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

 

 

 

 

2015 Clos Dalian Terra Alta Garnacha Blanca

2013 Viñas del Vero Somontano Garnacha Blanca La Miranda de Secastilla

2015 Altovinum Evodia

2015 Castillo de Monséran Garnacha Cariñena

2014 Bodegas Aragonesas Garnacha Campo de Borja Coto de Hayas Centenaria

 

 

Overview

I was invited to participate in a #GarnachaDay online tasting with Snooth and Wines of Garnacha.  These wines were provided to me by the organizers.  A very informative online session hosted by Master Sommelier and Corkbuzz owner Laura Maniec and Master of Wine Christy Canterbury.  You can view the Virtual Tasting Chat Log and view the recorded video by clicking here.

 

Much more informative information is available at the Wines of Garnacha site.

 

Old Garnacha Vines of Bodegas Alto Moncayo.

Picture courtesy of Foods & Wines of Spain

 

 

My Line Up

Here is my line up for this online tasting event:

 

 

2015 Clos Dalian Terra Alta Garnacha Blanca

This wine is 100% Garnacha Blanca (White Grenache) from the Terra Alta region in Spain.  The wine does not see oak.

 

The wine has 12.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light straw yellow color.  The very inviting nose has ripe apples, pears, white pepper, crushed stone minerals, lemon zest, orange blossoms, lime zest, white peaches and beeswax.  This has medium body with nice crisp acidity.  On the palate apples, pears, lemon zest and crushed stones jump out quickly with orange blossoms and beeswax coming in on the back end.  The lingering finish adds mouthwatering lime zest.  The bright fruit and crisp acidity makes this a perfect choice for a light meal or an aperitif on a warm, sunny day.  (89 pts)

 

 

2013 Viñas del Vero Somontano Garnacha Blanca La Miranda de Secastilla

This 100% Garnacha Blanca was aged 4 months in French oak.

 

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

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright yellow color.  The fresh and bright nose has apples, white peaches, crushed stones, pears, orange blossoms and a touch of Spanish peanuts.  The palate has nice white fruit and crushed stones on the front end with white peaches and orange blossoms coming in later.  The crisp finish adds a nutty element and just enough citrus leaving your mouth watering for another sip.  This would be a very nice companion for a light meal or appetizers on a sunny day.  (91 pts)

 

 

2015 Altovinum Evodia

This wine is a custom cuvee for Eric Soloman and comes from high altitude (2400 to 3000 feet) vineyards that were planted up to 100 years ago. The wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks and did not spend any time in oak barrels.

 

This wine has 15% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep garnet color.  The sensuous nose has black cherries, flinty minerals, plums, warm baking spices, dry earth, dried violets, white pepper and melted licorice.  This has a full body with moderate ripe tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate cherries, plums, flint and baking spices quickly take control on the front end with white pepper and licorice coming in later.  The finish has good length with a dried floral note providing nice depth.  This is a smooth, velvety wine with no rough edges.  (91 pts)

 

 

2015 Castillo de Monséran Garnacha Cariñena

This wine is 100% Garnacha from the Cariñena region in Spain.  This wine is fermented and aged for under 12 months in stainless steel tanks.  This wine is produced to be enjoyed early.

 

This wine has 13% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby red color.  The hypnotic nose has blackberries, crushed stones, white pepper, cherries, dry underbrush, violets and warm baking spices.  This has medium to full body with moderate tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate blackberries, crushed stones and baking spices jump out quickly on the front end with white pepper and tart cherries coming in later.  The finish has nice length with dry underbrush and a floral note providing extra depth.  This is a wine that would satisfy both casual and more serious wine drinkers.  (90 pts)

 

 

2014 Bodegas Aragonesas Garnacha Campo de Borja Coto de Hayas Centenaria

This 100% Grenache comes from vineyards planted over 100 years ago.  The wine was aged for 4 months in French oak.

 

The wine has 14% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to dark ruby red color.  The enticing nose has blackberries, cocoa beans, black cherries, baking spices, scorched earth, dusty minerals and a hint of mint.  This has medium to full body with moderate tannins and very nice acidity.  Blackberries, cocoa beans and dusty minerals jump out quickly on the palate with black cherries and scorched earth coming in later.  The finish has very nice length with baking spices providing additional depth.  This is a very tasty wine with solid structure.  (91 pts)

 

 

Conclusion

Spanish Garnacha is generally a crowd pleasing wine.  There is usually nice up front fruit that will appeal to the casual wine drinker but these wines generally have the structure and savory/mineral notes that appeal to the more “serious” wine lover.  If these wines are new to you or it’s been a while since you enjoyed a bottle, grab one on your next wine shopping trip.

 

 

 

 

This presentation and the wines were provided by Snooth.

 

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

 

Mission

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

 

Company Overview

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

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

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

 

Visit Snooth by by clicking here.

 

 

 

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!

 

 

 

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

 

2011 Beso de Vino Cariñena Selección

2013 Bodegas Virgen del Águila Cariñena Agoston Tempranillo & Cabernet

2009 Castillo de Monseran Cariñena Old Vine Garnacha

2011 Beso de Vino Cariñena Old Vine Garnacha

2012 Alto Cinco Garnacha Cariñena

2009 Monte Ducay Cariñena Reserva

 

 

 

 

Overview

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

About the region

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

Mission

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

 

Company Overview

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

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

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

 

Visit Snooth by by clicking here.

 

 

 

My Line Up

Here is my line up for this online tasting event:

 

 

 

2011 Beso de Vino Cariñena Selección

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

 

My Tasting Note

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

 

 

 

2013 Bodegas Virgen del Águila Cariñena Agoston Tempranillo & Cabernet

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

 

My Tasting Note

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

 

 

 

2009 Castillo de Monseran Cariñena Old Vine Garnacha

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

 

My Tasting Note

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

 

 

 

2011 Beso de Vino Cariñena Old Vine Garnacha

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

 

My Tasting Note

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

 

 

 

2012 Alto Cinco Garnacha Cariñena

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

 

My Tasting Note

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

 

 

 

2009 Monte Ducay Cariñena Reserva

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

 

My Tasting Note

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

 

 

Conclusion

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

 

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

 

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

This is original to CliffsWinePicks.com.  Copyright 2014 Cliff’s Wine Picks.

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts

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

 

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

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

2009 Bodegas y Vinedos Montecastro Alconte

2007 Bodegas Valdubon Reserva

 

 

 

Overview

I was invited to participate in a Virtual Tasting exploring the wines of Ribera del Duero.  This was perfect for me since I actually prefer this region over the other “famous” Spanish region, Rioja.  New technology and modern techniques, along with respect for tradition, have driven the quality of Ribera del Duero to its highest accomplishments in over two millennia of winemaking history.

 

Snooth’s Editor-in-Chief, Gregory dal Piaz, and Sommelier Roger Kugler led the discussion of Ribera’s rich history and amazing wines.

 

There were four wines to be discussed during the tasting.  Besides the two wines that were sent to me, 2013 Bodegas y Vinedos Monteabellon Avaniel Rose and 2010 Bodegas Montebaco Semele were also enjoyed by other participants.

 

 

 

 

About the region

The Ribera del Duero is about a two hour drive north of Madrid.  Even though wine has been made in the region for over 2000 years, the region did not receive official Denominación de Origen (DO) status until 1982.

 

The area takes its name from the Duero River that cuts through the region.  The region is about 70 miles long and over 20 miles wide and is home over 250 wineries.

 

The main wine grape in the region is Tempranillo which also answers to Tinto del País and Tinto Fino.

 

This is a large, dry area that receives very little rain.  This dry climate forces the vines to dig deep into the ground to find water and nutrients.  This “struggle” reduces the yield but ensures the grapes produced are full of flavor and minerals.  These wines are generally on the rustic side with rugged tannins and good acidity, perfect with a piece of juicy meat hot off the grill.

 

Much more information on the region and wineries is available by clicking here.

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

Mission

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

 

Company Overview

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

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

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

 

Visit Snooth by by clicking here.

 

 

 

My Line Up

Here is my line up for this online tasting event:

 

 

 

2009 Bodegas y Vinedos Montecastro Alconte

2009 was considered to be a near perfect vintage, comparable in quality to 2004.

 

This was aged for 14 months in a mix of French and American oak.  The total production was 13,345 bottles.  The grapes for this wine came from younger vines.

 

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

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a dark ruby color.  The outstanding nose has plums, blackberries, minerals, licorice, earthy underbrush, dark chocolate, baking spices and white pepper.  This has medium body with moderate to solid tannins and very nice acidity.  On the palate, spicy fruit and minerals jump out first with earthy elements and dark chocolate coming out on the back end.  The finish has decent length but does get a touch rustic.  A year in the cellar may help smooth out the back end and perhaps add a bit more oomph on the finish.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2007 Bodegas Valdubon Reserva – $25

2007 was considered to be a lighter, weaker vintage for the region.

 

This wine is 100% Tempranillo (Tinto del Pais).  The total production for the vintage was 35,868 bottles, mine was number 16,974.

 

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

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly dark violet color.  The enticing nose has black plums, berries, tobacco, baking spices, minerals and a touch of mint.  This wine is barely medium body with soft to moderate tannins and good acidity.  On the palate, spicy fruit and minerals jump out first with spicy oak coming in later.  The finish has good length with some subtle earthiness entering the picture.  I wouldn’t stash this in the cellar to too long, open the bottle and enjoy it over the next year or two.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

Conclusion

These were both easy to like wines full of character.  Even though 2007 was considered to be a weaker vintage, the Valdubon was very nice.  The Valdubon is nearing the end of its life but the Alconte has a couple years to go before it even reaches its full potential.

 

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

This is original to CliffsWinePicks.com.  Copyright 2014 Cliff’s Wine Picks.

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts

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

 

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

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

 

 

 

2013 Domaine du Tariquet Côtes de Gascogne Classic

2012 Domaine Chiroulet Côtes de Gascogne Les Terres Blanches

2010 Producteurs Plaimont Côtes de Saint-Mont Les Bastions

2011 Producteurs Plaimont Côtes de Saint-Mont Tableaux

 

 

 

 

Overview

I was invited by Greg Dal Piaz to participate in a Snooth blogger roundtable tasting of the Wines of Southwest France.  Since this was a region I did not know a lot about, this received a pretty quick, “count me in.”

 

A few days before the tasting, I had to schedule a business trip to visit a couple facilities in Alabama.  I figured, no problem, I can catch the early flight and make it to the hotel in the early afternoon.  Not so fast, the early flight from Atlanta to Birmingham was full.  This meant I wouldn’t be able to make it into Birmingham until the tasting was starting.  Unfortunately, I still had to get my checked luggage, pick up the rental car and drive 45 minutes to the hotel.  Drats!  Once again, not so fast.  I still booked the early flight from Milwaukee to Atlanta, this would give me time to figure out my options during the 5 hour layover.  The problem was magically solved when some open seats on the early flight became available.  Some quick re-ticketing and I made it to the hotel in time to quickly chill my wines in time for the tasting.

 

 

I’m not sure if this will work for everyone or not but the link to a video of our “roundtable” is available by clicking here.  This didn’t work out as originally planned since we were all Google+ Hangout newbies.  The goal was to have everyone online via audio and video but instead we received mainly the “Greg Show” with guest star Fred Dexheimer.  That said, if you want to learn about this region and its wines, I highly recommend checking out the roundtable, it will be an hour well spent.

 

 

 

About the region

Southwest France is a lush, hilly wine region that occupies the corner bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west, and Spain and the Pyrenees Mountains on the south. The region is home to a string of more than two dozen winemaking appellations whose producers are united by a passion for place. Some of the world’s great grape varieties originated here and many of the area’s lesser-known varieties are grown nowhere else.

 

Inviting, authentic, and brimming with character, the quality wines of Southwest France await your discovery!

 

Tons of information on the region, the Appellations, grapes, etc. is available on their website by clicking here.

 

I highly recommend checking out the site and getting to know more about the region.

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

Mission

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

 

Company Overview

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

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

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

 

Visit Snooth by by clicking here.

 

 

 

My Line Up

Here is my line up for this tasting:

 

 

 

2013 Domaine du Tariquet Côtes de Gascogne Classic

This wine is a blend of 45% Ugni Blanc, 35% Columbard, 10% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Gros Manseng.

 

The wine has 10.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light, pale straw color.  The outstanding nose has apples, pineapples, flinty minerals, melon and a touch of spice.  This has light to medium body with good acidity and just a bit of sweetness.  On the palate rich fruit and minerals coat the palate with a touch of spice coming in later.  The finish has decent length and leaves a bit of lingering sweetness that is nicely balanced with tart, citrusy acidity.  This is an extremely easy drinking bottle of wine for a hot Summer evening.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Domaine Chiroulet Côtes de Gascogne Les Terres Blanches         

This wine is a blend of Gros Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc and Ugni Blanc.

 

Skin maceration of the Ugni Blanc and the Sauvignon Blanc was utilized.  Long, direct pressing (as in the Champagne region) of the Gros Manseng, was used to extract as much minerality as possible.  Low-temperature fermentation was utilized to retain the wine’s floral taste.  The wine was aged 8 months on fine lees with regular stirring.

 

The wine has 12.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light, pale yellow color with flecks of green.  The inviting nose has apples, flinty minerals, citrus zest, cantaloupe and white flowers.  This has medium body, crisp acidity and seems totally dry.  On the palate apples and minerals hit first with lime zest coming in on the back end.  The finish has decent length with the minerals leading the way and the fruit providing nice background sweetness.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

2011 Producteurs Plaimont Côtes de Saint-Mont Tableaux – $14

This wine is a blend of 80% Gros Manseng, 15% Petit Courbu and 5% Arrufiac.

 

The wine has 13.0% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright yellow with a slight green tint.  The nose has apples, minerals, roasted nuts, orange blossoms and a touch of smokiness.  The wine has medium body with crisp acidity and seems to be totally dry.  On the palate tart apples and minerals pop out first with a nutty quality coming in on the back end.  The finish has decent length with tart apples and citrus carrying the load until a touch of minerals come into the picture.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Producteurs Plaimont Côtes de Saint-Mont Les Bastions

This wine is a blend of Arrufiac, Petit Courbu, and Gros Manseng.

 

The wine has 13.0% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a nice yellow color with a green tint.  The nose has apples, flinty minerals, melon, white flowers and roasted nuts.  This has medium body with good acidity and just a hint of sweetness.  Apple and minerals kick off the show on the palate with melons and a floral note coming in on the back end.  The finish has nice length with a roasted nut element coming into the picture.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

Conclusion

The specific grapes used in the production of these wines may sound odd and unusual, but the wines are far from odd.  These all had nice up front fruit with solid minerality and crisp, citrusy acidity.  These ranged from the easy drinking, off dry Domaine du Tariquet Côtes de Gascogne Classic to the much more serious Saint-Mont wines.  All the wines are priced well enough that you can grab a case to sip during the hot weather that lies ahead and not break the bank.  I believe all these wines are well under $15 and could be under $10 a bottle if you shop wisely.

 

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

This is original to CliffsWinePicks.com.  Copyright 2014 Cliff’s Wine Picks.

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

Cliff’s Wine Picks mentions or other posts

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

 

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

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

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!