Schug 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (California)

I anticipated this bottle to be good and it did not disappoint, any day you open a bottle of Schug 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, it's a special day. This wine is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot. 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec. In order to be labeled a specific varietal a wine must contain a minimum of 75% of that grape variety.

This wine hales from Sonoma Valley home to 300 award winning wineries, not to mention those smaller wineries not yet mentioned. Wines have been planted in Sonoma Valley dating back to 1812 the climate is perfect for growing grapes, warm days and cooler nights as Sonoma Valley lies on the coast of California!

In the glass this wine is dark red and has aromas of violets, blueberries and ripe fruit flavors with dark chocolate and cassis with a hint of sweet pipe tobacco. On the palate this wine was beautiful, full flavors fill your mouth with spicy oak, currant and cherry with hints of vanilla bean and chocolate. Well balanced with a memorable finish. I would love to have an entire case of this wine!

For more information on Schug wines, visit their website below

http://www.schugwinery.com/

View Map below of Sonoma Valley

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Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling 2010 (Washington)

I have always enjoyed Chateau Ste Michelle wines, they are dependable and most people, friends etc. have heard of them and have one or maybe more wine in the family they like.

The color was light yellow and the nose was fruity with a crisp clean aroma. On the palate this wine was off dry, which I like in a Riesling and just a tab bit tart but very easy to drink. The flavors were peach and sweet lime. This was an uncomplicated wine that was simply enjoyable.

I paired this wine with grilled chicken, vegetables and great friends!

Kimmel Merlot 2009 (California)

If you have read my other blog posts about Kimmel Wines you have more than likely figured out I am a pretty big fan. I am like many wine lovers, always up for trying new wines but it is good to have a wine you know will never disappoint. A wine that is crafted so well it could age for years and be as wonderful as it is today or better. A wine that you could take to any dinner party and know everyone will love it and want to know where they too can get a bottle.

On the pour this wine was dark crimson purple and on the nose aromas of African violet, cedar, black cherry and pepper penetrate your senses. At this point I was lost in the glass, the aromas were intense and there was layer upon layer of enticing scents. The palate was equally intense with flavors of black cherry, juicy plum, clove and a hint of chocolate. This Merlot was medium bodied and smooth with a velvety texture, very approachable with a lasting finish, the soft tannins made it almost too easy to drink. I am glad that I had another bottle. 

We had guests for dinner when I served this wine and it paired very well with grilled chicken and vegetables.

Galileo Galilei once said "Wine is sunlight, held together by water" Kimmel wines are the closest I have tasted to sunlight in a glass.

Kimmel Vineyard is located in Mendocino County in Potter Valley, approx 1100 acres of Vineyards. You can visit them on line at

http://kimmelvineyards.com/

or on Face Book at

https://www.facebook.com/#!/KimmelVineyards

Guenoc Lake County Chardonnay Culinary Reserve 2010

We opened this wine with friends and everyone loved it! Produced from estate grown fruit, the 2010 Guenoc Lake County Chardonnay is partially barrel fermented in French oak, with the majority produced in stainless steel tanks.

In the glass this wine is light yellow, fruit forward aromas of pear and peach. On the palate this wine has subtle hints of toasty oak, but not to much layered with hints of butter, apricot and peach. This wine is fresh and clean with a smooth lingering finish. Great with grilled meats! I served this wine with grilled chicken and vegetables.

Decoy 2009 Zinfandel (California)

I am a lover of California wines, no doubt about it! California is one of the most diverse wine regions in the world, with almost 100 grape varieties grown in over 100 viticulture areas, including dozens of ­different micro climates and soil types, as well as a very individualistic set of ­winemakers, many with international experience, which adds to and deepens that diversity.

I love Zinfandel, old vine, ancient vine and young vine Zins. I have tried other Decoy wines and really enjoyed them and I really enjoyed this Zinfandel.

On the pour this wine was a bright ruby red. On the nose there was immense fruit expression and spice, I just kept sniffing it trying to decipher all the aromas coming from my glass. The palate was full of ripe berries, raspberry, cranberry and vanilla with hints of cocoa, spice and white pepper. Full body, well balanced delightful Zinfandel that I would purchase again. At $20 per bottle, it is well worth it!

If you ever wondered what wine could be served with BBQ, the answer is Zinfandel.  

      Decoy Wines are produced by Duckhorn Vineyards in Sonoma County California.

Beaulieu Vineyard BV Coastal Estates Riesling 2008 (California)

I have purchased this wine before my wine blogging days and enjoyed it. I purchased another bottle recently and paid $10 for teh bottle.

Riesling is an aromatic white grape variety of German origin which is, if the majority of the world's top wine critics are to be believed, the finest white wine variety on Earth.

In the glass this wine is a very light with a tinge of yellow. On the nose this wine is floral and has delicate notes of pear and apricot. On the Palate this wine is off dry with just a touch of sweetness, crisp and fresh with flavors of pear, apricot, honeysuckle and lychee. Medium-bodied with good acidity.

Lychee is a tropical fruit tree native to southern China and southeast Asia, now cultivated in other parts of the world. The fresh fruit has a delicate white pulp with a perfume smell and flavor.

Melini Chianti Borghi d'Elsa 2009 (Italy)

Chianti, the red wine most associated with Italy. This wine is 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo Nero, 7% Malvasia, 3% Trebbiano and hales from Tuscany Italy. The Melini Winery was founded in 1705 and was established as an international winery in 1860 so they have had over 200 years of wine making experience. I purchased this wine for $10.99.

On the pour this wine was bright ruby red with intense bouquet of iris, spice and a bit of ripe raspberry on the nose. On the palate this wine is dry, medium bodied wine with elegant flavors of spice, toasted almonds, dark berries and the slightest touch or tobacco, nice long tasty finish. This wine had nice character and good balance. I would be surprised if someone who appreciates a dry-red/Chianti would not like this. I think it was a great little wine and the you cannot beat the price.

I served this wine with spinach/artichoke manicotti, Italian sausage, garlic toast and a nice side salad. Chianti was made to pair well with heavy Italian foods and red sauces and that it does. I plan to keep a bottle on hand to serve when we have Italian foods.