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!