Wine Regions & Grapes
Sampling of Wineries
Acorn Andrea Oberto Atlas Peak Benziger Beringer Blandy's Bodega Navarro Correas Burgans Cantina Terlano Chimney Rock Chronicle Domaine Carneros Domaine de la Mordoree Dow's Dr. Loosen Emilio Lustau Fonseca Foxen Gaston Riviere Glen Ellen Hess Collection Innocent Bystander Kendall-Jackson Korbel La Caudrina Luna Vineyards Madeira Wine Company Martin Codax Masi Merryvale Mulderbosch Navarro Vineyards Pahlmeyer Roederer Estate Ruggeri Sawyer Cellars Sbragia Six Sigma Winery St. James Steltzner Vineyards Trinchero Winery Trione V. Sattui Winery William Fevre Wilson Winery
Monthly Archives: October 2007
Wisconsin Delight
Wollersheim Winery American Seyval Semi-Dry Prairie Fume 2006 This smells of citrus, in particular lime with a candied element. It’s very clean and bottled under Stelvin so no risk of cork taint. In the mouth is a lovely sweet-tart character … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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New World Rhone
Pirramimma McLaren Vale Old Bush Vine Grenache 2003 The last two tastings of this wine earlier in 2007 showed the fruit of Grenache with ever-integrating oak. Again tonight it is supple and the raisiny fruit is surounded by acidity and … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Valley, Australia, California, Grenache, McLaren Vale, Rhone Blend
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A Classic Muscat From Down Under
Chambers Rosewood Vineyards Rutherglen Muscat nv This wine is concentrated and thick displaying its fruit with great complexity. The raisined grapes come from old vines, some from beginning of 1900s. P&B in Rutherglen Lot#6338 for the first sample and Lot#06039 … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Fortified dessert, Muscat, Rutherglen
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New World White Flight
This flight features 2 grapes, 3 wines and 3 countries. Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This is in-your-face Sauvignon with bell pepper and lots of acid. All stainless with some lees contact. 13% $9.49 at Bottle Barn Oyster Bay … Continue reading
Muscat Love
Mas Amiel Muscat de Rivesaltes 2005 A vin doux naturel from the esteemed producer in Maury. My notes from early 2007 state: stunning – a fresh and light-bodied dessert wine that brims with Muscat fruit; the alcohol adds body but … Continue reading
Posted in France, Muscat, Rivesaltes
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Rhone Richaud
Domaine Richaud Cairanne Cotes du Rhone Villages 2005 When I visited with Marcel Richaud a few years ago, his red wines were concentrated and demonstrated the value in this appellation. Bottles tasted here at home from the 2003 vintage were … Continue reading
Posted in France, Grenache, Rhône
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Welcome to France
This flight features 3 whites and offers an opportunity to contrast acid levels, weight and residual sugar. Chateau Sainte-Marie Entre-Deux-Mers Vielles Vignes 2005 Of the 2004 I noted a perfect balance of the grapes used and a great value. This … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Chablis, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Entre-Deux-Mers, France, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Uncategorized, Vouvray
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Riesling vs. Sauternes
Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes 1er Cru 2003 The wine makes me crave a lemon tart as you taste a reflection of the butter in the crust in the viscosity and butter/caramel tones in the wine and a reflection of the zippy … Continue reading
Bordeaux and Napa
Chateau Nenin Pomerol 2003 My earlier notes this year show a supple wine filled through with blue fruit. Tonight the wine is very polished, soft in profile with oak as an integrated nuance. From the Delon family, Jean-Hubert and Michel, … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, France, Napa Valley
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Racy Riesling
This flight features 4 Rieslings from trocken to Spat and Germany to Monterey Carl Loewen Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Varidor Riesling Trocken 2005 Grapes sourced entirely from the Varidor Vineyard, wild yeast ferment and aging in neutral oak fuder. Terry Theise Selection, Qualitatswein … Continue reading
Posted in California, Germany, Monterey County, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Riesling
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Blending Zin
Zin not only stands alone but is featured prominently in blends from budget to chic. Trentadue Sonoma County Old Patch Red 2005 Perceptibly sweet and slightly effervescent, 70% Zin, 20% Petite Sirah, 5.5% Carignane, 4.5% Syrah sourced from Alexander, Russian … Continue reading
Sweet Wine from the Bay
Rosenblum Cellars San Francisco Bay Castanho Vineyard Zinfandel Port 2003 Viscous and full of vanilla. Noticeable but appropriate sense of alcohol for a port style of wine. This vineyard hails from Contra Costa County and was aged in US and … Continue reading
Posted in California, Contra Costa County, Port, Zinfandel
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A Visit to Lodi
This flight features 2 wines from an area that has distinguished itself for its long-established vineyards and good values. Gnarly Head Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2005 Jammy liquer-like fruit and sweet vanilla in the nose. The wine is light-bodied, sweet … Continue reading
Posted in California, Lodi, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel
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Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class Desserts
Holdredge Russian River Valley Saralee’s Vineyard Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2006 36.4 Brix at harvest and 10.2% RS, P&B Healdsburg 13.65% $26.99 at Bottle Barn (375ml) Holdgredge Davis Family Russian River Valley Rapport Fortified Old Vine Zinfandel Dessert Wine 2005 V&B … Continue reading
Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class Zinfandel
Mozzocco Dry Creek Valley Matrix Zinfandel 2005 Winemaker Antoine Favero V&B in Healdsburg 16.1% $36.49 at Bottle Barn
Posted in California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
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Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class Bordeaux Varieties
Nelson Estate Sonoma Valley Bennett Valley Vineyard Malbec 2004 The nose is oak city and the palate is very supple with moderate acidity and a long finish. I think that many will find this wine agreeable and readily approachable. Aged … Continue reading
Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class Syrah and Petite
Stark Russian River Valley Cuvee Julian Syrah 2004 This is Syrah that is not afraid to be tannic with lots of alcohol showing in the nose and the mouth. There’s 2% Viognier in the final blend and the fruit is … Continue reading
Sonoma County Harvest Fair Red Wine Sweepstakes Winner and More
This flight features Pinot all day. The first wine won Best of Class and went onto win the big award. The second is a red Burgundy from a top producer. Wines 3 and 4 were in the running for the … Continue reading
Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class Pink Wine
Kunde Estate Sonoma Valley Grenache Rose 2006 A clean wine with parfum and strawberries framed by great acidity. We awarded this wine a Gold Medal and it won best of Class of the 10 pink wines tasted. The wine also … Continue reading
Posted in California, Grenache, Rosé, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
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Sonoma County Harvest Fair White Wine Sweepstakes Winner and More
This flight features 2 Best of Class Winners in the Fair. The first is the BOC Chardonnay under $20, which came up through our panel of judges. The third wine is the BOC Chardonnay above $20 that went on to … Continue reading
Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class Sparkling
Gloria Ferrer Sonoma County Methode Champenoise Blanc de Noirs nv This is a perennial favorite in my classes. The silky, lowish acid profile combined with the dosage earns this wine many fans. 92% Pinot Noir and 8% Chardonnay, color from … Continue reading
Posted in Blanc de Noirs, California, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
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Light and Bubbly Dessert
La Morandina Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2006 This wine smells of orange blossoms and ginger and tastes sweet while light bodied and ready and willing to accompany your next bowl of raspberries. Bot in Castiglione Tinella in Cuneo 5.5% $17.99 at … Continue reading
Posted in Brachetto, Italy, Muscat, Piemonte, Sweet Sparkling
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Que Syrah – This Syrah
This flight features 3 Syrah from both sides of the Atlantic. Domaine des Entrefaux Crozes-Hermitage 2005 Black pepper and structure in a good value Northern Rhone Syrah. Charles & Francois Tardy a Chanos-Curson 12.5% $14.49 at Bottle Barn Lewis Cellars … Continue reading
Posted in California, Cote-Rotie, Crozes-Hermitage, France, Rhône, Sonoma County
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