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

 

 

2012 Elyse L’Ingénue Naggiar

2009 Elyse Le Corbeau Hudson Vineyard

2010 Elyse C’est Si Bon Naggiar Vineyard

 

 

“A meal with wine is dining – it’s a conversation, an event.  It’s what wine is all about.”

Ray Coursen, Winemaker & Owner 

 

 

Overview

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.

 

 

In case you didn’t notice, even though I love the Bordeaux grapes and a Pinot Noir can be an excellent accompaniment with a meal, my heart lies with the grapes from the Rhone region in France.  I love a nice Grenache or a Syrah but to me, these grapes seem to hit their zenith when used in a blend, such as in these wines.  The grapes complement each other so well, some add dark berry flavors, some cherry, or spice, or black pepper, or earthiness or dried herbs…you get the point, to me the blend is usually greater than the sum of its parts.

 

 

 

The Winery

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 by clicking here.

 

 

 

My line up for this event included these three wines:

 

 

 

2012 Elyse L’Ingénue Naggiar – SRP $32.00

 

L’Ingénue, the naïve girl.  According to the winery, “This is a white even a die-hard red wine drinker will enjoy!”

 

This wine is produced using four white grape varietals best known in France’s Rhone Valley.  This vintage is a blend of 45% Roussanne, 24% Marsanne, 23% Viognier and 8% Grenache Blanc.  The vineyard source is the Naggiar Vineyard in the Sierra Foothills.  After a 15 day fermentation using native yeast, the wine was aged 16 months sur-lie in “experienced” French oak barrels.

 

This wine has 14.4% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  The total production of this wine was 541 cases.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light yellow straw color.  The crisp and fresh smelling nose has apples, peach pits, spices, stony minerals, orange blossoms, pears and tarragon.  This has medium to full body with a creamy texture and good acidity.  On the palate the crisp apples and spice jump out first with minerals and peach pit coming in later.  The finish has decent length with orange zest and pears adding nice depth.  This is a nice white Rhone blend that should pick up some complexity with a bit of time in the cellar.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2009 Elyse Le Corbeau Hudson Vineyard – SRP $37.00

 

“Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe” -from Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”.

 

This wine is the winery’s attempt to make a wine in the seductive and expressive style of France’s Chateauneuf du Pape.  The wine is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah from the Hudson Vineyard in the Los Carneros region in southern Napa/Sonoma counties.  Following a native yeast fermentation, the wine was aged for 22 months in French oak with 20% of the barrels being new.

 

The wine has 13.6% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  There were 355 cases produced.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a nice bright red color.  The inviting nose has plums, raspberries, flinty minerals, licorice, earthy underbrush, candied violets, white pepper and dark chocolate.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and very nice acidity.  Dried berries, plums and baking spices envelop the palate on the front end with minerals and candied violets coming in later.  The finish picks up some white pepper and subtle earthiness.  This is drinking very nicely and would shine with a rich stew.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Elyse C’est Si Bon Naggiar Vineyard – SRP $28.00

 

C’est si bon is French for “It’s so good”.  Read on to see I think the wine lives up to its name.

 

The wine is a blend of 43% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 17% Mourvèdre, 10% Cinsault, 7% Counoise and 3% Viognier from the Sierra Foothills Naggiar Vineyard.  These grapes are indigenous to Southern France’s Rhone Valley, and they are well suited to the terroir of the Sierra Foothills.  After fermentation, the wine was aged for 22 months in French puncheons, 10% of which were new.

 

The wine has 14.4% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  There were 1,451 cases of the wine produced.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep garnet color.  The intoxicating nose has blackberries, black pepper, raspberries, crushed stones, dried herbs, dark chocolate, baking spices and dried flowers.  This has medium body with soft to moderate tannins and good acidity.  On the palate fruit, minerals and black pepper take over almost immediately, slowly giving way to dried herbs and a touch of bittersweet chocolate.  The finish has good length with the fruit and spice seeming to linger forever.  This is on the young side but promises a bright future.  (90 pts)

 

 

Closing comments

Elyse is one of my favorite wineries.  Their wines, across the board, hit my sweet spot.  In my opinion, you can’t go wrong grabbing a bottle of wine with Elyse (or Jacob Franklin) on the label.

 

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

 

 

 

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 2014 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:

 

 

Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts

Here are posts, newsletters, blogs or other articles that either mention this site or that I have written:

 

Click here or on the “Cliff’s Wine Picks On Other Sites” link in the top right corner to see links to other sites that either have my reviews, my thoughts or other posts I have written.

 

 

 

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 organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

2013 Turasan Emir Cappadocia

2010 Diren Öküzgözü Collection

 

 

 

Overview

When I was given the opportunity to explore the wine of Turkey, I eagerly accepted.  This is a country that was new, wine wise, to me.  After checking out the importer’s website, I was even more intrigued seeing wines made from grapes that I had never heard of let alone tasted.

 

 

 

The Country

Wine historians and ampelographers believe that the southeast part of Turkey was the origin of grape domestication, dating back to 9,000 BC.

 

The first evidence of Turkish viticulture and wine making dates back 7,000 years in Anatolia (central Turkey).  It was a custom to celebrate each vintage with a holiday.  Phrygians from Anatolia introduced wine to the Greeks, and by the 6th century BC, Turkish wine was being exported as far abroad as France and Italy.  During the dark days of the phylloxera epidemic of the late 1800’s, the Ottoman Empire increased their wine exports substantially, reaching 340 million liters in 1904.

 

There is a very informative History of Turkish Wine available by clicking here.

 

 

 

About VinoRai

Vino Rai  was founded in 2012 and has exclusive American rights to import the best wines from the finest wineries in Turkey.  It is their commitment to only select the very best wines for each category and to represent a wide range of varietals so that the wine adventure seekers can try a new wine region without reservations.

 

Much more information is available by clicking here.  VinoRai also actively participates on Twitter and Facebook.

 

 

 

My line up for this session:

 

 

 

2013 Turasan Emir Cappadocia – SRP $13.99

Hasan Turasan established Turasan in 1943 in the heart of Cappadocia.  The winery has been run by the family for three generations and has been the proud pioneers in the Cappadocia wine region.  More information on the winery is available by clicking here.

 

The grape for this wine, Emir (eh-MEER), only grows in one place in the world, Cappadocia, Turkey.  The grape thrives in the region’s high altitude (4,000 to 4,6000 feet) volcanic soil.  The grape benefits from the region’s hot days and cool nights.  The Emir grape is often compared to Torrontes and has been grown in the region since the Hitite era in 1700 BC.

 

The grapes for this wine came from very low yielding vines that averaged 2 tons per acre.  After a temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine was aged sur-lie for 6 months before bottling.  The total production was 20,000 bottles (bottles, not cases).

 

The wine has 13.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light yellow straw color.  The intriguing nose has pears, fennel seeds, orange zest, crushed stones, pineapples, dry straw and tropical flowers.  This has medium body with crisp acidity and just a hint of sweetness.  On the palate pears, fennel seed and orange zest jump out first with crushed stone minerals coming in on the back end.  The finish has good length with dried straw and a nice floral note joining the show.  For my first time tasting either a wine from the Emir grape or a wine from Turkey, I’m impressed.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Diren Öküzgözü Collection – SRP $14.99

Diren Winery was founded in 1958 by Mustafa Vasfi Diren in the northern part of Turkey.  They produce quality wines of Anatolia, predominantly, the Tokat region.  In 1985 Mustafa turned over the winery reins to his son Ali Diren.  Ali has continued the family legacy at the helm of one of Turkey’s oldest wineries.

 

More information on the winery is available by clicking here.

 

The late ripening Öküzgözü grapes came from estate vineyards planted in sandy soil in Mid-Eastern Anatolia.  The vineyards yielded 3.3 tons per acre.  The wine was fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.  The wine was aged for 18 months in tanks before bottling.  The total production was 1,000 cases.

 

This wine is a blend of 85% Öküzgözü (pronounced oh-couscous–zoo), and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

The wine has 13.3% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to dark ruby color.  The deep and dark nose has plums, road tar, stony minerals, warm baking spices, dried violets and earthy underbrush.  This has medium body with soft to moderate tannins and very nice acidity.  Plums and spice coat the palate, slowly allowing stony minerals and some earthiness to enter the picture on the back end.  The finish has nice length with dried flowers coming into play.  This would work nicely with a rich stew.  The wine would also pair nicely with grilled chicken or lamb.  The wine can also be served slightly chilled.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

Closing comments

I went into this tasting not knowing what to expect but was a fan by the time I was done.  I highly recommend checking out Turkish wines in general and specifically the selections offered by VinoRai.  It looks like their wines are available on Amazon (only California shipping) and selected labels are available nationwide by Compass Wines.  Check out VinoRai’s site for options by clicking here.

 

After exchanging several e-mails with Shane Rai, I did learn one meaty tidbit of information; by law Turkish wineries are not allowed to market their winery and products in Turkey.

 

 

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 2014 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:

 

 

Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts

Here are posts, newsletters, blogs or other articles that either mention this site or that I have written:

 

Click here or on the “Cliff’s Wine Picks On Other Sites” link in the top right corner to see links to other sites that either have my reviews, my thoughts or other posts I have written.

 

 

 

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 wineries or organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

2013 Lavau Tavel

2013 Château Mourgues du Gres Costières-de-Nîmes Rosé Fleur d’Eglantine

2012 Marrenon a la Tour d’Aigues Luberon Petula

2013 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rosé

 

 

 

Overview:

I was given the opportunity to sample a few rosés last month from France’s Rhône Valley.  A vacation to South Carolina seemed like the perfect time to sample (drink) these wine.  Even though rosé wines can be enjoyed throughout the year, they can be even more special on a warm evening.

 

 

Fruity, refreshing and a lush shade of pink, rosé wines are undoubtedly a summertime favorite.  The breaking news is that they can be enjoyed all year.  All rosés are not created equal, and many are too light to match more substantial fare.  These dishes call for a rosé d’assiette, or “plate” in French, named for the wine’s ability to pair well with food.

 

No matter what’s on your plate, balanced and full-bodied rosés from the Rhône Valley provide the complexity and structure to complement flavorful dishes.  These rosés d’assiettes can be enjoyed alongside a green bean salad with corn and black olives, lamb burgers with Moroccan spices or sweet and sour salmon teriyaki.

 

 

 

 

The Region:

Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages: Produced from Grenache for its ripe fruit flavor, Mourvèdre and Syrah for spiciness and body and Cinsault for finesse, these well-structured rosés have good aging potential.

 

Costières de Nîmes: This southernmost region in the Rhône produces rosés that derive their character from exceptional soil, warm weather and the mistral. Made with Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, these wines have ripe fruit notes, smooth tannins and a fresh finish.

 

Luberon: These rosés benefit from the warmth of the Mediterranean climate in the southern Rhône Valley. Composed of mainly Syrah and Grenache, rosé from the Luberon ranges in color and has notes of red berries with a fresh finish.

 

Tavel: The only appellation in the Rhône to produce rosé exclusively, Tavel wines can benefit from aging – a testament to their concentration and depth. A rich shade of fuschia, these rosés are made with Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre grapes.

 

Ventoux: Grown on the slopes of Mont Ventoux, where Mediterranean and Alpine worlds combine, Ventoux rosés are a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Carignan. These fresh, lingering wines have notes of cherry, raspberry and fresh flowers.

 

 

Wine Folly (Madeline Puckette) has an outstanding post on the Côtes-du-Rhône with one of the best maps of the region that I have seen.  To read more about the area, click here to visit her site.

 

 

 

I want to thank the wineries and especially Teuwen Communications for providing me with this opportunity to try these wines.  For more information on Teuwen Communications, please click here.

 

 

 

Here is the line-up for this post:

 

 

 

2013 Lavau Tavel

This wine is a blend of 50% Grenache, 45% Cinsault and 5% Syrah.

 

For the best quality, the grapes were picked in the early morning.  After a direct crushing the wine was cold fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks before being bottled.

 

This has 13.0% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright, vibrant pink with an orange tint.  The very tempting nose has cherries, strawberries, stony minerals, orange zest, white flowers and a hint of herbs.  This has light to medium body with crisp acidity and just a hint of lingering sweetness.  On the palate bright red fruit and minerals hit up front with orange zest and a light herbal note coming in on the back end.  The finish has nice length with minerals and orange zest carrying the load.  This is perfect on its own or with a light meal on a warm day.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2013 Château Mourgues du Gres Costières-de-Nîmes Rosé Fleur d’Eglantine – SRP $11

This wine is mostly Mourvedre with smaller amounts of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan.  The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks

 

This wine has 13.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright salmon color.  The refreshing nose has cherries, watermelon, minerals, strawberries and orange blossoms.  This has medium body with crisp acidity and just a hint of sweetness.  On the palate bright fruit and minerals grab hold, slowly giving way to orange zest.  The finish has nice length with cherries and minerals carrying the load.  This is extremely easy to drink.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Marrenon a la Tour d’Aigues Luberon Petula – SRP $12

This wine is a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Grenache.

 

After being harvested at night, a pneumatic pressing and a short maceration, the wine was fermented.  After fermentation was completed, the wine was aged for 4 months on the fine lees.

 

This has 13.0% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a pink to orange color.  The inviting nose has cherries, stony minerals, white pepper, white flowers, strawberries and orange zest.  This has medium body with crisp acidity and a hint of sweetness.  On the palate, minerals and cherries jump out first with white pepper and strawberries coming in on the back end.  The finish has good length with strawberries and orange zest seeming to linger forever.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2013 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rosé

This wine is a blend of 35% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 25% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre.

 

This wine is produced using the saigneé method where the wine is drawn off the skins after a brief maceration.  The grapes for this wine are grown for making this rosé wine, the wine is not a byproduct of trying to “beef up” a red wine.  The wine was slowly fermented in temperature controlled tanks.  The average age of the vines used to produce this wine is 25 years old.

 

The wine has 14.0% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep salmon pink color.  The fresh and inviting nose has strawberries, cherries, crushed stone minerals, orange zest, white pepper, wild flowers and just a hint of earthiness.  This has medium body with good acidity and just a touch of sweetness.  On the palate nice red fruit and minerals jump out first with orange zest and white pepper coming in later.  The finish has good length and leaves a touch of lingering sweetness to accompany the minerals and mouthwatering orange zest.  This is a very easy wine to sip on a warm day.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

Conclusion

All four of these wines would be perfect on a warm evening or on your table paired with a flavorful meal.  The prices are very wallet friendly and most enjoy good distribution in this country.

 

 

 

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 2014 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:

 

 

Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts

Here are posts, newsletters, blogs or other articles that either mention this site or that I have written:

 

Click here or on the “Cliff’s Wine Picks On Other Sites” link in the top right corner to see links to other sites that either have my reviews, my thoughts or other posts I have written.

 

 

 

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 organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

2012 Fortant de France Viognier Vin de Pays d’Oc Hills Reserve

2013 Gérard Bertrand Vin de Pays d’Oc Gris Blanc

 

 

 Background

The Pays d’Oc, located in the Southeastern corner of France, is characterized by miles of Mediterranean coastline, fertile plains, and the rugged Pyrenees Mountains.  The winemakers of the region have more creative freedom than most because they can work with 56 grape varieties to produce red, white, and rose wines.  Many producers have started incorporating modern techniques, and the result is a number of expertly crafted wines that are familiar to the palate with their elegant fruit flavors, and crisp, refreshing acidity, and yet also have unique, interesting notes.

 

 

6 centuries B.C. – The Languedoc-Roussillon: over 2600 years of vine-growing and winemaking tradition.  Viti-viniculture activity began 6 centuries before Jesus Christ (B.C.).  The Greeks were the first to introduce the vine to the Languedoc-Roussillon creating their first trading post around Agde.

 

A few centuries later, the province of Narbonne rapidly developed under the Roman emperor Auguste.  The veterans of Roman legions were often wine growers from Campanie and were given land in Narbonne or Beziers in recognition for their long years in service.  This is how the first known vineyard in Gaul came into being.  The wine trade became more structured and grew rapidly thanks to the “Voie Domitienne”.  This trade route, built in the Pays d’Oc from Beaucaire to the Perthus, linked Spain and Italy.  Today it is a lasting foundation that witnesses the history of Pays d’Oc’s vineyard.

 

In the 1st century A.D., wines were exported in the Adriatic Sea, to Greece and Upper Egypt.

 

Much more information on the region, grapes and wine is available by clicking here.

 

 

These wines were provided by Sopexa USA, a part of Sopexa Group.  For more information, please click here.

 

 

 

The lineup for this tasting:

 

 

2012 Fortant de France Viognier Vin de Pays d’Oc Hills Reserve – SRP $14.99

This 100% Viognier is from inland, hillside vineyards.  The vineyards are hot and dry during the day but cool nights allow the grapes to ripen slowly and to retain acidity.  The grapes are also subjected to the cool, dry, strong Mistral and Tramontane winds.  These winds help concentrate the flavors that eventually show up in the wine.

 

The wine has 13% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium yellow to gold color.  The inviting nose has pear, minerals, white flowers, apricots, vanilla bean and a touch of honey.  This has a medium body with decent acidity and no readily apparent residual sugar.  Minerals and pears coat the palate with a touch of honey and a floral note coming in on the backend.  The finish is a touch short with minerals and pears.  (86 pts)

 

 

 

2013 Gérard Bertrand Vin de Pays d’Oc Gris Blanc – SRP $12.99

This wine is 100% Grenache Gris from the Tautavel area between the Mediterranean Sean and the Pyrenees Mountains.  The hand harvested grapes are pressed immediately.  After a temperature controlled fermentation the wine is aged on the fine lees for several weeks with a weekly pump over.

 

The wine has 13.0% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light pink with an orange tint.  The enticing nose has strawberries, minerals, cherry pit, lemon zest and orange blossoms.  This has a light body with crisp acidity and a touch of residual sweetness.  On the palate, tart strawberries and minerals jump out first with cherry pits and lemon zest coming in on the back end.  The finish has good length with a nice floral note entering the picture.  This is an extremely easy wine to just sit back and sip on a warm evening before dinner.  (87 pts)

 

 

Conclusion

These were two very reasonably priced wines that should be considered for your dinner table, either before or with your meal.

 

 

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 2014 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:

 

 

Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts

Here are posts, newsletters, blogs or other articles that either mention this site or that I have written:

 

Click here or on the “Cliff’s Wine Picks On Other Sites” link in the top right corner to see links to other sites that either have my reviews, my thoughts or other posts I have written.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

2012 Emiliana Sauvignon Blanc Novas Gran Reserva

2012 Emiliana Cabernet Sauvignon Natura

 

 

 

Overview:

These wines, while not produced by Banfi, were imported into the United States by the company.  Banfi is the importer/distributor of over 30 different labels from around the world.  While the majority of these labels are from Italy, they also work with wineries in Australia, Chile, Spain and even a couple of American wineries.

 

 

 

About the winery:

The Emiliana winery firmly believes that using sustainable, organic, and biodynamic agricultural practices results in better-balanced, healthier, and more productive vineyards, which in turn results in better quality grapes and therefore better wines.

 

Our mission is to provide our consumers with the highest quality wines with a unique expression of terroir achieved through the benefits of using organic and biodynamic agriculture.

 

To meet this objective, we at Emiliana base our work on two essential principles: care for the environment and respect for our workers and community.

 

Much more information on the winery is available on their website by clicking here.

 

There is a very informative interactive presentation on the winery’s website that shows the Organic & Biodynamic practices being utilized that I highly recommend checking out by clicking here.

 

 

 

About Banfi:

Banfi is a private concern, founded in New York in 1919 by John Mariani, Sr. and today owned and operated by his grandchildren.  The company is focused on the production and import of wine.

 

Banfi Vintners is the sole U.S. importer of the Mariani family’s internationally renowned wine estates in Italy: Castello Banfi of Montalcino, Tuscany, and Banfi Piemonte of Strevi, Piedmont.  Banfi also imports the wines of several other producers, including category leaders Bolla, Cecchi, Florio, Fontana Candida, Placido, Riunite, and Sartori from Italy, Concha y Toro and Emiliana from Chile, and Trivento from Argentina, Wisdom & Warter Sherries from Spain and Stone’s Ginger wine from England.  The company has ranked as North America’s leading wine importer for more than three decades.

 

Banfi’s success has enabled the company to play a broad philanthropic role through the Banfi Foundation.  The Foundation provided seed money to help Catholic Relief Services build a technical school and an orphanage as well as an 800-unit housing project in Potenza, Italy, where thousands were left homeless after a devastating earthquake in the early 1980s.  It also generously endows select charities and universities around the world, and sponsors annual scholastic tours to study the food and wine culture of Italy.

 

Banfi is led today by two grandchildren of the founder: James Mariani and Cristina Mariani-May, who share the title of co-CEO.  Their fathers, Chairman Emeritus Dr. John F. Mariani and President Emeritus Harry F. Mariani, continue as active counsel to the executive committee and are members of the firm’s advisory board. Banfi’s world headquarters is a 60-room Elizabethan manor located on a 127-acre estate and vineyard in Old Brookville, New York.

 

 

 

Here is the line up for this tasting:

 

 

2012 Emiliana Sauvignon Blanc Novas Gran Reserva

The grapes for this 100% Sauvignon Blanc comes from the Fundo Rosario Vineyard in Lagunilla.  The vineyard, located 250m above sea level, was planted from 1999 to 2005 primarily on the hillsides.

 

After chilling, the grapes were fermented in temperature controlled tanks using selected yeasts.  After fermentation, the wine was aged 4 months in stainless steel tanks before bottling.  There were 2,200 cases produced.

 

Organic Agriculture Certified by IMO, Switzerland.

 

The wine has 13.0% alcohol by volume and the bottle was sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light yellow with a green tint.  The fresh smelling nose has fresh cut grass, grapefruit zest, crushed stones, white pepper and a touch of smoke.  This has medium body with crisp acidity and just a hint of sweetness.  On the palate fresh cut grass and green herbs dominate initially until the grapefruit zest takes over.  The finish has nice length with crushed stone minerals entering the picture.  If you are looking for a Sauvignon Blanc loaded with grass and green herbs, look no further.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Emiliana Cabernet Sauvignon Natura

This wine is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot from vineyards in the Rapel Valley.

 

After fermentation, 20% of the wine was aged for 6 months in French oak barrels.

 

Organic Agriculture Certified – IMO, Switzerland.

Social Responsibility Certified – IMO, Switzerland.

 

The wine has 13.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle was sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly deep ruby red color.  The pleasing nose has cassis, cherries, vanilla, chalky minerals and a slight herbal note.  This has medium body with soft to moderate tannins and decent acidity.  On the palate cherries and minerals jump out first with vanilla and herbs coming in on the back end.  The finish is a touch short but tasty.  This has a slight herbal note and could use some complexity but it will work as a week night or with friends over a platter of cheese.  (86 pts)

 

 

 

Closing Thoughts

The winery is very conscious and shows considerable respect for the planet and deserves the awards and recognition they have received.

 

 

 

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 2014 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:

 

 

Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts

Here are posts, newsletters, blogs or other articles that either mention this site or that I have written:

 

Click here or on the “Cliff’s Wine Picks On Other Sites” link in the top right corner to see links to other sites that either have my reviews, my thoughts or other posts I have written.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

2011 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon

 

 

 

Overview:

Faust is owned by Agustin Huneeus, the person that created Quintessa.  When I was offered a sample of the latest Faust Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, I almost dislocated my fingers replying to the e-mail offer.

 

I’ve had and enjoyed previous vintages of Faust and I wanted to see what they produced is a less than stellar vintage.

 

 

 

About the company:

Faust, the wine, celebrates a legend which has inspired many great minds, among them the German poet Goethe, from whose masterpiece we draw our inspiration.  In Goethe’s most famous work, the aging scholar Dr. Faust barters his soul in the afterlife in exchange for another chance at youth.  He gets his chance, yet ultimately his soul is saved by love.

 

Faust is indeed the fruit of renewed passion for Agustin Huneeus, though Mephistopheles has not yet appeared to claim his soul.  The underlying premise for all of the wines he has ever produced has been that great wines must be a reflection of a great vineyard.  Faust is not.  Instead, Faust is a tribute to Napa Valley’s noblest grape – full-bodied, decadently rich and unctuous Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

Much more information on Agustin and the winery is available on their website by clicking here.

 

 

About Agustin Huneeus:

Behind every great wine stands a passionate vintner.  Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the creation of Agustin Huneeus and it continues to satisfy his long held desire to produce a wine that embodies the most seductive characteristics of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

Born in Santiago, Chile, Agustin is one of the few vintners who has dedicated his entire professional life to wine.  With a career spanning 50 years, he has produced wine in more than 15 countries.  Perhaps best known today for creating Quintessa, the stunning biodynamic vineyard and winery estate he and his wife Valeria own in Rutherford, Napa Valley, Agustin is recognized as a driving force in how fine wine is produced, recognized, sold and marketed in the United States.  The philosophy that great vineyards make great wine is his guiding principle.

 

Agustin Huneeus has been discovering great vineyards of the world throughout a career spanning five decades and 15 countries.  In addition to owning the Quintessa estate in the renowned Rutherford District of Napa Valley, his current vineyard and winery projects include Illumination Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Veramonte winery in Chile’s Casablanca and Colchagua Valley’s, Neyen winery in Chile’s Apalta Valley and Washington’s Longshadows Vintners where he is a partner.  In 2009, the Huneeus family forged a partnership with Joan and Walt Flowers of Flowers Vineyards & Winery, pioneering vintners who in 1989, established two extraordinary vineyards dedicated to world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the extreme Sonoma Coast.  In 2010, the Huneeus family purchased two edgy wines, The Prisoner, a Napa Valley red blend, and Saldo, a Zinfandel from some of California’s most revered vineyards.

 

 

This sample was provided by the winery and Fineman PR.

Fineman PR unites large-agency talent, small-agency responsiveness and internationally recognized strategic direction. We are a full-service agency specializing in Brand PR and crisis communications, creating and executing award-winning public relations programs.

For more information, please visit their website by clicking here.

 

 

 

2011 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon – SRP $60

The 2011 vintage saw cool spring temperatures and moderate rainfall that pushed bud break, flowering, and fruit-set back two weeks.  The cooler temperatures continued into summer, making canopy management essential.  A warm September month allowed the grapes to ripen and mature.  However, this was followed by an early October rain which challenged the skills of our viticulturists who responded with careful canopy management, crop removal where warranted, and a lot of patience.  The four weeks of Indian summer that followed the rain allowed the remaining grapes to ripen evenly.  Extensive selective picking and sorting was employed to ensure that the grapes that reached the tanks were in optimal condition.   All grapes were hand-picked, double-sorted and crushed, then cold-soaked and fermented in both French oak and stainless steel tanks.  After an extended maceration, Faust was aged for 19 months in 100% French oak, 30% new.

 

The wine is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc.  Most of the grapes come from Agustin’s family vineyards in Rutherford and Coombsville with small lots from vineyards in Yountville, Mount Veeder, Atlas Peak, St. Helena and Rutherford.  These purchased grapes from spectacular mountain and valley terroirs are used to round out the wine.

 

The wine has 14.2% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep violet color.  The sexy nose has cassis, cedar, warm baking spices, dusty minerals, dark bittersweet chocolate, vanilla bean and subtle earthiness.  This has medium to full body with moderate to solid tannins and good acidity.  Rich berries and cedar envelope the palate initially with baking spices and minerals coming in on the back end.  The finish has very nice length with dark chocolate, some earthiness and a slight herbal note adding depth.  This is drinking nicely today but some time in the cellar will be rewarded.  (92 pts)

 

 

Closing Thoughts

If you are looking for a rich, full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley, Faust would be a wonderful choice.  This wine has very good balance and the complexity to appeal to wine lovers and the rich, velvety fruit to appeal to people who just want something good to drink.  At $60 a bottle, I would tend to steer guests in the second category to another selection, unless they are very good friends, and keep this one only for true wine lovers.  This is more of a wine to enjoy over its first several years and not one to stash in the cellar for a decade.  Enjoy it while the fruit is young and vibrant.

 

 

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 2014 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:

 

 

Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts

Here are posts, newsletters, blogs or other articles that either mention this site or that I have written:

 

Click here or on the “Cliff’s Wine Picks On Other Sites” link in the top right corner to see links to other sites that either have my reviews, my thoughts or other posts I have written.

 

 

 

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 organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

2013 Flora Springs Sauvignon Blanc Soliloquy Vineyard

2012 Flora Springs Merlot

 

 

 

 

Overview:

Over the years Flora Springs was always one of our stops when we visited Napa Valley.  We took the two pictures below of the stained glass and wall murals during a visit in late August 2001, a couple weeks before 9/11.  When I was offered a couple samples from them, I was excited to reacquaint myself with these wines.

 

One of my favorite “Super Tuscan” style red wines from California is the Flora Springs Poggio del Papa.  Even though this wine is not part of this post, I had to give it a “shout out”.  The current vintage, 2012, is a blend of 69% Sangiovese, 16% Syrah, 10% Petite Verdot and 5% Malbec, all from the Napa Valley.  This wine is available only at the winery or via their website.

 

 

 

About the winery:

Flora Springs, located in the Northwest corner of the Rutherford appellation at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains, was founded in 1978.  The stone cellar of Flora Springs is a once abandoned “ghost winery”.  It was Flora Komes who along with her husband Jerry that found the area while looking for a place to “kick off their boots”.  Flora was the one who saw the possibilities hidden behind decades of neglect, over-grown ivy, and shifting rock walls.  The property’s winemaking roots go back to the 19^th century but if was the work of Flora and Jerry’s children, John Komes and his wife Carrie, and Julie Garvey and her husband Pat Garvey, that have etched the legacy of Flora Springs.

 

As both artisan winemakers and growers, the family is committed to the traditions of fine winemaking and responsible stewardship of its 650 acres of vineyard land for future generations to savor and uphold. Today, ninety percent of Flora Springs’ red wines are sourced from its organically-farmed estate vineyards, and all of these wines are crafted in their solar-powered 19th-century stone winery and caves.

 

Much more about the winery, the family and the wines is available on their website by clicking here.  I highly recommend checking out their “Working with Nature” and “Farming Responsibly” sections to read about their dedication to sustainability.

 

 

 

 

These bottles were supplied by the winery and Mora Cronin of Cronin Communications.

Cronin Communications is a marketing communications and public relations agency based in St. Helena, California.  Specializing in the wine industry, the firm provides services including strategic positioning and brand messaging, copy writing and media relations.  For more information, contact moracronin@comcast.net.

 

 

Here is the line up for this tasting:

 

 

 

2013 Flora Springs Sauvignon Blanc Soliloquy Vineyard – SRP $25

In 1989, the winery handcrafted the first vintage of their Soliloquy Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc.  This one-of-a-kind clone is located in the heart of the Oakville appellation and has been certified by UC Davis as the “Soliloquy” Sauvignon Blanc clone.  Even though the Soliloquy clone is growing in a vineyard in the heart of Cabernet Country in Oakville, the Komes family has kept the Sauvignon Blanc, in part to protect the proprietary Soliloquy clone they found there.

 

This wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc (57% Soliloquy clone, 43% Musque clone).

 

After fermentation, the wine was aged 7 months in a combination of concrete and stainless steel tanks, oak barrels and stainless steel drums.  A total of 4899 cases were produced.

 

This wine has 14.2% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light yellow with a slight green tint.  The fresh and inviting nose has apples, lime, chalky minerals, grapefruit zest, white pepper and lemon zest.  This has medium body with crisp citrusy acidity.  On the palate tart green apples, minerals and lime grab hold first with grapefruit coming in on the back end.  The finish has good length with a hint of white pepper popping out before crisp, refreshing lemon zest leaves your mouth watering for another sip.  This is a very nice, easy to drink Sauvignon Blanc that will pair nicely with lighter fare but also easy to drink on its own on a warm day.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Flora Springs Merlot – SRP $25

This 100% Merlot is sourced from winery owned sustainably-farmed vineyards in St. Helena, Rutherford and Pope Valley.  Each vineyard adds a little something to the blend making the finish product “greater than the sum of the parts”.

 

After fermentation, the wine was aged 15 months in 95% French oak and 5% American oak barrels with a mixture of new and seasoned.  A total of 5300 cases were produced.

 

The wine has 14.4% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby to garnet color.  The comforting nose has plums, warm baking spices, cedar, tobacco, dried wildflowers, dark chocolate, black cherries, chalky minerals and a touch of earthiness.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and good acidity.  Plums and spice jump out immediately with cedar and minerals not far behind.  The finish has nice length with black cherries and dark chocolate adding depth.  I’d let this one lay in the cellar for 6 months to a year to allow the oak to integrate and drink over the next several years.  This is a very nice, value priced Napa Valley Merlot.  Even Miles might like this one.  (90 pts)

 

 

Closing Thoughts

These wines, as well as the others produced by the winery, represent some of the better quality to price wines coming out of the Napa Valley.  If you follow me on Social Media, you know I am not a big fan of “value priced” Merlot wines.  This Merlot exceeds the price I would call a week night wine, but the quality provided for the suggested retail price is amazing.  If you see this wine on your local wine store’s shelf grab a bottle or two.

 

 

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 2014 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:

 

 

Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts

Here are posts, newsletters, blogs or other articles that either mention this site or that I have written:

 

Click here or on the “Cliff’s Wine Picks On Other Sites” link in the top right corner to see links to other sites that either have my reviews, my thoughts or other posts I have written.

 

 

 

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 organization acting on their behalf.

 

2011 Beso de Vino Cariñena Selección

2013 Bodegas Virgen del Águila Cariñena Agoston Tempranillo & Cabernet

2009 Castillo de Monseran Cariñena Old Vine Garnacha

2011 Beso de Vino Cariñena Old Vine Garnacha

2012 Alto Cinco Garnacha Cariñena

2009 Monte Ducay Cariñena Reserva

 

 

 

 

Overview

In late June I had the extreme good fortune of being invited to participate in an online tasting of wines from Carignena, a region in Spain.  This event was organized by Snooth and Greg Dal Piaz.  This wasn’t your usual online Twitter based tasting or even one with someone in front of a camera leading the event and doing all the talking.  This was a true roundtable event.  We all connected to a Google+ Hangout with our own audio and video feed.  Whenever one of us talked, everyone’s video feed would switch to the person “with the floor”.  This was my first experience with this format, but I’m sure it won’t be my last.  There are limitations in the number of concurrent video feeds allowed in the session, but for events with under a dozen participants, this platform should be outstanding.

 

If my reviews and notes look familiar, that’s because this was originally published as part of a Snooth article titled “Cariñena’s Ready To Take Center Stage”.  The entire Snooth post is available by clicking here.  I decided since I had a blog ready to post, why not?

 

 

 

 

About the region

Cariñena is located in the heart of the Ebro Valley.  Its vineyards cover a total surface area of 14,388 hectares, which include several surrounding towns: Aguarón, Aladrén, Alfamén, Almonacid de la Sierra, Alpartir, Alpartir, Cariñena, Cosuenda, Encinacorba, Longares, Mezalocha, Muel, Paniza, Tosos  and Villanueva de Huerva.  Nearly 1,540 wine growers tend directly to the vineyards, which are undisputedly the region’s main source of income.

 

Cariñena occupies an exceptional geographic location as it’s located on the same transport route that connects the Ebro Valley to Spain’s Eastern coast.  It is directly on the north-south route that structures the Aragonese territory.  This geographical position makes it a strong connection between the Basque Country and the Region of Valencia.  Moreover, due to its proximity to the French border, it’s also an area of great interest from the point of view of trade and cultural relations with Europe.  The motorway linking the Region of Valencia to France through Aragon strengthens even more the strategic value of Cariñena.

 

This wine region (Denominación de Origén (D.O.) is located 42 kilometres to the south of Zaragoza, 290 km from Madrid and 360 km from Barcelona.

 

This information is from the D. O. Carinena website.  Much more information is available by clicking here.  If you want to learn more about the region, climate, wines and history, I recommend checking them out.

 

 

 

This presentation and the wines were provided by Greg Dal Piaz and Snooth.

 

Snooth is the world’s most comprehensive wine site, hosts the largest online wine community & features reviews & local prices for millions of wines.

 

Mission

Snooth is a revolutionary web-based social shopping experience that is simplifying how people select, learn about, and purchase their favorite wines.

 

Company Overview

Philip James launched Snooth in 2007 with one goal: to make wine info clear, accessible, and freely available.

The idea for Snooth first came to Philip when he began working in the wine industry and realized just how complex wine was — if even the most seasoned wine collectors could become confused, what hope was there for the casual wine lover?

He realized that the wine industry was hopelessly fragmented — with neither a standardized naming system nor a centralized repository of information — and created Snooth to change all of that.

 

Visit Snooth by by clicking here.

 

 

 

My Line Up

Here is my line up for this online tasting event:

 

 

 

2011 Beso de Vino Cariñena Selección

This is a blend of 85% Syrah and 15% Garnacha.  The wine has 13.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red color.  The intriguing nose has cherries, minerals, white pepper, blackberries, licorice and dried violets.  This is barely medium body with moderate tannins and crisp acidity.  On the palate tart cherries and minerals jump out first with licorice and a floral note coming in later.  The finish has decent length with a cranberry note joining the show.  This needs some food to help keep the acidity in check.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2013 Bodegas Virgen del Águila Cariñena Agoston Tempranillo & Cabernet

This is a 50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet.  The wine has 13.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to deep ruby red color.  The inviting nose has cherries, cassis, dried herbs, crushed stone minerals, baking spices, dark chocolate, fresh thyme and a touch of cedar.  This has medium body with soft tannins and slightly soft acidity.  Juicy cherries and berries with baking spices coat the palate with minerals and dark chocolate coming in on the back end.  The sappy finish adds some cedar.  I’d like a bit more grip on the back end and finish, as is it gets a touch soft.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2009 Castillo de Monseran Cariñena Old Vine Garnacha

This wine has 14.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby red color.  The appealing nose has cherries, white pepper, vanilla, wild flowers, baking spices and a touch of dark chocolate.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and good acidity.  Spicy cherries and white pepper pop out first on the palate with a floral note coming out on the backend.  The finish has decent length with a touch of earthiness adding some depth.  Not bad but not really showing anything special at this time, I’m sure this will be better down the road.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2011 Beso de Vino Cariñena Old Vine Garnacha

This wine has 13.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright ruby red color.  The inviting nose has cherries, blackberries, white pepper, crushed stone minerals, mint, vanilla, plums and candied violets.  This is barely medium body with moderate tannins and very good acidity.  On the palate zippy fruit and white pepper jump out first with minerals, plums and mint coming in later.  The finish has good length with a nice floral note entering the picture.  This is a solid effort.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Alto Cinco Garnacha Cariñena

This wine has 14.0% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium garnet color.  The impressive nose has cherries, black raspberries, licorice, white pepper, cocoa powder, vanilla and candied violets.  This has medium body with soft velvety tannins and decent acidity.  Rich, ripe berries, spice and cherries coat the palate initially and grudgingly allowing some white pepper and cocoa powder to slip through on the back end.  A candied floral nose enters the picture on the finish which has decent length.  This is an easy drinking wine with slightly low acidity and just a touch of sweetness.  (87 pts)

 

 

 

2009 Monte Ducay Cariñena Reserva

This wine has 13.0% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  Per Greg this is only$7 but appears to be available only at Trader Joes.  If you see this wine at that price, grab a case, you won’t be sorry.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to deep ruby red color.  The enticing nose has black cherries, raspberries, minerals, baking spices, cedar, white pepper, and dried violets.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and very nice acidity.  On the palate spicy cherries and raspberries hit upfront with minerals and spicy oak coming in later.  The finish has good length with some subtle earthiness and white pepper adding nice depth.  (90 pts)

 

 

Conclusion

I was already fairly familiar with the region and in fact have had prior vintages of half these wines.  This is a very unique region, some of the wineries are very “old school” and others are adopting the practices of the “new world” regions.

 

Every one of these wines were distinctive.  They had the “personality” and nuances to satisfy any wine lover but would easily satisfy even a novice wine sipper in any friendly gathering.

 

 

 

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 2014 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:

 

 

Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts

Here are posts, newsletters, blogs or other articles that either mention this site or that I have written:

 

Click here or on the “Cliff’s Wine Picks On Other Sites” link in the top right corner to see links to other sites that either have my reviews, my thoughts or other posts I have written.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

2013 Elena Walch Gewürztraminer

2012 Elena Walch Gewürztraminer Kastelaz

 

 

 

 

 “the Queen of Gewurztraminer”

prominent Italian wine magazine, Gambero Rosso

 

 

Overview:

When I was approached about getting a few samples from Elena Walch based on a suggestion of mine on a Snooth post, I quickly accepted.  I have enjoyed some of the winery’s lower end wines in the past, but this would include one of their single vineyard offerings.

 

Even though I had previously enjoyed their wines, I didn’t know much about the winery or people, especially the owner/winemaker Elena Walch.  The brief bio included with the sample offer piqued my interest:

“The winemaker Elena has a really amazing story.  She married into a winemaking family in the 80s with no wine background and started ripping up and replanting the vineyards.  Many of her neighbors thought she was insane, but her determination paid off.  She is now considered one of the best producers in the region and is credited with being one of the first to start the quality revolution in Alto Adige.”

 

 

About the winery:

Elena Walch – the wine style is as elegant as the name.  Encouraging quality and innovation, Elena Walch stood at the head of the Alto Adige quality revolution and has gained local and international esteem for her efforts.  An architect by trade, Elena Walch married into one of the oldest and most significant wine families of the region and brought new, modern concepts to the traditional establishment.  Now, the responsibility for the family business is being put into the hands of the daughters, Julia and Karoline Walch, already the fifth generation.

 

Our cellar was built sustainably – from natural stone, underground – nearly 150 years ago in Tramin, and has since then been continually modernized and remodeled to become what it is today: one of Alto Adige’s longest-standing private cellars.  The most modern wines are all handcrafted here, with respect for the environment and in harmony with nature and in the spirit of ongoing sustainability, using grapes from the best vineyards.  The size of the production facilities and the vineyards owned by the family render the estate one of the most productive wine establishments in the region.

 

The Elena Walch Portfolio is divided into five collections:

• Selezione: Mostly monovarietal wines; from our own vineyards and from leased vineyards.
• The Favorites: Prime estate blends, exclusively from our own vineyards, excluded Ludwig
• Single Vineyard Castel Ringberg: Monovarietal wines from the Castel Ringberg estate above Lake Caldaro. The production here concentrates on family owned vineyards, separate ageing of grapes from the individual vineyards and special attention to the terroir characteristics of the wine lots.
• Single Vineyard Kastelaz: Monovarietal wines from the Kastelaz estate above Tramin village. The production here concentrates on family owned vineyards, separate ageing of grapes from the individual vineyards and special attention to the terroir characteristics of the wine lots.
• Grande Cuvée: Our great cuvée wines are born from the idea of blending the best, but at the same time very diverse grapes from our own various vineyards. Extreme selection of the grapes and precisely determined harvest times are critical to obtaining the best quality.

 

 

Sustainability:

I would list all the goals and precedents the winery have established and follow in the name of sustainability, but this post would get WAY too long.  If you are interested in this valuable aspect in the growing of grapes and production of wine, I highly recommend clicking here to read about the winery’s accomplishments.

 

 

 

 

 

Teuwen Communications is a full-service public relations agency in NYC that specializes in marketing and brand strategies for the wine and food industries.  Led by Stephanie Teuwen, the agency provides high-energy, client-focused services across multiple platforms such as media and trade relations, event production, website building, social media management as well as creative and visual services.

 

I want to thank the wineries and especially Teuwen Communications for providing me with this opportunity to try these wines.  For more information on Teuwen Communications, please click here.

 

 

 

Here is the line up for this tasting:

 

 

 

2013 Elena Walch Gewürztraminer – SRP $20

This 100% Gewürztraminer is made from grapes coming from small vineyards around the villages of Tramin and Caldaro that were two to five years old.  After harvest the grapes were carefully crushed and pressed.  The fresh must was clarified at low temperatures then fermented at 68° F in stainless steel tanks.  The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks on its fine lees for several months.

 

The wine has 14.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright yellow/straw color.  The intoxicating nose has lychee, anise, minerals, spice, citrus zest, ripe pears, cloves, honey and orange blossoms.  This has medium body with good acidity and just a touch of residual sweetness.  On the palate lychee, spice and minerals grab hold first with pears and a touch of honey coming in on the back end.  The finish has good length with cloves and a floral note entering the picture.  This is very nice for their entry level wine and well worth the asking price.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Elena Walch Gewürztraminer Kastelaz – SRP $32

This wine is 100% Gewürztraminer from grapes grown in the 15 acre Kastelaz Vineyard.  This vineyard has been regarded as a classic site for Gewürztraminer for many generations.

 

This vineyard is situated on a very steep hillside above Tramin, the birthplace of Gewürztraminer.  The grapes are very carefully selected for ripeness during two harvests.  Before pressing, the crushed berries are cold macerated for 6 hours, after which the juice is clarified.  Temperature-controlled fermentation is in steel tanks with selected, inoculated yeasts.  The wine remains on its lees, with lees stirring, until bottling the following spring.

 

This wine has 14.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright yellow with a golden tint.  The very appealing nose has lychee, apples, warm baking spices, rose water, minerals and a touch of orange zest.  This has medium body with crisp acidity and a bit of residual sweetness.  Lychee and spice jump out first on the palate with minerals coming in on the back end.  The finish had great length with apples and orange zest taking over.  This does have a bit of residual sweetness but the wine has the acidity and body to easily keep it in check.  This one of the better Gewürztraminer wines I have ever had the good fortune to drink.  (93 pts)

 

 

Closing Thoughts

After enjoying these two wines, I have to agree with the prominent Italian wine magazine Gambero Rosso, Elena Walch is truly the Queen of Gewurztraminer.   These wines are special and at the suggested prices, these both offer outstanding value.  The winery suggested serving these wines with Asian cuisine and I agree with their suggestion.  With the touch of residual sweetness, these wines would also be very easy to sip on their own either before or after a meal.

 

 

 

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:

 

 

Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts

Here are posts, newsletters, blogs or other articles that either mention this site or that I have written:

 

Click here or on the “Cliff’s Wine Picks On Other Sites” link in the top right corner to see links to other sites that either have my reviews, my thoughts or other posts I have written.

 

 

 

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 organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

 

Overview

I was given the opportunity to join in an online tasting of wines from Soléna Estate.  This was a new winery for me, but since I’m becoming more of a fan of the wines coming out of Oregon, I happily participated.

 

 

The Winery

After successful careers in the Oregon wine industry, the husband and wife team of Laurent Montalieu and Danielle Andrus Montalieu purchased an 80-acre estate to commemorate their marriage.  In May 2002, they launched Soléna by releasing their first bottling and, shortly thereafter, opening a tasting room in Carlton.  Soléna is the combination of the Spanish and French words Solana and Solene, celebrating the sun and the moon, and the name that Laurent and Danielle gave to their daughter.

 

Soléna Estate began as a way to explore winemaking with other varietals grown in neighboring appellations while the family’s young Domaine Danielle Laurent vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton District matured.  In May, 2007, Danielle and Laurent added the spectacular 100-acre Hyland Vineyard in the McMinnville AVA to their estate vineyard holdings.  Today Laurent and Danielle are producing Pinot Noir from their estate vineyards as well as Pinot Gris, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Late Harvest Riesling from select sites throughout Oregon and Washington.

 

Much more information on the family, winery and the wines is available on their website by clicking here.

 

 

 

About Winechat

#winechat is a weekly, Twitter based discussion about something dealing with the world of wine.  Generally, each week’s chat session deals with a specific theme and is lead by an “expert” in that area.  This is generally a nice way to learn about a region, winery, type of wine, etc.

 

Mission

What is #WineChat?  Click here to learn more.

 

Description

How do you join #winechat? Using a tool such as Hootsuite, log into your twitter account & follow the #winechat stream. Be sure to include #winechat at the end of each tweet so everyone in the stream can see you!

 

Grab a glass and join in!

 

The #winechat schedule is available on their Facebook page by clicking here.

 

#winechat is hosted by Protocol Wine Studio.  For more information on them, click here.

 

 

 

Here are the wines for this tasting event:

 

 

2013 Soléna Pinot Gris – SRP $20

This wine includes 4% Gewurztraminer blended in with the Pinot Gris.  The grapes for this wine come from several sites throughout the Willamette Valley including: Hyland Vineyard, Guadalupe Vineyard, Olsen Vineyard, Wildewood Vineyard, Elvenglade Vineyard, Bailey Vineyard and Kramer Vineyard.

 

The grapes were fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks to emphasize the naturally fruity character of the Pinot Gris grapes.  Each lot was fermented separately and was later carefully blended to obtain a crisp, refreshing style, capitalizing on the unique variations from each vineyard site.

 

The wine was aged sur lees for extra depth and there was no malolactic fermentation.  A total of 5000 cases of wine was produced.

 

The wine has 13.4% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a namacorc.  This closure was chosen to help preserve freshness.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light straw color.  The very open and inviting nose has honeysuckle, pear, flinty minerals, vanilla, lychee and orange blossoms.  This has medium body with good acidity and just a hint of lingering sweetness.  On the palate ripe pears, minerals and vanilla jump out first with vanilla and lime zest coming in on the back end.  The finish has good length with a nice floral note entering the picture.  This has a nice creamy texture on the palate.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Soléna Pinot Noir Grande Cuvée – SRP $25

This 100% Pinot Noir uses grapes from a variety of appellations.  We selected premium vineyard sites throughout the Willamette Valley, including Angela (Yamhill-Carlton), Thistle (Dundee Hills), Zena Crown (Eola-Amity Hills), Kalita (Yamhill-Carlton) and Monk’s Gate (Yamhill-Carlton).  All of the vineyard sites embrace viticultural practices that reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides which can have a negative impact on the soil’s health.  The vineyard sites were closely monitored to ensure the maximum quality of fruit.  Harvest decisions were made based on fruit flavors and sugars.

 

After fermentation the wine was barrel aged for 10 months in 20% new French oak barrels.  This wine is treated the same way their vineyard designated wines.  There were 6200 cases of this wine produced.

 

The wine has 13.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a nomacorc closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red color.  The soothing nose has black cherries, raspberries, earthy underbrush, violets and warm baking spices.  This has medium body with soft to moderate tannins and good acidity.  On the palate dark fruit and earthiness coat the palate slowly allowing some violets to slip into the picture.  The finish has decent length with the earthy elements and spice carrying the load.  I’d like a little more zip on the finish but other wise this is very tasty.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Soléna Pinot Noir Hyland Vineyard – SRP $50

The Hyland Vineyard was purchased by the family and their business partners in May 2007.  The vineyard was planted in the 1970s. and is located in the Coastal Range foothills southwest of McMinnvile.  The 200 acre estate has 120 acres of vines.  The grapes for this wine come from the 47.21 acres of own-rooted, old-growth Pinot Noir.

 

This high elevation vineyard (600’ to 800’) is typically the winery’s last picked, at the end of October.  There is a low yield due to the age of the vines.  The 2012 Hyland Vineyard is a really delicate wine and we keep the new oak limited to enhance the fruit and not cover it.  Hyland Vineyard is one of the oldest planted vineyards in Willamette Valley.  We own the vineyards and therefore, select the best blocks for ourselves.

 

The wine has 13.6% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright, medium ruby red color.  The inviting nose has cherries, baking spices, raspberries, minerals, dried herbs, cola, violets and white pepper.  This is barely medium body with soft to moderate silky tannins and very nice acidity.  The fruit and spice initially coat the palate with minerals and cola coming in on the backend.  The finish has very good length with some dried herbs and white pepper entering the picture.  This could use a year or two in the cellar but shows very good potential.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Soléna Pinot Noir Domaine Danielle Laurent – SRP $50

In May of 2000 Laurent Montalieu and Danielle Andrus Montalieu purchased an 80 acre estate as their wedding gift to each other and registered with premium nurseries for six different clones of Pinot Noir vines as wedding gifts.  They named the vineyard Domaine Danielle Laurent.

 

According to the winery, DDL is really quite young to taste and needs at least 3 years to start developing its bouquet.  DDL vines are now 14 years old…still babies…teenagers.  The winery has the sheep and goats mowing the rows during winter.

 

This wine has 13.9% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to dark ruby red color.  The intoxicating nose has black cherries, raspberries, stony minerals, sautéed mushrooms, baking spices, violets and a touch of earthy underbrush.  This has medium body moderate silky tannins and very good acidity.  On the palate the fruit and spice jump out first with minerals and a floral note coming in on the back end.  The finish has very good length with some earthiness joining the fruit and spice.  This tastes great with some air but deserves a year or two in the cellar.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

Closing comments

This is another outstanding Oregon winery to add to your list of wineries to visit.  The lower end wines offer fantastic value and the single vineyard Pinot Noirs are stunning but will be better if you allow them time to develop in your cool cellar.

 

 

 

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 2014 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:

 

 

Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts

Here are posts, newsletters, blogs or other articles that either mention this site or that I have written:

 

Click here or on the “Cliff’s Wine Picks On Other Sites” link in the top right corner to see links to other sites that either have my reviews, my thoughts or other posts I have written.

 

 

 

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!