6 April 2013 Portuguese White Wines by Herdade do Esporão

Portuguese White Wines by Herdade do Esporão

April 6, 2013 By

2012 Herdade do Esporao Verdelho WhiteI uncorked these two wines at a recent dinner party where I served a seafood paella. The guests at the dinner were evenly split when it came to favoring one wine over the other. Both had enough body to stand up to the flavorful dish.

  • 2011 Herdade do Esporão Monte Velho White ($9.99) – medium straw color in the glass, this Portuguese wine offers fruity, juicy citrus aromas and ripe apricot and Meyer lemon flavors. Antao Vaz, Roupeiro, Perrum grapes.
  • 2012 Herdade do Esporão Verdelho White ($12.99) – light, slightly green in the glass, this wine exuded aromas of juicy lime. On the palate, it offered honeydew, apple and bright citrus flavors. Great level of acidity and a pleasant medium finish. 100% Verdelho grape.

2011 Herdade do Esporao Monte Velho WhiteHerdade do Esporão is perhaps the best-known winery in the Alentejo wine region of Portugal and its white wines and red wines are affordable, available and delicious.

These wines were provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as they are truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Antao Vaz, Perrum, Portugal, Roupeiro, Verdelho, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
5 April 2013 2011 Steelhead Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

2011 Steelhead Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

April 5, 2013 By

2011 Steelhead Vineyards Sauvignon BlancNice example of California Sauvignon Blanc. Pale yellow in the glass with tropical fruit aromas and lemony-fresh, slightly honeyed flavors. Great acidity and citrus finish.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, especially seared scallops

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: North Coast, CA, USA

Price: $12

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Sauvignon Blanc, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
3 April 2013 2009 James Oatley Tic Tok Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

2009 James Oatley Tic Tok Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

April 3, 2013 By

Tic TokI served this to guests as an aperitif last week and it was a nice rendition of Australian Sauvignon Blanc of this price range.

Pale yellow in the glass with nice citrus and freshly cut grass aromas, the 2009 James Oatley Tic Tok Sauvignon Blanc Semillon has Meyer lemon and light honey flavors. Enjoyable crisp finish.

Pairings: Fish, seafood or served as an aperitif

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 60% Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon 40%

Region: Western Australia

Price: $10

Filed Under: Australia, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
25 March 2013 2008 Franciscan Estate Magnificat Meritage

2008 Franciscan Estate Magnificat Meritage

March 25, 2013 By

2008 Franciscan Estate Magnificat MeritageI uncorked this Napa Valley Cabernet blend to pair with grilled steaks, garlic and Vermont cheddar mashed potatoes and peppercorn sauce and it was simply delicious.

I decanted half of the wine and actually enjoyed it both ways, although, predictably, it softened a bit after 30 minutes in the decanter.

In the glass, it’s inky red. I just knew I’d enjoy it by just looking at it in the glass and getting a sniff of the chocolaty, oaky, dark berry aromas. A good swirl showed legs wrapped around my glass. As far as taste goes, this California wine has delectable blackberry, stone fruit and mocha flavors. The finish is long and dry and I just loved it.

Aged in French oak barrel for over 20 months, this is a big, bold, almost jammy boy that’s right up my alley.

Pairings: Grilled beef, mac and cheese

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec

Region: Napa Valley, California, USA

Price: $50

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
19 March 2013 2011 Tapena Tempranillo

2011 Tapena Tempranillo

March 19, 2013 By

2011 Tapena TempranilloRed/blueish in the glass, this young Spanish wine offers a noseful of stone fruit and earthy notes. This food-friendly Tempranillo is bright with rich fruit flavors.

Pairings: Grilled lamb, garlicky shellfish, seared salmon

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Tempranillo

Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Price: $8.99

Filed Under: Red Wine, Spain, Tempranillo, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
16 March 2013 2010 Cristom Pinot Noir Mount Jefferson Cuvee

2010 Cristom Pinot Noir Mount Jefferson Cuvee

March 16, 2013 By

2010 Cristom Pinot Noir Mount Jefferson CuveeA bit transparent red in the glass, this Oregon Pinot Noir is floral on the nose with earthy notes. In the mouth, it’s Burgundy-like in style with strawberry and cherry flavors and crisp, dry finish.

Pairings: Duck, roast turkey, pasta with mushroom sauce

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Price: $30

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
13 March 2013 1998 Turley Petite Syrah Rattlesnake Acres

1998 Turley Petite Syrah Rattlesnake Acres

March 13, 2013 By

1998 Petite Syrah Rattlesnake AcresOnly 275 cases of this California Petite Syrah were made, so don’t be surprised to find that it’s nearly impossible to buy at your local store or online. I was fortunate enough to sample this rich, deep wine at a recent dinner.

In the glass, it’s dark and leggy. The aromas are of dark fruit and moist soil. The flavors are of stone fruits, fig jam and juicy dark berries. Big, bold, peppery, delicious.

Pairings: Grilled meats, pasta with Bolognese sauce, blue cheese

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Petite Syrah

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $60

Filed Under: Petite Syrah, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
10 March 2013 2010 Fulcrum Wines Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir

2010 Fulcrum Wines Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir

March 10, 2013 By

2010 Fulcrum Wines Gap’s Crown Pinot NoirI sampled this delicious Pinot Noir at the New York Wine Expo and think it might just be the best wine I tried there. In the glass, it’s dark and purple-hued. On the nose, it’s fabulous – earthy, mushroomy, black cherry. In the mouth, there are ripe cherry, blackberry, chocolate flavors with a rich, velvety texture. The finish is long with some clove and lightly oaky notes.

Pairings: Duck, roasted mushrooms, pork

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Sonoma Coast, CA, USA

Price: $50

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
7 March 2013 2010 Predator Old Vine Zinfandel

2010 Predator Old Vine Zinfandel

March 7, 2013 By

2011 Rutherford Wine Company PredatorI sampled this wine at the New York Wine Expo last week and the first sniff of this Old Vine Zinfandel screamed – BACON! Simply a delicious Zin with all a Zin should be – big, bold, chewy, peppery, licorice-laced and in this case, smoky. At this price point and from a solid winery like Rutherford Wine Company, buy a case and cellar it for a few years.

Pairings: Grilled lamb, BBQ ribs.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Zinfandel

Region: Central Valley, CA, USA

Price: $12

Filed Under: Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , , ,
4 March 2013 2009 Esporao Reserva Red

2009 Esporao Reserva Red

March 4, 2013 By

Esporao-Reserva-Red-2009Enjoyed this wine at the New York Wine Expo. Nose offers dark cherries, ripe berries and pumpkin pie spice. This easy-drinking wine has juicy berry and some stone fruit flavors and a rich, slightly tannic finish.

Pairings: Grilled meat, roasted mushrooms.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Tempranillo, Tinto Fino, Tinta Roriz, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante Bouschet

Region: Alentejo, Portugal

Price: $18

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Portugal, Red Wine, Tempranillo, Tinto Fino, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
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