Domaine Lafond Rhone Roc Epine Lirac Rouge 2009 (France)

This wine hales from the Rhone region in France so for all you French Wine lovers I am sure you know about this region.

Funny story when we purchased this wine, we intended to get the Chardonnay but mistakenly grabbed this bottle instead but we were pleasantly surprised nonetheless.
 
This slightly opaque and dark ruby colored red blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 5%, Carignan & 5%, Mourvedre
Opens with a strawberry licorice and mild oak bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, very nicely balanced, and smooth. The flavor profile is a very tasty black currant and mild oak blend with hints of boysenberry. The finish is dry and its moderate dusty tannins linger for quite some time. 

The Lafond family dates it's history back to 1780 when a forefather of the owner today settled in Tavel as a winegrower.
In 1948 Jean-Pierre Lafond’s grandfather, Valery Taulier, built the first private cellar in Tavel. In 1978 Pascal joined his father at the estate and they started to bottle wine with their own label. The name Roc-Epine is the name of a famous race horse. The grandfather of Pascal had a great interest in horse racing.
Domaine Lafond is mainly producing Tavel and Lirac from a total of 85 ha. by which 39 ha Tavel, 24 ha Cotes du Rhone, 18,5 ha Lirac and 3,6 ha. Chateauneuf du Pape.

Kimmel Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (California)

What a fabulous Cabernet!

Dark ruby color with a garnet edge. Complex nose of sandalwood, cedar, cassis, black cherry, dark chocolate and a touch of spice.

On the palate, it is extremely rich and mouth-coating and has a long finish of concentrated fruit, smooth, like velvet on your tongue with medium tannins. This wine is remarkable in how it continues to evolve in the glass over the course of a meal enticing you to drink more, and I did!

For more information on Kimmel Vineyards visit their website at

http://kimmelvineyards.com/

 

Kimmel Cabernet Franc 2010 (California)

Father of Cabernet Sauvignon perhaps Mother....

As Janice Robinson said "I can see that Cabernet Franc might be described as the feminine side of  Cabernet Sauvignon. It is subtly fragrant and gently flirtatious rather than massively muscular and tough in youth.

Being a huge fan of Kimmel Wines I was excited to get a bottle of their Cabernet Franc. Wow..what an amazing wine! Kimmel has done it again!

In the glass this wine is rich indigo with dark amethyst hues. Aroma wafts from the bottle upon un-corking, violet, ripe black cherry and spiced plum. Silky tannins caress the palate with big fruit, luscious blackberry, baked cranberry, ripe wild berries, bits of dark chocolate and a touch of spice. The finish is long, supple and lands softly with hints of gentle raspberry. This is an elegant sexy wine to be enjoyed young or cellar and enjoy later. We enjoyed ever last drop in the bottle and wished we had another.

I served this wine with baked dill salmon, vegetable medley cous cous and roasted butternut squash...perfect pairing!

For more information on Kimmel Wines, go to their website http://kimmelvineyards.com/

Chateau St Jean 2010 Fume Blanc

First and foremost what is Fume Blanc?

Fume Blanc is a quality white wine made from Sauvignon Blanc grape in California. It began as the brainchild of renowned winemaker Robert Mondavi, as a way of cultivating the negative image held by the Sauvignon Blanc grape in California at the time. Not anymore of course but at one time..I know..I know hard to believe!

So I decided to try something different and purchased this bottle for $15 and some change at a local wine shop. I was not sure what to expect and really it was not half bad.

This wine has a terrific nose of kumquat oranges and melon with a very light hint of dried herbs. The flavors change across the taste buds first starting with lemon zest, a touch of lime and Bradford pear notes, developing into melon notes and finishing with a terrific fresh fig flavor, perhaps a bit of grass. Sort of reminded me of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc which always seems to have grassy notes. The oak comes through in a subtle smokiness with a touch of fig flavors. This wine would work well with menus of chicken or pork in a creamy mushroom sauce or butter sauteed sea foods.

Faust Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (California)

And, when the soul is touched with passion's flame, We look around and ask- Who burns the same?" — Faust (Goethe)

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I'm excited to present another wine from Augstin Huneeus (Vintner of Faust Wines) among others. At some point in your wine drinking career you stop following individual grapes or regions and begin chasing individual winemakers and importers.  In 2010, the Huneeus family partnered with winemaker Dave Phinney and Orin Swift Cellars to take ownership and direct sales and marketing of two edgy wines, The Prisoner a Napa Valley red blend, and Saldo, a Zinfandel from some of California’s most revered vineyards.

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot

In the glass this wine was dark cherry red with a nose of cedar, black cherry, and a touch of tobacco leaf. Rich black cherry flavors with a bit of dark chocolate and mild tannins follow. It's a great wine to savor and the second half was just as nice. We consumed the entire bottle but I am sure it would have held up for another day.

The name of the wine comes from Goethe's play, in which a man makes a deal with the devil Exchanging his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures. 

I served this wine with grilled strip steaks, twice baked potatoes and grilled asparagus..perfect meal to compliment such an amazing wine.


I don't know much about history, and I don't know much biology either. But I do know this: this wine is splendid....Amadeous said.

Cline Zinfandel 2010 (California)

I have yet to try a Cline wine that I did not like, needless to say this wine was no exception and I really enjoyed it. Cline 2010 Zinfandel. I am a huge fan of Zinfandel wines and this wine was well worth the $15 of so I paid for it. Cline Cellars is actually pretty well known for their zinfandel.  It’s their specialty, along with Rhone varietals, and they produce seven different zinfandels, that I know of, maybe more.

The grapes in this wine come from Lodi 46%, Contra Costa County AVA in Oakley 43% and the rest comes from Sonoma and other regions.  The wine was aged for eight months in 30% medium-toast new French oak.

Dark amethyst red in the glass, the color will tell you alot about a Zinfandel, at least from my experience. I like a wine to speak to me color wise and of course taste and this Zinfandel did. The first thing to stand out on the nose of this wine is the cherry aroma, big and intense. The nose also shows some vanilla, spice and cola aromas. The palate had great spice, cherry and plum flavors.  The tannins are sufficient, as is the acidity. It finishes relatively long, with a nice, spicy sour cherry flavor. I will remember this wine as I do many that I enjoy as much!



Ghost Pines Red Blend 2009 (California)

Many wine makers are coming out with a red blends these days. Zinfandel-based blends are especially popular. If you are a Zinfandel, better yet an old vine or ancient vine Zin lover you will more than likely enjoy a red blend.

Composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Merlot and Syrah this wine is 46% Napa County, 36% Sonoma County and 18% San Joaquin County so you get an array of terroir in this bottle.

I tasted this wine at a tasting and purchased a bottle which we drank that evening. The color was rich garnet red. The nose has a sweet coffee smell that I have only ever found in Zinfandels and Zinfandel-based wines. Red fruit is also prominent on the nose. The palate is heavy with strawberry, cherry, and licorice. Soft tannins that are complex and finishes with a nice mild spice.

http://www.ghostpines.com/our_wines.asp

Bell 2007 Syrah Canterbury Vineyard (California)

This wine hales from the Sierra Foothills of California. Being a 2007, I had fairly high expectations.

Bell Canterbury Vineyard Syrah is beautiful deep ruby color with a medium-full body.  Acidity was a bit on the livelier side and balanced well with the medium level of tannins.  In the glass, I picked up flavors of blackberry and cocoa, with just a bit of smoke and a very pleasant savory quality.  It was the essence of what a Syrah should be.  

The labeling on the bottle further complimented the experience with detailed notes about the harvest, technical wine-making details, and even a synopsis of where it was grown.

Savory and even meaty characteristics are quite normal with Syrah and is often expressed as smoke or earthy.

Kimmel Four Blocks 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (California)

Being such a Kimmel Wine fan I was more than excited to open a bottle
of the Kimmel Four Blocks 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine hails
from Mendocino County California, Potter Valley and is aged in French
Oak.

In the glass a fabulous deep garnet red with expressive layers of aroma.
Dried cherries, warm spice, blackberry, cassis and a pinch of saffron with more subtle notes of vanilla and sweet tobacco. I knew this wine would taste amazing and it did. Rich, supple, full-bodied velvety texture saturates your palate with intense flavors of raspberry brittle, cherry-current, plum and a touch of toasted oak and vanilla with a slight hint of leather on the back end. This complex beauty had soft tannins, good acidity, smooth, round, and well-balanced, with a lovely silky mouth feel that expanded into a lingering mouth watering finish.

For more information on Kimmel Wines or to order visit  

http://kimmelvineyards.com/

                                                                                                                                                                          

Ritual 2009 Veramonte Pinot Noir (Chile)

I had this Pinot about a year before I actually opened it, perhaps saving it for a special occasion but any night you open a great bottle of wine is special occasion right?


The 2009 Ritual was aged in 100% French oak barrels for a period of 12 months. This wine hails from the Casabalanca Valley of Chile.
Located 41 miles northwest of Santiago, the Casablanca Valley was first planted to vine in the mid-1980s. It quickly turned a page in Chile’s wine making history. Chile’s first cool-climate coastal region soon turned out crisp, fresh wines that caught the world’s attention, and Chile’s search for new terroirs was on. Cool Mediterranean climate with pronounced maritime influence. Proximity to the ocean creates cool foggy mornings ideal for top quality Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.

The color was dark and rich and the aroma was amazing. I have a knack after one sniff of knowing if I am going to Love a wine or simply like a wine and I was pretty sure I was going to love this wine and I did.


On the nose subtle hints of spice, fresh baked bread, ripe raspberry and pipe tobacco. Equal to the aroma with an added thread of a higher note in the flavor: spiced cranberry, dark chocolate and enough complexity to keep you interested. It’s like a handsome man: tall and striking, buff but not a bully. Smooth and swanky. Classy, with an edge of spice. Full-flavored, round, mouth-filling, and not a bit of jamminess. Absolutely delicious. Pipe tobacco. Soft tannins. Its tight structure whispers “French oak and you need another bottle" 

 Casablanca Valley

Raymond Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (California)

With temps. in the triple digits I am draw to lighter crisp wines that pair well with summer foods. A nice Sauvignon Blanc always seems to hit the spot. 

Raymond Sauvignon Blanc hails from Napa Valley California. The color is clear and pale with a slight greenish cast. Aromas of grapefruit, grass and jasmine reminded me of a hot summer day when the sprinklers were on full blast and you could literally smell summer. On the palate citrus, guava, honeysuckle, white pepper and a slightest hint of tarragon. Good minerality, smooth and creamy with a lingering finish. This wine reminded me of the Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand. Very nice and around $15 per bottle you can't go wrong.

I served this wine with Chicken ala l'orange and rice and it paired pretty well. This wine would be a wonderful pairing with a pear and walnut salad, mild cheeses and Sushi.

 

Laird 2008 Cold Creek Ranch Chardonnay (California)

Having drank a bottle of the Laird Cabernet Sauvignon and loving it, I had rather high expectations for the Laird Chardonnay and it did not disappoint. I have tried more Chardonnays than any other varietal so I know what I like and this Chardonnay I like.

Gold color in the glass with aromas of smokey white cheddar, toasty vanilla and subtle oak. On the Palate creamy butter, toasted pineapple, crisp apple. hints of lemon and grilled peaches. Excellent Chardonnay will purchase again.

This wine would pair well with Braised Pork & Pearl Onions with Grapes, Pan Roasted Scallops or Roasted Chicken.

For more information visit http://lairdfamilyestate.com/

Predicador 2006 (Spain)

I had been meaning to try this Rioja wine for some time and finally last week I did. It had or year or better in my cellar. It is 100% Tempranillo.

Predicador is the inexpensive wine that Benjamin Romeo brought onto the market in 2005. Benjamin Rome is a cult winemaker in Rioja (Cult wines are those for which dedicated groups of committed enthusiasts will pay large sums of money. These wines are often seen as trophy wines to be collected or as investment wine to be held rather than consumed.) Benjamin Rome is responsible for such amazing wines as Contador, La Cueva de Contador, La Viña de Andrés, all priced around $120 or higher. The English translation for the Spanish word Predicador is Preacher which I found interesting.

The color of this wine is dark purple, typical for Rioja wines. On the nose sweet cherry, spicy oak nose…really intense and attractive though not super complex. On the palate, intense, smooth mouth feel, very fresh acidity.  Vanilla and cherry fruit, a bit of spice.  Really long finish with lots of ripe, silky tannins.  Fruit lasts long as well. 

Toad Hollow 2010 Francine's Selection (California)

Toad Hollow Vineyards was started up by friends Todd Williams and Rodney Strong. Their motto is "fine wine at a reasonable price" I think they lived up to it! The late Todd Williams "The Toad" and Sonoma winemaker, also the brother of Comedian Robin Williams and Rodney Strong saw that the future of chardonnay was unoaked back in 1993, when everyone else was making oak chip tea bags and going for new American barrels. The Mendocino County fruit that provides 90% of the grapes for this wine helps to keep it focused, and provides enough acidity to provide a good structure for the fruit. That's because the swings between warm days and cool nights in Mendocino County helps to keep the fruit from over-ripening. The remaining 10% of the juice comes from Sonoma County. Todd Williams always took pride in being just a little bit different, after all he had Missouri Nortons in his wine cellar.

The color of the wine in the glass is a light golden color, and on the nose are aromas of green apples, pears, honeydew melon, and minerality. On the palate the aromas are confirmed with the apple and pear being the primary flavors, followed by a slight hint of tropical, with the slate minerality on the finish. This is a lighter, unoaked Chardonnay, which definitely reflects the natural characteristics of the Chardonnay grape. It has a nice medium finish which lingers in the mouth. One to search out and buy.

In many ways this wine is a tribute to the famous children's book The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. It reminds me of Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel.

Schug Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2009 (California)

I enjoyed the Schug Cabernet Sauvignon so much I knew I was bound to love the Chardonnay as well. While it was good, it was not amazing! Perhaps I had my expectations a bit high, that happens sometimes but never the less it was good, not every wine has to be amazing I suppose, well maybe! Nah...that is not possible.

Brilliantly clear and pale golden yellow that lightens slightly at the edges to a more straw hue. When swirled this springy wine settles quickly and leaves widely clusters of slow fat legs along the side of the glass. Bright and aromatic, this Chardonnay is both fresh and complex with the layers of both tree and tropical fruit leading the way followed by toasted brioche (french pastry) and oak as well as vanilla hints, a bit creamy with spicy notes. The palate suffered a bit, which is what I am not crazy about this Chardonnay. Flavors of tart apple, white pear and a touch of sweet citrus and toasted nuts, not much depth but a bit complex, acidity was good but not a mind blowing Chard for me, I guess that is what I wanted this particular evening. The finish was there, a bit creamy but not long lasting.

Would I buy this again, probably not but it was great to try!

La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2010 (California)

Due to the various complexities attributed to a good pinot noir, tasting is no easy task. However, drinking an entire bottle of this heavenly liquid is. For less than $25 you are delivered one of the finest varietals in the mid-range Pinot Noir universe. The sophisticated and elegant Sonoma Coast red blesses the palate with numerous pleasing tastes and smells. I find downing copious amounts of La Crema Pinot Noir with breakfast, lunch and dinner perfectly acceptable although I usually wait till past 5pm.

Pinot Noir is somewhat lighter in color which some could mistake for lighter flavor but in this case, the opposite is true. On the nose it smells like Tango. For those of you who do not Tango......strawberry, leather, cedar, mushroom and vanilla and the slightest hint of sweet pipe tobacco. On the Palate more leather, chocolate, hints of vanilla, orange zest with smooth silky texture and a nice finish.

I served this wine with grilled pork chops and roasted sweet potatoes.

Kimmel Chardonnay 2007 (California)

As you may have read from my other blogs I am a Kimmel Wine fan! I have had this 2007 for awhile and decided what better time to open it than last night and so I did. Wow! What a power house of a Chardonnay! I had been craving a nice oaked Chardonnay for sometime and this wine really hit the spot.

The color was beautiful Chardonnay yellow. Aromas of buttery oak drifted from the glass with a faint smell of citrus. The palate was charged with intense flavors of citrus, buttery almond, grilled pineapple and smoked white cheddar cheese. This wine was complex, interesting, well rounded and absolutely delightful!

Conundrum White Wine Blend 2010 (California)

While not on the bottle I did a bit of research to find this wine is made up of five California white grape varietals: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Viognier and Semillon- sourced from Napa, Monterey, Santa Barbara and Tulare counties. The name Conundrum refers to the puzzling array of flavors and aromas bursting through. Each vintage contains a varied percentage of each grape allowing Mother Nature to determine which grape will steal the show in that particular vintage.

Since I was not sure of the blend before opening the bottle I did not know what to expect and I was a bit surprised. On the pour, golden yellow, the color of Semillon. Aromatic...let me re-phrase that! Intensely aromatic with a nose of gardenia, Jasmin and honeysuckle which I like, although this was a bit overdone. Since taste is ninety percent of smell I also tasted gardenia, roses and honeysuckle. The Viognier came forth with flavors of pineapple, melon and a touch of honey. It was like tasting flowers.
Full flavored and fruit forward with nice acidity. I think the Muscat overwhelmed the wine a bit with floral notes. I would dare say this is why they did not include the varietals on the label. Most true wine lovers are not fans of Muscat as it tends to be overly sweet.

Final thoughts: Would I purchase this wine again? Probably not although I was glad for the wine experience.  I do love Conundrum wines and many Wagner Family Wines. They are also the makers of Caymus, Mer Soleil, Meiomi and others, they’re a wine powerhouse. A true family affair.

This wine would pair well with several cheeses, spicy Asian foods, dessert or alone on a warm Sunday afternoon.

Plungerhead Old Vine Zin 2010 (California)

Cool label and a funky name, though certainly pushing the gimmicky angle. It has a Zork closure. This was my first encounter with a Zork (a revolutionary new wine closure with the convenience of a screw cap and the celebration of a cork.) Plungerhead is an unlikely name for a wine, but then the vintners, The Other Guys (an branch of the Sebastiani winery family) think wine should be fun. I have to agree!

This wine hales from the Lodi region of California coming from low yielding, head trained, old vines (30 – 60 years old) in Lodi. In fact, the selection for Plungerhead comes from only four select blocks in a specific vineyard, farmed for maximum Zinfandel flavor.

This wine is deep dark crimson red in color with an aggressive nose of creamy red berries, blueberry, black current and hints of sweet tobacco, molasses and nutmeg. On the palate this wine layers the big dark fruit sensation in every sip, it is a monster of a wine for a great price. Blueberry, raspberry with a touch of sweet cocoa powder, cedar and cinnamon. Big and full bodied like a good old vine zin should be with no harsh tannins, smooth and supple and easy to drink. The finish is nice, quite lengthy with a lingering bit of mocha, toasted marshmallow and dried cranberry. A great wine for a BBQ, beef, pork and brats.

  

Campo Viejo 2008 Crianza, Rioja (Spain)

When you ask most red wine lovers to name their favorite varietals, most would respond with Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz, or maybe Merlot. When I am asked this question, I respond "Tempranillo" I simply love a great red from Spain and as most of us wine lovers know Tempranillo is the most important grape grown in Spain.

Tempranillo comes from the Spanish word Temprana which means (early).  Tempranillo grapes ripen almost three weeks earlier than other grapes grown in Spain. It is a black grape, native to Spain and often blended with Grenache.

This wine hales from the Rioja region of Spain. This wine pours regal rust color, the aromas are plum, raisins, earth and black cherry. On the palate, more plum, leather, warm spices and the slightest hint of red pepper, again a bit of earth with a touch of maple wood. Good balance, not over tannic with a velvety smooth vanilla finish.

This wine would pair well with pork tenderloin, grilled tuna steaks and even a nice vanilla cigar, after dinner of course.

Located south of the Cantabrian Mountains along the Ebro river, La Rioja benefits from a Continental Climate. The mountains help to isolate the region which has a moderating effect on the climate. They also protect the vineyards from the fierce winds that are typical of northern Spain. Grapes grown in this region are Tempranillo, Garnacha, Viura, Graciano and Mazuelo.

Fess Parker Riesling 2010 (California)

I try not to be a Washington Riesling wine snob. So my first impression of this off-dry California Riesling was positive. It had a light yellow color, with pear petrol and floral on the nose, fresh and interesting with crisp apple on the palate. A bit sweeter that I had anticipated but not so sweet that I was disappointed, if you have read much of my blog you know I am not a fan of sweet wines.

Fess Parker is renowned, at least in the United States, for creating top-notch varietals, both white and red. Would you expect any less from Davy Crockett?Anyone my age will know that Fess Parker played the iconic roles of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone on TV. As a kid I loved watching those shows. As an adult, I enjoy drinking his namesake wines.
This wine was a great match to the afternoon snack I made of sliced pear, white cheddar cheese and mixed nuts. With the pear, the acidity in the wine was bright, obvious and complimentary. The acidity of the wine was muted by the cheese and nuts, but with the cheese I noticed that the wine had a distinct apricot flavor, very pleasant. Well done. A balanced, delicious and easy to drink Riesling. I liked it!

This wine would pair well with spicy Asian dishes, sweet and sour chicken, stir fry and a wide variety of cheeses.

 “You ought to never consider retiring from work, because remaining engaged in some creative occupation makes life so much more full” - Fess Parker

 

Rock Point River Rock White (Oregon)

This was an interesting wine I was invited to taste a few days ago,
recently purchasing a bottle for myself so I could get a better feel for the wine. River Rock White hales from southern Oregon and is a unique blend of 62% early Muscat & 38% Viognier. There was not a date printed on the bottle so if I were to guess I would say this wine is a 2008 after researching the winery a bit.

Fermented in stainless steel casks to retain it's luscious crisp fruit and mouth watering aromas this wine has never seen wood. At $12 per bottle this wine is quite a find and well worth it! I think this would be a great transitional wine for those friends who profess to only like sweet wine. I plan to test this theory. This wine was a Silver Medal winner at North West Wine Summit and a took the Bronze Medal at San Fransisco International Wine Competition.

The color is pale, almost clear with a slight tinge of green. The aromas of sweet flowers, melon and honeysuckle. On the palate you might expect overly sweet as this wine is 62% muscat but on the contrary it's very nice with good acidity. Flavors of melon, asian pear, white peaches and just a slight hint of Kiwi and a kiss of sweet. This wine is refreshing and juicy, wonderful for a hot summer day all by itself or with a chicken salad. It's a well rounded wine, very smooth with a nice finish. 

For more information on the Rock Point Winery vist their website at http://rockpointwines.com/index.php

Grape Tidbits:

Early Muscat, bred as a table grape in California, has been successfully used to make wine in Oregon. Muscat is the only grape to produce wine with the same aroma as the grape itself. The Muscat grape is the world's oldest known grape variety. Ripens early, about 3 weeks before Concord. It probably originated in Greece but maybe the independent sultanate of Muscat in the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula had something to do with it. No doubt a Roman soldier or traders brought it through Italy into Roman France. Early records show it shipped from the port of Frontignan in SW France during Charlemagne's also known as Charles the Great (Emporer of the Romans) reign.

Over 200 different varieties and derivatives to the Muscat family exist today. Muscat grapes range from white to almost black in color. The most commonly known varieties of muscat grapes are

• Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains This grape is used for the wine asti spumante
• Moscato Giallo (or Goldmuskateller) and Moscato Rosa are thought to be closely related coloured versions of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.
• Muscat of Alexandria (also called Moscatel, Moscatel Romano) This grape is used for sherry (and is one of only three permitted grape varieties to be used in a true Sherry) also as a raisin and table grape
• Muscat Ottonel (also called Moskately) Used for dessert wines in Austria
• Muscat Hamburg (also called Black Muscat) Used for some Eastern European wine but mainly for table grapes in Italy and Australia
• Orange Muscat Used for some wines in California, you may have seen an increase in Orange Moscato.

Carpineto Dogajolo Toscano Rosso 2010 (Italy)

I was looking for a wine to pair with Lasagna and this wine turned out to be a great accompaniment. 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, the percentage will vary every year. This is a nice little "Baby Super Tuscan" AKA "Mini Super Tuscan"


What is a Super Tuscan:
The term is not an "official" term. I think it only came into use in the
1980's. Wine makers wanted to experiment with other grape varieties
as they did in California. Super Tuscan wines are Sangiovese blends with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. These wines were outside the laws of the DOC/DOCG. These rules specify where the grapes must come from, what grapes must be used, sometimes how long they must be aged, in order to be called "Chianti" "Chianti Classico", etc. So they had to be labeled as Vino da Tavola (Table Wine, an official designation). Today, Vino da Tavola can be inexpensive table wine or wines that are outside of the current style and variety laws. Thus a high quality wine may carry this designation."Baby super Tuscan" is a young wine.


This is a very delicate wine. When first poured, not much happened, color was a dark red, in fact a bit darker than I expected. With a little persuasion, the wine opened up with the smell of roses and violets. On the palate delicate berry, spice, earth, smooth, silky tannins and a hint of olive with moderate acidity and a long to moderate finish. The floral of the Sangiovese and the spice of the Cabernet Sauvignon makes a delightful wine.

In order to understand the significance of Super Tuscan wines, we have to take a look at some history. Italy is a huge producer of wine. Wine in Italy is food. You drink it with breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is the culture. There is a wine making tradition that goes back thousands of years.

There are 20 regions and 96 provinces. The main regions are Piedmont, Tuscany and Veneto. The Denominazione di Origine Controllata (D.O.C.) controls the production and labeling of wine. The D.O.C. laws went into effect in 1963.
These law regulate:

• The geographical limits of each region
• The grape varieties that can be used
• The percentage of each grape used
• The maximum amount of wine that can be produce per acre
• The minimum alcohol content of the wine
• The aging requirements

In 1980, the Italian board took quality control one step further and added a G for Garantita, D.O.C.G. This states that the wine meets standards through tasting control boards and they absolutely guarantee the stylistic authenticity of a wine.

Purple Cowboy Tenacious Red Blend 2010 (California)

If the name turns you off the wine wont, if you enjoy an easy to drink red blend. This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah and hales from Paso Robels California, I am sure you have heard of it!

I'll admit to occasionally being pulled in by a clever label. This one is a cross between a playing card and a general Old West look. I rather liked the name Tenacious Red which makes me think of a desirable luscious wine with a bit of an edge and some grit, sounds interesting eh?

Light purple in the glass. Heavy profile of plum and blackberry. This is a jammy fruit bomb, with low tannins and just a touch of sweetness. I haven't had one of these in a while, and even though it's not my favorite profile of a red blend it was a fun bottle of juice for the evening and worth a try.

For more information on this winery go to http://www.purplecowboy.com/home.cfm

Columbia Crest Two Vines Riesling 2010 (California)

Aww another Riesling, I have really been on a Riesling kick lately as you may have noticed if you follow my blog.

Two Vines, bright yellow in the glass opens with aromas of guava, melon and honeysuckle with a slight hint of citrus, perhaps Mandarin orange. Intense flavors of apricot, orange zest and sweet apple with a lively acid structure, well balanced with a sweet finish.

This Riesling was a bit sweet for me, I prefer a more dry, slightly tarter Riesling but for $12 a bottle it is not a bad purchase. Would I purchase again? Probably not unless one of my sweet wine loving friends was over for dinner or just wine. I always try to keep a bottle of sweet wine around just in case.

Hogue Genesis Riesling 2010 (California)

Let’s get this out of the way before we start! Riesling, by most standards, is considered a sweet and almost dessert-style wine. Quite often begin shunned by most “serious” wine drinkers, with ridiculous rhetoric like “sugar water” and “soda pop” As I have blogged before Riesling is quite an underestimated grape. Riesling, when made right, can be one of the purest expressions of a grape. This on the basis that the wine doesn’t go through a huge degree of manipulation by the winemaker with different crazy fermentation's, heavy oak aging, and other processes which make a wine taste like something it’s not
supposed to.The best Riesling’s are just grapes, fermented, in a bottle.

On the pour this wine is bright with just a tinge of yellow. Aromas of pear, fresh river water (I know right?) but that is what I was reminded of when I smelled this wine, not a bad thing, I actually like that smell. The sugar is restrained, and it’ll be a surprise to most how dry the Hogue is. Pear and green apple flavors dominate, with orange and a little lime mingled in. Strong minerality, and a short-medium finish. I likey, but would be better with food and tasted better the next day after it softened a bit.

Hogue is one of Washington’s largest wineries, with a production of over 650,000 cases. The Columbia Valley region is actually shared between both Oregon and Washington State. The region contains about one third of Washington’s wineries. Columbia Valley is a HUGE wine growing region, covering 11 million sq acres (that’s over 17,000 square miles in non-farmer speak). Only about 17,000 acres (26 sq miles) are planted to vines.

Saint M Riesling 2010 (Germany)

I have really been into Rieslings lately, I guess because the weather is warmer and Rieslings are usually a very refreshing wine. Reminds me of the quote in sideways " You like Rieslings? Rieslings?" Great movie!

This wine is produced by Chateau Ste. Michelle in partnership with famed German winemaker Dr. Ernst Loosen. With his modern world view and his traditional approach to wine making, Loosen’s Saint M unmistakably says Riesling, Germany and Dr. Loosen. This wine is 11% alcohol and cost was around $13 per bottle.

lemon chiffon yellow on the pour with aromas of citrus and plumeria. Nice acidity on the palate. medium dry and well rounded with citrus and mineral notes, hints of peach and only slightly sweet, just what I look for in a Riesling!

I served this wine with Ham and the pairing was quite nice. Of course I would purchase another bottle!

Kimmel Four Blocks Chardonnay 2010 (California)

If you follow my Blog it is no secret how I love Kimmel wines but this is a new one and a bit less expensive than the Kimmel Chardonnay. Kudos to the Kimmel family for making great wines that everyone can enjoy!

Pale yellow in color and it has what I call that Kimmel aroma, I am pretty sure I could pick their wines in a blind aroma/taste test. Perhaps it is the terroir, perhaps it their wonderful consistency of great wines but whatever it is I know I will not be disappointed! Scents of honeysuckle and just ripe apricot, melon and the slightest hint of pineapple. On the Palate Four Blocks is smooth, crisp and has a slight touch of buttery citrus, round and supple with flavors of honeysuckle and fresh cut melon. It reminded me of playing outside as a child at grandmas house on a warm afternoon gathering honeysuckle flowers for that one drop of honey.

Hopefully Kimmel wines are coming to your state soon, if not you can order online at http://kimmelvineyards.com/index.php

FoxGlove Chardonnay 2009 (California)

With Summer approaching I went shopping for a few more white wines and FoxGlove Chardonnay was one on my list. I have read many reviews about this wine and decided to try it myself. The wine is aged in stainless steel and does not go thru malolactic fermentation. Malolactic fermentation is where the naturally occurring malic acid (which is tart tasting) is converted into lactic acid (which gives a softer, buttery flavor). Robert Parker gave the Foxglove Chardonnay 90 points, but as I always say we all taste wine differently so his opinion is just an opinion!

The color is pineapple juice yellow and the nose is rich and vibrant with aromas of lemon, tangerine, key lime and peach. It reminded me of a warm summer evening when the breeze blows around all the scents of summer.

There is a nice combination of tart and fresh fruit flavors, juicy peach with lime, melon and grapefruit. The mid-palate adds some minerality and a balanced acidity along with green apple and pineapple. The Foxglove Chardonnay has one of those finishes that just won’t quit.

Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2009 (California)

If you’ve seen the movie Bottle Shock you know the impact Chateau Montelena had on the wine world in 1976. The movie definitely endears you to the struggle California wine makers had, and have, gaining respect for the hard work and love that goes into each bottle. It also will make you want to run out and buy a bottle of Chateau Montelena, whether you’ve had it in the past or not.

So if you have seen the movie you are familiar with this wine. Chateau Montelena is a Napa Valley winery most famous for winning the white wine section of the historic Judgement of Paris wine competition. Chateau Montelena's Chardonnay was in competition with nine other wines from France and California under blind tasting. All 11 judges awarded their top scores to either the Chardonnays from Chateau Montelena or Chalone Winery, another California Wine producer. 

In the glass, classic Chardonnay color of pale golden straw. The subtle oak aging, approximately 9 months provides Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay with complex layers of flavor, tropical to subtle hints of vanilla and spice. The palate is soft and loaded with citrus, sweet mandarin and lemon. There’s a nice balance of acidity and fruit, and this is a crisp, and delicious, white wine. Not an every day wine at around $45 per bottle but a great buy!

This wine tends to evolve hour by hour after opening and only gets better. I typically like my Chardonnay pretty chill but it was nice to allow this wine to warm and open a bit. I served this wine with grilled chicken, shrimp and scallops and the pairing was great! Would pair wonderfully with many cream sauce pasta dishes.

A bit of History

Chateau Montelena is just north of Calistoga at the foot of Mount Saint Helena, which could explain some of the flavors in this wine. Terroir of course! The land was purchased in 1882 by an entrepreneur Alfred Loving Tubbs, who planted vines and by 1896 Chateau Montelena was the 7th largest winery in Napa Valley. With the onset of Prohibition wine making ceased at the Chateau and he only sold grapes. By 1958 Tubbs sold the Chateau to Yort wing Frank and his wife Jeanie who created a Chinese garden, still on the property but only open to members f the Chateau wine club. (Clubs have their privileges eh) In 1968 Lee and Helen Paschich purchased the property and brought in partners Lawyer James L Barrett and property developer Earnest Haun. Barrett replanted the vineyard and installed wine making equipment in the historic buildings and it began producing wines again in 1972 with Mike Grgich employed as the winemaker. Four years later, the Chateau Montelena 1973 Alexander Valley Chardonnay won first place among the chardonnays and white Burgundies in the Judgement of Paris wine competition. A bottle of the vintage is in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Wouldn't you love to have a taste?

Girolamo Dorigo 2008 Refosco (Italy)

Refosco is a very old Italian family of dark-skinned grape varieties native to the northern Italian and neighbouring areas of Friuli, Gavi, Trentino, Istria and Karst Plateau. It is considered autochthonous AKA indigenous in these regions.

Intense, almost impenetrable ruby red. Aromas of leather when first poured opening up into notes of red berry, spice and red currant. Rubard, leather, fruit and minerals on the palate with silky tannins. Allow this wine to breath a bit and enjoy.

I served spinach stuffed Manacotti, salad and garlic toast with this wine, not to bad. Would pair well with grilled and or smoked meats and veges.

Refosco Grapes

The grapes were harvested in late September. The bunches were selected one by one before destemming, and then vinified in the traditional manner in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature. The wine aged in French oak barriques for ten months.

Chilensis Reserva Chardonnay 2008 (Chile)

This wine hales from the Maule Valley in Chile where it is blessed with hot dry days and cooled by mountain breezes at night. Perfect for grapes! I purchased this wine for $16 although I have seen it elsewhere for around $14.

100% Chardonnay this wine is vibrant gold in color, fresh medium bodied with notes of tropical fruits, pineapple, guava and is that coconut I smell? Yes I believe it is...and a touch of coconut! On the palate this wine quenches your thirst with flavors of pineapple, citrus and guava followed by a smooth vanilla note creamy finish.

Spann Vineyards Betsy's Backacher Red Blend (California)

In case you were wondering there is not a date in this wine. It is a blend of Syrah 30%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%, Petite Sirah 13%, Petite Verdot 13% Merlot 11% and Zinfandel 9% and what a blend it is. The blend changes every year.

Named after the mountainside vineyard, this wine was originally made as a special treat for the winemakers friends and family members who helped them during harvest. Then word got out how great this wine tasted and they were inundated with requests for it so they had to make it for the public.

On the pour this wine is dark red of course, just think of all the varietals that went onto making this wine. On the nose this wine has a rustic aroma. It reminded me of the smell of Autumn after a cool rain, notes of cedar and hints of pine, fresh and earthy. On the palate baked black cherry, plum and spice. Easy to drink, smooth with good tannin and a nice long finish with a hint of dark cocoa. Needless to say we finished the bottle and wished we had another.

This wine would pair well with BBQ, Pizza, Pork and any number of hearty dishes.
 

For more information on this wine and other wines by Spann Vineyards and the winemakers interesting story visit their website at http://spannvineyards.com/

Red Rock Reserve Malbec 2009 (California)

I purchased this wine for $12, great buy for a nice little every day Malbec

In the glass this wine pours dark garnet with purple tones. A bit shy on the nose with notes of black cherry, plum and vanilla and the slightest hint of maple. Medium to full bodied, not your typical Malbec. On the Palate this wine was very approachable, not as tannic as expected, good fruit, plum, vanilla with a slightly sweet undertone, nice finish with a touch of sweet cigar.

I served this wine with maple glazed pork chops, cheddar/bacon smashed potatoes and grilled asparagus and it paired well right down to the slight maple flavor in the Malbec.

 

 

Estampa Estate Viognier/Chardonnay 2009 (Chile)

This wine is 85% Viognier and 15% Chardonnay from the Colchagua Valley in Chinle.

In the glass this wine is pale yellow with aromas of grapefruit, flowers and peach with a touch of citrus and minerals. Pretty good acidity on the palate with peach, citrus and a touch of apple on the end. Citrus and floral on the finish.

Wine making was first introduced to Chile by Spanish settlers in the 1500’s, but it wasn’t until the 1980’s that much of the world had their first sips of Chilean wine. Chile has experience remarkable growth. In 1984, Chile’s total wine exports amounted to 2%, less than 30 years later they’re currently exporting 70% of their wines, making Chile responsible for roughly 8% of the world’s wine.

Chile remains one of the few wine-producing regions that has not been devastated by phylloxera, the louse the destroyed much of the world’s vineyards in the 1800’s. Because of this, Chile has several vineyards that date back to upwards of 150 years. These old vines, mostly of Carignan and Mourvedre, produce concentrated, intriguing wines that are highly sought after.

Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Chile)

This wine hales from the Colchagua Valley region in Chile. The region has been called "The next Napa" and for good reason.    

On the pour this wine is ruby red. Dusty earth, black cherry, blackberry, leather and cedar aromas give this Cabernet outstanding complexity on the nose. The palate brings huge cherry flavors, along with coffee and black pepper.  Soft tannins and crisp acidity round this wine out to be a good one.  I definitely recommend this one.

The modern Chilean wine industry has matured, and come to rely ever more on scientific methods for drawing the best from its exceptional soils and micro climates, it has become apparent that the Colchagua Valley offers exceptional advantages for growers and producers alike. Located about 80 miles southwest of Santiago, the Colchagua Valley is about 75 miles long and averages 22 miles in width. It enjoys a balmy, Mediterranean climate matched in only a few other places on earth. With no smog, the air is exceptionally clear, and the region is noted for its abundant and extraordinarily luminous sunshine. The average annual rainfall, which occurs mostly in the winter months of May to August, is about 24 inches. Humidity is low, and frost is unknown.

Also vital for great grapes, of course, are good soil and water. The deep sedimentary soil of the Colchagua Valley contains a mixture of fine-textured loam clay and loam silt, bordered by medium-textured volcanic soil in the foothills. Towering above the Valley to the east are the mighty Andes, including the 14,038-foot Tinguiririca Volcano. Melting snow feeds the Tinguiririca River, which rises at the foot of the volcano and carries pure water to the valley below.

All these factors create a terroir of near-perfect conditions for the vineyards, including an exceptionally long growing season of warm, dry weather. Grapes that mature slowly can develop their varietal character to the fullest, yielding wines bursting with fruit -- a characteristic that has earned the Colchagua Valley an honored place on the world's wine map. A further blessing is that Chile is entirely free of phylloxera. (A tiny aphidlike insect that attacks the roots of grapevines. Phylloxera sucks the nutrients from the roots and slowly starves the vine, creating a dramatic decrease in fruit.)