Monthly Archives: August 2008

Going the distance

Posted on August 31, 2008 by Ray

I’ve often been guilty of asserting that Zinfandel doesn’t last. I’ve opened too many aging Zins to find them falling apart, so much so that I had given up aging them. And honestly, it’s not so bad drinking them when … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

Phoenix flight

Posted on August 30, 2008 by Ray

When Vacu-Dry ceased operations in Sebastopol, California, many bemoaned the continuing decline of the apple industry in Sonoma’s West County region. Yet from those ashes many a high-flying phoenix has taken flight. The large and rather dingy industrial complex that … Continue reading →

Posted in Anderson Valley, California, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Hunter Valley, Lodi, Mendocino County, Mendocino Ridge, New South Wales, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Semillon, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

Geneva starburst

Posted on August 29, 2008 by Ray

Belhurst, Finger Lakes, Cayuga 2006 There’s lots of citrus and stone fruits to smell and the palate dazzles with the sweet and tart character of Middle Mosel Rieslings – delicious. The RS is 2.7%. P&B in Geneva 12.5% $14.95 at … Continue reading →

Posted in Cayuga White, Finger Lakes, New York | Leave a comment

Bandol legend

Posted on August 27, 2008 by Ray

Domaine Tempier, Bandol 2005 The black fruit is blended with herbs of the region, fresh from the landscape and an element of meat on the grill. In the mouth there is lots of fruit wrapped up in tannic youthfulness. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Bandol, France, Mourvedre, Provence | Leave a comment

Baux rose et rouge

Posted on August 27, 2008 by Ray

Mas de Gourgonnier, Les Baux de Provence, Rose 2007 The fresh fruit is evident in this low acid rose. This estate was farming organically before many jumped on board and all of the wines are today certified organic. The 2007 … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Les Baux de Provence, Provence, Rosé | Leave a comment

Budget Alsatians

Posted on August 27, 2008 by Ray

Trimbach, Alsace, Pinot Blanc 2005 Light floral notes mark the nose and the mouth has a rather creamy texture, very little residual sugar, a moderate amount of acid and the taste of stone fruits; it’s nice and simple for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alsace, France, Pinot Blanc, Riesling | Leave a comment

Charge!

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Ray

La Spinetta, Barbaresco DOCG, Vigneto Starderi 2004 The previous vintage was a concentrated, oaky heavyweight, still in its infancy when tasted in late ’07. This ’04 smells of sweet oak and New World fruit. Again we see a tannic monster … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, Nebbiolo, Piemonte | Leave a comment

Besides the big guns there are…

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Ray

Cascina Castle’t, Barbera d’Asti DOC 2005 Blueberries and plums in a light-bodied, high acid format. Estate bottled by Maria Borio in Costigliole d’Asti 13.5% $11.99 at Traverso’s Cascina Castlet Bruno Giacosa, Dolcetto d’Alba DOC 2007 There’s an overtly, Beaujolais-like character … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Leave a comment

Italian whites heading nw

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Ray

Ceretto, Langhe, Arneis DOC, Blange’ 2007 This is quite fresh with lots of flowers, citrus fruit, moderate acidity and a light body. Blange is the name of Ceretto’s estate property, devoted to Arneis, spread over two villages. The wine’s production … Continue reading →

Posted in Arneis, Cortese, Gavi di Gavi, Italy, Langhe, Petite Sirah | Leave a comment

Different desserts

Posted on August 21, 2008 by Ray

Bonterra, Lake County, Bartolucci Vineyard, Muscat 2004 This wine has been well-made since the good old days when the you could taste it at the beautiful Valley Oaks facility. There are the compelling floral notes associated with Muscat plus some … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cucamonga Valley, Lake County, Muscat, Sherry, White Dessert | Leave a comment

Power to the Pinot!

Posted on August 21, 2008 by Ray

Artesa, Carneros, Estate Reserve, Pinot Noir 2006 Artesa has been making some great wines and has shown greater success with their still wine program. This is a light-bodied, red fruit expression of Pinot with the warmth of alcohol. Winemaker David … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Carneros, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sta. Rita Hills | Leave a comment

Mature Fogarty

Posted on August 21, 2008 by Ray

Thomas Fogarty, Monterey, Gewurztraminer 2003 Kudos to Fogarty for continuing to produce this wine. Earlier this summer we tasted the ’06 which was showing these youthful characteriestics: spicy floral notes, a hint of RS and the taste of fresh lychee … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Gewurztraminer, Monterey County | Leave a comment

Set sail

Posted on August 21, 2008 by Ray

Dry Creek Vineyard, Sonoma County, Fume Blanc 2006 This wine has been a good standard for a budget Sauvignon. There’s plenty of citrus and ample acidity making this clean and dry. Production is all stainless. 13.5% $14.50 at the winery … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

From SF head east

Posted on August 21, 2008 by Ray

Rombauer, California, Zinfandel 2006 This has always been on the very rich end of Zin styles with perceptible residual sugar – nonetheless a crowd-pleaser. This vintage follows the same path. The fruit is 59% Amador, 24% Napa, 11% lake and … Continue reading →

Posted in Amador County, California, El Dorado County, Lake County, Napa Valley, Sierra Foothills, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

Up and down the Rhone

Posted on August 20, 2008 by Ray

E. Guigal, Cotes du Rhone 2005 This wine is typically on the more polished side of Rhone blends with a hint of oak. That sense comes through again with a bit of earth and dried fruits. The blend is 55% … Continue reading →

Posted in Cotes du Rhone, Crozes-Hermitage, France, Grenache, Syrah | Leave a comment

In the pink

Posted on August 20, 2008 by Ray

Domaine de la Mordoree, Cotes-du-Rhone, La Dame Rousse, Rose 2007 Smells of strawberry showing quite full-on tonight. There’s a broad mouthfeel with the follow-on fruit to taste and added weight from the alcohol – very nice. Tasted again in late … Continue reading →

Posted in Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Syrah | Leave a comment

Italian classics

Posted on August 19, 2008 by Ray

Castello della Paneretta, Chianti Classico DOCG 2005 There’s loads of acidity and the taste of cherries. The grapes behind this wine are 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo. Estate bottled in Barberino val d’Elsa 13% $17.99 at Traverso’s Paneretta Andrea Oberto, … Continue reading →

Posted in Chianti Classico, Italy, Langhe, Nebbiolo, Piemonte, Sangiovese, Tuscany | Leave a comment

Grigio

Posted on August 19, 2008 by Ray

Cantina Terlano, Alto Adige, Pinot Grigio DOC 2007 The 2006 showed the palpable acidity one would expect. The ’07 is again right-on with fresh fruits and perfume with plenty of acidityBottled in Terlano 13% $19.99 at Traverso’s Terlano

Posted in Alto Adige, Italy, Pinot Gris and Grigio | Leave a comment

Something to crow about

Posted on August 18, 2008 by Ray

Red Rooster, Okanagan Valley VQA, Rose 2006 There’s the smell and taste of candied strawberries and a slippery viscous texture. The grapes behind the wine are 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Produced in Penticton 13% $15.99 Canadian for … Continue reading →

Posted in British Columbia, Canada, Okanagan Valley, Pinot Noir, Rosé | Leave a comment

Artsy rose

Posted on August 15, 2008 by Ray

Hillebrand, Ontario VQA, Artist Series, Gamay Noir Rose 2006 There’s a scent of toffee and candied fruit that leads an expectation of sweetness yet there’s plenty of acidity to make this dry rose refreshing. Vinted in Niagara-on-the-Lake 12% $11.95 Canadian … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Leave a comment

Summer whites

Posted on August 14, 2008 by Ray

Whitehaven, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This is full-throttle gooseberries and herbaceousness with loads of acidity – a delicious mouthful of citrus fruit and green peppers. Our friends Chuck and Barbara brought over the ’06 version to share with us at … Continue reading →

Posted in Marlborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc | Leave a comment

OAP Mourvedre

Posted on August 12, 2008 by Ray

Jade Mountain, Contra Costa County, Evangelho Vineyard, Mourvedre 2005 There are some reductive notes in the nose to accompany the black fruit. In the mouth there’s a fair amount of acidity, light body and a sense of the alcohol’s warmth. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Contra Costa County, Mourvedre | Leave a comment

A pig in a poke?

Posted on August 7, 2008 by Ray

Twisted PiG, California, Pinot Grigio 2006 There’s almost nothing to smell and the mouth is akin to water with a little citric acid and alcohol thrown in. It’s not bad in an offensive way, it’s just so lacking in any … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Pinot Gris and Grigio | Leave a comment

Little one in the woods

Posted on August 6, 2008 by Ray

Rancho Sisquoc, Santa Barbara County, Sylvaner 2007 There’s a bit of flintiness in the nose. Sylvaner isn’t typically an aromatic daredevil so that’s OK. In the mouth there’s a very grapy flavor, almost like a native labrusca, very hard to … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Clarksburg, Petite Sirah, Santa Barbara County, Sylvaner | Leave a comment

Better boxes

Posted on August 5, 2008 by Ray

Wine Cube, California, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 It’s definitely easier to maintain one’s self-delusional status by not talking about or tasting or drinking wine from a box. Yet we have to speak out when the wine is serviceable and the carbon … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California | Leave a comment