Cliff's Wine Picks

 

2013 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County

2009 World’s End Wavelength Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard

2012 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard

2012 Efeste Syrah Ceidleigh

2008 Vieux Château Mazerat

 

 

 

2013 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County – $16.50

To me, the Loring AVA wines are some of the biggest bargains out there when it comes to Pinot Noir.  These are high quality wines that sell for well under $20 a bottle.  I highly recommend checking them out and getting on their mailing list by visiting their site.

 

This 100% Pinot Noir uses grapes mostly from Rancho La Viña with a few barrels from Clos Pepe, Cargasacchi and Aubaine Vineyards.  The wine was aged 10 months in French oak, 20% new.  There were 1000 cases produced.

 

The wine is a light ruby red color.  The slightly shy nose has cherries, plums, dry earth, wild flowers and dusty minerals.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and very nice acidity.  This is bright and lively on the palate with tart cherries, minerals and wild flowers.  The finish has nice length with dry earth adding nice depth.  Not a typical big and bold Loring Pinot, this is much more civilized.  This is a very tasty Pinot, especially for well under $20.  This has 14.3% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.  (89 pts)

 

 

2009 World’s End Wavelength Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard – $28.69

This is another wine I purchased from Last Bottle.  See more information on them below including a $10 sign up credit.

 

This wine is an unusual blend of 65% Syrah and 35% Cabernet Franc.

 

The wine is a deep ruby red color.  The enticing nose has plums, blackberries, cherries, cedar, dark chocolate, scorched earth, crushed stone minerals, warm baking spices, dried leafy herbs and violets.  This has a full body with moderate to full tannins and very good acidity.  Nice fruit, spice, cedar and minerals take control on the front end of the palate with dark chocolate and dried herbs coming in later.  The lingering finish adds dry earth and a nice floral note.  This is drinking very nicely right now with some air but there is no rush on this one, it will last in the cellar for several years.  A great bottle of wine.  This has 14.7% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (93 pts)

 

 

2012 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard – $28.17

This 100% Pinot Noir comes from a vineyard at the western base of Sonoma Mountain.  The coastal location provides cool ocean breezes and Petaluma Gap fog helps keep the heat in check.  The wine was aged in French oak, 50% new.  1,150 cases of this wine was produced.

 

The wine is a ruby red color.  The sensuous nose has black cherries, Asian spice, plums, crushed stone minerals, white pepper, strawberries, licorice, dry underbrush and dried wild flowers.  This has medium body with moderate to solid tannins and very nice acidity.  On the palate cherries, Asian spice and stony minerals take control quickly with white pepper, strawberries and plums coming in later.  The finish has very good length with underbrush and a dried floral note adding great depth.  This is drinking very nicely right now but there is absolutely no hurry on this one, it will easily last through the end of the decade.  This has 14.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (92 pts)

 

 

2012 Efeste Syrah Ceidleigh – $18.03

This is another Last Bottle purchase.  See additional information on this “flash sale” site below.

 

The 100% syrah uses grapes from Klipsun (53%), Ciel du Cheval (27%) and EFESTE estate’s Angela’s Vineyard (20%).  The wine was aged for 14 months in French oak barrels, 27% new.  There were 764 cases produced.

 

The wine is a deep garnet color.  The intriguing nose has blackberries, crushed stone minerals, roasted leafy herbs, scorched earth, plums, meat juices, eucalyptus, licorice, baking spices, hot asphalt, blueberries and wild flowers.  This has a full body with moderate to solid tannins and very good acidity.  On the palate tart dark fruit, minerals and baking spice grab hold quickly slowly allowing roasted herbs and dried earth to slip in on the back end.  The long, layered finish adds meat juices and a nice floral note.  This improved tremendously with air so give it a lot or even better let it sleep for another year or two.  This will last for another decade in a decent cellar.  How was this wine available on a “flash sale” site?  This has 14.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (94 pts)

 

 

2008 Vieux Château Mazerat – $39.39

I may have to do a post of only wines purchased from Last Bottle since I bought this bottle from them like a couple above.  More info on Last Bottle and a link go join the list with a $10 credit is below.

 

This wine, as well as the World’s End Wavelength above are from JCP Maltus.  More information on the numerous Estates in Jonathan’s control is available via this link.

 

This wine is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc from the Saint Emilion region in Bordeaux.  The wine is a deep maroon color.  The sophisticated and inviting nose has black cherries, dusty minerals, plums, roasted leafy herbs, dry underbrush, charred wood and violets. This has medium to full body with moderate tannins and good acidity.  On the palate dark fruit, minerals and dried leafy herbs jump out quickly on the front end with charred wood and underbrush coming in later.  The finish has great length with a nice floral note entering the picture.  This is rich and silky and a pleasure to have with a nice meal.  This is drinking nicely now and will last for another decade or more.  Great job!  This has 13.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

I am a big fan of the “Flash Wine Sale” site Last Bottle.  Three of the wines in this post were purchased from the site, World’s End Wavelength, Efeste Syrah and Chateau Mazerat.  All of these wines were purchased at a big discount.  I highly recommend getting on their e-mail list.  Like most of the flash sale sites, they offer one wine per day until it sells out.  They also have a couple two-day marathons during the year.  Last Bottle is a great site to buy special wines at prices low enough to open any day of the week.

 

If you sign up using this link you will get a $10 credit that can be used on your first purchase.  I will also get a credit if you make a purchase.

 

Other than getting a credit as explained above, I have no financial interest in the site.  After you are on the list, you can also get the same credit by introducing friends to Last Bottle.

 

 

 

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Cheers!

 

 

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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!