Suggested Retail Price – $32.00

 

This is based on a winery supplied sample.

 

 

 

 

Elyse Winery, is at 2100 Hoffman Lane in Napa is about a mile south of Yountville and about a quarter mile west of Hwy 29.  The winery was started in 1987 by Ray and Nancy Coursen.  The winery is named after their daughter, who is not surprisingly, named Elyse.

 

For their first ten years, the Coursen’s used various custom crush facilities in the area.  In 1997 they took the big plunge and purchased a small vineyard and winery on Hoffman Lane.  This is still the home of Elyse Winery and the tasting room.

Elyse Winery also produces a second label named after their son, Jacob Franklin.  The wines under the Jacob Franklin label are focused on small production, low yield, single vineyard wines from Napa Valley.  These wines are only available through the website, winery, or wine club.

To check on availability or to purchase wine, visit:

https://www.net10.net/ShoppingCart/buy/ProductSummary.asp

 

 

I highly recommend adding a stop at Elyse Winery on your next visit to wine country.

 

Much more information can be found at:  http://www.elysewinery.com/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now onto the main reason for this post, the wine…

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Wine Info

The wine is a blend of 84% Petite Sirah, 12% Syrah, and 4% Zinfandel.  The grapes come for two vineyards, Souyoultzis and Hayne.  The grapes were harvested on four passes from September 21 to October 9^th.

 

After a 13 to 15 day fermentation with native yeast, the wine was aged 10 ½ months in American Oak, 40% of which was new.

 

The final alcohol is 14.5%, and the total production was 866 cases.

 

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark, inky purple to black color, always a good sign for a Petite Sirah.  The very inviting nose has ripe blackberries, freshly cracked black pepper, baking spices, charred meat, dark chocolate, plums, dried herbs, earthy underbrush, and wild flower dominated potpourri.  The wine is fairly full bodied with solid, ripe tannins and very good acidity.  On the palate the wine has a load of rich and spicy berries with dark chocolate, dried herbs, black pepper, earthy elements, and a meaty quality providing a ton of depth and complexity.  The finish mirrors the palate and is long and flavorful.  This tastes outstanding today but with the balance, tannins, and acidity, this will last for a long time in the cellar…if you can resist it for that long.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

The wine was a perfect pairing with a Pan Roasted Sirloin Steak au Poivre, Paprika Potatoes, and Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus.

 

 

 

***** 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

 

 

 

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 a sample provided by the winery or a company representing them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winery History

Tolosa’s name reflects the long history of winemaking in the Edna Valley Appellation.  Over two hundred years ago the friars at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa began the first vineyards in the county.  These early wines were highly valued throughout California.  Today, Tolosa honors that legacy by producing remarkable wines from this small coastal wine region.

The first vineyard plantings in early California came with the establishment of the missions.  The vineyard at the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was the first planted in San Luis ObispoCounty and was situated in what is now the EdnaValley appellation.  Original documents show the quality of wine produced from this mission was highly valued and often traded to other missions.

In the 1870’s, Pierre Hyppolite Dallidet grafted French cuttings onto the rootstock still surviving from the mission era.  Some of the original rootstocks survived prohibition and are part of the EdnaValley appellation today.

Like the Burgundy region of France, the valley has balanced hot days with cool nights, and challenging soil.  The weather conditions prove ideal for producing grape clusters that are fewer in number, but linger longer on the vine to yield flavor of exquisite intensity.

The tradition at Tolosa is the commitment to evoke the natural sophistication inherent in the grapes in the EdnaValley.  We focus on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah varietals that yield the most intense results under our growing conditions.  We follow a slow handcrafting process that nurtures the wine through periodic gentle racking and minimal filtration.  We allow nature to determine the character of each vintage.  This is the way California’s winemaking heritage first began, and this is the way it will always be at Tolosa.

Much more information available at: http://www.tolosawinery.com/

 

 

Sustainable Winegrowing

 

Tolosa practices scientifically based sustainability practices in their vineyard and winery.  To summarize – sustainability is a comprehensive program that encompasses hundreds of the best management practices in the winery, vineyards, employees, and with neighbors.

 

The 3 E’s of Sustainability:

Environmentally friendly

Equitable, Socially

Economically Feasible

 

 

 

• Solar Powered Facility
• In August 2009 Tolosa converted to solar electrical generation with SunPower Corp.  This system will provide the winery’s electrical energy for the next 25 years.
• All of Tolosa’s Vineyards are SIP Certified, demonstrating Sustainability in Practice.
• All winery waste including grape seeds and skins is recycled, composted, or otherwise recovered.
• We use vineyard tools with tractors designed to do multiple tasks at the same time.  This minimizes the number of tractors traveling through the vineyard and significantly reduces fuel, soil compaction and erosion.
• We utilize cover crops that reduce erosion, build soil fertility, and provide habitat for beneficial insects.
• We have integrated pest management practices in place that carefully monitor the balance of insects, soil fertility, soil moisture, and vine health to minimize the waste of energy and chemical inputs.  These practices make use of natural predators to control insect pests, and even weed species in some cases (we actually release a specific beetle which eats the seeds of star thistle.)  We also utilize non-pesticide management methods, like using the Vine Mealybug’s own pheromones in small playing-card size clips hung on the vines, to confuse them during mating and as a result lowers their populations.
• Every drop of water that we use in the winery is recovered and biologically processed until all the water is utilized a second time through the drip systems to water the vineyards.
• All the vineyards are irrigated with low volume, low pressure drip irrigation placed at each individual vine to minimize the waste of water and maximize uniformity of vine growth.
• Root stocks are chosen for the vines to resist insect and disease issues while minimizing any chemical or energy inputs.
• We use low-risk fungicides in protecting our crop from fungal diseases.  For example paraffin-based stylet oil (an organic product) is one of the many effective ways we control powdery mildew.
• In the month of June, just after the young clusters have gone thru bloom and set, the leaves around the clusters are removed and the growing shoots are positioned upwards to passively minimize botrytis and mildew pressure, which reduces the number of protective sprays and increases the effectiveness of those sprays when required.
• We leave wildlife corridors and erosion offsets along creeks, with native plants remaining in place.
• Our winery’s refrigeration lines, hot water lines, exterior wine tanks, walls, roof and doors are completely insulated.  The wine industry’s most efficient presses and refrigeration equipment were built for Tolosa.  Our night time sensors monitor the temperatures inside and out, utilizing nature’s cool night air with a series of automatically opening vents in the ceiling and low maintenance fans in the walls.  Each and every permanent wine vessel in the winery is individually controlled with their own thermostat to minimize lost energy.

 

Additional information about the SIP Certification is available at:

http://www.sipcertified.org/

 

 

 

My comments

This is my first experience with a wine from Tolosa and I am looking forward to giving it a try.  The winery’s commitment to sustainable farming practices shows they care about the quality of fruit going into the bottle and put their money into protecting the environment.

 

 

Wine info

The wine is 100% Pinot Noir from the Tolosa Estate in the Edna Valley AVA.

This is a blend of the D667, D115, 2A, and Pommard clones.

The wine was aged 11 months in 225L French oak, about 1/3 new.

Total production was 4,450 cases and the alcohol is 14.1%.

The Suggested Retail Price of the wine is $30.00.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a nice medium ruby red color.  The sensuous nose features black cherries, baking spices, forest floor, black raspberries, wild flowers, a pleasing, subtle herbal note and a touch of smoke.  The wine has medium body, soft, ripe tannins, and very good acidity.  On the palate the tart cherries and juicy berries allow the nice spice and earthiness to come in providing additional depth and complexity.  The finish has very nice length but needs a touch of cellar time to fill out a bit.  This needs a bit of cellar time to really strut it’s stuff, but is none the less still delicious as is.  With the nice acidity and balance this has several years of great drinking in the future.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

This is a very food friendly wine that will pair nicely with a large variety of dishes.  This would pair nicely with poultry, fish, and dishes with a creamy, rich sauce.

We had the wine with our Sunday before New Years dinner that co-starred this ham:

 

The wine was a perfect pairing with the ham, macaroni and cheese from my wife, and some quickly sautéed asparagus.  Delicious!

The good acidity cut through the juicy ham and the rich macaroni and cheese and the slight herbal note was perked up a touch by the asparagus.   This was a very nice pairing in our house.

 

 

 

***** 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

 

 

 

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 a winery supplied sample.

 

 

Elyse Winery was started in 1987 by Ray and his wife Nancy when they crushed 4.5 tons of Zinfandel from the Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford to craft 286 cases of their first wine.  While the portfolio has grown over the last 25 years, the focus remains on creating vineyard driven wines that pair well with food.  Total production is currently 10,000 cases and the wines are nationally and internationally distributed.

Ray grew up on a dairy farm in northwest New Jersey and tended various crops before tiring of milk and leaving the roost.  After a two year stint in the army and extensive travel in Europe and Africa, he returned to the states and attended Stockbridge Agricultural College at the University of Massachusetts.  While at school, he worked at a fine wine shop in Boston, and it was here that he discovered fine French wine.  With Coursen’s background in farming and his new appreciation for wine, the idea of making wine took hold.

 

Nancy is a third generation Californian and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area.   Following her graduation from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Occupational Therapy, she worked with special needs children in the educational systems of the Boston area.   It was in Boston in 1982 that Nancy met Ray and shortly thereafter his interest in the wine business brought them to the Napa Valley.

Much more information and Ray, Nancy, Elyse, and her younger brother Jacob Franklin can be found at:  http://www.elysewinery.com/25.html

 

 

 

On your next visit to the Napa Valley, I highly recommend a stop at Elyse.  They are about a mile south of Yountville just off Highway 29.  A reservation is required but the visit is well worth the phone call.  More information is available at:  http://www.elysewinery.com/visit.html

 

 

 

Everyone knows great wines start in the vineyards, and the Morisoli Vineyard lies in the heart of the famed Rutherford region in Napa Valley.

 

 

 

And finally onto the reason you are visiting this post, the wine.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Wine Info

This wine is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot.

 

After a 15 day fermentation using native yeast, the wine was aged 30 months in French oak, 60% of which was new.

 

The alcohol is 14.8%, and the production was 1,190 12-pack 750ml cases and 20 cases of 1.5L magnums.

 

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly deep, dark ruby color almost purple.  The enticing nose features cassis, melted licorice, dried herbs, cedar, dark chocolate, minerals, black cherries, and baking spices.  The wine has medium body, solid, ripe tannins, and very good acidity.  The outstanding palate has a good fruit base with plenty of spice, dried herbs, and a touch of earthiness and minerals adding considerable depth and complexity.  The long, lingering finish seems to go on forever, showcasing the spicy fruit, dried herbs, and a touch of dark chocolate.  A very powerful and elegant wine that should be left in the cellar for a few years to allow it to reach it’s full potential.  (94 pts)

 

 

We paired the Elyse Cabernet with our Christmas dinner of prime rib, mashed potatoes casserole with onions and cheddar cheese, Prosciutto wrapped asparagus, and some Asiago Cheese and garlic bread.

 

 

***** 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

 

 

 

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 a winery supplied sample.

 

 

 

NapaValley’s Elyse Winery has two causes for celebration this harvest.  In addition to a stellar looking 2012 vintage in NapaValley, it is the 25th harvest for the winery.

 

 

I guess a good way to get started is by meeting Elyse.  Here she is with Ray Coursen, her dad.

 

 

 

Elyse Winery was started in 1987 by Ray and his wife Nancy when they crushed 4.5 tons of Zinfandel from the Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford to craft 286 cases of their first wine.  While the portfolio has grown over the last 25 years, the focus remains on creating vineyard driven wines that pair well with food.  Total production is currently 10,000 cases and the wines are nationally and internationally distributed.

Ray grew up on a dairy farm in northwest New Jersey and tended various crops before tiring of milk and leaving the roost.  After a two year stint in the army and extensive travel in Europe and Africa, he returned to the states and attended StockbridgeAgriculturalCollege at the University of Massachusetts.  While at school, he worked at a fine wine shop in Boston, and it was here that he discovered fine French wine.  With Coursen’s background in farming and his new appreciation for wine, the idea of making wine took hold.

 

Nancy is a third generation Californian and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area.   Following her graduation from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Occupational Therapy, she worked with special needs children in the educational systems of the Boston area.   It was in Boston in 1982 that Nancy met Ray and shortly thereafter his interest in the wine business brought them to the NapaValley.

Much more information and Ray, Nancy, Elyse, and her younger brother Jacob Franklin can be found at:  http://www.elysewinery.com/25.html

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Wine Info

Elyse has been making Zinfandel wines from the Morisoli Vineyard since 1986 and have been the only producer working with the grapes since 1988.

 

Though this wine is mainly Zinfandel (87%) it also contains 13% other varietals including a combination of Alicante Bouschet, Carignane, Durif, Grand Noir, MuscatHamburg, Negrette, Syrah, and Valdiguie.

 

The total production was 2,077 cases.

 

After a 16 day fermentation with native yeast, the wine was aged 10 ½ months in American oak, 25% of which was new.

 

The final alcohol is 14.4%.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep garnet color, almost purple.  The very inviting nose features brambly berries, licorice, eucalyptus, Asian spices, violets, dark chocolate, black pepper, with hints of cherry, dark roast coffee, smoky bacon, and a touch of earthiness.  This has a medium body with fairly solid, ripe tannins, and very good acidity.  The wine is very rich and spicy on the palate with the fruit and savory notes delivering a very tasty mouthful of pleasure.  The finish is long and very flavorful with the spicy berries, pepper and a touch of earthiness slowly adding a touch of eucalyptus.  This is an outstanding, young Zinfandel that has several years of good drinking ahead.  (94 pts)

 

 

 

 

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 a sample provided by the winery or a company representing them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My comments

I’ve been a fan of the Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet based blends from Franciscan Estates for many years.  There were a few years the wines were good, but I felt they could have been a bit better.  The last few years, the overall quality has been improving, in my opinion.  This improvement seems to parallel the movement of Janet Myers to Director of Winemaking in August 2005.

 

This will actually be my first Chardonnay from the winery.  My favorite Chardonnay wines have little to no oak and I run away from the full blown, buttery ones that were in vogue not that long ago.

 

 

Winery History

Founded in 1972, and purchased in 1975 by industry revolutionaries Justin Meyer and Raymond Duncan, Franciscan Estate’s rich history was born out of a strong devotion to small-lot winemaking and a pioneering spirit. These ideals have been a hallmark for who we are and guide us as we continue to craft world-class NapaValley wines.

 

Much more information is available at:  http://www.franciscan.com/

 

 

 

Wine info

Total production – 74,000 cases

Suggested retail price – $18.00

 

This is 100% Chardonnay that was barrel fermented  It then spent seven months sur lie in small French and American oak barrels, 20% of which were new.

 

Much of the fruit comes from the estate owned Larsen Vineyard in Carneros.

 

Alcohol – 13.5%

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light, pale straw to yellow color.  The fresh and vibrant nose shows apples, baking spices, vanilla, minerals, lemon zest, melon, and a spritz of lime.  This has medium body with tart, citrusy acidity with just a touch of creaminess.  On the palate the wine features nice, mineral laden, apples, juicy lemon/lime citrus, with vanilla, melon, and baking spices adding additional depth.  The crisp and clean finish has good length showcasing the spicy apples, minerals, and citrus notes that slowly fade leaving a nice vanilla note.  (90 pts)

 

This is a very balanced wine with just enough oak to add “seasoning” and interest, but it never attempts to take center stage from the fruit.  This has enough fruit and spice to drink well on its own, but the crisp acidity makes it perfect to go with a rich meal.  This would be perfect with a juicy roasted chicken or my choice, a skewer of large, grilled shrimp on the deck or patio on a warm day.

 

I would recommend drinking this over the next 4 to 5 years to enjoy the vibrant fruit, spice, and juicy citrus.  That said, with the balance and good acidity, it could last longer with the proper cellar conditions.

 

 

 

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!

 

 

 

These reviews are based on samples provided by Taste-Vino.com or an organization representing them.

 

Taste-Vino.com’s world is centered around finding wines from South America and bringing them to your dinner table.  These wines aren’t just the usual Malbec from Argentina.  A quick review of their current offerings include everything from Pinot Noirs from Uruguay to Sauvignon Blancs from Chile, to sparkling wines also from Uruguay, and everything in between.  Looking for something different, very different?  How about a Tannat Rose?  That’s not something you’ll see listed on a typical website or on a store shelf.

Per the company’s website:

We search out and find the absolute best wines from the top producers and regions in South America and bring them home for you.  To be considered for TasteVino, each wine must be downright delicious, offer fantastic value and come from a family-owned winery practicing sustainable viticulture and fair trade.

 

More information is available at http://www.taste-vino.com/index.cfm

 

This post will center around two wines made from grapes you may not be familiar with, a white Torrontés and a red Bonarda both from Argentina.

 

 

 2009 Finca Algarve Torrontés Cinco Sentidos – SRP $15.00

 

Torrontés is THE white wine of Argentina.  This is the most widely planted white wine grape growing in Argentina.  Even though you may see wines labeled as Torrontés from Spain, these are genetically different grapes.

 

At its best, wines made from the Torrontés grape are fresh, aromatic wines with moderate acidity, smooth texture and mouth feel and have distinctive peach and apricot aromas on the nose.  Torrontés wines are generally made for early drinking.

 

 About the winery

Since 1955 our company has followed the noble tradition of high quality winemaking.  This path of history finds us today enjoying what we love best and know most about: making wines that can evoke thousands of moments and transmit numerous life experiences.

 

When virgin valleys are found untainted, everything unfolds as a great possibility…. Our ancestor came to these lands and made them the perfect place for growing vines.  Thus, they’ve worked bravely night and day to grow these varietals, which today bring out the best attributes these terroirs can offer.

 

Our vineyards are located towards the West of the Argentinean territory, in the province of Mendoza, a most privileged location at 850 meters above sea level.  Our lands sit at the banks of the MendozaRiver, bringing out a silty loam alluvial soil of deep character, in a dry region with little rainfall and clearly marked seasons.

 

During the summer, skies are clear and bathed with warm sunlight, which bring about an optimum maturity in grapes and the character and personality that best describe our wines at Cinco Sentidos.

 

At present, laborious hands work our 100 hectares all along the year to get the most out of the soil and vineyards, and translate it into high quality product.

 

In this way, our past and present have blended with the sole purpose of working the land to awaken our five senses through our wines Cinco Sentidos, to transmit numerous experiences and evoke thousands of moments.

 

More information available at:

http://www.cinco-sentidos.com.ar/index.php

 

  

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light, glistening yellow color.  The very fresh and inviting nose features line, lemon zest, minerals, orange blossoms, lemon grass, and spice.  This is dry with a light body and crisp acidity.  On the palate lemon and lime with solid minerality take center stage with some nice spice and a slight herbal note in the background.  The finish has very nice length with the spicy citrus, minerals, and herbal note lingering very nicely.  If it was April, I would be grabbing a case of this wine to enjoy with lighter dinners on the deck.  Outstanding.  (91 pts)

 

 

2008 Serrera Bonarda – SRP $20.00 

 

Bonarda is the name for the grape variety known as Charbono in California.  The grape is from the Savoie region of France.  It is the second most commonly grown variety in Argentina.  The wine made from Charbono/Bonarda tends to be dark, with medium to high tannins and acidity.

 

  

About the winery – Their Philosophy

In winemaking, just like happens in life, there are no recipes.  Each wine is the expression of different ways and styles, different moments and opportunities, different dreams and ideals.  Many types of wines result from these combinations, they are as diverse as the women and men of this world.

 

The only, absolute and supreme norm for winemaking should be nobility.  That state which gives the chosen the ability of maintaining without alteration the principal virtues of its essence.  A quality that we try to cultivate in our lives just like in our wines, because it proves to be the only characteristic capable of maintaining the true virtue of grapes.

 

  

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep garnet color.  The deep and dark nose features plums, black raspberry, baking spices, eucalyptus, scorched earth, smoke, and cocoa powder.  This is medium to full body with rustic, slightly chalky tannins and good acidity.  The palate has earthy, spicy, red and black fruit, with some herbal tinged eucalyptus.  The finish has decent length with plums, raspberries, and minerals and slightly chalky tannins.  This wine needs a piece of juicy meat to help smooth out the tannins on the backend and finish.  (87 pts)

 

***** Special Offers *****

It sounds like the 2008 Serrera Bonarda is either sold out or very close to gone.  Taste-Vino has a special offer on the new 2009 vintage of their “Reserva”.   Buy a 6 pack for $120 and get free shipping.  Offer valid through December 13, 2012.  Additional information available at:

http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/356487/d9bf3f0897/ARCHIVE

 

 

Taste-Vino.com also has a wine club that gets you 20% off the listed prices and discounted shipping for orders over $200.  More information is available at:

http://bit.ly/WJKA31

 

 

One of the wineries the company deals with, Pueblo del Sol Wines from Uruguay has recently announced, “Globally renowned wine consultant Paul Hobbs has signed on to be the exclusive consulting winemaker”.

 

 

 

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!

 

 

 

This is based on a sample supplied to me by the winery

 

 

This is your chance to get in on the ground floor of what may be the next big thing to come out of Paso Robles.  I’ve been a big fan of Mark Adams’ wines for a couple years and they are getting better every vintage.  Between this label, One Time Spaceman, and his other label (with his wife) Ledge, he is just one big score from one of the major wine publications from being a rock star.  Well, his music is very good, but in this case, I’m talking about a wine making rock star.  Jump aboard before this is another one of those wines that is unobtainable, ala Saxum, Carlisle, SQN…etc.

 

The One Time Spaceman wines are available mainly via the retail chain, but I highly recommend checking out Ledge and getting in on the mailing list.

 

Check out Ledge at:

http://ledgevineyards.com/index.php

 

 

More information on the One Time Spaceman wines is available at:

http://spacemanvineyards.com

 

 

 

2009 One Time Spaceman Moon Duck – SRP $28.99

 

My comments

The illustrious winemaker/rocker for this is Mark Adams.  This is just one of the many hats worn by Mark.  For those in Paso Robles, he is equally well know for his music.

 

The Moon duck is a blend of Mourvedre, Syrah, Grenache blend with a splash of Tempranillo, all from small vineyards in the Paso Robles area.  The wine was aged in 100% oak, 50% new French oak, the remainder in neutral oak barriques.  The alcohol is a very well hidden 15.5%, which surprised me, it doesn’t show any heat nor does it show any overly ripe notes.

 

If you’re into scores, Steve Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar gave the previous vintage 90 points.  The current release of Mark’s 2010 Ledge Syrah Adams Ranch Vineyard just received a stellar 92 score from IWC.  It is my understanding, the 2010 Ledge is in short supply and I’d recommend checking them out at http://ledgevineyards.com/index.php.  I can say this since I put my money where my mouth is by grabbing a 6 pack when it was released.

 

 

Winery Tasting Note (Gotta love it)

This wine is a complex, fruit forward GSM Rhone blend crafted in the style that has made Paso Robles famous.  Aged in both new and neutral French oak this wine is out of this world.  The color of this wine is reminiscent of a Red Giant Star in its last phase.  On the nose it shows explosive Astro Berry, Plasma Spice and Cosmic Flower.  On the palate the bright arrogant fruit is held together perfectly by complex Interstellar Dust and a rich Nebula Core.  One Time Spaceman wines are unique, dramatic and boutique blends from some of the best sites in Paso Robles.  Each one is different, produced in small lots and represents an opportunity to try cult wines without the cult wine price.  Get it now before it is gone!  Appellation: Paso Robles  Production: 644 cases

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep maroon color.  The very inviting nose features blackberries, dark chocolate, fresh ground espresso, earthy underbrush, baking spices, cherries and dried herbs.  This has medium to full body, solid, ripe tannins, and very good acidity.  On the palate the wine shows spicy, earthy fruit up front with dried herbs, chocolate, and espresso in the background adding considerable depth.  The finish is fairly long with dark chocolate and espresso melding nicely with the spicy berries.  This is still very young and some cellar time will be greatly rewarded.  (92 pts)

 

 

You have to love the fact the wine is 100% Dolphin Safe:

 

 

 

It may not be Rosé weather right now in a lot of the country, but I have had several bottles of the 2011 One Time Spaceman MCA Rosé and it was a very nice fruity wine.  There are a couple reviews of the wine in other postings here.

 

 

An example of some of Mark’s music:

http://www.markadamsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/1.-Bus-Argument-final1.mp3

 

 

More music selections and additional information available at:

http://www.markadamsusa.com/

 

 

 

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!

 

 

Your Holiday Moscato

 

 

 

This review is based on a sample supplied by the winery or another organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Moscato – SRP $7.99

 

My comments

It’s getting to be the time of the year where any holiday party or family gathering will require a bottle of an off dry, fruity wine to satisfy your guests.  In this area, nothing really fills that hole better than a Moscato.  A Moscato is like a fruit salad in a glass.  They generally have a very appealing nose full of fruit ranging from apples and pears to peaches and apricots and everything in between.  Moscato wines range from just barely off dry to very sweet and sugary.  Some Moscato wines have a slight effervescence that helps keep them light on the palate and adds to the festive atmosphere.

 

I was a bit surprised when I noticed the grapes for this wine are actually from the Western Cape of South Africa.  It’s nice to see a winery search all over the world for grapes that may otherwise not find a route to a table in the United States.

 

This wine is a blend of 94% Muscat Alexander and 6% Chardonnay that has 4.4% residual sugar and an alcohol level of 11.5%.

 

 

Winery history

In 1930 the Cherokee Vineyard Association was established near the town of Woodbridge.

 

In 1979 the Robert Mondavi family bought the Cherokee Vineyard Association and renamed it Woodbridge.

 

Over thirty years ago, Robert Mondavi set out to establish a wine culture in America by putting great California wine on every table. In 1979 he established the Woodbridge Winery near his childhood home of Lodi, California. His name is on the bottle. His story is in it.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a pale, clear, yellow to straw color.   The fresh and fruity nose features apples, peaches, apricots, minerals, orange zest, and fresh flowers.  The wine is light to medium body with light sweetness, soft acidity, and just a touch of effervescence.  The wine is lightly sweet but not cloying.  On the palate the sweet, juicy peaches take center stage with apples, minerals, and orange zest in the background.  The finish is fairly long with the sweet fruit very slowly fading away.  I can see this being a big hit at a family gathering or party over the upcoming holiday season.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a recipe from the winery using the wine.

 

 

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Moscato Tips & Tricks

By Candice Kumai

 

 

 Sweet Peach and Moscato Preserves

 

Ingredients

8  Ripe peaches, sliced 1/2 inch thick

3 Cups sugar

2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Rind of 1 lemon, peeled into large pieces using vegetable peeler

1 cup of 2011 Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Moscato

1 and a half -3oz packages liquid sure gel pectin

1 Tablespoon mint, sliced into thin ribbons

6-7 Sterile ½ pint mason jars with lids

 

Instructions

1. In a medium stockpot, combine peaches, sugar, lemon juice, lemon rind and Moscato, bringing to a boil.

 

2. Stirring gently, reduce to a slow simmer over medium heat. Cook 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

 

3. Some foam may appear at the top of the pot, using a spider or a slotted spoon skim off the foam and discard. Remove lemon rind with a fork.

 

4. Add mint and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

 

5. Remove from the heat and add the liquid pectin stirring constantly. Return to a full rolling boil and cook for 1 minute. Quickly and very carefully ladle the preserves into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 in head space at the top.

 

6. Place the lids on top of the jam jars. Carefully twist on the tops.

 

7. To Seal: Gently, place the jars in a large stockpot full of boiling water. Make sure that the jars are fully submerged in the boiling water. Let it sit in the simmering water for 10-15 minutes to set. Jars should seal by then. If not, they will seal while cooling.

 

8. Remove jars after 10-15 minutes, set aside to cool and set. You will hear a “pop” noise when jars are sealed.

 

9. Allow jars to set for 24 hours before opening.

 

 

 

 

 

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 review is based on a sample supplied by the winery or another organization working on their behalf.

 

 

2011 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Coastal Crush – SRP $11.00

 

 

My comments

This is a blend of 67% Syrah, 24% Merlot, and 9% Malbec.

The grapes are from MontereyCounty(57%), San BenitoCounty(20%), Paso Robles(13%), and Valley South(10%),

The wine was aged in French and American oak for 10 months.  The alcohol by volume is 13.5% and there is 8g/L of residual sugar.

 

This wine was sampled as part of a ToastCentralCoast WineChat on Twitter hosted by the winery.

 

 

Winery history

I think most readers of my blog know the sometimes turbulent history of the iconic Robert Mondavi Winery.  Since the scope of this piece is their “Private Selection” line of wines, I’ll showcase that part of the winery’s history.

 

 

(from the winery website)

Robert Mondavi developed a deep appreciation for the distinctive vineyards of California’s coast during the course of decades sourcing fruit from the region.  In 1994, Robert Mondavi Private Selection wines was founded with this appreciation in mind, and a mission to exclusively draw from North and Central Coast appellations, showcasing the high quality and varied character of these grapes.

 

The allure of the California coast is simple: it is a region of tremendous varietal quality and versatility that can be used by a winemaker much as an artist uses a broad palette to blend color and create a remarkable finished piece.  In this case, the result is a high quality, affordable fine wine born of the best of California’s diverse growing regions.

 

Robert Mondavi Private Selection produces Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Fume Blanc, Syrah, Zinfandel and Riesling. These wines – from light and lively to full-bodied and concentrated – have approachable bright fruit expression and exceptional balance, as well as great depth and texture.  All are crafted to be enjoyed upon release.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to dark ruby color.  The very fruity nose has strawberries, black cherries, spice, licorice, chocolate, and some black pepper.  This has medium body with soft, ripe tannins, decent acidity, and just a touch of residual sugar.  This has big, sweet, juicy fruit on the palate but with some air, licorice, spice and chocolate join in making it an easy drinking wine.  The finish has nice length with a bit extra spice adding some depth.  This is an easy drinking wine that would be perfect to share with friends or relatives over the upcoming holiday season.

 

 

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!

 

 

 

 

These reviews are based on samples provided by the winery or an organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

 

Winery Information  (winery supplied)

The Seeker Wines is a new line of carefully curated wines created for those who love to seek adventure.  Our wanderings yielded five unique varietals– a California Chardonnay, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, French Pinot Noir, Argentine Malbec, and Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, each sourced from top-quality wineries celebrated for their excellence and dedication to sustainable practices and local printing.  Whether roaming far-off lands or exploring Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, The Seeker delights the senses on a global taste journey.  Just glance at the labels and you’ll see mid-19th century flying machines that beckon a bygone era of wonder and mystery that reminds us why exploring the unknown world is all about the journey.

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

All wines were sampled over most of an evening.  This allowed me to capture each wine when it was at its peak.

 

 

 

 

 

2010 The Seeker Chardonnay

 

 

My comments

The wine is 97% Chardonnay with 3% Gewürztraminer.  The grapes were sourced from cool climate vineyards in California.

 

The wine has 13.8% alcohol and was aged in tank on light lees with no oak.  A small portion under went malolactic fermentation, which adds a bit of creaminess and body to the wine.

 

This wine was produced in a state of the art, family owned winery utilizing solar and water conservation technology.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light yellow to straw color.  The fresh nose features apples, pears, pineapples, lemon zest, minerals, fresh flowers, and spices.  This has medium body with decent acidity.  On the palate, the wine is fairly creamy and rich with the apples and pears upfront and pineapple and spices in the background.  On the backend, the wine turns a bit flat and loses a bit of focus.  On the finish a bit of citrusy acidity attempts to pull the wine back into focus and generally succeeds.  A slight herbal note lingers on the finish that could be useful in pairing the wine with food.  I would serve this well chilled to help preserve the acidity on the backend.  I think this would work well with a cool chicken salad with a bit of tarragon added just before serving.  (85 pts)

 

 

 

2011 The Seeker Sauvignon Blanc

 

 

My comments

The wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc which was sourced from both Marlborough on the south island and Martinborough on the north island.

 

The wine has 12.7% alcohol and was aged 2 months in tank on light lees. After the aging, the lots were blended then gently fined and filtered before bottling.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light, clear, yellowish straw color.  The exotic, unusual, and appealing nose features musk laden apples, mint, lime, white pepper, saline minerality, and orange blossoms.  The wine has light body and features crisp, citrusy acidity.  On the palate the sweet, minty apples and spice get a boost when the lime kicks in.  The finish is fairly long with the saline laced minerals adding nice complexity.  This would be perfect with a relaxing dinner on the patio or deck with some grilled shellfish or a salad.  My vote would be to serve this with a shrimp salad served on a delicate, flaky croissant.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2011 The Seeker Pinot Noir

 

 

My comments

The wine is 100% Pinot Noir from vineyard sites in Auvergne.  The vineyards are on rich volcanic soils 350-500 meters above sea level.  The vines range in age from 15 to 40 years old.

 

The wine has an alcohol of 13.5% and was aged in tank on light lees with no oak.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light, clear, ruby red color.  The light and fresh nose features cherries, Asian spices, raspberry, and some soft earthiness.  This is medium body, at most, with ripe tannins and very nice acidity.  On the palate the wine shows spicy, red fruit with a slowly building earthy element.  The finish is more on the earthy side with the red fruit and spice more in the background.  In my opinion, this was much better with some air.  The wine initially had candied red fruit front and center which was a bit distracting.  With the air the candied elements dissipated allowing the spice and earthiness to come through.  This would work well with chicken and pork dishes and may hold up well to a rich, creamy pasta dish.  My vote would be to give the wine an hour of air and serve with Fettuccine Alfredo with some sliced grilled chicken.   (87 pts)

 

 

 

2011 The Seeker Cabernet Sauvignon

 

 

My comments

The wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from vineyards in both the Maipo and Colchagua Valleys.  The vineyards are 17 years old and planted in clay and alluvial soils.

 

The wine has an alcohol level of 13.5%.  The wine was aged 5 months in 20% new oak.  The oak was 50% American and 50% French.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby color.  The deep and dark nose features cassis, dark roasted coffee beans, smoke, dark chocolate, spices, dried herbs, vanilla, and some subtle earthiness.  This has medium body with fairly solid tannins and very nice acidity.  The upfront spicy and earthy cassis hits the palate first followed by some nice dark roast coffee and dark chocolate.  On the backend, as the fruit fades the earthiness takes over with a bit of dried herbs.  The finish has decent length but could use a touch more fleshiness.  This would be nice with a pot roast or beef stew.  My vote would be to serve with a medium rare sirloin steak that was seared to a nice charred exterior.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2010 The Seeker Malbec

 

 

My comments

The wine is 85% Malbec with 10% Bonarda and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The vineyards are Agrelo and Vistaflores in Lujan de Cuyo.

 

The wine has 14.5% alcohol and was aged for one year in French oak and a minimum of two months in bottle before release.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark ruby to maroon color.  The very open and inviting nose features cherries, blackberries, licorice, Asian spices, earthy underbrush, mocha, and some violets.  This is medium to full bodied with fairly solid, ripe tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate the wine leads off with the spicy cherries and berries but the building mocha and earthy elements soon take center stage.  The earthy, dark chocolate flavors continue right through the finish, which has nice length.  This greatly improved with an hour of air, which helped it to add some weight and fill out the finish.  Serve this with something hot off the grill.  My recommendation would be a skirt steak with a bit of fine ground espresso added to the meat before a few minutes on a very hot grill.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

Contact information

 

More information can be found on the winery’s website at http://theseekerwines.com

 

You can follow the winery on Twitter at http://twitter.com/theseekerwines or check them out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/theseekerwines

 

 

 

 

 

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!