Bridlewood Monterey County Pinot Noir 2012 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant red fruit bouquet on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Silky texture on the finish with red fruit, spice, and caramel notes

Summary:

Here's a nice, elegant Pinot Noir at a good price. It's a relatively simple style, but it's harmonious and pleasing to the palate. Expect to pay around $12, and pour with anything from salad to lamb chops. Raise a glass!

Hedges CMS Columbia Valley Red Wine 2011 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Mixed berry notes on the nose

Full bodied and rustic on the palate

Harsh finish, heavily tannic, with flat berry and roasted notes

Summary:

I've enjoyed this wine in the past, but the 2011 is not very good. It's an untamed, harsh wine that even with plenty of breathing probably won't develop. Unfortunately, take a pass, save your $14, and check back for the 2012.

Wine tasting and the impact of medications by (PB)

If you visit our blog frequently you see that I have not posted very much if at all for some time. The reason being I am on medication for an issue and the particular medication messes up my ability to "taste" properly. It's important to note to your self when you are on any kind of medicine--even over the counter--meds as they may have an impact on your taster's ability to do its job.

With over 10,000 views a month on this blog, I am cautious not to impugn a wine carelessly realizing I may be unnecessarily creating diminished sales for a particular producer. For this reason there are all kinds of wines I have never posted my reviews simply because I did not trust the condition of my palate at the time of tasting. An upper respiratory infection (ie., a cold) can have a similar effect on your abilities even before your cold manifested itself with symptoms.

Tip off--if you are drinking a wine that you are at least familiar with the particular grape if not the wine and /or producer and it really seems "ucky" ask someone else to taste it and see if they think it tastes "OK." Sometimes my smeller is in fine shape but then I taste the wine and either the taste is off (eg. bitter when I know the type of wine is not generally bitter, or tart, or sour, or just tasteless or even the mouth feel is rather nasty.) Don't assume the wine is bad--it may be you! One good check is to try a wine with which you are very familiar; if it's kind of blech, forgo your wine experience until you're off the meds. Then raise a glass with confidence!

Carmen Reguengos Alentejo 2012 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Nose opens with red currant and raspberry

Medium bodied on the palate

Dry finish with red berries and herbs

Summary:

From Portugal, this Alentejo is a pleasant, dry food wine. It shows good fruit backed by just the right amount of acidity and a dry finish. Don't expect it to jump out at you, rather simply enjoy it with a good meal. For $12, raise a glass!

Domaine Du Salvard Cheverny 2011 wine review by (PB)

Hue is a very pale nearly rose looking, with an orange tinge to it.

Bouquet--Just beneath the tightly wound raspberry fruit is a note of asparagus green and ash. Underneath that is a layer of sweet spice though gentle.

Palate--Finessed structure with fruity foundation of sour strawberry and red raspberry hints. Well made it is easy to drink and interesting.

This Loire red is a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay. I grabbed it because I don't believe I have ever seen this blend but then again I have never had a Cheverny.

I will be pairing this a pasta bed on which rests asparagus and shrimp in a lovely cream sauce. The gentle flavors of this dish should work well with this wine.

I paid a hefty $19 for this bottle which is about as high as you will see it anywhere. If you are looking for a unique wine experience to broaden your horizons *I would pay the price again. If not, I would wait until I could find it for $15 or less. *Raise a glass!

Paco & Lola Albarino 2011 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Apple and citrus on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Floral and apple with light acidity on the finish

Summary:

Albarino is a great Summer white. From the Rias Baixes region of Spain, it delivers full flavor and good acidity. This one is not quite as zippy as some, but it shows class and a well-rounded appeal. Expect to pay $12 or so.

I recommend you start with this well chilled, and enjoy it outdoors with appetizers as it warms up a bit in the bottle. Raise a glass!

Bonterra Zinfandel (Mendocino) 2011 wine review by (PB)

Nice garnet hue with a staunch vanilla bean beam in the nose with blackberry fruit.

Palate-- Integrated with decent structure, wild blackberry flavors, a hint of that vanilla and some rustic touches.

Grilled BBQ'd chicken with it, finishes quickly but pleasant enough. At the $10 price point raise a glass!