2013 Cosa Obra Pinot Noir

2008 Big Basin Vineyards Mandala

2014 Klinker Brick Zinfandel Old Vine

2001 Boroli Barolo

2012 Terre di Talamo Morellino di Scansano Tempo Riserva

2010 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard

 

 

 

2013 Cosa Obra Pinot Noir – $22.40

This 100% Pinot Noir is a blend of 56% Carneros and 44% Russian River Valley.  The wine was aged for 12 months in 100% French oak, 30% new.

 

The wine is a bright ruby red color.  The slightly shy nose has cherries, baking spices, white pepper, tobacco and dry underbrush.  This has medium body with soft to moderate tannins and good acidity.  This is much more open on the palate with cherries, white pepper and minerals on the front end with tobacco and baking spices coming in later.  The finish has decent length with cranberries and dry underbrush entering the picture.  This wine has 14.2% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2008 Big Basin Vineyards Mandala – $35

Total production was 8 barrels.  This is a blend of 88% Syrah, 8% Grenache and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

The wine is a deep ruby to maroon color.  The big and bold nose is full of blackberries, blueberries, baking spices, dying wood embers, dark chocolate, dried violets and dusty minerals.  This has a full body with moderate to solid tannins and good acidity.  On the palate layers of fruit, spice and minerals jump out on the front end with wood embers and dark chocolate coming in later.  The finish has great length with a nice dried floral note adding some depth.  This is a big, bold and rich wine that needs a hearty meal.  This is now in a prime drinking window that should last another 4 or 5 years.  What this wine lacks in subtlety it makes up for in taste.  This has 15.8% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2014 Klinker Brick Zinfandel Old Vine – $14.84

This wine is a blend of Zinfandel from 16 different vineyard blocks.  The vines have an average age of 86 years.

 

The wine is a deep purple color.  The inviting nose has brambly berries, licorice, plums, black pepper, dry earth and a touch of spicy oak.  This has a full body with moderate tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate brambly berries, black pepper and dry earth jump out on the front end with plums and licorice coming in later.  The finish has nice length with some spicy oak providing depth.  A textbook big zinfandel with sweet fruit and peppery spice that is easy to drink but doesn’t offer much complexity.  This has 15.4% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2001 Boroli Barolo – $32.99

This 100% Nebbiolo comes from vineyards in the territory of Castiglione Falletto, in the heart of the Langhe and the Barolo area.

 

The wine is a deep ruby color with some bricking at the edge.  The sensuous nose has black cherries, eucalyptus, cedar, tobacco, leather, dusty minerals, dry underbrush, dried roses, road tar and baking spices.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and very good acidity.  On the palate black cherries, cedar, tobacco and dried underbrush come through on the front end with spices, tar and leather coming in later.  The finish has very good length with a dried floral note and a hint of eucalyptus providing depth.  This is drinking marvelously today and should hold for a few more years.  This has 14.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Terre di Talamo Morellino di Scansano Tempo Riserva – $15.09

This wine is a blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Alicante and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The vines are an average of 10 years old.

 

The wine is a medium ruby red color.  The appealing nose has cherries, scorched earth, underbrush, white pepper, mushrooms and dried flowers.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and very nice acidity.  On the palate cherries, underbrush and dry earth jump out on the front end with white pepper and roasted mushrooms coming in later.  The finish has nice length with a dried floral note providing some depth.  This tastes very nice today but some cellar time will be rewarded.  This has 14% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard – $46.00

If you follow this blog, you already know I’m a big fan of Brian Loring’s wines.  His Rosella’s Vineyard is generally my second favorite wine behind the Clos Pepe wines.  These are generally made in a bigger riper style, very Californian.  If you’re looking for a Burgundian style of wine, look elsewhere.  If you are looking for a rich and flavorful Pinot Noir, welcome home.

 

The wine is a nice deep garnet red color.  The easy to enjoy nose has black raspberries, black cherries, crushed stone minerals, wild flowers, baking spices, earthy underbrush and a touch of mint.  This has medium to full body, soft to moderate ripe tannins and good acidity.  On the palate spicy dark fruit and some earthiness hit first, followed by minerals and a hint of mint.  The finish has great length and full of nicely layered fruit, spice and earthiness.  This wine is in its’ prime drinking window now and should hold for a couple years.  This has 14.9% alcohol by volume and is closed with a twist off cap.  (94 pts)

 

 

 

 

I am a big fan of the “Flash Wine Sale” site Last Bottle.  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!

 

 

2011 Elyse Zinfandel Morisoli Vineyard

2015 Gérard Bertrand Cote des Roses

2013 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Blanc Reserve En Bonbonne

2004 Vincent Arroyo Petite Sirah

2014 Bedrock Wine Co. Mourvedre Ode to Lulu Old Vine Rosé

2013 Cosa Obra Pinot Noir

 

 

 

2011 Elyse Zinfandel Morisoli Vineyard – $17.31

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 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 is a blend of 87% Zinfandel, 13% combination of Alicante Bouschet, Carignane, Durif, Grand Noir, Muscat Hamburg, Négrette, Syrah, and Valdiguié.  Elyse has been making Zinfandel from the Morisoli Vineyard since 1986 and have been the only producer using these grapes since 1988.

 

The wine is a deep maroon color.  The captivating nose has brambly berries, black peppercorns, dusty minerals, scorched earth, baking spices, dark chocolate, cherries, violets and just a hint of roasted leafy herbs.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and very nice acidity.  On the palate brambly berries, baking spices and dusty minerals immediately jump out with spicy oak, black pepper and cherries coming in later.  The finish has nice length with some subtle earthiness joining a floral note and dark chocolate to add solid depth.  This is a well balanced, food friendly Zinfandel to enjoy over the remainder of the decade.  This wine has 14.4% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2015 Gérard Bertrand Cote des Roses – $11.49

This is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah.

 

The three grape varietals are harvested separately when they reach the desired level of ripeness, not all at the same time.  The grapes are machine harvested and contains a built-in sorting system.

 

The wine is a bright pink salmon color.  The tantalizing nose has raspberry, white peach, white pepper, cherries, minerals, orange zest and a hint of leafy herbs.  This has medium body with a creamy texture and nice acidity.  On the palate bright fruit and minerals take control on the front end with white pepper and leafy herbs coming in on the back end.  The finish has nice length with a bit of orange zest providing some depth.  Not a lot of complexity but tasty.  This would be perfect for a light lunch on the deck or patio on a sunny day.  This has 12.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a glass stopper.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2013 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Blanc Reserve En Bonbonne – SRP $50

This was a sample provided by the winery or a company working on their behalf.

 

This wine is a blend of 55% Roussanne, 26% Grenache Blanc and 19% Picpoul Blanc and is the winery’s homage to the complex blended wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

 

The wine is a very light yellow color with a slight green tint.  The intriguing nose has apple, honeysuckle, lemon zest, pears, chalky minerals, beeswax, orange blossoms and a hint of leafy herbs.  This is creamy and medium bodied on the palate with enough acidity to keep it lively.  On the palate apples, pears and chalky minerals quickly grab control on the front end with orange blossoms and lemon zest slipping in on the back end.  The finish has very nice length with a leafy herb note providing depth.  This is in a very nice drinking window right now and it should hold for another few years.  This has 14.1% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a twist off cap.   (92 pts)

 

 

 

2004 Vincent Arroyo Petite Sirah – $28.80

This has been a favorite Petite Sirah since I first visited the winery well over a decade ago.  I always encourage friends to visit the winery since a visit usually includes barrel tasting at least a few of their wines.  On one visit, we must have tasted wines from a dozen different barrels.

 

This is the winery’s “signature” wine.  It is a blend of several different blocks that surround the winery.  I’ve always felt a winery’s best looking vineyard was the one around the winery and tasting room, this is, in most cases, a person’s first impression of the winery.  Great looking and well maintained vineyards will greatly improve a potential buyer’s impression of the winery.  Conversely, if the vineyard and grapes don’t look appealing, a person’s first impression may be a negative one.

 

The wine is a dark purple to black color with no signs that it’s 13 years old.  The intoxicating nose has blackberries, black pepper, warm baking spices, cedar, well worn leather and just a hint of adhesive tape.  This has medium to full body, moderate tannins and good acidity.  The palate is dominated by spicy, peppery berries on the front end with a touch of cedar coming in late.  The finish has very good length with a hint of adhesive tape.  The wine does seem to have a touch of brett but only in a good way, like a lot of the Rhone wines.  This still seems to have years of life left if stored in a decent cellar.  This has 14.8% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

2014 Bedrock Wine Co. Mourvedre Ode to Lulu Old Vine Rosé – $19.00

This rosé comes from vines planted before 1940.  The grapes were picked specifically for rosé and was not created to “beef up” a red wine, a practice at some wineries.  The majority of this wine is old vine Mourvedre with small amounts of Cemetary Vineyard Carignane and fruit from Evangelho Vineyard.  This is one of my Go-To rosé wines every year.

 

The wine is a deep pink salmon color.  The very inviting nose has strawberry, cherry, crushed stone minerals, white pepper, orange blossoms and just a hint of dry earth.  This is barely medium body with very nice acidity.  On the palate nice red fruit and minerals  quickly grab your attention with white pepper and orange blossoms coming in later.  The finish has good length with just a hint of earthiness providing depth.  This is one of my go-to Summer sippers.  This has 12.3% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2013 Cosa Obra Pinot Noir – $22.40

This 100% Pinot Noir is a blend of 56% Carneros and 44% Russian River Valley.  The wine was aged for 12 months in 100% French oak, 30% new.

 

The wine is a bright ruby red color.  The slightly shy nose has cherries, baking spices, white pepper, tobacco and dry underbrush.  This has medium body with soft to moderate tannins and good acidity.  This is much more open on the palate with cherries, white pepper and minerals on the front end with tobacco and baking spices coming in later.  The finish has decent length with cranberries and dry underbrush entering the picture.  This wine has 14.2% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (89 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!

 

 

 

2008 Turley Zinfandel Cedarman

2012 Buoncristiani Malbec Napa Valley

2013 Cosa Obra Pinot Noir

2013 Domaine La Millière Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Unique Vieilles Vignes

2014 Jean Edwards Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Dalla Gasperina Vineyard

2010 Turley Zinfandel Rattlesnake Ridge

2009 Jaffe Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Metamorphosis

 

 

 

2008 Turley Zinfandel Cedarman – $26.29

I’ve been a big fan of the Turley Cedarman Zinfandels for a number of years.  Cedarman is a blend of fruit from both Rattlesnake Ridge and Dragon Vineyards, located at the top of Howell Mountain in Napa Valley.  Although primarily Zinfandel, a small amount of Petite Syrah from the Rattlesnake vineyard is used as well.  This has 15.6% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

The wine is a fairly deep ruby color.  The very inviting nose has raspberries, black pepper, melted licorice, crushed stones, wild flowers, dark bittersweet chocolate, smoke, and some earthiness.  This has full body, fairly solid tannins, and very nice acidity.  On the palate the sweet berries provide a nice counter balance to the savory notes of black pepper, minerals, and dark chocolate.  The finish is long and very flavorful with some nice earthiness coming into the picture.  The tannins and acidity provide a solid backbone that ensures this will last in the cellar through the end of the decade.  Enjoy this now or let it sleep for a few more years, either way you’ll enjoy this one.  (93 pts)

 

 

2012 Buoncristiani Malbec Napa Valley – $46.67

This wine is 100% Malbec and was aged for 20 months in 100% French oak with 75% of the barrels being new.  This wine has a suggested retail price of $75.  This was the fifth vintage of this wine the winery produced.  The grapes come from small lots harvested exclusively from ultra premium Hillside blocks in the Eastern Vaca Mountain range.  Total production was 250 cases.

 

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

 

The wine is a deep, dark, opaque purple color.  The show-stopping nose has blackberries, blueberries, licorice, white pepper, vanilla, baking spices, freshly ground espresso beans and violets.  This full bodied wine has soft to moderate tannins and nice acidity.  This wine is rich and plush on the palate with crushed berries, white pepper, vanilla and baking spices grabbing your attention on the front end with espresso beans and a nice floral note coming in later.  The finish has nice length with the fruit, white pepper and spices carrying the major load.  This may be a bit on the young side, but it still is very easy to drink and more importantly easy to enjoy.  (92 pts)

 

 

2013 Cosa Obra Pinot Noir – $22.40

This 100% Pinot Noir is a blend of 56% Carneros and 44% Russian River Valley.  The wine was aged for 12 months in 100% French oak, 30% new.

 

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

 

The wine is a bright ruby red color.  The slightly shy nose has cherries, baking spices, white pepper, tobacco and dry underbrush.  This has medium body with soft to moderate tannins and good acidity.  This is much more open on the palate with cherries, white pepper and minerals on the front end with tobacco and baking spices coming in later.  The finish has decent length with cranberries and dry underbrush entering the picture.  (89 pts)

 

 

2013 Domaine La Millière Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Unique Vieilles Vignes – $11.73

This wine is roughly a 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah from 50 to 100 years old vines.  The wine has 13.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

The wine is a light ruby red color.  The appealing nose has blackberries, baking spices, tobacco, cherries, crushed stone minerals, dried herbs, wild flowers and dry underbrush.  This has medium body with soft to moderate tannins and very nice acidity.  On the palate tart fruit, stony minerals and spice grab hold quickly with dried herbs and underbrush coming in later.  The finish has nice length with a floral note adding depth.  This is very easy to drink and enjoy.  (91 pts)

 

 

2014 Jean Edwards Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Dalla Gasperina Vineyard

This is the first white wine produced by Jean Edwards Cellars.  This is a blend of 92% Sauvignon Blanc and 8% Semillon.

 

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

 

The wine is a pale straw yellow color.  The enticing nose has apples, lemon zest, white pepper, leafy herbs, pineapple, dusty minerals, apricot, orange blossoms and anise.  This has medium body with mouthwatering acidity.  On the palate tart apples, white pepper, lemon zest and an herbal streak immediately take control on the front end with apricot and orange blossoms coming in later.  The finish has very nice length with anise and dusty minerals joining the tropical fruit and white pepper.  The crisp acidity will leave your mouthwatering for another sip.  A great initial white wine effort from this formerly red wine only winery.  This is very drinkable now but will last for at least two or three years, maybe longer.  (92 pts)

 

 

2010 Turley Zinfandel Rattlesnake Ridge – $37.99

The mountain grown fruit always gives this wine a bit more backbone and a gritty edge.  The mountain grown fruit also generally highlights the savory, peppery elements of the zinfandel grape.  This wine has 16.1% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

The wine is a deep garnet red color.  The inviting nose has brambly berries, black pepper, crushed stone minerals, baking spices, cherries, asphalt and dried violets.  This has a full body with moderate to solid tannins and good acidity.  On the palate brambly berries, crushed stones and black pepper take control immediately with cherries and baking spices coming in later.  The finish has very good length with asphalt and dried violets adding depth.  This is very tasty today but will last in the cellar through the end of the decade.  Even though this has over 16% alcohol it is not noticeable under all the fruit and spice.  (93 pts)

 

 

2009 Jaffe Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Metamorphosis – $32.85

This wine is 100% Estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon from the vineyards in St. Helena.    This wine has 14.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

The wine is a deep garnet color.  The enticing nose has cassis, cedar, dusty minerals, baking spices, licorice,  plums, cocoa powder and dried violets.  This has medium body with moderate tannins and nice acidity.  Cassis, cocoa powder, dusty minerals and cedar coat the palate on the front end with plums and licorice coming in later.  The finish has very good length with a dried floral note and plums joining the cassis, cedar and minerals.  This has very nice balance and is very easy to enjoy.  This will drink well through at least the end of the decade.  (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 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!