Great Spanish Grenache, at a very modest price for what it is. Seldom do we see wines named after punctuation marks. Badly underated at 90 points in the Wine
Advocate.
2010 Chateau Puech-Haut Prestige (Languedoc, France)
"Puech-Haut" is a somewhat ironic name for the higher of small hills. Still, being on a slope protects the grapes from
rain and winds. This wine started out as the introductory wine of Puech-Haut but was rechristened the Prestige, but it
is made from old vines. It also graduated to enamel lined tanks permitting each parcel on the estate to be separately
vinified. The wine is made with low sulfur, which trades off being more ageworthy for being more immediately rich,
liquerous, and seductive. It is also harvested relatively late, which generally raises the alcohol level, takes out any
vegetal taste, and emphasizes ripeness, but at the expense of acid and tannin. But, the grapes in 2010 had an especially fresh taste, and, to add more structure, more whole grape clusters are used instead of destemmed grapes. 94 points,
Wine Advocate, which is a record high rating for this wine.60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, and 5% Carignan.
 |
Wine Tasting April 4 - 7, 2012
2010 Man Vintners Chenin Blanc (Paarl, South Africa)
International Wine Cellars:Bright yellow. Cool aromas of melon, kiwi, lime zest, dusty herbs and licorice. Juicy and
densely packed, with a bit of sweetness balanced by brisk acidity. A crisp, clean midweight with a dusty texture and a ripe nectarine flavor on the lively finish. Terrific value.
2008 Freestone Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast, California)
92 points, Wine Enthusiast: Enormously ripe in cherries, raspberries, cranberries and dates, almost sweet, except that
it's totally dry, and the acidity is fresh and bright. A big, big wine that dazzles for sheer power, although it's not
especially subtle right now. That could change in the cellar. Give it a few years, and then a good decanting before service.
2009 Puro Uno Malbec Limitado (Mendoza, Argentina)
Of the prior 2008 vintage, winery notes: 12 months in 35% new oak. Vineyards 3,100 feet to 3,770 high. 100% Malbec.
Boysenberry and blackberry.
2009 Puro Uno Quadro Limitado (Mendoza, Argentina)
www.bountyhunterwine.com: Some of the world's best winemakers have been flocking to Mendoza. It's a vineyard
laboratory with world-class fruit and no rules other than, 'if it tastes good, do it.' That's what's happening here, a
Malbec based blend with Cabernet, Tempranillo and Syrah as the backing band. Brooding dark berry fruits, purple fruits and an anise-herb character highlight an impressively rich weight and mouthfeel. We suspect the scores are a
comin'…
2009 Trentadue La Storia Estate Petite Sirah (Alexander Valley, California)
This is a classic coastal California Petite Sirah. Nearly black in color, full-bodied, very dry, with high alcohol framing massive flavors of blackberries, black currants, dark unsweetened chocolate, coffee and spices.
Wine Tasting March 28 - 31, 2012
2009 Fess Parker Santa Barbara Chardonnay (California)
93 points, Wine Enthusiast (7/1/2010): Run, don't walk to buy up cases of this beautiful, well-priced Chardonnay. It's
rich and sumptuous in vanilla oak and lees-inspired flavors of pineapples, pears and lime tart. Easy to find, with production of 17,496 cases.
2008 Flavium Mencia (Bierzo, Spain)
90 points, Wine Advocate: Spent 20 months in French and American oak. Opulent, rich, and lengthy, with the balance
to drink well for 6-8 years but at the asking price most consumers will want to grab some immediate gratification.
2008 Bodegas Pedro Regalado Embocadero (Ribera del Duero, Spain)
91 points, Wine Advocate: 14 months in new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple. Complex perfume of toasty
oak, spice box, incense, espresso, and black fruits. Structured on the palate, dense, firm, layered, and lengthy.
2007 Morgenhof Estate Merlot (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
100% Merlot, grown on hillside vineyards. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. Luxuriously smooth with
plum and black cherry.
2004 Morgenhof Estate Red Blend (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Berry Bros & Rudd, England: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 6% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc. The bouquet
exhibits powerful notes of black fruit, with cherries and blackberries to the fore, and notes of red plum. On the palate
there are hints of tobacco, indicating the beginnings of maturity, along with hints of dried fruit, cassis and soft red
fruit. Although a substantial amount of new oak has been used the wine is sufficiently concentrated to absorb it
comfortably. The tannins are ripe, the acidity in balance, and the finish long. 4.5 stars out of 5, Platter's Guide to Wines of South Africa 2008.
Wine Tasting March 21 - 24, 2012
2010 Cotes de Gasgogne Castagnoles (France)
A blend Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Gros Manseng, from the Gascony area of France known for its generic white wines, but in the hands of this producer, achieves brightness, vivacity, and fruitiness.
2009 Edge Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California)
Edge is made by Signarello but not marketed as its wine. In effect, it is an outlet wine in the $20 range that can be sold without undermining the Signarello line. 92 points, Wine Enthusiast: A tremendous value. Hard to believe it's so good,
considering the price. The details of its origins and winemaker are mysterious, but it's worth a special search. Rich and
dry, it's packed with classic blackberry, black currant, blueberry and cedar flavors, wrapped into firm, smooth tannins. Drink now 2016.
2009 St Damien Gigondas Old Vines (Rhone, France)
91 -93 points, Wine Advocate: A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre from 40-year-old vines. Rich, full-bodied
Gigondas with notes of crushed rock, boysenberry, black raspberry, camphor, and a hint of pen ink. The wine displays
terrific fruit on the attack, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel with good acid, superb purity, texture, and length. This deep ruby/purple-colored wine should drink well for at least 10-15 years.
2006 Atuata Ribero del Duero (Spain)
95 points, Wine Enthusiast: What a beauty! Masculine aromas of black fruits, cola and oak sit there begging to be
sipped, while the lush, deep palate is home to dense blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors. Lively but dense, with
tannins, plenty of oak and a finish of black pepper, fudge and vanilla. Complex and exciting Spanish wine. Needs time; best from 2012 through 2018.
2007 Powers Cougars Vineyard Syrah Reserve (Wahule, Washington)
The first Powers Reserve Syrah was the 2006, which the North West Wine Press rated as the top Syrah in the Platinum tasting of 52 syrahs that won at least one Gold Medal in another judged tasting. Of the 2007 vintage, Winemaker's
Notes: Aged 28 months in all French oak, 74% new. Includes 5% Cabernet Franc. Nearly breathtaking in aromatics with
layers of cherry, nutmeg, sarsaparilla and unsweetened cocoa. French vanilla and black currant join quickly on the
palate. Unique delicacy comes from lavender and violets that lead to an explosion of well textured cherry. These all
circle and swirl in your mouth and are enriched by cherry cola, root beer and tobacco. Perfectly suited to savor on its own, and would heighten rack of lamb, and roast.
Wine Tasting March 14 - 17, 2012
2009 Elena Walch Gewurztraminer (Alto Adigio, Italy)
Elena Walch arguably makes Italy's best Gewurtraminer that frames the wine with an unusually bright acidity, minerality, and fatty texture, along with the unique spiciness, rose petal, and lychee flavors of this grape. The
Gewurztraminer grape grows best in a wide arc surrounding the Alps, through Northern Italy, Austria, Germany, and the Alsace in France, and most of the great estates are German in heritage. Delightful with spicy sausage.
2004 Bon Cap Cabernet Sauvignon (Robertson, South Africa)
Robertson is an area of South Africa known for its value wines. At this price level, the Cab is not just a generic berry but recognizable for the grape, with decent acidity, fruit, and a concentration.
2007 Federalist Visionary Zinfandel (Dry Creek, Sonoma, California)
Winemaker's Notes: 83% Zinfandel, 13% Alicante Bouschet, 4% Carignane. Hot days and cool nights. Enjoys the
luxury of extended hang time for the grapes on the vine, which produces more mature fruit, and results in rich, full-bodied flavor characteristics. Robust fruit with bright berry fruit character, and lively acidity.
2009 Seghesio Home Ranch Zinfandel (Alexander Valley, California)
95 points and #12 in Top 100 Wines of 2011, Wine Spectator: A Zinfandel that has it all - rich, ripe flavors, good
structure and acidity, and lots of personality. Offers aromas of cherry pie and licorice that lead to complex flavors of huckleberry, toasty vanilla and smoky cracked pepper. Drink now through 2017.
2008 Rust en Verde Cabernet Sauvignon (South Africa)
91 pts Wine Spectator 6/29/11 Insider: Dark, sleek and polished, with dense but pure black currant, licorice and
roasted plum notes. Long and nicely detailed through the finish, with tobacco, black tea and roasted apple wood notes checking in. A rock-solid, lip-smacking good Cabernet.
Wine Tasting March 7 - 10, 2012
2009 Elena Walch Gewurztraminer (Alto Adigio, Italy)
Elena Walch arguably makes Italy's best Gewurtraminer that frames the wine with an unusually bright acidity, minerality, and fatty texture, along with the unique spiciness, rose petal, and lychee flavors of this grape. The
Gewurztraminer grape grows best in a wide arc surrounding the Alps, through Northern Italy, Austria, Germany, and the Alsace in France, and most of the great estates are German in heritage. Delightful with spicy sausage.
2005 La Ninota (Priorat, Spain)
Importer's Notes: From hillside terraced vineyards 270-200 meters high. 10% Garnacha, 10% Carignan, 20% Syrah, 10%
Merlot , 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Tempranillo. Temperature controlled fermentation for 7-10 days in stainless steel tanks. Aged 3 months in French oak barrels of 500 Liters, then in tank. Fruity, full bodied, round and
concentrated wine with sweet notes in the mouth, hints of vanilla. Attractive and elegant wine.
2008 Odfjell Orzada Malbec (Chile)
Benjamin Weinberg, from a tour of wineries in Chile: I've tasted and liked Odfjell before, but this time I was
captivated by the thickly textured, black-tinged Malbec Orzada from the Lontué Valley. Blueberries and black currants
mingled with saddle leather and milk chocolate on the nose. The palate oozed green tea, maple, cedar and white flowers. High-toned and very long, this was a real treat.
2009 Penley Phoenix Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
94 points, James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion:Bright crimson; by some distance, the best of the '09 Penley
varietals, with redcurrant and blackcurrant fruit supported by quality cedary oak and fine tannins, the medium-bodied palate long and complete.
2006 Vine Cliff Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California)
88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Syrah. From Oakville and Callistoga vineyards. Nuanced aromas
of both red and dark fruits, with blueberries and red cherries playing a leading role. Hints of spice, bay leaf and cocoa.
Enters the palate with bright sweet fruit and a rich full-bodied taste. Shades of mocha and molasses from the French
oak provide a complexity that lingers through the finish. Good with steak, lamb, duck, or just about anything off the grill.
Wine Tasting February 29 - March 3, 2012
2010 Puro Uno Quadra Limitado (Mendoza, Argentino)
Winemaker notes: 39% Chardonnay, 32% Sauvignon Blanc, 17% Viognier, 12% Torrontes. 12 months in 50% new oak,
French and American. From vineyards 3,100-3,700 feet high.
2009 Clos des Moiselles (Cote de Bourg, France)
Of the earlier 2003, 90-92 points, Gary Vaynerchuk, Wine Library:Loadedwith cherry, cassis and a hint of cocoa. We
all went nuts over this. If this wine doesn't stun you I would never buy anything from us again. Get this by the case. If
you enjoy new world fruit or old world structure, this wine will blow you away. Wow! 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec.
2008 Hedges Red Mountain (Washington)
Consistently one of the best value wines from Red Mountain. 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 14% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec. Chiria Shannon, K&L Wine Merchants: In a tasting of 60+ domestic wines, this wine
stood out in the $20 range for its aromatics, substance, and structure. Wrapped nicely up in a medium-bodied, classy
package, sophisticated but totally accessible. The nose leads with smoky, dark-fruited aromas, with gamey undertones and savory herb accents. Juicy core, plump in all the right places. Really tasty now but ages well. Enjoy with
slow-braised beef short ribs or lamb stew.
2008 Polkura Syrah (Colchagua, Chile)
97% Syrah with traces of Viognier, Garnacha, Tempranillo, and Mourvedre added for complexity. From a single hillside
vineyard with yellow decomposed granite soil. Barrel fermented, aged 12 months, 34% new, 87% French and 13% American. Very aromatic, with bright fruit and acidity, intense but elegant. The earlier 2007 vintage got 91 points in
the Wine Advocate.
2006 Renwood Grandpere Zinfandel (California)
91 points, Wine Enthusiast: Marked by high alcohol, rustic dryness and exuberant spiciness. A classic Foothills
mountain Zin. It offers a flood of pepper, cumin and cinnamon flavors that accent cherry, cranberry and mulberry fruit, wrapped into dense, sturdy tannins. Should develop for up to six years.
Wine Tasting February 22 - 25, 2012
2010 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
A consistently excellent wine, which shows that machine harvesting to hold down costs can have excellent results. This vintage has a more rounder edge than earlier ones. Winemaker's Notes: Fermented at very low temperatures to
help preserve fruitiness. Captures the classic New Zealand profile of vibrant currant-leaf, citrus and gooseberry aromas, with freshly cut herb undertones. Medium bodied but full flavored, with an abundance of currant and
gooseberry flavors that linger on the dry, clean finish.
2008 Freestone Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast, California)
92 points, Wine Enthusiast: Enormously ripe in cherries, raspberries, cranberries and dates, almost sweet, except that
it's totally dry, and the acidity is fresh and bright. A big, big wine that dazzles for sheer power, although it's not
especially subtle right now. That could change in the cellar. Give it a few years, and then a good decanting before service.
2009 Texier Cote du Rhone (Rhone, France)
BJ's wine, New York: One of the most respected Rhone Valley vintner's, his entry level CDR shows a healthy bundle
of ripe red fruit. It's like a hot summer's harvest, as loads of strawberry, cherry, and wild blackberry fill the glass like a
basket collecting all that sun smacked fruit. Yet despite the flavor show, it remains light on its feet--ballerina light! If there was ever an ideal French bistro food wine, then this is it!
2007 Tenuta Monteti Caburnio 2007 Italy
91 points, Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate: One of the best values in Italian wine today, and the 2007 is another
strong effort. Sweet roasted coffee beans, mocha, grilled herbs and dark red fruit are woven in a gorgeous fabric of considerable elegance. The Caburnio possesses striking mid-palate presence and a long, harmonious finish. The
Caburnio is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Alicante Bouschet and 20% Merlot aged in equal parts steel and French oak, most of it neutral. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.
2008 Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvee (Sonoma Valley, California)
"Mountain" here amounts to sloped vineyards on a volcanic hill at an altitude around 150 feet, but this usually has the dry tannic structure of most mountain wines in California. Winemaker's Notes: Soft, rich aromas and flavors of juicy
cherry, plum and blackberry, laced with milk chocolate and and roasted coffee bean. Dense, round mouthfeel with soft
tannins supporting generous fruit flavors. The long finish is full of berry and cocoa. A lush, fruit-forward wine intended to be enjoyed within five years of vintage. 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 10%
Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 5% Syrah.
Wine Tasting February 15 - 18, 2012
2007 Marchesi Antinore Scalabrone Rosato (Tuscany)
The grapes for this tasty Italian rosé blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 30% Syrah and other black varieties come from the Scalabrone vineyard in Bolgheri, on the Tuscan coast.Winemaker's notes: Bright peony color,
with fruity aromas and refreshing hints of raspberries. Well-balanced and tangy on the palate with a pleasantly fruity aftertaste, with a return of raspberries and wild roses.
2007 MacRostie Wildcat Mountain Pinot Noir Sonoma(California)
MacRostie's Pinots from this vineyard on the edge of the Sonoma side of Carneros are always big, ripe, powerful and
ageable. 95 points; Wine Enthusiast: This '07 shows the fat, ripe character of the vintage, offering luscious raspberry,
cherry, cola, red currant liqueur, bacon, anise, spice and sandalwood flavors. A glamorous wine for your best meals. 91 points; Wine Spectator: Complex aromas of wilted rose, sandalwood, spice and loamy earth. Full-bodied, at points
delicate and detailed, ending with good length and fine-grained tannins.
2010 Buehler Zinfandel (Napa, California)
This affordable blend of 95% Zinfandel and 5% Petite Syrah hits the ground running, eager to please. K&L Wine Merchants: With upfront red berry, plum and spice aromas and flavors accented by savory, earthy nuances and
well-balanced oak, this Zin exemplifies Buehler's signature understated, elegant yet wholly appealing style, a
throwback to the days when Zinfandel and "bomb" didn't always go hand in hand. It was crafted for immediate
enjoyment and has the balance to accompany a variety of dishes, but it has the stuffing to go a few years in bottle, gaining complexity with time.
2008 Tobin James Notorious Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles, California)
This Paso Robles winery crafts intense fruit driven wines at affordable prices for immediate consumption. The 2008
Cab features black and red currant, plum, cedar oak, caramel and cinnamon. Tart and medium-bodied on the tongue with ripe jammy fruit, supple tannins and a persistent finish.
2005 Arnold Palmer Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (California)
Golf-legend Arnold Palmer and the founder of Luna Vineyards developed Arnold Palmer Wines in 2003. These wines
are mainly targeted to high-end restaurants and resorts. Winemaker's notes: Dark chocolate, anise, and black cherry
scents appear on the nose. Amazing intensity on the entry, with a tannic, broad structure. The mid-palate is deep and
complex, with blackberries, licorice, and earth notes supporting the flavor of Black Mission figs. The finish opens up, with a surge of plum, berry, and rich cassis.
Wine Tasting February 8 - 11, 2012
Non-Vintage Mumm Napa Brut Rose (California)
93 points, Wine Enthusiast:What a roll Mumm Napa is on with their new releases. Shows the level of richness and
elegance the winery has achieved lately. Made from 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay, deliciously forward flavors
of raspberries, strawberries, gingersnap cookies and vanilla lemon custard, with the bubby froth and tart yeastiness of a fine sparkler.
2009 Bodegas Olivares Altos de la Hoya (Jumilla, Spain)
90 points, International Wine Cellar: Bright violet. Spicy, floral-accented aromas of black raspberry, sassafras, dried
flowers and allspice, enhanced by a subtle mineral overtone. Lively and precise, with sweet red and dark berry flavors
and a nervy mineral spine. Shows very good energy on the finish, leaving tangy red fruit and spice notes. This is quite unlike most wines from Jumilla, which can show more richness than balance.
2009 Foxglove Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles, California)
90 points, Wine Advocate:A huge, unoaked wine bursting with dark red fruit, sweet flower, spices, leather and licorice.
No oak at all -the richness comes just from the intensity of the fruit. One of the very finest wines being made from Paso
Robles fruit, and I say that after having tasted over 500 wines from Paso recently. This puts most of what is being made in Paso in this price point to shame.
2008 Tobin James Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles, California)
Winery notes: Currant and blackberry flavors enhanced by a dash of toasty oak, with a smooth, lengthy finish.
2006 Vinas Del Cenit Demora Tempranillo (Spain)
90 points, Wine Spectator:A velvety texture carries ripe, spicy flavors of plum pudding, chocolate, cinnamon and
raisin, yet remains firm and fresh, tender and long. A modern style. Drink now through 2013.
Wine Tasting February 1 - 4, 2012
ZINFEST
2006 Renwood Grandpere Zinfandel
91 points, Wine Enthusiast: Marked by high alcohol, rustic dryness and exuberant spiciness. A classic Foothills
mountain Zin. It offers a flood of pepper, cumin and cinnamon flavors that accent cherry, cranberry and mulberry fruit, wrapped into dense, sturdy tannins. Should develop for up to six years.
2009 Klinger Brick Old Ghost Zinfandel (Lodi, California)
The Old Ghost is this winery's top wine, made from the best lots with the oldest vines. 92 points, Wilfred Wong: Deep
ruby color; husky, rich, ripe fruit aroma with a hit of oak; full bodied, textured on the palate, juicy and rounded; dry,
medium acidity, well balanced; ripe berry, juicy and fresh; lingering finish, juicy aftertaste. Shows that Lodi can make some of California's finest wines.
2009 Terraces Zinfandel (Rutherford, California)
This Zinfandel is made from an old clone with open clusters and small berries, planted on terraced slopes 300-400 feet
high on volcanic soil. The combination makes a well structured and bright style of Zinfandel that never seeks to be raisiny, sweet, or heavy. It ages beautifully and impresses with flavors that are both powerful and clear.
2008 Ravenswood Teldeschi Zinfandel (Dry Creek, California)
A Cab lover's Zinfandel. 96 points, Connoisseurs' Guide: Our pick of the bunch. Keenly focused on optimally ripe
berries and showing the stunning concentration. Wonderfully well-balanced and layered for a big wine . Tempting to drink early, but has a decade or more of improvement ahead.91 points, International Wine Cellar:Glass-staining
purple. Powerful scents of boysenberry, cherry liqueur, licorice and dark chocolate. Chewy dark berry compote and bitter cherry flavors are underscored by strong mineral, smoke and licorice qualities.
2009 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2009. 95 points, Wine Advocate: The biggest and most structured of Ridge's
2009 Zinfandel-based reds, largely owing to the earthier soils and the presence of 23% Petite Sirah. Black fruit, plums,
tar, licorice and smoke flow from this generous, inviting red. Fairly structured, and will definitely benefit from more years in the bottle. 74% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah and 5% Carignane.
Wine Tasting January 25 - 28, 2012
2008 D'Arenberg Hermit Crab (Australia)
A Rhone white blend of 72% Viognier and 28% Marsanne, from 92% McLaren Vale and 8% Adelaide Hills, combining
abundant apricot, peach and pear fruit, with more subtle honeysuckle and orange blossom. The 2006 vintage was a Top 100 in the Wine Spectator. The 2007 got 90 points in the Wine Advocate.
2007 Castello D'Albola Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy)
#47 on Wine Spectator Top 100, 90 points, Wine Spectator: This is what Chianti should taste like, with plenty of dark
cherry and floral aromas and flavors that say Sangiovese. Fresh and fruity. Drink now.
2010 Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha (Spain)
91 points, International Wine Cellar:Glass-staining purple. Lively, faintly medicinal aromas of cherry, blueberry and
licorice, plus hints of smoky herbs and flowers. Juicy and expansive, offering sweet, deeply pitched bitter cherry and
dark berry flavors supported by a taut spine of acidity and fine-grained tannins. Finishes with powerful spicy thrust
and suggestions of candied flowers and woodsmoke. This could pass for a northern Rhone wine, and a really good one at that.
2006 Yangarra Cadenzia (McLaren Vale, Australia)
Yangarra makes deliciously fruity wines. 68% Grenache, 27% Shiraz, 5% Mourvédre. Lavender, cherries, beets, and cocoa. 91 points, Wine Spectator: Bright and jazzy, offering a riot of flavors, including plum, blackberry, floral and
licorice notes that swirl through the finish against fine tannins.
2009 Bodegas Caro Amancaya Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon (Argentina)
The alliance between the Argentinian CAtena family and the French Barons de ROthschild (Lafite) produces
world-class wines presenting a harmonious balance between the Argentine and Bordeaux styles. 89 points, Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (1-2011): The 70/30 blend is full ruby-red. Complex, Medoc-like nose combines redcurrant,
nutty oak, leather, tobacco leaf and fresh herbs. Supple and suave, with a restrained sweetness and a fine-grained texture. The broad tannins reach the teeth.
Wine Tasting January 18 - 21, 2012
{Special White Wine Only Tasting Saturday January 21 - See Notes Below}
2009 Hogue Dry Riesling (Washington)
The winemakers recommend pairing the Riesling with a chef's salad, fresh spring rolls or sushi. Best Buy, Wine
Enthusiast: Round and easy-drinking, this pure varietal Riesling is centered on peach and apricot fruit flavors. It does
not show a floral or mineral side, but does bring in some pleasing spice. Very well balanced and classic.
2008 Hedges Red Mountain Estate (Washington)
A consistent best value from the Red Mountain appellation in Washington State, blended across the winery's estate vineyards. Impressive concentration and fruit, yet with Bordeaux structure. Holds its own when compared with more
expensive and prestigious Red Mountain wines.36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 14% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec. 50% new oak.
2007 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley (Washington)
75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot , aged 18 months in oak. 93 points, Wine Enthusiast
(12/31/2010): From a superb year, this wine saw all French oak, but an ongoing reduction in exposure to new barrels
brought the percentage down to 60%. Young and muscular, the blend of black fruits, sweet oak and toasty spice is
focused and compelling. Pure fruit flavors include black cherry and plum, smooth and concentrated, with a smoky kick in the lingering finish.
2006 Powers Meritage Reserve (Washington)
A strong candidate for the best Powers wine. Balanced, layered, and complex with black plum, blackberry, and cherry,
plus vanilla and caramel. 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 18% Petite Verdot, 21% Malbec, and 8% Cabernet Franc. Only 247 cases produced.
2007 DeLille Cellars Doyenne Syrah (Yakima Valley, Washington)
94 points, Wine Advocate: 2% Viognier. Purple-colored, it displays an alluring bouquet of bacon, game, incense,
blueberry, and plum. Rich, layered, and loaded.
Special White Wine Only Tasting - Saturday, January 21
2008 Thomas Fogarty Gewurztraminer (Monterey, California)
100% Gewurztraminer, which is one of the supremely aromatic grapes. Fom the Viento Vineyard, which has great shale
and limestone soil. Fogarty produces a delightful one with traditional rose petals, lychee nuts, and spice, only with a
distinctive California twist - more brightly citric and delicious, fermented cool, with a touch of residual sugar that
tames the bitterness that Gewurztraminer often has. ¾ of the grapes were fermented whole brunch with stems. Wonderful with Oriental foods.
2007 Verget Macon Charnay Clos St Pierre (France)
90 points, International Wine Cellar: Light gold, with a faint haze. Smoke, truffle, lees, orange and dried flowers on
the nose. Reminds me of a Chassagne with its deep, smoky orchard fruit and leesy citrus flavors complicated by anise,
toasted nuts and honey. Punches above its class, with strong finishing thrust and sweet, smoky persistence. This
would blend smoothly into a flight of top-notch wines from much more famous and expensive areas of Burgundy.
2009 Rombauer Chardonnay (Carneros, California)
Features the fatty richness and texture of butter sauce, deftly balanced by lemony acidity, and laced with smoky oak and butterscotch. Mouth coating and very long. Spectacular with lobster, crab, and shrimp.
2008 Albert Bichot Meursault (Burgundy, France)
Meursault is one of the most famous areas of France for Chardonnay, made in a rich and oaked style. This wines is not
cheap, but it delivers. Rich, layered, citric, and silky. Even if you do not buy it, at least experience it, to know what you are missing.
2008 Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay (Napa, California)
The list price for this wine at the winery is $60. Newton has long been one of my favorite wineries in California for both
Chardonnay and Merlot. Their Unfiltered Chardonnay is a great and opulent Chardonnay, that the Wine Advocate
called one of California's most glorious Chardonnays. Ultra-rich citrus, honey blossom, hazelnut, pear, fig, melon, butterscotch, and toasted oak. 93 points, Wine Spectator.
Wine Tasting January 11 - 14, 2012
2008 Santa Rita Reserva Medalla Real Sauvignon Blanc Reserva (Chile)
The Medalla Real is Santa Rita's top Sauvignon Blanc, made to be not what they produce at some price level, but the
best they make. From Leyda Valley, closer to the cool Pacific as opposed to being in the sunnier and hotter interior.
Very lightly tinted, with aromas of grass and grapefruit. A clean and juicy acidity, with a rounded edge. Has a greater fullness in the mouth than the less expensive "reserve".
2007 Flinders Bay Mayflower Malbec Merlot (Australia)
Named after a wrecked ship. A very distinctive wine made from 60% Malbec and 40% Merlot. Lush mouthfeel with
soft red fruit notes and exotic spices and mocha. Aromatic and delicious.
2009 Penley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Phoenix (Coonawarra, Australia)
94 points, James Halliday: Bright crimson; by some distance, the best of the '09 Penley varietals, with redcurrant and
blackcurrant fruit supported by quality cedary oak and fine tannins, the medium-bodied palate long and complete.
2005 Aramis Cabernet Sauvignon (McLaren Vale, Australia)
This wine came in first at a blind tasting of Cabernets with a panel of experienced tasters. No one thought it was
Australian, because it wasn't sugary, low acid, low tannin, and overripe. 100% Cab, dry, buttressed by tannin and acid,
with intense cassis and blackberry, and absolutely delicious right now. A strong candidate for the best $20 Cabernet of the year.
2003 E & E Black Pepper Shiraz (Australia)
94 points Wine Spectator: Bright, round and juicy. A gorgeous mouthful of cherry, black-berry and floral flavors,
lingering on the finish with a touch of dark espresso to add interest. The tannins are polished, and the wine has a keen sense of balance, grace and harmony.
Wine Tasting January 4 - 7, 2012
2007 Verget Macon Charnay Clos St Pierre (France)
90 points, International Wine Cellar: Light gold, with a faint haze. Smoke, truffle, lees, orange and dried flowers on
the nose. Reminds me of a Chassagne with its deep, smoky orchard fruit and leesy citrus flavors complicated by anise,
toasted nuts and honey. Punches above its class, with strong finishing thrust and sweet, smoky persistence. This would blend smoothly into a flight of top-notch wines from up north.
2009 Bodegas Vinae Mureri Xiloca (Aragon, Spain)
100% Grenache, old vines, made with no oak. 89 points, Wine Advocate: Very fragrant perfume of earthy minerality and
black cherries. This tasty, friendly, value-priced offering has ample fruit as well as a sense of elegance. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.
2007 Louis Chave Offerus St Joseph (Rhone, France)
90 points, International Wine Cellar: Inky ruby. Powerful aromas of blackcurrant, dark cherry and olive, with a smoky
undertone of dark chocolate and violet. Weighty dark berry and violet pastille flavors coat the palate, with velvety
tannins providing shape on the back. Rich but not especially heavy, with very good finishing cling to the flavors of candied flowers and cracked pepper. This could only be syrah.
2008 Woodward Canyon Nelms Road Merlot (Washington)
Includes 3% Dolchetto. Of the prior 2007 vintage, 89 points, Wine Enthusiast: A vivid, fresh and fragrant wine, this is
alive with a luscious mix of flavors from the intriguing mix of grapes, including Syrah, Dolcetto and Barbera. Lots of
strawberry, sweet cherry candy and lively, juicy acids make this a standout. There are more and more well-made red blends selling at this price point in Washington, but this goes right to the top.
2007 Campo Negro Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina)
www.underthegrapetree.com: Lots of complexity and concentration for a wine at this price. Dense and concentrated
with cedar, mocha, black currant, blackberry, plum, and a plush quality that suggests something from Napa. Mountain
fruit, aged in oak, the price of this wine would be staggering if it came from California. Instead, it's from Argentina, and costs you a song.
|
|
