Just a few more wines, before I go...
Dominio de
Valdelacasa 2008
Dominio de Valdelacasa is a varietal red wine made of Tinta
de Toro by Bodega Frontaura, a winery located in the D.O. Toro. Its grapes are
grown at the property Pago de Valdelacasa, after which it is named. It is
fermented for six days in stainless steel tanks and aged for six months in
French oak barrels.
Tasting report Dominio de Valdelacasa 2008
Dark cherry colour with violet reflections. Clean and very
bright, with thin and slightly coloured tears.
Medium-robe nasal aromas with notes of ripe, fleshy and
expressive fruit. After swirling the glass, its spicy and roasted notes are
released followed by final light balsamic nuances and mineral notes.
In the palate, this red wine is powerful, fleshy and tasty.
Balanced acidity, intense tannic sensation and long and persistent finish.
This had nice age, a decent nose, but seemed a little numbed in the flavor category. Didn't really open up until the second day open and then it was pretty good, but not great. I know I got it for around $14, discounted from a higher price, but it still isn't one of my favorites.
Bodkin Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc (Cuvee Agincourt)
Had this during a warm evening, while serving at a wine group party. This wine is very unique - tasty, bubbly and very much Sauvignon Blanc. Really a different taste for a sparkler, but very good and a good match with party foods.
This unique and stylish twist on Sauvignon Blanc has a core
of racy crispness driven by lively acidity, accented with lemon-lime aromas (no
cat-grass - no worries) and citrus-passion fruit flavors. The pronounced citrus tones team with a note
of toasted hazelnuts to accent the enchantingly plush mouth feel of the wine.
Pair this wine with food…or not…It works great by itself.
Grape Sources:
Armida Vineyards – Russian River Valley
Sandy Bend Vineyard – Upper Lake
Nerd Note:
The Wine is called Cuvee Agincourt in reference to the
Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years War. In 1415 where an English army
comprised largely of archer armed with Bodkin pointed arrows beat back a French
army much more numerous and comprised of the nations high nobility.
2013 Ravenswood Besieged Red Blend Sonoma County
A blend of Petite Sirah,
Carignane, Zinfandel, Syrah, Barbera, Alicante Bouschet and Mourvèdre. Sourced
from vineyards in Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley, Russian
River Valley, Knights Valley and Sonoma Mountain. Red-black in color. Rich,
robust, and round fruit flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and plum spiced
with cardamom. The finish is smooth and satisfying.
A modern take on the old-school California field blend,
combining petite sirah, carignan, zinfandel, syrah, barbera, alicante bouschet
and mourvedre from vineyards throughout Sonoma, this balances a juicy core of
fruit with an appetizing coniferous aroma, berry-skin tannins cleaning up where
the fruit sweetness leaves off. It’s the perfect burger wine.
I tried this when it first came out
– nice deep red blend with an interesting bunch of grapes and a nice mouth-feel,
lots of red dark fruits and a zing of spices. Great with a chunk of meat or about anything
grilled. When you can get it on sale (MSRP $22) – try it, you’ll like it!
Of course, this is from the “No
Wimpy Wines” of Ravenswood – now part of a big corporation, but Joel Peterson
still makes wine here – he founded and grew the winery. Known as the Godfather
of Zin, the winery has three ravens in a circle as the logo. They make
inexpensive zinfandels and high end single vineyard ones as well. P.S. if you tattoo yourself with the 3 raven logo,
you get free tasting for life at the winery.
2012 Moniker Pinot Noir, Mendicino County, CA
This is a tasty little Pinot – quite a bit of Bing cherry
and light red fruits in the mouth, with a modest nose. Not overpowering, good
with lighter fare – a heavy steak is just a bit too much for it. I got three
different varieties of this winery in my last $100 case. I’ll let you know about each
one after I’ve tried them.
Wine Tasting Notes
Three Word Taste Summary :
berry , earthy , rhubarb
Tasting Notes
Moniker Pinot Noir is
a big, dark-hued wine sourced from three cool-climate Mendocino County
vineyards, each imparting their own flavors: earth from Anderson Valley,
intense berry from Redwood Valley and rhubarb and potpourri from Potter Valley.
We fermented a portion of the grapes in macro-bins, punching down by hand for
wine of high color and intensity to contrast with the savory nature of
pumped-over tank lots. A German yeast strain supported the wine's dark fruit
profile while native yeasts contributed bright fruit and forest floor
aromatics. Malolactic fermentation and the boldness of American oak lend
sumptuousness and spice to this strong and expressive vintage.
Wine Event and Competition Awards
•92 points, Gold Medal, 2014 Los Angeles International Wine
Competition
