Merry Christmas!

Just a few wines before the new year!

 

2009 Patrice Rion Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Burgundy, France

A Thanksgiving wine

Red Burgundy has a medium intensity to its color, with purple nuances in youth, becoming ruby and ruby-brick with age. It shows a wide range of aromas, which one would expect from a Burgundy, and its structure, supple and with moderate tannins, allow it to be enjoyed young while ensuring the wine will age.

The Vineyard

Vineyard placement and geology : Brown clay and limestone soil, this wine comes from the same sector as our Bons Batons.

Vine age : 40 years on average

Vinification

 Hand-harvested and scrupulously sorted, the wine is fermented in open stainless steel tanks for around three weeks, then matured in older oak barrels for 15-16 months

Dégustation

To the eye : the wine has a medium intensity to its color, with purple nuances in youth, becoming ruby and ruby-brick with age.

On the nose : a moderate intensity shows notes of small red fruits.

On the palate : silkiness and supple tannins allow the wine to be enjoyed young.

I found this wine to be somewhat washed out – not a great example of Pinot Noir. I’ll admit, it is not my favorite grape, but this was lacking in some of the core flavors – very little cherry, not much earthiness.

2008 Navarro Lopez Old Vine Crianza Tempranillo

Winemaker Notes
Considered the signature red variety of the La Mancha region, the Tempranillo grapes used in this wine come from 30 year-old vines in lime-based soil in the Campo de Calatrava in Valdepeñas, situated at 2350 ft. (716 M) above sea level. The grapes are harvested at the beginning of September and go through carefully monitored fermentation in stainless steel tanks, for seven to ten days, and a long maceration under controlled temperatures not exceeding 82°F (28ºC). The wine is aged six months in oak barrels – 80% American, 15% French and 5% Hungarian – then an additional 18 months in bottle.

Another one from the cheap case – not a bad made wine, just nothing that made it special. A good every day (school nite) wine.

2012 Peju Province Fifty/Fifty     Cab/Merlot

TASTING An expressive wine finessed with elegant intensity, the nose is rich with dried cherry, raspberry, cocoa powder, cigar box and vanilla bean. The palate reveals juicy dark plum, Olallieberry, baking spices and black cherry tart.  Finishing with silky, focused tannins our 2012 Fifty/Fifty is enduring; enjoyable now while also cellar worthy.  

APPELLATION napa valley            VINEYARD persephone

COMPOSITION 50% cabernet sauvignon, 50% merlot

COOPERAGE 50% american oak, 50% french oak, 65% new

AGING 16 months                           ALCOHOL 14.6%

TA 6.1 g/L                                            PH 3.67

HARVEST DATE october 2012      BOTTLING DATE may 2014

RELEASE DATE april 2015               CELLARING enjoy now through 2022

I’ll admit, I have never tried Peju Province. I knew they were in Napa, but they just weren’t on my radar. My brother sent me this one .A wonderful bottle that has a very good nose when it opens up, broad mouth-feel with deep red and black fruits, spices and nicely integrated tannins.  If you can snag one, do it!

A night with a Master Sommelier from the Kendall-Jackson Family wines.

I have not been writing much about the West Wichita wine group since I don’t get much more wine than any one attending. In this case, our December 2015 dinner included a guest from Jackson Family Estates.  I was able to get more than the 2 ounce taste of the following wines. I was very impressed with the selections and the wonderful enthusiasm of our guest.

Yes, we all know KJ Vinters Reserve – a tasty Chardonnay with a hint of sweetness and lots of oak. A staple of many of us for years, probably not on our radar any more. This family estate has so much more to offer – I’ll even pick up a bottle of the original chard this spring!

2012 Jackson Estate Camelot Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, California

The 2012 Camelot Highlands Chardonnay has aromas of pineapple, mango and papaya with a creamy, lush, rich palate. Notes of cinnamon, candied lime and vanilla creme brulee create an appealing and lingering finish.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points - "From a cooler climate and gravelly soils, the 2012 Chardonnay Jackson Estate Camelot Highlands comes from 40-year-old, ungrafted vines, is 100% barrel-fermented and aged eight months in 52% new French oak. Abundant aromas of tropical fruits, an opulent, exotic personality, huge richness, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, good acidity and surprising length suggest a Chardonnay that could easily sell at twice the price."

I haven’t had this wine for a few years, but I always enjoyed it.  It is an elegant, tasty and outstanding Chardonnay. Retails for around $28, but is a wonderful bottle that will compare to more expensive Chards. Red wine drinkers enjoy this white with its weighty mouth-feel and abundant fruits that are constrained in a great package

2012 Champ de Reves  Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, California

Aromas of cranberry and Chambord punctuated by notes of coriander, rose, juniper berry, brown sugar, and Douglas fir.  Flavors of blueberry, sour cherry, cedar, and savory elements come through on the palate. Juicy acidity, earthy texture, and supple yet substantial tannin structure.

I’ve said Pinot Noir is not my favorite grape. This wine is a great example of American Pinot – I probably like Anderson Valley Pinots as well as many Oregon Pinots. The Boon Ridge, where this is grown, is a great area for the finicky Pinot Noir grape, with the Pacific Ocean only 18 miles away and at a height of around 1,600 feet. Well balanced, silky tannins, this is what I really like in a Pinot noir. Price point is a little high for me at $36, but with Pinots, you get what you pay for.

2013 Edmeades Zinfandel, Mendicino County, California

The 2012 Mendocino County Zinfandel is layered with aromas of wild blackberries, spiced plums, cherries, cracked black pepper, and clove spice.  A round and lush texture, with flavors of blackberry compote and red-fleshed plum, is balance by fine tannins and a pleasing acidity.  Notes of toasted oak, vanilla, cherry cola, and chocolate highlight a warm and juicy finish.

I am a Zin-freak, no doubt about it. Edmeades is a wine I’ve had before – they specialize in Zinfandels. They are up north in Mendicino County, an underappreciated grape growing region. This wine will never be mistaken for a big fruit bomb from Sonoma – it is more refined and elegant. (I know, I’ve used that word before, but it fits these wines) The spice was a little understated for me, but the acidity made it a wine that went well with food. At our dinner, it was overwhelmed by the Grand Estates Cabernet and the Freemark Abbey Cabernet.  At home, it was a very good dinner companion, good fruit and that underpinning of fruit. Wine is available for under $20.

Well, until next year, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines!