Some wines from 2013

2010 Handcraft Petite Sirah, California                                                                    Sale 8.99

Nice dark ruby appearance with a moderate berry nose. Good mouth-feel, red berries, good acid balance making a good food wine. Moderate length of finish, no real tannins.  Somewhat jammy and with some spice and hints of blueberry, as well. Real nice little wine, great at the price.

2012 Agua de Piedra Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina                                                           Sale $13

Nice deep color – bright nose of violets and cola. Flavors of berry, cola and black cherry with a long finish with hints if tannins. Very nice bottle of wine, great with hearty food. Note- it was an odd shaped bottle, with really big shoulders.

2011 Zorzal Malbec, Tupungato Valley, Argentina                                                              Sale $11

Deep ruby color with a fragrant nose of red berries and hints of cherry.  Flavors of red berry and cherry cola, a touch of heat from the alcohol but a nice long finish. Nice wine, especially at the price; good with foods. Rated 93 points by the Spectator.

 

2010 Chateau Ste Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon, Indian Wells, Columbia Valley, Washington

 Sale $ 12

Good dark color with a nose of cherry  cola and red berries. Flavors of red and black berry, anise, hints of tar and cedar. Moderate finish with some tannins;nicely balanced wine – approachable now, but enough body to hold for a few years

Until next time, keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you behind the grape vines.

WWWC December, 2013

Santa Barbara and South – the West Coast Tour ending

Opening Wine

2012 Qupe Marsanne Santa Barbara County, California

Slightly sharp in the nose, nice blend (25% Rousanne) with citrus hints and floral overtones. Bits of herb on a decent finish.

2011 Pali Pinot Noir Huntington Santa Barbara County, California  

Moderate nose of cherry cola and cherry pie. Good smooth mouthfeel; cherry , red raspberry and hints of earth. Nice aftertaste and acid structure.

2011 Carol Shelton Monga Zinfandel, Cucamonga Valley, California

Good nose of red berry and herbs. Flavors are big – crushed berries, different spices with a long finish.

2007 3 Saints 67 Red Blend, Santa Barbara County (Happy Canyon), California

Cassis and pipe tobacco along with red berries fill the nose. Big mouthfeel, with red and blackberries, hints of stone – light tannins, good structure and moderate aftertaste.

2011 Melville Syrah Verna’s Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills, California

Unusual nose – dried meat, plum and earth. Mouth filling flavor with plum , red and black berry and cola. Aftertast long with hints of cola and tar on the finish. Big wine that needs food, not a porch sipper.

Top vote getter was the Monga Zinfandel from Carol Shelton.

Until next time, keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you behind the grape vines.

Another Month at WWWC

I keep finding notes I had written up, but can't find any pictures, sorry about that.

WEST WICHITA WINE CONNECTION        May Tasting

Sonoma County – the West Coast Tour continued

Opening Wine

2012 Alexander Valley Vineyard Dry Rose of Sangiovese, Alexander Valley, California

Light nose, color similar to watermelon. Nice floral hints and a berry nose – a dry Rose of berry and melon flavors. Very nice sipper.

2009 Buena Vista Pinot Noir, Carneros, California

Nice light color; cherry and berry nose. Flavor echoes the nose with additional strawberry flavors. Not a deep wine, but a nice Pinot.

2005 Sebatiani Secolo (Red Blend), Sonoma, California

Closed nose initially, opened over time to bright red berries. Flavors of cherry cola, dark berries and a hint of earthiness. Fully aged at this point, little aftertaste, not tannins left.

2010 Alexander Valley Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Alexander Valley, California

Nose very unique, initially floral and herb – opening to lavender. Flavor is lavender, with hints of cola and cedar. Very nice wine with a moderate long finish.

2009 Gnarly Vines Zinfandel, Dry Creek, California

Nice fruity nose – flavors of cherry cola, raspberry and hints of black pepper. Little tame for a Dry Creek Zin, but overall pleasant.

 

Until next time, keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you behind the grape vines.