This is based on samples provided by the winery or organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

2011 Wente Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Louis Mel Livermore Valley

2011 Wente Vineyards Riesling Riverbank Arroyo Seco

2012 Wente Vineyards Chardonnay Eric’s Small Lot

2010 Wente Vineyards Merlot Sandstone

 

 

This is from an online wine tasting in conjunction with an upcoming Front Porch Music Series concert.  More information on Wente Vineyards and their concerts is available on their website.

 

 

Wente Vineyards History

Wente Vineyards, founded 130 years ago, is the oldest, continuously operated family owned winery in the country.  The Livermore Valley based facility is owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the family.  The family has approximately 3,000 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards at their disposal.  These grapes are used to create the single grape wines and unique blends the winery has in their diverse portfolio.

 

 

In addition to being a world class winemaker, Karl Wente is also a serious musician.  For this special tasting, Karl will be pairing the wines with up and coming indie bands performing during his Front Porch Music Series.  In a way to support emerging talent, Wente Vineyards holds 3 performances at their property every summer featuring local and up and coming bands.  As a prelude to the second concert on August 3rd, Karl will team up with one of the members of the rockin’ Stone Foxes to discuss music and wine pairings.

 

Note about Stone Foxes: they performed at last year’s music series and based in the region, are big supporters of “homegrown” bands from the Bay Area.  They’ve also performed at the Wente Foundation for Arts Educations Auction.

 

 

The line up of wines for this tasting:

 

 

 

2011 Wente Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Louis Mel Livermore Valley – SRP $15

This is a tank fermented and aged Sauvignon Blanc from the Estate owned vineyards in the Livermore Valley.  The alcohol in this win is 13%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light straw color.  The fresh and crisp nose has nice apple, melon, citrus, minerals, and a slight herbal note.  This has light to medium body with crisp, citrusy acidity.  On the palate the orchard fruit and minerals hit first with a nice grassy component and tart citrus kicking in on the back end.  The juicy finish leans on the minerals, herbal notes, and mouthwatering citrus.  This is a very nice, food friendly glass of wine.  The minerality on the nose is like cold rain hitting hot rocks. (89 pts)

 

 

2011 Wente Vineyards Riesling Riverbank Arroyo Seco – SRP $15

This wine was cold fermented in stainless steel tanks to help highlight the natural fruit flavors in the Riesling grape.  The wine was aged in stainless tanks and there was no malolactic fermentation to help retain the crisp acidity.  The final alcohol is 12%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light straw color with some yellow highlights.  The nose smells like a tropical fruit salad with honey dipped apples, orange blossoms, pineapple, lime zest, grapefruit, minerals, and a nice floral note.  This has medium body, decent acidity, and nice residual sweetness.  On the palate the apples, honey, and lime zest kick off the show with minerals and a touch of mouthwatering grapefruit coming in on the back end.  The finish has nice length and closes with some nice lime and good sweetness.  This would work well with spicy food, but would shine on its own on a warm evening.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Wente Vineyards Chardonnay Eric’s Small Lot – SRP $25

I’m a big fan of stainless steel tank fermented and aged Chardonnay wines that also did not go through malolactic fermentation.  This process lets the fruit and minerality shine through without oak and buttery notes getting in the way and maintains the food friendly acidity.  The final alcohol level in this wine is 13.7%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light yellow to straw color.  The Spring time like nose has apples, pineapples, minerals, orange blossoms, pears, and white peaches.  This has medium body with good acidity.  On the palate the orchard fruit hits first with building minerality and pineapple coming in on the back end.  The finish has nice length and closes with mouthwatering lemon zest.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Wente Vineyards Merlot Sandstone – SRP $18

This Merlot is from the gently sloping vineyards in the southeastern corner of Livermore Valley.  The area generally has warm days and cool nights due to its proximity to the San Francisco Bay.  The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks before being aged for 16 months in a mix of American, French, Eastern European, and neutral oak barrels.  The final alcohol is 13.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red color.  The very appealing nose had plums, berries, baking spices, vanilla, minerals, and a bit of earthiness.  This has medium body, soft to moderate tannins, and good acidity.  On the palate the wine has a nice mix of fruit and savory elements with some building minerality kicking in on the back end.  The finish has good length with the fruit slowly giving way to minerals and a solid earthiness.  This is a very nice, food friendly, week night Merlot.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

Connect with me

You can follow me on Twitter for more wine info, potential food pairings, and an occasional recipe or two.  Be warned, I’m also a sports fan and there are occasional Pittsburgh Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates tweets.  I attended the University of South Carolina, so during football season, there will also be some Gamecock posts.

 

If you like this post, consider joining Cliffs Wine Picks Wine Blog on Facebook and giving me a Like.

 

Cheers!

 

 

This is original to CliffsWinePicks.com.  Copyright 2013 Cliff’s Wine Picks.

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

***** 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!

 

 

 

This is based on samples provided by the winery or organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

 

Everyone knows, you have to serve wine at an acceptable temperature for it to taste its best.  It’s not that hard to get the wine to the right temperature for that first glass, but how about the second?

 

There are some decent options out there, but most are a bit messy.  An ice bucket works great, but if not monitored, will get the wine too cold, and a bucket of ice just doesn’t look good on your dining room table.  There are bottle wraps you throw in the freezer and slip around the bottle.  Again, they work great and are better looking, but they can cause a puddle of water from the bottle sweating.

 

Enter the Angle33 Thermal.

 

 

 

 

This is a block of cement that is nicely finished with a hole in the middle for your bottle of wine.  The Thermal retains its temperature very nicely, even on a warm day on your deck or patio.

 

 

 

The process is simple, the Thermal will retain its temperature ensuring the bottle inside also maintains the proper temperature.  You can keep your thermal in your wine cellar, pop it in the refrigerator, or even pop it in the freezer to get it to the desire temperature.

 

After opening your bottle, simply put it in the Thermal and it will maintain the desired serving temperature for well over an hour.

 

We’ve put the Thermal in the freezer for an hour and been able to enjoy a cold and crisp Sauvignon Blanc for over an hour and a half on our deck using the Thermal.

 

The same goes for a bottle of red wine.  I popped the Thermal in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and it kept our wine at a proper temperature for over an hour.  In a side by side comparison, another bottle of wine was too warm after only 15 minutes on the sunny 80 degree day.

 

 

I know, who wants a chunk of concrete on their table?  These are nicely finished and smooth.  They are available in 5 colors and have a nice cork bottom to ensure your table or bar doesn’t get scratched.

 

 

 

The only catch is to order the proper size.  My Thermal was the standard size and most bottles fit nicely.  Some of the bigger bottles used by some wineries would not fit.  It wouldn’t accommodate a bottle of Saxum or a bottle of Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc.  Forget about trying to put a Turley Zin in this size Thermal.  Luckily, the Thermal is available in three sizes.  Standard, Pinot, and Champagne.

 

The price for the Standard and Pinot (for larger bottles) models are $64.99, the Champagne model, which also holds magnums is $69.99.

 

Much more information, videos, testimonials, and their other products are available on their website.

 

 

These are environmentally friendly and virtually indestructible.

 

 

These are available in the following colors:

Mineral, Pepper, Plum, Tobacco, and my color, Butter.

 

They will imprint your Thermal with artwork or a logo if desired.

 

 

Connect with me

You can follow me on Twitter for more wine info, potential food pairings, and an occasional recipe or two.  Be warned, I’m also a sports fan and there are occasional Pittsburgh Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates tweets.  I attended the University of South Carolina, so during football season, there will also be some Gamecock posts.

 

If you like this post, consider joining Cliffs Wine Picks Wine Blog on Facebook and giving me a Like.

 

Cheers!

 

 

This is original to CliffsWinePicks.com.  Copyright 2013 Cliff’s Wine Picks.

All rights reserved.

 

 

***** 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!

 

 

This is based on samples provided by the winery or another company acting on their behalf.

 

 

2012 The Seeker Pinot Grigio

2012 The Seeker Riesling

2012 The Seeker Rosé

2012 The Seeker Red Blend

 

All wines have a suggested retail price of $10 to $15.

 

 

 

I was given the opportunity to sample some new wines from The Seeker.  Earlier I had the opportunity to sample some other wines from them.  My write up on those wines is available here.

 

 

This group of wines is perfect to enjoy during the warmer weather this Summer with lighter meals on the deck or patio or to share with friends on a warm evening over good conversation.

 

 

 

Winery Information (winery supplied)

Do you have a taste for risk, a curious nature, and a daring spirit?  Then come, join The Seeker on a singular wine adventure!  The Seeker is a lively line of wines from all over the world.  Our wanderings yielded distinct wines from disparate lands, delighting the senses on a global taste journey.  It is a carefully curated collection of the best wines from where they grow best, each wine lovingly crafted by a different family winery.

 

For The Seeker, it’s all about the journey.  Simply glance at the labels and you’ll see; the mid-19th century flying machines embody an era of wonder and mystery, of explorers out to conquer the known world… and beyond.  The Seeker speaks to the unknown, the unknowable, and the thrill of discovery. Cheers!

 

The Seeker Wines were created by a family company that called on its 65+ years of experience to source from the best family-owned wineries in the world at an affordable price.  With a dedication to reducing our carbon footprint, The Seeker Wines extends our eco-friendly philosophy from our immediate family to our global family.  So whether by land, sea, or air, take flight with us and seek more information at http://theseekerwines.com

 

The line up for this tasting:

 

2012 The Seeker Pinot Grigio (Italy, Veneto)

This is 100% Pinot Grigio from the Veneto region in Italy.  The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks on light lees.  This unoaked wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation to retain the fresh acidity and to maintain the varietal character.

 

The final alcohol in the wine is 12.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light yellow color with a slight green tint.  The crisp and refreshing nose has apples, lemon zest, pears, minerals, orange blossoms, and a touch of spice.  This has light to medium body, citrusy acidity, and has just a touch of sweetness.  On the palate the bright, juicy fruit is joined by a touch of almond before the mouthwatering citrus kicks in.  The finish has nice length and closes on a slightly sweet pear/citrus note.  (87 pts)

 

This easy drinking Pinot Grigio would be a fine partner with just about any lighter, warm weather dish.  I think this would shine if served with some grilled shrimp.  This has more body and depth than your typical Italian Pinot Grigio.

 

 

 

2012 The Seeker Riesling (Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer)

This is 100% hand harvested Riesling is from the Trittenheim and Piesport Vineyards in the Mosel region in Germany.  The wine was fermented in stainless steel and oak casks.  The wine was aged 3 to 8 months in a mix of stainless steel and oak casks.

 

The final alcohol in the wine is 8.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright yellow color with a slight green tint.  The slightly shy nose eventually shows honey dipped apples, pineapple, white pepper, minerals, and a very faint petrol note.  This has medium body, crisp acidity, and nice residual sweetness.  On the palate this has tart apples, honey, and crisp citrus with nice sweetness coming in on the back end.  The finish has very nice length and closes with a sweet note.  The sweetness and acidity are very nicely balanced.  (91 pts)

 

This would excel if paired with a spicy Asian dish.  I love an off dry Riesling with spicy Cajun food and this would be outstanding with seafood gumbo.  This would also be a nice glass of wine to sip on a warm evening over good conversation with friends.

 

 

 

2012 The Seeker Rosé (France, Provence)

This is a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Cinsault from vineyards in the AOC Côtes de Provence.  The grape varieties were vinified separately before blending.  The wine was aged in tanks (no oak).

 

The final alcohol in the wine is 12.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very nice pink salmon color.  The inviting nose has watermelon, white peach, minerals, red raspberries, orange zest, a touch of spice, and a slightly salty sea breeze element.  This has light to medium body, with good acidity, and is dry.  On the palate the fruit steps to the forefront with spice and building minerality supporting the back end.  The finish has nice length and closes on a distinct mineral note with just a touch of sweetness from the red fruit.  (89 pts)

 

This dry Rosé would pair very nicely with a mixed greens salad with a light berry infused vinaigrette dressing.  This would also drink very nicely on its own on a warm Summer day.

 

 

 

2012 The Seeker Red Blend (Chile, Central Valley)

This is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 25% Syrah from vineyards in the Maipo and Colchagua Valleys in Chile.  Half of the wine was aged in stainless steel tanks; the remaining 50% was aged for 6 months in a mix of 60% American and 40% French oak barrels with 25% being new.

 

The final alcohol in the wine is 13.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright ruby red color.  The nose has blackberries, plums, vanilla, dill, black pepper, cherry, and some earthiness.  This has medium body, soft to moderate tannins, and slightly soft acidity.  On the palate the dark fruit and earthiness take center stage with vanilla and the dill coming in late.  The finish has decent length but gets a touch muddled and earthy as it warms up.  I would recommend giving this a slight chill.  (85 pts)

 

This needs some juicy meat hot off the grill or some fairly hearty appetizers.

 

 

 

Closing thoughts

On the whole, I think these are all very drinkable, reasonably priced wines that would work with warm weather food or stand on their own as a cocktail wine.  The Seeker is unique in that they source their wines from the part of the world where that varietal calls home.

 

Photo Contest

Want to win a great new camera to help you capture memories when you SEEK out new adventures?

 

The seeker is giving away a new La Sardina Camera and Flash Belle Star with 35mm film.  All you have to do to enter is submit your most disappointing picture and if your entry is selected, The Seeker will help you avoid future disappointments.

 

Click here for more information.

 

Good Luck, I hope one of my readers wins the contest.

Connect with The Seeker Wines

You can connect with The Seeker on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or Foodspotting by clicking on the social media channel of your choice.

 

 

 

Connect with me

 

You can follow me on Twitter for more wine info, potential food pairings, and an occasional recipe or two.  Be warned, I’m also a sports fan and there are occasional Pittsburgh Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates tweets.  I attended the University of South Carolina, so during football season, there will also be some Gamecock posts.

 

If you like this post, consider joining Cliffs Wine Picks Wine Blog on Facebook and giving me a Like.

 

Cheers!

 

 

This is original to CliffsWinePicks.com.  Copyright 2013 Cliff’s Wine Picks.

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

***** 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!

 

 

 

This is based on samples provided by the winery or organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

 

 

Cline Cellars came into existence in 1982 after Fred Cline received an inheritance from his grandfather.  At the time, Fred founded Cline Cellars near Oakley, CA.  Using the knowledge he obtained in getting his Agriculture Management degree from U. C. Davis, Fred worked on preserving and restoring many ancient vine sites.

 

Several years later, in 1991, Fred and his wife Nancy relocated the winery to the Carneros region of Sonoma County.  At the time, most of the cool climate Carneros region was planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot.  Fred pioneered the movement in the region to Rhône varietals such as Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussane.

 

Over the years Cline Cellars has produced many well priced and noteworthy wines.  These wines have earned recognition and good scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, and the usual gang of wine publications.  Most importantly, the wines have been well received by the public who loves the distinctive wines and the wallet friendly prices.

 

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards was founded to make reserve styled wines that pay tribute to the winemaking heritage of the family.  Where Cline Cellars produces mainly wines based on the Rhône varietals and innovative blends, Jacuzzi leans more toward Italian varietals and a few other straight varietal wines.

 

For more information, wine club info, or to order their wine’s visit Cline’s website or Jacuzzi’s website.

 

 

I was given the opportunity to sample four wines from Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards.  The wineries produce a vast array of wines with something for just about everyone.

 

 

My lineup included the following wines:

2010 Jacuzzi Family Vineyard Chardonnay Giuseppina

2010 Jacuzzi Family Vineyard Sagrantino Tracy Hills

2011 Cline Cellars Cashmere

2010 Cline Cellars Syrah Los Carneros

 

 

2010 Jacuzzi Family Vineyard Chardonnay Giuseppina – SRP $24.00

 

My comments

This 100% Chardonnay is made with grapes from the winery’s Sonoma Coast Vineyard.  This vineyard is cooled with the breeze off the Pacific Ocean and is covered with fog on many mornings.  These conditions allow for slower ripening providing extra “hang time” so the grapes can reach their full flavor potential.

 

After tank fermentation, the wine is barrel aged for five months.  The final alcohol is 12.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright yellow to golden color.  The fresh and fruity nose has green apples, pears, vanilla, toast, minerals, and a touch of lemon and orange zest.  This has a medium body, decent acidity, and just enough sweetness to add a bit of richness.  The palate has crisp apples and pears up front with a touch of spicy oak and vanilla, some flinty minerality comes in on the back end.  The finish has nice length and closes with just a touch of mouthwatering acidity.  This has enough richness to drink on its own, but it also has enough acidity to stand up to a rich cream sauce, cheese, or seafood.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Jacuzzi Family Vineyard Sagrantino Tracy Hills – SRP $30.00

 

My comments

This is new grape for most people.  The Sagrantino grape is native to Italy but there are only about 250 acres of vineyards in that country.  The grapes for this wine is from one of the very few vineyards in this country where they are grown, in San Joaquin County’s Tracy Hills Vineyard.

 

After tank fermentation, 30% of the wine is moved into new French oak barrels with the remaining 70% moved into neutral barrels for 10 months of aging.  The final alcohol in the wine is 13.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly deep ruby red color.  The relaxing and homey nose has warm blackberry pie, white pepper, tobacco, dried herbs, crushed stone minerals, and some wild flowers.  This has a medium to full body with fairly solid ripe tannins and decent acidity.  On the palate the wine again resembles warm blackberry pie with just enough savory notes to add depth and balance out the up front fruit.  The finish has nice length with the jammy berries, baking spices, and minerals lingering seemingly forever.  There is just enough acidity to keep the wine from getting too plodding.   (89 pts)

 

 

 

2011 Cline Cellars Cashmere – SRP $21.00

 

My comments

Cashmere is a blend of approximately 28% Mourvèdre, 25% Syrah, 23% Grenache, and 22% Petite Sirah, with  most of the grapes coming from Contra Costa County.

 

After tank fermentation, the wine was aged 8 months in oak barrels, 25% of which was new French oak.  The final alcohol level is 13.5%.

 

Over the years Cline has donated almost a quarter million dollars to breast cancer foundations with proceeds coming from the sell of Cashmere wine.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a ruby red color.  The rich and inviting nose has plums, earthy underbrush, baking spices, black pepper, dried herbs, blackberries, a touch of cherry and a floral note.  This has medium body, soft ripe tannins, and decent acidity.  This is rich and plush on the palate with the plums and berries taking center stage and allowing spices, herbs, and a touch of earthiness to join in from the sidelines.  The finish has nice length with plush fruit and spice stealing the show.  (87 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Cline Cellars Syrah Los Carneros – SRP $30.00

 

My comments

The grapes for this wine come from Cline’s 18 acre hillside estate vineyard in Sonoma’s Carneros region.

 

After tank fermentation, the wine was aged 12 months in 30% new French oak barrels.  The final alcohol level in the wine is 14.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium violet color.  The slightly reserved nose has plums, black cherries, warm baking spices, smoke, dark bittersweet chocolate, and a touch of forest floor.  This has medium to full body, fairly solid tannins, and very good acidity.  On the palate ripe plums and spice are featured up front with some dark chocolate, cherries, and earthy elements coming in on the back end.  The finish is fairly long with tart cherries and spice lingering.  This was much better on the second day so I’d recommend plenty of air if opened in the next year.  (90 pts)

 

 

You can follow me on Twitter for more wine info, potential food pairings, and an occasional recipe or two.  Be warned, I’m also a sports fan and there are occasional Pittsburgh Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates tweets.  I attended the University of South Carolina, so during football season, there will also be some Gamecock posts.

 

If you like this post, consider joining Cliffs Wine Picks Wine Blog on Facebook and giving me a Like.

 

Cheers!

 

 

This is original to CliffsWinePicks.com.  Copyright 2013 Cliff’s Wine Picks.

All rights reserved.

 

 

***** 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!

 

 

 

This is based on samples supplied by the winery or another organization on their behalf.

 

 

2011 Fat Gaucho Torrontés

2011 Fat Gaucho Malbec

2010 Fat Gaucho Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva

2010 Fat Gaucho Malbec Reserva

 

 

 

Winery History / background

About the Founder

Fat Gaucho Wines, LLC was created by Carlos Candal, esq., an American Argentinean attorney based in New Haven, CT.  His passion for wine and strong family ties to Argentina allowed him to experience the many amazing wines that Argentina has to offer.  Carlos was inspired to share the tastes of Argentina and continue a family tradition of selling wines from Mendoza which dates back to the turn of the century when his great-grandfather Vincente Candal, a successful merchant who first discovered the exceptional wines from that region and sold them in Buenos Aires.

 

Introducing Fat Gaucho Wines:

Specializing in wines from Argentina, Fat Gaucho has successfully located the region’s most enticing and full flavored wines at incredibly reasonable prices.  The aim is to affordably unveil to wine consumers the tastes that make Argentina’s wines special and unique.  Fat Gaucho has an assorted collection of wines from Argentina and has included some reserves for the purpose of engaging wine consumers with a more refined palette.  Taking care to select the flavors that allow any consumer to fully experience the aromas and zests that are the essence of Argentina, it is very clear why Fat Gaucho Wines represent the pride of The Pampas.

 

The wines themselves are produced at one of Uco Valley’s most established and respected vineyards.  Having been in operation for over 100 years, the vineyard is known for its reliability in producing superior wines as well as for infusing state-of-the-art technology into the traditional art of wine making.  The vineyard rests at the foot of the Andes Mountains, making it the perfect terroir to obtain the high quality grapes, rich with tannins and robust aromas.  Our Malbec Reserva and Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva are both aged in French and American Oak barrels, while our Torrontes originates in the Salta and La Rioja Regions where the best Torrontes grapes are grown.

Winery links

Much more information can be found on the winery’s website.

 

 

 

I’ve been a fan of Argentinean wines for several years.  The Malbecs coming out of Argentina, at the top end, can challenge the best wines in the world.  At the lower end of the spectrum, these can be great every day wines and with the low price points, they are an easy choice as a “party wine”.

 

On the white side, the Torrontés grape is showing great promise, if the production can be ramped up with no loss of quality, it is sure to gain a foot hold in this country.  Who doesn’t love a crisp, fresh smelling white wine on a warm, sunny day?

 

Here is the line up of wines for this tasting:

 

 

 

2011 Fat Gaucho Torrontés – SRP $9.99

 

Wine information

This wine is 100% Torrontés from the Salta region in Argentina and was fermented in steel tanks.  There was no Malolactic fermentation to preserve the crisp acidity.  20% of the wine was aged 3 months in acacia barrels.  The final alcohol is 12.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light yellow to gold color.  The fresh and crisp smelling nose has apples, flinty minerals, lemon zest, pineapple, and honeysuckle and orange blossoms.  This has light body, and crisp citrus driven acidity.  On the palate the orchard fruit and lemon zest take center stage with some minerality coming in on the sidelines.  The finish has nice length and closes with some mouthwatering lemony acidity.  This would be a nice summer sipper on a warm day with or without a light meal.

 

Pairing suggestions

The tart acidity would allow this wine to pair nicely with a rich and creamy shrimp or chicken salad but it would also work nicely with some hot off the grill shrimp or scallops.  This would be a wonderful aperitif on a warm sunny day on the deck or patio.

 

2011 Fat Gaucho Malbec – SRP $9.99

 

Wine information

This wine is 100% Malbec from the Uco Valley in Mendoza.  50% of the wine was aged in French and American oak (50% each) for 6 to 9 months.  The final alcohol is 12.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light to medium ruby red color.  The inviting nose has raspberries, candied cherries, baking spices, smoke, and forest floor.  This has medium body, very soft tannins, soft acidity, and a touch of residual sugar.  The palate is full of sweet berries and cherries with just a touch of spice and earthiness.  The finish is a bit short and closes on the sweet side.  This would be a good party wine.

 

Pairing Suggestions

This would be great with a party platter with mixed meat and cheese or on its own over good conversation.

 

2010 Fat Gaucho Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva – $12.99

 

Wine information

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley in Mendoza.  50% of the wine was aged in French and American oak (50% each) for 6 to 9 months.  This is 13.5% alcohol.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red color.  The classic nose has cassis, cedar, dried herbs, warm baking spices, and a bit of forest floor.  This has medium body, soft ripe tannins, and soft acidity, and a touch of residual sweetness.  The palate has sweet berries, spice, and dried herbs.  The finish has decent length and leaves a sweet impression.

 

Pairing Suggestions

This would be a nice match with something hot off the grill like a sirloin steak or lamb chop sprinkled with some mixed, minced fresh herbs.

 

2010 Fat Gaucho Malbec Reserva – SRP $12.99

 

Wine information

This is 100% Malbec from the Uco Valley in Mendoza and was fermented in 10,000 liter tanks, with controlled temperature.  70% of the wine was aged in 70% French and 30% American oak for 12 months (30% new).  The final alcohol content of the wine is 13.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to dark ruby red color.  The elegant nose has blackberries, melted licorice, baking spices, minerals, dark chocolate, smoke, and subtle earthiness.  This has medium body, soft tannins, and decent acidity.  The palate has nice earthy, crushed berries up front with spicy oak coming in on the back end.  The finish has decent length with berries and spicy oak stealing the show.  This leaves a lingering sweetness.

 

Pairing Suggestions

This is another wine that would pair nicely with a casual dinner featuring something off the grill.  The smoky elements and earthy elements will pair nicely with some beef or lamb.

 

 

 

You can follow me on Twitter for more wine info, potential food pairings, and an occasional recipe or two.  Be warned, I’m also a sports fan and there are occasional Pittsburgh Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates tweets.  I attended the University of South Carolina, so during football season, there will also be some Gamecock posts.

 

If you like this post, consider joining Cliffs Wine Picks Wine Blog on Facebook and giving me a Like.

 

Cheers!

 

 

This is original to CliffsWinePicks.com.  Copyright 2013 Cliff’s Wine Picks.

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

***** 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!

 

 

 

This is based on wine provided by the winery or another party acting on their behalf.

 

 

An online tasting for the Ninth Annual Wine Industry Symposium.

 

 

2012 Wente Vineyards Chardonnay Morning Fog Livermore Valley

2011 Garnet Pinot Noir Monterey County

2010 Renwood Zinfandel Premier Old Vine

 

 

This online tasting was presented in conjunction with the 9^th annual WITS, Wine Industry Technology Symposium that was going on in Napa.  Stephen Gilberg (@WineTwits) organized the tasting.  I am very thankful and lucky to have been chosen to participate in the tasting.  More information on WineTwits is available on their website.

 

For more information on WITS, visit their website or Facebook page.

 

This line up for the tasting included three wines from areas in California not named Napa or Sonoma.

 

 

 

2012 Wente Vineyards Chardonnay Morning Fog Livermore Valley – SRP $13.00

Every time I sample a wine from the Livermore Valley, I become a bigger fan of the region.  The Livermore Valley is about 35 miles east of San Francisco, north of San Jose.  The region’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay allows cool breezes and coastal fog to cool the area.  The combination of warm days and cool nights help provide ripe fruit with good natural acidity.

 

Half of this wine was barrel fermented in French oak, the rest was fermented in stainless steel tanks.  The wines were aged for 7 months on lees before blending and bottling.

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly bright yellow with a slight golden tint.  The very appealing nose has apples, pineapple, creme brulee, baking spices, and orange blossoms.  This has medium body with nice citrusy acidity, and a touch of residual sweetness.  On the palate the apples and spice jump out first with pineapples, vanilla, and a bit of creaminess coming in later and some zippy citrus bringing up the back end.  The finish has nice length with very nice balance between the rich pineapple and crisp citrus driven acidity.

 

This is a nice wine to serve with a light meal on a warm evening or to enjoy on its own with good friends over conversation.

 

More information is available on the winery’s website.

 

 

2011 Garnet Pinot Noir Monterey County Pinot Noir – SRP $14.99

Over the last few years I’m had and enjoyed the very reasonably priced Pinot Noirs coming out of Monterey County.  The better examples have shown ripe fruit and spice with enough acidity to provide ample support.

 

This wine is made from estate grown fruit from the winery’s vineyards near the Santa Lucia Highlands.  The wine was aged for 11 months in 100% French oak, 60% new.

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light to medium ruby red color.  The inviting nose has cherry, baking spices, subtle earthiness, smoke, strawberries, and a hint of pine.  This has medium body, soft silky tannins, and very nice acidity.  On the palate the fruit hits first with a nice spice component.  Some nice earthiness, smoke, and strawberry come in on the back end adding nice depth.  The finish has very good length and a nice pine note adds interest.

 

This is a slightly larger, brawnier style of Pinot Noir with nice fruit and spice but it also has the acidity to make it very food friendly.  This paired nicely with some grilled chicken and pork.  This would also make a nice wine to sip with friends alone or with some appetizers.  This wine is closed with a twist-off cap.

 

Much more information is available on the winery’s website.

 

 

2010 Renwood Zinfandel Premier Old Vine – SRP $19.99

Amador County, which is located in California’s Sierra Foothills, generally produces wines that are full bodied with robust fruit and spice.  These are generally higher alcohol offerings but with the body and acidity to remain balanced.

 

This wine is composed of 92.5% Zinfandel, 5.8% Syrah, and 1.7% Souzao.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a nice ruby red color.  The big and outgoing nose is full of crushed berries, warm baking spices, black pepper, dark chocolate, fresh ground dark roast coffee, and some nice earthiness.  This full bodied wine has moderate to solid ripe tannins and good acidity.  On the palate this is a rich blend of berries and spice with a bit of pepper and earthiness coming in on the back end.  For a full bodied zinfandel, this is actually well mannered.  This ripe wine is rich and smooth enough to call for some good, spicy bbq ribs.  This should drink well for the next three to four years.

 

For whatever reason, it’s been a while since I last had a Renwood Zinfandel, but this bottle will put the winery back on my radar.  This was a big, full bodied wine with a solid wall of fruit and spice that concealed the 15.5% alcohol.  The back and was eich and smooth.  This went well with a piece of grilled steak, but the richness calls out for some smoky barbecue.

 

More information is available on the winery’s website.

 

 

Here are the grilled skewers of shrimp, steak, pork, and chicken we had while sampling these wines.  Not shown are grilled mushrooms, squash, and zucchini we also served.

 

 

 

***** 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!

 

 

This is based on samples supplied by the winery or another organization on their behalf.

 

2010 Trimbach Riesling

2011 Meyer-Fonné Riesling Reserve

2011 Domaine Ostertag Riesling Vignoble d’E

2011 Domaine Weinbach Riesling Cuvée Théo

 

 

 

 

The Region of Alsace

Tucked into France’s northeastern corner, Alsace follows the Rhine River through its long, thin strip.  The Vosges Mountains protect and provide Alsace with a backdrop for some of France’s most stunning scenery.

 

Central to this landscape of rolling hills and charming timber villages is the renowned Alsace Wine Route (Route des Vins d’Alsace), a 106 mile journey winding through more than 100 wine villages, 19 of which host 26 Michelin-starred restaurants.  Incomparable weather and scenery, delicious eating and drinking, and generous hospitality make Alsace a feast for all the senses.

 

Loads of information on Alsace is available here.

 

 

 

The lineup for the tasting was:

 

 

 

2010 Trimbach Riesling – SRP $20

To me, Trimbach is the torch bearer for Alsace wines.  You can find their wines in just about every decent wine store in the country.

 

The Trimbach family has been producing wine since 1626 and the 13^th generation of the family, Anne, has recently joined the “family business”.  Trimbach usually harvests their grapes in late October.  The grapes are fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and concrete vats.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light yellow to straw color.  The fresh and Spring like nose has lemon zest, minerals, apples, candied ginger, steamy slate, orange blossoms, white peach, and a touch of pineapple.  This has fairly light body, very crisp acidity, and is dry.  On the palate mouthwatering lemon and minerals kick off the show with candied ginger and a floral note kicking in on the back end.  The finish is very long with a bit of pineapple adding to the lemon and minerals.  This was better as it warmed and got some air.  This is good now, but will reward a few years in the cellar.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2011 Meyer-Fonné Riesling Reserve – SPR $22

This is another old world winery that has been around for a LONG time.  In this case, the winery was founded in 1732.

 

The winery is increasingly getting into organic farming and does not use synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides.  All grapes are hand picked and are fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks or oak barrels using native yeasts.  The wines are aged on their fine lees

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light straw color.  The very open and easy going nose has lemon zest, apples, white peaches, minerals, and honeysuckle.  This has light to medium body, good acidity, and just a touch of sweetness.  On the palate this is very fruit driven with apples and citrus up front with minerals and white peach coming in later.  The finish has nice length and again is fruit driven.  This is a touch softer that most dry Rieslings making it seem a touch sweeter.  This fruit driven wine could easily stand alone on a hot afternoon or evening of pair with a spicy dish.  (87 pts)

 

 

 

2011 Domaine Ostertag Riesling Vignoble d’E – SRP $24

This is a relatively new winery that was founded in 1966.

 

This wine is a blend of grapes from 15 different plots in and around the village of Epfig.  This wine is made in a style that showcases the fruit with little regard for terroir.  The grapes are whole cluster pressed via a pneumatic press and fermented using wild yeasts and aged in stainless steel tanks for a year.

 

This wine is Certified Organic.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light, pale straw color.  The very nice nose has lemon zest, toast, apples, white flowers, spice, grapefruit, apricots, and minerals.  This has light to medium body, good acidity, and has just a hint of sweetness.  The creamy palate features nice citrus and apples up front with a nice floral note, pices, and minerals coming in on the backend.  The finish has very nice length and again highlights the citrus, apple, and minerals, with a slight saline element coming into play.  This would be a very nice wine to serve to a new comer as an introduction to dry Rieslings.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2011 Domaine Weinbach Riesling Cuvée Théo – SRP $30

Talk about a winery with some history!  The winery was established in 1612 and the land has been home to vines since at least the year 890.

 

All Domaine Weinbach wines are estate-grown and bottled.  The vineyards have been cultivated organically for 20 years.

 

After gentle pressing the wines are vinified in ancient 1500 to 6000 liter casks using only native yeasts.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light golden straw color.  The very appealing nose has lemon zest, minerals, anise, white pepper, white peaches, apples, pineapple, lime zest, yeasty bread, and orange blossoms.  This has light to medium body, crisp acidity, and is dry.  Even though this is dry it has nice richness on the palate with a nice mix of fruit and minerals with a very appealing herbal note in the background and a spritz of lime kicking in on the lengthy finish.  Even at the young age, this is already showing nice complexity.  This is one to enjoy now or a few years down the road.  Impressive.  (91 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!

 

This is based on samples supplied by the winery or another organization on their behalf.

 

 

2012 Murrieta’s Well the Whip (White Blend)

2011 Murrieta’s Well Los Tesoros White Meritage

2011 Murrieta’s Well the Spur (Red Blend)

 

 

 

Murrieta’s Well was named after the legendary bandito Joaquin Murrieta.  Joaquin roamed California during the Gold Rush era rounding up wild cattle and horses.  He would then “drive” them down to Mexico to sell to the Mexican Army.  The bubbling artesian well on the site that now is the winery was one of his popular watering spots on his journeys.  More information on this historical location is available on the Historical Marker database.

 

With a deeply rooted history, unsurpassed terroir and rich winemaking heritage, Murrieta’s Well is one of California’s original treasures.  The 92-acre Estate was originally propagated by Louis Mel in 1883 with vineyard cuttings from Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Margaux.  During the same era, he built a gravity-flow winery into the hillside adjacent to the property’s artesian well.  In 1990, Philip Wente and Sergio

Traverso realized a lifelong dream to revive the historic property, and since then, the two have been crafting Estate blends that highlight the best attributes of the terroir.

 

Murrieta’s Well is part of Wente Family Estates along with Wente Vineyards and Tamás Estates.  The winery produces approximately 12,000 cases a vintage

 

Much more of the winery’s history and additional information on these wines and others are available on their website.   The winery also has a Wine Club with nice discounts and other benefits.  Additional information is available here.

 

 

The lineup for this tasting:

 

I didn’t know what to expect from these wines since this was a new winery for me.  The White Meritage was a straight forward white Bordeaux blend but the Whip and the Spur were fairly exotic blends, especially The Whip, which is a white blend.

 

All three wines were very good and distinctive and would be a welcome addition to anyone’s dinner table.  The white blend, The Whip, would also make a nice afternoon or evening sipper on a warm day.

 

 

 

2012 Murrieta’s Well the Whip (White Blend) – SRP $19

This wine is an unusual blend of 43% Chardonnay, 15% Gewurztraminer, 13% Sauvignon Blanc, 9% Orange Muscat, 8% Viognier, 5% Pinot Blanc, 4% Semillon, and 3% Muscat Canelli.  The blend for this wine changes every vintage.  This is closed with a screw cap.

 

There were 277 barrels produced of this wine.  The alcohol level in the wine is a low octane 13%, perfect to sip on a warm afternoon.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a pale straw color with some yellow highlights.  This is like a fruit salad in a glass on the nose with melon, apples, orange, spice, honey, white peach, green leafy herbs, figs, and a big floral component.  This has medium body, a touch of sweetness, and nice closing acidity.  This is rich and luscious on the palate with sweet fruit and spice balanced by some nice acidity that kicks in on the back end.  The finish has good length and is a continuation of the balanced fruit, spice, and citrusy acidity from the palate.  I would have liked a touch more acidity but this would be a nice wine to sip on a warm afternoon.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2011 Murrieta’s Well Los Tesoros White Meritage Livermore Valley – SRP $28

This wine is a blend of 63% Sauvignon Blanc and 37% Semillon.  The wine was fermented in a combination of French and Eastern European oak and was barrel aged for 11 months.

 

This small lot wine is available only at the winery or online.  The final alcohol level is 13.4%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light straw color.  The fresh and exciting nose has melons, spice, fresh cut grass, earthy minerals, toast, white pepper, lemon zest, vanilla bean, and a big floral note.  This has medium body, tart acidity, and seems to be bone dry.  On the palate this opens with a big herbal and melon component with minerals, vanilla bean, and a toasty note entering the picture fairly quickly, followed by a jolt of lemony acidity.  This has a long, lingering finish with nice citrus, herbs, and minerals seeming to linger forever.  This was my favorite wine of the tasting and would show well against its French peers.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2011 Murrieta’s Well the Spur (Red Blend) – SRP $25.00

This wine is a blend of 31% Petite Sirah, 29% Petit Verdot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, and 5% Cabernet Franc.  Like the Whip, the Spur is closed with a screw cap.

 

Each varietal was fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for 14 months in a combination of American, French, Eastern European, and neutral oak barrels.

 

There were 425 barrels of the wine produced and the final alcohol level is 13.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a nice ruby red color.  The nose is big, dark, and serious with smoke, loamy earth, berries, black cherries, minerals, plums, black pepper, licorice, dried herbs, and some underbrush.  This has medium body, soft to moderate tannins, and good acidity.  On the palate the berries, smoke, and earthy elements hit first with plums and dried herbs coming in on the back end.  The finish has decent length and closes with a big dash of black pepper.  To me, this seems to need some cellar time.  I think with six months to a year in the cellar the wine will add some weight, the finish will fill out, and some complexity will develop.  At present, this is enjoyable but there seems to be “more under the hood” than it is showing today, give this one 6 months and check back at that time.  (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!

 

 

This is based on samples supplied by the winery or another organization on their behalf.

 

 

2012 McCay Cellars Rosé

2012 Heritage Oak Grenache Rosé

2012 Onesta Cinsault Rosé

2012 Sorelle Winery Bella e Rosa

 

The lineup:

 

 

I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality and diversity of these wines.  Every one of them would be a welcome addition to my dinner table with some lighter warm weather food.  These were all well made and unique wines.  Even the wine I liked the least was still very enjoyable.  Don’t do as I have done in the past and discount Lodi wines as being big, ripe, and fairly one dimensional.  These rosés were a revelation.  I highly recommend grabbing one and enjoying it on your deck or patio on a warm afternoon or evening.

 

 

2012 McCay Cellars Rosé – SRP $18.00

This is Carignane from 102 year old vines blended with some Grenache.  There were 211 cases of this dry Rosé produced by Winemaker Michael J. McCay.  The final alcohol level is 12.4%.

 

To learn more about McCay Cellars, visit this link here.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light salmon to pink color.  The fresh smelling nose had strawberries, white peach, spice, minerals, ruby red grapefruit, and lemon zest.  This has a fairly light body, nice richness, and crisp acidity.  To me this seemed to have spent at least a short amount of time in oak since there was a slight smoky element and a touch of extra spice to it.  On the palate the fruit and spice grabbed center stage but minerals and a touch of ruby red grapefruit came in on the back end.  The finish had nice length.  This would pair nicely with some lighter Summer fare on a warm evening.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Heritage Oak Grenache Rosé – SRP $16.00

This is a blend of 75% Grenache, 12.5% Chardonnay, and 12.5% Sauvignon Blanc from the Silvaspoons Vineyard.  Total production was a meager 80 cases and the final alcohol level is 13.12%.

 

To read more about Heritage Oak Winery, visit this link here.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light salmon color.  The unusual nose has fresh cut grass, lemon zest, cherries, strawberries, minerals, spice, white pepper, and some tart apples.  This has medium body, a touch of sweetness, and crisp acidity.  Even though it only makes up 12.5% of the blend the grassy/herbal notes from the Sauvignon Blanc takes center stage with the red fruit, spice, minerals, and a touch of citrus coming in from the sides.  The finish has decent length and again seems to be dominated by the Sauvignon Blanc component.  This is something very different and unusual.  Not my favorite, but distinct enough to be enjoyable.  (87 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Onesta Cinsault Rosé

This Cinsault based Rosé is a blend of 50% saignée and 50% from grapes picked specifically for the Rosé.  Saignée is simply the process of draining some of the juice out of the tank after limited skin contact.  This method is utilized to increase the body and concentration of the remaining red wine in the tank.

 

There were 300 cases produced of this wine and the alcohol is 13.5%.

 

To read more about Onesta, visit this link here.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a pink to salmon color.  The outstanding nose has cherries, strawberries, candied ginger, minerals, spice, and a slight herbal note as well as a slight hint of toast.  This has medium body, nice richness, and crisp acidity.  On the palate the fresh, crisp fruit shares the spotlight with nice minerals, ginger, and a nice herbal note.  The finish is long and lingering with some nice spice and the herbal note hanging around.  It seems like at least some whole clusters were utilized to add the nice herbal note which didn’t come from under ripe fruit.  This was my favorite wine from the tasting by a fairly wide margin.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Sorelle Winery Bella e Rosa

This is a blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Barbera from the Sorelle Vineyard that was aged 6 months in neutral oak barrels.  There were 200 cases of the wine produced and its final alcohol level is 14%.

 

This was the wine I was most looking forward to sampling.

 

To learn more about Sorelle Winery, visit this link here.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a pinkish salmon color.  The very fresh and inviting nose was full of strawberries, cherries, minerals, and some subtle earthiness.  This has medium body, a touch of richness, and decent acidity.  On the palate this is full of cherries and strawberries with some minerals sprinkled on top.  The finish has very nice length with some subtle earthiness adding complexity.  The fairly big fruit, richness, and slightly softer acidity makes his a very easy sipper on a hot afternoon.  This would be a first class “patio pounder”.  (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!

 

 

 

2011 Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Riesling California

2011 Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Merlot California

 

 

This review is based on samples supplied by the winery or an organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

 

Now that most of the country, even those of us in the upper Midwest, is finally enjoying some warmer weather it’s time to start looking for wines to enjoy at outdoors gatherings and parties.

 

I was sent these two wines to sample and I think they would be perfect for sharing with friends or providing something fun and tasty when you just want something to sip on the deck or patio in the evening.

 

 

 

“To succeed and have a happy life, you need common sense, a commitment to hard work and the courage to go your own way.” – Robert Mondavi

 

 

The Beginning

In the early 1900’s, Cesare and Rosa Mondavi, newlyweds from Sassoferrato in northern Italy, settled in Minnesota.  In 1919, the National Prohibition Act was passed, banning the sale of alcohol.  This seemed incomprehensible to Italian families, to whom wine was a staple of daily life.  Luckily, a loophole in the law allowed people to make 200 gallons of wine each year for family consumption.

 

Cesare became involved in shipping wine grapes from California for home winemaking, and noticed that the majority of the grapes were coming from a place called “Lodi” in California.  Sensing an opportunity, he moved his family, which now included a young Robert Mondavi and started his own business shipping grapes back east to Italian-American families.  Robert’s first job was nailing crates together to hold the grapes.

 

Robert’s parents instilled in him the virtues of hard work and encouraged him to explore the growing wine industry.  After studying business and chemistry at Stanford University and taking a crash course in viticulture and enology at the University of California at Berkeley, Robert Mondavi immersed himself in all aspects of the wine industry.

 

Creating A Legacy

Robert Mondavi felt confident that the Napa Valley and California could ultimately create wines that would stand shoulder to shoulder with the great wines of the world.  He founded the iconic Robert Mondavi Winery in 1966 near Oakville, California; the first major winery to be built in the Napa Valley since Prohibition.

 

After the outstanding success of his Napa Valley winery, Robert Mondavi pursued his second vision of creating delicious wines for everyday enjoyment.  Having grown up in Lodi, Robert knew the region was ideal for growing wine grapes from which he could produce quality wines at affordable prices.  In 1979, he acquired a local cooperative of grape growers, naming the winery after a nearby town – the Woodbridge Winery was born.

 

 

 

Today’s lineup:

 

2011 Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Riesling California – SRP $7.99

 

My comments

Who doesn’t love an off dry, crisp, white wine to sip on a warm evening over some conversation with friends?  The nice sweetness provided by the Riesling grape with just enough acidity to keep the wine from getting too syrupy makes it a perfect, easy, sipper.  With a suggested price of $8, it also won’t break the bank.  The low 11.5% alcohol helps keep the wine light and refreshing and won’t make you feel guilty about a second glass.  After all, who can stop at only one glass of Riesling?

 

This wine is a blend of 76% Riesling and 24% other dry white wine varietals.  Fermentation was stopped with about 2% residual sugar which provides nice sweetness without it being too sugary sweet.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light, golden yellow color.  The fresh smelling nose has crisp apples, lime, lemon zest, honey, pear, orange blossoms, and just a hint of petrol.  This has medium body, nice sweetness, and enough acidity to provide balance.  On the palate this tastes like apples dipped in honey with some spice and lime.  The finish is crisp with decent length and a lingering sweetness.  This is a wine to sip and enjoy, not one to over think and analyze.

 

This would be nice by itself or with a crisp apple tart.

 

 

 

2011 Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Merlot California – SRP $7.99

 

My comments

Sideways may have struck a blow against Merlot, but its fans know it can be an easy drinking, smooth red wine to pair with food or to sip with friends over a platter of cured meats and cheese.

 

This wine is a blend of 76% Merlot, 13% Petite Sirah, 5% Syrah, and 6% other complementary varieties.  Most of the grapes are from the Lodi region and the final alcohol is a relatively light 13.6%

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red color.  The smooth and inviting nose has blackberries, cherries, baking spices, dark chocolate, vanilla, and some toasty oak.  This has medium body with soft tannins and acidity with just a hint of sweetness.  The palate has berries, cherries, and enough spicy oak to add some depth.  The wine has decent length on the finish with nice fruit and spicy oak.  This leaves a sweet closing impression making you want to grab another sip.

 

This would be nice on its own, with a party platter, or something hot off the grill.

 

 

 

 

***** 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!