2010 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico

2006 Jean Edwards Cellars Syrah Carneros

2009 Sandler Wine Company Zinfandel Buck Hill Vineyard

2007 Wild Hog Vineyard Petite Sirah Cache Creek

2006 Carlisle Syrah Papa’s Block

 

 

 

2010 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico – $18.59

This has been a favorite since a friend suggested I give it a try.

 

80% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 5% Syrah in the 2010 vintage, Isole e Olena’s Chianti Classico is probably the wine (along with the 100% Sangiovese Isole e Olena “Cepparello”) for which the Isole e Olena winery has become best known.  Fermented in stainless steel tanks, this 2010 Isole e Olena Chianti was then matured for one year in primarily older oak (the typical capacity of the barrels used was 4000 litres).

 

This wine has 14.0% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a nice ruby red color. The very enjoyable nose has cherries, plums, baking spices, dried herbs, violets, and a touch of earthy underbrush. This wine has medium body with ripe tannins and very good acidity. On the palate the wine has nice tart red fruit and spice up front with some earthy elements coming in later adding depth and complexity. The finish has good length with the tart fruit, spices, and earthiness held together nicely by the acidity. If you can find this for under $20, stock up.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2006 Jean Edwards Cellars Syrah Carneros

I opened this bottle to sip during Karen’s visit to host #winechat on Twitter.  This is a blend of 85% Las Madres Syrah, 10% White Hawk Syrah and 5% Eaglepoint Ranch Petite Sirah.

 

This wine 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 captivating nose has blackberries, cherries, freshly cracked black peppercorns, cedar, dark chocolate, dried herbs, dusty minerals and dried wildflowers.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and very good acidity.  On the palate blackberries, black pepper and minerals jump out first with cedar and dried herbs coming in on the back end.  The finish has very nice length with dark chocolate and tart cherries adding nice depth and complexity.  This is a very nice cooler climate, Syrah that seems to be just entering a nice drinking window.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

2009 Sandler Wine Company Zinfandel Buck Hill Vineyard – $30.00

I grab a few bottles from just about every Sandler release.  They produce several very good, nicely priced wines; I highly recommend checking them out.

 

This wine has 15.0% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light to medium ruby red color.  The inviting nose has cherries, raspberries, white pepper, smoke, dried herbs and a touch of cedar.  This has a medium body with soft to moderate tannins and tart acidity.  On the palate bright red fruit and white pepper grab hold immediately with some dried herbs coming in on the back end.  The finish has good length with cedar and a touch of dark chocolate entering the picture.  This isn’t your typical zinfandel with ripe fruit and black pepper; this is more subtle and layered.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2007 Wild Hog Vineyard Petite Sirah Cache Creek – $9.50

A few years ago the local wine store ran this wine as an e-mail special.  It was a pretty easy decision to grab a case for well under $10 a bottle.  How often can you find a single vineyard Petite at that price?  I don’t know the specifics but according to the winery’s website this was the last vintage for the wine.  I know for a fact they made some in the 2008 vintage, since I have a case in my cellar.  At least I bought a case but I have opened a few bottles.

 

This has 15.0% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark, inky purple color.  The very masculine nose is loaded with blackberries, fresh ground black pepper, smoke, vanilla, eucalyptus, cherries, and wild flowers.  This has a fairly full body, moderate to solid tannins, and very nice acidity.  On the palate the peppery berries kick off the show with some smoke and vanilla coming in on the back end. A faint herbal note peaks out on the fairly long finish as well as some earthiness.  This tastes marvelous today and should hold for at least a couple more years.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2006 Carlisle Syrah Papa’s Block – $37.00

The grapes for this wine were picked late in the season, October 31^st.  The wine included 40% whole clusters and used indigenous fermentation.  The total production was only 110 cases of wine.

 

This has 14.8% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark purple color.  The exotic nose has black plums, blackberries, olive tapenade, Asian spices, charcoal, bacon fat, dark chocolate, charred meat and candied violets.  This has a full body with moderate to solid tannins and good acidity.  On the palate dark fruit, olive and charred meat jump out first with spices and dark chocolate coming in on the back end.  The finish is very long and nicely layered.  This is in a prime drinking window and should hold for a few more years.  (94 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.

 

 

 

Cheers!