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

 

 

Momokawa Diamond

Momokawa Pearl

SakéMoto Junmai

 

 

I was invited to participate in an online saké tasting, which was very easy to accept.  I have enjoyed saké in the past, but my knowledge on the beverage is VERY limited.  I usually rely on the suggestions from the server and never remember which ones I have liked or the ones I could barely tolerate.  This will be a great opportunity to try three different examples and allow me to note differences and figure out what I like based on side by side comparisons.

 

Visit the SakéOne website.

 

 

 

The selections were provided by Charles Communications for the SakéOne brand tasting and participation was limited to around a dozen people.

 

Generally, saké is best served is a white wine glass.  For some reason, several of us opted for a stemless wine glass like the Riedel O line.  I chose the glass since it seemed to be a nice middle of the road melding of the small traditional saké glass and a larger, stemmed wine glass.

 

Though saké can be served slightly warmed, it is better served chilled; I had mine at slightly cooler than room temperature.

 

It was pointed out that the American saké producers prefer to be called “craft” saké, or American, but don’t call them “domestic”.

 

An open bottle of saké will last for weeks in the refrigerator since it is pasteurized.

 

 

SakéOne is one of six saké breweries in America and the only saké brewery in Oregon.  It has promoted quality saké in America for over two decades, both as an importer and as a domestic craft brewer, focusing on quality, heritage and innovation.  SakéOne imports a boutique portfolio of Japanese regional saké including the brands Murai Family, Yoshinogawa and SakéMoto, a premium Japanese saké developed specifically for the American market. Greg also produces award-winning saké for the Momokawa, G Saké, and the fruit-infused Moonstone brands at SakéOne’s own Kura in Forest Grove, Oregon.

 

Saké’s presence in the American market is rapidly increasing; in the past ten years, saké has seen a 100% increase in the US Beverage alcohol market.  However, most premium saké is still imported from Japan.

 

 

The video from the online tasting, graphics dealing with saké terminology and the brewing process, as well as the participant’s posts can be found here:

http://sakeone.yourbrandlive.com/c/whitedaytasting/

 

The lineup for this tasting:

 

 

 

Momokawa Diamond – SRP $13

This saké is classified as a Junmai Ginjo.  Among other things, this means the rice was “polished” down to 60%.

 

This is considered to be a “starting point” sake, meaning it not too dry but also not overly “fruity”.  The final alcohol is 14.8%.

 

My Tasting Note

This is totally clear and colorless.  On the nose this offers an herbal note, earthy mushrooms, peat moss, apples, cherries and white flowers.  On the palate this is slightly creamy with chalky minerality, spice, apples and cherry skin.  This has decent length on the finish.

 

 

Momokawa Pearl – SRP $13

This saké is classified as a Junmai Ginjo Nigori Genhu.  Among other things, this means the rice was “polished” down to 60%.  This sake is undiluted so it retains the base alcohol of 18%.  It is also not filtered so it contains rice “sediment”.  Before drinking, the bottle must be turned over multiple times to allow for this sediment to be redistributed in the liquid.

 

This was originally produced even though they were told it would never be popular because “no one drinks nigori.” More than fourteen years later it is their most popular saké and one that they must take to festivals and tastings everywhere they go.

 

My Tasting Note

This is a cloudy white color, like low fat milk.  The nose offers apples, tropical fruit, and earthy peat moss.  This is creamy and slightly sweet on the palate.  The finish is fairly long.  This one was very different in looks and the creaminess.

 

 

SakéMoto Junmai – SRP $11

This saké is classified as a Junmai.  Among other things, this means the rice was “polished” down to 70%.  This was the one imported sake included in the tasting.

 

This comes from a brewer that has been producing sake for over 270 years and was produced with the American palate in mind, which makes it a bit richer and fruitier.  This has a final alcohol of 14.7%.

 

My Tasting Note

This is a very light yellow to straw color.  The nose has melon, peat moss, earthy, apples, white flowers and tropical fruit.  On the palate this is crisp and clean with good acidity and just a touch of sweetness.  This has good length with an herbal note coming in.  This was my favorite of the tasting.

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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

 

Here is a link to a YouTube video of me getting “coal” from Santa for being named the “Nicest Person in Social Media” in 2012.

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive.  I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

 

 

2012 Knapp Vineyards Vidal Ice Wine

2012 Boundary Breaks Vineyard Riesling No. 90 Late Harvest

2009 Höpler Pinot Noir Eiswein

 

The Event

I was invited to participate in an online #winechat about Ice wines or as it’s spelled in Germany and Austria, Eiswein.  Of course, since it is a more festive chat if you’re sipping Ice wine while chatting, three bottles were supplied to me to sip and discuss during the event.

 

 

About Ice wine (Eiswein)

Ice wine is a style of dessert wine that is produced from fully ripe grapes that were harvested while frozen on the vines.  This freezing process only affects the water in the grapes.  When the still frozen grapes are crushed, the frozen water stays behind, leaving just a couple drops of highly concentrated sugar and “dissolved solids”.

 

The production of Ice wine is a risky business.  Several things can go wrong and ruin the crop before it can even get picked.  If the grapes rot before they freeze the entire crop is ruined.  Likewise, a winery needs a large enough workforce to be able to pick and process all the grapes before they have a chance to thaw.

 

Since the process requires a good deal of labor in a short period of time and each frozen grape only yields a precious little juice, Ice wines are generally expensive.

 

As should be expected, most true Ice wine comes from countries that “enjoy” a cold and predictable winter.  About 75% of the world’s ice wine comes from Canada and Germany.

 

Some wineries “cheat” and make an ice wine style of wine by freezing their grapes after a normal harvest and processing them like they were harvested frozen.  Even though these wines are similar, they are not true Ice wines.

 

 

 

 

About Winechat

#winechat is a weekly, Twitter based discussion about something dealing with the world of wine.  Generally, each week’s chat 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!

 

Click here for the current #winechat schedule.

 

 

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

 

The line up for the event:

 

 

2012 Knapp Vineyards Vidal Ice Wine – SRP $24.95

Knapp Vineyards was started in 1984.  In 2000 the winery was sold to Gene Pierce and Scott Welliver, the current owners.  The winery produces Rieslings, Gewurztraminers, Lembergers, Chardonnays, Merlots, Sangioveses alongside French-American Hybrids such as Seyval, Baco Noirs, and more.

 

For this Ice Wine, the grapes were picked in the early morning hours of January 3^rd.  Even though the grapes were grown in 2011, the vintage for a wine is the year the grapes were “picked” hence the 2012.

 

This is 100% Vidal Blanc.  There were only 24 cases of wine produced.  This has 12% alcohol and there is 14% residual sugar in the wine.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light golden straw color.  The rich nose has melons, white peaches, honey, orange zest and minerals.  This has a full body, moderate acidity and has a load of residual sugar.  On the palate the honey, ripe melons and super ripe peaches coat your mouth with syrupy sweetness with some minerals coming in on the back end with some orange zest.  The finish has good length and again is dominated with sweet, ripe fruit.   (90 pts)

 

 

2012 Boundary Breaks Vineyard Riesling No. 90 Late Harvest

Grapes were first planted at Boundary Breaks in 2008.  The winery only produces single vineyard, single clone Riesling.

 

This wine is a late harvest wine, not an ice wine.  This means the grapes were picked very late in the season when the grapes were ultra ripe, but the grapes were not frozen at harvest.

 

This wine is 100% Neustadt Clone #90 Riesling.  This has 14.2% alcohol and there is 12.7% residual sugar in the wine.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light yellow straw, almost colorless.  The fresh smelling nose has apples, honey, stony minerals, cantaloupe, vanilla, orange blossoms and a touch of white pepper.  This has a full body with decent acidity and is very sweet.  On the palate ripe apples and orange zest hit first with minerals coming in on the back end.  The finish is fairly long but could use a jolt of acidity.  (88 pts)

 

 

2009 Höpler Pinot Noir Eiswein – SRP $69

The winery is in Breitenbrunn, South East of Vienna on the West bank of LakeNeusiedl.  The wine production is 50% white wine, 45% red wine and 5% sweet.

 

Every 10^th bottle of Austrian wine imported into the United States is from Höpler.

 

This wine made from fully matured grapes which are left on the vine until they reached a temperature of at least -7°C (19.4°F). The water in the grapes forms ice crystals, and after gentle pressing the remaining concentrate is made into an exceptional wine with elegant sweetness balanced by refreshing acidity.  The wine has 11.5% alcohol by volume and the residual sugar is 236.3 g/l.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light orange with pink highlights.  The rich nose has apricots, dusty minerals, caramel, wild flowers and cherries.  This has a full body with good acidity and nice residual sugar.  On the palate, ripe apricots and caramel jump out first with a touch of orange zest and minerals coming in on the back end.  The finish has very nice length with honey and peaches.  The acidity leaves your mouth watering for another sip.  This tastes very nice today but I’d wager it will be much better with a few years in the cellar.  (93 pts)

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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

 

Here is a link to a YouTube video of me getting “coal” from Santa for being named the “Nicest Person in Social Media” in 2012.

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive.  I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

This is based on a winery supplied sample.

 

2012 Vigne Regali (Banfi) Brachetto d’Acqui Rosa Regale

 

The Winery

In 1979, John and Harry Mariani, family proprietors of Banfi Vintners, acquired a mid-18th century winery, known as Bruzzone, revitalized it and renamed the facility Vigne Regali.  Here, with the same detailed care as a century ago, our skilled winemakers produce “Rosa Regale” Brachetto d’Acqui D.O.C.G.  This rare Brachetto, a semi-dry, red sparkling wine cherished by the courts of Europe over two centuries ago, owes its reincarnation to Banfi.

 

Rosa Regale is created in one of Italy’s smallest production zones, the Brachetto d’Acqui Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, commonly referred to as DOCG.  It is crafted from 100% Brachetto grapes grown exclusively at the La Rosa Vineyard in the town of Acqui Terme located in the Piedmont region of Italy.  The label features a single red rose, representing the wines origin from this single vineyard La Rosa estate.

 

Rosa Regale has a delicate bouquet of rose petals and offers sensuous flavors of fresh raspberries and strawberries. Its effervescence is softer than that of champagne, yet it yields a persistent and delicate pink froth.  Its lively garnet color makes other sparklers pale in comparison.  Served chilled and with a low alcohol content, it serves as the perfect partner throughout the entire meal, beginning as an elegant aperitif, moving to a savory appetizer and ending with a sweet dessert. No wine pairs better with chocolate than Rosa Regale.  The bright fresh berry flavors complement the sweet velvet of the chocolate.  Rosa Regale is a seductive red sparkler that turns any occasion into a celebration.

 

According to popular tradition, the wine was greatly appreciated by, and was the preferred beverage of one of the most famous characters of the Italian comedy in masks, Gioan d’laduja or Giovanni of the jug.  The figure is said to have drawn inspiration for his bubbly high spirits from this fizzy red wine with a fragrant foam.

 

Legend also has it that both Julius Caesar and Marc Antony presented Cleopatra with several gourds of Brachetto.  The empress then had her lovers drink the wine in order to unleash their passion.

 

Rosa Regale is produced using the Charmat process or Metodo Italiano (Italian Method).  This method forces the second fermentation to happen in large stainless steel tanks prior to bottling, rather than in the bottle like the traditional méthod champenoise.  This process is best used on sparkling wines that are meant to be enjoyed young and relatively fresh.

 

 

 

2012 Banfi Brachetto d’Acqui Rosa Regale

The wine is a light, transparent red color.  The fresh and fruity nose has candied cherries, strawberries, subtle earthiness and rose water.  This has a light body with nice acidity and a fair amount of residual sweetness.  The wine pours with a nice mousse and the pinpoint bubbles are relentless.  On the palate the sweet fruit grabs your attention and refuses to let go.  The finish has decent length and again is totally fruit driven.  This is an off dry to sweet sparkling wine that would be a hit at a party where the wine is not the center of attention or as an after dinner sipper with friends beside a platter of dark chocolate.   Between the acidity and the persistent bubbles this easily avoids becoming cloyingly sweet.  (86 pts)

 

Conclusion:

This light bodied and sweet sipper is perfect for a small gathering of friends or to sip on the patio or deck on a warm evening.  With its low 7% alcohol, a second (or third) glass is not out of the question.  The general average price for this wine is around $20, but I see it being available via wine-searcher.com for as low as $15.

 

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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

 

Here is a link to a YouTube video of me getting “coal” from Santa for being named the “Nicest Person in Social Media” in 2012.

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive.  I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

2011 Ridge Lytton Springs

2012 Dutcher Crossing Zinfandel Bernier-Sibary Vineyard

2011 Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel Beeson Ranch

 

 

Field Blend Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley

ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers’ annual festival) was held on January 23-25^th.  I was invited by Anne Alderete of McCue Marketing Communications to participate in a special virtual tasting for those unable to make the trip to San Francisco.  On Wednesday, January 22nd, three zinfandels were showcased that were made in an “old school” style — called “field blend Zins”.  These were all from the Dry Creek Valley, an AVA in Sonoma County that has been setting the bar for Zinfandel for more than 100 years.  These Field Blend Zins are primarily zinfandel, but are grown and picked together with a small percentage of other grapes; the fruit is then co-fermented.

 

The Dry Creek Valley is a 16 miles long, 2 mile wide valley that is the home to over 9,000 acres of vineyards.  The valley has been the home to vineyards for 140 years.  The Dry Creek Valley has one of the densest concentrations of Old Vine Zinfandel vineyards in the world

 

The winemakers participating in the event:

John Olney of Ridge Lytton Springs

Kerry Damskey of Dutcher Crossing Winery

Nova Perrill, Assistant Winemaker of Dry Creek Vineyard

 

 

You can view the video of the chat by visiting the site by clicking here.

 

 

 

The line-up for this tasting:

 

 

2011 Ridge Lytton Springs – SRP $38

This is a blend of 82% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah and 2% Carignane.

 

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

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark ruby to purple color.  The nose has brambly berries, roasted herbs, white pepper, scorched earth, minerals and wild flowers.  This has medium body, moderate tannins and good acidity.  On the palate was initially restrained, with some air berries and minerals came through up front with roasted herbs, pepper and earthiness on the back end.  Nice length with some dark chocolate coming into the picture.  This was very balanced and much more open and flavorful on the second day.  I’d recommend sitting on this one for a few months or give it some air.  (91 pts)

 

 

2012 Dutcher Crossing Zinfandel Bernier-Sibary Vineyard – SRP $43

This is a blend of 75% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignane and 5% Matero (Mourvedre).

 

The wine has 14.9% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby to maroon color.  The nose has brambly berries, earth, smoke, black cherries, minerals and underbrush.  This has medium to full body, moderate tannins and good acidity.  On the palate there are rich berries, minerals and smoke up front with building earthiness on the back end.  This has a long lush finish.  This is a smooth and rich style of zin that should impress most Zinfandel fans.  (93 pts)

 

 

2011 Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel Beeson Ranch – SRP $38

This is a blend of 85% Zinfandel and 15% Petite Sirah.

 

The wine has 13.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to dark ruby color.  The nose has berries, cherry, minerals, baking spices and licorice.  This has medium body, moderate to solid tannins and good acidity.  On the palate there are berries and tart cherries up front with spice, pepper and minerals coming in on the back end.  This has decent length on the finish with some dried earth coming in.  The wine was better on the second day with some added lushness and smoother tannins.  (87 pts)

 

 

Conclusion

This was a very enjoyable event with one of my all time favorite wines in this category, the Ridge Lytton Springs.  The event also included a new winery for me, Dutcher Cross, which I will actively search for in the future.  The Dry Creek Vineyard wine wasn’t shabby and would make any evening meal a much nicer experience.

 

I want to say thanks to McCue Marketing Communications and specifically Anne Aldrete for including me in the event.  I also have to express my gratitude to the wineries for supplying the wines for the tasting.

 

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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

 

Here is a link to a YouTube video of me getting “coal” from Santa for being named the “Nicest Person in Social Media” in 2012.

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive.  I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

 

2009 Elyse Zinfandel Morisoli Vineyard

2008 Elyse Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Vineyard

 

 

 

Elyse Winery

This very special tasting includes two of my favorite wines from one of my favorite wineries.  I’ve been a big fan of Elyse Winery since my first visit to wine country well over a decade ago.  Over the years I have opened and enjoyed several cases of Elyse wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Zinfandel and more, as well as numerous blends.  These are always well made and reasonably priced wines made by very nice and friendly people.  If you ever make it to the Napa Valley, I highly recommend a stop at Elyse.

 

For more information on Elyse or to order wine, please visit their website by clicking here.

 

Morisoli Vineyard

Morisoli Vineyard is owned by Gary and Melody Morisoli.  This vineyard, in the Rutherford area of Napa Valley, has been in the Morisoli family for over 100 years.  Gary Morisoli doesn’t know when the family purchased the property, but he knows his grandfather was born in one of the property’s three houses in 1902.

 

The original property consisted of 10 acres.  Gary’s grandfather eventually doubled the size of the property and Gary added an additional 37 acres.  Today the vineyard only grows Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The vineyard has been growing Zinfandel for over 100 years but Cabernet Sauvignon wasn’t planted until the early 1980s.  The youngest vines on the property are from the mid 1990s.  Until the early 1960s, the vineyard was also home to Gamay, Carignan, Sauvignon Vert and Petite Syrah.  The property survived prohibition by selling the grapes for “sacramental” winemaking purposes both in California and on the East Coast.  The family also kept a few wine barrels of their own in the basement.

 

Fun Fact: When asked what his favorite wine is, Gary responded “Pepsi.” He’s a farmer, not a wine connoisseur.  Except, of course, when he’s mixing the two.  In the tradition of the Italians, he does like to mix 2 parts Pepsi with 1 part red wine.

 

 

 

The Line up

Here is the lineup for this tasting:

 

 

2009 Elyse Zinfandel Morisoli Vineyard – SRP $37

Elyse has been making Zinfandel from the Morisoli Vineyard since 1986 and have been the only producer working with these grapes since 1988.  The old field-blend vines, Rutherford Bench terroir, and traditional farming practices always create a truly distinctive Zinfandel.

 

This wine is 87% Zinfandel with the remaining 13% being a combination of Alicante Bouschet, Carignane, Durif, Grand Noir, Muscat Hamburg, Négrette, Syrah, and Valdiguié.

 

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

 

The wine has 14.6% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  There were 2,397 cases of wine produced.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby to purple color.  The comforting nose has brambly berries, warm baking spices, white pepper, minerals, dark bittersweet chocolate, wild flowers, eucalyptus and some subtle earthiness.  This has medium to full body, fairly solid tannins and very nice acidity.  On the palate tart berries with spice and pepper jump out first with minerals and some earthiness coming in on the back end.  The finish has nice length with dark chocolate and a hint of eucalyptus entering the picture.  This tastes very good today, but will reward a bit of time in the cellar.  (92 pts)

 

 

2008 Elyse Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Vineyard – SRP $70

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

 

The wine was fermented for 15 days using native yeast.  The wine was then aged for 30 months in French oak barrels with 60% being new.

 

The wine has 14.8% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  The total production was 777 cases and 20 cases of magnums.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep garnet color.  The intoxicating nose has cassis, minerals, mint, dry earth, dried herbs, tobacco, licorice, and dark chocolate.  This has medium body, solid tannins and very good acidity.  On the palate cassis, minerals and a touch of mint hit first with some building earthiness coming in on the back end.  The long and lingering finish adds some dark chocolate.  This is very young and deserves a couple years in the cellar, which will be greatly rewarded.  As of today, with plenty of air it is delicious with a piece of juicy meat to help buffer the wall of tannins.  Let this one sleep.  (94 pts)

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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

 

Here is a link to a YouTube video of me getting “coal” from Santa for being named the “Nicest Person in Social Media” in 2012.

 

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

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive.  I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

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

 

 

2012 Steven Kent Chardonnay Merrillie

2010 Steven Kent Cabernet Sauvignon Home Ranch Vineyard

2010 Steven Kent Cabernet Sauvignon Folkendt Vineyard

 

 

 

I was recently lucky enough to receive some wine samples from the Steven Kent Winery.  I had the opportunity to try some of their wines last year and I was very impressed.  To say I’m excited to try these wines would be a big understatement.

 

 

 

The Steven Kent Winery Was Born

In 2005, Steven joined forces with the Ghielmetti family who owned a spectacular vineyard site about three miles east of the winery.  The site was planted to Bordeaux and Rhône varieties, many of which he used to make small-lot releases for his burgeoning wine clubs.  Steven realized in 2007, though, that the farther he went down this path, the further away he’d be from the vision with which he started in the business – to make a single, great, statement wine.

 

Lineage—our Livermore Valley Red Wine—then, is the renaissance of that need to have the effort mean something; for the wine to be a symbol of the passion to create something of great quality, an emblem of one family’s generations-long commitment to the grape.

 

Also in 2005, Steven found an opportunity to close a circle.  His cousins, who had earlier sold the Mirassou brand to Gallo, had started a brand called La Rochelle, named for the town north of Bordeaux from which their progenitor had come to America in 1854.  La Rochelle had an amazingly talented winemaker, Tom Stutz, and a portfolio of wines whose only focus was family vineyard fruit from Monterey.  Steven acquired the brand and brought it and Tom up to Livermore with a new focus on Pinot Noir.  Seven years later, La Rochelle is making some of the best Pinot Noirs (and a newly released, small-lot production focus on Chardonnay) in California.

 

Much more information, links to the wineries, and purchasing information is available on their website.

 

 

Steven has a very nice blog here – Steven’s Blog.

 

 

 

Steven Kent Winery Info

“Steven Kent is producing today’s greatest Livermore Cabernets, wines that hearken back to the valley’s roots as one of California’s best wine regions.” – Wine Enthusiast

 

The Steven Kent Winery was started in 1996 with one mission: to make Cabernet here in the Livermore Valley that rivals in quality the greatest red wines made anywhere in the world.

 

Livermore Valley has a long, dedicated history of growing the “Bordeaux” varietals, and in particular Cabernet Sauvignon.  In the 1880s, pioneering winegrowers began to discover the potential of the Livermore Valley region.  Then, as today, L.V.’s climate and soils closely resemble those of Bordeaux’s famed left bank of the Gironde.  By the turn of the last century, LivermoreValley was already far ahead of its NapaValley neighbor in specializing in the Bordeaux varieties.  Our goal at Steven Kent is to carry on that tradition.

 

“We have worked joyously and strenuously to know our vineyards; to learn how our fruit expresses itself from those sites; to discover the best winemaking and barrel regimens that translates those grapes into world-class vintages.  We’re very gratified that customers, critics, and collectors alike consider our “historic Cabernet” to be an essential addition to their table, their “best of lists,” and their cellars”.  – Steven Kent Mirassou

 

More information is available on their website.

 

 

To check availability or to purchase any of these wine or other wines offered by the wineries in the Steven Kent Portfolio, visit their website.

 

 

 

The line up for this tasting:

 

 

2012 Steven Kent Chardonnay Merrillie – SRP $34

This 100% Chardonnay uses fruit from the Landucci Block of Chardonnay, in the LivermoreValley, about 1.5 miles west of the winery.  This block is planted to one of the older Wente clones.  The first varietally-labeled Chardonnay was made from Wente clone fruit, and many of the most sought after clones in California (Robert Young, Hyde Selection) are children of Wente clone material.

 

After destemming and crushing the fruit was transferred to stainless steel tanks where it was allowed to settle for about 48 hours prior to fermentation.  The must was then transferred to barrel where it underwent both primary and secondary (malo-lactic) fermentation. The wine was aged sur lie for 8 months in 60% new French oak barrels.  The wine was then bottled without filtration or fining.

 

The wine has 14.7% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light golden yellow color.  The tropical and fresh smelling nose has apples, pears, flinty minerals, pineapple, lemon zest, baking spices and vanilla.  This has medium body, creamy texture and citrusy acidity.  On the palate the white orchard fruit, minerals and vanilla hit on the front end with nice closing citrus.  The finish has good length with minerals, apples and lemon zest slowly fading away.  This is on the young side but still very tasty with some air.  (91 pts)

 

 

2010 Steven Kent Cabernet Sauvignon Home Ranch Vineyard – SRP $65

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine is from the site of the winery’s tasting room on Tesla Road.  The 2.8 acre vineyard block was planted in 1996.

 

After destemming & crushing the fruit was fermented in open-top fermentors.  It went through primary fermentation & maceration in bin then malolactic fermentation was induced in barrel.  The wine was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels before it was bottled without filtration and fining.  There were only 189 six-packs of wine produced.

 

The wine has 14.1% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red color.  The very inviting nose has cassis, eucalyptus, cherry, minerals, licorice, dried herbs, cedar, warm baking spices and white pepper.  This has medium body, moderate tannins and good acidity.  On the palate the laser focused fruit is joined with mint and spice on the front end with dried herbs, minerals and white pepper coming through on the back end.  The finish has good length with the fruit and minerals carrying the load.  (93 pts)

 

 

2010 Steven Kent Cabernet Sauvignon Folkendt Vineyard – SRP $65

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a 4.5 acre vineyard planted in 1992 on Greenville Road in the LivermoreValley.

 

After destemming & crushing the fruit was fermented in open-top fermentors.  It went through primary fermentation & maceration in bin then malolactic fermentation was induced in barrel.  The wine was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels before it was bottled without filtration and fining.  There were only 143 six-packs of wine produced.

 

The wine has 14.2% 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 outgoing nose has cassis, dried herbs, minerals, plums, cocoa powder, cedar and cherries.  The wine has medium body, moderate to solid tannins and good acidity.  On the palate tart fruit, cedar and minerals carry the load with plums and dark chocolate coming in later.  The finish has good length with a touch of mint entering the picture.  (92 pts)

 

 

Conclusions

Both of the cabernets tasted better on the second and third day.  If you open one, give it plenty of air but it would be preferable to stash them in the cellar for a year or two.  The Chardonnay will also reward some time in your cellar but is very tasty with some air.

 

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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

 

Here is a link to a YouTube video of me getting “coal” from Santa for being named the “Nicest Person in Social Media” in 2012.

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive.  I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

2012 La Crema Chardonnay Monterey

2012 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

 

 

La Crema – The right wine makes the party

 

 

Overview

I was lucky to be selected in an online tasting of wines from La Crema Winery that was sponsored by Snooth.  This event featured four wines from La Crema.  There was two Chardonnay wines and two Pinot Noirs.  In both cases the wines were the winery’s Monterey and Sonoma Coast appellation wines.

 

I want to thank La Crema and especially Gregory Dal Piaz of Snooth for allowing me to participate in this event.

 

 

 

 The Winery

For more than 30 years, La Crema has explored California’s coastal appellations, a voyage of varietals that started here at our estate in the foggy vineyards of the Russian River Valley.  On our journey, we have found exciting cool-climate vineyards north in the rugged hills of Mendocino, and south along the wind-swept slopes of Los Carneros.  Most recently, our exploration has taken us to the wind-swept hillside vineyards of Monterey.  Centered always on the dual lens of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, we look for one unifying factor at these exceptional sites: coastal wind and fog that allow the grapes ripen slowly on the vine, developing intensely complex aromas and flavors while retaining firm acid structure.

 

Naturally, our winemaking team seeks to express the essence of the terroir in our wines, capturing the unique personality and flavor profile of the vineyards.  Elizabeth Grant-Douglas infuses our winemaking regime with a highly personal touch that combines the best of traditional Burgundian winemaking techniques with a contemporary California style.

 

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

 

 

 

Snooth

Snooth is a community for wine lovers.

 

Whether one is just a beginner, or a total pro, Snooth offers its 1 million+ users countless opportunities to learn, taste, share and shop in the world of wine.

 

Members are able to interact with wineries, stores, fellow wine lovers, and wine professionals from all over the globe with Snooth’s daily newsletters, wine search, social forums and interactive media tools.

 

Since its launch in June 2007, Snooth has become one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive online wine destinations, featuring millions of price listings and wine reviews.  Snooth also powers wine & food pairings for major sites including Epicurious.com (Conde Nast) and myRecipes.com (Time Inc).

 

Why drink alone? Grab a glass and join the fun!

 

There is a ton of great information available on the Snooth website.

 

 

My line up

Even though there were four wines discussed at this online chat, everyone received just two of the wines.  Here is my line up for the event:

 

 

 

2012 La Crema Chardonnay Monterey – SRP $20

This 100% Chardonnay uses grapes from various vineyards in the Monterey region.  The vineyards of Monterey are defined by persistent ocean winds that are funneled down a 90-mile-long valley running north to south between the Santa Lucia and Gabilan Mountains.

 

The bottle is sealed with a Diam cork, which is made from pieces of shredded cork that is compressed and molded into shape.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light golden yellow color.  The nose has apples, pears, crème brulee, baking spices, minerals, lemon zest, orange blossom and pineapple.  On the palate the wine has a creamy texture with nice acidity and a medium body.  On the palate apples, vanilla, spice and lemon zest steal the show.  The finish is a touch short but flavorful.  (87 pts)

 

 

2012 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – SRP $25

This 100% Pinot Noir is sourced from several vineyards in the Sonoma Coast region.  The coastal region’s boundary begins at the Mendocino County border, continues along the western coastal edge of Sonoma County through the mouth of the Russian River Valley; and extends to the Los Carneros region on the southern Sonoma/Napa

border.

 

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

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light to medium ruby color.  The expressive nose has cherries, baking spices, minerals, raspberries, slight herbal note and cola.  This has a medium body, soft to moderate ripe tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate tart cherries, spice and minerals carry the majority of the load.  There is good length on the finish with some earthiness coming into the picture.  (88 pts)

 

 

Conclusion

These wines are made in an easy drinking style that will appeal to most wine drinkers and would be perfect for a party.  The wines have lower acidity which would make them a good choice where the wine won’t be expected to take center stage, but instead serve as a means of getting people to socialize over appetizers or casual meals.

 

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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

 

Here is a link to a YouTube video of me getting “coal” from Santa for being named the “Nicest Person in Social Media” in 2012.

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive.  I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

 

 

2011 Robert Mondavi Winery Chardonnay

2012 Robert Mondavi Winery Pinot Noir

2011 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

 

 

 

The Robert Mondavi Winery history is full of triumphs and disappointments.  The winery that Robert Mondavi founded and poured his heart into, eventually caused him his biggest heart breaks.  The downfall for the family began when they took the company public.  This money making venture, years down the road, lead to the family being pushed out of the picture.

 

Robert Mondavi Winery (from the winery)

Robert Mondavi established his namesake winery in 1966 with a vision to create Napa Valley wines that would stand in the company of the world’s finest.  He chose To Kalon Vineyard in the heart of the Napa Valley as the home for Robert Mondavi Winery. This first-growth vineyard, located in Oakville, California, is renowned for producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the world, as well as for its Sauvignon Blanc grapes, from which Mr. Mondavi crafted his signature wine, Fumé Blanc.

 

Along with To Kalon Vineyard, Robert Mondavi Winery sources grapes from some of Napa Valley’s finest vineyards, including Stag’s Leap (Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc) and Carneros (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay).

 

Mr. Mondavi believed that wines should reflect their origins, that they are the product of the soil, the climate, and the careful stewardship of those precious resources. He also believed in combining the newest techniques and technology with time-honored winemaking traditions.

 

Our winemaking and vineyard teams are proud to carry on our founder’s mandate to always strive higher, to pursue Robert Mondavi’s goal of excellence with the same passion and innovative spirit, moving forward with programs that break barriers and open new frontiers.

 

Leading this initiative is Genevieve Janssens, Director of Winemaking. Genevieve, whose relationship with the winery began in 1978, was selected Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2010.

 

 

 

 

The wines

The wines for this tasting:

 

 

 

2011 Robert Mondavi Winery Chardonnay – SRP $19

This 100% Chardonnay is made from grapes sourced from:

56% Carneros (Napa Valley), 24% Napa Valley, 14% Stag’s Leap District and 6% Russian River Valley.  The grapes were whole cluster pressed.  75% of the juice was fermented in French oak with 15% being new.  The remaining 25% was cold fermented in stainless steel tanks.  Some of the wine went through malolactic fermentation.

 

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

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light yellow to straw color.  The fresh and fruity nose has apples, melon, pears, vanilla, baking spices, minerals, orange blossoms and lemon zest.  This has medium body, fairly creamy mouth feel with crisp acidity and just a slight trace of lingering sweetness.  On the palate the white orchard fruit and spices grab the palate initially before minerals and mouthwatering citrus kick in and take over.  The finish has decent length with minerals, citrus, and a bit of oak carrying the load.  A touch of residual sugar adds nice richness without making the wine off dry.  This is a food friendly Chardonnay that would also make for a nice glass with friends and conversation.  (88 pts)

 

 

2012 Robert Mondavi Winery Pinot Noir – SRP $26

This wine is made of 100% Napa Carneros Pinot Noir.  Select vineyard blocks were whole cluster fermented, most were destemmed and crushed prior to fermentation.  The wine was fermented in French oak and had 21 days of skin contact.  After fermentation, the wine was gently pressed into French oak (26% new) for malolactic fermentation and five months of aging before being bottled in April 2013.

 

The wine has 14.5% alcohol by volume and the bottles are sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright cherry red color.  The earthy nose has plums, earthy underbrush, baking spices, cherries and a touch of cola.  This has medium body, soft tannins and decent acidity.  On the palate plums, cherries and spice hit first then the earthy elements take over.  The finish has decent length with the earthy elements in control and the fruit providing some needed sweetness in the background.  A middle of the road style of Pinot Noir, some upfront fruit but not overly ripe and rich like some of the California Pinots.  (86 pts)

 

 

2011 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – SRP $28

The 2011 vintage was a difficult one in the Napa Valley.  There was tenacious morning fog, unseasonably cool weather and rainfall at flowering time and during the October harvest.

 

This wine is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.  The grapes were sourced from 100% Napa Valley vineyards including To Kalon Vineyard (35%) and Wappo Hill Vineyard (13%).

 

The grapes were gently destemmed into stainless steel tanks and oak tanks.  There was a 26 day maceration to maximize the extraction of color and flavor.  This also helped polish the tannins for a rich, supple mouthfeel.  The finished wine was transferred to 60 gallon French oak barrels (13% new) for malolactic fermentation.  The wine received 16 months of barrel aging before being bottled in May 2013.

 

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

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light to medium ruby red color.  The expressive nose has cassis, tomato leaf, minerals, mocha, cedar, fresh sage and thyme, and violets.  The wine has medium body, moderate tannins and good acidity.  On the palate the wine shows the cool vintage with a fair amount of tomato leaf and fresh herbs to go with the fruit.  The finish has fair length again showing the herbal side of the Cabernet grape.  This is a wine that will go well with food but is not a wine to sip on its own.  This isn’t a Cabernet to lock away in the cellar, serve it with a burger or roast beef over the next couple of years.  This wine does have a distinct green streak that will not agree with a lot of wine enthusiasts.  (84 pts)

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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

 

Here is a link to a YouTube video of me getting “coal” from Santa for being named the “Nicest Person in Social Media” in 2012.

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive.  I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

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

 

 

2012 Claiborne and Churchill Edelzwicker Proprietors’ Blend

2009 Claiborne and Churchill Pinot Noir

 

 

 

 

 About California Wine Club

 

Some of California’s Best Wine Can’t Be Found in Local Stores.

 

The California Wine Club is owned by Bruce and Pam Boring and has been around since 1990.

 

Here is how they describe their company:

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website and learn about our wine of the month programs!

 

For years Pam and I were frustrated trying to find truly great wine. Selecting a decent bottle of wine from thousands of pretty labels with prices ranging from $5-$35 was difficult at the best of times. We were always happiest with wine recommendations from friends.

 

So, that’s what we wanted to do with The California Wine Club, start a wine of the month club that was just like “one friend recommending a great bottle of wine to another friend”.

 

We are now celebrating 23 years of business and the wine adventures keep getting better! Pam and I knew that there were hundreds of small, family-owned wineries dedicated to producing exceptional wine … and it was this wine that we wanted to share with our monthly wine club members. Each month we travel California’s wine country searching out the wineries, meeting the families and tasting the wines that never make it to local stores or wine shops.

 

All the details are available on their site by clicking here.

 

 

CA Wine Club Options

With five wine of the month clubs to choose from, they have wine selections and wine gifts to suit all tastes and all budgets. To learn more click any of the following links:

 

Premier Series – Our original and most popular club!

Signature Series – For collectors and connoisseurs!

International Selections – From small “mom & pop” wineries around the world.

Aged Cabernet Series – Napa’s most prestigious Cabernets aged 8 – 12 years.

Pacific Northwest Series – Discover limited-production, award-winning wines from Oregon and Washington.

 

The California Wine Club is a different kind of wine of the month club…a difference you’ll taste with your first shipment!

 

 

Special offer for Cliff’s Wine Picks readers, get 50% off your first 3 months.  Click here for this special offer.

 

 

Wine Reorders and pricing

If you get a wine from one of their clubs and have to get more, it’s quick and easy.  Go to their Wine Reorder page and select the wines you want to purchase for up to 50% off normal retail prices.  A bonus is that you can purchase the wines even if you aren’t a member of one of the plans.  If you want to check out their selections and great prices, visit the Wine Reorder page by clicking here.  Note that purchases must be in 6 or 12 bottle increments and mixed cases are allowed.  You don’t have to order a solid case of a wine to get their great pricing.  Be warned, after checking out their selections and pricing, there’s a good chance you’ll be joining one of their wine clubs.

 

Price is always a big consideration when making wine purchases.  The California Wine Club prices, in a word, ROCK!  As an example, the Pinot Noir included in my shipment has a “tasting room” price of $30 but reorders are only $12.99 a bottle.  The Edelzwicker has an $18 release price but reorders were only $10.99 a bottle.

 

Their packaging

Besides the wine, my package included a “newsletter” called Uncorked.  This 12 page, full color publication was full of great information.  The info included a nice story on the winery, write ups about the wines including technical info and “insider” information from the owner/winemaker.  The newsletter also included a nice recipe for an Alsatian Onion Tart as well as a list of some previous wine selections still available via the company.

 

 

About Claiborne and Churchill

Claiborne & Churchill is a small, family-owned winery founded in 1983 by Claiborne (Clay) Thompson and Fredericka Churchill.  Former teachers at the University of Michigan (Clay specialized in Old Norse Languages and Literatures and Fredericka taught German), the couple left the “Groves of Academe” for the vineyards of California in 1981 in order to start a new life in the wine industry.  Clay began as a “cellar rat” in a local winery, learning the business from the ground up (actually underground), and soon the two were encouraged to start their own wine production in that host facility.

 

With its first crush in 1983 Claiborne & Churchill announced its special focus, producing 565 cases of Dry Gewürztraminer and Dry Riesling, modeled on the fruity but dry dinner wines of the French province of Alsace.  Claiborne & Churchill now produces about 10,000 cases of wine a year, purchasing grapes from vineyards in the cool maritime valleys of California’s CentralCoast.  About two-thirds of these wines remain our signature wines, the Dry Riesling and Dry Gewürztraminer, which are sold all over the country (and abroad) by a network of brokers and distributors.  A variety of other wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as other wines in the Alsatian style (Pinot Gris, Dry Muscat, and an Edelzwicker), are produced in small lots and can be ordered directly from the winery.

 

In 1995 Clay and Fredericka completed construction on their new and permanent winery building.  This structure, a noteworthy example of environmental architecture, is a “straw bale building,” the first of its kind in California.  With sixteen-inch thick walls made of bales of rice straw, the winery is so well insulated that it maintains a constant cellar temperature, without the need for mechanical cooling or heating.

 

At Claiborne & Churchill traditional European winemaking techniques prevail, including extensive use of barrel-fermentation and barrel-aging (even with Riesling and Gewürztraminer), minimal manipulation of juice and wine, “natural” or spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeast, and limited use of SO2, all in the belief that the winemaker’s task is to bring out the flavor and character that is latent in the grape.  Our aim is to create pleasurable dinner wines in which there is a harmonious balance of fruit and oak, structure and texture.

 

For much more information, visit:  Claiborne & Churchill Website

 

The lineup for this tasting:

 

 

 

2012 Claiborne and Churchill Edelzwicker Proprietors’ Blend – SRP $18

This wine is a blend of 47.5% Gewurztraminer, 47.5% Riesling, 2.5% Pinot Gris and 2.5% Pinot Blanc from various vineyards on California’s CentralCoast.

 

This is sealed with a twist off cap and has 12.9% alcohol.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright yellow to straw color.  The very refreshing nose has apples, honey, spice, orange blossoms, lemon zest, and a faint petrol note.  This wine has light to medium body, is off dry and has decent acidity.  This has a creamy mouth feel and a jolt of closing citrusy acidity.  On the palate this tastes like crisp, tart apples that were dipped in honey and sprinkled with spices and citrus zest.  The finish has decent length with the apples and spice lingering nicely.  This would be wonderful on its own or with a light meal on a warm, sunny day on the deck or patio.  Not a wine for deep thoughts or contemplation, just twist off the top and enjoy.  (87 pts)

 

 

2009 Claiborne and Churchill Pinot Noir – SRP $30

This 100% Pinot Noir was produced using grapes from several vineyards in the EdnaValley.  The finished wine was aged in French oak barrels for 10 months.

 

This has 13.8% alcohol by volume and is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a shade or two darker than medium ruby.  The interesting nose has raspberries, earthy underbrush, cola, cherries, warm baking spices, and a nice floral note.  This has medium body, soft to moderate tannins and good acidity.  The palate is highlighted by tart cherries and spices with earthiness and raspberries coming in on the back end.  The finish has good length with the earthiness and spicy cherries slowly fading away.  (89 pts)

 

This would pair nicely with your holiday dinner or with chicken any time of the year.

 

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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

 

Here is a link to a YouTube video of me getting “coal” from Santa for being named the “Nicest Person in Social Media” in 2012.

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive.  I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

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

 

 

2009 LangeTwins Zinfandel Centennial

2011 Harney Lane Zinfandel Old Vine Lizzy James Vineyard

2012 St. Amant Winery Zinfandel Old Vines Marian’s Vineyard Lodi

2011 Klinker Brick Bricks & Mortar

2010 Mettler Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown

 

 

 

What you call Crazy,

We call Passion

 

About the tasting

Giving Thanks – A Salute to Lodi’s Multi-generational Families

 

This very special virtual tasting was a prelude to Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays.  During this time of year, we reflect on what we’re thankful for, like family and traditions.  We’d like you to celebrate with us as we taste wines produced from families that have been in the tradition of winemaking and winegrape growing for multiple generations (some for over a century!) and discuss the rich history of the Lodi wine region.

 

Highlighting families that have been in the Lodi wine industry for generations, Stuart Spencer – Program Director for the Lodi Winegrape Commission and second generation Winemaker for St. Amant Winery – hosted this tasting along with Randy Lange, fifth generation winegrape grower and Director of Winery Operations at LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards, and Farrah Felten, sixth generation winegrape grower as well as Tasting Room Manager and Wine Club Director at Klinker Brick Winery.

 

 

Lodi Information

Lodi is just east of San Francisco and has provided grapes for producers all over the world since the 1800’s.  The Lodi area has provided grapes for producers all over the world for decades, and many families in Lodi have been growing grapes for six and seven generations.  Today, there are approximately 85 wineries and tasting rooms, over 750 growers and more than 100,000 acres planted to vineyards.  The wines we tasted commemorate the heritage of Lodi and are not only exquisite, but tell a narrative.

 

It is a well-known fact that Lodi is predominantly a red wine region, proudly holding the self-proclaimed title of “Zinfandel Capital of the World”.  What is lesser known is that Lodi’s unique Mediterranean climate allows for over 75 different varietals to thrive.

 

Tons of great and useful information is available on the Wines of Lodi, LOCA website.  I highly encourage you to read about the area by clicking here.  You can also follow Lodi on Twitter at @Lodi_Wine.

 

 

Lodi Green Program

The Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing is California’s first 3rd party-certified sustainable winegrowing program.  Originally launched in 2005, over the past two years the program went through and extensive review to update and make standards more rigorous.

 

The Lodi Rules takes a comprehensive approach to farming that goes beyond just pest management to promote practices that enhance biodiversity, water and air quality, soil health, and employee and community well-being.  This allows us to produce higher quality wines more reflective of the places and people that grow them.  It gives you the opportunity to promote responsible farming by enjoying the great wines from these vineyards.

 

When you drink a certified sustainably grown Lodi wine, you are supporting a farmer, a vintner, and a community that embraces its responsibility to take care of the environment.

 

Visit the Lodi Certified Green site for more information on the region’s sustainable winegrowing.

 

 

About Charles Communications Associates

CCA is an independent creative marketing firm that employs traditional public relations and new media strategies to assist companies, organizations and non-profits in the creation, development and marketing of interesting and compelling brands.  Recognized as one of the most effective PR firms in the wine industry, we have an exceptional track record of promoting products in the gourmet, natural and organic food and beverage categories, from wine and tea to top shelf spirits and luxury goods.  We consider ourselves fortunate to work with clients who share our philosophy of social responsibility in work and everyday life.

 

For more information, visit the CCA website.

 

 

The Line Up

These wines were provided by the wineries and Charles Communications for the tasting:

 

 

 

2009 LangeTwins Zinfandel Centennial – SRP $60

Produced from a vineyard planted in 1903, the Centennial Zinfandel is elegant with layers of rich brambleberry and intense blackberry with well-integrated oak notes and spice.  The Lange Family has been sustainably growing winegrapes in the Lodi Appellation for five generations.  To learn more about LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards, please visit their site by clicking here.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine has 15.2% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

The wine is a medium ruby red color.  The very appealing nose has brambly berries, black peppercorns, vanilla, coconut, spicy oak, warm baking spices and some earthiness.  The wine is fairly full bodied, with soft to moderate tannins and has good acidity.  On the palate peppery berries, spicy oak, and cherries hit up front with a touch of earth in the background.  This has decent length with some coconut joining berries and oak.  (89 pts)

 

 

2011 Harney Lane Zinfandel Old Vine Lizzy James Vineyard – SRP $35

Produced from a vineyard named after Kathy Mettler’s grandchildren, Kirsten Elizabeth and Ian James, this 100% Zinfandel offers lush aromas of raspberry jam, anise and fig compote.  Since 1907, the Mettler Family has been farming vineyards on Harney Lane and surrounding areas.  To learn more about Harney Lane Winery, please visit their website by clicking here.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine has 15.9% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

The wine is a saturated ruby red color.  The inviting nose has briary berries, scorched earth, raspberries, dried herbs and warm baking spices.  The wine has a full body, moderate tannins and decent acidity.  The palate has jammy berries, pepper, spice, some earthiness.  The finish has nice length with some dark chocolate coming in with dried herbs and earth.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2012 St. Amant Winery Zinfandel Old Vines Marian’s Vineyard Lodi – SRP $24

The product of an 8.3-acre block planted on the Mohr-Fry Ranch in 1901, Marian’s Vineyard Zinfandel exhibits ripe berry aromas.  A concentrated mid-palate delivers a broad range of rich fruit flavors.  The owner of a Stockton Medical Laboratory for nearly 20 years before making a life-changing decision to become a winemaker, Tim Spencer opened St. Amant Winery (named after his wife, Barbara’s, maiden name) in 1990.  To learn more about St. Amant Winery, please visit their website.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine has 15.1% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

The wine is a medium ruby red color.  The enticing nose has berries, smoke, tobacco, dried herbs, underbrush and black pepper.  This has medium to full body, moderate tannins and decent acidity.  The palate is highlighted with jammy, peppery berries and smoke.  The finish has very nice length.  (88 pts)

 

 

2011 Klinker Brick Bricks & Mortar – SRP $30

Comprised of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petite Sirah and 10% Old Vine Zinfandel, this delicious wine presents aromas of currant and plum, coupled with garden notes of mint and thyme.  Steve and Lori Felten – fifth generation winegrape growers in the Lodi region – along with daughter, Farrah, continue the tradition of cultivating Old Vine Zinfandel vineyards that their ancestors planted in the early 1900’s.  To learn more about Klinker Brick Winery, please visit the winery’s website.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine has 15.0% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

The wine is a medium to dark ruby color.  The elegant nose has cassis, plum, mint, wild flowers and a hint of leafy herbs.  This has medium body, soft to moderate tannins and good acidity.  This is rich and elegant on the palate with nice mix of fruit and savory with a pleasing herbal note coming in late.  The finish has very good length and is nicely balanced.  (90 pts)

 

 

2010 Mettler Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown – SRP $25

Aged 22 months in French Oak, the Mettler Cabernet exhibits aromas of black cherry, rose petal and tobacco with a suggestion of mineral.  The Mettler Family has been growing premium winegrapes in the Lodi region for six generations, their roots in the wine industry dating back to the early 1800’s.  The Mettler Family’s inaugural wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon, was released in 2001.  To learn more about Mettler Family Vineyards, please visit their website.

 

This wine is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petite Sirah and 1% Petit Verdot.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine has 14.9% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

The wine is a medium to deep ruby color.  The intriguing nose has mint, cassis, warm baking spices, minerals and dried flowers.  The wine has medium body, soft to moderate tannins and good acidity.  There is nice cassis on the palate with mint, minerals and a touch of spicy oak.  The finish is fairly long with cassis and mint leading the way.  (89 pts)

 

 

The video of our Live Chat is available, at least for now, by clicking here.  The entire tasting lasted a bit over an hour.  This is filled with a LOT of great background and information on the region, people, and the wines.

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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

 

Here is a link to a YouTube video of me getting “coal” from Santa for being named the “Nicest Person in Social Media” in 2012.

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive.  I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!