Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
Knew as soon as I sniffed this wine that it’d be right up my alley. Garnet in the glass, the earthy aromas were sweetened with dark fruit. In the mouth, it’s round and velvety with plummy, dark cherry flavors with mocha notes.
Pairings: Pasta with meaty sauce, duck, roasted mushrooms
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): Nebbiolo
Region: Piedmont, Barolo, Italy
Price: $60
I’ve explained the concept of virtual wine tasting in other posts and I enjoy participating in a few of them each year. Last night was the Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS) and a virtual tasting hosted by my friends at WineTwits of six California wines.
For those of you who are new to virtual wine tastings, this is what it entails:
The virtual tasting was well-attended and the wineries whose wines we sampled were very active with the virtual tasters. Cheers to Kendall-Jackson, Jamieson Ranch Vineyard, Franciscan Estate, Wente Vineyards, Garnet Vineyards and Renwood Winery for interacting with us to the extent they did. I’ll follow up and connect with dozens of new wine friends today as a result of last night’s tasting.
Here are my tasting notes from the featured wines:
2012 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay
For 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
2012 Garnet Vineyards Monterey County Pinot Noir
Garnet pinot noirs have garnered rave reviews over the years and the 2012 Monterey County Pinot’s no exception. The wine is a tad more transparent in the glass than I would have suspected, it doesn’t lack in aroma and flavor. On the nose, the strawberry aroma is more prominent that the expected cherry. In the mouth, it’s silky and there’s lovely cherry flavor with notes of 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
2011 Renwood Winery Premier Old Vine Zinfandel
This is a big, beautiful baby. I really enjoy this style of Zin. It’s a big mouthful of dark, ripe berries with mocha and a bit of pumpkin spices on the finish.
Pairings: Barbecue ribs, grilled beef or lamb
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): Zinfandel
Region: Amador County, CA, USA
Price: $19.99
2011 Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Leggy in the glass with ripe berry aromas with a bit of oak and pepper. Rich and bold with mocha and dark chocolate layers. Light tannins, elegant, long finish.
Pairings: Grilled meats
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): 94.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.4% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Merlot, 0.2% Cabernet Franc
Region: Sonoma County, CA, USA
Price: $28
2011 Jamieson Ranch “Double Lariat” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Gorgeous deep-red in the glass, this wine offers red berry aromas with complex licorice, spice and leather notes. Cherry and dark berry flavors abound with light-jammy fig and mocha notes – touch of oak on the long, velvety finish.
Pairings: Grilled beef, cheese plate
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA
Price: $55
2011 Franciscan Estate Magnificat Napa Valley
Inky in the glass with fabulous dark berry and stone fruit aromas. The dark berry continues on the palate with ripe cherry mixed in – rich, elegant with a long, round finish from the Merlot.
Pairings: Barbecue ribs, grilled beef or lamb
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, and 3% Malbec
Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA
Price: $50
For those of you on Twitter, search for #WITS2014 and see all the fun conversations folks had during the virtual tasting. You’ll likely find interesting wine fans to connect with.
Cheers,
Veronique
Bridge Lane is Lieb Cellars’ second-label and through a rebranding for its 10th vintage, the white and red blends are available in bottles, in 3 liter bag-in-box (equivalent of 4 bottles) and also in disposable kegs.
The popular North Fork, NY winery says there were three reasons why Bridge Lane opted for the unusual formats:
I sampled both wines in their boxes formats – 100% recyclable plastic bag and spout and 100% recyclable cardboard box. Boxes cost $46 and have a lifespan of about 6 weeks after opening.
The keg format would be ideal for a summer casual party as it’s the equivalent of 26 bottles for an affordable $260. If tapped with a professional wine certified kegerator, it’ll last about 2 months. If tapped using a college-type party pump, it’ll last 2 days.
2013 Bridge Lane White Blend
I was a bit pessimistic about this wine prior to sipping it, but was pleasantly-surprised by its light yet pleasant flavor and its dryness that made it perfect as a summer sipper but was also nice with light food. Also was great that I could have a glass on a Tuesday night without having to commit to a full bottle.
Medium-yellow with light green hue in the glass, the 2013 Bridge Lane White Blend is light-bodied and nearly completely dry. The nose is light with some green apple and citrus notes. On the palate, this white wine from Long Island offers lemon/lime and floral flavors with a dry, flinty finish.
I served this as an aperitif but it held up nicely to Prosciutto and mango starter.
Pairings: Fish, shellfish, light salad, aperitif.
Style: White Wine
Grape Type(s): 29% Chardonnay, 26% Pinot Blanc, 18% Riesling, 14% Viognier, 9% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Gewürtzaminer.
2013 Bridge Lane Red Blend
After enjoying the white blend, I was more open-minded when I sampled the red blend. The 2013 Bridge Land Red Blend is purplish red in the glass with faint cherry aromas. This North Fork dry red wine is medium-bodied with the cherry carrying on to the palate along with some pumpkin pie spice on the finish. The Merlot gives this wine some roundness.
Pairings: Pizza, casual barbecue, summer sipper for those who prefer reds.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): 46% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, and 5% Malbec.
Where to Find Bridge Lane
Go online: Bridge Lane wines are available through www.BridgeLaneWine.com or www.Amazon.com.
Hit the East End: Visit any of Lieb Cellars’ three tasting rooms on Long Island’s North and South Forks.
Stop by your favorite retailer or restaurant in the NY Metro area: Don’t see Bridge Lane? Ask for them!
Fly away: Enjoy a glass of Bridge Lane before you jet from JFK: Terminal 4 at Blue Smoke on the Road; Terminal 5 at 5ive Steak, AeroNuova and Deep Blue restaurants; and Terminal 8 at Vino Volo restaurant and retail store.
Cheer for the Mets: Bridge Lane wines are served at NYC’s Citi Field.
Pop over to PA: Purchase wines at PLCB stores, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
As of May 2014, Bridge Lane wines will also be available in wine shops and restaurants in NJ, CT and MA.
Cheers,
Veronique
These wines were provided to me for sampling and I am adding them to my repertoire as they’re truly enjoyable.
Nice bright cherry red in the glass with equally nice and bright cherry aromas jumping out of the glass. Cherry continues on the palate but with raspberry and even strawberry present. The body is medium in heaviness with a smooth, silky mouthfeel. Finish offers a little pepper.
Nice example of Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir and perfect to uncork at a barbecue.
Pairings: Pizza, red sauced dishes, burgers.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, USA
Price: $20
It’s rare that I don’t host Easter but this year, we joined some friends for brunch at a local BYOB restaurant. I’d seen the menu ahead of time so knew scallop Benedict, steak and eggs and fried chicken would be entrees we’d order, so opted to bring two wine samples I thought would fit the bill perfectly – Frank Family Chardonnay and Zinfandel. Here are my tasting notes:
2012 Frank Family Vineyards Napa Chardonnay
I’m not typically a huge fan of oaky Cali Chardonnay, but the nice level of acidity of this wine changed my mind. Ripe, juicy peach and sweet citrus with a kiss of toasty, oaky notes. I served it close to room temperature and it’s likely the way to go. Super wine that could only improve with cellar time.
Classic Napa Valley Chardonnay at a very reasonable price-point.
Pairings: Seafood, roasted poultry.
Style: White Wine
Grape Type(s): Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, California, USA
Price: $35
2011 Frank Family Vineyards Napa Zinfandel
Darkest red in the glass, this big boy isn’t a summer patio sipper, and I mean that in the best possible way. Not overly jammy like some California Zins can be with a noseful of dried herbs and dark berry. On the palate, it’s classic blackberry with some stone fruit. Finish is medium in length and welcomingly smooth with a hint of oak.
Pairings: Grilled meats, especially lamb, hearty burgers, game.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): 89% Zinfandel and 11% Petite Sirah
Region: Napa Valley, California, USA
Price: $30
Cheers,
Veronique
Winemaker Steve Matthiasson, of Tendu White Wine fame, now produces a red wine perfect for weeknight or pizza night. Bottled in a clear, 1 liter bottle with a crown cap, this sulfur-free red wine is ready to drink even with its 2013 label.
The wine is bright ruby in the clear bottle and big with fruity, red berry flavors. Matthiasson was named San Francisco Chronicle’s Winemaker of the Year for good reasons. Bold Italian grapes crafted into a fresh and youthfully delectable wine…who would have thunk it’d be possible?
Pairings: Pizza, red sauced dishes, burgers.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): 46% Aglianico, 43% Montepulciano, and 11% Barbera
Region: Napa Valley, California, USA
Price: $20
I’m always excited when I find a Bandol rosé on a by the glass at a restaurant. This affordable wine is full-bodied yet delicate with a beautiful light salmon color. The aromas of fresh fruit laced with a little citrus are intoxicating and it took me a bit to pull my nose out of the glass for a first sip. The beautiful fruit continues on the palate with hints of white flowers. Nice balance and acidity.
I need to buy a case of this for the summer as it’s perfect for sipping before dinner and is also very food-friendly.
Pairings: Chicken, fish, light pork dishes and served as an aperitif.
Style: Rosé Wine
Grape Type(s): 35% Mourvedre, 40% Cinsault, 20% Grenache, 5% Carignan
Region: Bandol, Provence, France
Price: $18
Deep inky red in the glass, the 2010 Salmos Torres isn’t for the faint of palate. There are big chocolaty, dark fruit and pumpkin pie spice aromas that had me clamoring for the first sip. The wine is rich, smooth with light tannins. The dark fruit with light vanilla is present and endures through the long finish.
Pairings: Grilled or roasted meats, aged cheeses.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): 50% Cariñena, 30% Red Grenache and 20% Syrah
Region: Catalunya, Spain
Price: $35
Yes, this is a $10 wine. No, it shouldn’t be disregarded based on cost as it drinks well beyond its price.
In the glass, it’s inky and really handsome. The grapes in this blend complement each other so well with jammy stone fruit flavors mixing with dark berry and cherry ones. This wine screams for food and I served it with a pork crown roast which was a great pairing. Slightly tannic on the finish with ripe, dark fruit that lingers on the palate.
Pairings: Grilled meat, tomato sauce-based dishes, roast pork or poultry.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): 20% Bonarda, 20% Cabernet Saugivnon, 20% Malbec, 20% Syrah, 20% Tannat
Region: Tulum Valley, Argentina
Price: $10
This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.
The 2012 Jacob’s Creek Red Blend is deep garnet in the glass and offers dark berry, cherry, chocolate flavors with a little oak and smokiness. Not heavily tannic which makes it a good option to enjoy at any time and for no special occasion at all. We poured this bottle with our Sunday gravy and it held up nicely…especially at under $10.
Pairings: Grilled meat, tomato sauce-based dishes, pizza.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): 66% Shiraz, 18% Cabernet, 12% Grenache and 4% Petit Verdot
Region: South Eastern, Australia
Price: $6
This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.
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