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)

---

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.