Wine of May 2019
Spring Rains bring Summer Droughts?
2017 Turley Zinfandel
Juvenile, California
91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This is a blend of
young-vine fruit from 13 different counties in California. Pale to medium
ruby-purple, the 2017 Zinfandel Juvenile is scented of cinnamon toast and
licorice with warm red currants, cranberries, warm black berries and cherries
with blue fruits and spicy hints. Light to medium-bodied, it has a good core of
fruit in the mouth with loads of warm spices coming through, framed by softly
textured tannins and juicy acidity, finishing long and spicy. (EB) 91+ (3/2019)
"Vibrant and zesty, with lively cherry and raspberry
flavors, accented by smoky sage and peppery licorice notes. Drink now through
2026. 15,000 cases made." Wine Spectator 92 Points
A nice zinfandel with
good fruits. Not much spice or zip, but stood up to food nicely and was good as
a sipping wine. Prices seem to vary, but I got mine at $22 – good bottle for
that price range. Not a bottle that would age for very long, but worth
drinking.
2017 Storm Point
Chenin Blanc, Swartland, South Africa
The grapes for this are 100% from the Swartland region.
Grown on predominately granitic and shale soils that are common in the region.
The vines are predominately between 20-30 years old and are a mix of bush vines
and vertically trained vines. 2017 was a later vintage than 2016 and grapes were
left on the vine a bit longer. A cool, controlled fermentation occurred in
stainless steel and was left on it's lees for 5 months. Malolactic fermentation
was blocked to maintain the freshness and acidity. Chenin Blanc has proven to
be very happy in the Swartland region with vast plantings that are showing
great varietal character and provenance.
This wine is freshly packed with nuance, playfulness and
discovery. Savory and herbal aromas lead to subtle stone fruit and citrus
blossom notes. This is accentuated by vibrant lemon zest sprinkled with sea
water. This is textbook Chenin Blanc featuring a mineral drive with ample
weight balanced by poignant acid on the finish. This varietal expression opens
your eyes to the beauty and sophistication of South Africa’s beloved and most
widely planted variety. Watch out Loire Valley!
"Juicy peach and lemon curd notes flow through, laced
with light almond and honeysuckle notes. Plump finish. Drink now." Wine
Spectator 89
I make it known that I
like Chenin Blanc. One of the first wines I drank a lot was a Charles Krug
Chenin Blanc – where until 1996 they used to make 100,000 of an off-dry Chenin
Blanc. The grape fell out of favor – more chardonnay and then more sauvignon
blanc like New Zealand. There has been a
small resurgence in California, but there are just not many vineyards left with
the grape.
South Africa has made
the wine from an abundance of the fruit. Often, it is somewhat flat and not
interesting. This producer makes several Chenin Blanc’s (Also known as Steen in
South Africa) and works at making them unique and tasty. While this is an entry
level, it has a lot of the fruit and herbal aromas from the variety. Great
bottle of wine for about $11.
2016 Conundrum Blanc
de Blanc Healdsburg, Ca
This wine offers invigorating scents of citrus zest, with a
nose that evokes the creamy lightness of lemon meringue. It is round on the
palate, with bright flavors of key lime, peach and melon, layered with a warm
hint of vanilla. A lingering freshness fills the mouth, with a finish that is
vibrant and exhilarating, befitting a wine that is just the right balance of
serious and light-hearted. Serve well-chilled.
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: What does one do when a wine doesn't fit any of
the traditional categories? The 2016 Conundrum Sparkling Blanc de Blanc is a
wine unique unto itself. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers pleasing and pretty
aromas and flavors. Its apple and hints of tropical fruits make it delicious
choice with mango-glazed grilled chicken thighs. 89 points
In my attempt to
locate a “house style” affordable sparkling wine that my wife and I enjoy, I
tried a bottle from the Wagner family.
The wine starts off fine, but the flavors are slighty fuzzy – almost
inconsistent on each sip. Not bad, but not comparable to several of the other
California houses (Mumm, Gloria Ferrer). Price was about $17, a couple bucks
under the others, but will not become my house bubbly.
2016 Cedar &
Salmon Pinot Gris, Willamette, Oregon
This Willamette Valley Pinot Gris entices with zesty aromas
of white peach, nectarine, and a hint of lime. Vibrant lemon and lime flavors
lead to subtle lychee and ginger notes in the crisp finish.
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Pinot Gris is one of those white wines that
often fall into a nowhere land—often not as distinctive as Sauvignon Blancs and
seldom richer than Chardonnays, the wines sometimes goes overlooked. The 2016
Cedar + Salmon Pinot Gris stands out with plenty of personality.
TASTING NOTES:
This wine shows up with bright minerality in its aromas and flavors. Its rich
palate and crisp finish should pair it well with panko-breaded fried flounder.
90 Points
This Pinot Gris (Grey
Pinot) was well made and allowed the wine to have nice flavor with a good clean
finish. I tend to ignore this grape because of the sea of insipid bottles, but
this one made a good impression on me. Priced around $15 - $19, a well made example
of the varietal.
2015 Mer Soleil
Chardonnay Reserve, Santa Barbara, Ca
A light golden color, this wine opens with warm, lush scents
of apricot cobbler and brown spice, layered with notes of honeysuckle and a
whiff of toasted bread. Entry on the palate is mouth-coating and creamy. Ripe
fruit flavors of apricot and peach are perfectly balanced by a vibrant acidity,
making this wine both luxurious and bright. The finish is unusually long,
filling the mouth with a soft fruitiness and lingering natural acidity.
Wine Spectator 90 Points
This offers a nice balance between rich buttery notes and
concentrated white fruit flavors that are lavishly spiced. Nutmeg and dried
sage details show on the finish. Drink now through 2021.
I tend not to drink a
bunch of Chardonnay, but this one could change my mind. Well balanced, fruity
nose with a hint of flowers, the flavors open into apple, peach, pear – an
orchard of flavors. The end hangs on with a nice floral persistence. Another
product from the Wagner family – retails about $30 but available for under $25.
Very nice bottle of wine.
2018 Henri
Schoenheitz Pinot Noir, Alsace, France
The vines of "Pinot" succeed particularly well in
the Valley of Munster. This cuvée of Pinot Noir comes from young vines and has
been vinified with greatest care in order to bring out the inherent character
of the grapes.
Production : Ageing during 6 months only in old oak barrels
to favor the expression of the inherent character of the grapes with as less
woody taste as possible.
Wine Enthusiast
The lift of ripe but tart red cherry defines the nose and
carries straight onto the palate where this fruit meets freshness and poise.
The red-fruit core is surrounded by a crunchy but fine web of tannins scented
with conifer. It's an elegant and fresh-faced wine. Score: 90, Anne Krebiehl, April 2019
The Pinot in the
Alsace region was not a great product – they had to add sugar to the must to
bring up the alcohol. Ah, climate change has had an effect on the vineyards and
they no longer need the sugar, as the grapes no ripen sufficiently on the vine.
This is a very light style of Pinot, but one that really goes well with lighter
summer fare. Priced around $20, well worth trying- not a wine to age, very
little tannins, but decent acidity.
2014 Patton Valley
Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette, Oregon
Wine Enthusiast
Ripe strawberry, raspberry, cranberry and red plum flavors, all
bright and balanced, impress in this snappy, vibrant wine. The impact of
minerally acids outweighs the 25% new oak, at least for now. 92 Points
WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
The 2014 Estate Pinot Noir has deep red fruit with subtle,
intricate spice that develops over the front and mid palate. The layered,
unassuming new oak allows for a tidy, fresh, and bright expression late that’s
true Oregon Pinot Noir. This wine has energy, grace, depth, and balanced
complexity without affect. It is the Patton Valley way.
This Pinot is what you
expect from an Oregon Pinot. Red fruits dominate with a moderate body and some
tannins. The oak adds some roundness to the flavor profile but doesn’t
over-power at all. Good food wine with zippy acidity. Retails for around $30, a
nice wine to impress your “Pinot Envy” friends.
Well, another month,
another few bottles of wine. Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out
behind the grapevines!
