2014 Brassfield Estate Winery Pinot Noir High Serenity Ranch

Domaine Chandon Brut Classic

2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard

Bernard Remy Champagne Grand Cru

1993 Schwaab-Kiebel Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese

2006 Jean Edwards Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard

 

 

 

2014 Brassfield Estate Winery Pinot Noir High Serenity Ranch – $12.56

This was another “steal” from Last Bottle wines, my favorite “flash” wine site.  If you use the provided link and sign up, you get an immediate $10 credit and I get a credit if/when you make a purchase.  Check them out, they have awesome deals and their Marathons are always something special.  This wine had a suggested price of $30 so the Last Bottle price was well over 50% off.

 

Brassfield’s winemaking team is headed by winemaker Matt Hughes and acclaimed consulting winemaker David Ramey.  The fruit for this 100% Pinot Noir comes from three blocks of the coldest blocks in the winery’s estate vineyard.  15% to 20% whole clusters were used after a three day cold soak.  The fermentation was completed using native yeast and twice a day pumpovers.  After fermentation, the wine was aged sur lie fin 30% new French oak and 70% once used French oak barrels for 10 months.

 

The wine is a deep ruby color.  The inviting nose has black cherries, raspberries, pencil shavings, white pepper, minerals, dry underbrush and wild flowers.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and very good acidity.  On the palate cherries, raspberries and minerals jump out of the glass on the front end with pencil shavings and dry underbrush coming in later.  The finish has nice length with white pepper and flowers providing depth.  This seems young and fairly tight at this time, I’d give it a couple hours of air or even better, let it rest in the cellar for another year or two.  This has 14.3% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

Domaine Chandon Brut Classic – $15.49

This is a blend of mostly Chardonnay with a healthy amount of Pinot Noir and a touch of Pinot Meunier.

 

This is a light straw color with several streams of pinpoint sized bubbles.  The festive nose has green apples, yeasty bread, roasted nuts, lime zest and chalky minerals.  This has light to medium body with crisp acidity and just a hint of sweetness.  On the palate tart apples, bread and minerals take control on the front end with roasted nuts coming in later.  Mouthwatering lime zest comes in on the nice finish.  This is a very reasonably priced sparking wine to enjoy any time, not just on a special occasion.  This has 12.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a standard Champagne cork.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard – $39

Morgan sources the grapes for this wine from the same block his father used for his sought after Ravenswood Monte Rosso Zin.  This famous vineyard on the Sonoma side of Mt Veeder was planted in 1886.  This wine was fermented via native yeasts and was aged in 35% new French oak from four Burgundian coopers.

 

The wine is a deep purple color.  The intoxicating nose has brambly berries, plums, dark chocolate, dusty minerals, black pepper, dried herbs, dried wildflowers and a hint of eucalyptus.  This has full body, moderate to solid tannins, a creamy texture and good acidity.  Berries, plums and minerals thoroughly coat your palate on the front end slowly allowing black pepper and dried herbs to enter the picture.  The long, lingering finish adds a dried floral note as well as a touch of eucalyptus.  This is drinking marvelously right now but it still seems a bit young.  This one can be opened now or left in the cellar for several more years.  This wine has 14.4% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (94 pts)

 

 

 

Bernard Remy Champagne Grand Cru – $28.57

This was another “steal” from Last Bottle wines, my favorite “flash” wine site.  If you use the provided link and sign up, you get an immediate $10 credit and I get a credit if/when you make a purchase.  Check them out, they have awesome deals and their Marathons are always something special.

 

This 100% Chardonnay was aged for 5 years on its lees.

 

The wine is a light golden yellow color with several steady steams of pinpoint sized bubbles.  The alluring nose has apples, yeasty bread, lemon zest, dusty minerals, roasted nuts and spring flowers.  This has light to medium body with great acidity.  On the palate tart apples, lemon zest and minerals quickly grab control with yeasty bread and a touch of nuttiness coming in later.  The lingering finish adds a nice floral note.  The citrusy crispness in this bubbly will keep you reaching for another sip.  A very good bargain.  This has 12.0% alcohol.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

1993 Schwaab-Kiebel Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese – $16.41

I have a special place in my heart for a well aged German Riesling.  In their youth these wines may seem disjointed with plenty of residual sugar and an overload of acidity.  Over time in the cellar everything comes together, the sugar and acidity evolve into a rich, silky wine that is so easy to drink they can get addictive.

 

The wine is a bright yellow color with a slight golden tint.  The fresh and vibrant nose has apples, flinty minerals, orange blossoms, honey, lychee nuts, white peach and just a hint of petrol.  This has medium to full body with great acidity and nice lingering sweetness.  On the palate apples, minerals, honey and lychee nuts jump out quickly on the front end with orange blossoms and white peach coming in later.  The finish is long and lingering with a hint of petrol.  This is rich and luxurious, a wonderful bottle of wine that does not taste 24 years old.  I have no idea how long this will hold in the cellar but I am not in any hurry to open my remaining bottles.  This has 8% alcohol and the bottle was sealed with a natural cork that was nasty on the exposed end but otherwise solid.  (95 pts)

 

 

 

2006 Jean Edwards Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard – $40

This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with almost all the fruit from the esteemed Stagecoach Vineyard.  In this vintage, the winery and winemaker Kian Tavakoli blended in a small amount of valley floor Cabernet to “soften” the mountain fruit and add additional depth and complexity.

 

The grapes were hand picked.  After a cold soak and extended maceration with 75% crushed and 25% whole berries each lot was fermented separately in small closed top stainless steel tanks.  The wine was then aged for 20 months in 100% French oak with 60% being new.  The lots were then blended unfined and unfiltered and bottled.

 

The wine is a deep garnet color.  The sensuous nose has cassis, cedar, tobacco, dried herbs, dusty minerals, licorice, dry earth, violets and vanilla bean.  This has medium to full body with moderate to solid tannins and very good acidity.  This explodes on your palate with cassis, cedar, tobacco and minerals quickly grabbing your attention.  On the back end dried herbs and dry earth breaks through the initial wall of flavor providing a solid second wave.  The finish has outstanding length with vanilla bean and violets joining the still prominent cassis and minerals.  This still tastes on the young side, this improved steadily the more air it received.  There is no hurry with this wine, this has the balance and structure to allow it to drink very nicely for at least another decade, perhaps longer.  I’ve loved several Jean Edwards wines over the years but this is one of the best bottles from them that I have opened.  I’d love to follow this wine down the road but unfortunately this is my last bottle of this vintage, my vertical is now only from 2007 to 2014.  This has 14.8% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (96 pts)

 

 

 

A few meals paired with a couple of the wines.

 

Other meals that were paired with all the wines for the week are usually posted on my Instagram account, Cliff’s Wine Picks Instagram.  If you want a specific recipe, send an e-mail to Cliff @ CliffsWinePicks . com.  Obviously, remove the spaces.

 

I paired the 1993 German Spätlese with one of my favorite Cajun dishes, Crawfish and Pasta with Tasso Cream.  The recipe I use is from The Gumbo Shop in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

 

 

What goes great with a Napa Cabernet?  How about Prime Rib?  In this case, the meat was slightly over cooked, closer to medium than medium rare but it was still an outstanding meal.

 

 

I paired the Bedrock Monte Rosso Zinfandel with a burrito stuffed with homemade meat and Mexican rice with black beans and all the usual fixings.

 

 

The Brassfield Pinot Noir was paired with Rotisserie Chicken and fresh from the garden green peas.

 

 

We had the Domaine Chandon Sparking wine with a light lunch on the deck on a warm afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

I am a big fan of the “Flash Wine Sale” site Last Bottle.  You probably noticed some of the wines in this post were purchased from the site.  All of these wines were purchased at a big discount.  I highly recommend getting on their e-mail list.  Like most of the flash sale sites, they offer one wine per day until it sells out.  They also have a couple two-day marathons during the year.  Last Bottle is a great site to buy special wines at prices low enough to open any day of the week.

 

If you sign up using this link you will get a $10 credit that can be used on your first purchase.  I will also get a credit if you make a purchase.

 

Other than getting a credit as explained above, I have no financial interest in the site.  After you are on the list, you can also get the same credit by introducing friends to Last Bottle.

 

 

 

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.

 

I post a lot more pictures and pairing suggestions on my Instagram account, consider joining me at https://www.instagram.com/cbbrown3/

 

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 2018 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 always check out the sale and close out items when in a store.  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!

 

 

2014 Courtney Benham Pinot Noir Central Coast

2015 Loring Wine Company Dornfelder Huber Vineyard

Bernard Remy Champagne Grand Cru

2007 Keplinger Grenache N=1

2014 Autonom Rose of Grenache Santa Barbara County

2010 Château Brown Pessac Leognan

 

 

 

2014 Courtney Benham Pinot Noir Central Coast – $13.42

Courtney Benham is a division of Martin Ray Winery.  Courtney Benham Wines are limited release for special offer to their wine club members but obviously some make it into the hands of the Total Wine stores since I can buy these reasonably priced wines at my local store.

 

The wine is a deep ruby red color.  The relaxing nose has black cherries, dry underbrush, white pepper, licorice, Asian spices and wild flowers.  This has medium body with soft to moderate tannins and good acidity.  On the palate black cherries, underbrush and white pepper come through on the front end with spices and a floral note coming in later.  The finish has nice length with a black tea note providing some depth.  This doesn’t offer a lot of complexity but it is an easy to drink Pinot at a very attractive price.  This has 13.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2015 Loring Wine Company Dornfelder Huber Vineyard – $36.66

Dornfelder is an extremely rare grape variety in the United States.  Dornfelder is a dark skinned grape that was created by August Herold in Germany.  Dornfelder is a cross between two grapes that are generally unknown in this country, Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe.  Visit Wikipedia for a full rundown on this grape and its’ origin.  Dornfelder received varietal protection and was released for cultivation in 1979.

 

The wine is a deep purple, almost black.  The big and bold nose has blackberries, licorice, baking spices, scorched earth and dusty minerals.  This has medium body with soft tannins and decent acidity.  On the palate tart berries, licorice and baking spices dominate the front end with minerals and plums coming in later.  The finish has nice length with plums and spices carrying the load.  This doesn’t offer much in the complexity department but for a sparsely planted grape it provides a nice mouthful of fruit and spice.  This is much lighter on the palate then the nose lead me to expect.  This is a novelty grape at this point, we’ll have to wait to see if it can gain a foothold in California.  This doesn’t offer a lot of QPR at this point, perhaps an increase in acreage would increase the supply but at this point sampling a Dornfelder from California will cost more than it should.  This has 14.3% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a twist-off closure.  (86 pts)

 

 

 

Bernard Remy Champagne Grand Cru – $28.57

This was a purchase from Last Bottle wines, my favorite “flash” wine site.  If you use the provided link and sign up, you get an immediate credit and I get a credit if/when you make a purchase.  Check them out, they have awesome deals and their Marathons are always something special.

 

This 100% Chardonnay was aged for 5 years on its lees.

 

The wine is a light golden yellow color with several steady steams of pinpoint sized bubbles.  The alluring nose has apples, yeasty bread, lemon zest, dusty minerals, roasted nuts and spring flowers.  This has light to medium body with great acidity.  On the palate tart apples, lemon zest and minerals quickly grab control with yeasty bread and a touch of nuttiness coming in later.  The lingering finish adds a nice floral note.  The citrusy crispness in this bubbly will keep you reaching for another sip.  A very good bargain.  This has 12.0% alcohol.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2007 Keplinger Grenache N=1 – $70

Here’s the background on the wine’s name, N=1:

Always game for experimentation, we relented, selecting one 600L barrel to age for another year. This wine is the first iteration of this experiment, hence the name “N=1,” and it will only be repeated in truly exceptional vintages.

 

Production was a minuscule 60 cases, luckily 3 bottles were able to find a home in my cellar.

 

The wine is a deep ruby red color.  The stunning nose has cherries, white pepper, warm baking spices, minerals, roasted herbs, cola and dried flowers.  This has medium to full body with moderate to solid tannins and very nice acidity.  On the palate the tart cherries, white pepper and spices jump out first with roasted herbs and cola coming in on the back end.  The finish is extremely long and nicely layered.  This is absolutely stunning today but it still seems to have more buried deep inside.  Enjoy it with plenty of air or let it sleep in the cellar for a couple more years.  This would fit in nicely as a sleeper in a high end CdP tasting.  The wine has 15% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (95 pts)

 

 

 

2014 Autonom Rose of Grenache Santa Barbara County – $25

Total production was 900 bottles, bottles not cases.

 

The wine is a deep pink salmon color.  The bright and lively nose has cherries, white peach, crushed stones, strawberries, orange blossoms, dry earth and a touch of leafy green herbs.  This has light to medium body with nice acidity and seems to be totally dry.  On the palate bright red fruit and crushed stones come through on the front end with orange blossoms and a hint of leafy herbs coming in on the back end.  The finish has decent length with strawberries and a touch of dry earth providing depth.  This tastes very nice.  Even though I held on to it for an extra year, it isn’t coming across as anything but fresh and crisp.  I liked this wine.  This has 13.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Château Brown Pessac Leognan – $30.30

This was a purchase from Last Bottle wines, my favorite “flash” wine site.  If you use the provided link and sign up, you get an immediate credit and I get a credit if/when you make a purchase.  Check them out, they have awesome deals and their Marathons are always something special.

 

This is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.  For some reason, I think this is a fantastic name for a winery, right up there with Vine Cliff  🙂

 

The wine is a deep ruby red color.  The invigorating nose has cassis, plums, dusty minerals, cedar, tobacco, cherries, dark roast coffee beans, baking spices, violets and dry earth.  This has medium to full body with moderate to solid tannins and very nice acidity.  Cassis, plums, cedar and minerals take control of the palate on the front end with baking spices, cherries and coffee beans coming in later.  The finish has very nice length with dry earth and a nice floral note providing good depth.  This is drinking very nicely today with some air but another year or two in the cellar will be rewarded.  This is everything you could want in a lower cost Bordeaux.  I grew to like this more and more as the evening wore on, glad I have a few more bottle in the cellar to follow over the next 8 to 10 years.  This has 14.0% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

 

 

I am a big fan of the “Flash Wine Sale” site Last Bottle.  You probably noticed some of the wines in this post were purchased from the site.  All of these wines were purchased at a big discount.  I highly recommend getting on their e-mail list.  Like most of the flash sale sites, they offer one wine per day until it sells out.  They also have a couple two-day marathons during the year.  Last Bottle is a great site to buy special wines at prices low enough to open any day of the week.

 

If you sign up using this link you will get a $10 credit that can be used on your first purchase.  I will also get a credit if you make a purchase.

 

Other than getting a credit as explained above, I have no financial interest in the site.  After you are on the list, you can also get the same credit by introducing friends to Last Bottle.

 

 

 

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.

 

I post a lot more pictures and pairing suggestions on my Instagram account, consider joining me at https://www.instagram.com/cbbrown3/

 

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 2017 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 always check out the sale and close out items when in a store.  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!

 

 

2010 Herman Story Syrah Nuts and Bolts

2013 Quivira Grenache Wine Creek Ranch

2010 Carlisle Zinfandel Rossi Ranch

Bernard Remy Champagne Grand Cru

2009 Lewis Cellars Alec’s Blend

 

 

 

2010 Herman Story Syrah Nuts and Bolts – $33.60

A friend of mine belonged to the Herman Story mailing list and I’m thankful he shared his allocation with me.  I love these wine made by Russell P. From.

 

This wine is 100% Syrah and comes from Les Galets, Shadow Canyon, Luna Matta, Terra Bella, White Hawk and Larner Vineyards.  The finished wine was aged in 55% new and 45% neutral French oak barrels.  There were 792 cases produced in this vintage.

 

 

The wine is a dark, inky purple color.  The nose is stunning and full of blackberries, black currant, smoke, meat juices, warm baking spices, blueberries, earthy underbrush and cedar.  This full bodied wine has moderate to solid ripe tannins and good acidity.  This is thick and luscious on the palate with a mouthful of berries and spice grudgingly allowing some spicy oak, earthiness and dark chocolate to enter the picture.  The finish has very nice length with the spicy oak and berries carrying the load.  Not a lot of subtlety but the 16.1% alcohol is kept under wraps.  This has 16.1% alcohol by volume and the bottle is closed with a natural cork and a wax seal.  (93 pts)

 

 

2013 Quivira Grenache Wine Creek Ranch – $20.00

This was another purchase from Last Bottle.  I love the wines and especially the prices the site offers.  More information on joining their e-mail list is below.

 

This is 100% hand harvested Grenache from Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley.  About 15% whole clusters were used to heighten the aromatics and to moderate the extractions.  Only native yeasts were used for fermentation.  Each lot was produced with varying methods, including cold soaking for between 3 and 7 days and the skin contact varied between 10 and 16 days.  Fermentation was completed in small, neutral oak barrels before being blended and aged in large 600 and 900 gallon French oak foudres.

 

The wine is a nice ruby red color.  The enticing nose has strawberries, crushed stone minerals, white pepper, cherries, roasted leafy herbs, wild flowers and dried earth.  This has medium body with moderate ripe tannins and good acidity.  Bright red fruit, minerals and white pepper jump out on the front end with roasted herbs and dry earth coming in later.  The lingering finish adds a pleasing floral note.  This isn’t one to stash away in the back of the cellar, open this easy to enjoy wine over the next couple of years.  This has nice balance and will pair nicely with a variety of foods.  I like this one.  This has 14.7% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (90 pts)

 

 

2010 Carlisle Zinfandel Rossi Ranch – $34.00

I’ve been on the Carlisle mailing list since its’ inception several years ago.  They produce some of the best old vine Zinfandel and Syrah wines coming out of California.

 

This was a comeback year for this wine.  Due to late ripening fruit and early October rains this wasn’t produced in 2009.  There was 9% Rossi Ranch Petite Sirah included in this wine to enhance the texture and to lengthen the finish.  There were only 151 cases of this wine produced.

 

The wine is a deep purple color.  The trance inducing nose is full of brambly berries, dried sage, black pepper, dried violets, vanilla bean, dry underbrush, chalky minerals, plums and baking spices.  This has a full body with moderate ripe tannins and nice acidity.  This is rich and lush on the palate with loads of brambly berries, spice, black pepper and dry sage on the front end with underbrush and minerals coming in on the back end.  The long finish has a nice dried floral note and vanilla.  A touch of alcohol is poking through at times but at this time it is barely noticeable.  I’d drink this one over the next couple of years before the alcohol pops through and takes away from the overall wine.  This has 16.0% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (90 pts)

 

 

Bernard Remy Champagne Grand Cru – $28.57

This is another Last Bottle purchase.  See below for info on the site and a link to join their e-mail list and an instant credit for your first purchase.

 

This 100% Chardonnay was aged for 5 years on its lees.

 

The wine is a light golden yellow color with several steady steams of pinpoint sized bubbles.  The alluring nose has apples, yeasty bread, lemon zest, dusty minerals, roasted nuts and spring flowers.  This has light to medium body with great acidity.  On the palate tart apples, lemon zest and minerals quickly grab control with yeasty bread and a touch of nuttiness coming in later.  The lingering finish adds a nice floral note.  The citrusy crispness in this bubbly will keep you reaching for another sip.  A very good bargain.  This has 12.0% alcohol.  (92 pts)

 

 

2009 Lewis Cellars Alec’s Blend – $49.87

This wine is a blend of 80% Syrah, 17% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.  There were 1000 cases of this wine produced.

 

The wine is a deep, dark, inky purple color.  The big, bold, and rich nose is full of crushed blackberries, blueberries, smoke, charred meat, black pepper, dark bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, cedar, fresh ground coffee and scorched earth.  This has a full body with fairly solid tannins and decent acidity.  On the palate the spicy berries, pepper, and meaty elements hit first followed by vanilla, dark chocolate, and some earthiness.  The finish is fairly long and is highlighted by dark chocolate, vanilla, and berries with spicy cedar also making an appearance.  This is a big and ripe wine made in a take no prisoners style.  This wine has 15.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

 

I am a big fan of the “Flash Wine Sale” site Last Bottle.  Two of the wines in this post were purchased from the site, Quivira Grenache and Bernard Remy Champagne.  Both of these wines were purchased at a big discount.  I highly recommend getting on their e-mail list.  Like most of the flash sale sites, they offer one wine per day until it sells out.  They also have a couple two-day marathons during the year that always have tons of wines at fantastic prices.  Last Bottle is a great site to buy special wines at prices low enough to open any day of the week.

 

If you sign up using this link you will get a $10 credit that can be used on your first purchase.  I will also get a credit if you make a purchase.

 

Other than getting a credit as explained above, I have no financial interest in the site.  After you are on the list, you can also get the same credit by introducing friends to Last Bottle.

 

 

 

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.

 

I post a lot more pictures and pairing suggestions on my Instagram account, consider joining me at https://www.instagram.com/cbbrown3/

 

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 2016 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 always check out the sale and close out items when in a store.  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!