2000 Château de Carles

2008 Treasure Hunter Wines Helen’s Helm

2008 Carlisle Zinfandel Sonoma County

2010 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard

2008 Colognole Chianti Rùfina

2009 Patel Proprietary Red

 

 

 

2000 Château de Carles – $17.49

I tried this one at a store tasting not long after it was released.  I don’t have the specific grape make up of this wine, but the winery’s vineyard is planted to 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec.

 

This has 13.0% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red color with just a touch of brick at the edge.  The very tempting nose has black cherries, tobacco, cedar, dried herbs, earthy underbrush, minerals and violets.  This has medium body with integrated tannins and good acidity.  On the palate the savory notes rule with the fruit providing a touch of needed background sweetness.  The finish has decent length with cherries and oak dominating the show.  Probably at peak or slightly past peak but drinking nicely.  (89 pts)

 

 

2008 Treasure Hunter Wines Helen’s Helm – $17.52

This negotiant wine is a blend of 59% Syrah, 18% Grenache, 18% Mourvedre and 5% Tempranillo from Paso Robles.

 

This has 14.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

This is a deep, dark maroon color.  The very nice nose has blackberries, minerals, baking spices, charred meat, vanilla, cherries, dark bittersweet chocolate, and some earthiness.  This has a fairly full body, moderate to solid tannins, and very good acidity.  On the palate a loads of juicy berries, tart cherries, and minerals hit first with nice spice and a meaty element coming in on the back end.  The finish is long and lingering with some dark chocolate joining the spice and berries.  This is a very impressive wine that drinks several notches above its price point.  (93 pts)

 

 

2008 Carlisle Zinfandel Sonoma County – $17.50

From the winery – In 2008, the zinfandel was sourced from four appellations, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Valley, to create this delicious zinfandel.  Four percent Dry Creek Petite Sirah from Teldeschi Ranch seemed to bring the components together, rounding out the palate nicely.  Think of our 2007 Sonoma County Zinfandel blended with our 2006. Aged in French oak, 20% new, and based upon our experiment last year, bottled completely in screw cap.

 

This has 15.0% alcohol by volume and the bottle was sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark, ruby color.  The sexy and inviting nose has black raspberries, white pepper, melted licorice, violets, dried herbs, and lesser notes of baking spice, dark bittersweet chocolate, and underbrush.  This has fairly full body, moderate ripe tannins, and outstanding acidity.  The palate starts off with solid black raspberries and pepper with the dried herbs and dark chocolate building quickly, on the back end a floral note and some earthiness come into the picture adding even more depth and complexity.  The long, lingering finish showcases the juicy berries, chocolate, and earthiness with the acidity giving a lot of lift and brightness.  This is in a nice drinking window, and the tannins and acidity will keep this alive and kicking through most of the decade.  (92 pts)

 

 

2010 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard – $46.00

In most vintages, this is my favorite vineyard in the Loring Pinot Noir offerings.

 

This has 14.8% alcohol and as usual for Loring, the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly deep maroon color.  The very appealing nose has black cherries, roasted herbs, white pepper, minerals, vanilla bean, crushed berries, earthy underbrush and violets.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and good acidity.  On the palate this is lighter on its feet than I expected with nice up front fruit and spice followed by minerals and some earthiness, but then the crisp acidity kicks in and cleans up leaving some white pepper and your mouth watering for more.  On the finish the berries re-enter the picture offsetting the acidity with sweet, juicy fruit.  This is not a light bodied Burgundy styled Pinot but it is also not overly ripe and plodding.  A very nice job with a high “yum” factor.  (93 pts)

 

 

2008 Colognole Chianti Rùfina – $9.49

The local store offered this wine at a close out price via their e-mail list.  Since, like a lot of people, we love pizza and Italian food, I had to grab a six pack.

 

This has 13.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright red with a slight ruby tint.  The very inviting nose has black cherry, baking spices, vanilla, strawberry, earthy underbrush, minerals and dried flowers.  This has medium body, moderate ripe tannins and very nice acidity.  Cherries and spice jump out first on the palate with minerals and earthy elements coming in on the back end.  The finish has very nice length with the cherries and spice closing the show.  This was a steal at under $10.  (91 pts)

 

 

2009 Patel Proprietary Red – $60.00

This is a blend of 70% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Malbec.  I just found out the wine maker for Patel is the consulting winemaker for Jean Edwards, which is a winery I really enjoy.  I bought this wine based on a suggestion from a wine loving friend.

 

This has 14.2% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby to maroon color.  The inviting nose has black cherries, cedar, dark chocolate, black currants, tobacco and wild flowers.  This has medium body, fairly solid tannins and good acidity.  Tart cherries and spicy oak pop out first on the palate with dark chocolate and minerals coming in on the back end.  The finish is dominated by the cherries and spicy oak.  A nice bottle of wine, but not a QPR star at the price.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

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Cheers!

 

 

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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.

 

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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!