April's Wind brings May Showers?
Just a few wines to think about
I open with the fact that Heitz wine cellars is being sold. Too bad, was one of my favorites. Hope nothing changes too much...
2014 Chat Fou,
Cotes-du-Rhone, France
85% Grenache/15% Clairette/Viognier/Chasselas. Most of the
Grenache and all of the white come from the granite soils of Texier's
St.Julien-en-St.Alban vineyard; some of the Grenache comes from his holdings in
Vaison-La-Romaine in the Vaucluse. The whites and red are co-harvested and
co-fermented mainly as whole clusters with native yeasts in concrete tanks with
a short 5-day maceration and without any punchdowns. The wine is aged for
around a year in concrete tank and bottled with a very small dose (15g/liter)
of sulfur. The intention is a fresh, light style of Côtes-du-Rhône.
This is a light style
of CDR – flavors are a little muted, with earth tones and a raspberry rhubarb
taste. Very little aftertaste. Not awful, alright for a $10 bottle, but not any
higher.
2013 Blackbird
‘Arise”, Napa Valley, Ca
This is a Merlot-dominant blend, with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
and 15% Cabernet Franc blended in. It offers cooler-climate elements of dried
herb, cedar and currant, with the tannins sleek and polished. The finish flirts
with a taste of coconut. Drink now through 2021. 91 Pts Wine
Enthusiast Cellar Selection
"Arise is the most aspiring wine in the Blackbird Vineyards
repertoire. Every vintage is hand-tuned to express the luscious flavor profiles
and lithe structure that only comes from exceptional fruit." Aaron
Pott,Winemaker
Wine Notes:
The 2013 Arise exudes aromas of black currant, iris, and
nutmeg. With flavors of licorice, cherry and fig, this wine has a richly
layered mid palate with soft texture, good density and a long, lingering
finish. Aaron Pott describes the 2013 Arise as the best vintage of Arise yet.
This is a well
structured wine, with lush flavors that linger on a long finish. Drinking
nicely, would hold for several more years and still be very good. A splurge, but a very nice one. Price around
$48.
2014 Buoncristiani
OPC Napa Valley, Ca
Varietal Proprietary Red
- 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Syrah, 20% Malbec, 12% Merlot
Appellation Napa
Valley
Aging Twenty months
in 100% French oak barrels, 60% new oak
Robert Parker 95
The Wine Advocate said “the 2014 Proprietary Red O.P.C. is a
blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Syrah, 20% Malbec and 12% Merlot. A
brilliant nose of blue, red and black fruits, licorice, graphite, background
spice and roasted meats jumps from the glass of this complex proprietary red.
This is an intriguing blend that Buoncristiani has pulled off flawlessly. The
color is a dense ruby/purple, the wine full-bodied and rich with sweet tannin,
a burgeoning, broad suppleness and a rich, long, lusty finish. Drink it over
the next 10-12 years.”
Another big wine with
layers of flavor – the Syrah really makes a difference in this wine. Supple
tannins carry a very long finish – this bad boy could age for a decade and not
miss a beat. Price is around $50 – so a splurge, but very good.
2014 Robert Mondavi
‘BDX’ Cabernet Blend Napa Valley, Ca
With the 2014 vintage, BDX expresses its special Bordeaux
blend through the legendary To Kalon site. Black plum and blackberry fruits
weave seamlessly with sweet baking spices, a touch of tobacco and a thread of
unsweetened cocoa in this richly textured, supple-tannin wine expressing the
depth and complexity of our To Kalon fruit. 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21%
Cabernet Franc.
Vineyard Notes
The prime benchland on the western side of the Oakville AVA
is known for its well-draining soils, optimal sun exposure and relatively low
fertility. Grapes grown here yield rich complex flavors and great fruit
maturity. The To Kalon Vineyard is located in the heart of this prime area of
Oakville and surrounds the Robert Mondavi Winery. It was named Vineyard of the
Year in 2011 by the California State Farm Bureau. Appellation: Oakville
District AVA Grape Sourcing: 100% Napa Valley - 100% Oakville District - 100%
To Kalon Vineyard.
A very nice red blend
from the Mondavi winery – nice layers of flavors and a healthy finish. Probably
would hold for 5 to 7 years, not as deep as the other wines on this list. Price
is around $45 – wouldn’t turn it down, but might be better ones at that price.
2014 Trefethen
Merlot, Napa Valley, Ca
Combining Napa Valley intensity with Pomerol-like plushness,
the quality of Trefethen's beautifully crafted Oak Knoll District Merlot
remains one of Napa Valley's best-kept secrets. Made from 95% Merlot, 4%
Malbec, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon from Trefethen's Oak Knoll estate, the wine
spent 18 months in a combination of new and used oak barrels, 50% French, 36%
American, and 14% Hungarian. It surges with ripe, vibrant cherry, currant,
herb, and spice flavors, which lead to a smooth, long and elegant finish. Class
all the way. Drink now and over the next 7–8 years.
A very elegant Merlot
– one that Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers can enjoy. Lush flavorswith silky
tannins on a nice long finish. This is what Merlot should taste like! Price is
under $35 – well worth that price.
2010 D’Arenberg
“D’arry’s Original” Shiraz Grenache McLaren Vale, Australia
Opaque black dark red colour with dark red crimson hue. The
nose shows good intensity with liquorice and blackberry top notes intermingling
with some meatiness, spice and earth. Rich generous flavours of ripe blackberry
and liquorice fill the palate followed by some earth, spice and pepper. Soft
beautifully integrated tannin structure. Long spicy blackberry, liquorice and
earth aftertaste. A classic example of this iconic McLaren Vale blend.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
91 POINTS Wine Enthusiast
A terrific value, this 50-50 blend displays gentle oaking
and a hint of warm asphalt, just enough to highlight the wine's plum and black
cherry fruit. It's full bodied and features a long finish, outlined by
wonderfully fine, dusty tannins. Drink now–2018.
PRICE $20, Buy Now
DESIGNATION d'Arry's Original
VARIETY Shiraz-Grenache, Rhône-style Red Blend
APPELLATION McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
A
very nice wine – getting a little long in the tooth, but still drinking nicely.
Great sipping wine, still has some acidity to matchup with many foods. I got
mine at $10 – buy what they have left or move up a few vintage years.
Well, it's been fun - hope you are getting ready for Spring and then Summer. Remember, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.
