2011 Treasure Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2009 Stolpman Syrah Estate Grown

2004 Bodegas Castano Yecla Casa Cisca

2001 Clos Pegase Home Ranch Reserve Port Home Ranch

2012 Sextant Wines Zinfandel

2012 Pierre-Henri Morel Côtes du Rhône Villages Signargues

2009 Balgownie Estate Shiraz

2013 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard

N.V. Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé

2006 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino

 

 

 

2011 Treasure Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – $28.49

This is a new purchase from this “négociant’ label.  The “winery” buys excess wine from traditional wineries, bottles it, and turns over their inventory fairly quickly.  The wineries are generally eager to sell off their unwanted wines so Treasure Hunter gets the juice at a VERY big discount.  One of the usual stipulations is that the source of the grapes/wine remains anonymous.  In this case, the name of the original winery was “accidently” slipped, so I know who supposedly made the wine, but I’m sworn to secrecy.

 

Here is the info from Treasure Hunter’s website:

Occasionally we find a wine that is so special, it deserves its own label. This is one of those wines. It is a cult wine from a cult winery it just happens to cost a whole lot less. Lucky you.

 

If the source is accurate, the winery produces two cabernet sauvignons, the least expensive costs north of $100 a bottle.  The other cabernet produced by the winery has a community average cost on Cellar Tracker of well over $300 a bottle.

 

This wine is available for sell on the Treasure Cellars website for $45.00 a bottle, click here for more info.

 

The wine has 14.7% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright ruby red color.  The very inviting nose has cassis, dark bittersweet chocolate, dried herbs, eucalyptus, cherries, minerals, cigar box, and some “Rutherford Dust” (if this is from Rutherford).  This has medium body, fairly solid tannins, and very good acidity.  On the palate big cassis and eucalyptus grab hold eventually allowing cherries, dark chocolate, and some dried herbs enter into the mix.  The finish has very good length with a very slight green herbaceous element creeping in on the back end.  This is extremely young and has a very bright future.  Even at this early stage in its development, the wine has impeccable balance.  I’m sure with some cellar time the slight green element will integrate.  This rating is totally out the window in another couple years.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2009 Stolpman Syrah Estate Grown – $19.99

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

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep maroon color.  The very pleasing nose has blackberries, licorice, cedar, freshly cracked black peppercorns, violets, dark chocolate, warm baking spices and a touch of road tar.  This has medium to full body with moderate to solid tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate juicy berries, baking spices and black pepper jump out first with spicy oak and dark chocolate coming in on the back end.  The finish had very nice length with a nice floral note entering the picture.  Very nice!  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2004 Bodegas Castano Yecla Casa Cisca – $18.99

The wine is in a very thick, heavy bottle.  This has 15.0% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to deep ruby color.  The exotic nose is full of warm berry pie, cherries, Asian spices, cedar, tobacco, earthy underbrush, minerals, dark chocolate, wild flowers, and a touch of vanilla.  This has medium to full body, moderate to solid tannins and very good acidity.  The wine is lighter and brighter on the palate than I was expecting based on the slightly brooding nose.  Asian spice and tart cherries lead off the show with minerals and cedar making an appearance on the back end.  The finish has very nice length with minerals, spicy oak and some earthiness adding to the complexity.  This is still on the younger side and some additional cellar time will be rewarded.  That said, with some air this vibrant and bright wine is immensely enjoyable today.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2001 Clos Pegase Home Ranch Reserve Port Home Ranch – $28.00

This was a 375 ml bottle, sealed with a natural cork.  The wine has 18.5% alcohol.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark maroon color.  The enticing nose has blackberries, black pepper, melted licorice and baking spices.   This has a full body with moderate tannins, good acidity and nice sweetness.  On the palate ripe berries and spice hit first with pepper coming in on the back end.  The finish has nice length with nice lingering sweetness.  This has nice richness without being cloyingly sweet.  This doesn’t have much complexity but is a nice way to end an evening.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Sextant Wines Zinfandel – $14.99

This wine has 14.7% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep purple color.  The playful nose has juicy blackberries, baking spices, black pepper, vanilla bean, licorice, dusty minerals, dried flowers and freshly ground coffee beans.  This has medium to full body with soft to moderate ripe tannins and decent acidity.  Ripe, juicy berries and spices coat the palate on the front end with black pepper and minerals coming in later.  The finish adds dried flowers and coffee beans to the ripe berries.  This is a ripe and jammy zin that is very easy to drink.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Pierre-Henri Morel Côtes du Rhône Villages Signargues – $11.99

This wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre and 5% Carignan.  The wine has 14.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a slightly dull ruby red color.  The promising nose has blackberries, minerals, white pepper, licorice, dried herbs, cherries, dying wood embers and baking spices.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate tart berries, minerals and white pepper immediately grab your attention with dried herbs and a smoky element coming in later.  The finish has nice length with berries and white pepper doing the heavy lifting.  For such a young wine this is drinking very nicely.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2009 Balgownie Estate Shiraz – $25.00

This wine has 14.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a twist off cap.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a dark, inky ruby color.  The nose has blackberries, minerals, baking spices, smoke, cherries, cedar, licorice and dried flowers.  This has medium to full body with moderate ripe tannins and decent acidity.  Ripe berries, minerals and spices coat the palate on the front end with spicy oak and a nice floral note coming in later.  The finish has nice length with dark chocolate and a smoky element joining in.  This is probably in its prime and should be enjoyed over the next couple of years.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2013 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard – $24.00

This is from a 375 ml bottle fresh off the delivery truck.  This has 14.3% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a twist off cap.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a touch lighter than ruby red.  The promising nose has cherries, crushed stone minerals, baking spices, raspberries, roasted herbs, licorice, orange zest and subtle underbrush.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and very nice acidity.  On the palate bright fruit and spice hit first with nice crushed stone coming in later.  The finish adds roasted herbs and some nice earthiness.  This is extremely young but shows great promise.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

N.V. Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé – $16.62

Domaine Lucien Albrecht is one of the oldest and leading Alsace family owned estate, tracing its roots back to 1425.  Through the Albrecht eighteen generations, they have become one of the largest owners of prime Alsace hillside vineyards.  In the early 70’s, Lucien Albrecht, the father of Jean, the current proprietor and winemaker, was one of the three founding fathers of the regulated Crémant d’Alsace.  In 2004, Lucien Albrecht Crémants made history.  At the 14th Concours National des Crémants de France (Crémant Wine Challenge), they stole the show, winning an unprecedented Four Gold Medals.

 

Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé is made from 100% Pinot Noir.  The whole cluster hand-picked grapes are softly pressed in a pneumatic press, hence the coral, light pink salmon color.  Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé is made by using the same methods as in Champagne, i.e “method traditionnelle”.  After the second fermentation in the bottle, lee ageing lasts for nine months, followed by remuage and disgorging.

 

This has 12.0% alcohol by volume.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright salmon pink color.  The enticing nose has cherries, strawberries, minerals, yeasty bread and a hint of citrus zest.  The wine has light body with crisp acidity and sporadic pinpoint bubbles after an initial blast of bubbles left a nice mousse.   Cherries, strawberries and minerals dominate the palate.  The finish has great length with just a hint of lingering sweetness.  Not a lot of complexity but very tasty.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2006 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino – $32.00

This is a new winery for me, but it came with a high recommendation from a friend that knows his Italian wines.  I love a big Brunello, especially with beef that has been seasoned with Italian herbs and spices.

 

Winery history

Altesino is a leader in various, important innovations in the production of Sangiovese from Montalcino, causing it to stand out and become a reference point for the entire territory.

 

Some of the positive contributions putting Montalcino on the world map are: the introduction of the “Cru” (Montosoli) concept in 1975, the first experiments with barriques in ’79, the production in ’77 of the first Grappa from a winery and the first Futures (purchasing wine before its release) for Brunello 1985.

 

Over the last forty years an intense relationship has been developed with the land full of history, with its almost sensual beauty that is physically perceived and its subtle charm that reaches the body and soul.

 

This is the philosophy that inspires Altesino to produce wine and maintain its culture.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red, with a much lighter meniscus.  The very inviting nose has raspberries, cherries, warm baking spices, eucalyptus, wild flowers, dark chocolate, earthy underbrush, and some spicy oak.  This has medium body, fairly solid tannins, and very good acidity.  The palate leads off with tart, juicy, red fruit but nice spice, oak, and a touch of eucalyptus come into the picture adding depth.  The long finish is full of spicy fruit, oak, and some nice earthiness.  Tasty today but this should add some complexity with additional cellar time.  (92 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 always check out the sale and close out items when in a store.  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!