11 April 2012 2009 Four Vines The Maverick Zinfandel

2009 Four Vines The Maverick Zinfandel

April 11, 2012 By

I love Zinfandels and try to serve foods that pair well with it as often as I can.  For Easter, I grilled rack of lamb and served the 2009 Four Vines Zinfandel Maverick with them for a great match.

This Zinfandel from Amador County is bold and beautiful.  In the glass, it’s dark and viscous.  On the nose, it’s powerful with ripe cherries and pumpkin pie spices.  In the mouth it’s jammy with tons of juicy blackberries followed by a long, sweet finish.  A meal in a glass, in the best possible way.

Wine Spectator – 90 points.

Pairings:  Grilled lamb, peppery porterhouse steak or aged cheese.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Zinfandel

Region: Paso Robles, California

Around $15.

 

Filed Under: Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , , , ,
2 February 2012 2006 Wild Oak by St Francis Merlot

2006 Wild Oak by St Francis Merlot

February 2, 2012 By

Dark ruby in the glass, this Merlot offers a ripe cherry nose with some earthy notes.  In the mouth, it’s a combination of dark berries with some chocolate undertones.  The finish is uber dry and lovely.

This wine could really use some breathing time and decanting for a good 30 minutes to help open it up.

Nice Merlot, especially at this price point.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Merlot

Region: Sonoma, California

Around $20

 

 

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14 December 2011 Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut

Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut

December 14, 2011 By

Rich and slightly oaky sparkling wine that’s become a favorite.  The nose is light Asian apple but the flavors are bolder with ripe, juicy pear and nutty notes.  Great clean, crisp finish.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Region: Anderson Valley, California

Around $22

 

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21 November 2011 2010 Merry Edwards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc

2010 Merry Edwards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc

November 21, 2011 By

Yes, I’m continuing my homage to Merry Edwards, but this time, it is not Pinot Noir I’m clamoring about, it is Merry’s delicious 2010 Russian River Sauvignon Blanc.

On the nose, this wine is floral with a ton of tropical fruit notes.  On the palate, there is pink grapefruit, Meyer lemons, a drizzle of honey and Asian pear.

The wine’s six month fermentation in seasoned French oak barrels created a Sauvignon Blanc with real backbone and depth.  This isn’t a pale, watery Sauvignon Blanc made to be sipped as an aperitif on a hot summer day.  It’s a rich, well-balanced, bright wine that is wonderful paired with fish or seafood but can also hold its own with spicy dishes.

Super wine for fans of Gewürztraminer and dry Riesling.  A bit of a splurge for some Sauvignon Blanc drinkers, but certainly worth every penny.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musque

Region: Russian River Valley / Sonoma, CA

Around $30

Filed Under: Sauvignon Blanc, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
17 November 2011 2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir

2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir

November 17, 2011 By

I simply love this wine.  It’s not easy to come by in New Jersey, where I live, but when I’ve been able to secure a few bottles, I’ve enjoyed it tremendously.

The 2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir is dark ruby in the glass and pretty full-bodied for a California pinot noir.  On the nose, there’s a ton of dark raspberries with notes of nutmeg and clove.  On the palate, it’s all about ripe cherries with lots of earthiness, cherry cola, allspice and notes of mocha.  The finish is long and silky/velvety.  Just a perfect wine paired with roast chicken, wild mushroom risotto or grilled salmon.

Tantara Winery is a smaller producer and only about 200 cases of this little gem were produced, so get your hands on a bottle and enjoy.  Read about my love of Tantara here.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Central Coast, CA

Around $50

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
26 July 2011 2008 Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon 815

2008 Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon 815

July 26, 2011 By

Enjoyed this wine with grilled steaks dusted with sea salt and it was super.  It was perhaps even better than the cult California cab I picked as our lead wine, which was more than double its price.

In the glass, the 2008 Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon 815 is dark purple and very handsome.  In the mouth, it’s juicy ripe berries, vanilla and dark chocolate.  The finish is sweet and long with some tannins that made me crave another sip.

Around $17.

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25 July 2011 2006 Stag’s Leap Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2006 Stag’s Leap Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

July 25, 2011 By

I uncorked this California Cabernet Sauvignon on vacation in Maine as we grilled some thick, juicy, peppery rib eye steaks.  This is what you should pair this wine with.

The wine is dark ruby in the glass and initially pretty tart on the nose making me wish I had brought a decanter on my beach vacation.  In the glass, this wine offers allspice and dark fruit.  In the mouth, the 2006 Stag’s Leap Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and full-bodied with vanilla and butterscotch notes. Really long finish with lingering spice.

Really nice wine that could have used a little decanting.

Around $40.

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13 December 2010 2006 Duckhorn Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

2006 Duckhorn Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

December 13, 2010 By

Enjoyed this cab at a holiday party last week where my friend decided to uncork all the wines they’d received from friends in the last couple years.  The first few bottles were what you’d expect from such an arrangement, but then, I saw him uncorking the 2006 Duckhorn Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and made sure to stay close by to get a couple pours.

Big mouthful or ripe dark berries and cherries with chocolate nuances and a bit of spice.  Tannic finish that yearns for roasted meat.  Complex yet refined wine – yum.

Around $65.

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15 September 2010 2007 Bonterra Vineyards Viognier

2007 Bonterra Vineyards Viognier

September 15, 2010 By

Enjoyed this wine at a steakhouse, yes, a steakhouse, but paired with seared diver scallops over creamed corn.  It’s a lovely, affordable Viognier that would complement spicy foods, rich white/cheesy sauces and grilled fish very well.

For those not familiar with Viognier, it’s rich and bold with tropical fruit flavors and floral aromas.  In the case of the 2007 Bonterra Vineyards Viognier, it’s fruit forward with a long, dry and almost spicy finish with vanilla notes.  Fans of Rieslings or Gewurztraminers would enjoy this varietal.

Varietal blend: 81% Viognier, 10% Marsanne, 5% Muscat, 4% Rousanne.

Around $16.

Filed Under: White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
23 August 2010 2007 Hirsch Vineyards San Andreas Pinot Noir

2007 Hirsch Vineyards San Andreas Pinot Noir

August 23, 2010 By

'07 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir

Enjoyed a bottle of this wine at lovely Cyrus in Healdsburg, CA and thought it was a well-balanced example of coastal Sonoma Pinot Noir.

Saying a Pinot Noir tastes like cherries is like saying a cab goes well with a steak – obvious.  In this case though, the cherries are succulent and very ripe with dark berry and chocolate undertones.  There’s a nice level of tannins in this above-par wine and the spicy finish lingers on and on.

This wine reminded me of some of the refined Burgundies I’ve enjoyed over the years.  Great example of California Pinot that is a must-try, even at a higher price point.

Around $65.

Filed Under: Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
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