10 April 2013 2011 Heritance Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

2011 Heritance Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

April 10, 2013 By

2011 Heritance Sauvignon Blanc Napa ValleyThis Sauvignon Blanc and Roussanne blend offers bright citrus aromas typical of Sauvignon Blanc. The Roussanne rounds out the peach and tropical fruit flavors and softens the acidity of the Sauvignon Blanc. The finish is long and thoroughly enjoyable.

Paired this with Kurobuta pork chops and it was delicious.

Pairings: Chicken, pork, grilled fish

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 88% Sauvignon Blanc, 12% Roussanne

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $24

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

Filed Under: Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
8 April 2013 Getting to Know Smith Madrone Winery

Getting to Know Smith Madrone Winery

April 8, 2013 By

Smith Madrone ChardonnaySmith-Madrone Winery is located in Napa Valley in the Spring Mountain District. The 200-acre estate has vineyards that sit at elevations up to 2,000 feet. Some of the vines are planted on slopes as steep as over 30 degrees.

Two of the Smith-Madrone wines I recently had the opportunity to sample are the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2009 Chardonnay.

  • 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($45) – nearly black and opaque in the glass, this California Cabernet Sauvignon features incredible aromas of ripe cherries with chocolaty, earthy and oaky undertones. In the mouth, it’s a big and bold wine with dark berry and licorice flavors balanced by just the right level of tannins.
  • 2009 Chardonnay ($35) – medium straw color in the glass, the California Chardonnay offers bright aromas of Asian pear with oaky notes. On the palate, cantaloupe and ripe apple flavors dominate. Toasted bread finish.

As far as idyllic California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon go, these are super examples.

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

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Red Wine, United States, 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: , ,
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: , ,
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: , , , ,
9 February 2013 2010 Hermann J. Wiemer Select Late Harvest Riesling

2010 Hermann J. Wiemer Select Late Harvest Riesling

February 9, 2013 By

2010 Hermann J. Wiemer Select Late Harvest RieslingGolden in the glass, this Finger Lakes dessert wine is simply outstanding. The nose is sweet with honey and Meyer lemons. The honey continues in the mouth, in a non-cloying way, with a nice balance of sweetness and alcohol laced with notes of Asian pear.

Not many American dessert wines are better than this little number.

92 Points – Wine Spectator.

Pairings: Cheese course, stone fruit cobbler, custard-based desserts.

Style: Dessert Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Finger Lakes, NY, USA

Price: $52

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, Riesling, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
7 February 2013 2007 August Briggs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2007 August Briggs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

February 7, 2013 By

2007 August Briggs Cabernet SauvignonOpaque and deep red in the glass, this big-bodied California Cabernet Sauvignon offers dark Bing cherry and mocha aromas and a big, rich mouthful of ripe dark berries with toasty, oaky notes. The finish goes on forever with a bit of cracked pepper that lingers on the tongue.

Just a delicious wine.

Pairings: Short ribs, grilled beef or lamb.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, California, USA

Price: $50

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