2005 Lyrique Syrah Watch Hill Vineyard

2006 Alma Rosa Pinot Blanc Sta. Rita Hills

2000 Azienda Pier Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo

2007 Scherrer Winery Chardonnay Helfer Vineyard

2006 Elyse Zinfandel Korte Ranch

2009 Lewis Cellars Alec’s Blend

 

 

2005 Lyrique Syrah Watch Hill Vineyard – $17.25

This is an old friend.  I bought three bottles of this from Garagiste Wine back in mid 2008.  I had a bottle not long after it was delivered and was knocked over.  This was a stunner for under $25.  I searched the web and could not find anyone with the wine available for sell.  I slowly killed off my remaining two bottles over the next year and a half.  One day in early 2011, four bottles showed up on Wine Bid.  The initial bid was well below the original price I had paid.  I put in the minimum bid and waited to be out bid.  Needless to say, I won with my minimum offer and after paying the “buyer’s premium” these four bottles were mine at a steal of only $17.25 a bottle.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark maroon color.  The very open and inviting nose has juicy blackberries, smoked meat, black pepper, almost dead wood embers, melted licorice, dark bittersweet chocolate, and some scorched earth.  This has a fairly full body, integrated tannins, and nice acidity.  On the palate the ripe, juicy fruit is joined with smoked meat and black pepper up front with some nice earthiness building on the back end.  The finish is fairly long with dark chocolate joining the party in my mouth.  This is drinking very nicely but a touch of alcohol is starting to peak through the wall of flavor.  Probably needs to be consumed over the next year.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2006 Alma Rosa Pinot Blanc Sta. Rita Hills – $4.75

The owner at the local wine store saw this on the close out list from the distributor.  Supposedly the cases were misplaced in storage and forgotten about for a few years.  The distributor brought in a bottle for the store to try and the owner grabbed everything they had.  I also figured a 6 year old Pinot Blanc would be tired if not dead, but still grabbed a bottle for the under $5 close out price.  I got home and we opened the bottle at room temperature and were blown away.  I immediately sent off an e-mail to stash me a half case.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright yellow to straw color. The light and refreshing nose has lemon curd, apples, stony/flinty minerals, orange blossoms, a touch of spice and a bit of pineapple. This has light to medium body, is dry and has crisp, citrusy acidity. This is very bright and lively on the palate with crisp apples, lemon zest, and flinty minerals, on the backend a touch of spice and orange zest add some depth. The finish has nice length with the citrus, apples, and minerals holding on nicely. This was an absolute steal on closeout for under $5.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2000 Azienda Pier Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo – $29.71

This is another purchase from Garagiste Wine, in this case from late 2007.  I’m a big fan of Italian Barbaresco.  I may be in the minority, but I even prefer a Barbaresco over an Italian Barolo.  Both Barbaresco and Barolo wines are made from the same grape, the Nebbiolo.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light to medium ruby red with some brick, especially at the edge.  The elegant and appealing nose has cherries, damp earthy underbrush, minerals, plums, dried herbs, Asian spices, dark chocolate, roses, and a touch of mint.  This has medium body, moderate tannins, and very good acidity.  On the palate there is a nice balance with the fruit and savory elements sharing the stage.  The finish has very nice length with the fruit adding nice sweetness to the savory notes.  This seems to be in a prime drinking window but should hold a couple of years.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

2007 Scherrer Winery Chardonnay Helfer Vineyard (375ml) – $17.10

A few years ago, I got an offer from Scherrer that included a lot of half bottles.  Needless to say, I stocked up.  I probably bought a couple of cases mixed between this Chardonnay and their Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.  I try to keep a nice variety of half bottles for my wife to enjoy when I am traveling.  That way she can grab a bottle and not have to drink the same wine the next night.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a golden straw color.  The very inviting nose has apples, pears, flinty minerality, baking spices, citrus zest, and buttered popcorn.  This has medium body and crisp acidity.  On the palate the apples, spice, and lemon zest grab the thunder with nice minerality slowly building on the back end.  The fairly long finish leans more on the spice and minerals with just a touch of oak coming into the picture.  This was a very nice Chardonnay in its prime.  This was from a 375ml bottle.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

2006 Elyse Zinfandel Korte Ranch (375ml) – $15.07

The local wine store used to stock this wine in half bottles but I don’t know if anyone other than me bought it.  A quick check of my purchase history in Cellar Tracker show I bought well over 2 cases of this wine.  I know the last case was the last one the distributor had in stock.  I’m not seeing as much Elyse on wine store shelves here in Wisconsin, which is a loss for the normal consumer.  I keep the Elyse (and Jacob Franklin) part of my cellar stocked with purchases direct from the winery.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red color showing just a touch of brick, mainly at the edge.  The very appealing nose reminded me more of a Claret than a zinfandel.  There was some brambly berries and pepper, but they were joined with tobacco, cedar, dried herbs, cassis, and warm baking spices.  This has a medium body, soft integrated tannins, and good acidity.  On the palate this has lost most of its early “baby fat” and is a smooth, nuanced Zinfandel that again could be easily mistaken for a quality Claret.  The finish is fairly long with nice fruit, spice, and a touch of earthiness.  To some people, this may be over the hill, to me it is in a wonderful spot.  This was from a 375ml bottle.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

The Scherrer Chardonnay and Elyse Zinfandel were served to go with a platter we put together for lunch.  Most of the items were provided by Elyse Winery.  The winery supplied cheeses were:

1 – St Andre Triple Cream from Normandy – This cow’s milk cheese was creamy and rich leaving a lingering sweet note.  It needs a white with with crisp acidity.

2 – Sapore del Plave from Trevisio, Italy – This hard, cow’s milk cheese was aged 15 to 16 months.  This nutty, aged cheese had a nice crumbly texture and had the nice “crunchy” bits and subtle saltiness typical in a quality aged cheese.

3 – Tourmalet from The Laruns Valley in France – This is a semi-hard sheep’s milk cheese.  This had a nice nutty, butter taste and paired marvelously with the slightly aged zinfandel.

 

The winery also supplied some Castelvetrano Olives, which I loved and I’m not a big olive fan.  These had a nice meaty texture, a buttery flavor with subtle salt and slight sweetness.

 

Also included in the package from Elyse were some absolutely delicious Spanish Marcona almonds.  My wife is the almond connoisseur in the family and she flipped over these comparing them to a cross between a normal almond and a macadamia nut.  A comparison which I absolutely agree.

 

This Goody Sampler was sent to members of the Elyse wine club.  I highly recommend checking them out.  My platter only included a small percentage of the contents of the package.  Other than the soft cheese, I only included what we’d need for a lunch for two on the deck.

 

We added some butter crackers and a Boar’s Head Salami to complete the delicious lunch.

 

 

 

2009 Lewis Cellars Alec’s Blend – $37.99

I like the wines being produced by Lewis, but I’m not part of their cult-like following.  When I can grab a few bottles at a great price, I stock up but generally pass at the release price.  In this case, the community average price for this wine is over $55 on Cellar Tracker, at that price I think there are better options.  When I was able to get this for under $40, I felt it was worthy of opening my wallet.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark, inky purple color.  The big, bold, and rich nose is full of crushed blackberries, blueberries, smoke, charred meat, black pepper, dark bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, fresh ground coffee, and scorched earth.  This has a full body, fairly solid tannins, and decent acidity.  On the palate the spicy berries, pepper, and meaty elements hit first followed by vanilla, dark chocolate, and some earthiness.  The finish is fairly long and is highlighted by dark chocolate, vanilla, and berries.  This is a big and ripe wine made in a take no prisoners style.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

***** Shameless Self Promotion *****

 

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.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvQTeGR3-c

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

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!

 

 

 

2003 Château Potensac

2008 Villa Creek Willow Creek Cuvée

2007 Jean Edwards Cellars Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard Mendocino County

 

 

The lineup is a bit light this time.  I participated in an online tasting of four Rosé wines from Lodi on Wednesday evening.  I will post a blog on those wines early next week.  A preview – I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the wines.

 

 

2003 Château Potensac – $19.99

Over the years Château Potensac has been my “go to” winery for a week night Bordeaux.  Though this is not a sexy or super exciting wine, it is generally a well priced, enjoyable Bordeaux blend.  This vintage is a blend of 43.5% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot and 23.5% cab franc.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly dark ruby to purple color.  The very open and inviting nose has cassis, minerals, tobacco, licorice, baking spices, leather, dried herbs, cherries, and cedar.  This has medium body, moderate tannins, and very nice acidity.  Nice fruit, spice, and minerals take center stage on the palate with some spicy oak coming in on the back end.  The finish has decent length but the oak does pop out a touch and the tannins get a touch chalky.  This is a nice value priced Bordeaux.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2008 Villa Creek Willow Creek Cuvée – $29.75

As I’ve mentioned in the past, Villa Creek is one of my favorite California wineries.  I love all the delicious blends they produce every year.  This wine is a blend of 50% grenache, 30% mourvedre and 20% syrah from the Denner and James Berry Vineyards in Paso Robles.  This, as well as The Avenger and Mas de Maha are my top three wines Villa Creek makes.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby to maroon color.  The gorgeous nose is full of blackberries, minerals, licorice, dried herbs, cherries, vanilla, black pepper, smoke, dark chocolate, and earthy underbrush.  This has medium to full body, fairly solid tannins, and very nice acidity.  On the palate, mineral laden, peppery berries and some earthiness hit first followed by dark chocolate and a smoky, meaty element.  The long, lingering finish leans more on the savory spectrum but the fruit provides some outstanding sweetness.  This seems to be just entering a very nice drinking window, which should last another 5 to 7 years.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

2007 Jean Edwards Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard – $30.00

I was sent a bottle of this wine by the winery to sample about a year ago.  I loved it and immediately ordered 4 bottles.  After having another bottle, I had to order a few more.  If you like reasonably priced Cabernet and Syrah based wines from California, I highly recommend checking them out.  More information and a mailing list sign up is available on their website.  Mailing list members get advance notice of new releases and exceptional pricing.  Why are you still reading this, you can come back after checking them out.   🙂

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark ruby color, almost purple. The very nice nose has blackberries, charred meat, smoke, roasted herbs, licorice, black pepper, minerals, brined olives, wild flowers, and a touch of mint. This has medium to full body with fairly solid tannins, and very good acidity. The palate has a nice blend between the juicy, crushed berries, and the savory elements of black pepper, roasted herbs, and charred meat. The finish is long and layered with nice juicy berries adding sweetness to the savory elements. This is drinking nicely, but will reward some additional cellar time.  (93 pts)

 

(This is a repost of my note from a couple months ago, it is still very accurate)

 

 

 

***** Shameless Self Promotion *****

 

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.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvQTeGR3-c

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

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!

 

 

 

2007 Core Elevation Sensation Alta Mesa Vineyard

2002 Serafini & Vidotto Phigaia

2002 T-Vine Cellars Petite Sirah NapaValley

2008 Melville Pinot Noir Terraces

2005 Rudius Syrah Russian River Valley

 

 

2007 Core Elevation Sensation Alta Mesa Vineyard – $27.73

I’ve been a big fan of the wines Dave Corey produces for quite a while.  These highly expressive wines are top notch and very reasonably priced.  Most of the wines are delicious blends.  In this case, Elevation Sensation is a blend of 62% Grenache and 38% Mourvedre from Santa Barbara County.  I highly recommend tracking down some Core wines and settling in for a couple hours of pleasure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to dark ruby red color.  The big and flamboyant nose is full of kirsch, minerals, incense, blackberries, eucalyptus, earthy underbrush, dark bittersweet chocolate, and warm baking spices.  This has medium to full body, moderate ripe tannins and nice acidity.  This is “stacked” on the palate with layers of fruit, spice, minerals, and earthiness that slowly peal away revealing the next layer.  The finish has very nice length with some eucalyptus, dark chocolate and cherries closing the show.  This is in a prime drinking window now and should hold for a couple of years.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

2002 Serafini & Vidotto Phigaia – $9.99

And now for something totally different.  I know a very high percentage of the wines I open are either from California or based on grapes native to the Rhone region in France.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot from the Veneto region in Italy.  I grabbed six bottles of this from Garagiste Wine a few (several?) years ago.  I opened one not long after delivery and felt it needed some serious cellar time.  Five years later, it’s time to try another.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby with a fair amount of brick especially at the edge.  The intriguing nose has blackberries, dusty minerals, tobacco, cherries, plums, baking spices, earthy underbrush, and some leafy green herbs.  This is barely medium body with fairly integrated tannins and tart acidity.  On the palate tart cherries, herbs, and minerals dominate the front end with spices and earthiness coming into play later.  The finish has decent length which leans on the savory elements with tart acidity poking through.  This wasn’t really what I expected but it was still very enjoyable.  A great value at $9.99.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2002 T-Vine Cellars Petite Sirah Napa Valley – $33.00

I bought this several years ago during a visit to Napa.  I only bought one bottle so I wanted to give it plenty of cellar time.  I hate only having one bottle of a wine and opening it too early.  I think after laying untouched for 8 years, tonight is the perfect time to open the bottle.  It’s a Saturday evening and I’m grilling thick, juicy burgers.  This should (hopefully) make a nice dinner on the deck.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark, inky purple color.  The outstanding nose is full of blackberries, black pepper, dark chocolate, road tar, well worn leather, licorice, and earthy underbrush.  This has a fairly full body, integrated tannins, and decent acidity.  This is plush and velvety on the palate with lush, ripe berries, black pepper, and chocolate up front.  On the back end some spice, licorice, and earthiness add considerable depth.  The finish is very long and full of juicy, sweet, spicy, peppery berries.  This is delicious today but should hold in the cellar for at least a few more years.  I wouldn’t hold this long term since the tannins have pretty well integrated and the acidity is a touch on the low side.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

2005 Rudius Syrah Russian River Valley – $19.99

If you have never heard of Jeff Ames’ Rudius wines, you’re missing something special, very special.  Rudius produces mainly wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and the Rhone varietals, but also has released a Chardonnay.  I’ve opened a fair amount of these wines and have never had one that was less than outstanding.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark maroon color.  The intense nose is full of blackberries, Asian spices, charred meat, dark chocolate, fresh cracked black pepper, vanilla, and earthy underbrush.  This has a full body, fairly solid ripe tannins, and moderate acidity.  The palate is absolutely loaded with spicy, peppery berries, vanilla, and chocolate.  The finish is fairly long and adds a meaty element and increased pepper and spice.  This is a big, ripe, bold wine that does show some alcohol but nothing too off-putting.  This may not be for everyone, but it works for me.  (94 pts)

 

 

 

2008 Melville Pinot Noir Terraces – $37.14

Melville is one of the big name Pinot producers on California’s central coast.  This family owned winery produces some of the best Pinot Noirs coming out of California that are fairly widely distributed and very fairly priced.  In recent years they have begun producing very nice Syrah based wines that I have enjoyed.  They also produce Chardonnay and Viognier wines, but I have not tried one of them up to now.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a ruby red color.  The enticing nose has black raspberries, earthy underbrush, minerals, baking spices, cherries, wild flowers, cola, and a touch of licorice.  This has medium body, soft to moderate tannins, and very good acidity.  On the palate, tart, juicy berries and sweet cherries are joined by minerals, baking spices, and some earthiness.  The finish is very long and full of layers that slowly fade allowing the next wave to wash over the palate.  This is an exceptional Central Coast Pinot Noir that will hold and perhaps improve over the next several years, but it it stunning today.  (94 pts)

 

 

 

We had a slow simmered corned beef with potatoes, carrots, and some onion for dinner with the Melville Pinot.  It may be almost the middle of June, but Summer hasn’t made an appearance in the upper Midwest.  At least it was nice enough we could enjoy our dinner and wine on the deck.

 

 

 

 

***** Shameless Self Promotion *****

 

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.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvQTeGR3-c

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

 

Wines bought or received this week

2010 Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon Stile Blocks – 3 bottles at $39.99

 

I also received these wine samples to review down the road:

2012 The Seeker Rosé (France, Provence)

2012 The Seeker Red Blend (Chile, Central Valley)

2012 The Seeker Riesling (Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer)

2012 The Seeker Pinot Grigio (Italy, Veneto)

 

I received these for an online tasting of Lodi Rosé wines next week:

2012 McCay Cellars Rosé

2012 Heritage Oak Grenache Rosé

2012 Onesta Cinsault Rosé

2012 Sorelle Winery Bella e Rosa

Check out the Twitter based tasting on Wednesday evening.

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

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!

 

 

 

2007 Domaine de l’Hortus Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup Classique

2009 Turley Zinfandel Juvenile

2010 Loring Pinot Noir Cargasacchi Vineyard

2009 Hobo Wine Company Zinfandel Branham Vineyard Rockpile

 

 

2007 Domaine de l’Hortus Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup Classique – $14.53

This a blend of about 60% Syrah and 30% Grenache which were tank vinified, with 10% barrel aged Mourvedre.  I’m a big fan of the impressive, value priced, wine from the Languedoc region in France.  These are exceptional wines to pair with a piece of juicy meat hot off the grill.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a ruby red color.  The very nice and outgoing nose has blackberries, plums, smoke, roasted herbs, warm baking spices, minerals, meat juices, a touch of licorice, and some nice earthiness.  This has medium body, moderate tannins, and very good acidity.  The fruit and spice immediately grab the palate, eventually allowing smoky roasted herbs and some earthiness to break through.  The finish has nice length with the berries slowly giving way to meat juices, roasted herbs, minerals, and some subtle earthiness.  This is drinking very nicely today and should hold for at least a few more years.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2009 Turley Zinfandel Juvenile – $16.00

The Turley Juvenile Zinfandel is a blend of grapes from younger vines in the vineyards from around the state the winery uses for their single vineyard Zinfandels.  These vineyards include some of my favorites, Hayne and Ueberroth, among others.  The vines range from 6 to 25 years old.  To me, this is one of Turley’s better value wines.  This is generally a wine to drink on the younger side while giving the single vineyard Zinfandels some cellar time.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly deep ruby red color.  The very appealing nose has brambly berries, black pepper, warm baking spices, cherries, caramel, and a touch of earthiness.  This has a full body, moderate ripe tannins, and nice acidity.  One the palate the jammy fruit, spice and pepper grab hold and grudgingly give way to some cherry.  The finish has nice length and leans on the savory notes with the fruit providing nice background sweetness.  This does show a touch of alcohol but not really enough to be a distraction, at least to me.  This seems to be hitting its stride.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Loring Pinot Noir Cargasacchi Vineyard – $46.00

I love Brian Loring’s Pinot Noirs, actually I love all the wines of his that I have tried.  That said, this will be my first Cargasacchi Vineyard Pinot Noir from Loring.  I don’t know how this wine fell through the cracks, but this was the first time I bought the wine.  Loring’s Pinot Noirs are very Californian in style, which I do not say in a bad way.  Brian’s pinots are usually ripe and bold and very tasty.  If you are looking for a Burgundy, look elsewhere, if you are looking for a very tasty bottle of wine you’re in the right place.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep purple color.  The intoxicating nose has blackberries, minerals, baking spices, black cherries, licorice, raspberries, a touch of smoke, and some subtle earthiness.  This has medium to full body, moderate tannins, and very good acidity.  Loads of spicy berries and minerals dominate the front end with black cherries and earthy elements coming in on the back end.  The finish has very nice length but does show just a touch of alcohol, but not enough to take away from the wine.  This is a very nice combination of a big, rich California Pinot but with plenty of tannins and acidity to provide support and balance.  This is an outstanding effort.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

2009 Hobo Wine Company Zinfandel Branham Vineyard Rockpile – $22.32

I’ve been a big fan of the red wines coming out of the rugged Rockpile appellation in Sonoma for several years.  These are generally big, burly wines due to the area’s proximity to the cooling breezes off of the Pacific Ocean.

 

Tim Fish from Wine Spectator had a very nice piece on the area about a year ago.  I’m not sure if you have to be a subscriber or not to follow this link, but it’s well worth checking out.  I think the writer’s blogs are free with no subscription required.

Between a Rockpile and a Zin Place

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly deep ruby red color.  The outstanding nose has brambly berries, fresh ground black pepper, minerals, freshly ground dark roast coffee, melted licorice, and a touch of charred meat.  This has medium to full body, fairly solid tannins, and very good acidity.  On the palate the wine is a bit brighter than the nose lead me to expect with peppery berries and cherries leading the way with a nice jolt of minerals following closely.  The finish has decent length but gets a touch lean.  This has a pretty big acidity component that will integrate with some cellar time, perhaps allowing the finish to fill out.  This is good today, but I think it will improve with another year in the cellar.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

***** Shameless Self Promotion *****

 

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.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvQTeGR3-c

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

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!

 

 

 

2008 Carlisle Zinfandel Sonoma County

2010 Altesino Rosso di Montalcino

2007 Wild Hog Vineyard Petite Sirah Cache Creek

2002 Elyse Cabernet Sauvignon Tietjen Vineyard

 

 

2008 Carlisle Zinfandel Sonoma County – $17.50

Year after year one of the greatest values out there.  This is absolutely the best zinfandel you can get for $20 or less, in my opinion.  Mike Officer deserves a mountain of credit for holding the line on price increases even though his wines constantly sell out and get great reviews and ratings.  If you’re on Carlisle’s mailing list you know what I mean, if you aren’t, you need to become friends with someone who is.

 

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 just entering a nice drinking window, and the tannins and acidity will keep this alive and kicking through most of the decade.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Altesino Rosso di Montalcino – $24.33

I like Altesino’s Brunello wines, when the local store stocked this Rosso on their shelf, I had to grab a few bottles.  When done right, a Rosso is just a half notch below a Brunello in quality but sells for a fraction of the cost.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red color with a touch of brick.  The bright nose has cherries, strawberries, raspberries, dried herbs, tobacco, minerals, and a touch of underbrush.  This has medium body, light to moderate tannins, and very nice acidity.  On the palate the red fruit and spice hit first with dried herbs, minerals, and tobacco coming in on the back end.  The finish has nice length with the tobacco and minerals closing the show.  Not a wine to contemplate over, but a very tasty Rosso to enjoy over the next few years.  (89 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.

 

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)

 

 

 

2002 Elyse Cabernet Sauvignon Tietjen Vineyard – $35.00

Elyse (including their Jacob Franklin label) is one of the wineries on the very short list of my favorites.  Across the board, Elyse churns out some of the most delicious red wines coming out of the Napa Valley at killer prices.  I usually love this wine, but it is actually my third favorite cabernet they make behind the Elyse Morisoli Cab and the Jacob Franklin Hoffman Lane Cab.  If you ever make it to Napa, I highly recommend paying them a visit.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly deep ruby red color.  The absolutely stunning nose has cassis, cigar box, warm baking spices, minerals (I’d say Rutherford dust but it’s not quite in Rutherford), black cherries, eucalyptus, dried herbs, rose petals, dark bittersweet chocolate, and melted licorice.  This has medium body, soft, integrated tannins and very nice acidity.  On the palate the cassis and spice lead off with minerals, dried herbs, and a touch of toasty oak building up in the background.  The finish is long and leans on the savory elements with cassis adding some nice sweetness from the sidelines.  This is in a perfect drinking window and extremely smooth and rich.  Probably one of the best Elyse Tietjen Cabernets I have consumed.  This wine is stunning today and should hold for a few more years, but why wait?  (94 pts)

 

 

 

 

***** Shameless Self Promotion *****

 

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.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvQTeGR3-c

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

Wines bought or received this week

2010 Altesino Rosso di Montalcino – 3 bottles for $24.33

2011 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc – 6 bottles for $15.78

2010 Purple Hands Pinot Noir Stoller Vineyard – 3 bottles for $18.16

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

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!

 

 

 

2011 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc

2007 Villa Creek Avenger

2010 King Estate Pinot Gris Signature Collection

2007 Treasure Hunter Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Kraken

2012 Villa Creek Pink

2009 Domaine de Fondrèche Côtes du Ventoux Cuvée Fayard

2012 New Harbor Sauvignon Blanc

2006 Novy Family Wines Syrah Garys’ Vineyard

 

 

 

2011 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc – $16.90

Cloudy Bay has been my favorite New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for several years.  When I saw this wine on my local wine store’s shelf and found out the owner/wine maker is Kevin Judd, a decision to grab a few bottles was easy.  Kevin Judd, was the founding wine maker for Cloudy Bay.  After directing 25 vintages at Cloudy Bay, Kevin decided it was time to fulfill his life long dream and set his own course.  Greywacke, which opened in 2009, is the culmination of that dream.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light, pale, straw color.  The crisp and clean nose has grapefruit, minerals, lime, lemon zest, white pepper, gooseberry, and a touch of an herbal note.  This has a light body with tart citrusy acidity.  On the palate tart grapefruit and white pepper lead off with lime and lemon kicking in on the back end.  The finish is long and mouthwatering with minerals and an herbal note joining the citrus and white pepper.  A stunning wine for a warm afternoon with or without food.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2007 Villa Creek Avenger – $35.00

As anyone who has followed me on Twitter or read this blog for very long knows, Villa Creek is one on my top 5 wineries.  Of all the wines offered by the winery, vintage after vintage, The Avenger is my favorite wine they produce.  This is a blend of 75% syrah, 15% mourvedre and 10% grenache.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark maroon color.  The absolutely stunning nose has blackberries, cherries, minerals, eucalyptus, violets, Asian spices, licorice, and a touch of earthiness.  This has medium to full body, moderate ripe tannins, and good acidity.  This delivers a mouthful of juicy berries and spice up front with minerals, eucalyptus, and some earthiness kicking in on the back end.  The finish is fairly long with nice lingering sweet fruit, spice, and minerals.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2010 King Estate Pinot Gris Signature Collection – $12.82

The King Estate Pinot Gris is a warm weather favorite in our house.  This wine usually has enough richness to sip on its’ own on a warm day but also has enough acidity to easily stand up to some of the lighter fare we eat on a warm Summer evening.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light, golden straw color.  The fresh and inviting nose has apples, minerals, citrus zest, pears, white peaches, and orange blossoms.  This has light to medium body and crisp acidity.  On the palate this is like apples and pears tossed with citrus zest with some minerals sprinkled on top.  The mouthwatering finish has good length and closes with a nice spritz of lime and minerals.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2007 Treasure Hunter Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Kraken – $23.75

Treasure Hunter is a “négociant’ label.  The “winery” doesn’t own any vineyards or even a winery.  They buy excess wine from other wineries and either bottle it as is or do some blending and then bottle the finished product.  In most cases Treasure Hunter wines are identical to another, much more expensive, wine in the market place.  During the recent “economic downturn” when a lot of wineries were cutting back on their production, Treasure Hunter was the recipients of some great juice that they sold at killer prices.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby color. The outstanding nose has cassis, dried herbs, licorice, cherries, minerals, eucalyptus, baking spices, leather, and some cedar.  This has medium body, fairly solid ripe tannins, and very good acidity.  Nice fruit and spice on the palate with minerals, dried herbs and a bit of earthiness coming in on the backend.  Fairly long finish with the fruit, spice, dried herbs and earthiness all in perfect balance.  A very good Napa Cab no matter the price, but an absolute steal for under $25.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Villa Creek Pink – $12.80

This wine, along with the Bedrock Rosé, meet most of my Summer rosé requirements.  This is usually a nice, easy drinking, rosé with crisp acidity and just a hit of lingering sweetness.  This is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Mourvèdre.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a pink to salmon color.  The fresh and inviting nose has strawberry, cherry, minerals, apples, a touch of orange zest, and a slight herbal note.  This has light body, crisp acidity, and a touch of sweetness.  The palate has tart red fruit, apples, and a distinct streak of minerality.  The finish has nice length with a nice herbal element coming into the picture before some mouthwatering citrus closes the show.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2009 Domaine de Fondrèche Côtes du Ventoux Cuvée Fayard – $9.49

This is another wine I found on the shelf at the local wine store.  In my opinion, even after several fantastic vintages, the wines from the Southern Rhone represent fantastic values.  One of these days enough people are going to recognize these marvelous wines and cause price increases, until that time, I will be stocking up.  This is a blend of 50% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvedre and Carignan.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby to purple color.  The outstanding nose has blackberries, minerals, cherries, smoke, dried herbs, road tar, vanilla, wild flowers, and a touch of dark chocolate.  This has medium body, moderate tannins, and very nice acidity.  Nice red and black fruit and a load of minerals coat the palate with some dried herbs, chocolate, and a bit of earthiness coming in on the backend.  The finish has decent length again highlighting the mineral laden fruit and subtle earthiness.  This is drinking very nicely today and should provide a lot of good drinking over the next four to six years.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2012 New Harbor Sauvignon Blanc – $8.54

I had to grab a couple bottles of this to try to see if I need to stock up for the Summer.  It’s hard to pass on a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc when you can grab it for under $9.00 a bottle.  I’m not expecting a Cloudy Bay clone, but for about one third the price, I’m looking for something to enjoy with dinner on the deck on a week night.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light golden straw color, almost colorless.  The clean and refreshing nose has tart apples, grapefruit, lemon zest, spice, and a solid herbal note.  This has light to medium body with crisp acidity and a bit of residual sweetness.  On the palate the wine highlights both the crisp citrus and herbal elements with a touch of spice in the background and some lingering sweetness.  The finish has decent length and closes with tart, mouthwatering citrus, with some lingering sweetness providing nice richness without getting in the way.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2006 Novy Family Wines Syrah Garys’ Vineyard – $33.00

I grabbed a half case of this wine upon release, figuring I’d be able to enjoy these over several years.  At least that was the plan, this will be my last bottle from that purchase.  Every bottle of this wine has been outstanding and I’m looking forward to saying goodbye to this old friend this evening.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep purple color.  The exciting nose has blackberries, licorice, baking spices, charred meat, grapefruit zest, black pepper, dried herbs, earthy underbrush, vanilla, and violets.  This has medium body, moderate tannins, and very good acidity.  On the palate spicy berries, pepper, and a twist of grapefruit dominate the front end with dried herbs and meaty elements coming in on the backend.  The finish is very long and flavorful with some earthy elements and the grapefruit zest seeming to last forever.  This is in a very nice drinking window, but there is no hurry on this one, it should last in the cellar for at least a few more years.  (94 pts)

 

 

 

***** Shameless Self Promotion *****

 

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.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvQTeGR3-c

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

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!

 

 

 

2007 Stefania Haut Tubee

2005 Mitolo Shiraz Reiver

2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Mourvedre Ode to Lulu Rosé

2010 Purple Hands Pinot Noir Stoller Vineyard

 

 

I’m on vacation so the comments are a bit brief this time.  I also have very wonky internet access which is limiting my ability to do much background research.

 

 

 

2007 Stefania Haut Tubee – $18.00

 

This wine has been a favorite since I grabbed a case from the winery’s mailing list.  This is a wine that changes, often dramatically, every vintage depending on what the winery has available.  Per the winery, this vintage is 50% syrah with cabernet sauvignon, merlot, zinfandel, grenache, and mourvedre.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a dark garnet to purple color.  The very nice nose has blackberries, smoked meat, black pepper, cedar, cherries, dried herbs, and forest floor.  This has a medium body, moderate tannins, and very nice acidity.  The palate is a bit brighter than the nose lead me to expect with the fruit more in the cherry to raspberry range with a load of spice and slowly building earthiness.  The finish has decent length but is losing some of the richness it had in the past.  Tastes good now but I’d advise drinking up over the next year.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2005 Mitolo Shiraz Reiver – $20.59

 

Another Aussie Shiraz that someone lost money on.  The release price was well north of $40 but I bought a case and a half for a touch over $20 a bottle from the local wine store.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark purple color, almost black.  The very deep and inviting nose is locked and loaded with blackberries, smoked meat, baking spices, vanilla, dark chocolate, cherries, charcoal, dried herbs, and black pepper.  This has a fairly full body, solid, velvety tannins, and very nice acidity.  On the palate big fruit and spice quickly take hold allowing some dried herbs, chocolate, and vanilla to slowly slip into the picture.  The finish is long with cherries and a big blast of black pepper adding considerable interest.  (94 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Mourvedre Ode to Lulu Rosé – $19.00

 

This is generally one of my go-to Rosé wines along with the Villa Creek Pink.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light pink to salmon color.  The fresh and clean nose has strawberries, minerals, white peaches, cherries, and some subtle earthiness.  This has light body with crisp acidity and maybe just a touch of residual sugar.   Crisp, juicy fruit and minerals dominate the palate with a touch of earthiness in the background.  The finish has nice length and leaves a very slightly sweet and crisp final impression.  The perfect wine to enjoy on a warm Summer afternoon with or without food.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Purple Hands Pinot Noir Stoller Vineyard – $19.94

 

The owner/winemaker is Cody Wright, the son of well known and popular Oregon winemaker/owner Ken Wright.  This was a new winery to me when the local wine store had an e-mail special on the wine.  In my opinion, any time you can get hold of a good Pinot Noir for under $20, you buy.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright red color with a slight ruby tint. The soft and nuanced nose has black cherries, raspberries, fresh flowers, and subtle earthiness. This is medium body at most, with racy acidity, and soft but persistent tannins. The silky palate has tart, juicy fruit, spice, and a bit of earthiness which carries through on the slightly short finish. This is a nice, light weight style of Pinot with juicy acidity and a touch of earthiness and spice to balance out the fruit. This is a nice change up from the broad shouldered California Pinots.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

 

***** Shameless Self Promotion *****

 

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.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvQTeGR3-c

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

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!

 

 

 

2009 Bodegas Borsao Garnacha Campo de Borja Tres Picos

2007 John Duval Wines Shiraz Entity

2008 Turley Zinfandel Old Vines

2008 Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red

 

 

 

2009 Bodegas Borsao Garnacha Campo de Borja Tres Picos – $11.39

 

This Spanish Garnacha (Grenache) is a perennial best buy that always over delivers.  If you are looking for a classically structured, old world style Grenache, this isn’t it.  If you want a wine loaded with fruit and spice, grab a bottle, you will love this one.  This could be slipped into a tasting of California wines that cost a lot more and not stick out as a weak link.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to dark ruby red color.  The very inviting nose has raspberries, smoke, vanilla, baking spices, cherries, fresh ground espresso beans, white pepper, and some dried herbs.  This has medium to full body, moderate tannins, and good acidity.  On the palate the fruit and spice lead off with white pepper, dried herbs, and the coffee coming in later.  The finish has nice length with a dark chocolate note joining the party.  This is a very nice wine and an incredible value.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2007 John Duval Wines Shiraz Entity – $20.27

 

Even though they are out of vogue, we still love a nice Australian Shiraz.  Those of us that still drink these wines are usually rewarded with great pricing.  I was able to stock up on this gem for about half the suggested price when the local wine store brought in a fair amount.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark purple color.  The open and satisfying nose has blackberries, warm baking spices, dark bittersweet chocolate, black pepper, licorice, fresh ground dark roast coffee, dried herbs, some earthiness, and a floral note.  This has a fairly full body, solid ripe tannins, and good acidity.  On the palate the berries and dark chocolate take center stage with dried herbs, pepper, and some earthiness coming in on the sidelines.  The finish is very long with berries, dark chocolate, and dried herbs leading the way with a hit of cherries coming through in the background.  This is delicious today but can easily be cellared for several years.  (94 pts)

 

 

 

2008 Turley Zinfandel Old Vines – $25.00

 

Turley was one of the original “cult” zinfandel producers.  Even though they may have been eclipsed by a few of the young guns like Carlisle and Bedrock, their Juvenile and Old Vines Zins are still very nice bottles of wine for the price.  I have actually dropped off the Turley mailing list since I have been able to buy most of the wines from my local wine store who actually has a very nice selection on their shelves.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to dark ruby red color.  The spicy nose has brambly berries, black pepper, vanilla, minerals, baking spices, smoke, and some earthy underbrush.  This has medium to full body, fairly solid tannins, and very good acidity.  Brighter on the palate than the nose lead me to expect with the fruit more in the cherry and raspberry arena with a load of black pepper and spice poured on top.  The finish has decent length and adds a touch of earthiness.  This doesn’t offer much complexity but still very tasty.  Not your typical rich and velvety Turley zinfandel.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2008 Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red – $13.29

 

This is a kitchen sink blend that changes every vintage.  This vintage is a blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 16% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc, 3% Malbec, 3% Sangiovese, 3% Petite Verdot, and 1% Carmenere from the ColumbiaValley in Washington.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly dark ruby to maroon color. The enticing nose has blackberries, smoldering charcoal, vanilla, meat juices, dried herbs, baking spices, licorice, and a bit of earthiness. This has medium body, fairly solid tannins, and very nice acidity. The palate has a nice mix of fruity and savory elements that play well off of each other. The finish has decent length leaning a bit more on the savory elements. This is in a very nice drinking window and is a nice change of pace from the bigger, riper California wines.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

 

***** Shameless Self Promotion *****

 

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.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvQTeGR3-c

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

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!

 

 

 

2011 Calera Pinot Noir Central Coast

2005 Copain Syrah Garys’ Vineyard

2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Albariño Abrente

2008 Rudius Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

 

 

2011 Calera Pinot Noir Central Coast – $21.97

 

My comments

I’ve been a fan of the single vineyard Pinot Noirs from Calera for a few years.  This will actually be my first appellation labeled wine from them.

 

Winery history

Calera is a vision, and Calera’s wines truly express the sense of place.  Rather than follow the recommended path, Josh Jensen became a pioneer in search of the perfect spot on the globe to grow grapes.  Taking his cue from the great domaines of Burgundy which have grown grapes in limestone soil for centuries, he set out in search of the perfect spot in California to create wines unique to the world but in the style of the greatest wines of France.  Site selection was vital as he ventured off the grid to plant on the site of an old limekiln in the Gavilan Mountains of California.  Today Calera wines still express that pioneer spirit and are revered the world over.  We are proud to report that even Robert Parker is convinced: “Calera is one of the most compelling Pinot Noir specialists of not only the New World, but of Planet Earth.”

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light to medium ruby red color, much lighter at the rim.  The fresh smelling nose has cherries, flowers, baking spice, eucalyptus, crushed stone minerals, and a touch of forest floor.  This has medium body, soft tannins, and nice acidity.  Nice red fruit on the palate with spice and just a touch of earthiness.  The finish has nice length with the eucalyptus and minerals making an appearance to go with the sweet fruit.  A very nice, easy drinking, under $25 Pinot Noir.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2005 Copain Syrah Garys’ Vineyard – $50.00

 

My comments

I’m a fan of both Copain’s Syrahs and the wines made with grapes from Garys’ Vineyard, but this wine always left me scratching my head.  This wine included a high percentage of stems and the resulting vegetal notes always were too prominent.  I kept hoping they would better integrate, but I think we just have to accept this will always have a stemmy note.  It’s been about two years since my last bottle, I’m hoping for the best but feel otherwise.

 

Winery history

Wells Guthrie discovered early on that his taste in wine gravitated toward Europe in general and France’s Rhône Valley in particular.  So much so, he picked up and moved with his new bride to the region to learn from the best.  For two years, Wells apprenticed for esteemed winemaker and living legend Michel Chapoutier in France’s Rhone Valley.  During that time, Wells was deeply inspired by the traditions and practices of French winemaking, not to mention the European attitude that wine is an essential part of life.  At Copain, he creates wines that are firmly rooted in California, yet with the sensibilities of the European wines that so moved him.  He is as committed to crafting these elegant, nuanced wines as he is to building a legacy that will be passed down to his daughters in the great tradition of European winemakers whose estates have been in the same family for generations.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark ruby to purple color.  The deep and dark nose has blackberries, smoked meat, black pepper, blueberries, dried herbs, dark chocolate, fresh ground espresso, earthy underbrush, and a bit of stems.  On the palate this leans on the savory elements with smoked meat, dark chocolate, dried herbs, and pepper taking control and driving the fruit into the background where it adds some needed sweetness.  The finish is long and meaty with a touch of stems peaking through.  I doubt the stems will ever totally integrate but at this point they are at least mostly under control.  I found this very enjoyable but some will object to the excessive stems.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Albariño Abrente – $19.00

 

My comments

Though this wine is offered on the Bedrock mailing list (and listed in Cellar Tracker) as made by Bedrock, the wine is actually the result of a partnership between winemakers Michael Havens (the first person to make Albariño in the New World) and Morgan Twain-Peterson.

 

Winery history

Like I noted above this is not really made by Bedrock, but is actually a “side project” for Morgan Twain-Peterson.  I think this is the only wine being made by this partnership, but I, for one, would love to see them expand the portfolio.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light golden, straw color.  The fresh and appealing nose has apples, lemon zest, flinty minerality, white peach, orange blossoms, and a touch of spice including white pepper.  This has light body with very crisp citrusy acidity.  The citrus explodes on the palate with apples, minerals, and spice quickly building on the back end.  The finish is long and mouthwatering leaving a distinct citrus and white pepper element.  This is a perfect sunny day wine.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2008 Rudius Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – $65.00

 

My comments

I’ve been a big fan of Jeff Ames’ Rudius label since the beginning.  I don’t know the status of Jeff’s mailing list, but if you like very special wines at good prices, you should check them out at http://www.rudiuswines.com/.  Besides Cabernets, Jeff has produced several outstanding wines with Rhone grapes.

 

Winery history

Growing up in Memphis and Mobile, Alabama in a family of lawyers, the thought of becoming a winemaker never occurred to Jeff Ames.  But after deciding not to pursue his law degree, a part time job in a local wine shop in Memphis sparked his passion for wine.  Soon after, in 1998, Jeff moved to Oregon on a whim—with no guarantee of a job—and lucked out when Lynn Penner-Ash gave him his first harvest job at Rex Hill.  What started as a much-needed mental break from his Masters program, soon turned into an exciting new career.  After harvest, Jeff couldn’t get enough of the wine business, and made the big move to the Napa Valley in 1999.  After bouncing around the industry from tasting room jobs at Freemark Abbey, Flora Springs and Duckhorn, to freelance writing for Decanter Magazine, to sales at WineBid, Jeff finally got the break he was waiting for.  In 2001, he was able to return to production—the side of the industry he has always loved most—when he became Thomas Brown’s assistant winemaker at brands including Schrader, Maybach, Outpost, and Tor.

 

Two short years later, he took over as head winemaker at Tor, where he continues to make extraordinary wines from some of California’s most notable vineyards.  Everything really came together for Jeff in 2005, when, after years of penny-pinching, he finally achieved his ultimate goal of starting his own wine brand—Rudius Wines.  And the result, my friends, is what you have in your cellar!

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red color.  The exciting and inviting nose has cassis, mint, warm baking spices, tobacco, black cherries, crushed stone minerals, dark bittersweet chocolate, dried herbs, and a touch of earthy underbrush.  This has medium to full body, fairly solid tannins, and very good acidity.  On the palate spices, cassis, cherries, and dark chocolate hit first followed by minerals and dried herbs on the back end.  The finish is very long and seems to linger forever, with the minty note making a brief but appealing appearance.  On the young side, but already drinking very nicely.  I’m sure additional cellar time will be handsomely rewarded.  (94 pts)

 

***** Shameless Self Promotion *****

 

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.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvQTeGR3-c

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

 

Wines bought or received this week

2012 New Harbor Sauvignon Blanc 1 bottle for $8.54

2011 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 1 bottle for $16.90

2010 Peay Vineyards Syrah La Bruma 4 bottles for $38.04

 

 

 

 

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!

 

 

 

2007 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains

2010 Domaine du Colombier Crozes-Hermitage

2009 Loring Wine Company Pinot NoirSantaLuciaHighlands

2007 Elyse Zinfandel A.K.A.

 

 

2007 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains – $22.79

 

My comments

I grabbed this wine a few years ago when the winery had a tasting at the local store.  The 2002 vintage of this wine was one the best purchases I have ever made.  That vintage took a few years to fill out and open up, so I’m hoping I allowed this vintage to rest in the cellar long enough.

 

Winery history

Martin Ray Winery was established in 1943 in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  Martin Ray’s mission was to make 100% varietal wines in California that could rival great French Bordeaux and Burgundy wines.  Today, we continue the tradition of making 100% varietal wines from premium mountain vineyards using the same winemaking practices that made Ray a legendary figure in the wine business.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark purple color.  Cassis and blackberries jump from the glass with vanilla, dried herbs, wild flowers, cherries, licorice, cedar, and a bit of eucalyptus.  This has medium body, fairly solid tannins, and good acidity.  This isn’t as big and rich on the palate as the nose lead me to expect.  The slightly restrained palate has cassis, spicy oak, vanilla, and a floral quality.  The finish has decent length with the minty eucalyptus note making a closing statement along with the cassis, and spicy oak.  The palate was a bit of a letdown after the build up from the exuberant nose, but on the whole, this is a very nice wine.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Domaine du Colombier Crozes-Hermitage – $18.71

 

My comments

This was another of my Garagiste Wine purchases.  Sometimes I hate having to wait up to a year to get my wine from them, but generally I either order older Rieslings and ensure I have plenty to ship during one of their shipping windows or order wines I don’t plan on opening for a while.  I grabbed a few bottles of this wine and want to try one to gauge how long to sit on the remaining bottles so I can drink most of them in a prime drinking window.

 

Winery history

Domaine du Colombier is located in the Northern Rhône Valley, in the left bank of the Rhône River.  The estate has been part of the family since the First World War.  The owners gradually moved from a sharecroppers status to that of owners.  Florent Viale joined his father in 1990 and decided to bottle part of their production in 1991.  Now they sell 80% in bottle, 20% in bulk.

 

This 12 hectare (30 acres) Domaine spreads over the two communes of Tain l’Hermitage and Mercurol and is comprised of:

 

1.6 hectares (4 acres) of Hermitage

1.2 hectares (3 acres) of white Crozes-Hermitage

9.2 hectares (23 acres) of red Crozes-Hermitage.

Total: 12 hectares (30 acres)

 

The vineyard, located on stony hillside, is planted with old vines (50-55 years of age): Syrah for the red and Marsanne for the white.  The grapes are harvested by hand.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red color.  The very nice nose has blackberries, cherries, dried herbs, minerals, smoked meat, black pepper, and some forest floor.  This has medium body, fairly solid tannins, and very nice acidity.  On the nicely layered palate spicy fruit is joined by minerals and smoked meat with dried herbs and some earthiness coming in on the back end.  The finish has very nice length and leans on the savory elements with the fruit providing a touch of sweetness in the background.  This is drinking very nicely today but there is absolutely no need to drink these soon.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2009 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands – $24.00

 

My comments

To me, the Loring appellation wines are some of the biggest bargains available.  I always grab at least a mixed case when these wines are offered.  These are generally very good to outstanding California Pinot Noirs that cost under $25.

 

Winery history

My philosophy on making wine is that the fruit is EVERYTHING.  What happens in the vineyard determines the quality of the wine – I can’t make it better – I can only screw it up!  That’s why I’m extremely picky when choosing vineyards to buy grapes from.  Not only am I looking for the right soil, micro-climate, and clones, I’m also looking for a grower with the same passion and dedication to producing great wine that I have.  In other words, a total Pinot Freak!  My part in the vineyard equation is to throw heaping piles of money at the vineyard owners (so that they can limit yields and still make a profit) and then stay out of the way!  Since most, if not all of the growers keep some fruit to make their own wine, I tell them to farm my acre(s) the same way they do theirs – since they’ll obviously be doing whatever is necessary to get the best possible fruit.  One of the most important decisions made in the vineyard is when to pick.  Some people go by the numbers (brix, pH, TA, etc) and some go by taste.  Once again, I trust the decision to the vineyard people.  The day they pick the fruit for their wine is the day I’m there with a truck to pick mine.  Given this approach, the wine that I produce is as much a reflection of the vineyard owner as it is of my winemaking skills.  I figure that I’m extending the concept of terroir a bit to include the vineyard owner/manager… but it seems to make sense to me.  The added benefit is that I’ll be producing a wide variety of Pinots.  It’d be boring if everything I made tasted the same.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby to garnet color.  The very enticing nose has black cherries, baking spices, raspberries, minerals, white pepper, forest floor, and fresh wild flowers.  This has medium to full body, silky tannins, and very nice acidity.  On the fairly straight forward palate, spices and fruit kick off the show with white pepper and earthiness coming in on the back end.  The finish is fairly long again highlighting the spicy fruit and some earthiness.  The Loring appellation Pinot Noirs are some of the best values in the marketplace.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2007 Elyse Zinfandel A.K.A. – $20.00

 

My comments

Elyse has been one of my favorite wineries since my first visit there in 2001.  I was talking to an employee at Merryvale about the style of wines I liked and that I was on the lookout for leads to some nice Petite Sirah based wines.  All he said was, “You have to checkout Elyse”.  As soon as we got back in the car, I pulled out my guidebook of wineries, and looked them up.  According to the guide, they required a reservation so I called them.  About 30 minutes later we were met by a very gracious and inviting tasting room employee.  We spent the next hour trying just about everything they made.  We left with several bottles for the week and ordered a case to be shipped back home.

 

Since that day, Elyse has always been the first winery we visit when we make it to Napa.  I always have several bottles of Elyse wine in my cellar.  A quick check of my cellar on Cellar Tracker shows I currently have 22 bottles of Elyse wines and 12 from their other label, Jacob Franklin in stock.

 

Winery history

In 1983, Nancy and Ray arrived in California from Cape Cod to fulfill Ray’s dream of making wine and Nancy’s taste for adventure.  After working harvest at Mt. Eden Winery in Saratoga, they moved to NapaValley and became innkeepers for a bed &breakfast. Ray then spent formative time at Tonella Vineyard Management, where he gained philosophical perspective and practical knowledge working in the vineyards.  Ray’s nine year tenure at Whitehall Lane Winery under the tutelage of Art Finkelstein first as a cellar worker and then as head winemaker honed his skills in the art of blending and was the inspiration for Ray’s winemaking style today.

 

In 1987, Ray & Nancy started Elyse Winery with 286 cases of Zinfandel from the Morisoli Vineyard, which is still a cornerstone vineyard source for the winery. After a decade of nomadic winemaking at various custom crush facilities, in 1997 they purchased a small winery and vineyard on Hoffman Lane, the home of Elyse Winery and tasting room.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby red color with some bricking at the edge.  The very satisfying nose has brambly berries, black pepper, wood smoke, warm baking spices, leather, minerals, vanilla, and a meaty element.  This has medium to full body, moderate tannins, and good acidity.  On the palate this isn’t a typical, big, jammy, in your face style of zinfandel, this is much more graceful and elegant.  The palate has spicy, peppery berries, minerals, and just a touch of earthiness.  The finish has very nice length and leans a bit more on the savory end with the fruit in the background adding nice sweetness.  This is in a very nice place and should hold for another year or two.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

***** Shameless Self Promotion *****

 

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.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvQTeGR3-c

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

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!