That was one short Month - February

Time for a little Wine!

2013 St Paul’s Pinot Grigio Alto Adige, Italy

90 Points

This full-bodied wine is loaded with sensations of fragrant white flowers, ripe tropical fruit, juicy yellow peach and tart green apple. The creamy palate is brightened by fresh acidity and energizing mineral notes. It's well balanced, with more depth than most other Pinot Grigios.

Variety  Pinot Grigio, Pinot Grigio/Gris

Appellation  Alto Adige, Northeastern Italy, Italy

Winery  St. Pauls

I don’t drink a lot of whites and I usually steer away from what’s the current rage. This wine is a very good Pinot Grigio (or Pinot Gris) with a lot of body, a full palate and very nice depth. I got it on close-out at $10 – well worth buying several bottles to have on hand for guests. Perfect for spring and summer sipping.

2013 Ludovicus Garnacha Terra Alta, Spain

This mineral, spicy Mediterranean red drinks like a wine two times its price. It is produced from organically grown grapes in the high elevation Terra Alta region. These high lands are located just 45 minutes south of Barcelona in the mountains of Tarragona overlooking the Mediterranean. Ludovicus pays tribute to the roman heritage of this region. The Romans planted vineyards in this area during the 3rd century. Terra Alta neighbors the acclaimed Priorat region. Just like in Priorat, Garnacha and Mazuelo (aka Cariñena, or Samsó) are the most commonly planted grapes. The Garnachas that grow in Terra Alta are among the finest in Spain due to three factors: the elevation, the limestone soil and the plethora of old vine that Terra Alta possesses.

"An amazing wine, it shows boisterous and exuberant black cherry/kirsch liqeur notes, medium to full body, terific purity and exuberance."

Region: Catalunya, Spain
Grapes: 100% Garnacha
Vintage: 2013

Another real nice inexpensive Spanish wine. For my money, old vine garnacha is hard to beat. Good body, lively acidity to go with lots of different foods and nice juicy red fruit flavors in a bottle priced around $10-11.

2015 Left Coast Cellar White Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, Oregon

Famed for its diversity to complement nearly any food pairing, our White Pinot Noir is a peoples favorite. Limited skin contact gives the White Pinot Noir its pristine clarity. The wine itself is perfumed with fresh scents and mirrored flavors of Ranier cherry, peach and poached pear.  Rich and broad with bright, balancing acidity on the palate and a lingering mineral finish.

A surprising white wine – we had this as a salad wine at a tasting of Pinot Noir. Nice body, good fruit, kinda like a red wine without color. Little pricy in the $20-25 range, but a fun wine to try if you get the chance.

2014 Zorzal Eggo Pinot Noir Tupangato, Argentina

This hand harvested, single vineyard from Gualtallary is 100% Pinot Noir and is completely un-oaked to let the fruit driven quality of the wine shine. Bright red fruits, predominantly raspberry, jump out of the glass with gamey notes, cola, dried leaves, and forest floor. The mouthfeel is rich, soft, and supple with light tannin and medium acidity. The chalky soil comes through in the long finish, great with or without food.

This was decent, but had a bit of earth with it. Not real bad sweat sox, but enough that it carried over into the aftertaste. The wine is aged in concrete eggs (hence the Eggo) and isn’t bad, but a little much at $18-25 range.

2015 Jules Taylor Pinot Noir Marlborough, New Zealand

This Pinot Noir is very generous on the nose, showing vibrant aromas of dark cherry, raspberry and plum combined with spicy oak notes. It has an impressive concentration of flavour and a nice acid backbone. The finish is dry with a nice touch of dark chocolate and subtle French oak coming through.

Fragrant and ebullient, with caramel and vanilla bean accents to the core of ripe black cherry and plum flavors, balanced by velvety tannins and dark chocolate nuances. Expressive and generous on the long finish. Drink now through 2026. 93/100 Points. Wine Spectator

This was a good New Zealand pinot – dark cherry flavors –aged in oak and stainless steel to give a hint of oak, but not overpowering the finesse of the pinot grape. Priced in the $18-20 range, this was the winner of the evening of Pinot noirs. Of course, it has a screw cap.

2015 Refugio Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley, Chile

93 points James Suckling

 Cedar, strawberry, flower, light iodine, and oyster shell. Medium to full body, silk tannins and a juicy finish. Shows soul. From Alsace's Andrew Ostertag and Julio Donoso... Made from biodynamic grown grapes.  (5/2016)

If you found your way to this product description, let's say accidentally, and you're not one of the people hip to this project, here is some quick info: Andre Ostertag helps to make the wine. Vineyards are composed of granite. Professional photographer/proprietor Julio Donoso is putting some truly interesting cooler climate Pinot Noir out there, and we strongly recommend you try it. Fermentation and ageing takes place in concrete eggs. No steel, no barrels, just huevos concretos.

This Pinot noir has a lot of Chile style “funk” with it. Suckling says light iodine, it’s a lot heavier to me. It blows off after a while (from the nose) but there is a bit of barnyard on the back end.  Some strawberry and cherry flavors but not a real great wine for my money. ($25 range…)

2014 Saracco Pinot Noir Piedmonte, Italy

Saracco Pinot Nero combines the traditional delicate bouquet of red berries and a velvety taste with good acidity, round body, complex structure and high persistence on the palate.

Vinification is in stainless steel tanks, refining in 225 liter barriques and then in big barrels for 12-14 months. After bottling, the wine is aged for an additional 6 months before releasing. 13.5 Alcohol

Recommended Food: Goes well with grilled salmon, braised rabbit, pasta with porcini mushrooms as well as roasted duck

Pinot Nero is Italian for Pinot Noir – this little bottle was very tasty – showed red berries and dark cherry on the palate and had a nice nose with moderate aftertaste. Not a bad wine for the $20 range – again, Pinot is not my grape.

2014 Fatum Bobal Tempranillo LaMancha, Spain

Grapes: 50% Bobal, 50% Tempranillo

Vintage: 2014

Color: Red

Vinous             89

(raised entirely in stainless steel tanks): Bright violet color. Lively redcurrant and cherry on the nose and palate, with a mineral nuance emerging as the wine opens in the glass. Conveys good depth and focus without any excess fat; a spicy note contributes back-end cut. Notes of fresh red berries and spices carry through a zesty, gently tannic finish that's sharpened by juicy acidity. 2016 – 2019

Another fun wine from Spain – Bobal is a formerly rustic grape that they kept for themselves – made cheaply, overcropped and quickly made. Then someone decided the grape could make a nice wine and here we are. This example is half anf half – a very good example of affordable and tasty wine. Cherry and red fruits cut through the flavor – good acidity and the hints of mineral make it go well with a variety of foods. Well worth the $14-16 you can spend on it.

That’s it – until later, keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines!

January 2017 Wines

What was that? January just flew by!!

How about some wines?

2003 Chateau Lascombes, Bordeaux, France

In less than five years this property has emerged as one of the appellation’s up and coming stars thanks to the infusion of money from the American conglomerate, Colony Capital, as well as the braintrust that now oversees the winemaking, Yves Vatelot (of Reignac fame) and the internationally renowned oenologist, Michel Rolland. The dark plum/ruby-hued, open-knit 2003 offers a big, sweet nose of barbecue smoke, plum liqueur, creme de cassis, flowers, new saddle leather, and damp earth. Loads of black fruits, a full-bodied palate impression, low acidity, and a savory, expansive mouthfeel suggest it can be drunk in 2-3 years, or cellared for 15+.

Robert Parker score        92

This was a half bottle my brother sent me. It is drinking wonderfully, smaller bottles tend not to age as well as bigger bottles. It has enough acidity to be very good with food, but was a pleasure to drink on its own. The black fruits were tantalizing, a full mouth feel with a nice long finish.  What a great bottle of wine. Thanks T man!

2012 Domaine du Gros “Nore”, Red blend Bandol, France

Wine Spectator: 93 Points

This has a dark leathery frame but remains sleek and pure overall, with a dense core of currant preserves, steeped plum and lightly mulled blackberry fruit, studded with dried anise and singed juniper notes. A bolt of iron is buried deeply on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2025. 

“This has a dark leathery frame but remains sleek and pure overall, with a dense core of currant preserves, steeped plum and lightly mulled blackberry fruit, studded with dried anise and singed juniper notes. A bolt of iron is buried deeply on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2025.  93 points. #94 Top 100 wines of 2015” Wine Spectator Oct 2015

Really nice wine – a blend of 80% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache, 5% Cinsault from the Bandol region of France.  Very good with food, yet a substantial sipper as well. The wonderful spice note made the fruits stand out – a very good bottle. Normal retail $35-40, can be found for around $25-30.

2014 Chilcas Cinsault Valle del Itata, Chile

If you are looking to try something a little different, give this slightly cloudy dark red colored Cinsualt from Chile. It opens with a fragrant strawberry and craisin bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, slightly acidic and juicy. The flavor profile is a red plum, craisin and pomegranate blend with notes of mild minerality and faint oak. The finish is dry and its fruit flavors are slightly prolonged. This Cinsault is food friendly and would pair well with a barbecue meatloaf.

A single vineyard Cinsault – the usual blending grape gets its own bottle. And this Rhone varietal comes from Chile (!). This was a fun, enjoyable wine that would go with a lot of different foods.  Probably not to heavy, but would hold up to a lot of different meats and sauces. The fruit is nice, not overwhelming but a nice harmonious nose and on the palate . Really fun – price is around $20, can find for $15 probably. Well worth trying and make your friends guess the grape.

2014 Cooper & Thief Red Blend, California

“ Dark and dense with aromas of fennel, vanilla, spice, black plum, and tobacco. A full-bodied wine that handles the whiskey well, with an impression that is potent with sweet star anise and Port-like power.”

This is a new trend, aging wine in Bourbon barrels. Adds a layer on the nose and extra alcohol – this came in at 17% (Oy). For me – the underlaying wine was not great – too fruity without any nuance, aftertaste or real appeal. The spirit makes it almost seem port like, but not nearly as good. New trend, but I’ll stick to something else.  Retails around $34, even at a sale price, I’ll pass.

2013 Hayman and Hill Meritage, Monterrey County, California

Winemaker's Notes

Hayman & Hill are firm believers that sometimes the sum of the parts are greater than the individual components. Meritage blends are just that, the perfect marriage of several varieties, each grape bringing out the best in each other and representing the region with the utmost quality.

Blend:  34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Malbec, 16% Merlot, 14% Petite Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc

Accolades

"Shows great improvement over last year’s so-so bottling. This  Meritage displays a nice balance of firm tannins, acidity and currant-licorice flavors, with well-integrated oak. Feels elegant and subdued, and will be a good companion to anything that wants a dry, full-bodied red wine.

Very nice little Meritage that I got on a close out around $10. Should have bought more – it had good fruit, balanced acidity and a decent finish. Went well with beef dishes and pizza – pick this one up for anything under $15 – you won’t regret it.

2014 Rio Madre, Graciano, Rioja, Spain

"An unusual Rioja, the 2014 Rio Madre Graciano is 100% Graciano grape. The wine shows relatively decent acidity, dried cherries and underbrush, a medium-bodied mouthfeel, dark ruby color and some old, slightly musty oak, but otherwise is attractive. Drink it over the next 2-3 years." -Wine Advocate

I really likes this wine – similar to the usual tempranillo, but not the same.  Plenty of acidity to match manyfgoods, the flavors were more subtle but lingered nicely. At $10 – 15 a bottle, this is a wine you should buy a number of bottles – good value for a good wine.

Well, that's another month - until we meet again, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

Holiday Wines

December, 2016

2014 Rios de Tinta, Tinta del Pais, Ribero del Douro, Spain

Made exclusively from Tempranillo vines, locally called Tinta del Pais , aged between 15 and 20 years old. The vines are planted in sandy loam with calcareous clay and limestone at an altitude of 850 meters. Fruit from three different vineyards are blended to produce this wine.

 “Bright violet color. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes fresh dark berries, lavender pastille and Asian spices, with a subtle touch of licorice emerging with aeration. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering black and blue fruit flavors that flesh out on the back half. In an energetic style, displaying zero excess fat, easygoing tannins and strong spicy persistence.” 90 points Vinous, Central Spain: Tempranillo and Beyond December 2015

This is a very big wine – still tannic without the aid of oak barrels. Better after leaving it open for a while (or the second day), this is a jammy wine with dark berries and exotic nuances of spices. Would not call the tannins easy going, but they are smoothing out. Real interesting wine for around $10…Not many Ribero del Douro wines at this price point.

2012 Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva, Maipo, Chile

91 pts. Wine Spectator: September 30, 2015

A rich, well-spiced red, with luscious flavors of tar, licorice and dark plum, supported by ample acidity and firm tannins. Offers a lip-smacking finish of dark chocolate and pepper. Drink now through 2019. 20,000 cases made. [WS 91, #32 Top 100 of 2015] [JS 92]

This wine was in the Top 100 of the Wine Spectator – you can score it for under $12. Well structured Cabernet from Chile; good balance in acidity, clean berry flavors and light tannins to carry the finish. Buy a couple bottles (or 6) to keep on hand – guests will enjoy and is a great everyday wine.

2013 Lincourt Pinot Noir, Lindsay’s Vineyard, Sta Rita Hills, Ca

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points ($30) There’s a very savory, gamy element on the nose of this wine, which shows wild berries, woody shrubs, rusty iron and turned forest-floor aromas. The palate is punchy at first, with decent acidity and cranberry-plum-raspberry flavors, then clings to a pencil-lead core deeper into the sip. It offers quite a bit of complexity.

Tasting Notes

The 2013 Lindsay’s Pinot Noir is a wonderful reflection of this cooler vintage. Mouthwatering aromas of cherry cola waft from the glass, followed by a palate of ripe cherries, raspberries, and jam with a hint of sandalwood spice and vanilla. The finish is long and bright with a decent amount of acidity and soft tannins.

I’m not a big Pinot Noir fan, but this was a well made California wine that had good flavors, nice acid acid balance and a nice, yet soft finish. Very much a food wine – the earthiness was well matched with  cherry and cola notes. You can find it for under $20 – nice Pinot to have on hand.

2005 Langtry Meritage, Lake County, CA

The 2005 Langtry Meritage is a blend of the Bordeaux varieties similar to the 2004 vintage but with a greater portion of Petit Verdot. This translates into increased color and dark fruit intensity, along with complex flavors of chocolate, licorice, and spice. The tannins are rich and integrated for a nicely balanced finish.

Traditional fermentation in stainless tanks, before aging in French and American oak barrels for 18 months. The 2005 Meritage Red goes well with lighter meat dishes, such as chicken and pork chops.

Langtry was the higher level of Guenoc, the main producer from Lake County. Once owned by the Magoon family, it is now owned by the Foley family. This was a special treat – don’t know if there are many left to purchase. The wine had held up well; the tannins had retreated but left a nice red and black fruit medley that would go well with a lot of different dishes. This was from Matt, my wine guy, and I had half the bottle. Very nice.

2013 EOS Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, CA

Wine Enthusiast, 87 Points

Dried red cherries and lighter cranberries mix with black slate on the nose of this wine from a longtime regional label, now owned by Bill Foley. The palate shows lots of iron and bloody meats, along with dried cranberries and elderberries.

I love Petite Sirah – the dark brooding colors and intense flavors – this was a nice example. The variety likes the southern area (Paso Robles), as well as other Rhone style grapes. I compare Mouvdre and Petite Sirah, because they produce similar meaty, beefy wines. This was a bit pricey - $20-25 range, but it was nice to have a little bottle age to mellow the flavors.

2014 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red, Cabernet Blend, Sonoma County, CA

Winemaker Notes

The 2014 Gravel Bed Red is dark purplish to ruby in color. Its nose is swarming with Cabernet spice, currant, black cherries, coconut wood aromatics and hints of black tea. The flavor is fruit forward with delicious blackberries followed by raspberry, underbrush tones, and dried leaves. The finish has great acidity and tannins which helps reign in the generous fruit afforded by a riper season.

Other Notes

67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 12% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot

This is a serious wine for not a lot of moola. You can get it for $25 – 30, although the winery lit is $40. Sebastiani is a long time Sonoma producer that fell into family squabbles and has since been purchased by the Foley family. The good news is that the Foley group is not trying to make all the brands “corporate” wines, forcing them into price points and market groups. They bought some great vineyards and names and invested in making them what they should be, not what they became.

The nose is very berry with nuances of spices; the fruit forward flavor of red and black berries have good Sonoma quality – notes of herbs and spices – followed by a nice finish with a little tannin. Would hold up to many types of dishes and might overpower lighter fare. Cool label design and you should pour this for guests.

2013 Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, CA

92 Points - Robert Parker. "Offering a good contrast to the Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley offers a dense ruby/purple color and complete symmetry in its tannin, acidity, alcohol and wood. It is full-bodied, ripe, with loads of black fruits, a slight earthiness that gives it a different element than the Sonoma cuvée, and seems slightly bigger and richer than the Sonoma, but both are great values in the scheme of world-class Cabernet Sauvignons. This wine should drink well for 20 years."

Another great cab from Sebastiani – the Sonoma Cuvee is the least expensive and good. This is similar in price to the Gravel Bed Red, but mostly all Cabernet Sauvignon (89%) and 11% Merlot to round out the flavor.  Good nose of dark fruits and a full mouthfeel dark fruits and nuances of dusty herbs. Long finish with some tannins, a good balace of acidity – needs a pretty big meal to stand up to it. A real gem for the $25-30 price range. I’ll admit, I love Alexander Valley cabernets – it is the area where Jordan is located  and Silver Oak makes an Alexander Valley cabernet. Pretty good company, I’d say.

2008 Hafner Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, CA

Winery Notes:

At a tasting in October 2016, we tasted the 2008 and here are our notes: Youthful qualities with blackberry and milk chocolate aromas and mature notes of carpaccio and nutmeg. Lively and rich on the palate, its India ink, vanilla toastiness and spicy black pepper notes enhance the nose. It is beginning to develop some notes of bottle bouquet and has a rich, long finish that adds complexity and depth to the wine. Like all of our Cabernets, the 2008 has the balance and structure to allow it to develop for another ten years.

For 49 years, our family has worked together to create this family vineyard and winery. Those early days included our two daughters, Julie and Betsy, now living on the East Coast. Parke and Sarah’s daughter Kate has joined the winery staff to make Hafner Vineyard a three generation enterprise.

Many have written eloquently of the deep feeling that comes from working with the earth. We can attest to that. Work in such a beautiful setting has inspired us and the enjoyment our wines have given to our patrons is deeply satisfying.

Now the second generation is guiding this venture with Parke and Scott as managing partners. Mary and I draw great fulfillment from looking back on nearly five decades of our family working together here. We have a deep sense of belonging to the land and a strong appreciation of those who tend the soil and bring forth its products.

A small family owned winery, with most sales via the internet and customers ( like my brother) that keep buying these wonderful wines. This is a well structured wine – a good nose of red fruit and some earthiness, the flavors are nuanced yet very pleasing. Good backbone of acid and mild tannins, this wine melds with many beef and pork dishes.  I love when a small winery is able to survive and flourish with well made wines. The wines probably range in the $45-50 range (mine have been gifts – Thanks again, Bro).

Hope you enjoyed these littles tastes - until next time, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines. Salut!

November Wines

Just a few wines to get to the Holidays

No picture - sorry

2013 Patterson Cellars Syrah Sirah, Red Mountain, Washington

Dusty tannins frame this inky purple, full-bodied wine led by characters of blueberry and blackberry with hints of black and white pepper carried on the long finish.

Nicely peppery with lots of red fruit. Nice blend of dusky Petite Sirah and the spicy Syrah. Very enjoyable.

2013 Flora Springs Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California

From the Winery; Our Napa Valley Chardonnay combines the enticing characteristics of three highly renowned sub-appellations within Napa Valley: Oakville, Carneros, and St. Helena. Blending fruit from the warmer appellations on the valley floor and the cool, rolling hills of Carneros allows us to craft a Chardonnay with great intensity and restraint. This bottling balances shimmering bright acidity with the full-bodied, concentrated fruit flavors found in grapes sourced from our sustainably farmed vineyards. Aged 8 months in 15% oak barrels, 22% oak ovals, 63% stainless steel tanks. Our 2013 vintage shows rich aromas of juicy green pear and candied ginger with a hint of crème fraiche and vanilla bean. The palate is bright and crisp, bursting with juicy Granny Smith apples and lemongrass. An underlying creaminess - reminiscent of fresh baked brioche - adds warmth to this crisp, refreshing Chardonnay, which finishes with spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.

A nicely put together Chard – some oak but a lot of juicy green apple and hints of citrus. Nice finish, too. On sale for around $15 makes it even better.

2007 Chateau Larose Trintaudon Cru Bourgeois, Haut Medoc, France

Beautiful ruby color with violet hues. A rich array of aromas from the spicy: black pepper and menthol hints, to the fruity: wild black currant and blackberry scents. Great roundness and fullness as well as superb tannic structure and balance. A fi ne, clear-cut, homogeneous wine where ripe fruit is present from beginning to end. The silky finish with excellent length. A truly enjoyable wine!

2010 Chateau Larose Trintaudon Cru Bourgeois, Haut Medoc, France

Beautiful dark ruby color with quite an intense bouquet bringing together aromas of red ripe berries (raspberry) as well as spicier vanilla notes. On the palate the wine is incredibly round with a dense tannic structure, yet not overly massive. Great freshness finished off by slight mineral undertones and a silky texture. Without a doubt the best Larose Trintaudon of these last 25 years! Please decant two hours before tasting. To be enjoyed by 2020.

OK – got to do a Vintage tasting with the wine group. We had these two years of this wine. The 2007 started out a little chunky and not quite together. The 2010, typical of the vintage, was vewry smooth and well structured. After a day on the counter with a cork in it, the 2007 reallly smoothed out and was a great compliment to a meal. The 2010 stayed about the same, not really getting better, but not worse. The tannin level dipped a little, but it was still there on the finish. Nice to let a large group try something like this and the next two wines.

2009 Chateau Paloumy, Cru Bourgeois, Haut Medoc, France

Wine Enthusiast 92

"With a blend that is half Cabernet Sauvignon, half Merlot, this is as rich as the year. The weight of fruit is borne by sweet tannins and layers of wood toast. There is a very dense dusty texture along with fine acidity and final blackberry fruit. It is for aging over the next 45 years."

2012 Chateau Paloumy, Cru Bourgeois, Haut Medoc, France

In the south of Haut-Médoc, near Bordeaux, Paloumey has been revived as a vineyard in the last 20 years. This 2012 is full of ripe black fruits, aged in new wood with its mint flavors. It has a good tannic structure, so it will age well. Drink from 2017

Another moderate priced Bordeaux trying two vintages side by side. Both were good years – the 2009 was drinking great. The 2012 seemed a little more closed, not seeming to reach its full potential. Several days after opening, the 2009 still shined bright; the 2012 just seemed to stay put. There were some tannins, but neither is a real tannin bomb.  Both of these 2 French wines can be found from $18 to 25 range. Nice little bottles to have with a meal and feel like you are splurging.

2014 Dry Creek Fume Blanc. Sonoma County, California

"At first swirl, this beautiful wine emanates the classic Dry Creek Vineyard “house” style of Sauvignon Blanc with crisp lemon-lime citrus characters and a zesty mineral edge. Several more turns of the glass reveal tart green apple, fresh grass and a steely quality that harkens to a good Sancerre. On the palate, the wine dances with wonderful bright fresh fruit notes and juicy acidity. The wine is bone dry but not overly so - it has a lovely intensity that finishes clean and pure. A wonderful wine that is simply delicious!"

Sauvignon Blanc is one of my least favorite wines. It doesn’t do much for me – whether it is oaked, unoaked, from New Zealand or anywhere. That being said, this was a rather nice $13 bottle to have with Turkey. The acidity matched with food very well and the flavors were good; not too much citrus and grass.  I could have this again, only under $10, if possible…

Hope you enjoyed - till next time, Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

A Few October Wines

Still trying to finish some other tasting notes, meanwhile, enjoy these!

2013 The Prisoner Wine Co. Blindfold White Wine Napa Valley, Ca

2013 The Prisoner Wine Co. Blindfold White Wine Napa Valley, Ca

Winemaker's Notes

The wine opens up with alluring aromas of freshly peeled mandarin orange, peach nectar, and honeydew melon. Hints of white citrus blossom, marzipan and toasted hazelnut add a nice layer of complexity. On the palette, the wine has a rich creamy entry that is balanced by bright acidity and minerality. These characteristics carry through to the finish with flavors of lime zest and toasted marshmallow.

RP90

The Wine Advocate - "A blend of 30% Chardonnay, 20% Viognier, 20% Roussanne and the balance Grenache Blanc, Chenin Blanc and a few other grapes, the 2013 Proprietary White Blindfold is close in quality to the brilliant 2012 I reviewed last year. Reminiscent of some of Sine Qua Non's white wines from California’s Central Coast, the 2013 is more zesty, and plays it closer to the vest, but it offers lovely notes of fresh pineapple, tangerine skins, orange marmalade, melon and honeysuckle. I wish more California wineries would consider using such innovative blends as this given the high quality that can result. This beauty should be enjoyed over the next several years."

This was an impressive white wine – surprising balance with great overtones of honeysuckle and melon, and a layer of zest to bring completeness to the mouthfeel.   Nice finish – a “meaty” white wine that is very good. Got it on close out, makes it even better!

2011 Cantina del Nebbiolo Barbaresco

Wine Enthusiast

93 Points

Red rose, balsamic herbs, red berry and baking spice aromas jump out of the glass. The succulent palate weaves together lush black cherry, cinnamon, eucalyptus, licorice and orange peel sensations that are supported by velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2015 through 2021.

Made from nebbiolo grapes grown on vineyards in Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso and Alba. Fermentations with lengthy stays on the skins followed by ageing in oak casks produce an intensely red wine with slight hints of garnet, a complex nose of ripe red fruit and spicy overtones, and a warm, mouth-filling flavour with soft tannins, great elegance and an excellent finish.

Italian wines seem to be best with food. Alone this was OK, not great. A little light in color, moderate nose – the flavors weren’t as distinct until I had it with dinner. Tannins are very light, but the finish is moderate – available for around $20-25. Worth the money for some good pasta or Italian style meal.

2011 PORTADA Winemakers Selection red, Lisboa, Portugal

Grapes

Tinta Roriz, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Caladoc, Castelão, Pinot Noir, Touriga Nacional.

DFJ Vinhos 2011 Portada Winemaker's Selection Tinto Red (Lisboa)

WE         90 Points              Best Buy

A dark colored, dense wine that is rich and firmly structured. Aged in wood, it holds flavors of plum and berry fruits balanced with a fresh acidity. This is a wine for aging, its structure a powerful statement. Drink from 2014.

Tasting Notes: This deep, ruby red, medium-bodied wine has berry fruit flavours and a beautiful balance, very smooth and tasty with notes of matured red fruits, compote of fruits and honey

This is a $10 inexpensive wine that packs a lot of fruit and flavor in a tidy package.  Not a complete fruit bomb, there is some finesse – no real tannins. The finish is not too long, but a very good “school night” wine or a second bottle open type. Can’t beat the price.

Until later, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines!

2005 Bordeaux

A Review of 4 different 2005 Bordeaux wines

Wonderful tasting at Stockemeyer's farm courtesy of Chris "Anton" Kowalski

A white Bordeaux as a gathering wine

Clos Des Lunes Lune D'Argent Bordeaux 2015

"The 2015 Lune d'Argent is a blend of one-third Semillon and two-thirds Sauvignon Blanc that had been bottled in March 2016. It was cropped at 25 hectoliters per hectare. It has quite a forward, rich, generous bouquet with subtle honeysuckle and apricot notes merging with the apply aromas. The palate is fresh and crisp on the entry, a little grassiness at first, gently opening up to a gooseberry, nettle and green apple-flavored finish. This might be my pick of Olivier Bernard's three 2015 offerings under the Clos des Lunes label and it comes highly recommended." -Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com #224, Apr 2016
Reviewed by: The Wine Advocate - 90 pts

This was a very nice White from France. Nice nose of honeysuckle – bright fresh flavors of some citrus, a touch of grass, apricots and green apple. Good clean finish.

Now the wonderful four from 2005

Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2005

Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Julien, Bordeaux, France

Winemaker's Notes  Elegant, refined, complex and well-balanced wine. Intense color and velvety texture. They are excellent keeping wines.

W&S95

Wine & Spirits - "This wine's heady rush of flavor gave one taster goosebumps. She called it sexy. "Formidable." Other technical descriptions included "the shazam," "has zazz," and "unprintable. That's some serious s#¡†." At the en primeur tastings, this appeared to be chunky and superripe. Now it's massive, with dark extract and exotic spice, a sophisticated wine that ends on sweetness, bitter chocolate and dark berry fruit. With all the flash, it will give a lot of pleasure as a young wine, but it has the plump Poyferré terroir drive to sustain that pleasure for years to come."

WE94

Wine Enthusiast - "Hugely concentrated and packed with tannins, this wine shows considerable amounts of dark, extracted fruit. It wins out on impressive power, driving the fruit through the tannins, giving great richness."

Château Léoville-Poyferré is a winery in the Saint-Julien appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. Château Léoville-Poyferré is also the name of the red wine produced by this property. The wine produced here was classified as one of fifteen Deuxièmes Crus (Second Growths) in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.

Léoville-Poyferré was once part of the much larger Léoville estate until the time of the French Revolution when it was separated into Château Léoville-Las Cases and Château Léoville-Barton. In 1840, Château Léoville-Las Cases was again divided and Château Léoville-Poyferré created from a piece of the land.

The color is still dark and deep, moderate nose of dark fruits.  Broad red and black fruit; some bramble and dried fig. Fairly long  finish with a little tannin.  Very nice.

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2005

Winemaker's Notes

Château Smith Haut Lafitte's great terroir of deep Gunzian gravel, with old vines sinking several metres into the soil, produced stupendous results: the wines have a concentration, texture, and class never before seen.

Blend: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet franc, 1% Petit Verdot.

RP95

The Wine Advocate - "One can’t say enough about the accomplishments the Cathiards have achieved at this property since 1990. Prior to their purchase of the property, appallingly diluted, vegetal, fruitless, charmless wines were produced, but they have turned Smith-Haut-Lafitte into a showcase Pessac-Leognan. The inky/blue/purple-tinged 2005's extraordinary nose reeks of charcoal, incense, scorched earth, abundant blackberry, blueberry, and cherry fruit, toast, and spice. Good acidity, huge but sweet tannin, and fabulous precision as well as definition characterize this full-bodied, super-concentrated effort. It should prove to be among the longest-lived wines yet made by the Cathiards. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+."

W&S94

Wine & Spirits - "The Cathiards have invested heavily in this property since they purchased it in the early 1990s. It is one of the great terroirs of the Graves, a raised plateau of gravel where the vines produce a rich and powerful wine. That power is amplified in a vintage like 2005 into a huge, cassis-driven red with the velvet feel of a favorite childhood pillow. The Cathiards do not spare the new oak, a character that dominates this young wine, while the fruit underneath feels healthy and clean, vibrating with tension, set for a long life ahead."

Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a Bordeaux wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Crus Classés for red wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1953 and 1959.^[1] The winery and vineyards are located south of the city of Bordeaux, in the commune of Martillac.

The estate originates in the 14th century with the house of Verrier Du Boscq who planted vines on a gravelly plateau named Lafitte already in 1365. In 1720 it was bought by the Scotsman Georges Smith who added his name to the lieu-dit (English: place-name), and who built the manor house of the property.

The Louis Eschenauer company bought estate in 1958, after having already distributed the wine from the early 20th century. In 1990, Daniel Cathiard bought Smith Haut Lafitte and embarked on an investment programme, including the building of a new cellar.

Big nose of red fruit, cassis and gunpowder.  Mouth feel has a good acid balance with some tannin still remaining; black cherry, black currant power to a chunky finish – compared to the St Julien wine.

Chateau Clerc Milon 2005

Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

11 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2008

The wine has a deep color with a violet tint.The nose opens on pleasant smoky notes, followed by intense and powerful ripe berry fruit aromas, especially cassis and wild strawberry. Full-bodied and expansive on the palate, it displays close-knit tannins and a range of generous, varied flavors including blackberry, cherry, spice and licorice. The ample and well-balanced finish combines the solidity of a well-defined structure with the charm and fullness of rich flavours enfolded in refined and judicious oak.

WS95

Wine Spectator - "Offers fabulous aromas of currant, tar, lead pencil and mineral. Full-bodied, with supersoft tannins that caress the palate. Beautiful and impressive. A fabulous wine. The best Clerc in a very long time. Best after 2014. 10,000 cases made."

W&S93

Wine & Spirits - "On a 107-acre site between Mouton and Lafite, Clerc Milon is part of G.F.A. Baronne Philippine de Rothschild, a group of properties including Mouton and managed by the same team. In 2005, the team produced a great performance from this vineyard, a clean, pure wine with delicacy and energy rather than tannic overload. Not that it isn't laden with tannins, but the bright, wild cherry fruit flavor is a formidable partner, lasting for minutes through a buoyant finish. A supple, lovely wine that will go the distance with some of its more powerful neighbors."

Château Clerc Milon is a property in the Pauillac appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. The wine produced here was classified as one of eighteen Cinquièmes Crus (Fifth Growths) in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.^[1]

Château Clerc Milon is located in the northern part of the Pauillac appellation, with its winery building in the village of Mousset. Clerc Milon is surrounded by two first growth including Château Mouton Rothschild.

The name of the estate is derived from its former owner Jean-Baptiste Clerc, who owned it at the time of the 1855 classification, and the village of Milon. Once Jacques Mondon had come into possession of some vineyards that had previously been part of the Clerc-Milon estate, and after Clerc's death in 1863, he mounted a successful legal challenge to be allowed to use the Clerc-Milon name for his vineyards, which became the origin of the current-day Château Clerc Milon. Mondon subsequently adopted the name Clerc-Milon-Mondon for his estate.

In 1970, Château Clerc-Milon-Mondon was purchased by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the owner of Château Mouton Rothschild. At this time, the property was in poor shape and consisted of 16.5 hectares (41 acres) of vineyards. Rothschild removed the Mondon part of the name, and subsequently expanded the estate by purchasing additional vineyards that had previously been part of Clerc Milon.

Château Clerc Milon's label is illustrated by a pair of dancers made of precious stones which is displayed in the Museum of Wine in Art at Château Mouton Rothschild. This decorative work belonged to Catherine II, the Empress of Russia and is inspired by characters of the Commedia dell'Arte. Baroness Philippine de Rothschild chose it as the Clerc Milon emblem because of her love of the theatre.

Lighter nose – little lighter in color than previous ones. Smooth flavors of red berries, currants with less tannins and a modest aftertaste.  Silky, but less of a wine than the others.

Chateau Rauzan-Segla 2005

Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France

An elegant fragrant bouquet, lots of taste on the palate, a well-balanced structure and very great elegance. For this vintage we took our time and were able to be even more meticulous than usual really taking advantage of the sorting tables and competence of the people we have trained.

WS97

Wine Spectator - "Very beautiful aromas of crushed berry, flowers, currant and Indian spices follow through to a full body, with ultrafine tannins and a long, long finish. Extremely polished and beautiful, with a seamless texture. Best after 2014."

WE96

Wine Enthusiast - "A wine with a beautiful mouthfeel and shape. This is rich, gleaming in the ripe black fruits, the touch of spice and mint, as well as the sweet blackberry flavors. The acidity is balanced, showing off the fruit. There is weight and density as well. "

Château Rauzan-Ségla, or Château Rausan-Ségla, is a winery in the Margaux appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. Château Rauzan-Ségla is also the name of the red wine produced by this property. The wine produced here was classified as one of fifteen Deuxièmes Crus (Second Growths) in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. The alternate name "Rausan-Ségla" was also frequently used until 1994 when the original "Rauzan-Ségla" again became the official name.

Rauzan-Ségla was once part of the vast Rausan estate owned by Pierre de Mesures de Rauzan in the mid-17th century. Over time, this estate was divided, and by the time of the 1855 Classification, had been separated into the estates of Château Rauzan-Gassies, Château Rauzan-Ségla, Château Desmirail, and Château Marquis de Terme.

After a long ownership by the Durand-Dasier family, the estate was acquired by Frédéric Cruse of the Cruse family in 1903 who held ownership until 1957, and until 1989 it belonged to Liverpool shipping magnate John Holt. By 1982 the estate had hired the consultant services of Émile Peynaud, and in 1989 the property was purchased by Brent Walker. In 1994 he sold the estate on to the Wertheimer family of Chanel, who installed a winemaking team led by David Orr and John Kolasa (both from Chateau Latour). Chanel remain the current owners, and they are credited with continuing to push the quality ever higher. In 2014, Nicolas Audebert, the former winemaker at Cheval des Andes, the LVMH property in Mendoza Argentina, was hired to replace John Kolasa.

Nice nose of red and black fruits. Flavor powered by blackberry, black cherry and nuances of spice- cardamom or curry like. Nice length of finish with some tannins remaining. Heavier weight than previous wines – very nice.

The wines were ranked by the attendees in this order:

1. 2005 Chateau Rauzan-Segla Margaux

2. 2005 Chateau Clerc-Milon Pauillac
3. 2005 Chateau Leoville Poyferre Saint Julien
4. 2005 Chateau Smith-Haut Lafitte Graves
All were formidable wines drinking in excellent shape for 11 years of age. Should have then again in a another 5 years or so.  Hope you enjoyed – I’ve included my presentation of the wines as well as my notes.
Till later, keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grape vines.