2011 Sineann Pinot Noir Oregon
2008 Colognole Chianti Rùfina
2009 McPrice Myers Beautiful Earth
2004 Le Clos d’un Jour Cahors Un Jour
2004 Clarendon Hills Grenache Old Vines Blewitt Springs
2011 Sineann Pinot Noir Oregon – $31.99
In the winery’s words – The fruit for the 2011 Sineann Oregon Pinot Noir is grown on our best vineyard sites. We were very selective in the barrels we blended to make this spicy, rich, very delicious Oregon Pinot Noir. Another in a long string of excellent vintages, this wine will deliver much near-term enjoyment as well as reward patient aging.
I had been wanting to try a Sineann wine for a while. Upon seeing a bottle on a wine store’s shelf, I had to grab a bottle. This wine has 13.2% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a glass stopper, which I love.
My Tasting Note
The wine is a bright ruby color. The nose is very inviting with cherries, raspberries, baking spices, forest floor and wild flowers. This has a medium body with soft silky tannins and good acidity. This has nice up front fruit and spice with some earthiness coming in on the back end. The finish has very nice length full of sweet fruit and spice. This isn’t the most complex pinot out there but it is very tasty. This wine has nice balance but is not one to stash in the cellar, enjoy this over the next 3 to 4 years. (90 pts)
2011 Sineann Pinot Noir Oregon
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)
2008 Colognole Chianti Rùfina
2009 McPrice Myers Beautiful Earth – $30.40
I used to belong to the McPrice Myers mailing list. Even though I like the wines, I have to be in the right mood. The big, full bodied wines are not for everyday consumption. This is a blend of 72% Syrah, 21% Grenache and 7% Mourvedre from Paso Robles.
This wine has 15.8% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.
My Tasting Note
The wine is an inky purple color. The deep and dark nose is full of blackberries, charcoal, minerals, blueberries, cedar, baking spices, worn leather and candied violets. This has a very full body with solid ripe tannins and good acidity. On the palate massive amounts of berries and spice take over immediately, eventually allowing some spicy oak and a floral note to slip in. The finish is long and again loaded with fruit and spice. Not a lot of subtlety or nuance here but it is still mighty tasty. (92 pts)
2009 McPrice Myers Beautiful Earth
2004 Le Clos d’un Jour Cahors Un Jour – $13.92
This is another wine I grabbed off the Garagiste Wine e-mail list. Jon Rimmerman’s flowery test can make any wine sound fantastic, so if you join think twice before hitting the “reply” button. That said, their mailing list has been the source of some truly unique and enjoyable wines that are generally not available in too many locations. I have enjoyed many more “winners” than “losers” in my purchases from them. I consider this to be a winner. A nice Cahors for under $15 is always a good change of pace from the normal rut we all invariably run into when talking about wine consumption.
This has 13.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.
My Tasting Note
The wine is a deep, dark purple color. The relaxing nose has blackberries, forest floor, dark chocolate, fresh ground dark roast coffee, roasted herbs, and just a touch of charred meat. This has medium body, mostly integrated tannins, and nice acidity. The palate has a quick hit of berries followed by a blast of dark chocolate, meat, and earthy elements. The finish is fairly long and highlighted by dark chocolate and earthy elements. Drinking nicely today but seems to be approaching a crossroads where the savory notes will totally override the remaining fruit. (88 pts)
2004 Le Clos d’un Jour Cahors Un Jour
2004 Clarendon Hills Grenache Old Vines Blewitt Springs – $25.00
In the winery’s words – Clarendon Hills is a small family run winery based in Clarendon, South Australia. The company, founded by biochemist Roman Bratasiuk in 1990. The story of Clarendon Hills is one of passion, dedication and commitment to exceptional wine. It all began when the biochemist and wine lover decided to produce his own wine. Though he’d never trained as a winemaker, Roman let himself be guided by his refined palette and scientific knowledge. Following his favorite producers and preferred styles, Roman sought to make a version of the wines he loved.
A friend bought me a couple bottles of this wine when a local store offered it via their e-mail list. The wine is an absolute steal at this price, which is less the half the release price of $70.
This wine has 14.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.
My Tasting Note
The wine is a deep, dark purple color. The impressive nose has kirsch, black raspberries, melted licorice, cherries, Asian spices, black pepper, blueberries, dark chocolate, candied violets and some earthy underbrush. This has a full body, solid, ripe tannins, and good acidity. Initially, the fruit and spice lays down an impenetrable coating on your palate that slowly fades allowing some licorice, black pepper and earthiness to break through. The finish is very long and adds a very nice floral note. This may lack subtlety but it more than makes up for it with the solid layers of flavor. This has exceptional balance and is very easy to enjoy. (93 pts)
2004 Clarendon Hills Grenache Old Vines Blewitt Springs
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Cheers!
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Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts
Here are posts, newsletters, blogs or other articles that either mention this site or that I have written:
Snooth
WHAT’S A GREAT GRENACHE? – Our Friendly Wine Experts Share Their Favorites!
http://www.snooth.com/articles/what-ys-a-great-grenache-5209/
Snooth
SPRING TIME IS FOR PAIRING – Our Favorite Wine Writers Share Their Picks
http://www.snooth.com/articles/spring-time-is-for-pairing/
Balzac
Balzac Communications & Marketing – News & Views
Snooth
WHAT WE’VE BEEN DRINKING – News and Reviews from Around the Blogosphere
http://www.snooth.com/articles/what-we-yve-been-drinking/?viewall=1#ixzz2vy4idw7a
Snooth
WINES THAT RANG OUR BELL IN FEBRUARY 2014 – Our Favorite Wine Writers Share Their Picks
http://www.snooth.com/articles/wines-that-rang-our-bell-in-february-2014/?viewall=1#ixzz2vy4DCh5L
Crave Local
California Wine Reviews: Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyard
Crave Local
Sample Boutique Wines at Affordable Prices with Tastingroom.com
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!
March 30, 2014
Cliff
Cliff's Wine Picks 