Gettysburg Winery "Tears of Gettysburg" --150th Gettysburg Commerative-- wine review by (PB)

Gentle golden hue with bouquet of sweet grape reminding me of muscadine.

Palate--Big SWEET presence with a fair amount of acid to help the sweetness not be cloying, but barely. Grapey finish.

OK, where to begin? This wine is produced by Adams County Winery and is a blend of Niagara grapes. Do I review this as a wine or as a touristy, fun kind of beverage? As a "real" wine it is too sweet (of course that is a personal preference now isn't it?)although I will say it is one of the best Niagara's I have had but then that would be about three. Still, the wine does have enjoyable characteristics and I found myself not wanting to like it yet seemed to keep refilling my glass a little bit at a time.

As a souvenir, this is a marvelous memento of a vacation or trip or gift from a friend.

It has won many awards and some people will love this wine. Chill it down real good and on a hot summer day I could see it being fun with friends on the deck. And after getting raked over the coals after a review I did of a St Augustine, Fla winery, I will just say, that if you have made the trip to Gettysburg and wanted a keepsake, this would be a fine gift. So, if you are given to such things, raise a glass.

Trimbach "Gewurztraminer" 2008 wine review by (PB)

This Alsatian Varietal is golden to the eye with a bouquet of mandarin orange, ripe pineapple, kumquat, and peach all blended into a lovely fruit filled aroma.

Palate--Bursts with tropical fruit flavors galore with a nearly velvety textured foundation that together is wowing. It finishes as wondrously as it began and I have to call this nearly 6 year old Gewurz "Alsational!"

I found this at a local grocery store a few years back which was closing them out at $10. (The wine normally sells for at least twice that.) Being a chain store, I went to as many were practical and bought out what they had which varied by store and vintage. This is the last bottle of the lot and it is the best of the bunch. It is absolutely peak and stable and delicious. This is a LOT of drinking pleasure for $10 so I am raising a glass pairing it with a German sausage sampler and spaetzle we found in an unlikely out of the way place in rural Maine. If you chance upon this wine in this vintage in the next 6 months or so, buy it for whatever they are asking; it's a stellar example of the grape (pronounced Ga-VURTZ-tra-meen-er) and the terroir! Raise a glass for sure!!!

Sponsored Wine Review: Masi Campofiorin 2009 by Billy

From time to time, The Wine Cask Blog receives wine for review.  We always label these as "sponsored wine reviews".  This is one such review

Nose: Earthiness and even some leather spice scents predominate the nose of blueberry and cherry blossom.  There are floral notes that play nicely with the earthy notes.
Palate: Juicy mouth feel with light tannins and light acids but a subtle structure that ties it all together.
Finish: Brief finish that is un-presuming.
Overall: This is a very easy drinking Italian red wine.  It's straight-forward character is easy on the mouth and pairs well with almost anything.  It is light bodied enough to go with lighter fare but with a fun and engaging nose that gives elegance to anything it accompanies.

Because this is sponsored, we did not pay for the wine.  However, it retails for anywhere from $12-$18.  It is a good deal at the lower price points and a great, open it up whenever, red.

Here is what Masi says about the 2009 Campofiorin:
The original “Supervenetian”,  is a specialty wine made from  local Veronese grapes Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, vinified and then re-fermented with a small percentage of semi-dried grapes of the same varieties.  This versatile wine shows generous, ripe aromas of plum and cherry jam, with hints of spice. Bold and rich flavors of bitter cherries and berry fruits stand out, with good acidity, balance and velvety tannins.

Convento Las Claras Ribera del Duero 2011 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Dark berries, licorice, and spice on the nose

Full bodied on the finish

Juicy, dense finish of espresso and dark berries with moderately firm tannins

Summary:

Here's a modern, flavorful style of Tempranillo from the Ribera del Duero region in Spain. It really packs a punch of flavor on a moderately tannic core.

I grabbed several bottles at $15, marked down from $18. At this price, it's easy to recommend to big red wine drinkers. Raise a glass!

Antinori Bramito del Cervo Castello dell Sala Umbria Chardonnay 2012 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Tropical bouquet with lemon accents on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Rich but bright with some buttery and toasty notes with apple and lemon

Summary:

This wine strikes a good balance between richness and acidity. It's packed with flavor and shows nice accents to round out the tropical fruit and toasty notes that you might expect with Chardonnay. Produced by Antinori from grapes sourced in Umbria, Italy, it's a delightful wine. Look for it at the $20 mark. Open and enjoy- maybe as I did with a whole Branzino. Raise a glass!

Caves Saint-Pierre "Gigondas" 2011 wine review by (PB)

Dark cherry hue with aromas of sweet red berry and sour pie cherry further in the glass. There is a nearly perfumey note in this nice bouquet with a suggestion of leather.

Palate is surprisingly supple structure with a candy like sweet presence of red berry and maybe some light cherry. There is an interesting but elusive creamy "something" near the rear and finishes nicely with a lasting pleasantness.

Gigondas is just Northeast of Chateauneuf in the Rhone and Gigondas makes Grenache based wines with a blend of other Rhone varieties (but are predominantly Grenache.) This was surprisingly elegant for how young it is. It is brimming with finesse and beautiful berry taste and while I paid $15 for it and is a very nice bottle so raise a glass!

Charton La Fleur Sauvignon Blanc (Bordeaux) 2011 wine review by (PB)

Pretty lemon hue with aromas of light orange blossom, grass, sweet flower bouquet with a touch of honey!

Palate-Tropical fruit salad, with grassy notes, and a fruity finish. The structure is a mite weak but still impressive.

I got more than I expected from this inexpensive ($10) wine and I expect it to pair well with our broiled chicken breasts with Parmesan cheese and roasted acorn squash with sour cream potatoes.

This is a very nice value and I expect I will buy a bottle or two more so raise a glass!

*(The label shown isn't exact to the one on my bottle. It should have the words Sauvignon Blanc right under the word BORDEAUX)

Pierre-Luc Bouchard Muscadet Sevre Et Maine 2011 wine review by (PB)

Light golden hue with nice aromas of ripe pineapple, and sweet lemon.

Palate--Nicely crafted with balanced elements of flavor and structure. Lemon beam with gentler tropical fruit notes. Finishes with a slight floral nuance and citrus.

I paid $14 for this and it is a tasty aperitif as well as a nice food wine which I had with a gorgeous seafood chowder. Raise a glass!


(Note that the label shown is a bit different than the actual one I have reviewed.)

Zaca Mesa Santa Ynez Valley Syrah 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Dark berries, plum sauce, and spices on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Layers of dark berries, roasted meat, and pepper on the finish

Summary:

Very nice! This wine is still going strong. In fact, it may be getting even better than on release. I've worked through a half a case over the past 4 years that I bought for $20 a bottle, and wish I had some more. Raise a glass!

Torbreck Woodcutter's Barossa Valley Semillon 2011 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Notes of apple and lemon on the nose

Medium bodied with good acidity on the palate

Finishes with pear and some dried spice

Summary:

When you want to step out of your white wine routine, try this Semillon from Torbreck in Australia. It's a bit different and has a nice flavor profile that should prove to be versatile and easy to enjoy. For that reason, I recommend it.

Expect to pay $15 for the bottle, and raise a glass!

Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay (North Coast) 2010 wine review by (PB)

Golden straw hue with aromas of lovely tropical fruit salad highlighting lemony citrus and creme brulee.

Palate--Substantial varietal flavors with loads of tropical goodness with citrus under it all. It is nicely textured with a vanilla beam down the middle with excellent structure and a lingering tropical and green apple finish.

A few days back I reviewed a Ch. St. Jean Merlot and it was marginal. Wine maker Margot Van Staaveren is a genius when it comes to Chardonnay. This is at a table wine price point but tastes like it is twice the price of $9 I paid. Raise a glass to an always solid Chardonnay!

Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville) 2004 wien review by (PB)

Cranberry jelly hue with a bouquet of sweet red berry away from the glass, with gentle black berry and cedar in the glass. AS the wine breathes and warms up there is a big blast of black berry fruit and cigar box aromas.

Palate--full bodied *minerally presence that is quite pronounced (I didn't expect that) with measured tannins loads of black cherry fruit and a fairly chunky finish with lingering fruit.

*I had a filling replace four hours ago and I think it quite possible that the Novocaine injection may have affected my taster which might explain the very minerally first impression.

Robert Mondavi is of course the iconic Napa farmer who put Napa on the map in many ways. (NW) of this blog and myself visited the Mondavi Vineyard and winery in 2003 I think and just by chance we treated with running into Mr. Mondavi on the property where he was celebrating his 84th? birthday. It is beyond cavil that California wine country owes a great deal to this man and numerous others who brought California into the world wine market as a true leader. This wine immediately takes me to the place where I see Mr. Mondavi wearing a straw hat if I remember correctly as he took guests around his lovely estate. Ah, the memories wine evokes; there is nothing like it.

I paid around $40 for this treat several years ago. It is tasty now but could have used another 5 years in the bottle. Raise a glass to the late King of Napa Cabernet and the man's legendary "To Kalon"(pronounced Toe Kalon) (the beautiful one in Greek) vineyard!

Altitude 420 Vinosobres 2010 Domaine Jaume wine review by (PB)

Big fruit filled bouquet with jammy accents reminiscent of cranberries cooking down for Thanksgiving feast. Dark berry and dried cherry notes, (rose petals later) round out an interesting nose.

Palate--mouth filling but stifled black berry flavors with young tannins and some buried flavors of espresso? and possibly baker's chocolate. Needs to breathe!

Vinosobres is an AOC wine designating origins of fruit from the southern Rhone where a typical blend would be Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre (pronounced Mor-Ved). This is 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah and holds real potential to be a juicy and balanced wine. It just needs another 2 years or so to come into its fullness.

I found this at the $20 price point and will improve as it breathes. Raise a glass of this tasty Rhone!

Alamos Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Dark berries and spice on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Moderately tannic finish with berries, cocoa, and green herbal notes

Summary:

I've sampled a lot of Alamos Malbec over the years, but not much of the Cabernet Sauvignon. For $10, this is a nice value Cab from Argentina. I found it interesting that it was better the second night it was open (kept sealed in the refrigerator during the day). The green herbal note on the finish was less pronounced and the effects of oxidization were not obvious. I recommend this be added to your "every day wine" repertoire. Enjoy, and raise a glass!

Chateau St. Jean Merlot (California) 2011 wine review by (PB)

Black cherry hue with vegetal green pepper aroma first from the glass followed by black berry.

Palate--somewhat coarse on the first impression with a clunky kind of presence in the mouth. Berry foundation with a quick finish.

Chateau St.Jean generally produces wines at all levels that are well made and value wines as a whole. This tastes like it was made with unripe fruit. I would pass on this one.

Villa Erbice Vigneto Tremenel Amarone della Valpolicella 2001 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Amazing notes of black licorice, mint, dark plum, violets, and spice on the nose

Full bodied and plushly textured on the palate

Super rich, velvety finish of mocha and prune

Summary:

Wow! This wine delivers in abundance. It has an amazing nose that changes and unfolds depending on how you swirl the glass. The texture is plush and the finish is rich and lengthy. What a treat!

PB, one of my co-authors on this site, nabbed a bottle of this several years back on clearance for $50 and was gracious enough to share it. Expect to pay more like $65 if you can track it down. I recommend it as a strong example of what Amarone can be like with a little patience in the cellar. Raise a glass!

Archeo Nero D'Avola 2012 wine review by (PB)

Deep black cherry hue with aromas of spicy cherry with suggestion of cocoa

Palate--well made, with flavors of classic Nero D'Avola cherriness with an integrated spiciness that is reminiscent of Sangiovese. Finishes quickly but leaves a delicate impression of all you just drank.

OK--the "get a grip" factor--I have reviewed numerous iterations of this wine available at Trader Joe's for--wait for it--$5! Now normally a $5 wine is something you might enjoy once if you're lucky or even partly through the bottle but then it turns on you. Not this wine--it is always made well, typifies the grape and is just plain good drinking, for the price; pair it with your favorite Italian fare. So all I can say is "Raise a glass" and you'll be glad you did!

Vidal-Fleury Cotes Du Rhone 2011 wine review by (PB)

Ruby hue with saliva producing tart pie cherry aroma emerge first, sweet cherry above the rim, and a fleeting moment of milk chocolate.

Palate--Juicy first impression, nice flavors with a beam of fruity cherry (grenache blend)with somewhat chewey tannins. Fleeting finish.

My wife paid $14 for this and bought in on the recommendation of one of the employees where she purchased it. I have found that when someone is standing in front of you and makes a wine recommendation to you, that you can be pretty sure that at the very least, they really liked the wine enough that they are excited to see someone else enjoy it as well. The one caveat is that the person may have no real experience with a broad variety of wines which means their recommendation comes down to their preference. Even with this caveat however, my experience is that recommendations from one who works in the department are quite reliable. The bottom line is, don't be afraid to utilize the expertise of onw who works with wine daily. It can save you wasting your money regretting your purchase so raise a glass!

William Hill Napa Valley Merlot 2009 wine review by (PB)

Nice garnet hue with aromas of swelling, rich, cherry, cigar box, glorious fennel emerging later, with cedar and licorice. Delightful!

Palate--Sharp biting, immaturity yet showing what it is capable of--like a proud peacock. Subtle suggestions of cherry and chocolate, and more fruity cedar sprigs.

This wine is still young and yet drinking beautifully. It is one of the best Merlots I have had in a long time. My friend brought it over to share and paid $26 for it. This is why you pay more for wine with character, class and above all, delicious, fruity goodness. Finishes with a lingering suggestion of all that is there. Raise a glass of this gorgeous quaff.

Bodegas Ordonez Zerran Montsant 2011 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Kirsch, dark plum, and spice on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Juicy, dense finish of dark berries, cocoa, and spice

Summary:

This wine is big, dense, and modern. There's ripe fruit and interesting layers with a grip of moderate tannins on the finish. Made from Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah in the Montsant region of Spain, it's a bargain in the mid-teens. I paid $13 and should really stock up on some more. Recommended for crowd pleasing- so raise a glass!