Huge nose fills the glass with dark berries, tar, anise, and floral notes
Lively, fruity core
Good finish, with floral and berry notes
This wine tastes young and exciting. It was lively in the glass and showed no signs of age. The bouquet took a while to develop, but when it did, it was really nice.
The restaurant sommelier decanted this wine for the table, so it had plenty of time to evolve in the decanter and in the glass. It was heavily accented at first by dark berries and a dark tar flavor, but showed more floral notes as it got some air.
Tasting this wine was a real treat, but I didn't catch the price. I think it was in the neighborhood of $400 or so. When offered an '89 Bordeaux, never pass it up. That's just good advice for all wine lovers. Raise a glass!
Friday, October 27, 2006
Wolffer Estates Reserve Chardonnay 2003 Wine Review (NW)
Nice nose of melon and pineapple
Crisp on the palate
Elegant finish, smooth and clean
Here's a wine from Long Island, New York. In fact, this is from one of the few wineries on the south fork with a national reputation. Most Long Island wineries are clustered along the highway to Orient Point on the pastoral north fork.
Wolffer Estates does a nice job with this Chardonnay. It's steel fermented, so no oak. When I'm in the mood for an elegant and somewhat crisp Chardonnay, this is the type of wine I reach for.
I had just one glass at a restaurant and paid $11. I think the bottle goes for around $20 in a store. Raise a glass!
Crisp on the palate
Elegant finish, smooth and clean
Here's a wine from Long Island, New York. In fact, this is from one of the few wineries on the south fork with a national reputation. Most Long Island wineries are clustered along the highway to Orient Point on the pastoral north fork.
Wolffer Estates does a nice job with this Chardonnay. It's steel fermented, so no oak. When I'm in the mood for an elegant and somewhat crisp Chardonnay, this is the type of wine I reach for.
I had just one glass at a restaurant and paid $11. I think the bottle goes for around $20 in a store. Raise a glass!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Bodegas Julian Chivete Navarra 2005 Rosado wine review by (PB)
This Spanish Rose from the Garnacha (Grenache) grape is a very pretty crisp, light cranberry red color with a big bouquet of light fruit and a touch of anise that is really nice.
In the mouth it is bone dry with good acid, more apple flavor and a light finish of strawberry. This wine was $8 and is a nice food Rose due to its structure. Raise a glass.
In the mouth it is bone dry with good acid, more apple flavor and a light finish of strawberry. This wine was $8 and is a nice food Rose due to its structure. Raise a glass.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Pindar 2001 Johannisberg Riesling Ice wine review by (PB)
This New York State dessert wine is an amber jeweled beauty that is stunning right from the pour. My birthday is just around the corner and some friends came over for dinner bearing gifts one of which was this *wine. I have not much experience with New York State wines and the ones I have were disappointing. This wine borders on awesome.
Every facet of this wine is worth contemplating which is what makes a wine--a great wine. The color is unique and in fact when I first laid eyes on the brownish blush amber, I was concerned the wine was gone. One sniff and I was in reverie. The bouquet is just deep in rich spices with cinnamon and nutmeg. The nose is full of honeyed richness with all kinds of layers. Wow.
In the mouth–and I was still skeptical because the challenge with a dessert wine is to get that profound sweetness yet balanced with a solid foundation of acid to carry the sugar. Otherwise you have a sickeningly sweet wine that is stomach turning after two sips.
This wine has it all. It is intensely sweet with the acid to make it delightful and crying for more. In the mouth there is just huge flavors of ultra-sweet stewed apricots and a fruity finish that is great.
*Point of wine etiquette–When you take an unsolicited bottle of wine to your host’s house, protocol says the wine is a gift and you should not expect your host to open it.
Since I didn't buy this wine, I don’t have a price on it but I suspect it was around $35 for a half bottle. Not cheap to be sure but a wine of this caliber is worth it Raise a glass
Every facet of this wine is worth contemplating which is what makes a wine--a great wine. The color is unique and in fact when I first laid eyes on the brownish blush amber, I was concerned the wine was gone. One sniff and I was in reverie. The bouquet is just deep in rich spices with cinnamon and nutmeg. The nose is full of honeyed richness with all kinds of layers. Wow.
In the mouth–and I was still skeptical because the challenge with a dessert wine is to get that profound sweetness yet balanced with a solid foundation of acid to carry the sugar. Otherwise you have a sickeningly sweet wine that is stomach turning after two sips.
This wine has it all. It is intensely sweet with the acid to make it delightful and crying for more. In the mouth there is just huge flavors of ultra-sweet stewed apricots and a fruity finish that is great.
*Point of wine etiquette–When you take an unsolicited bottle of wine to your host’s house, protocol says the wine is a gift and you should not expect your host to open it.
Since I didn't buy this wine, I don’t have a price on it but I suspect it was around $35 for a half bottle. Not cheap to be sure but a wine of this caliber is worth it Raise a glass
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Wrong Dongo 2004 wine review by (PB)
This Spanish red has a fairly deep, black cherry color with a dense nose with big blue berry aromas.
In the mouth it is unpolished, a bit tannic, full bodied and rustic. I served this stove top BBQ ribs and it was a nice pairing. This wine, though rough around the edges has a lot of flavor. At $8, it is okay especially if you like blueberry flavors in your wine.
Raise a glass.
In the mouth it is unpolished, a bit tannic, full bodied and rustic. I served this stove top BBQ ribs and it was a nice pairing. This wine, though rough around the edges has a lot of flavor. At $8, it is okay especially if you like blueberry flavors in your wine.
Raise a glass.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Alto Moncayo Garnacha 2002 wine review by (PB)
This Grenache from the Campo De Borja is a much darker crimson that what you would expect of a grenache. This wine could pass for a rich Cabernet or Merlot with a dark cherry rim and sturdy youthfulness by appearance.
The nose of this wine is full of raspberries and dark plum fruit with some wonderful floral tones. In the mouth this wine gives a front palate blast of spice with intense flavors yet tightly wound on opening but still hints of white pepper at rear palate.
With breathing, this wine intensifies to yield loads of ripe plummy fruit with marvelously integrated tannins. This wine will age for a couple more years. This is not your mother’s Grenache. It is unlike any grenache I have ever had. This is bold, not finessed or elegant, just incredibly fruity pleasure with full bodied boldness.
With a little more time there is another layer of dill and more big fruit. At 15.5% alcohol, you have to watch how much you enjoy it!
My wife brought this back with her from a recent trip to Chicago. She bought it on recommendation of one of the store’s wine consultants. Again, this was a nice recommendation as I would never even think to pay $38 for a Grenache which is what this cost.
Now here is the perplexing part. The Wine Spectator gave this wine a shocking 82 points. The Wine Enthusiast gave it a 93! This wine is much closer to a 93 than an 82. Go figure and raise a glass!
The nose of this wine is full of raspberries and dark plum fruit with some wonderful floral tones. In the mouth this wine gives a front palate blast of spice with intense flavors yet tightly wound on opening but still hints of white pepper at rear palate.
With breathing, this wine intensifies to yield loads of ripe plummy fruit with marvelously integrated tannins. This wine will age for a couple more years. This is not your mother’s Grenache. It is unlike any grenache I have ever had. This is bold, not finessed or elegant, just incredibly fruity pleasure with full bodied boldness.
With a little more time there is another layer of dill and more big fruit. At 15.5% alcohol, you have to watch how much you enjoy it!
My wife brought this back with her from a recent trip to Chicago. She bought it on recommendation of one of the store’s wine consultants. Again, this was a nice recommendation as I would never even think to pay $38 for a Grenache which is what this cost.
Now here is the perplexing part. The Wine Spectator gave this wine a shocking 82 points. The Wine Enthusiast gave it a 93! This wine is much closer to a 93 than an 82. Go figure and raise a glass!
Thursday, October 12, 2006
The Hess Collection Chardonnay Napa Valley 2004 wine review by (PB)
This wine is pale golden with green apple notes on opening with bready highlights and plenty of sweet fruit.
In the mouth this wine is solid in structure with touches of vanilla, spice and creme brulee. There are gentle and subtle flavors with a lady-like complexity.
The finish is of caramelized sugar.
This is a nice Chard made from Napa grapes of various vineyards but I question the rating of 93 points (Wine Spectator or Wine Enthusiast) and the price of $18.
Just for kicks I reviewed this wine side by side with a much cheaper Chardonnay from California that I am particularly fond of as far as a value wine. Be sure to read the preceding review while you raise a glass!
In the mouth this wine is solid in structure with touches of vanilla, spice and creme brulee. There are gentle and subtle flavors with a lady-like complexity.
The finish is of caramelized sugar.
This is a nice Chard made from Napa grapes of various vineyards but I question the rating of 93 points (Wine Spectator or Wine Enthusiast) and the price of $18.
Just for kicks I reviewed this wine side by side with a much cheaper Chardonnay from California that I am particularly fond of as far as a value wine. Be sure to read the preceding review while you raise a glass!
Salmon Creek Chardonnay 2005 wine review by (PB)
A couple years back I bought a case of this wine (different vintage) because it was such a darn good value. It has been quite some time since I have had more and I thought it would be fun to review this wine next to a much more expensive Chardonnay.
My wife participated in this as well.
Review–This is a nice light golden hue with prominent vanilla tones in the bouquet with a tropical fruit notes. In the mouth the palate is a little mushy but only tasting it next to the Hess Chardonnay. It is not flabby (meaning lacking acid) but just not as crisp as the Hess which precedes this review.
It has a citrus backbone with vanilla and fruit flavors. I asked my wife which wine she would prefer. She liked this wine but preferred the Hess due to its crisp (acid) structure but noted that this was a decent wine.
Then I asked her if she would be willing to pay more than four times the price of this wine for the one she preferred.
The Hess is definitely more complex and crisper but also cost $18. This Salmon Creek cost just $3.99! I question the 93 point rating of the Hess Chard. and quickly ass that the Salmon Creek is a really nice wine and SUPER value! Raise a glass of either one; you’d just be able to raise many more of this bargain wine!
My wife participated in this as well.
Review–This is a nice light golden hue with prominent vanilla tones in the bouquet with a tropical fruit notes. In the mouth the palate is a little mushy but only tasting it next to the Hess Chardonnay. It is not flabby (meaning lacking acid) but just not as crisp as the Hess which precedes this review.
It has a citrus backbone with vanilla and fruit flavors. I asked my wife which wine she would prefer. She liked this wine but preferred the Hess due to its crisp (acid) structure but noted that this was a decent wine.
Then I asked her if she would be willing to pay more than four times the price of this wine for the one she preferred.
The Hess is definitely more complex and crisper but also cost $18. This Salmon Creek cost just $3.99! I question the 93 point rating of the Hess Chard. and quickly ass that the Salmon Creek is a really nice wine and SUPER value! Raise a glass of either one; you’d just be able to raise many more of this bargain wine!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Peter Lehmann Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Wine Review (NW)
Sweet blackberry and anise nose
Fruity core on the palate
Finish of berries, cola, and cocoa
For $12, this wine is a pretty good deal. It's dense and rich, offering a real Cab experience. It paired well with our grilled steaks and didn't get dull after the meal either.
I got this wine on sale, and I've seen it as high as $17. I think that's a bit of a stretch. If you happen to find it at a good price, grab it. If the shelf is stocked with the 2002, no need to hesitate as I've heard that's a fine offering as well. I have yet to sample that myself so I can't be sure, but good sources tell me it's a nice wine for the money, too.
Raise a glass!
Fruity core on the palate
Finish of berries, cola, and cocoa
For $12, this wine is a pretty good deal. It's dense and rich, offering a real Cab experience. It paired well with our grilled steaks and didn't get dull after the meal either.
I got this wine on sale, and I've seen it as high as $17. I think that's a bit of a stretch. If you happen to find it at a good price, grab it. If the shelf is stocked with the 2002, no need to hesitate as I've heard that's a fine offering as well. I have yet to sample that myself so I can't be sure, but good sources tell me it's a nice wine for the money, too.
Raise a glass!
Merlot Market Mutating
California Merlot grape crops are coming in huge this year...again. That makes three straight years of larger than average harvest. THAT (combined with other market pressures) means that we should be seeing Merlot prices come down while quality stays about the same or even raises.
So despite a manufactured Hollywood merlot snub (read: Sideways), now and the next year or so will be a great time to get some decent - great Merlot on the inexpensive side of the store.
If you do, let us know!
Read more: HERE
Raise a Glass.
So despite a manufactured Hollywood merlot snub (read: Sideways), now and the next year or so will be a great time to get some decent - great Merlot on the inexpensive side of the store.
If you do, let us know!
Read more: HERE
Raise a Glass.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Beviamo Moscato D’Asti n.v wine review by (PB)
Every now and then you taste a wine from a region or vintner that is so bad, it taints your view of any wine of similar origins. You have to tell yourself–“Try again; it was just a bad wine!”
Moscato D’Asti’s are typically fun wines with plenty of spritz on the palate and a fruity sweetness that simply scintillates your senses. This wine is NOT such a wine. I bought it at Sam’s Club for $14–a painful acknowledgment–and had it tonight as my wife returned from being gone for a week; a cause for celebration! It comes in a uniquely shaped blue bottle, had a cork that was the most difficult cork to remove of any wine I have had in 30 years, and was absolutely...yucky.
On opening, the bouquet was quite nice full of sweet fruity pineapple, lychee and a touch of apricot. If you only smelled the wine, you’d be ahead of the game.
In the mouth though this wine is sickeningly sweet. If you ever wondered what “cloying” meant, this is it.
The wine is dull, way too sweet, and no structure to carry any of the nice flavors that are there. If you have read the term “plonk” used to describe poorly made wine, this again, is a great example. Please don’t raise a glass of this.
Moscato D’Asti’s are typically fun wines with plenty of spritz on the palate and a fruity sweetness that simply scintillates your senses. This wine is NOT such a wine. I bought it at Sam’s Club for $14–a painful acknowledgment–and had it tonight as my wife returned from being gone for a week; a cause for celebration! It comes in a uniquely shaped blue bottle, had a cork that was the most difficult cork to remove of any wine I have had in 30 years, and was absolutely...yucky.
On opening, the bouquet was quite nice full of sweet fruity pineapple, lychee and a touch of apricot. If you only smelled the wine, you’d be ahead of the game.
In the mouth though this wine is sickeningly sweet. If you ever wondered what “cloying” meant, this is it.
The wine is dull, way too sweet, and no structure to carry any of the nice flavors that are there. If you have read the term “plonk” used to describe poorly made wine, this again, is a great example. Please don’t raise a glass of this.
Ravenswood Icon Syrah 2003 Wine Review (NW)
Bright strawberry nose with notes of anise
Jammy plum core on the palate
Moderately long, dry finish of rich berries and note of cocoa
During our visit to North Carolina, our friends supplied some interesting wines. This one was recommended by the local shop in Black Mountain and costs around $20. I've had a previous vintage of this wine and was eager to try it again now that I'm more in to Southern Rhone-style blends. This one is a GSM blend, meaning Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. However, it is primarily Syrah, to the tune of 81% according to the label.
The wine has that "classy" quality with its combination of lively fruit and a dry finish. I like this style because of its versatility. Raise a glass!
Jammy plum core on the palate
Moderately long, dry finish of rich berries and note of cocoa
During our visit to North Carolina, our friends supplied some interesting wines. This one was recommended by the local shop in Black Mountain and costs around $20. I've had a previous vintage of this wine and was eager to try it again now that I'm more in to Southern Rhone-style blends. This one is a GSM blend, meaning Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. However, it is primarily Syrah, to the tune of 81% according to the label.
The wine has that "classy" quality with its combination of lively fruit and a dry finish. I like this style because of its versatility. Raise a glass!
Falchetto Langhe Arneis 2005 Wine Review (NW)
Fragrant nose of apples, honey, and peaches
Good core of acidity and a rich, soapy quality
Floral finish
I really enjoyed this wine, partly because it paired so well with our various bite sized appetizers. Our friends hosted us in North Carolina for four days, and we enjoyed a number of wines together. This one, I supplied, after picking it up at a nice shop in Atlanta.
For an alternative white, this is a good choice. It's a nice food wine and has some really good flavors and a nice texture. I paid $20. Raise a glass!
Good core of acidity and a rich, soapy quality
Floral finish
I really enjoyed this wine, partly because it paired so well with our various bite sized appetizers. Our friends hosted us in North Carolina for four days, and we enjoyed a number of wines together. This one, I supplied, after picking it up at a nice shop in Atlanta.
For an alternative white, this is a good choice. It's a nice food wine and has some really good flavors and a nice texture. I paid $20. Raise a glass!
Keenan Napa Valley 25th Anniversary Merlot 2001 Wine Review (NW)
Nose of dark berries
Juicy, fruity core
Finish with berry, cola, and cocoa notes
Sometimes I encounter wines that taste pretty good and fairly well made, but just aren't very exciting. This wine is in that category. It has some good qualities, but really isn't that memorable.
I think the fact is, this wine tastes somewhat flat- or, at least, this bottle does. I'm glad I didn't pay for it, because it cost $29.
Raise a glass, but fill it with exciting wine!
Juicy, fruity core
Finish with berry, cola, and cocoa notes
Sometimes I encounter wines that taste pretty good and fairly well made, but just aren't very exciting. This wine is in that category. It has some good qualities, but really isn't that memorable.
I think the fact is, this wine tastes somewhat flat- or, at least, this bottle does. I'm glad I didn't pay for it, because it cost $29.
Raise a glass, but fill it with exciting wine!
Cline Ancient Vine Zinfandel 2005 wine review by (PB)
Cline tends to put out a solidly made Zin year after year. This one, a step up from their normal production was a bargain buying it at Sam’s Club for under $12. It is a pretty garnet with some youthful hint purple in the color. The bouquet on opening is brambly with nice berries and touch of spice.
The wine is a bit closed at first and a bit hot but some breathing room should take care of this.
With a half an hour or so this wine yields up full berry flavors, a meaty nose, plenty of fruit and is well made and just a forthright, sturdy, unpretentious wine. I had it with grilled pork chops, not because it was the pairing I would choose but because I wanted this Zin and I wanted grilled chops so what the heck?
It wasn’t a great pairing but it was okay. At any rate, I enjoyed both so raise a glass to the waning days of warmth and sunshine.
The wine is a bit closed at first and a bit hot but some breathing room should take care of this.
With a half an hour or so this wine yields up full berry flavors, a meaty nose, plenty of fruit and is well made and just a forthright, sturdy, unpretentious wine. I had it with grilled pork chops, not because it was the pairing I would choose but because I wanted this Zin and I wanted grilled chops so what the heck?
It wasn’t a great pairing but it was okay. At any rate, I enjoyed both so raise a glass to the waning days of warmth and sunshine.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Beringer Chenin Blanc 2005 wine review by (PB)
This previously reviewed wine is just a positively, stunningly super wine for under $5–note, that is not a misprint–-I am talking about less than a finsky, 5 clams, a few dineros--and you can have a wine with structure, peach and apricot notes, with a fruit compote finish. It is made well enough such that it paired perfectly with a crab cake appetizer and knocked the cocktail sauce (made with horse radish and ketchup) out of the park.
This is my last bottle but I can assure you if I find more I am buying it up! Now go and do likewise before you regret it! Now raise a glass.
This is my last bottle but I can assure you if I find more I am buying it up! Now go and do likewise before you regret it! Now raise a glass.
How Wine Is Made
It's that time of year. The sugar content of the grapes is reaching the correct "brix" for ideal harvest. A colleague of mine from my day job, John Omlin, has a side vineyard and wine making business in Oregon. His site, Omlin Vines and Wines has a great running blog of the week to week activities of running a vineyard. But now it's harvest time for their Pinot Gris at Hungry Hill Vineyard.
John has posted a slide show on yahoo pictures of the harvest to barrel process. It's a blast to watch how the grapes are taken from the vine to the winery to the barrel where it awaits bottling. Check it out here
Hungry Hill Harvest!
John has promised me a bottle when it is ready. You can bet we'll post a review here. Stay tuned!
Friday, October 06, 2006
Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 wine review by (PB)
This wine is a nice garnet with a very nice bouquet of cocoa and black cherry aromas with a touch of licorice–nice! In the mouth there is a lot of toast flavor but it is quite hot, peppery–really peppery and shallow flavors. There is strong eucalyptus rear palate–a weird wine!
There are too many side flavors to this wine and it is all out of balance but there is something that is causing me to stay with it through breathing.
With air, it is still a weird wine yet it is somewhat intriguing though not typical of the varietal.
24 hours later I retasted this wine and it was vastly different. There are mild green pepper aromas with chocolate and a sweet fruit fragrance filling the air. In the mouth this wine much different; more balanced tough lacking grace and is a bit thin. The finish is weak and yet, this wine still intrigues me as it is unique and much better than it was even after a couple hours after opening.
Which makes you wonder what of all the wines that are reviewed annually by so many only minutes after opening? How many wines are being panned when they just need more time to come alive after opening? This wine was $8 on sale and is a mixed bag. I found it interesting.
Which stresses why it is important to learn about vintners, grape types, regions etc. and buy based on your own experience preference. At the wine cask blog, we want to give you specific reviews but pay close attention to the place of origin, the vintner, etc. and seek out wines that might be similar if you can’t find the exact wine. Learn your own palate and your own preferences and make decisions accordingly and boldly experiment with new wines. It’s an adventure and a conquest and an enjoyable journey so raise a glass!
There are too many side flavors to this wine and it is all out of balance but there is something that is causing me to stay with it through breathing.
With air, it is still a weird wine yet it is somewhat intriguing though not typical of the varietal.
24 hours later I retasted this wine and it was vastly different. There are mild green pepper aromas with chocolate and a sweet fruit fragrance filling the air. In the mouth this wine much different; more balanced tough lacking grace and is a bit thin. The finish is weak and yet, this wine still intrigues me as it is unique and much better than it was even after a couple hours after opening.
Which makes you wonder what of all the wines that are reviewed annually by so many only minutes after opening? How many wines are being panned when they just need more time to come alive after opening? This wine was $8 on sale and is a mixed bag. I found it interesting.
Which stresses why it is important to learn about vintners, grape types, regions etc. and buy based on your own experience preference. At the wine cask blog, we want to give you specific reviews but pay close attention to the place of origin, the vintner, etc. and seek out wines that might be similar if you can’t find the exact wine. Learn your own palate and your own preferences and make decisions accordingly and boldly experiment with new wines. It’s an adventure and a conquest and an enjoyable journey so raise a glass!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Calera Pinot Noir 2002 Real Time Review via Handheld Device (NW)
Nose of plum and touches of spice
Dry palate with notes of cranberry
Moderate-length finish with woven layers of fruit and herbs
This is my first ever attempt at a real time review from my Blackberry. I'm sitting outdoors on the back patio of Waterzooi, a Belgian bistro in Garden City, NY. Somebody tell me it's actually October 4th!
I have to say, overall, this is a nice, quality wine. It even paired well with a filet of sole and black truffle mashed potatoes.
My prefence for Pinot Noir is a slightly richer and smoother style, but this one was enjoyable with food.
I ordered a half bottle, alone on a business trip. It was reasonably priced at $21.
Raise a glass to real-time, wireless, handheld device wine reviews and blogging!!
Dry palate with notes of cranberry
Moderate-length finish with woven layers of fruit and herbs
This is my first ever attempt at a real time review from my Blackberry. I'm sitting outdoors on the back patio of Waterzooi, a Belgian bistro in Garden City, NY. Somebody tell me it's actually October 4th!
I have to say, overall, this is a nice, quality wine. It even paired well with a filet of sole and black truffle mashed potatoes.
My prefence for Pinot Noir is a slightly richer and smoother style, but this one was enjoyable with food.
I ordered a half bottle, alone on a business trip. It was reasonably priced at $21.
Raise a glass to real-time, wireless, handheld device wine reviews and blogging!!
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Ca’Bianca Barolo 2000 wine review by (PB)
This wine is unexpectedly light in color (relatively speaking) for a Barolo showing some age in the color at the rim. It has a big bouquet full of plumy, bread and berry fruit with an amazing, almost floral, nose that is downright sexy and sweet. (My wife said it smelled like brown sugar to her!)
In the mouth this wine is steely, really tannic, chewy, a bit thin or just tightly wound and needs to breathe. Knowing Barolos, this wine just needs time to open up.
With just a half hour even there is an amazing transformation; this wine which was rather unremarkable, almost unpleasant due to being so tannic, turns voluptuous and wowing with layer upon layer of nice things. Chocolate, cinnamon, (brown sugar—my wife) and a mixed spice is all there at different times. The tannins? They just melt away and leave an amazingly tasting wine that is delicious with—get this (NW), a nice earthy, almost mushroomy finish with nice fruit to boot.
This was one NICE wine and I paid $28 for it at a Sam’s Club. Wine Spectator gave it a 92. It’s all that, perhaps even more. Raise a glass and revel in what good wine is supposed to be and doesn’t cost you a second mortgage. Wow!
In the mouth this wine is steely, really tannic, chewy, a bit thin or just tightly wound and needs to breathe. Knowing Barolos, this wine just needs time to open up.
With just a half hour even there is an amazing transformation; this wine which was rather unremarkable, almost unpleasant due to being so tannic, turns voluptuous and wowing with layer upon layer of nice things. Chocolate, cinnamon, (brown sugar—my wife) and a mixed spice is all there at different times. The tannins? They just melt away and leave an amazingly tasting wine that is delicious with—get this (NW), a nice earthy, almost mushroomy finish with nice fruit to boot.
This was one NICE wine and I paid $28 for it at a Sam’s Club. Wine Spectator gave it a 92. It’s all that, perhaps even more. Raise a glass and revel in what good wine is supposed to be and doesn’t cost you a second mortgage. Wow!
Monday, October 02, 2006
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Blind Tastings (NW)
Two weeks ago, our very good friends hosted a blind tasting of nine New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines. After making several trips to the Kiwi nation, they fell in love with these wines and always seemed to have more bottles hanging around than they could possibly drink. So the idea of a tasting night was born, and nine wines were selected.
I really enjoyed this set-up because it made it possible to detect subtle differences between wines that would be difficult to taste otherwise. My tasting notes are as follows (prices are approximate):
#1- Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2004 ($13)
Explosive nose of lychee, grapefruit, and minerals
Fairly rich palate, but with backbone
Smooth, lingering finish of citrus and grass, with tartness and complexity
(good quality wine)
#2- Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc 2005 ($14)
Nice nose of citrus, lychee, and sweet melon
Smooth on palate with sweet notes of apple and pear
Smooth finish balances sweet and grassy notes
(a little sweeter than others, but retains its backbone)
#3- Tohu Sauvignon Blanc 2004 ($14)
Somewhat muted nose of citrus, opens with air to reveal fresh cut grass
Simple on palate, almost a touch flabby for this varietal
Simple finish, but tapers well, some floral notes
( a little bit soft and simple)
#4- Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004 ($22)
Nice nose of grapefruit, lychee, and minerals
Minerals on the palate, nice texture
Elegant finish is balanced, with an added fragrant, floral note
(3rd best of tasting- flavorful, elegant, and balanced)
#5- Selaks Premium Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2005 ($16)
Nose of citrus with sweet touches of pear and apple
Flabbly on the palate, not enough acid
Soft finish, pleasant but not complex
(soft and flabby for varietal)
#6- Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2005 ($16)
Grapefruit nose with lively grassy notes
Rich, mouth-filling palate
Elegant finish, layers taper nicely with citrus and floral
(best of tasting- lively, rich, and elegant all rolled into one)
#7- Mutua Valley "Paratei" Sauvignon Blanc 2004 ($18)
Nice nose of citrus, minerals, and grassy notes
Rich, balanced texture on the palate
Good finish, tapers well with layers of citrus
(2nd best of tasting- tastes very balanced and well made)
#8- Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc 2002 ($14)
Off nose, faint citrus and herbal notes- corked?
Woody core
Flat, sour finish
(terrible- a corked wine! and too old)
#9- Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2005 ($11)
Nose of grapefruit and melon
Soft core of fruit on the palate
Simple finish with sweet fruit and a citrus note
(slightly below average relative to peers, but not offensive)
I ranked the wines in the following order after the blind tasting: 6, 7, 4, 1, 2, 3, 9, 5, 8. I chose #6 as my favorite, the Kim Crawford, because it had all the flavor, it was lively, and had an added elegance. It seemed really well made and well balanced.
The Grove Mill (#9) was clearly the worst. In fact, it was corked! Yes, there are some New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc's that have cork closures. At first, I couldn't believe what I was tasting because I assumed all the bottles were screw top. Of course, the vast majority are.
After the formal tasting, we made all the wines available for food pairing. Several of us kept going back to the Dashwood for just the right pairing with the seafood lasagna. My 5th ranked wine was number one with that dish! You just never know what might make a good food pairing.
This blind tasting was a terrific chance to examine the subtle nuances of the varietal. Thanks again to the hosts, who opened their cellar for a fantastic evening. Raise a glass!
I really enjoyed this set-up because it made it possible to detect subtle differences between wines that would be difficult to taste otherwise. My tasting notes are as follows (prices are approximate):
#1- Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2004 ($13)
Explosive nose of lychee, grapefruit, and minerals
Fairly rich palate, but with backbone
Smooth, lingering finish of citrus and grass, with tartness and complexity
(good quality wine)
#2- Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc 2005 ($14)
Nice nose of citrus, lychee, and sweet melon
Smooth on palate with sweet notes of apple and pear
Smooth finish balances sweet and grassy notes
(a little sweeter than others, but retains its backbone)
#3- Tohu Sauvignon Blanc 2004 ($14)
Somewhat muted nose of citrus, opens with air to reveal fresh cut grass
Simple on palate, almost a touch flabby for this varietal
Simple finish, but tapers well, some floral notes
( a little bit soft and simple)
#4- Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004 ($22)
Nice nose of grapefruit, lychee, and minerals
Minerals on the palate, nice texture
Elegant finish is balanced, with an added fragrant, floral note
(3rd best of tasting- flavorful, elegant, and balanced)
#5- Selaks Premium Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2005 ($16)
Nose of citrus with sweet touches of pear and apple
Flabbly on the palate, not enough acid
Soft finish, pleasant but not complex
(soft and flabby for varietal)
#6- Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2005 ($16)
Grapefruit nose with lively grassy notes
Rich, mouth-filling palate
Elegant finish, layers taper nicely with citrus and floral
(best of tasting- lively, rich, and elegant all rolled into one)
#7- Mutua Valley "Paratei" Sauvignon Blanc 2004 ($18)
Nice nose of citrus, minerals, and grassy notes
Rich, balanced texture on the palate
Good finish, tapers well with layers of citrus
(2nd best of tasting- tastes very balanced and well made)
#8- Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc 2002 ($14)
Off nose, faint citrus and herbal notes- corked?
Woody core
Flat, sour finish
(terrible- a corked wine! and too old)
#9- Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2005 ($11)
Nose of grapefruit and melon
Soft core of fruit on the palate
Simple finish with sweet fruit and a citrus note
(slightly below average relative to peers, but not offensive)
I ranked the wines in the following order after the blind tasting: 6, 7, 4, 1, 2, 3, 9, 5, 8. I chose #6 as my favorite, the Kim Crawford, because it had all the flavor, it was lively, and had an added elegance. It seemed really well made and well balanced.
The Grove Mill (#9) was clearly the worst. In fact, it was corked! Yes, there are some New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc's that have cork closures. At first, I couldn't believe what I was tasting because I assumed all the bottles were screw top. Of course, the vast majority are.
After the formal tasting, we made all the wines available for food pairing. Several of us kept going back to the Dashwood for just the right pairing with the seafood lasagna. My 5th ranked wine was number one with that dish! You just never know what might make a good food pairing.
This blind tasting was a terrific chance to examine the subtle nuances of the varietal. Thanks again to the hosts, who opened their cellar for a fantastic evening. Raise a glass!
Friday, September 29, 2006
Fetzer Valley Oaks Zinfandel 2003 wine review–real time-- by (PB)
Came home tonight to the amazing aromas of Italian sausage steeping in tomato sauce with wonderful Italian spices. I went to the cellar and grabbed a 1999 Rioja and brought it upstairs but for some reason decided to go with this Zin from the folks who make my favorite Gewurtz.
It is sitting in front of me and is imparting incredible berry rich aromas even through the heavy ambient layer of home made spaghetti sauce. This gorgeous crystalline crimson wine is dense with jammy notes of raisins and blackberries that are so ripe they smell like you must eat them immediately or they’ll go over the top.
In the mouth the first blast is a shot of white pepper with a thin texture and heavy tannins. Unfortunately, the mouth presentation is less than promised through the nose. The finish is kind of a toasty white bread.
We’ll leave it sit now and see if air helps any of this.
An hour does open the flavors a bit but there is something that just isn’t quite right with the finish of this wine. It’s awkward and unpleasant. It was $8 and has a great bouquet but just doesn’t come together.
It is sitting in front of me and is imparting incredible berry rich aromas even through the heavy ambient layer of home made spaghetti sauce. This gorgeous crystalline crimson wine is dense with jammy notes of raisins and blackberries that are so ripe they smell like you must eat them immediately or they’ll go over the top.
In the mouth the first blast is a shot of white pepper with a thin texture and heavy tannins. Unfortunately, the mouth presentation is less than promised through the nose. The finish is kind of a toasty white bread.
We’ll leave it sit now and see if air helps any of this.
An hour does open the flavors a bit but there is something that just isn’t quite right with the finish of this wine. It’s awkward and unpleasant. It was $8 and has a great bouquet but just doesn’t come together.
Can't Remember That Wine?
Sometimes, maybe even often times, the simplest ideas turn out to be really wonderful ideas. How many times have you been in a restaurant, or at a friend’s house or a tasting and you loved the wine but have no easy way to remember it short of writing it down somewhere? On a recent bottle of Yalumba’s Viognier, there was the solution.
The back label includes a small perforated, tear-off tab with the name and vintage of the wine on it the size of a postage stamp! If you want to remember the wine, no matter where you are, just tear it off and tuck it in your wallet or wherever. How simple; how ingenious. Nice idea Yalumba!!! I hope many, many others will follow suit now!
The back label includes a small perforated, tear-off tab with the name and vintage of the wine on it the size of a postage stamp! If you want to remember the wine, no matter where you are, just tear it off and tuck it in your wallet or wherever. How simple; how ingenious. Nice idea Yalumba!!! I hope many, many others will follow suit now!
Borsao Rose 2005 wine review by (PB)
This Spanish Rose is a Tourmaline red with a luscious bouquet of Summer fruit. It has an adequate structure if a little alcoholic but I served it too warm pulling it out of my ambient cellar.
It has flavors of raspberries and strawberries, but there is a nagging “something” in the structure that just isn’t quite right. When I paired this with baked chicken—a pretty benign dish to pair—the wine was not a good match only increasing that “something” I can’t identify.
After dinner I re-tasted the wine and I confirmed that it definitely isn’t just a bad pairing but with a lower serving temperature, the wine is drinkable but why bother? $8 Roses are in abundance and without the controversy so raise a glass and check the other roses blogged here that are wonderful. (I recommend La Veille Ferme and it’s only about $6!) So raise a glass while Summer hangs on.
It has flavors of raspberries and strawberries, but there is a nagging “something” in the structure that just isn’t quite right. When I paired this with baked chicken—a pretty benign dish to pair—the wine was not a good match only increasing that “something” I can’t identify.
After dinner I re-tasted the wine and I confirmed that it definitely isn’t just a bad pairing but with a lower serving temperature, the wine is drinkable but why bother? $8 Roses are in abundance and without the controversy so raise a glass and check the other roses blogged here that are wonderful. (I recommend La Veille Ferme and it’s only about $6!) So raise a glass while Summer hangs on.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Yalumba Viognier “Y Series” 2005 wine review by (PB)
This Aussie white (pronounced Vee-oh-nyay) is a gentle golden in color with a gentle bouquet of mixed fruit cocktail and a nose of sweet spice.
In the mouth this wine gives a steely first impression with really interesting flavors of various fruits but all very subtle.
The structure is really nice giving some power on the palate. It has a nice mouth feel–almost creamy but not quite yet there is a robust feeling on the palate. This is a pleasant change from all the standard white wines we grow used to. The finish has some staying power. This is a good wine by itself and a great food wine. I just ate some bread dipped in olive oil and grated Parmesan with spices and the wine is wonderful with it. The Wine Enthusiast gave this wine a nice rating in the upper 80's. It’s worth it if it was twice what I paid for it. At $11 raise a glass again and again of this puppy today!
As a side note--The back label includes a small perforated, tear-off tab with the name and vintage of the wine on it the size of a postage stamp! If you want to remember the wine, no matter where you are, just tear it off and tuck it in your wallet or wherever. How simple-how ingenious. Nice idea Yalumba!!!
In the mouth this wine gives a steely first impression with really interesting flavors of various fruits but all very subtle.
The structure is really nice giving some power on the palate. It has a nice mouth feel–almost creamy but not quite yet there is a robust feeling on the palate. This is a pleasant change from all the standard white wines we grow used to. The finish has some staying power. This is a good wine by itself and a great food wine. I just ate some bread dipped in olive oil and grated Parmesan with spices and the wine is wonderful with it. The Wine Enthusiast gave this wine a nice rating in the upper 80's. It’s worth it if it was twice what I paid for it. At $11 raise a glass again and again of this puppy today!
As a side note--The back label includes a small perforated, tear-off tab with the name and vintage of the wine on it the size of a postage stamp! If you want to remember the wine, no matter where you are, just tear it off and tuck it in your wallet or wherever. How simple-how ingenious. Nice idea Yalumba!!!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
“Julienas” Beaujolais Cru 2003 wine review by (PB)
This Cru—remember this is the best of Beaujolais, this one produced by Dubouef, had a bright bouquet of cherries with a nose of dried cherries, licorice and subtle brief cocoa notes. In the mouth it starts with a blast of licorice and dried fruit. This is another decent old world wine but I didn’t like it nearly as much as the Brouilly—another Beaujolais Cru-- previously blogged. The finish was short.
Having this wine right after the mediocre and awkward and “Beauzeaux” (previously entered) made this wine taste even better. We paired it with turkey/sage ravioli and it was okay but not great.
I paid $9 for this which is a good price for a Beaujolais Cru wine. They tend to run closer to the mid teens. If you need a brush up on Beaujolais, do see the entry regarding Beaujolais wine explained and while you’re doing that—raise a glass!
Having this wine right after the mediocre and awkward and “Beauzeaux” (previously entered) made this wine taste even better. We paired it with turkey/sage ravioli and it was okay but not great.
I paid $9 for this which is a good price for a Beaujolais Cru wine. They tend to run closer to the mid teens. If you need a brush up on Beaujolais, do see the entry regarding Beaujolais wine explained and while you’re doing that—raise a glass!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Moschofilero Boutari 2005 Wine Review (NW)
Brilliant pale yellow color
Nose of lemon and honey
Dry on the palate, with citrus notes and nice acidity
Smooth, dry finish with some floral notes
In the interest of full disclosure, this wine was sent to The Wine Cask blog compliments of Paterno Wines International. They continue to value the wine blogging community as an excellent resource for furthering conversation about their many wines.
The wine surprised me! At first, I didn't know it was Greek until I spent a moment examining the label. As it turns out, Moschofilero is a grape varietal that's making a bit of a comeback. It is primarily grown in Matinina, a region in Southern Greece.
As I was checking out the label, I realized the bottle was having a psychological effect on me. The bottle is clear glass, and a clear bottle gets me prepared to taste a light, crisp white wine- perfect for summer. Many Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Grigios come bottled this way.
While the wine is light and crisp, the nose is remarkably fragrant. The big lemon bouquet and notes of honey are wonderful. PB of this blog also detected some sweet spices that I did not pick up on.
As for the overall structure, I enjoyed the dry, smooth finish and the fact that it has a backbone of acidity to compliment food.
Ironically, the day after tasting this wine, I saw it in a store for the first time. It was priced at $10, which puts it in the good, value white category. It's easy to beat a comparable Chardonnay at this price, but this wine is more of a Pinot Grigio or Chenin Blanc alternative anyway. I think it's nice to see another alternative white wine with character.
Raise a glass!
Nose of lemon and honey
Dry on the palate, with citrus notes and nice acidity
Smooth, dry finish with some floral notes
In the interest of full disclosure, this wine was sent to The Wine Cask blog compliments of Paterno Wines International. They continue to value the wine blogging community as an excellent resource for furthering conversation about their many wines.
The wine surprised me! At first, I didn't know it was Greek until I spent a moment examining the label. As it turns out, Moschofilero is a grape varietal that's making a bit of a comeback. It is primarily grown in Matinina, a region in Southern Greece.
As I was checking out the label, I realized the bottle was having a psychological effect on me. The bottle is clear glass, and a clear bottle gets me prepared to taste a light, crisp white wine- perfect for summer. Many Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Grigios come bottled this way.
While the wine is light and crisp, the nose is remarkably fragrant. The big lemon bouquet and notes of honey are wonderful. PB of this blog also detected some sweet spices that I did not pick up on.
As for the overall structure, I enjoyed the dry, smooth finish and the fact that it has a backbone of acidity to compliment food.
Ironically, the day after tasting this wine, I saw it in a store for the first time. It was priced at $10, which puts it in the good, value white category. It's easy to beat a comparable Chardonnay at this price, but this wine is more of a Pinot Grigio or Chenin Blanc alternative anyway. I think it's nice to see another alternative white wine with character.
Raise a glass!
Monday, September 25, 2006
Beaulieu Vineyards “Beauzeaux” 2005 wine review by (PB)
BV has a soft spot in my heart as one of the first wineries I fell in love with as a neo-enophile.
(NW) and I availed ourselves of the tastings at BV when visiting Napa a couple years ago and I’m not sure but may have tried their humorously named “Beauzeaux” (BOZO) wine.
The wine of a few years ago was a nice conglomeration of several different grapes, well made, and rather tasty if not delicious. That wine ran around $25.
So when (NW) and I saw the newly labeled “Beauzeaux” replete with silly cartoon graphic juggler complete with bottle tag that contains three “tricks” you can play on your friends we were skeptical that this could be the same wine since it also cost only $10. (NW) said, “You be the guinea pig and if its any good tell me and I’ll pick some more up for both of us.
Well, this new wine is a blend of 8 grapes. It is cherry/purple rimmed with a pretty crystal color with a bouquet of slight vanilla with a blasts of dill in the nose.
In the mouth the wine is thin with toasty notes on the front palate but nondescript all the way around. It tastes like a blend of, well 8 grapes, none of which really come together. The wine is awkward, though drinkable, and tart. This strikes me a s a wine in search of an identity–a casualty of marketing and mass production. It is an oddity to be sure and not worth getting again.
I am disappointed that BV prostituted itself by ruining a nice wine for the pressures of popularity.
ER–host of the great NZ Sauvignon Blanc tasting blogged previously, was up for the weekend and agreed with this essential review. It was fun; it’s always fun tasting new wines–even odd ones so raise a glass!
(NW) and I availed ourselves of the tastings at BV when visiting Napa a couple years ago and I’m not sure but may have tried their humorously named “Beauzeaux” (BOZO) wine.
The wine of a few years ago was a nice conglomeration of several different grapes, well made, and rather tasty if not delicious. That wine ran around $25.
So when (NW) and I saw the newly labeled “Beauzeaux” replete with silly cartoon graphic juggler complete with bottle tag that contains three “tricks” you can play on your friends we were skeptical that this could be the same wine since it also cost only $10. (NW) said, “You be the guinea pig and if its any good tell me and I’ll pick some more up for both of us.
Well, this new wine is a blend of 8 grapes. It is cherry/purple rimmed with a pretty crystal color with a bouquet of slight vanilla with a blasts of dill in the nose.
In the mouth the wine is thin with toasty notes on the front palate but nondescript all the way around. It tastes like a blend of, well 8 grapes, none of which really come together. The wine is awkward, though drinkable, and tart. This strikes me a s a wine in search of an identity–a casualty of marketing and mass production. It is an oddity to be sure and not worth getting again.
I am disappointed that BV prostituted itself by ruining a nice wine for the pressures of popularity.
ER–host of the great NZ Sauvignon Blanc tasting blogged previously, was up for the weekend and agreed with this essential review. It was fun; it’s always fun tasting new wines–even odd ones so raise a glass!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Moschofilero Boutari 2005 wine review by (PB)
I cannot even tell you when the last time I had a Greek wine was but I can tell you that it was memorable—for all the wrong reasons! So when the good folks at Paterno Imports sent us this wine, I was skeptical.
This wine, made from the grape by that name (pronounced--mo-sko-feel-ero) is a pale straw with the slightest hint of green. It has a sweet, fruity bouquet with a nice, spicy, nutmeg and cinnamon note that was wonderful. This is one of those wines I just could sit and smell picking apart the nuanced aromas.
In the mouth this Greek creation has vibrant acidity with a keen citrus punctuation and while it smells sweet, it is quite dry!
The bouquet would lead you to expect a stronger presence on the palate than what was there but with its structure, this wine would be an excellent food wine—think; lobster with dripping drawn butter.
We saw this wine a day later at a wine shop in Boston for $10—a decent value! So, okay, now we have yet another country to explore—just stay away from the “retsina.”
Be sure to check out (NW's) review of this wine as well and raise a glass!
This wine, made from the grape by that name (pronounced--mo-sko-feel-ero) is a pale straw with the slightest hint of green. It has a sweet, fruity bouquet with a nice, spicy, nutmeg and cinnamon note that was wonderful. This is one of those wines I just could sit and smell picking apart the nuanced aromas.
In the mouth this Greek creation has vibrant acidity with a keen citrus punctuation and while it smells sweet, it is quite dry!
The bouquet would lead you to expect a stronger presence on the palate than what was there but with its structure, this wine would be an excellent food wine—think; lobster with dripping drawn butter.
We saw this wine a day later at a wine shop in Boston for $10—a decent value! So, okay, now we have yet another country to explore—just stay away from the “retsina.”
Be sure to check out (NW's) review of this wine as well and raise a glass!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs blind tastings by (PB)
Every once in a while, the stars align just right and you fall into an amazing opportunity that you know you just don’t deserve.
Visiting (NW) in Boston this past weekend, we were invited to some friends’ house for an extraordinary dinner and a blind tasting of 9 N.Z. Sauvignon Blancs.
All nine were bagged and numbered 1-9. We tasted them in three flights of three. Again, once thing that was emphasized through the experience is that tasting wines side by side is the only way to really taste a wine and appreciate the nuanced differences between them.
Our hosts spent some time in New Zealand before coming back to the U.S. bringing with them an understanding of New Zealand’s forte in to the production of this varietal.
Below are my notes from the tasting.
(Because of low light conditions, we ignored that attribute of the wines. Suffice it to say they were all pale yellow with a hint of green to one degree or another.)
#1 Spy Valley 2004 $11 (WS score of 88 pts)
Big guava nose with plenty of grass with a citrusy palate, subtle flavors that are tight and minerally notes with tart grapefruit. Some complexity.
#2 Dashwood 2005 $14 (WS score of 89 pts)
Subtle guava, grass and pear notes with a touch of mandarin orange. More grapefruit on the palate with a touch of bitter and lighter bodied than #1.
#3 Tohu 2004 $14 (WS score of 90 pts.)
Still more subtle notes of guava and grass with citrusy palate and grapfruit with a rear palate of floral notes–wow!
#4 Cloudy Bay 2004 $21 (WS score of 86 pts)
Guava/grass nose with new asparagus notes. Good mouth feel though slightly tart with solid acid and stoney finish with some complexity.
#5 Selaks Premium Selection 2005 $16 (WS score of 90 pts)
Lighter nose of guava and big vanilla aromas with creamy notes and creme brulee. In the mouth it is a tad weak on acid but adequate. Simple finish.
#6 Kim Crawford 2005 $12 (WS score of 90 pts)
Bouquet of vanilla cream, lychee. Grass, sweet spice–nice! Citrus on the palate with S. Blanc character all the way. Nice grassy finish. A great example of the grape.
#7 Matua Valley “Paretai” 2004 $17 (WS score of 93 pts)
Guava and grass and lychee fill the bouquet with great mouth feel that has a “zip” to it and full of flavors with grapefruit, and citrusy complexity. Best of tasting!
#8 Grove Mill 2002–(the wine was “corked”) or possibly shot due to its age! These wines are meant to be drunk young!
#9 Oyster Bay 2005 $8 (WS score of 89 pts.)
More grapefruit than grass in the mouth; this wine has nice structure and is well made. (Best value of the tasting)
Again I stress that while wine tasting is subjective as far as what one likes, there are objective elements that go into making a great wine! The fact that I picked the Matua Valley Paretai as the best of the tasting which happens to correspond to the Wine Spectator’s rating as the highest of the wines presented, is not coincidental!
Still the importance of wine "pairing" cannot be over stated. I found myself going back again and again to the Dashwood with the different foods we had that night which included a shrimp lasagne, mushroom and gruyere fondue, Arugula with fried Gorgonzola balls.
Special thanks to our hosts for a wonderful dinner and a special time. We raised many glasses that night. Here’s to the next time around!
Visiting (NW) in Boston this past weekend, we were invited to some friends’ house for an extraordinary dinner and a blind tasting of 9 N.Z. Sauvignon Blancs.
All nine were bagged and numbered 1-9. We tasted them in three flights of three. Again, once thing that was emphasized through the experience is that tasting wines side by side is the only way to really taste a wine and appreciate the nuanced differences between them.
Our hosts spent some time in New Zealand before coming back to the U.S. bringing with them an understanding of New Zealand’s forte in to the production of this varietal.
Below are my notes from the tasting.
(Because of low light conditions, we ignored that attribute of the wines. Suffice it to say they were all pale yellow with a hint of green to one degree or another.)
#1 Spy Valley 2004 $11 (WS score of 88 pts)
Big guava nose with plenty of grass with a citrusy palate, subtle flavors that are tight and minerally notes with tart grapefruit. Some complexity.
#2 Dashwood 2005 $14 (WS score of 89 pts)
Subtle guava, grass and pear notes with a touch of mandarin orange. More grapefruit on the palate with a touch of bitter and lighter bodied than #1.
#3 Tohu 2004 $14 (WS score of 90 pts.)
Still more subtle notes of guava and grass with citrusy palate and grapfruit with a rear palate of floral notes–wow!
#4 Cloudy Bay 2004 $21 (WS score of 86 pts)
Guava/grass nose with new asparagus notes. Good mouth feel though slightly tart with solid acid and stoney finish with some complexity.
#5 Selaks Premium Selection 2005 $16 (WS score of 90 pts)
Lighter nose of guava and big vanilla aromas with creamy notes and creme brulee. In the mouth it is a tad weak on acid but adequate. Simple finish.
#6 Kim Crawford 2005 $12 (WS score of 90 pts)
Bouquet of vanilla cream, lychee. Grass, sweet spice–nice! Citrus on the palate with S. Blanc character all the way. Nice grassy finish. A great example of the grape.
#7 Matua Valley “Paretai” 2004 $17 (WS score of 93 pts)
Guava and grass and lychee fill the bouquet with great mouth feel that has a “zip” to it and full of flavors with grapefruit, and citrusy complexity. Best of tasting!
#8 Grove Mill 2002–(the wine was “corked”) or possibly shot due to its age! These wines are meant to be drunk young!
#9 Oyster Bay 2005 $8 (WS score of 89 pts.)
More grapefruit than grass in the mouth; this wine has nice structure and is well made. (Best value of the tasting)
Again I stress that while wine tasting is subjective as far as what one likes, there are objective elements that go into making a great wine! The fact that I picked the Matua Valley Paretai as the best of the tasting which happens to correspond to the Wine Spectator’s rating as the highest of the wines presented, is not coincidental!
Still the importance of wine "pairing" cannot be over stated. I found myself going back again and again to the Dashwood with the different foods we had that night which included a shrimp lasagne, mushroom and gruyere fondue, Arugula with fried Gorgonzola balls.
Special thanks to our hosts for a wonderful dinner and a special time. We raised many glasses that night. Here’s to the next time around!
Columbia Crest "Two Vines" Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 wine review by (PB)
This Washington State super value wine has been reviewed by (NW) and I before but another bottle opened merits another review.
Dark cherry color with a bouquet of cherry and dark berry fruit with a hint of green peppers and currants. In the mouth this wine is simply unreal with a fine structure and balance of a wine that costs many times as much as the $7.50 I paid for it. This wine is at its mature best though should hold well for another year anyway.
In the mouth it is brimming with flavor that is balanced with the fine tannins and chocolate, licorice, and currant flavors. The tastes linger with a nice solid finish. I have to put this up on the recommended wine list yet again! Raise a glass and buy several of these before they’re gone.
Dark cherry color with a bouquet of cherry and dark berry fruit with a hint of green peppers and currants. In the mouth this wine is simply unreal with a fine structure and balance of a wine that costs many times as much as the $7.50 I paid for it. This wine is at its mature best though should hold well for another year anyway.
In the mouth it is brimming with flavor that is balanced with the fine tannins and chocolate, licorice, and currant flavors. The tastes linger with a nice solid finish. I have to put this up on the recommended wine list yet again! Raise a glass and buy several of these before they’re gone.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
La Puerta Torrontes 2005 Wine Review (NW)
Aromatic nose of pineapple and melon
Smooth, dry palate, with good acidity
Surprisingly dry finish, tapers nicely
The wonderful, aromatic nose leads me to think this wine would be more full-bodied, but the finish is surprisingly dry. I still enjoyed it, thinking that it's a nice alternative white. It's a Spanish varietal that I don't see all that often. Because of that, it gets points for uniqueness. The price is right, too, at $10. Raise a glass!
Smooth, dry palate, with good acidity
Surprisingly dry finish, tapers nicely
The wonderful, aromatic nose leads me to think this wine would be more full-bodied, but the finish is surprisingly dry. I still enjoyed it, thinking that it's a nice alternative white. It's a Spanish varietal that I don't see all that often. Because of that, it gets points for uniqueness. The price is right, too, at $10. Raise a glass!
Temecula's Wilson Creek Winery Tasting Notes by (Billy)
Well Hooray. My shipment of Temecula wines arrived safe and sound yesterday. These were the various bottles I had picked up while visiting the region last week. Thankfully the souvenir winery tasting glasses also arrived fully intact. (on a side note, the Mt. Palomar Winery glasses were hands down the nicest glasses you received at a tasting).
Now that my wines are here I can post the tasting notes I took at the various wineries. Here are the six wines I tasted at the Wilson Creek Winery.
2005 Sauvignon Blanc - $18.95
Eyes: Clear translucent straw
Nose: Crisp apricot tropical flower, green honeyed melon
Palate: Dry and crisp. Not bad, touch of green stem bitterness at the back of the tongue.
Finish: Slightly astringent linger, but crisp and spritely.
This was an OK sauvignon blanc.
Quartet Blanc (non vintage) - $18.95
Eyes: The palest yellow straw
Nose: subtly blended vanilla and kiwi and green apple. Slight citrus. Not as minerally as I would have expected.
Palate: Mixed rather than complementarily blended flavors. Overly yeasty and lacking any distinguishing character of any varietal. Comes across watery and blase.
Finish: what finish?
This wine was a blend of Semillon, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. While the nose was nice, the scent profile had to be teased out rather than coming out on its own. As the tasting review suggests, the mouth feel was limp and watery and generally not nice. This tasted like what you might get pouring a bottle of these varietals into a bowl, adding some water, and letting it sit out for a while. A wine to avoid.
2004 Estate Syrah - $34.95
Eyes: Ruby with burnt brick at the edge
Nose: Coffee, chocolate, dried cherry and creamy hints.
Palate: Over hot and peppery. Bitter at the back. A bit too acidic for my taste. Very good tannic structure.
Finish: Warm and better than the initial palate impression. Nice dried cherry on the back. Will mellow with another 2 - 3 years aging.
Overall this was a nice syrah. It could maybe blow off some of the hotness with decanting or more breathing (I have no idea for how long the bottle we tasted was opened). The bitterness at the back of the palate was distracting, but for that, the wine was quite nice.
2004 Zinfandel
Eyes: Translucent red mellon at the edge moving to clear red apple at the center.
Nose: Makes me say, "OOH!" Smooth chocolate, cherry, raisin and leather.
Palate: Nicely balanced with a warm and firm structure.
Finish: smooth with black cherry hints at the back of the finish.
This was the best wine we tasted at Wilson Creek. It was really quite nice. Unfortunately, I do not see it on their website (though I do see the 2003 there). The fetching Mrs. Billy also agreed that this was the best wine of the bunch. Their zinfandel was well constructed, had outstanding flavors that were balanced and not overpowering and showed a maturity and character absent in the other wines. This is one to get again.
Almond Champagne - $16.95
Eyes: Nearly Clear
Nose: Big almond nose
Palate: medium bubbles, light structure, almond hints. Nice
Finish: none to mention.
I should note that I am really quite poor at "tasting" sparkling wines. The bubbles throw me, I will admit it. I am also not really one for "flavor spike" wines like this sparkling champagne style with almond. Nevertheless, this was actually fun to drink. It was sweeter than I would have liked, but it easy to see its appeal. This wine, according to the Wilson Creek gang, is what put them on the map. Alex, our server, said that she likes to put a splash of this almond champagne into a glass of our last reviewed wine - the Grand Cuvee Champagne. We brought a bottle home, so when we pop that cork, I'll post another review for comparison.
Grand Cuvee Champagne - $18.95
Eyes: Nearly Clear eggshell
Nose: Nice traditional champagne nose. Granny Smith apple
Palate: small bubbles, crisp and apply. Dry and easily drinkable. Quite nice actually.
Finish: Very nice, though short, smooth finish.
For a southern California winery to produce such a well structured and smooth champagne style wine is something that I (correctly or incorrectly) found amazing. This was really nice. I brought a bottle of this home with me as well, so we'll get to see another review and then we can compare what I tasted there to what I taste here. Then maybe we'll see how much the ambiance and the atmosphere affected my "on site" reviews.
Until then,
Raise a Glass to Temecula Wines and Wilson Creek Winery
Now that my wines are here I can post the tasting notes I took at the various wineries. Here are the six wines I tasted at the Wilson Creek Winery.2005 Sauvignon Blanc - $18.95
Eyes: Clear translucent straw
Nose: Crisp apricot tropical flower, green honeyed melon
Palate: Dry and crisp. Not bad, touch of green stem bitterness at the back of the tongue.
Finish: Slightly astringent linger, but crisp and spritely.
This was an OK sauvignon blanc.
Quartet Blanc (non vintage) - $18.95
Eyes: The palest yellow straw
Nose: subtly blended vanilla and kiwi and green apple. Slight citrus. Not as minerally as I would have expected.
Palate: Mixed rather than complementarily blended flavors. Overly yeasty and lacking any distinguishing character of any varietal. Comes across watery and blase.
Finish: what finish?
This wine was a blend of Semillon, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. While the nose was nice, the scent profile had to be teased out rather than coming out on its own. As the tasting review suggests, the mouth feel was limp and watery and generally not nice. This tasted like what you might get pouring a bottle of these varietals into a bowl, adding some water, and letting it sit out for a while. A wine to avoid.
2004 Estate Syrah - $34.95
Eyes: Ruby with burnt brick at the edge
Nose: Coffee, chocolate, dried cherry and creamy hints.
Palate: Over hot and peppery. Bitter at the back. A bit too acidic for my taste. Very good tannic structure.
Finish: Warm and better than the initial palate impression. Nice dried cherry on the back. Will mellow with another 2 - 3 years aging.
Overall this was a nice syrah. It could maybe blow off some of the hotness with decanting or more breathing (I have no idea for how long the bottle we tasted was opened). The bitterness at the back of the palate was distracting, but for that, the wine was quite nice.
2004 Zinfandel
Eyes: Translucent red mellon at the edge moving to clear red apple at the center.
Nose: Makes me say, "OOH!" Smooth chocolate, cherry, raisin and leather.
Palate: Nicely balanced with a warm and firm structure.
Finish: smooth with black cherry hints at the back of the finish.
This was the best wine we tasted at Wilson Creek. It was really quite nice. Unfortunately, I do not see it on their website (though I do see the 2003 there). The fetching Mrs. Billy also agreed that this was the best wine of the bunch. Their zinfandel was well constructed, had outstanding flavors that were balanced and not overpowering and showed a maturity and character absent in the other wines. This is one to get again.
Almond Champagne - $16.95
Eyes: Nearly Clear
Nose: Big almond nose
Palate: medium bubbles, light structure, almond hints. Nice
Finish: none to mention.
I should note that I am really quite poor at "tasting" sparkling wines. The bubbles throw me, I will admit it. I am also not really one for "flavor spike" wines like this sparkling champagne style with almond. Nevertheless, this was actually fun to drink. It was sweeter than I would have liked, but it easy to see its appeal. This wine, according to the Wilson Creek gang, is what put them on the map. Alex, our server, said that she likes to put a splash of this almond champagne into a glass of our last reviewed wine - the Grand Cuvee Champagne. We brought a bottle home, so when we pop that cork, I'll post another review for comparison.
Grand Cuvee Champagne - $18.95
Eyes: Nearly Clear eggshell
Nose: Nice traditional champagne nose. Granny Smith apple
Palate: small bubbles, crisp and apply. Dry and easily drinkable. Quite nice actually.
Finish: Very nice, though short, smooth finish.
For a southern California winery to produce such a well structured and smooth champagne style wine is something that I (correctly or incorrectly) found amazing. This was really nice. I brought a bottle of this home with me as well, so we'll get to see another review and then we can compare what I tasted there to what I taste here. Then maybe we'll see how much the ambiance and the atmosphere affected my "on site" reviews.
Until then,
Raise a Glass to Temecula Wines and Wilson Creek Winery
Friday, September 15, 2006
Ferrari-Carano Siena 2003 wine review by (PB)
This Sonoma County blend is supposed to be a take-off of the great Italian wines of Tuscany. Think, Sangiovese! This Sonoma County blend though is Sangiovese, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon; not exactly your typical Super Tuscan blend. It is named for the lovely Italian town of Siena which (NW) and I and our spouses toured a couple years back. When my wife smelled this wine, she said it smelled like Italy! There in lies the glory of wine! It is so much more than just a beverage.
Never-the-less, this wine is a somewhat opaque medium-garnet color with a room tinting scent of fresh fruit. The bouquet is rich in black cherry/berry aromas on opening with a big spicy nose with some other things mixed in.
In the mouth, on opening, this wine has rough tannins with a very nice front palate of toast and spice with a slight prune finish.
As it breathes, the fresh fruit nose becomes even fruitier with flavors intensifying as it warms up a bit. This wine was enjoyable and is gone,always a good sign, yet it is a bit clumsy taking on an awkward sweetness as it warms to room temp from the cellar temp of 55 degrees.
The folks at Ferarri-Carano tend to make solid wines in the just under $20 range. I have forgotten what I paid for this one but it was under $15 and, even with its awkwardness, we liked it plenty!
I am headed for Boston this weekend which means hooking up with (NW) which means plenty of more wine reviews coming in the next couple days so raise a glass and stop by soon!
Never-the-less, this wine is a somewhat opaque medium-garnet color with a room tinting scent of fresh fruit. The bouquet is rich in black cherry/berry aromas on opening with a big spicy nose with some other things mixed in.
In the mouth, on opening, this wine has rough tannins with a very nice front palate of toast and spice with a slight prune finish.
As it breathes, the fresh fruit nose becomes even fruitier with flavors intensifying as it warms up a bit. This wine was enjoyable and is gone,always a good sign, yet it is a bit clumsy taking on an awkward sweetness as it warms to room temp from the cellar temp of 55 degrees.
The folks at Ferarri-Carano tend to make solid wines in the just under $20 range. I have forgotten what I paid for this one but it was under $15 and, even with its awkwardness, we liked it plenty!
I am headed for Boston this weekend which means hooking up with (NW) which means plenty of more wine reviews coming in the next couple days so raise a glass and stop by soon!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Chateau Bonnet 2002 wine review by (PB)
This Gaiter/Brecher (Wall Street Journal) pick is a Grand Vin De Bordeaux and pours a little lighter than I might have expected of a Bordeaux blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot. It is a pretty Cherry red in color.
The bouquet on opening is tight with very little aroma but what’s there is nice with spice.
In the mouth this wine makes a nice first impression with superb balance. Though tight, it is crisp with a definite fruit foundation.
This wine needs to be breathed for a good hour.
With air, this wine opens to a bouquet that is full of fresh cherries with a nice green spicy flair, and a layer of steel. This wine is well made without benefit of oak. After a full hour there is a layer of evergreen, cherries and is just plain sophisticated. For $14, you can’t beat this wine.
When I first opened it, I thought for a moment, “What were Gaiter and Brecher thinking; but I knew better as their picks are almost always dead on.
This wine is worth searching out and if you ever wondered what wine was supposed to taste like, this is it! Raise a glass!
The bouquet on opening is tight with very little aroma but what’s there is nice with spice.
In the mouth this wine makes a nice first impression with superb balance. Though tight, it is crisp with a definite fruit foundation.
This wine needs to be breathed for a good hour.
With air, this wine opens to a bouquet that is full of fresh cherries with a nice green spicy flair, and a layer of steel. This wine is well made without benefit of oak. After a full hour there is a layer of evergreen, cherries and is just plain sophisticated. For $14, you can’t beat this wine.
When I first opened it, I thought for a moment, “What were Gaiter and Brecher thinking; but I knew better as their picks are almost always dead on.
This wine is worth searching out and if you ever wondered what wine was supposed to taste like, this is it! Raise a glass!
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Feudo Arancio 2003 Nero D’Avola wine review by (PB)
Coming off that sorry cold I mentioned in a previous entry, my palate is not to 100% yet. Even so, this value wine was quite remarkable. This Sicilian is a nice deep red with super ripe fruit of plummy jam and blackberries with a touch of currants in the bouquet.
In the mouth this wine is full of flavor with all the same fruit mentioned above also evident in the mouth. I would say it is about peak right now! This was a $6 wine and that’s hard to beat. My grilled pizza was a bomb but the wine salvaged it. (Hint about grilled pizza–USE ENOUGH CHARCOAL TO CRISP THE DOUGH QUICKLY) (NW) noted in his review of this wine back in February that this wine was a better food wine than a solo wine. He is right. At any rate, when I am down in Boston again, I will hunt for another load of this bargain wine. Raise a glass!
In the mouth this wine is full of flavor with all the same fruit mentioned above also evident in the mouth. I would say it is about peak right now! This was a $6 wine and that’s hard to beat. My grilled pizza was a bomb but the wine salvaged it. (Hint about grilled pizza–USE ENOUGH CHARCOAL TO CRISP THE DOUGH QUICKLY) (NW) noted in his review of this wine back in February that this wine was a better food wine than a solo wine. He is right. At any rate, when I am down in Boston again, I will hunt for another load of this bargain wine. Raise a glass!
24 Hours in Temecula review by (Billy)
Greetings wine lovers. I arrived back home in Minnesota today from a 2 week FOT (family obligation trip) - vacation in Southern California. In between weddings, family visits, beach trips, and mountain hiking, the fetching Mrs. Billy found some time to get her and me away from the kids and craziness to visit the southern California wine region of Temecula. Nestled between LA and San Diego, Temecula hosts some very special vineyards and wineries.
Over the course of about 24 hours we visited 6 wineries (Wilson Creek, Wiens, South Coast Winery, Callaway, Frangipani, and Mount Palomar) and tasted wines at all except Callaway.
The first thing to realize about Temecula is that it is not the lush and verdant geography of the more northerly California wine making regions. To get there from the coast, you drive through rugged (though beautiful) scrub-covered mountains to elevations of about 2600 feet then back down. The rusty-taupe of the sandy soil pervades the color palate in your view. The Temecula "wine country" is clearly marked and the relatively short drive down Rancho California Road (the main winery/vineyard drag) and it's offshoots is simply gorgeous. Being there in early September meant that ripe clusters of grapes were clearly visible (and pickable) from the roads and parking lots. What a treat!
I'll post my review each wine from each location above, but this review is for the region/trip overall.
If I had to pick a "favorite" place the winner would definitely be the Wiens Family Cellars. While the tasting room that we visited was a converted trailer (construction on their main facilities is still finishing up), the conversation, wine, and interaction here was the best by far. Far from being the most "polished" and certainly having the least "wine schwag" for sale, Wiens was overall the most interactive, most knowledgeable, and most passionate (in this bloggers view) about what they did. It also helped that we spoke with Joseph Wiens, one of the family.
A close second would be the friendly folks at Wilson Creek. This was the first vineyard we visited and tasted at so we purposely refrained from judgment until well after the trip. Even so, the casual atmosphere, heartily social enthusiasm for wine tasting, and the fun family story of the Wilson Creek Winery left us with fond memories of this location. Their tasting room was airy and light. The staff was helpful and fun. There was plenty to read, pictures to see, and wine gadgets to buy. Folks there were as comfortable chatting as they were buying. There was no "hard sell" or push to do anything more than enjoy some local wine. Special props to "Alex" our server and back room tour guide. We had a blast!
Our last stop on day one was the South Coast Winery. We stayed in one of the bungalows here overnight and ate in their restaurant as well. I must say, the accommodations here were fantastic. There were beautiful bordering on opulent and the view was terrific. I wish I could say as much for their wine. This is where I am unsure how much ambiance affects my evaluation of the overall wine experience. But suffice it to say that the tasting room at South Coast was very "nice". It was big and dark and cold and you got the impression that you were not allowed to touch anything. It was like your old aunt's house - the one with all the Hummels where your hand gets swatted if you reach out too far lest you slip and break a figurine. The ventilation was blowing so much air (quietly though) that I could feel the draft across my hands and face and had to turn and walk away from the bar to properly sample the nose of the 6 or so wines I tried there. The staffer was nice enough though apparently unenthusiastic about being there and she made clear the difference between someone like Joseph Wiens who is vested and passionate about his wines and a part time taste pourer who just has to finish her shift.
Still the stay at the South Coast Winery resort was fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone again in a heart-beat. Go for the resort, not for the wine.
Day two saw us start off at a winery tour of Callaway winery. While their location was beautiful and the tasting room simply gorgeous, we actually passed on tasting here. This was due to the miserable experience we had on our tour. The tour guide was another of these "why are you crummy tourists bothering me by being here today?" kinds. She was apparently annoyed with the questions we and others asked and sped through rote recitations of each location we visited. Both the Mrs. and I got a distinctive "piss off!" feel from her. Unfortunately, this spilled over into our general impression of the winery (unfair I know, but hell if I was going to spend more precious kid-free time risking more of that kind of an atmosphere). So we left and headed to one of the backside wineries.
Frangipani was the penultimate vineyard/winery we visited and a woman who will remain nameless played host to us. She was a piece of work. She had the attitude of a Manhattanite and the demeanor of an underripe lemon. Honestly, we felt like she was mad that I was taking tasting notes. While we were there a fellow came in with a flyer for some sort of Temecula valley vintner's event. Our hostess read this fellow the riot act in a clear play of "kill the messenger". She was neither kind nor coy in her opinions and it did not matter who else was there to hear them.
The tasting room was so-so, but our hostess grabbed the tasting glasses by the bowl (a big no-no in my book as it betrays a lack of care about the wine and lack of respect for the taster). There were no palate cleansers (e.g. crackers or something) available. Remember, my favorite tasting room was a converted trailer, so I am not one impressed by marble and vaulted ceilings. But I would rather have been served vinegar by the folks from Wilson Creek or Wiens than spend much more time at Frangipani. It got so bad that the Mrs. actually left to go sit in the car while I finished my notes. In retrospect it wasn't worth it to even go there. Now, I hope that this was simply an "off" experience but until I hear otherwise, these impressions are pretty solid.
We finished up at Mt. Palomar Winery. This was a very nice way to end our 24 hours in Temecula. The tasting room was quiet, paneled in dark woods, cool, and inviting. Our pourer, "Ray" was very nice and had some fun stories about the wines we tasted as well as good explanations of what we were tasting and how the wine making practices of Mt. Palomar influenced the flavor profiles we samples. The only downside to the Mt. Palomar experience was the "hard sell" we experienced regarding their wine club. Nevertheless, even this "hard sell" was not presented in such a way as to sour us on the experience or the wines we tasted there. We left with 3 bottles (to be reviewed later).
Over all our 24 hours in Temecula California were fun and memorable. The stay was gorgeous and while some of the wines were only so-so, many were good and a few were superb. The smaller nature of the wineries and vineyards means that the likelihood of your getting to speak with someone who is doing more than just pouring samples is high. Even the crusty folks added spice to the trip and made a memory.
Leaving the region we had tasted 37 wines, consumed 1 bottle over dinner and left with another 8 (to ship home). Not a bad 24 hours.
Watch (above) for the reviews to come and Raise a Glass!
Friday, September 08, 2006
Beaulieu Vineyards Chardonnay Private Cellars 2005 wine review by (PB)
Reviews have been scant from (PB) due to a whopping cold that has compromised his taster! This is the last one til recovery takes place.
I found this on sale at a local supermarket for $7. The normal price is listed to be $13. I bought two bottles untasted figuring for $7, even if it’s just marginal, no loss. What can you expect from a $7 Chard?
It is lightly golden with a vanilla and crème brulee bouquet that I find pleasant with a light citrus note.
It has nice acid, good mouth feel and a nice finish with vanilla and oak throughout. If you like this style it’s decent enough at $7. But I put it head to head with Columbia Crest’s Two Vines 2003 Chardonnay also at a non-sale price point of $7.
Coulmbia Crest wins hands down. Both are good-with-food Chards so if you find the BV for $7 buy it, for $13, you could pass it by.
I found this on sale at a local supermarket for $7. The normal price is listed to be $13. I bought two bottles untasted figuring for $7, even if it’s just marginal, no loss. What can you expect from a $7 Chard?
It is lightly golden with a vanilla and crème brulee bouquet that I find pleasant with a light citrus note.
It has nice acid, good mouth feel and a nice finish with vanilla and oak throughout. If you like this style it’s decent enough at $7. But I put it head to head with Columbia Crest’s Two Vines 2003 Chardonnay also at a non-sale price point of $7.
Coulmbia Crest wins hands down. Both are good-with-food Chards so if you find the BV for $7 buy it, for $13, you could pass it by.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Matua Paretai Sauvignon Blanc 2004 Wine Review (NW)
Light golden color with a touch of green
Huge nose of grapefruit, lychee, and straw
Crips core of straw and cut grass
Smooth, layered finish
This is the best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc I've ever had! If you can find it, run out and buy it. At $18, it's one of the best white wines for the money. But I warn you, you must be in the mood for the characteristics of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc because you can practically taste a green meadow in this bottle.
The texture is outstanding, and there's a richness and smoothness that runs throughout. Nothing is sacrifices, because the wine also has a backbone of good acidity. It all comes together!
Raise a glass!
Huge nose of grapefruit, lychee, and straw
Crips core of straw and cut grass
Smooth, layered finish
This is the best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc I've ever had! If you can find it, run out and buy it. At $18, it's one of the best white wines for the money. But I warn you, you must be in the mood for the characteristics of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc because you can practically taste a green meadow in this bottle.
The texture is outstanding, and there's a richness and smoothness that runs throughout. Nothing is sacrifices, because the wine also has a backbone of good acidity. It all comes together!
Raise a glass!
Chateau Maris Minervois 2004 Wine Review (NW)
Yeasty nose burns off to reveal blackberry aromas
Jammy core
Dry finish, heavy tannins, with notes of pepper and a burnt, tart bite
I expected more from this after all the rave reviews of the 2003 vintage. Of course, no wine is exactly the same in two consecutive years.
The wine got plenty of air and just never came together for me in the glass. I found the finish to be burnt and tart.
Bargains abound from Minervois, France, but stick to 2003 with this one if you can find it. The price will be anywhere between $10-15. And raise a glass!
Jammy core
Dry finish, heavy tannins, with notes of pepper and a burnt, tart bite
I expected more from this after all the rave reviews of the 2003 vintage. Of course, no wine is exactly the same in two consecutive years.
The wine got plenty of air and just never came together for me in the glass. I found the finish to be burnt and tart.
Bargains abound from Minervois, France, but stick to 2003 with this one if you can find it. The price will be anywhere between $10-15. And raise a glass!
La Vieille Ferme Rose 2005 wine review by (PB)
In my quest for nice rose’s I have been buying most of what I have seen and amazingly have not been disappointed with the overall quality of this long forsaken wine–forsaken by me! Rose’s over the years became snared into the “soda-pop” wine craze having the same quality as white zinfandel–yuck.
But there is a resurgence of this uncomplicated wine and they are really surprising. This one is a huge surprise and a super value.
La Vieille Ferme produces a red and a white wine both of which have been reviewed on this blog. They are all marketed at the same price point which is usually under $6! They are from the under appreciated region of Southern France that has been producing barrel after barrel of bargain wines with character. But this rose is amazing.
It is, of course, pale, pale watermelon red on the pour but the bouquet is fabulous. It is just brimming with wonderful fruit aromas which I can’t even pin down. It is just a pleasant, sweet smelling fresh fruit kind of blend between strawberry and raspberry and I don’t know what else but I love it!
I expected the palate to be disappointing as often happens with really inexpensive wines that seem to give their all to the bouquet but this wine is as amazing in the mouth. It is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah from the Cotes Du Ventoux and yields it all on the paltate.
It is NOT sweet even though it smells sweet and has a great structure of acid and full flavors of fresh summer fruit. With this kind of structure, it will pair with a variety of appetizers or light main courses or is nice all by itself. I paid $5.79 for this wine and will be buying more. It has been a long time since I added a “Recommended wine” to our list but this one is definitely head there. Raise a glass and just say, AHHHHHHHHHHHH!
But there is a resurgence of this uncomplicated wine and they are really surprising. This one is a huge surprise and a super value.
La Vieille Ferme produces a red and a white wine both of which have been reviewed on this blog. They are all marketed at the same price point which is usually under $6! They are from the under appreciated region of Southern France that has been producing barrel after barrel of bargain wines with character. But this rose is amazing.
It is, of course, pale, pale watermelon red on the pour but the bouquet is fabulous. It is just brimming with wonderful fruit aromas which I can’t even pin down. It is just a pleasant, sweet smelling fresh fruit kind of blend between strawberry and raspberry and I don’t know what else but I love it!
I expected the palate to be disappointing as often happens with really inexpensive wines that seem to give their all to the bouquet but this wine is as amazing in the mouth. It is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah from the Cotes Du Ventoux and yields it all on the paltate.
It is NOT sweet even though it smells sweet and has a great structure of acid and full flavors of fresh summer fruit. With this kind of structure, it will pair with a variety of appetizers or light main courses or is nice all by itself. I paid $5.79 for this wine and will be buying more. It has been a long time since I added a “Recommended wine” to our list but this one is definitely head there. Raise a glass and just say, AHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Jacob’s Creek Shiraz Reserve 2003 wine review by (PB)
Previously tasted and reviewed before this Aussie varietal is a nice dark black cherry color with a huge, gorgeous, fruity bouquet of ripe black cherries and a touch of spice.
In the mouth, at opening, this wine is tightly wound and needs some time to open up. Since we are having friends over for dinner, I will decant it to hasten the process.
With two hours in a decanter, this wine opens to a full flavored and full bodied bold wine with rigid tannins which should hold this wine for several years. It has some light black pepper reminders under the fruit forward foundation of jammy flavors. This is not a subtle wine! Serve it with something bold that will hold up to this big bad boy. For $11, this is a solid value wine and worth seeking out, so raise a glass and enjoy this Labor Day here in the states!
In the mouth, at opening, this wine is tightly wound and needs some time to open up. Since we are having friends over for dinner, I will decant it to hasten the process.
With two hours in a decanter, this wine opens to a full flavored and full bodied bold wine with rigid tannins which should hold this wine for several years. It has some light black pepper reminders under the fruit forward foundation of jammy flavors. This is not a subtle wine! Serve it with something bold that will hold up to this big bad boy. For $11, this is a solid value wine and worth seeking out, so raise a glass and enjoy this Labor Day here in the states!
Friday, September 01, 2006
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 wine review by (PB)
This is another Chilean creation from the Apalta Vineyard of the Colchagua Valley. It is a pretty, intense cranberry/purple colored wine with a plush bouquet of fruit, cedar and oak.
In the mouth it is a bit sour on opening but only because it needs to be breathed; yeah, decanted! Tannins are quite stiff, even chewy and flavors are incarcerated in youth. Decanting should help.
With an hour of time to breath and be swirled in a decanter the wine comes together with nice aromas of ripe dark fruit and a spicy, cedary nose. The palate is lush with ripe berries but this wine suffers from immaturity. It is tasty but austere and needs a couple more years on the shelf. It was really enjoyable with a grilled-on-the-charcoal medium rare slab of beef but should be downright sexy if aged. This wine was a gift from (NW). The Wine Spectator gives a reference price of $23.
Raise a glass!
In the mouth it is a bit sour on opening but only because it needs to be breathed; yeah, decanted! Tannins are quite stiff, even chewy and flavors are incarcerated in youth. Decanting should help.
With an hour of time to breath and be swirled in a decanter the wine comes together with nice aromas of ripe dark fruit and a spicy, cedary nose. The palate is lush with ripe berries but this wine suffers from immaturity. It is tasty but austere and needs a couple more years on the shelf. It was really enjoyable with a grilled-on-the-charcoal medium rare slab of beef but should be downright sexy if aged. This wine was a gift from (NW). The Wine Spectator gives a reference price of $23.
Raise a glass!
AlMeDo Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 wine review by (PB)
This Spanish proprietary blend has BIG cherry-berry aromas in a cherry red/purple “package.”
My wife picked this out on one of our wine hunting endeavors being enticed by the hand written sign on the wine which said “Awesome!” At $7.50, it was worth the gamble.
It is rich and full of flavor galore with bold tannins for support and plummy jam contributed by the Syrah grape. It opens a bit with breathing to give more huge blackberry fruit. It went well with out Italian sausage dinner. At this price, this was a really nice value. I wouldn’t describe it as awesome, but certainly—very good! Raise a glass!
My wife picked this out on one of our wine hunting endeavors being enticed by the hand written sign on the wine which said “Awesome!” At $7.50, it was worth the gamble.
It is rich and full of flavor galore with bold tannins for support and plummy jam contributed by the Syrah grape. It opens a bit with breathing to give more huge blackberry fruit. It went well with out Italian sausage dinner. At this price, this was a really nice value. I wouldn’t describe it as awesome, but certainly—very good! Raise a glass!
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Marco Real Garnacha 2004 Wine review by (PB)
Visiting a local wine shop my wife and I were “hunting” the shelves in search of various bargains. It was Monday and there were three suppliers in the store restocking shelves.
One comes up to us with this bottle of wine and says, “If you like Spanish, you have to try this.”
Okay, so I’m a Grenache fan anyway and we put it in our cart.
It is from Navarra Spain and pours with a purple/cranberry hue with a big dried cherry bouquet. In the mouth this wine is really full and robust, not like any Grenache I am used to. It had chewy tannins with a hint of toast and full of stiff dried red fruit—very bold and underneath the first taste was a layer of candy; interesting and unique for this grape.
I made the season’s first batch of venison chili which was a good pairing for this wine; it needed something equally bold to stand up to it. The wine was under $10 and the supplier was right; we liked it.
Lesson here is that when a human being walks up to you and says, “Try this!” He is essentially putting his name, and very person on the line. He’s not just trying to sell you something; he’s excited about it and wants to share it with you so my advice is, put it in your cart and give it a whirl. Chances are high that you won’t be disappointed in raising a glass!
One comes up to us with this bottle of wine and says, “If you like Spanish, you have to try this.”
Okay, so I’m a Grenache fan anyway and we put it in our cart.
It is from Navarra Spain and pours with a purple/cranberry hue with a big dried cherry bouquet. In the mouth this wine is really full and robust, not like any Grenache I am used to. It had chewy tannins with a hint of toast and full of stiff dried red fruit—very bold and underneath the first taste was a layer of candy; interesting and unique for this grape.
I made the season’s first batch of venison chili which was a good pairing for this wine; it needed something equally bold to stand up to it. The wine was under $10 and the supplier was right; we liked it.
Lesson here is that when a human being walks up to you and says, “Try this!” He is essentially putting his name, and very person on the line. He’s not just trying to sell you something; he’s excited about it and wants to share it with you so my advice is, put it in your cart and give it a whirl. Chances are high that you won’t be disappointed in raising a glass!
Monday, August 28, 2006
Manyana Tempranillo 2004 Review by (Billy)
Nose: light red berries - strawberry and cherry predominate
Palate: Zippy candied strawberry - cherry with a stable but not complex structure.
Finish: more light fruit and the slightest hints of oak spice that provide some non-fruit character to the finish.
This lists at $20 a bottle at a local wine bar which means that it probably retails for 8-10 in your local store. (Today is half priced bottle Monday, so, we'll see what the resulting price is later).
All in all this is an easy-going fruity wine. It is not as complex as some other spanish tempranillos (Tempranillo is the varietal pronounced "Temp-rah-KNEE-yo") but very drinkable. The light fruit nose and flavors will go with many dishes but could be over-powered by full-flavored savory meals.
I like this wine. It goes well for my activity / location now. I'm in a local wifi-enabled wine bar, sitting in an easy chair blogging and surfing. The fetching Mrs. Billy is at the spa next door getting a pedicure (her first ever lest you categorize this blogger as some snooty up-scale wannabe). The wine is a nice accompanyment to my waiting and it wont break my wallet (I'll let the spa trip do that)
Raise a Glass!
The French house rose 2005 wine review by (PB)
This Vin De Pays D’oc from the Southern France area where so many wine values are originating is a beautiful light kool-aidish cherry red with an ever so gentle sweet, strawberry,-cherry bouquet that is so fruity it’s nice just to smell.
In the mouth this wine has loads of character with a first impression of a touch of licorice and fruit. It is fairly gentle all the way around but enough fruit and body to carry the day. This is a great wine to chill down and have on the porch, patio or deck as the remnants summer sun settles on the horizon. Nothing fancy, but quaffing pleasure. $9 takes the bottle home so raise a glass!
In the mouth this wine has loads of character with a first impression of a touch of licorice and fruit. It is fairly gentle all the way around but enough fruit and body to carry the day. This is a great wine to chill down and have on the porch, patio or deck as the remnants summer sun settles on the horizon. Nothing fancy, but quaffing pleasure. $9 takes the bottle home so raise a glass!
Friday, August 25, 2006
Pinnochio 2004 wine review by (PB)
This Sicilian which my wife picked out is made from the wonderful Nero D’Avola grape pours cherry red with a hint of purple. The bouquet is very light and the nose stingy at best. The palate is chewy and tight but it has promise. Breathe it!
With room to breath it has pronounced cherry flavors and dried cherry notes. Tannins are bold but is great with a sturdy main dish. We had charcoal grilled Porterhouse and it was very nice.
Not a lot of complexity here but solid rigid fruit that stands fast.
Raise a glass but tell the truth!
With room to breath it has pronounced cherry flavors and dried cherry notes. Tannins are bold but is great with a sturdy main dish. We had charcoal grilled Porterhouse and it was very nice.
Not a lot of complexity here but solid rigid fruit that stands fast.
Raise a glass but tell the truth!
Beringer Chenin Blanc 2005 wine review by (PB)
Previously reviewed and recommended this pale straw bargain, value wine at a price point of $6 is loaded with peaches, green apples and citrus in the nose with a sweet bouquet.
In the mouth this wine is off dry–meaning it makes you believe it is sweet but it isn’t. It has decent structure, full of flavor and fruit with a nice acid base. As the wine warms a note of vanilla emerges which just makes it that much more wonderful. What a great value wine. I have bought this wine for as little as $4.29 and as much as $6.50. No matter it is a bargain! Raise a glass!
In the mouth this wine is off dry–meaning it makes you believe it is sweet but it isn’t. It has decent structure, full of flavor and fruit with a nice acid base. As the wine warms a note of vanilla emerges which just makes it that much more wonderful. What a great value wine. I have bought this wine for as little as $4.29 and as much as $6.50. No matter it is a bargain! Raise a glass!
R.L. Buller and Son Victoria Tawny Port wine review by (PB)
This is the first Aussie port I have had. In the glass it is not the color I would have expected being more ruby than tawny. But the color is tinged with a hint of amber at the rim giving a cola sort of hue.
The nose if full of stewed prunes and raisins with a touch of root beer. Interesting.
In the mouth this wine is thick with a nice mouth feel if a little too heavy. It is sweet of course and a bit “flabby.” (Flabby is a common description of a wine, especially a sweet wine with insufficient acid in the structure.
After a couple days of sitting with a vacuum stopper, I poured another glass. The bouquet was enticing and just kept smelling it over and over trying to identify the variety of aromas present. Caramel? Chocolate? licorice? I am liking this more and more.
For the $10 I paid for it, it is a bit unusual, tasty and not bad! Give it a try and raise a glass.
The nose if full of stewed prunes and raisins with a touch of root beer. Interesting.
In the mouth this wine is thick with a nice mouth feel if a little too heavy. It is sweet of course and a bit “flabby.” (Flabby is a common description of a wine, especially a sweet wine with insufficient acid in the structure.
After a couple days of sitting with a vacuum stopper, I poured another glass. The bouquet was enticing and just kept smelling it over and over trying to identify the variety of aromas present. Caramel? Chocolate? licorice? I am liking this more and more.
For the $10 I paid for it, it is a bit unusual, tasty and not bad! Give it a try and raise a glass.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
The Chateau Julien Merlot Challenge (NW)
The folks a Chateau Julien have arranged a rather well designed Merlot challenge between their wine and the Blackstone Merlot. They've reached out to wine bloggers like The Wine Cask blog to accept the challenge and post the results.
This challenge had a particular arrangement of flights to be set up by someone other than the participants. Of course, the wines would be tasted blind. To read about flight set-up, please read the entry below by PB. He's described this in detail in his entry titled "The Great Chateau Julien 'Merlot Challenge.'"
I really enjoyed this exercise. As the folks at Chateau Julien expected, tasting a dozen wines arranged into three flights can exhaust the palate. They warned against palate fatigue and how the tasting gets progressively more difficult. However, after careful examination, I selected my favorite wine from each flight as requested and my selections were consistent throughout the tasting. My selections were B, B, A, in flights 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Flight 3, Glass C was also the same wine. In every flight, I identified the wines correctly and consistently chose the same wine as my favorite. Thankfully!
This actually wasn't that difficult. The wine I consistently chose had a unique nose, a richer fruit core, and a better finish. I also knew right away this had to be the challenger- Chateau Julien. Why would they issue the challenge if they were the "average and typical" Merlot I tasted in the other glasses?
I preferred the Chateau Julien from every flight because it was darker, richer, more unique, and more layered. It has so much more potential than the Blackstone! The problem is, I didn't really like it that much because of an odd, plastic note I've described in more detail in my tasting notes below. This odd layer was consistently present and detracted from my overall enjoyment of the wine.
After completing the challenge and later comparing notes with PB of this blog, I realized the taste I was describing as plastic he was describing as daffodil. In any case, it was a detractor. So much so, for PB, that he picked the Blackstone in every flight. For me, though, the Blackstone was just too average. It tasted like a wine I would try not to buy. Why would I when there's so much interesting red wine from all over the world to choose from instead?
Upon further comparing notes, PB and I learned two things: there are always objective things that make a wine good and there are always subjective things that make a wine enjoyable. We agreed on the objective qualities of the two wines, but disagreed on which wine tasted better.
Thanks to the folks from Chateau Julien for their bold efforts to challenge a big Merlot producer in a blind tasting! In my mind, they win with a more unique interpretation of the grape! I didn't love their wine, but I think there's real potential in what they've got.
Raise a glass!
*Both wines are reviewed with complete tasting notes in my postings below
This challenge had a particular arrangement of flights to be set up by someone other than the participants. Of course, the wines would be tasted blind. To read about flight set-up, please read the entry below by PB. He's described this in detail in his entry titled "The Great Chateau Julien 'Merlot Challenge.'"
I really enjoyed this exercise. As the folks at Chateau Julien expected, tasting a dozen wines arranged into three flights can exhaust the palate. They warned against palate fatigue and how the tasting gets progressively more difficult. However, after careful examination, I selected my favorite wine from each flight as requested and my selections were consistent throughout the tasting. My selections were B, B, A, in flights 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Flight 3, Glass C was also the same wine. In every flight, I identified the wines correctly and consistently chose the same wine as my favorite. Thankfully!
This actually wasn't that difficult. The wine I consistently chose had a unique nose, a richer fruit core, and a better finish. I also knew right away this had to be the challenger- Chateau Julien. Why would they issue the challenge if they were the "average and typical" Merlot I tasted in the other glasses?
I preferred the Chateau Julien from every flight because it was darker, richer, more unique, and more layered. It has so much more potential than the Blackstone! The problem is, I didn't really like it that much because of an odd, plastic note I've described in more detail in my tasting notes below. This odd layer was consistently present and detracted from my overall enjoyment of the wine.
After completing the challenge and later comparing notes with PB of this blog, I realized the taste I was describing as plastic he was describing as daffodil. In any case, it was a detractor. So much so, for PB, that he picked the Blackstone in every flight. For me, though, the Blackstone was just too average. It tasted like a wine I would try not to buy. Why would I when there's so much interesting red wine from all over the world to choose from instead?
Upon further comparing notes, PB and I learned two things: there are always objective things that make a wine good and there are always subjective things that make a wine enjoyable. We agreed on the objective qualities of the two wines, but disagreed on which wine tasted better.
Thanks to the folks from Chateau Julien for their bold efforts to challenge a big Merlot producer in a blind tasting! In my mind, they win with a more unique interpretation of the grape! I didn't love their wine, but I think there's real potential in what they've got.
Raise a glass!
*Both wines are reviewed with complete tasting notes in my postings below
*Chateau Julien Merlot 2003 Wine Review (NW)
Medium-dark red color
Unique nose of black currants and an odd plastic aroma
Somewhat rich core of fruit on the palate
Dark fruit finish, moderately heavy tannins, and more of the plastic taste
I think this wine has a lot of potential because it's slightly dark, rich, and layered. However, I couldn't shake the odd plastic note. Without this, the wine would be really pleasant.
I appreciate the fact that it's somewhat unique in its overall approach. The core of fruit is nice and dense, giving the wine class. Although the price wasn't disclosed, I assume it sells for $10-12. Again, it has a lot of potential as a classy and modestly-priced Merlot. Raise a glass!
Unique nose of black currants and an odd plastic aroma
Somewhat rich core of fruit on the palate
Dark fruit finish, moderately heavy tannins, and more of the plastic taste
I think this wine has a lot of potential because it's slightly dark, rich, and layered. However, I couldn't shake the odd plastic note. Without this, the wine would be really pleasant.
I appreciate the fact that it's somewhat unique in its overall approach. The core of fruit is nice and dense, giving the wine class. Although the price wasn't disclosed, I assume it sells for $10-12. Again, it has a lot of potential as a classy and modestly-priced Merlot. Raise a glass!
*Blackstone Merlot 2003 Wine Review (NW)
Medium red color
Nose of jammy fuit and plum
Moderately smooth, fruity palate
Finish tapers quickly
Sometimes a wine is just too typical. This is a very average bargain Merlot that has a round, fruity character and a moderately smooth texture. The problem is that it's exactly what you'd expect. While there's nothing offensive about it, there's nothing distinct or interesting either.
On my first sip during the CJ Merlot Challenge, I knew this had to be the Blackstone. It was the first wine I tasted and quickly realized it couldn't be the challenger because it was too typical. What would be the point! Anyhow, it's an inexpensive wine I've seen priced from $9-12. I recommend you pass it up, though, and grab something more interesting. And raise a glass!
Nose of jammy fuit and plum
Moderately smooth, fruity palate
Finish tapers quickly
Sometimes a wine is just too typical. This is a very average bargain Merlot that has a round, fruity character and a moderately smooth texture. The problem is that it's exactly what you'd expect. While there's nothing offensive about it, there's nothing distinct or interesting either.
On my first sip during the CJ Merlot Challenge, I knew this had to be the Blackstone. It was the first wine I tasted and quickly realized it couldn't be the challenger because it was too typical. What would be the point! Anyhow, it's an inexpensive wine I've seen priced from $9-12. I recommend you pass it up, though, and grab something more interesting. And raise a glass!
Monday, August 21, 2006
*Chateau Julien Merlot 2003 wine review by (PB)
This wine is little darker–better in color than the previously reviewed Blackstone Merlot. The bouquet of this wine though is what I describe as a bit green with a daffodil scent that I don’t like at all in red wines. There is some vanilla and even flowery aromas that is appealing but the palate is tannic–downright chewy--and a bit hot.
I didn’t buy this wine so I don’t know the price but I suspect it is under $10. At any rate, for the money, you can find a much better Merlot like the Columbia Crest Two Vines or the 2003 Grand Estates at nearly the same price point.
*This was the other wine in the Merlot Challenge–be sure to read all about it in the wine challenge entry below!
I didn’t buy this wine so I don’t know the price but I suspect it is under $10. At any rate, for the money, you can find a much better Merlot like the Columbia Crest Two Vines or the 2003 Grand Estates at nearly the same price point.
*This was the other wine in the Merlot Challenge–be sure to read all about it in the wine challenge entry below!
*Blackstone Merlot 2003 wine review by (PB)
This Merlot was sent to us by competitor Ch. Julien. It has a fairly light color for a Merlot with sweet blackberry fruit in the bouquet. In the mouth it is made in the slightly sweet (but it's not sweet) style with an average structure. All in all, typical inexpensive Merlot made to cater to the American palate.
Don’t drink this as an example of Merlot; Merlot is much classier (and better) than this. I've seen the wine for under $9 but I’d pass it up for a similar priced Merlot-- but much better--from the folks at Columbia Crest. Raise a glass of that!
*Be sure to read the entry about this wine and the Merlot Challenge!
Don’t drink this as an example of Merlot; Merlot is much classier (and better) than this. I've seen the wine for under $9 but I’d pass it up for a similar priced Merlot-- but much better--from the folks at Columbia Crest. Raise a glass of that!
*Be sure to read the entry about this wine and the Merlot Challenge!
The Great Chateau Julien “Merlot Challenge” by (PB)
Increasingly wineries; shippers, producers and importers are tapping into the new generation of blog savvy customers. To that end, we at the Wine Cask blog (eighth ranked wine blog of the top 100 for 2006) periodically receive complementary bottles of wine for tasting and review on our blog.
Patterning this challenge after the Pepsi-challenge of the soda world, the folks at Ch. Julien sent us a bottle of their 2003 Merlot and a bottle of their leading competitor Blackstone 2003 Merlot. I assume the price point for each of these Merlots is essentially the same which I would put in the under $10 category.
(NW) and I happened to take the challenge together since he was up for the weekend. Here is the way the challenge was set up. We had 8 glasses set up in front of each of us in three flights.
The first consisted of two glasses marked A and B, the second and third flights consisted of three glasses marked A,B, and C. My wife did the set up and pouring of wine. It was purely blind and (NW) and I could not see what each other was doing. The instruction for the challenge had us taste each flight and simply choose the wine we preferred from each flight.
We took the challenge with perfect consistency as far as knowing which wines were the same wine in each flight and yet (NW) and I each had opposite conclusions as to which one we preferred.
The set up of the challenge was unique and did a good job in validating the consistency–or lack thereof--in the tasters preference and ability to discern each wine’s attributes.
The results? I chose Blackstone’s Merlot each time and also identified the one I preferred with 100% consistency across the challenge. In other words, in the two flights with three glasses of wine, two were Blackstone in one flight and two were Ch. Julien in the other flight.
Interestingly, (NW) preferred the Ch.Julien and chose it with 100% consistency in the various flight. (NW) will be blogging his results as well–be sure to read his notes on the challenge!
Here is what this shows: In the realm of objective tasting, (NW) and I had essentially the same review of the characteristics of each wine. But when it came to which wine we each preferred–the subjective aspect of wine tasting–I chose one, (NW) the other. Meaning, we taste wine the same but have different preferences in what we like. As I have written numerous times in this blog, there are objective elements to what makes a good wine, a “good wine,” but at the end of the day, it all comes down to what YOU like!
What is also interesting is that (NW) and I both said, that while we preferred one wine over the other, neither Merlot was the type we would seek out.
Kudos to the folks at Ch. Julien for their boldness in this type of testing and double kudos for realizing the power and economy of tapping into the world wide blogosphere! Daily we have people from just about every continent around the globe checking out what we have to say about wine. You just can’t afford to get that kind of coverage advertising! In the days to come, I hope to publish the results St. Julien derives from this unique endeavor. Raise a glass!
Patterning this challenge after the Pepsi-challenge of the soda world, the folks at Ch. Julien sent us a bottle of their 2003 Merlot and a bottle of their leading competitor Blackstone 2003 Merlot. I assume the price point for each of these Merlots is essentially the same which I would put in the under $10 category.
(NW) and I happened to take the challenge together since he was up for the weekend. Here is the way the challenge was set up. We had 8 glasses set up in front of each of us in three flights.
The first consisted of two glasses marked A and B, the second and third flights consisted of three glasses marked A,B, and C. My wife did the set up and pouring of wine. It was purely blind and (NW) and I could not see what each other was doing. The instruction for the challenge had us taste each flight and simply choose the wine we preferred from each flight.
We took the challenge with perfect consistency as far as knowing which wines were the same wine in each flight and yet (NW) and I each had opposite conclusions as to which one we preferred.
The set up of the challenge was unique and did a good job in validating the consistency–or lack thereof--in the tasters preference and ability to discern each wine’s attributes.
The results? I chose Blackstone’s Merlot each time and also identified the one I preferred with 100% consistency across the challenge. In other words, in the two flights with three glasses of wine, two were Blackstone in one flight and two were Ch. Julien in the other flight.
Interestingly, (NW) preferred the Ch.Julien and chose it with 100% consistency in the various flight. (NW) will be blogging his results as well–be sure to read his notes on the challenge!
Here is what this shows: In the realm of objective tasting, (NW) and I had essentially the same review of the characteristics of each wine. But when it came to which wine we each preferred–the subjective aspect of wine tasting–I chose one, (NW) the other. Meaning, we taste wine the same but have different preferences in what we like. As I have written numerous times in this blog, there are objective elements to what makes a good wine, a “good wine,” but at the end of the day, it all comes down to what YOU like!
What is also interesting is that (NW) and I both said, that while we preferred one wine over the other, neither Merlot was the type we would seek out.
Kudos to the folks at Ch. Julien for their boldness in this type of testing and double kudos for realizing the power and economy of tapping into the world wide blogosphere! Daily we have people from just about every continent around the globe checking out what we have to say about wine. You just can’t afford to get that kind of coverage advertising! In the days to come, I hope to publish the results St. Julien derives from this unique endeavor. Raise a glass!
Rosenblum Zinfandel--Eagle’s Point Vineyard 2003 wine review by (PB)
The folks at Rosenblum specialize in Zinfandel with over 20 single vineyard designated wines. I have not had one that was not distinctive, superior and worth the price. This one was $24 and I bought on a trip to Los Angeles.
This wine is rich in color and the bouquet out of the gate is wowing! It is sweet smelling and hints of bananas–I kid you not– with an almost bubble gum scent as well.
In the mouth this wine is simply luxurious, and thick with deep currants, chocolate and great structure. I am overwhelmed with how velvety this wine feels.
With breathing there is loads of ripe jammy fruit in the bouquet and a first time for me aroma of baby powder! I love it.
In the mouth cocoa is prevalent with rich plush tannins. This is a bold and robust wine we served with grilled pizza. The finish is finessed and just all around wonderful. Raise a glass of something special!
This wine is rich in color and the bouquet out of the gate is wowing! It is sweet smelling and hints of bananas–I kid you not– with an almost bubble gum scent as well.
In the mouth this wine is simply luxurious, and thick with deep currants, chocolate and great structure. I am overwhelmed with how velvety this wine feels.
With breathing there is loads of ripe jammy fruit in the bouquet and a first time for me aroma of baby powder! I love it.
In the mouth cocoa is prevalent with rich plush tannins. This is a bold and robust wine we served with grilled pizza. The finish is finessed and just all around wonderful. Raise a glass of something special!
Familia Cara Chianti Classico Riserva 2001 wine review by (PB)
This inexpensive wine was less than $9 and is ruby, with tart dried red cherries in the bouquet and nose. But I have been swirling this wine for over 15 minutes for one reason or another and it is changing in the process of breathing it. It yields some wood with a really nice and unusual caraway note. The bouquet of this wine is clearly its best attribute as it is rather disappointing in the mouth.
It is thin in style in both texture and flavor and a bit acidic with no finish what so ever.
But I have been nursing this wine over the course of an hour or more and it is growing on me. As much as I was ready to not even drink but one glass of it, I kept going back to it. The biggest lesson here is to give red wines–even marginal wines a chance with plenty of air. Normally wines are opened and consumed and the best of the wine is missed as it is never allowed to come to the fore.
So get in the habit of breathing all your red wines. Unless you’re opening a 100 year old bottle of Bordeaux you’re not likely to ruin it by giving it some time to open up.
It is thin in style in both texture and flavor and a bit acidic with no finish what so ever.
But I have been nursing this wine over the course of an hour or more and it is growing on me. As much as I was ready to not even drink but one glass of it, I kept going back to it. The biggest lesson here is to give red wines–even marginal wines a chance with plenty of air. Normally wines are opened and consumed and the best of the wine is missed as it is never allowed to come to the fore.
So get in the habit of breathing all your red wines. Unless you’re opening a 100 year old bottle of Bordeaux you’re not likely to ruin it by giving it some time to open up.
Sebastiani Secolo 2002 wine review by (PB)
Sebastiani is one of the most reliable producers of American wine. This special bottling is made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel and is aged for 14 months in French Oak. The bouquet on opening is rather gentle with fresh cherries and berry fruit.
In the mouth right before swallowing there’s a cocoa, vanilla and oak with dark berry flavors wonderfully balanced.
With some breathing and a little warming up from cellar temperature this is pure blackberry juice with eucalyptus high lights. The feel of this wine is awesome, elegant and just really good.
My beloved brought this wine back to me from a trip to California. It cost around $28 I believe. This is the kind of wine that spoils you! But spoil away and raise a glass.
In the mouth right before swallowing there’s a cocoa, vanilla and oak with dark berry flavors wonderfully balanced.
With some breathing and a little warming up from cellar temperature this is pure blackberry juice with eucalyptus high lights. The feel of this wine is awesome, elegant and just really good.
My beloved brought this wine back to me from a trip to California. It cost around $28 I believe. This is the kind of wine that spoils you! But spoil away and raise a glass.
Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc “Paretai” 2004 wine review by (PB)
*Friends of (NW’s), after dissing us numerous times realized they had made us feel like a zero with the rim removed. We have been trying to get together with them with NW and others but they seem to always have something “come up.” Recently we were supposed to all pop some corks together but I guess the car needed an oil change, or they had to watch wall paper dry or some such thing.
As a peace offering and self-esteem builder they sent this bottle up with (NW) for us to enjoy.
This is New Zealand classic of pale straw color with a tantalizing green hint. The bouquet is brimming with what I call Guava paste, and grass. It is layered with citrus notes, fruit.
In the mouth this wine is dazzling with a splendid foundation of acid with an excellent structure that highlights the tart citrus fruit flavors. It all just comes together with masterful precision.
Thanks NZ buddies Our self esteem has been boosted; now let’s RAISE A GLASS together
*For our international friends, ignore this paragraph; it is stupid American humor...
As a peace offering and self-esteem builder they sent this bottle up with (NW) for us to enjoy.
This is New Zealand classic of pale straw color with a tantalizing green hint. The bouquet is brimming with what I call Guava paste, and grass. It is layered with citrus notes, fruit.
In the mouth this wine is dazzling with a splendid foundation of acid with an excellent structure that highlights the tart citrus fruit flavors. It all just comes together with masterful precision.
Thanks NZ buddies Our self esteem has been boosted; now let’s RAISE A GLASS together
*For our international friends, ignore this paragraph; it is stupid American humor...
Terrunyo Carmenere 2003 wine review by (PB)
NW and bride were up for the weekend with added surprise of our LA daughter with our newest grandson. Special occasions mean the wine must flow! (NW) brought this treat with him.
This Cachapoal Valley Chilean wine from the folks at Concha Y Toro is another one of their marvelous creations. On the pour it is a deep black cherry color that coats the glass.
Bouquet is so lush with black cherry and blackberry fruit laced with a touch of mint, I want to get a fork to spear the whole berries.
In the mouth it is full bodied with loads of dark heavy fruit and rich tannins, and cocoa powder.
Breathe this wine for an hour or so. It has nice mouth feel and is just plain wine pleasure.
(NW) paid $30 for this wine and even though Fred Franzia says no wine is worth more than $10, I’d raise a glass of this anytime!
This Cachapoal Valley Chilean wine from the folks at Concha Y Toro is another one of their marvelous creations. On the pour it is a deep black cherry color that coats the glass.
Bouquet is so lush with black cherry and blackberry fruit laced with a touch of mint, I want to get a fork to spear the whole berries.
In the mouth it is full bodied with loads of dark heavy fruit and rich tannins, and cocoa powder.
Breathe this wine for an hour or so. It has nice mouth feel and is just plain wine pleasure.
(NW) paid $30 for this wine and even though Fred Franzia says no wine is worth more than $10, I’d raise a glass of this anytime!
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Craneford Allyson Parsons Shiraz 2003 Wine Review (NW)
Dark ink color
Nose of blackberries and sweet spices
Rich and smooth on the palate with a black cherry core
Cherry finish, with notes of licorice and dark chocolate
This is a good wine for $16 from Barossa Valley, Australia. It has layers and depth, with a sweetness of ripe fruit and spices.
A couple of days earlier I enjoyed a Betts & Scholl Grenache also from the Barossa Valley. I was struck by how different Grenache can be from Shiraz in an area known for voluptuous Shiraz. My tasting notes for the Grenache are in the entry below and make a nice comparison between two red varietals from the same general location.
This Shiraz is dark, rich, and smooth- the kind of wine that will stain your teeth as you nurse it in the glass all evening. Raise a glass!
Nose of blackberries and sweet spices
Rich and smooth on the palate with a black cherry core
Cherry finish, with notes of licorice and dark chocolate
This is a good wine for $16 from Barossa Valley, Australia. It has layers and depth, with a sweetness of ripe fruit and spices.
A couple of days earlier I enjoyed a Betts & Scholl Grenache also from the Barossa Valley. I was struck by how different Grenache can be from Shiraz in an area known for voluptuous Shiraz. My tasting notes for the Grenache are in the entry below and make a nice comparison between two red varietals from the same general location.
This Shiraz is dark, rich, and smooth- the kind of wine that will stain your teeth as you nurse it in the glass all evening. Raise a glass!
Betts & Scholl Barossa Valley Grenache 2003 Wine Review (NW)
Beautiful lighter red color
Strawberries and dried herbs on the nose
Dry palate with herbal notes
Elegant finish with meaty layers and some pepper
Friends provided this wine for the evening after returning with it from New York. This is a newer label from Australia that has been put together by two American wine aficionados.
It's a classy wine, for sure, but you must be in the mood for a dry, austere wine. The herbal layers woven throughout are really nice, not green and harsh like some. I find it fascinating that the Barossa Valley can produce Grenache in this fashion given the ripe, juicy Shiraz the area is known for. This bottle cost $23. Raise a glass!
Strawberries and dried herbs on the nose
Dry palate with herbal notes
Elegant finish with meaty layers and some pepper
Friends provided this wine for the evening after returning with it from New York. This is a newer label from Australia that has been put together by two American wine aficionados.
It's a classy wine, for sure, but you must be in the mood for a dry, austere wine. The herbal layers woven throughout are really nice, not green and harsh like some. I find it fascinating that the Barossa Valley can produce Grenache in this fashion given the ripe, juicy Shiraz the area is known for. This bottle cost $23. Raise a glass!
Montinore Pinot Gris 2004 Wine Review (NW)
Nice, fruity nose of apples and pears
Smooth on the palate, with some weight and depth
Elegant finish with light touches of citrus and honey
Oregon Pinot Gris is an entirely different wine than the Italian Pinot Grigio that has become so popular in recent years. For example, this wine has some weight and depth to it that I normally do not associate with the Italian version. The Italian Pinot Grigios tend to be very light and crisp. Both styles are enjoyable and it is interesting to experience the differences.
I had this at a restaurant and paid $8 for a glass. It paired well with the seafood and made the meal more enjoyable. Raise a glass!
Smooth on the palate, with some weight and depth
Elegant finish with light touches of citrus and honey
Oregon Pinot Gris is an entirely different wine than the Italian Pinot Grigio that has become so popular in recent years. For example, this wine has some weight and depth to it that I normally do not associate with the Italian version. The Italian Pinot Grigios tend to be very light and crisp. Both styles are enjoyable and it is interesting to experience the differences.
I had this at a restaurant and paid $8 for a glass. It paired well with the seafood and made the meal more enjoyable. Raise a glass!
Friday, August 18, 2006
LaPuerta Malbec 2005 wine review by (PB)
This Argentinean red is made from the Malbec grape that is coming into it’s own. It has a powerful bouquet of yeast and loads of dark berry fruit but on opening there is course layer of alcohol that is really distracting.
The palate is full with super ripe fruit—too ripe? And a touch of licorice and rather “hot.”
With air, the berry rich bouquet remains with another tart berry aroma and flavor with an interesting layer of caraway. This wine was just O.K. The bouquet is the best part of this wine and I would just have to describe this bottle as a bit “odd.” Rule of thumb—if you have to spend a bit of time trying to decide whether you like the wine or not, you DON’T.
I paid $8 for this bottle and there are numerous other Malbecs out there at this price point that you won’t have to wonder whether you want another glass or not. This one I’d pass up. But by ALL means, Raise a glass!
The palate is full with super ripe fruit—too ripe? And a touch of licorice and rather “hot.”
With air, the berry rich bouquet remains with another tart berry aroma and flavor with an interesting layer of caraway. This wine was just O.K. The bouquet is the best part of this wine and I would just have to describe this bottle as a bit “odd.” Rule of thumb—if you have to spend a bit of time trying to decide whether you like the wine or not, you DON’T.
I paid $8 for this bottle and there are numerous other Malbecs out there at this price point that you won’t have to wonder whether you want another glass or not. This one I’d pass up. But by ALL means, Raise a glass!
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Castano Monastrell 2003 wine review by (PB)
This Spanish (Yecla) wine is made from the thick skinned Monastrell grape also known as Mourvedre (pronounced—More-ved) known for high alchohol content and hefty tannins.
It has a fine ruby color with a hefty bouquet of green fruit. In the mouth it has stiff tannins—true to form—is a bit harsh (alcoholy—true to form) yet a bit thin. The finish is “green” perhaps unripe fruit. Mourvedre or Monastrell can be quite nice; this is just a poor example. My wife and I took one glass and then opened a different bottle of a reliable $4 Chianti which was perfect with our pizza that night. The Castano cost $7 but I think the review says it all…
The Castano has been relegated to the refrigerator for cooking. Raise a glass—of something reliable!
It has a fine ruby color with a hefty bouquet of green fruit. In the mouth it has stiff tannins—true to form—is a bit harsh (alcoholy—true to form) yet a bit thin. The finish is “green” perhaps unripe fruit. Mourvedre or Monastrell can be quite nice; this is just a poor example. My wife and I took one glass and then opened a different bottle of a reliable $4 Chianti which was perfect with our pizza that night. The Castano cost $7 but I think the review says it all…
The Castano has been relegated to the refrigerator for cooking. Raise a glass—of something reliable!
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Man Chenin Blanc 2005 wine review by (PB)
This South African Chenin (colloquially called “Steen”) is straw colored with nice full peach and guava bouquet and nose.
It seems a bit alcoholy on serving but I served way too warm. After bringing to the right temperature the wine has decent structure with good acid making it pair with various foods adequately. In the mouth I would have guessed this to be a Sauvignon Blanc rather than a Chenin with it’s somewhat grassy tones and fruity palate. All in all it’s not a bad wine but nothing memorable either. I paid $10 for it so raise a glass.
It seems a bit alcoholy on serving but I served way too warm. After bringing to the right temperature the wine has decent structure with good acid making it pair with various foods adequately. In the mouth I would have guessed this to be a Sauvignon Blanc rather than a Chenin with it’s somewhat grassy tones and fruity palate. All in all it’s not a bad wine but nothing memorable either. I paid $10 for it so raise a glass.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Ioppa Ghemme 2000 Wine Review (NW)
Cherry nose, some sweet spice, and a little too much alcohol vapor
Rich core with a meaty layer
Medium length finish with herbal and gamey notes
I found this to be an interesting wine, for sure, but not entirely enjoyable. I spent too much time trying to figure out what I was drinking and what I was tasting. Our friends were kind enough to supply this bottle, which was intending to be an experiment anyhow. They paid $13 for the wine.
Ghemme is one of those tiny denominations in Italy that I rarely see stocked in wine shops. For that reason, it was fun to sample. This one certainly had some meaty layers to it, but it never really came together. I'll have to try another when I have a chance now that I have a reference point. Try something new and raise a glass!
Rich core with a meaty layer
Medium length finish with herbal and gamey notes
I found this to be an interesting wine, for sure, but not entirely enjoyable. I spent too much time trying to figure out what I was drinking and what I was tasting. Our friends were kind enough to supply this bottle, which was intending to be an experiment anyhow. They paid $13 for the wine.
Ghemme is one of those tiny denominations in Italy that I rarely see stocked in wine shops. For that reason, it was fun to sample. This one certainly had some meaty layers to it, but it never really came together. I'll have to try another when I have a chance now that I have a reference point. Try something new and raise a glass!
Hedges CMS White 2005 Wine Review (NW)
Apples and pears on the nose
Good, acidic core
Straw notes on the finish
Hedges makes a CMS Red and a CMS White. I don't see the white around very often, so I grabbed a bottle for $12 in New York. Hedges is a Washington state winery and I like their wines, in general, as they seem to be consistently good.
The letters in the name stand for Chardonnay, Marsanne, and Sauvignon Blanc, and they create a proprietary blend. This blend makes for a nice alternative white. The wine has good fruit, good acidity, and a nice texture in the mouth. Raise a glass!
Good, acidic core
Straw notes on the finish
Hedges makes a CMS Red and a CMS White. I don't see the white around very often, so I grabbed a bottle for $12 in New York. Hedges is a Washington state winery and I like their wines, in general, as they seem to be consistently good.
The letters in the name stand for Chardonnay, Marsanne, and Sauvignon Blanc, and they create a proprietary blend. This blend makes for a nice alternative white. The wine has good fruit, good acidity, and a nice texture in the mouth. Raise a glass!
Beaulieu Vineyards Tapestry Reserve 2001 wine review by (PB)
This wine is a complete mystery to me because every time the Wine Spectator reviews this wine of any of the past five or six vintages, they utterly trash it. So here goes my review and then I’ll copy in the Wine Spectator review for comparison.
This wine is medium garnet on the pour with rich ripe black cherry, plum, currant and cola in the bouquet. The nose reveals a touch of spice and more of the same of what I found in the bouquet.
In the mouth it is tasty, rich, and spicy with a tannic base though a tad bitter at the end.
With a half hour of air there isn’t much change accept for a little cedar and more of the above. This wine would benefit from a few more years in the bottle.
Tapestry is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot each of which is vinified separately and then blended together—not the routine way of making a blend. I have always been a big fan of BV’s Tapestry and while this is not one of their better vintages, I just don’t get the Wine Spectator’s assessment which is as follows:
“An awkward effort, with a chalky flavor, under ripe fruit and green, bitter flavors on the finish. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.” Score 72 points…
My reviews and ratings are generally very close to the folks at the Wine Spectator except for when it comes to BV's Tapestry. Several years ago BV had a serious TCA problem and all I can think is that whoever is reviewing the Tapestry has an incredible sensitivity to TCA which apparently eludes my palate. (TCA is a contaminant which can impart off flavors and aromas to wine.)
At any rate, my wife and I both enjoyed this wine paired with veal chops on the grill Tuscan style and the bottle was emptied—always a good sign. The Tapestry line costs $35-$45 routinely. This particular year was not worth the $38 I paid for it, but neither does it merit the pathetic 72 points the folks at WS gave it.
I have two more bottles in my cellar; a 98 and a 99. I look forward to raising a glass of both!
If you have tasted this wine—we would REALLY love to hear what you thought of it!
This wine is medium garnet on the pour with rich ripe black cherry, plum, currant and cola in the bouquet. The nose reveals a touch of spice and more of the same of what I found in the bouquet.
In the mouth it is tasty, rich, and spicy with a tannic base though a tad bitter at the end.
With a half hour of air there isn’t much change accept for a little cedar and more of the above. This wine would benefit from a few more years in the bottle.
Tapestry is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot each of which is vinified separately and then blended together—not the routine way of making a blend. I have always been a big fan of BV’s Tapestry and while this is not one of their better vintages, I just don’t get the Wine Spectator’s assessment which is as follows:
“An awkward effort, with a chalky flavor, under ripe fruit and green, bitter flavors on the finish. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.” Score 72 points…
My reviews and ratings are generally very close to the folks at the Wine Spectator except for when it comes to BV's Tapestry. Several years ago BV had a serious TCA problem and all I can think is that whoever is reviewing the Tapestry has an incredible sensitivity to TCA which apparently eludes my palate. (TCA is a contaminant which can impart off flavors and aromas to wine.)
At any rate, my wife and I both enjoyed this wine paired with veal chops on the grill Tuscan style and the bottle was emptied—always a good sign. The Tapestry line costs $35-$45 routinely. This particular year was not worth the $38 I paid for it, but neither does it merit the pathetic 72 points the folks at WS gave it.
I have two more bottles in my cellar; a 98 and a 99. I look forward to raising a glass of both!
If you have tasted this wine—we would REALLY love to hear what you thought of it!
Friday, August 11, 2006
Beaujolais Cru “Morgon” 2004 wine review by (PB)
Once again, after a long hiatus spanning many years, I am exploring the best Beaujolais called “Cru.” (see previous post [June 27th] for more info on the break down of Beaujolais wine)
This one, pronounced “Mor-GONE” is different from any B.C. wine I have tasted. It is a purple-cranberry color with a yeasty bouquet and a touch of peanuts. (seriously)
The nose is quite subtle and very light in fruit. In the mouth, white pepper is the first sense you get and while it is light to medium bodied it is full of pepper flavors—again unlike any Gamay I have had. The finish is full of oakey smoke.
With a half hour of breathing, the tannic bite loosens a bit and dried fruit comes to the front. This wine is rustic, a little rough around the edges but tasty and nice accompaniment to our grilled pork steaks.
This wine was just $9 in Boston and clearly not my favorite Beaujolais Cru nor the typical Beaujolais Cru which tends more toward elegance. This one is more like a line backer than a place kicker but still part of the team! Raise a glass.
This one, pronounced “Mor-GONE” is different from any B.C. wine I have tasted. It is a purple-cranberry color with a yeasty bouquet and a touch of peanuts. (seriously)
The nose is quite subtle and very light in fruit. In the mouth, white pepper is the first sense you get and while it is light to medium bodied it is full of pepper flavors—again unlike any Gamay I have had. The finish is full of oakey smoke.
With a half hour of breathing, the tannic bite loosens a bit and dried fruit comes to the front. This wine is rustic, a little rough around the edges but tasty and nice accompaniment to our grilled pork steaks.
This wine was just $9 in Boston and clearly not my favorite Beaujolais Cru nor the typical Beaujolais Cru which tends more toward elegance. This one is more like a line backer than a place kicker but still part of the team! Raise a glass.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Uggiano Fior Di Vigna Chianti 2004 Wine Review (NW)
Stinky nose initially, only partly burns off to reveal mushrooms and wet earth
Dry palate
Tart, crisp finish
There are better Chiantis in the world for $12. The 2004 vintage was a tough one, according to the industry, and this particular wine is probably better in other years. Take a pass. But raise a glass of something else!
Dry palate
Tart, crisp finish
There are better Chiantis in the world for $12. The 2004 vintage was a tough one, according to the industry, and this particular wine is probably better in other years. Take a pass. But raise a glass of something else!
Goats do Roam Red 2004 Real Time Wine Review (NW)
Plum and spice on the nose
Dry, clean palate
Dried fruit finish
I'm enjoying this wine as I write. I can't remember the last time I had this- most likely about two years ago. When I saw it a few weeks ago for $8, I had to grab a bottle because I've seen it priced as high as $12.
This is a well-made wine for the money, although nothing extraordinary. It has class, a touch of spice, and is dry and clean. Typically, the wine makers blend a variety of red wine grapes including the signature grape of South Africa- Pinotage. The playful label play-on-words gives it marketing appeal against the hokey value wines from Australia. The difference is that this wine is dry and crisp, placing it on the opposite end of the spectrum from the typical Australian animal label wines. When you want a really dry red wine that is widely available, this should do the trick. Raise a glass!
Dry, clean palate
Dried fruit finish
I'm enjoying this wine as I write. I can't remember the last time I had this- most likely about two years ago. When I saw it a few weeks ago for $8, I had to grab a bottle because I've seen it priced as high as $12.
This is a well-made wine for the money, although nothing extraordinary. It has class, a touch of spice, and is dry and clean. Typically, the wine makers blend a variety of red wine grapes including the signature grape of South Africa- Pinotage. The playful label play-on-words gives it marketing appeal against the hokey value wines from Australia. The difference is that this wine is dry and crisp, placing it on the opposite end of the spectrum from the typical Australian animal label wines. When you want a really dry red wine that is widely available, this should do the trick. Raise a glass!
Fetzer Gewurtztraminer 2005 Wine Review by (PB)
This--my multitudinously reviewed wine which I adore--is unquestionably my favorite summer wine. So after three wonderful weeks of time off from my real life’s calling, I wanted to have a special dinner marking my last night of vacation.
Little neck clams, and Mahogany clams steamed in a herbed, white wine and rose broth worked for the appetizers and Maine’s own unique contribution to the gastronomic world—lobster.
I had opened the Gewurz as an aperitif to go with the appetizers but it was just so cotton pickin good I scrapped my intention to go with a Beaujolais Cru from “Morgon” for the main course and stick with the Fetzer right through dinner.
I was a little apprehensive but fairly confident it would work. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
This Fetzer varietal, chilled down more than usual, was actually a little “spritzig” in the mouth. (a German term for effervescent; very tiny, almost invisible bubbles more like little pin pricks that dance on the tongue—fun!)
This wine is sufficiently well made to handle the butter sauce of the lobster and the acidic sweetness is marvelous against the bitterness of the clams yet gentle enough for the sweet corn. Golden, apply nectar marks this wine with a bouquet to match it’s flavorful palate.
Once again, this wine surprised me as being better than it should be in light of its price. I found it for $7.50 in Boston and bought ½ case. It sells for around $12 in most parts of the country from what I can tell. At any rate, dinner was a success, the wine fabulous and now back to the grind. Raise a glass!
Little neck clams, and Mahogany clams steamed in a herbed, white wine and rose broth worked for the appetizers and Maine’s own unique contribution to the gastronomic world—lobster.
I had opened the Gewurz as an aperitif to go with the appetizers but it was just so cotton pickin good I scrapped my intention to go with a Beaujolais Cru from “Morgon” for the main course and stick with the Fetzer right through dinner.
I was a little apprehensive but fairly confident it would work. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
This Fetzer varietal, chilled down more than usual, was actually a little “spritzig” in the mouth. (a German term for effervescent; very tiny, almost invisible bubbles more like little pin pricks that dance on the tongue—fun!)
This wine is sufficiently well made to handle the butter sauce of the lobster and the acidic sweetness is marvelous against the bitterness of the clams yet gentle enough for the sweet corn. Golden, apply nectar marks this wine with a bouquet to match it’s flavorful palate.
Once again, this wine surprised me as being better than it should be in light of its price. I found it for $7.50 in Boston and bought ½ case. It sells for around $12 in most parts of the country from what I can tell. At any rate, dinner was a success, the wine fabulous and now back to the grind. Raise a glass!
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Vignamaggio Terre Di Prenzano Chianti Classico 2004 wine review by (PB)
One of the glories of wine is not merely the objective qualities they display but the subjective memories and emotions they evoke. I will strive to be objective first–and then explain the rest.
This 100% Sangiovese–the signature grape of Chianti wine--is a light ruby on the pour with a very nice bouquet of light cherry/black cherry aromas with a nose of pure fruit.
In the mouth this wine is at first “salty” tasting with robust flavors of white and black pepper with solid tannins that have a tight grip on the structure. This wine needs serious air.
I decanted it and after an hour or so, everything balances out nicely with smoke and oak notes with newly exposed, dried cherry flavors. It has the signature steeliness characteristic of the Sangiovese grape. It finishes short with wood and fruit.
Feeling ambitious, I made home made tortellini, stuffed with our fresh garden grown, basil and Parmesan cheese. It was labor intensive feat but was marvelous. I topped it with a homemade marinara sauce and home grown squash, and locally grown sweet corn.
I paid $15 for this wine in Boston and grabbed it immediately since (NW) and I–with wives at our sides–stayed at Vignamaggio on a visit to Tuscany a couple years back. It is the birth home of Mona Lisa and a beautiful estate situated amongst the hills of grape and olive farms of the winery. These grapes are grown right on the premises where we slept, ate and experienced sheer, Italian delight.
In our 6 speed BMW, we toured all over the Tuscan country side and this wine evokes the bliss of that European fantasy. Venice was spectacular, Florence beyond words and this wine transports me back to hill top restaurants, hotels and gondoliers proudly boasting of their trade. Ah, Venice!
Ah, Vignamaggio! The heck with objectivity; in light of it all, this wine is fabulous. Where else can you experience such reverie for $15? Raise a glass!
This 100% Sangiovese–the signature grape of Chianti wine--is a light ruby on the pour with a very nice bouquet of light cherry/black cherry aromas with a nose of pure fruit.
In the mouth this wine is at first “salty” tasting with robust flavors of white and black pepper with solid tannins that have a tight grip on the structure. This wine needs serious air.
I decanted it and after an hour or so, everything balances out nicely with smoke and oak notes with newly exposed, dried cherry flavors. It has the signature steeliness characteristic of the Sangiovese grape. It finishes short with wood and fruit.
Feeling ambitious, I made home made tortellini, stuffed with our fresh garden grown, basil and Parmesan cheese. It was labor intensive feat but was marvelous. I topped it with a homemade marinara sauce and home grown squash, and locally grown sweet corn.
I paid $15 for this wine in Boston and grabbed it immediately since (NW) and I–with wives at our sides–stayed at Vignamaggio on a visit to Tuscany a couple years back. It is the birth home of Mona Lisa and a beautiful estate situated amongst the hills of grape and olive farms of the winery. These grapes are grown right on the premises where we slept, ate and experienced sheer, Italian delight.
In our 6 speed BMW, we toured all over the Tuscan country side and this wine evokes the bliss of that European fantasy. Venice was spectacular, Florence beyond words and this wine transports me back to hill top restaurants, hotels and gondoliers proudly boasting of their trade. Ah, Venice!
Ah, Vignamaggio! The heck with objectivity; in light of it all, this wine is fabulous. Where else can you experience such reverie for $15? Raise a glass!
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Chateau D’Oupia 2004 wine review by (PB)
I grabbed this on the sheer mention of the region of France–the “Minervois.” These wines are fruity, fragrant, balanced and adjusted for modern palates.
It is a young purple on the pour with a medium black cherry nose.
The palate is peppery and while it smells like Grenache it tastes like Syrah.
With a few minutes of air, the flavors release a bit. This is a well made, balanced wine but it just doesn’t trip my trigger (or my wife’s).
The wine Spectator gave this wine 90 points which is overblown by far. This is a good solid wine but 85-86 is max. Raise a glass!
It is a young purple on the pour with a medium black cherry nose.
The palate is peppery and while it smells like Grenache it tastes like Syrah.
With a few minutes of air, the flavors release a bit. This is a well made, balanced wine but it just doesn’t trip my trigger (or my wife’s).
The wine Spectator gave this wine 90 points which is overblown by far. This is a good solid wine but 85-86 is max. Raise a glass!
Routas Rouviere (Murray Family) Rose 2005
Purchased by the Scottish Murray family, this rose wine is 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 30% Cinsault.
It is from the heart of Provence (Southern France) and is lighter with a nearly salmon hue. The bouquet is gentle of pineapple, citrus, and is lively on the tongue nearly dancing. It is very tasty, fresh with good acidity and a brief finish.
This is another swell rose from the Varois en provence! Raise a glass!
It is from the heart of Provence (Southern France) and is lighter with a nearly salmon hue. The bouquet is gentle of pineapple, citrus, and is lively on the tongue nearly dancing. It is very tasty, fresh with good acidity and a brief finish.
This is another swell rose from the Varois en provence! Raise a glass!
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder Vineyard 2002 wine review by (PB)
This wine is dark and rich in the glass with a cherry rim. Deep plum and black cherry flavors fill the swirl with a little anise in the nose. There is a wonderful cinnamon taste in the front and a blast of spice in the rear. Right out of the gate this wine is elegant and delightful with rich ripe fruit made in artisanal form, it is luscious and spectacular.
There is a huge cola aroma that emerges with a few minutes of air. This is the kind of wine you almost weep over when its gone. The Wine Spectator gave it 92 points. It is all that and perhaps more. Yes it was a bit pricey; I paid $40 in Boston and took it out to “billy’s” in Minneapolis. I highly recommend this wine–save your pennies and splurge–you deserve it; now raise a glass!
There is a huge cola aroma that emerges with a few minutes of air. This is the kind of wine you almost weep over when its gone. The Wine Spectator gave it 92 points. It is all that and perhaps more. Yes it was a bit pricey; I paid $40 in Boston and took it out to “billy’s” in Minneapolis. I highly recommend this wine–save your pennies and splurge–you deserve it; now raise a glass!
Domaine Houchart 2005 Rose wine review by (PB)
I am still on my quest to find a good rose–no longer an oxymoron! I have found several out of the last eight I have purchased. This one, from the Cotes De Provence is very light in the glass, almost pink but it is freshly bursting with summer fruit. It has a nose that is sweet but the wine is not! It is quite dry and nicely acidic making it pair well with a lot of foods.
In the mouth it is juicy and plump being made of 35% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 20% Cinsault (pronounced Cin-So) 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Mourvedre and 5% “other grapes.” It tastes like Grenache with its fruitiness and simple quaffing pleasantness.
This wine paired well with grilled salmon with lime butter cutting through the fatty fleshy Salmon and cleansing the palate for the next bite. This was a $9 bottle and was just plain chilled, summer pleasure. Raise a glass.
In the mouth it is juicy and plump being made of 35% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 20% Cinsault (pronounced Cin-So) 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Mourvedre and 5% “other grapes.” It tastes like Grenache with its fruitiness and simple quaffing pleasantness.
This wine paired well with grilled salmon with lime butter cutting through the fatty fleshy Salmon and cleansing the palate for the next bite. This was a $9 bottle and was just plain chilled, summer pleasure. Raise a glass.
Wine Trip to Minnesota–sort of (PB)
I spent about a week out in Minneapolis visiting three of my six grandchildren, my wonderful daughter-in-law and my son–“billy” of this blog. Wine of course figured heavily into the visit since I see my son so rarely. We had a great time playing golf and drinking some nice wine as well as participating in a wine tasting at the new Wine Styles shop in Chanhassen, Mn.
“Wine Styles” is a relatively new franchise idea to market wine for the average consumer. The store’s wines are under $25 and arranged according to “style!” Big signs mark sections of wines sorted by their style--“Bold” “Sweet” “Crisp” “Fruity” etc.
It’s a great idea taking a lot of the guess work out of wine shopping. After all, not everyone has the time, the inclination or the desire to study wine as we at the Wine Cask Blog do. Tara, the store’s owner, Chanda and Kelly are hospitable hostesses and unpretentious to boot. The tasting was a bunch of fun and we met some great people. (There was a reason Jesus turned the water into wine at the wedding at Cana...)
If you’re ever in the area, stop in and say hello to these fine women. Customer service is at a premium these days as illustrated by my visit to another wine shop right around the corner from Wine Styles. This shop is a Wine Spectator affiliated store and has a great selection but...
I walk in and ask the attendant behind the register if they sold newspapers in the store since I was looking for a Wall Street Journal. Understand there was NO ONE else in the store and he wasn’t doing anything but standing looking bored. His reply seemed like he was annoyed that I would trouble him with such a question. What he didn’t know was that I was there to shop for wine as well and since I was leaving for home, I was ready to spend some decent cash on three bottles to take with me; bottles that I can’t get in my part of the country; bottles that usually are fairly pricey.
As I was glancing at their selection of white Burgundies ($45 and up) I realized I was annoyed at his response to my question about the newspaper and decided I didn’t need to spend my money at his store.
I hope shop keepers who read this blog take this to heart; CUSTOMER SERVICE MATTERS TODAY!
“Wine Styles” is a relatively new franchise idea to market wine for the average consumer. The store’s wines are under $25 and arranged according to “style!” Big signs mark sections of wines sorted by their style--“Bold” “Sweet” “Crisp” “Fruity” etc.
It’s a great idea taking a lot of the guess work out of wine shopping. After all, not everyone has the time, the inclination or the desire to study wine as we at the Wine Cask Blog do. Tara, the store’s owner, Chanda and Kelly are hospitable hostesses and unpretentious to boot. The tasting was a bunch of fun and we met some great people. (There was a reason Jesus turned the water into wine at the wedding at Cana...)
If you’re ever in the area, stop in and say hello to these fine women. Customer service is at a premium these days as illustrated by my visit to another wine shop right around the corner from Wine Styles. This shop is a Wine Spectator affiliated store and has a great selection but...
I walk in and ask the attendant behind the register if they sold newspapers in the store since I was looking for a Wall Street Journal. Understand there was NO ONE else in the store and he wasn’t doing anything but standing looking bored. His reply seemed like he was annoyed that I would trouble him with such a question. What he didn’t know was that I was there to shop for wine as well and since I was leaving for home, I was ready to spend some decent cash on three bottles to take with me; bottles that I can’t get in my part of the country; bottles that usually are fairly pricey.
As I was glancing at their selection of white Burgundies ($45 and up) I realized I was annoyed at his response to my question about the newspaper and decided I didn’t need to spend my money at his store.
I hope shop keepers who read this blog take this to heart; CUSTOMER SERVICE MATTERS TODAY!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)