Cliff's Wine Picks

 

 

2007 Stefania Haut Tubee

2005 Mitolo Shiraz Reiver

2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Mourvedre Ode to Lulu Rosé

2010 Purple Hands Pinot Noir Stoller Vineyard

 

 

I’m on vacation so the comments are a bit brief this time.  I also have very wonky internet access which is limiting my ability to do much background research.

 

 

 

2007 Stefania Haut Tubee – $18.00

 

This wine has been a favorite since I grabbed a case from the winery’s mailing list.  This is a wine that changes, often dramatically, every vintage depending on what the winery has available.  Per the winery, this vintage is 50% syrah with cabernet sauvignon, merlot, zinfandel, grenache, and mourvedre.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a dark garnet to purple color.  The very nice nose has blackberries, smoked meat, black pepper, cedar, cherries, dried herbs, and forest floor.  This has a medium body, moderate tannins, and very nice acidity.  The palate is a bit brighter than the nose lead me to expect with the fruit more in the cherry to raspberry range with a load of spice and slowly building earthiness.  The finish has decent length but is losing some of the richness it had in the past.  Tastes good now but I’d advise drinking up over the next year.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2005 Mitolo Shiraz Reiver – $20.59

 

Another Aussie Shiraz that someone lost money on.  The release price was well north of $40 but I bought a case and a half for a touch over $20 a bottle from the local wine store.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark purple color, almost black.  The very deep and inviting nose is locked and loaded with blackberries, smoked meat, baking spices, vanilla, dark chocolate, cherries, charcoal, dried herbs, and black pepper.  This has a fairly full body, solid, velvety tannins, and very nice acidity.  On the palate big fruit and spice quickly take hold allowing some dried herbs, chocolate, and vanilla to slowly slip into the picture.  The finish is long with cherries and a big blast of black pepper adding considerable interest.  (94 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Mourvedre Ode to Lulu Rosé – $19.00

 

This is generally one of my go-to Rosé wines along with the Villa Creek Pink.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light pink to salmon color.  The fresh and clean nose has strawberries, minerals, white peaches, cherries, and some subtle earthiness.  This has light body with crisp acidity and maybe just a touch of residual sugar.   Crisp, juicy fruit and minerals dominate the palate with a touch of earthiness in the background.  The finish has nice length and leaves a very slightly sweet and crisp final impression.  The perfect wine to enjoy on a warm Summer afternoon with or without food.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Purple Hands Pinot Noir Stoller Vineyard – $19.94

 

The owner/winemaker is Cody Wright, the son of well known and popular Oregon winemaker/owner Ken Wright.  This was a new winery to me when the local wine store had an e-mail special on the wine.  In my opinion, any time you can get hold of a good Pinot Noir for under $20, you buy.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright red color with a slight ruby tint. The soft and nuanced nose has black cherries, raspberries, fresh flowers, and subtle earthiness. This is medium body at most, with racy acidity, and soft but persistent tannins. The silky palate has tart, juicy fruit, spice, and a bit of earthiness which carries through on the slightly short finish. This is a nice, light weight style of Pinot with juicy acidity and a touch of earthiness and spice to balance out the fruit. This is a nice change up from the broad shouldered California Pinots.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

 

***** Shameless Self Promotion *****

 

Here is a link to a YouTube video of me getting “coal” from Santa for being named the “Nicest Person in Social Media” in 2012.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvQTeGR3-c

 

 

 

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Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive.  I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!