2011 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc

2005 Jacob Franklin Cabernet Sauvignon Hoffman Lane

2009 Trentadue Winery Cuvée 32 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition

2007 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Blanc

2005 Clot de l’Oum Côtes du Roussillon Villages Caramany Saint Bart Vieilles Vignes

2011 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc – $15.78

CloudyBay has been my favorite New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for several years. When I saw this wine on my local wine store’s shelf and found out the owner/wine maker is Kevin Judd, a decision to grab a few bottles was easy. Kevin Judd, was the founding wine maker for CloudyBay. After directing 25 vintages at CloudyBay, Kevin decided it was time to fulfill his life long dream and set his own course. Greywacke, which opened in 2009, is the culmination of that dream. After trying a bottle, I had to go back to the store while it was still on sale and stock up.

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light, pale, straw color. The crisp and clean nose has grapefruit, minerals, lime, lemon zest, white pepper, gooseberry, and a touch of an herbal note. This has a light body with tart citrusy acidity. On the palate tart grapefruit and white pepper lead off with lime and lemon kicking in on the back end. The finish is long and mouthwatering with minerals and an herbal note joining the citrus and white pepper. A stunning wine for a warm afternoon with or without food. (92 pts)

2005 Jacob Franklin Cabernet Sauvignon Hoffman Lane – $35.00

I’ve always felt, even though most wineries make wine with grapes from multiple vineyards, the estate owned vineyard around the tasting room and winery are special. In most cases, this is the first impression a visitor gets when visiting a winery for the first time. Wineries spend a little extra time to ensure these grapes look special. Generally the wines made from these grapes show the extra care that went into the grapes. To me, this is one of those wines.

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep maroon color. The very appealing nose has cassis, licorice, warm baking spices, eucalyptus, dried herbs, cedar, tobacco, and a touch of smoke. This has a fairly full body, moderate to solid tannins, and very nice acidity. On the palate this has a solid wall of fruit and spice up front with dried herbs, toasty oak, and some eucalyptus coming in on the back end. The finish is fairly long and has a very nice blend of fruit and savory elements. This has superb balance with no out of place or dominant element. This is still on the young side and will show well for at least the next several years. (93 pts)

2009 Trentadue Winery Cuvée 32 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition – $16.90

We have visited the Alexander Valley based Trentadue Winery a few times in the past and always had a good time and an even better tasting. This is a long time favorite wine in my house. The blend varies each vintage, this one is 49% Sangiovese, 27% Merlot, 8% Montepulciano, 8% Malbec, 7% Petite Sirah, and 1% Syrah. This wine has enough acidity from the Sangiovese to stand up to dishes with tomatoes but the other grapes lend enough body and oomph to stand up to meat. We like this wine with everything from pasta with meat sauce to Veal Parmesan and baked ziti.

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to dark garnet color. The very inviting nose has cherries, warm baking spices, dried herbs, raspberries, black pepper, wild flowers, some licorice, and a bit of earthiness. This has medium body, moderate to solid tannins, and good acidity. On the palate the spicy, peppery fruit jumps out first with dried herbs and earthiness coming in later. The finish has very nice length with good balance between the fruity and savory elements. This California version of a “Super Tuscan” is one of the better ones currently being produced. Enjoy this now or stash it away for a few years. (92 pts)

2007 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Blanc – $6.64

I grabbed a few of these on close out at the local wine store in January. I wanted to try one to see if I should grab some more to last through the upcoming Spring/Summer seasons. I was a more than a bit leery about buying a six year old wine of unknown provenance. Those fears were put to rest as soon as I had my first sip. This is a blend of 64.3% Roussanne and 35.7% Grenache Blanc from the Beeswax Vineyard in Arroyo Seco. Now that warmer weather has finally settled into the upper Midwest, I’m looking forward to enjoying the half case I was able to grab before it sold out.

My Tasting Note

The wine is a glistening yellow to gold color. The Spring breeze like nose has honeysuckle, beeswax, minerals, apples, lemon zest, white peaches, orange blossoms, and spice. This has light to medium body and very good acidity. On the palate tart apples and pears loaded with stony minerals hit first followed by nice citrusy acidity. The finish is fairly long with a touch of juicy peach adding a little something extra. (91 pts)

2005 Clot de l’Oum Côtes du Roussillon Villages Caramany Saint Bart Vieilles Vignes – $24.87

I bought this wine from Garagiste Wine in late 2007. As usual, I didn’t receive the wine until early to mid 2008. Again, as usual, the slow shipping wasn’t an issue for me since most of the wines I buy from them aren’t purchased for early consumption. I had a bottle of this early last year and felt it wasn’t really ready to drink. The longer the bottle was opened, the better the wine drank. It’s been a years and a half, so I’m eager to see how the passing time has helped this impressive wine.

This is an organically grown blend of high altitude old-vine Syrah, Grenache and Carignan.

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep violet color. The nose on this wine is absolutely stunning, probably the best of the year, so far. The nose is full of black raspberries, cherries, minerals, garrigue, game, mint, dried flowers, licorice, and some earthiness. This has medium body, moderate to solid tannins, and very good acidity. The palate has multiple layers of fruit and savory elements that take turns stealing the show. The finish has very nice length and leans more on the savory elements with the fruit providing some nice background sweetness. This still seems to be on the young side so I’d give it some air or preferably let it sleep for another couple of years. (93 pts)

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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.