10 September 2013 2011 Gary Farrell Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2011 Gary Farrell Russian River Valley Chardonnay

September 10, 2013 By

2011 Gary Farrell ChardonnayThis wine from Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir pioneer, Gary Farrell Vineyards, has further opened my mind to California Chardonnay. While I enjoy unoaked Cali Chardonnays, this outstanding wine’s great level of acidity balances the oak it sees from seven months in 40% new French oak making it enjoyable for folks who aren’t necessarily fans of buttery, over-oaked Chardonnay.

The nose is of plums and caramel apples. Apple carries over to the flavor profile along with ripe pear and Meyer lemon notes. Creamy and lightly buttery texture with a crisp finish.

Simply a beautiful example of Russian River Valley Chardonnay.

Pairings: Creamy cheeses, seafood.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay

Region: Russian River Valley, CA, USA

Price: $35

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Chardonnay, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
29 August 2013 2007 Heron Hill Ingle Vineyard Riesling Icewine

2007 Heron Hill Ingle Vineyard Riesling Icewine

August 29, 2013 By

2007 Heron Hill Riesling IcewineThis dessert wine is made from a small section of Ingle Vineyard’s younger vines (15 years old) and the grapes are harvested when frozen then hand-sorted.

In the glass, it’s strikingly golden with juicy tropical fruit, honey and jammy fig aromas. This is a rich and intense wine that’s not overly sweet and offers ripe apple flavors and a nice level of acidity.

Glad I secured four bottles of this delicious wine when I last visited Heron Hill as it’s now sold out.

Pairings: Cheese course, stone fruit or caramel desserts

Style: Sweet / Dessert Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Finger Lakes, NY, USA

Price: $49.99 (375ml)

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, Riesling, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
25 August 2013 Old York Cellars – Virtual Tasting

Old York Cellars – Virtual Tasting

August 25, 2013 By

Old York WinesOld York Cellars is one of New Jersey’s oldest vineyards and last week, old vines met new technology in a virtual wine tasting.

I’ve detailed the concept of virtual wine tasting in previous posts but for those of you who are new to virtual wine tastings, this is what the concept entails:

  • Buy a bottle of the wine varietal or brand being featured.
  • Invite friends to share the experience with you, or snuggle in your pajamas in front of the computer.
  • Sip and share your wine feedback with other tasters globally using the designated hashtag on Twitter and Facebook!

Old York Cellars’ vines have been active since 1978 and planted at what was Amwell Valley Vineyard at the time. The winery provided excellent chocolates for the tasting by Laurie’s Chocolates out of Bucks County, PA.

Here are my tasting notes from the featured wines:

2011 Old York Cellars Chardonnay

This Chardonnay is fermented in stainless steel then sees four months of medium oak. That process will please fan of unoaked Chardonnay as the oak is light but there’s a bit of butteryness that oaked Chardonnay fans will appreciate. This wine offers intense fruity flavors with a little vanilla and green apple on the finish. It has a nice level of acidity.

The Laurie’s Chocolates treat I liked best with this wine was the milk chocolate caramel.

Pairings: Roast chicken, salmon, pasta in light creamy sauce

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay

Price: $17

2011 Old York Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon sees 6 months of medium oak and is medium-bodied. Don’t expect a big, bold Napa Valley Cab here, this is lighter in flavor and texture with cherry flavors and a dry, soft finish. The Laurie’s Chocolates Cabernet Truffle couldn’t have been a better pairing.

Pairings: Grilled beef, tomato-based Italian dishes, mushroom dishes

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Price: $21

Old York Cellars has a summer music series and the events hosted at the property sound fun. I’m looking forward to making the trek down south for a tasting.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Culinary Travel Tales, Other Neat Things, United States Tagged With: , , ,
23 August 2013 Alba Vineyard – New Jersey Wines Anyone?

Alba Vineyard – New Jersey Wines Anyone?

August 23, 2013 By

Alba SignAward-winning Alba Vineyard is located in the rolling hills of Warren County in Milford, New Jersey. The winery and tasting room reside in an 1805-converted stone barn with an striking wood tasting bar, rustic stonewalls and old oak beams.

During our visit, Caroline, our Alba Vineyard Ambassador, let us sample several Alba wines. She was a gracious host and shared information about each wine and about the history of the winery founded in 1980. Alba is the only winery in New Jersey to only use French oak barrels. Head winemaker John Altmaier uses each barrel a maximum of four times then sells them to a local brandy and cognac maker.

Alba Outdoor Seating

Alba Outdoor Seating

The wines we enjoyed most are:

  • 2011 Dry Riesling ($16.99) – With this dry Riesling, winemaker John Altmaier endeavours to recreate the type of Rieslings produced in Alsace. The wine is rich yet crisp and had me craving Thai food. 100% Riesling.
  • Gewürztraminer ($18.99) – This floral wine with tons of pink grapefruit flavors won a gold medal at the Long Beach Grand Cru. A really pretty nice example of this aromatic varietal. 100% Gewurztraminer.
  • 2011 Chelsea Dry Rosé ($10.99) – Lovely light pink color from the Chambourcin skins, this crisp rosé offers big strawberry aromas and peach/strawberry flavors. Perfect wine to sip on a warm summer afternoon. 46% Cayuga, 46% Vidal Blanc, 8% Chambourcin.
  • 2010 Pinot Noir ($23.99) – Burgundian in style and light in the glass, this Pinot is full-bodied with big cherry flavors and a nice peppery finish. 100% Pinot Noir.
  • 2011 Barbera ($34.99) – This wine took me completely by surprise. Piedmont comes to Jersey? Round, elegant, velvety with great fruit flavor. 100% Barbera.
  • Red Raspberry ($16.99) – Was I just a bit skeptical of raspberry dessert wine? Yes. Was I pleasantly surprised after tasting it? Yes again. The raspberries used for this wine are picked at a local farm in Tewksbury. Simply a huge mouthful of raspberries enjoyable on its own and was super paired with dark chocolates during the tasting. Would be great in a cocktail also and Caroline suggested I replace the water in my favorite brownies recipe with this wine for a chocolate/raspberry combination that’s unbeatable. I’ll be trying that.
  • 2009 Vintage Port ($19.99) – While I’m not a huge Port fan, this Chambourcin-based version is pretty grand. Jammy fig flavors with just a hint of sweetness. Was gorgeous with dark chocolate and would be great with a cheese plate. 100% Chambourcin.

Alba’s Chelsea Cellars is a line of hand-crafted wines made with grapes from Sagemoor Vineyards, one of the most respected growers if the Columbia Valley of Washington state. Alba sources the finest Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Sagemoor to create the Chelsea Cellars wines. To ensure the freshest fruit possible, the grapes are shipped to New Jersey within 72 hours of picking.

The regular tasting is $10/person and the private tasting and tour is $15/person (must include 4 or more guests). Tastings are paired with cheeses, flat breads, seasonal fruits or appetizers.

Alba Vineyard

Store and Tasting Room

Guests are encouraged to buy a bottle and take it outside to enjoy on the beautiful grounds of the property or under the arbor. I suggest you visit Alba before the winter comes, it’s a beautiful place with some of the best wines in the Garden State.

269 Rte 627, Milford, NJ 08848. (908) 995-7800.

The tasting room is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Veronique

Filed Under: Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Culinary Travel Tales, Dessert Wine, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Riesling, Rose, Blush Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
20 August 2013 2009 Chateau Perenne Bernard Magrez Cru Bourgeois

2009 Chateau Perenne Bernard Magrez Cru Bourgeois

August 20, 2013 By

2009 Chateau Perenne Bernard Magrez Cru BourgeoisBought this inexpensive Bordeaux in Quebec in anticipation of a couple dinner parties I was attending and thought it was a nice wine for the price point.

This inky-hued wine offers beautiful fruit and nutmeg undertones. Round from the Merlot with solid body and tannins from the Cabernet Sauvignon.

This is the same producer who makes Château Pape Clement Pessac Leognan Grand Cru priced at over $350.

Pairings: Poultry, pork chops, grilled beef.

Style: Red wine

Grape Type(s): 75% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc

Region: Bordeaux, France

Around $13

Filed Under: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Malbec, Merlot, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
23 July 2013 Sick of White Wine Yet?

Sick of White Wine Yet?

July 23, 2013 By

Wine SteakIt’s hot and muggy outside and for many, including me, the weather calls for light, refreshing white wines. While I’ve poured my share of Assyrtiko, Sauvignon Blanc and Albarino this summer, I’m now craving reds that pair well with burgers, ribs and steaks.

15 Red Wines to Uncork at Summer Barbecues:

Wines for Burgers:

  • 2007 Campo Viejo Reserva Rioja (Rioja, Spain) – $9.99
  • 2010 Alba Vineyards Old Mill Red (Musconetcong Valley, New Jersey, USA) – $11.99
  • 2011 Garnet Vineyards Pinot Noir (Monterey County, California, USA) – $14.99
  • 2009 Albert Bichot Pinot Noir Vielles Vignes (Burgundy, France) – $14.99
  • 2011 Hahn Pinot Noir (Monterey County, California, USA) – $15.99

Wines for Ribs:

  • 2010 Graffigna Centenario Malbec Reserve (San Juan, Argentina) – $10.99
  • 2009 Villa Puccini Toscana (Tuscany, Italy) – $10.99
  • 2010 Predator Old Vine Zinfandel (Central Valley, California, USA) – $11.99
  • 2010 Renwood Winery Premier Old Vine Zinfandel (Amador County, California, USA) – $19.99
  • 2011 Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel (Sonoma County, California, USA) – $23.99

Wines for Steaks:

  • 2008 Wyndham Estate BIN 555 Shiraz  (South Eastern, Australia) – $9.99
  • 2010 Montes Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenere (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $10.99
  • 2010 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia) – $14.99
  • 2008 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre (Valpolicella, Italy) – $16.99
  • 2009 Esporao Reserva Red (Alentejo, Portugal) – $18.99

What are some of your affordable reds?

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Argentina, Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Italy, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Portugal, Red Wine, Rioja, Spain, Syrah / Shiraz, Tempranillo, United States, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
16 July 2013 WITS Virtual Wine Tasting 2013

WITS Virtual Wine Tasting 2013

July 16, 2013 By

I’ve detailed the concept of virtual wine tasting in previous posts and I try to participate in several of them each year. Last night was the Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS) and a virtual tasting of three California wines was hosted from my friends at WineTwits.

For those of you who are new to virtual wine tastings, this is what the concept entails:

  • Buy a bottle of the wine varietal or brand being featured.
  • Invite friends to come over to share the experience with you, or snuggle in your pajamas in front of the computer.
  • Sip and share your wine feedback with other tasters globally using the designated hashtag on Twitter and Facebook!

The virtual tasting was well-attended and the three wineries whose wines we sampled were very active with the virtual tasters. Cheers to Wente Vineyards, Garnet Vineyards and Renwood Winery for interacting with us to the extent they did. I’ll follow up and make tons of new wine friends today as a result of last night’s event.

Here are my tasting notes from the featured wines:

2012 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay

LSK1042_MF CH 07 1upFor those of us who enjoy moderately-oaky Chardonnay, this is a nice option. 50% of this wine was barrel-fermented in French oak and the other 50% was fermented in stainless steel tanks creating a wine that’s not overly oaky/buttery and has some fruit freshness to it.

Aromas of Asian apple and lychee jump out of the glass. In the mouth, the 2012 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay is medium-bodied with Meyer lemon and tropical fruit flavors. Finish lingers with some oaky notes and a nice level of acidity.

Pairings: Roast chicken, salmon, pasta in light creamy sauce

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay

Region: Livermore Valley, CA, USA

Price: $13

2011 Garnet Vineyards Pinot Noir

garnetGarnet pinot noirs have amassed rave reviews over the years and the 2011 Monterey County Pinot’s no exception. While it’s a bit more transparent in the glass than I would have suspected, it doesn’t lack in aroma and flavor. On the nose, it’s more jammy strawberry than the typical cherry one might expect. In the mouth, it’s velvety and the cherry is prominent with hints on vanilla and oak.

Pairings: Roasted duck, chicken or turkey, mushroom dishes

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Monterey County, CA, USA

Price: $14.99

2010 Renwood Winery Premier Old Vine Zinfandel

Renwood.Zin.OVAmador_catalogAt 15.5% alcohol, this is a big, beautiful baby. This style of Zin is right up my alley. It’s a huge mouthful of dark, ripe berries with mocha and pumpkin spices notes. This wine screams for a hot grill and meat…and my glass.

Pairings: Barbecue ribs, grilled beef or lamb

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 92.5% Zinfandel, 5.8% Syrah, 1.7% Souzao

Region: Amador County, CA, USA

Price: $19.99

For those of you on Twitter, search for #WITS2013 and see all the fun conversations folks had during the virtual tasting. You’ll likely find interesting wine fans to connect with.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Chardonnay, Other Neat Things, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , , ,
10 July 2013 Dinner with Jacob’s Creek…at My Home

Dinner with Jacob’s Creek…at My Home

July 10, 2013 By

Jacob's CreekThis year, 4th of July was celebrated with beef and beefy red wines at my home. My guy grilled a whole beef tenderloin and I baked my Cabot Creamery Seriously Sharp Cheddar Mac N Cheese.

Since I had a nice lineup of Jacob’s Creek’s current release, I decided to focus the party around their wines. Here’s what we tasted:

  • 2010 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Shiraz ($14) – This wine smells and tastes the way it looks: blackberry, chocolate/mocha with a little black pepper. It was perfect for the beef and the pepper sauce I served with it. I just enjoy that big mouthful of dark jammy berries.
  • 2011 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon ($10) – Purplish red in the glass, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers ripe blackberry and red current aromas with some astringent notes. Nicely balanced, fresh with vanilla notes. Can’t beat it for the price.
  • 2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir ($13) – Nice berry aromas with a bit of pumpkin pie spice. Bright cherry flavors with a little oak on the finish. Baby tannins stood up to roasted s’mores nicely.
  • 2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Dry Riesling ($12) – Citrusy aromas with fresh, green apple flavors. Lovely crisp, wet stone finish. Perfect to cut through the richness of my mac and cheese and stood up to its spicy Panko topping.
  • 2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay ($15) – For fans of Chardonnay without a ton of oak and butteryness, this is a good option. It offers a floral, citrusy noseful and nectarine aromas with a great level of acidity. This was poured around the time we enjoyed my Red, White and Blue Cake.

I know I should have poured American wines of this very American holiday, but I enjoyed the lineup very much and look forward to pairing up those heavier reds with my grilled meats this summer.

Cheers,

Veronique

These wines were provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire as they’re truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah / Shiraz, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
25 June 2013 2011 Capiaux Chimera Pinot Noir

2011 Capiaux Chimera Pinot Noir

June 25, 2013 By

2011 Capiaux Chimera Pinot NoirBright ruby red in the glass with typical cherry and pumpkin spice aromas and a mouthful of ripe cherry flavors – love this style Pinot.

Pairings: Roasted duck, chicken or turkey, mushroom dishes

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Sonoma County, CA, USA

Price: $32

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
22 June 2013 2009 Jean Edwards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Jean Edwards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

June 22, 2013 By

2009 Jean Edwards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet SauvignonI had the California Cabernet Sauvignon at a recent wine pairing dinner and it was big and round and rich with stone fruit aromas and chocolate covered cherry flavors. It was paired with short ribs and côte de boeuf and it was simply decadent.

Pairings: Roasted or grilled meats, cheese course

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $65

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
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