This is based on a sample provided by the winery or an organization representing them.

 

 

I received a real nice Sampler set from Robert Mondavi Winery.  The set included two bottles of their Central Coast Private Selection wines, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2011 Chardonnay.  Also included were nicely prepared spec sheets, their “Guide to the Central Coast”, a recipe for “Penne alla Napoli with Prawns” from Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Little Napoli Restaurant, a couple of salumi from Paso Robles’ Allesina Fine Cured Meats, and a nice Moon Book on Santa Barbara and the Central Coast.

 

 

 

We didn’t try the recipe yet, but it looks tasty.  I’ll post the recipe and my “tasting note” when we make it in the next month or two.  The salumi was delicious.  We served one with some assorted cheeses and crackers during appetizers at a dinner party on Saturday and it disappeared VERY fast.  Highly recommended!

 

 

 

On to the reason you are reading this, the wines.

 

 

 

 

Winery history

I think most readers of my blog know the sometimes turbulent history of the 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.

 

The winery designated a few wines as “Private Selection” as far back as 1974.  There were a few offerings over the years until 1991.  With the 1993 vintage, the Private Selection label became an annual offering in Mondavi’s portfolio of wines.

 

 

(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 comments

I have to admit, I usually drink wines a step or two above this level.  There is a reason for this, I’ve had too many lower end wines that tasted manipulated, lacked any varietal character, and that were over ripe, syrupy, and off dry.  The third reason is the one that disagrees with my palate the most.  I don’t like a bit of residual sugar in my dry wine.

 

 

 

2010 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Private Selection Central Coast – Suggested Retail Price $11.00

 

This wine comes from cooler climate Central Coast vineyards.  Besides the Cabernet Sauvignon (88%), this contains small amounts of Syrah(5%), Merlot(3%), Petit Verdot(2%), Malbec(1%), and Cabernet Franc(1%).  The sources for the grapes used in this wine are Monterrey County (60%), Paso Robles (30%), Santa Barbara County (5%) and Valley South (5%).

 

The wine was aged in oak for 12 months.

 

The alcohol is a very respectable 13.5%.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby color, lighter at the edge.  The fairly straight forward nose has cassis, baking spices, white pepper, dried herbs, cherry, toasty oak, and a slight herbal note in the background.  This has medium body, nice acidity, and a bit of a tannic edge.  The wine is a bit brighter on the palate with cherry and baking spices leading the way.  The finish is a touch short with the herbal note from the nose making an appearance.  All in all, much better than most of the $11 and under Cabernets I have had over the years.  This is dry and would work well at a party with appetizers or would go well with a nice weeknight dinner of beef stew, meat loaf, or even a meaty pizza.  There are much worse ways to spend your wine money.

 

 

 

 2011 Robert Mondavi Winery Chardonnay Private Selection – Suggested Retail Price $11.00

 

This wine comes from cooler climate Central Coast vineyards.  Besides the Chardonnay (96%), this contains small amounts of Thompson Seedless(2%), White Riesling(1%), and Gewürztraminer (1%).  The sources for the grapes used in this wine is Monterrey County(89%), San Benito County(7%), Santa Clara County (2%) and Valley South (2%).

 

30% of the wine was barrel fermented and aged 10 months in oak.  The remaining 70% was tank fermented.  The wine was 100% aged on the lees for 10 months.  Thirty percent of the blend went through malolactic fermentation to foster a creamy mouthfeel.

 

The alcohol is a very respectable 13.5%.

 

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a nice golden straw color.  On the fresh smelling nose there are crisp apples, lemon zest, white peaches, toasty oak, fresh Spring flowers, and a bit of baking spices.  This has medium body and is a touch creamy with some citrusy acidity kicking in on the back end.  On the palate there is a big shot of spicy, tart apples and lemon zest with just a touch of oak adding depth.  This finish has good length with nice balance between the apples and lemon zest with just enough spicy oak to keep the wine in check.  This would be a nice wine to serve with a creamy, rich dish or chicken.  This wine could also be served on its own as a nice cocktail wine.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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 winery supplied samples

 

 

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.

 

 

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 Napa Valley wines.

 

 

 

2011 Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

 

 

Wine info

Total production – 6,970 cases

Suggested retail price – $16.99

 

100% Sauvignon Blanc

100% stainless steel tank fermented with 50% skin contact

Alcohol – 13%

 

My comments

Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve been a fan of the red wines from Franciscan for many years, but this will be my first Sauvignon Blanc from them that I will taste.  To me, Napa Valley Sauvignon Blancs have been very hit or miss.  To me the better ones from the region have a nice citrus “bite” but maintain the uniquely Sauvignon Blanc herbal/cut grass element.  If either of these elements is too pronounced, the wine seems to be out of balance.

 

 

My tasting note

The wine is a pale yellow color with a very slight greenish tint.  The clean and fresh smelling nose has lemon and lime zest, minerals, grapefruit, fresh cut grass, lychee, and a touch of white pepper.  The wine is light to medium body, dry, and has crisp, citrusy acidity.  Lime and grapefruit flavors hit the palate initially, slowly giving way to a nice herbal element, lychee, and minerals.  On the backend the white pepper note from the nose slips in again adding a nice spicy element.  The wine has a nice lingering finish with the lime zest, herbal notes, and lychee slowly giving way to a touch of lingering grapefruit and minerals.  This would be a perfect wine for a nice light dinner on the deck or patio on a warm Summer day.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Franciscan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

 

 

Wine info

Total production – 117,000 cases

Suggested retail price – $28

 

85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Syrah, 1% Malbec

 

Alcohol – 13.5%

 

Pre-fermentation cold soak of four days, total fermentation and maceration time of 22 days.  Aged for 20 months in small oak barrels, 25% new.

 

Release date – August 2012

 

 

My comments

Franciscan Estate Cabs have always held a nice QPR niche when it came to Napa Valley Cabernets.  To me, Franciscan as well as Buehler offered nice Napa Valley Cabernets at exceptional price points.  Franciscan cabs generally have the quality to have with a nice weekend dinner, but at a price that won’t blow the budget if served with a good week night meal.

 

 

My tasting note

The wine was decanted for about two hours and followed most of the evening.  The aroma was outstanding and filled the room with cassis and crushed berries while sitting in the decanter.  The wine is a deep ruby to maroon color.  The wine has cassis, plums, fresh ground espresso, dark chocolate, dried herbs, tobacco, spicy oak, and violets with hints of cherry and vanilla on the very pleasing nose.  This is medium bodied with fairly solid, ripe tannins and it has very nice acidity.  On the very sensuous palate the spicy berries lead the way with dried herbs and vanilla adding depth and cherries and dark chocolate providing an extra element on the back end.  The finish is of good length but as to be expected from such a young wine, it does show a touch of excess oak to go with the dark chocolate and fruit.  This is extremely young but very tasty.  I’m sure some cellar time will help the oak on the finish to integrate and for more complexity to shine through.  (92 pts)

 

 

These are both very good to outstanding wines that would be welcomed at my dinner table anytime.

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

This is based on a Sample sent to me. 

 

I’ve been looking forward to trying this wine for a couple weeks.  I wanted to give it time to settle down from the shipping to the Midwest from California.  I figured this was the perfect time to open it since the wine was just offered by Jean Edwards Cellars on their pre-release e-mail offer on Friday.  Total production was only 250 cases of this wine.

 

I’ve had past vintages of this wine and its’ quality far exceeded the price point.

 

I decanted the wine for about 5 hours, but it probably could have used more.  The wine is a deep, dark purple color.  The nose on the wine is deep and dark with cassis, black cherry, dried herbs, wood smoke, cedar, Asian spices, vanilla, earthy underbrush, tobacco, dark chocolate, and some violets.  This is medium body with fairly solid, ripe tannins and good acidity.  Nice spicy, forward fruit and spice but with plenty of power and grip on the palate, dark chocolate, cherry, and a bit of oak add dimension and depth.  There is a long, flavorful finish with just a touch of spicy oak popping out.  This tastes very nice now, but a couple of years in the cellar will be greatly rewarded.  It wouldn’t surprise me if this shuts down some what in the next six months, so try early or wait a few years.  (94 pts now, but better in a few years)

 

I highly recommend this wine, and ordered a mixed case from their offer.

 

 

Here is the information from the winery on their offer:

 

2009 Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (750ml) – pre-release

Release price $65

 

Our 2009 cab from Stagecoach is a real gem! As with most cabs from this vineyard, there is a very nice Asian spice element that sits on top of a solid core of delicious black cherry notes, cassis and cola. The nose is very full with dark fruit, tobacco and vanilla. Medium weight – it’s a bit more fruit forward than our 2008 without going over the edge and for such a young cabernet it shows tremendous integration and length. The wine is 98% cabernet sauvignon and 2% petite verdot; aged 22 months in French Oak (50% new/50% one year old barrels). Our 2009 offering provides the supple, round mouth of our 2007 along with the power and fruit structure of our 2008.  We are absolutely in love with this wine and know you will love it too!

 

 

There are two other wines in the latest offer, the 2009 Seventy Four – Forty One Cabernet Sauvignon – HowellMountain and a special “Library Release” of their first commercial offering the 2004 Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

I should add, there are significant discounts for mailing list members off the release price.

 

If you’re interested, visit http://www.jeanedwardscellars.com/ tell Karen, Cliff sent you.  They are also available at wine@jeanedwardscellars.com.

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

A new concept in wine packaging and marketing

 

This is a review of a free, company supplied, product that was sent to me to review.

 

I have seen the future of in-home wine tasting parties and events, it is TastingRoom.com.

This is also the absolute perfect gift for a wine lover in your life, a business associate, or a valued customer.  The premise is simple, select a “wine sampler” set from the mind boggling array they offer and they take care of the rest.  You, or your gift recipient, will receive a nice presentation box with your wine sampler:

 

Each bottle is a 50ml (1.7 oz.) “tasting” size.  This is a little less than a normal half glass of wine, more than enough to sample or share a taste with a friend or spouse.  The sampler kit also contains a description of the wines in the suggested drinking sequence.  My sampler was called Bright Crisp Whites 2 Super Flight.   More about the Super Flight part later, but the sampler contained a nice, varied selection of white wines, perfect for the Summer season.

Every wine may not appeal to everyone, but I’m sure you’ll find one you will like.  The website lists all the different samplers that are available.  You can choose a sampler based on a country, region, grape, even one winery.

 

Here are the wines that were in my Sampler (prices for 750ML bottle):

 

 

2010 Easton Sauvignon Blanc Monarch Mine Vineyard, Sierra Foothills, California – $15.95

A light, pale straw color.  Fresh cut grass, lemon zest, apple, pear, and some minerals are on the fresh smelling nose.  This is fairly light bodied with tart acidity and just a touch of sweetness.  Nice refreshing citrus and herbal notes dominate the palate.  The wine has a nice, lingering finish which shows just a touch of sweetness.  A nice aperitif or on a hot Summer day.

 

 

2010 Colome Torrontes Valle Calchaqui, Argentina – $14.95

A very light and pale straw color, almost clear.  A very interesting nose with musky melons, straw, spice and a slight herbal note.  The wine has medium body with decent acidity.  On the palate the wine is a bit soft with melon, spice, and a touch of citrus.  The finish is a touch short and a bit soft with just a bit of citrus popping through at the end.

 

 

2010 Trattore Roussanne Dry Creek Valley California – $23.95

A light straw-yellow color.  Apples, pears, minerals dominate the palate with earthy notes in the background with an herbal note.  The wine has medium body and nice acidity.  Nice fruit and minerals on the palate with a nice finish highlighted with fruit and herbal notes.

 

 

2009 Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Gilia’s Vernaccia Carneros California – $21.95

A light golden straw color.  A nice nose with pear, lemon curd, minerals, and a slight herbal note.  The wine has medium body and nice acidity.  Rich and creamy on the palate with apple, pear, and citrus.  The finish has a nice, lingering citrus/herbal quality.

 

 

2009 Clayhouse Estate Cuvee Blanc, Red Cedar Vineyard, Paso Robles – $22.95

The wine is almost clear with just a faint yellow tint.  Apples, pears, white peach, stony minerals on the nose with notes of spice and a floral element.  Medium body with good acidity.  Tart, spicy, fruit on the palate with some minerals and a slight herbal quality.  Very nice, lingering finish with the mouthwatering citrus slowly fading.  This is a white Rhone styled blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, and Viognier.

 

 

2009 Twisted Oak Ruben’s Blend Calaveras County California – $23.95

A bright yellow to straw color.  A big minty element dominates the nose with minerals, apples, spice, and an herbal note in the background.  The wine has medium body and soft acidity.  The palate, like the nose is dominated by the minty/herbal elements with some fruit and spice again in the background.  A shortish, mint dominated finish.  This is a blend of Marsanne, Roussanne, and Grenache Blanc.

 

Now for the best part, earlier I mentioned this was a “Super Flight” sampler.  This means, I can pick my favorite wine(s) and get two bottles for free.  The purchase of a Super Flight entitles the recipient of the Sampler to select two bottles of wine and have them delivered right to their door.

In my case, I opted to get two bottles of the 2009 Clayhouse Estate Cuvee, a very nice white blend based on grapes native to the Rhone Valley of France.  The ordering process was fairly simple and painless.  I set up an account and entered the code from my sampler.   Their system brought up the wines that were in my sampler.  I selected the wine I wanted, set the quantity to 2 bottles.  After entering my shipping information and submitting, I received a confirmation e-mail a minute later.  Just as advertised, the bottles were free.  I liked the fact I was sent a “shipment” e-mail with the tracking information.  This allowed me to easily have the shipment held at the local UPS Depot and pick up on my way to work before it was bounced all over town on a truck with no hope of delivery since we work all day.

Prices for the basic sampler starts at under $20.  The Super Flight I reviewed is $48.95 and includes two full sized bottles of wine.

 

Beside these Sampler and Super Flight sets, they also have Wines by the Glass (100ML) and full size (750ML) bottles.

 

This was based on a Sampler sent to me for review.

 

Cheers!

 

Information and products available on their website: http://www.tastingroom.com/