This flight features two Mendo wines, one Zinfandel and the other Primitivo. Chiarito Mendocino Estate Bottled Zinfandel 2004 Quite structured with concentration of berries to keep up - a little warm. There's 11% Petite Sirah in the final blend....
The Russian River is known best around the world as the home of great New World Pinot Noir. But we can't count out the Zin. There are old vineyards delivering concentrated flavors and wines that can be known for their elegance and acidity,...
Wilson Winery Dry Creek Valley Sawyer Vineyard Zinfandel 2005 This is definitely jammy with a healthy dose of black pepper. In the mouth the same jammy fruit and black pepper come through in a structured, tannic package. You might remember the...
La Montecchia Colli Euganei DOC Fior d’Arancio Spumante Dolce 2005 Fresh and full of orange blossom and ginger just like Moscato d’Asti. The taste is strongly reminiscent of ginger ale; perhaps this is adult ginger ale. Today's bottle was also...
Valpolicella is a fascinating area where red wines are constructed from varying degrees of dried grapes. This flight runs from straight-on harvested fruit to all raisins, yet each of the wines is dry. Allegrini Valpolicella Classico DOC 2005 The...
In the Veneto there are other red wines to discover, beyond the usual suspects Valpolicella and Bardolino. Vignalta Colli Euganei DOC Rosso Riserva 2001 Soft and light-bodied, this wine shows cherry fruit with herbaceous notes and a complexing hint...
Gini Soave Classico DOC 2005 Stone fruit characteristics yet losing freshness - disappointing compared to previous tasting of the same vintage. Yet, all is not lost. I just purchased another bottle, same vintage same source, and the wine is spot...
Ruggeri Argeo Prosecco nv Not much concentration and very little sense of Prosecco bubble gum qualities - disappointing 11% $14.99 at Traveso's Ruggeri Prosecco di Valdobbiadene DOC Santo Stefano Dry nv Sweet with classic bubble gum flavors....
Tempranillo plays a key role in the Spanish region of Rioja and along the river Duero aka Douro on the other side of the border in Portugal. In the latter country Tempranillo goes by the name of Tinta Roriz or simply Roriz. This flight looks at...
Eno Mendocino County Eaglepoint Ranch Grenache 2005 Soft and full of lolly, 11 mos in neutral French oak, P&B in Berkeley 14.5% $19.99 at BB enowines.com Vinicola del Priorat Priorat DOQ Ònix Classic 2005 Dense berry and cherry fruit with ample...