Spellbound Petite Sirah 2009 (California)

While wine shopping a few months ago I ran across this wine and yes it spoke to me. I enjoy Petite Sirahs as they are usually big and bold just like I like. This wine did not disappoint!


In the glass this wine is a dark purple, almost black. Even when you swirl the wine very little light passes through. On the nose this wine has intense aromas of blackberry, cherry pie and big ripe juicy plum, the type that leaves juice and fleshy fruit all over your face when you sink your teeth into it with vanilla, pepper and just a touch of prune. On the Palate this wine is bold and fruity with hints of raspberry jam, vanilla and a hint of pepper on the finish. This is a pretty incredible Petite Sirah especially for the price around $15 per bottle and I highly recommend it!


 76% Petite  Sirah 18% Syrah 6% proprietary red wines

Spellbound is a partnership between Robert and Lydia Mondavi, Patti Romano and Geoff Whitman. The partners also own Medusa Wines. Robert is the grandson of the Robert Mondavi who founded Robert Mondavi Wines, so he is no stranger to the industry.

Fonseca 10 Year Old Tawny Port (Portugal)

This wine is a russet in color with brilliant crimson highlights, just beautiful.
On the nose this wine is fragrant with ripe-fruit bouquet. On the palate its smooth, silky in texture and has subtle oak nuances, well balanced and good grip with a long elegant, plummy finish.

Tawny Ports of age will not improve once bottled; they should be served at room temperature or barely cool at the end of a meal with nuts or not overly-sweet desserts. 
Should be refrigerated after it is opened, allow to warm slightly before you serve unless you like it cooler and some people do.  

Like all ports they are wonderful for cooking, maybe a reduced Port sauce over pork or grilled salmon.

Fonseca "Bin 27" Port (Portugal)

Port is a Portuguese fortified wine produced in the Douro Vally of northern Portugal. It is typically a sweet red wine, often served as a dessert wine and comes in dry, semi-dry and white varieties.
Port is also produced outside of Portugal in many other countries.


Fonseca "Bin 27" Port is chocolaty and plush, displaying good concentration with hints of plum, mocha and dark cherry flavors with hints of paprika accents. Very fruity, with raspberry notes, on the finish.

Fortified wine is wine to which a distilled beverage (usually Brandy) has been added. Fortified wine is distinguished from spirits made from wine in that spirits are produced by means of distillation, while fortified wine is simply wine that has had a spirit added to it. Many different styles of fortified wine have been developed, including port and sherry.

Cline CASHMERE 2010 (California)

When you think of Cashmere, you think soft, supple and warm and that is a pretty fair description for this wine as well.

Deep purple in the glass, on the nose this wine is bright and juicy as well as on the Palate. Sweet fruit flavors emphasizing red and dark berries. A hint of spice and mocha on the finish. A red wine for everyone.

Blend of 41% Mourvedre 41% Syrah 18% Grenache

For more information on Cline Vineyards visit http://www.clinecellars.com/ourstory

Terroir

What is Terroir you ask? No it is not a wine but you can taste it in wine. Terroir comes from the word terre "land" a french term used to denote the special characteristics of the land the grapes are grown, the climate, geography etc. For example if grapes are grown near a grove or orange trees or olive trees, perhaps fields of lavender you might tastes these in the wine. If the climate is humid or dry or the soil rich or sandy.

When I think of wine, I think of terroir: I think of the essence of the land, the air, the sun blended together and refined into a thing of utter and wondrous beauty. An especially well-constructed wine transports me in one sip to the dry fields of Ribera del Duero in Spain or the beautiful landscape of  Tuscany in Italy though I have never been to those places, yet!

Over the centuries, winemakers developed the concept of terroir by observing the differences in wines from different regions, vineyards, or even different sections of the same vineyard. Vintners began to use the concept of terroir as a way of describing the unique aspects of a place that influence and shape the wine made from it

While wine experts disagree as to the exact definition, particular consideration is given to the natural elements that are generally considered beyond the control of humans. Some of the components often described as aspects of terroir include climate, soil type, topography and other plants growing in and around the vine plots.

Ercavio Blanco 2009 (Spain)

Being a fan of Spanish wines and having had the Ercavio Tempranillo I had to try this wine and it's a nice litte white wine for the money, normally $10 a bottle I picked this up at a huge once a year wine sale for $5, you can't beat that and I wish I had another bottle!


On the pour this wine is light yellow, looks crisp and clean. The nose brims of pears, a little floral, and some green apple. The palate is crisp and light , with granny smith apples and pears along with some nice mineral notes. Slight tropical note as well. I would refer to this one as sauv blanc light, good with salads, light fish and seafood, or as a patio wine all by itself. It's a easy drinking wine and before you know it the bottle is empty! Needs to be drunk young.

100% Airen grape, this grape is native to Spain and often used as a blending grape

Guenoc Lake County 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (California)

Could there be a better Sauvighon Blanc..perhaps but I have not tasted one. At least not in this price range, roughly $16 per bottle and worth every penny.


This wine blew me away! From the moment I opened the bottle you could smell the fruit, ripe, lush, mouth watering. Just the smell alone was amazing. This is indeed a beautiful wine.


In the glass this wine is a beautiful light green/straw in color and on the nose this wine radiates with intense fruit aromas of tropical fruits, pineapple, guava and a touch of pear. On the palate this wine literally bursts into song on your tongue with mouth watering flavors of white peach, grapefruit and kiwi.

Absolutely the best Sauvignon Blanc I have ever had! This wine haunts me still as to why it so good.

If you wish to experience what I did with this wine, please visit http://langtryestate.ewinerysolutions.com//index.cfm

2006 Poggio San Polo Mezzopane Toscana (Italy)

This wine is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Sangiovese


Deep ruby-red in color with aromas of ripe currents, black cherries and violets. On the palate lots of juicy fruit, lush velvety texture and a long intense finish like liquid poetry. I truly enjoy Italian wines and this was an enjoyable wine.