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

 

 

2011 Wente Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Louis Mel Livermore Valley

2011 Wente Vineyards Riesling Riverbank Arroyo Seco

2012 Wente Vineyards Chardonnay Eric’s Small Lot

2010 Wente Vineyards Merlot Sandstone

 

 

This is from an online wine tasting in conjunction with an upcoming Front Porch Music Series concert.  More information on Wente Vineyards and their concerts is available on their website.

 

 

Wente Vineyards History

Wente Vineyards, founded 130 years ago, is the oldest, continuously operated family owned winery in the country.  The Livermore Valley based facility is owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the family.  The family has approximately 3,000 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards at their disposal.  These grapes are used to create the single grape wines and unique blends the winery has in their diverse portfolio.

 

 

In addition to being a world class winemaker, Karl Wente is also a serious musician.  For this special tasting, Karl will be pairing the wines with up and coming indie bands performing during his Front Porch Music Series.  In a way to support emerging talent, Wente Vineyards holds 3 performances at their property every summer featuring local and up and coming bands.  As a prelude to the second concert on August 3rd, Karl will team up with one of the members of the rockin’ Stone Foxes to discuss music and wine pairings.

 

Note about Stone Foxes: they performed at last year’s music series and based in the region, are big supporters of “homegrown” bands from the Bay Area.  They’ve also performed at the Wente Foundation for Arts Educations Auction.

 

 

The line up of wines for this tasting:

 

 

 

2011 Wente Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Louis Mel Livermore Valley – SRP $15

This is a tank fermented and aged Sauvignon Blanc from the Estate owned vineyards in the Livermore Valley.  The alcohol in this win is 13%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light straw color.  The fresh and crisp nose has nice apple, melon, citrus, minerals, and a slight herbal note.  This has light to medium body with crisp, citrusy acidity.  On the palate the orchard fruit and minerals hit first with a nice grassy component and tart citrus kicking in on the back end.  The juicy finish leans on the minerals, herbal notes, and mouthwatering citrus.  This is a very nice, food friendly glass of wine.  The minerality on the nose is like cold rain hitting hot rocks. (89 pts)

 

 

2011 Wente Vineyards Riesling Riverbank Arroyo Seco – SRP $15

This wine was cold fermented in stainless steel tanks to help highlight the natural fruit flavors in the Riesling grape.  The wine was aged in stainless tanks and there was no malolactic fermentation to help retain the crisp acidity.  The final alcohol is 12%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light straw color with some yellow highlights.  The nose smells like a tropical fruit salad with honey dipped apples, orange blossoms, pineapple, lime zest, grapefruit, minerals, and a nice floral note.  This has medium body, decent acidity, and nice residual sweetness.  On the palate the apples, honey, and lime zest kick off the show with minerals and a touch of mouthwatering grapefruit coming in on the back end.  The finish has nice length and closes with some nice lime and good sweetness.  This would work well with spicy food, but would shine on its own on a warm evening.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Wente Vineyards Chardonnay Eric’s Small Lot – SRP $25

I’m a big fan of stainless steel tank fermented and aged Chardonnay wines that also did not go through malolactic fermentation.  This process lets the fruit and minerality shine through without oak and buttery notes getting in the way and maintains the food friendly acidity.  The final alcohol level in this wine is 13.7%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light yellow to straw color.  The Spring time like nose has apples, pineapples, minerals, orange blossoms, pears, and white peaches.  This has medium body with good acidity.  On the palate the orchard fruit hits first with building minerality and pineapple coming in on the back end.  The finish has nice length and closes with mouthwatering lemon zest.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Wente Vineyards Merlot Sandstone – SRP $18

This Merlot is from the gently sloping vineyards in the southeastern corner of Livermore Valley.  The area generally has warm days and cool nights due to its proximity to the San Francisco Bay.  The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks before being aged for 16 months in a mix of American, French, Eastern European, and neutral oak barrels.  The final alcohol is 13.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red color.  The very appealing nose had plums, berries, baking spices, vanilla, minerals, and a bit of earthiness.  This has medium body, soft to moderate tannins, and good acidity.  On the palate the wine has a nice mix of fruit and savory elements with some building minerality kicking in on the back end.  The finish has good length with the fruit slowly giving way to minerals and a solid earthiness.  This is a very nice, food friendly, week night Merlot.  (89 pts)

 

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

2010 Two Hands Shiraz Angels Share

2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Albariño Abrente

2010 Treasure Hunter Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Panjanatan Paso Robles

2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Mourvedre Ode to Lulu Rosé

2010 Turley Cabernet Sauvignon The Label

 

 

 

2010 Two Hands Shiraz Angels Share – $23.74

Two Hands wines are a “house favorite” around here.  Unfortunately the prices have rapidly increased, almost to the point the “Garden Series” wines are now special occasion wines.  This wine is still fairly reasonably priced as log as you shop around.  The price I paid is several dollars below the usual price for this wine.  Its a good value at this price, but for over $30 the value starts to get a bit iffy.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark ruby to purple color.  The very inviting nose has blackberry, smoldering charcoal, minerals, vanilla, white pepper, road tar, and a slight herbal note.  This has fairly full body, moderate to solid tannins, and good acidity.  On the palate the berries, minerals, and white pepper hit first with a nice herbal note coming in on the back end.  The finish has good length with some building smokiness and dark chocolate.  This is on the young side and will probably improve with another year in the cellar.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Albariño Abrente – $22.00

Though this wine is offered on the Bedrock mailing list (and listed in Cellar Tracker) as made by Bedrock, the wine is actually the result of a partnership between winemakers Michael Havens (the first person to make Albariño in the New World) and Morgan Twain-Peterson.

 

Like I noted above this is not really made by Bedrock, but is actually a “side project” for Morgan Twain-Peterson.  I think this is the only wine being made by this partnership, but I, for one, would love to see them expand the portfolio.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright and vibrant yellow to light gold color.  The crisp and refreshing nose has apples, lime, lemon zest, orange blossoms, minerals, melon, and a very slight herbal note.  This has light to medium body, crisp acidity, and just a touch of residual sweetness.  The orchard fruit and citrus play off each other very nicely on the palate with a streak of minerals coming in on the back end.  The finish is fairly long with a mouthwatering lime note and minerals slowly fading away leaving you to grab the glass for another sip.  This will really shine on a warm Summer evening over a light meal.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Treasure Hunter Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Panjanatan Paso Robles – $19.79

I grabbed several bottles of this wine, since a social media friend, Mark Adams, was the wine maker.  I’m glad I loaded up since the past few bottles have all be very good.  It’s always nice to get a good Cabernet for around $20.  Mark Adams is also the owner/wine maker of Ledge Vineyards.  He is also the Assistant Wine Maker for Saxum.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark ruby to maroon color. The deep and dark nose has blackberries, cassis, cedar, dried herbs, minerals, smoke, licorice, baking spices, and violets. This has medium to full body with fairly solid, ripe tannins and good acidity. The wine is rich and velvety on the palate with spicy fruit, dried herbs, and minerals leading the way. The finish is fairly long with nice spicy fruit, dried herbs, and a touch of earthiness. A nice, rich, but not over the top Cabernet from Paso Robles.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Mourvedre Ode to Lulu Rosé – $19.00

This rosé from Bedrock as well as Villa Creek’s offering, form the nucleus of my warm weather  rosé wines.  I mix in a few others I buy at the local store, but these two make up well over 50% of the rosés we drink during the year.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light pink to salmon color. The fresh and clean nose has strawberries, minerals, white peaches, cherries, and some subtle earthiness. This has light body with crisp acidity and maybe just a touch of residual sugar. Crisp, juicy fruit and minerals dominate the palate with a touch of earthiness in the background. The finish has nice length and leaves a very slightly sweet and crisp final impression. The perfect wine to enjoy on a warm Summer afternoon with or without food.  (90 pts)

 

 

2010 Turley Cabernet Sauvignon The Label – $40.00

When I received the offer from Turley for this Cabernet, I had to grab a few bottles.  I’ve read some mixed reviews on this wine so it seems like a perfect time give it a try.  I’m hoping the negative reviews are from the people that were expecting a big, ripe, overly rich wine.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep garnet color.  The very nice nose has cassis, baking spices, violets, cherry, dried herbs, and a touch of dark bittersweet chocolate.  This has medium body moderate tannins, and good acidity.  The creamy palate has nice up front berries, cherries, and spice with dried herbs and some building dark chocolate coming in on the back end.  The finish has decent length with a touch of earthiness joining the components from the palate.  This may not have a ton of complexity but is an enjoyable wine and seems to be in a very nice drinking window.  The QPR at $40 open for debate, but I’m glad I have more in the cellar.  (91 pts)

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Everyone knows, you have to serve wine at an acceptable temperature for it to taste its best.  It’s not that hard to get the wine to the right temperature for that first glass, but how about the second?

 

There are some decent options out there, but most are a bit messy.  An ice bucket works great, but if not monitored, will get the wine too cold, and a bucket of ice just doesn’t look good on your dining room table.  There are bottle wraps you throw in the freezer and slip around the bottle.  Again, they work great and are better looking, but they can cause a puddle of water from the bottle sweating.

 

Enter the Angle33 Thermal.

 

 

 

 

This is a block of cement that is nicely finished with a hole in the middle for your bottle of wine.  The Thermal retains its temperature very nicely, even on a warm day on your deck or patio.

 

 

 

The process is simple, the Thermal will retain its temperature ensuring the bottle inside also maintains the proper temperature.  You can keep your thermal in your wine cellar, pop it in the refrigerator, or even pop it in the freezer to get it to the desire temperature.

 

After opening your bottle, simply put it in the Thermal and it will maintain the desired serving temperature for well over an hour.

 

We’ve put the Thermal in the freezer for an hour and been able to enjoy a cold and crisp Sauvignon Blanc for over an hour and a half on our deck using the Thermal.

 

The same goes for a bottle of red wine.  I popped the Thermal in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and it kept our wine at a proper temperature for over an hour.  In a side by side comparison, another bottle of wine was too warm after only 15 minutes on the sunny 80 degree day.

 

 

I know, who wants a chunk of concrete on their table?  These are nicely finished and smooth.  They are available in 5 colors and have a nice cork bottom to ensure your table or bar doesn’t get scratched.

 

 

 

The only catch is to order the proper size.  My Thermal was the standard size and most bottles fit nicely.  Some of the bigger bottles used by some wineries would not fit.  It wouldn’t accommodate a bottle of Saxum or a bottle of Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc.  Forget about trying to put a Turley Zin in this size Thermal.  Luckily, the Thermal is available in three sizes.  Standard, Pinot, and Champagne.

 

The price for the Standard and Pinot (for larger bottles) models are $64.99, the Champagne model, which also holds magnums is $69.99.

 

Much more information, videos, testimonials, and their other products are available on their website.

 

 

These are environmentally friendly and virtually indestructible.

 

 

These are available in the following colors:

Mineral, Pepper, Plum, Tobacco, and my color, Butter.

 

They will imprint your Thermal with artwork or a logo if desired.

 

 

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!

 

 

 

2010 Don Sebastiani & Sons Sauvignon Blanc Project Paso

2009 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills

2007 Anthill Farms Syrah Windsor Oaks Vineyard

 

 

 

2010 Don Sebastiani & Sons Sauvignon Blanc Project Paso – $7.59

Project Paso is a venture by Don Sebastiani & Sons in an attempt to highlight the wines coming out of the Paso Robles area.  In 1990 there were fewer than 20 wineries in Paso Robles, there are now over 200.  The area is now the fastest rowing AVA in California.  The Project Paso wines are meant to provide quality, distinctive, wallet friendly wines that can be enjoyed any time.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light, pale straw yellow color.  The tropical smelling nose has citrus zest, apples, minerals, pineapple, lime, white pepper, and fresh cut grass.  Light body with tart acidity and just a touch of sweetness.  This shows crisp citrus on the palate with some grassy notes and apple.  There is decent length on the finish with a bit of white pepper coming in on the back end.  This is nothing too special but nice on a hot afternoon or with a light meal on the deck or patio.  What more could you want in a $8 wine?  (86 pts)

 

 

 

2009 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills – $24.00

In my opinion, the Loring appellation wines are some of the best bargains out there when it comes to quality California Pinot Noir.  The Loring appellation wines are, at least to me, dialed down a notch compared to their single vineyard siblings.  This and the lower prices, under $25 make them a nice way to kick up a week night dinner several notches without breaking the bank.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly deep ruby red color.  The very sexy and open nose has raspberries, black cherries, cola, baking spices, vanilla, smoke, wild flowers, white pepper, earthiness, and a faint herbal note.  This has a medium body, silky tannins, and very nice acidity.  On the palate the wine shows juicy, spicy berries, and just a hint of an herbal element that adds to the taste in a positive way, with some building pepper and citrus zest coming in on the back end.  On the fairly long finish the juicy berries, spice and white pepper are joined by some earthiness.  This is an very good wine and a great value for under $25.   (91 pts)

 

 

 

2007 Anthill Farms Syrah Windsor Oaks Vineyard – $25.00

Anthill Farms likes to make a “one off” wine.  In 2005, they made a Syrah with grapes from the Windsor Oaks Vineyard that turned out so well, it was quickly made part of their line up.  This is a classic cool climate Syrah that shows tart acidity and good savory elements.  The vineyard is only 10 miles from the coast and the grapes struggle to ripen in this area, resulting in longer “hang times”.  This is not a fruit forward, fruit driven, fruit bomb.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark ruby color.  The slightly shy nose eventually shows raspberries, blackberries, dark chocolate, black pepper, minerals, road tar, and some earthiness.  This has medium body, fairly solid tannins, and very good acidity.  On the palate the bright berries and pepper dominate the front end with dark chocolate, more pepper, and some earthiness coming in on the back end along with a big blast of mouthwatering acidity.   The finish shows a touch of stems but otherwise is a continuation of the fruit and pepper.  The finish is a touch clipped when the acidity kicks in.  This could easily sit in the cellar for several more years and may improve if some of the acidity would integrate.  This wine needs food and shines in that role.  (90 pts)

 

 

Connect with me

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

 

 

2012 The Seeker Pinot Grigio

2012 The Seeker Riesling

2012 The Seeker Rosé

2012 The Seeker Red Blend

 

All wines have a suggested retail price of $10 to $15.

 

 

 

I was given the opportunity to sample some new wines from The Seeker.  Earlier I had the opportunity to sample some other wines from them.  My write up on those wines is available here.

 

 

This group of wines is perfect to enjoy during the warmer weather this Summer with lighter meals on the deck or patio or to share with friends on a warm evening over good conversation.

 

 

 

Winery Information (winery supplied)

Do you have a taste for risk, a curious nature, and a daring spirit?  Then come, join The Seeker on a singular wine adventure!  The Seeker is a lively line of wines from all over the world.  Our wanderings yielded distinct wines from disparate lands, delighting the senses on a global taste journey.  It is a carefully curated collection of the best wines from where they grow best, each wine lovingly crafted by a different family winery.

 

For The Seeker, it’s all about the journey.  Simply glance at the labels and you’ll see; the mid-19th century flying machines embody an era of wonder and mystery, of explorers out to conquer the known world… and beyond.  The Seeker speaks to the unknown, the unknowable, and the thrill of discovery. Cheers!

 

The Seeker Wines were created by a family company that called on its 65+ years of experience to source from the best family-owned wineries in the world at an affordable price.  With a dedication to reducing our carbon footprint, The Seeker Wines extends our eco-friendly philosophy from our immediate family to our global family.  So whether by land, sea, or air, take flight with us and seek more information at http://theseekerwines.com

 

The line up for this tasting:

 

2012 The Seeker Pinot Grigio (Italy, Veneto)

This is 100% Pinot Grigio from the Veneto region in Italy.  The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks on light lees.  This unoaked wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation to retain the fresh acidity and to maintain the varietal character.

 

The final alcohol in the wine is 12.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very light yellow color with a slight green tint.  The crisp and refreshing nose has apples, lemon zest, pears, minerals, orange blossoms, and a touch of spice.  This has light to medium body, citrusy acidity, and has just a touch of sweetness.  On the palate the bright, juicy fruit is joined by a touch of almond before the mouthwatering citrus kicks in.  The finish has nice length and closes on a slightly sweet pear/citrus note.  (87 pts)

 

This easy drinking Pinot Grigio would be a fine partner with just about any lighter, warm weather dish.  I think this would shine if served with some grilled shrimp.  This has more body and depth than your typical Italian Pinot Grigio.

 

 

 

2012 The Seeker Riesling (Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer)

This is 100% hand harvested Riesling is from the Trittenheim and Piesport Vineyards in the Mosel region in Germany.  The wine was fermented in stainless steel and oak casks.  The wine was aged 3 to 8 months in a mix of stainless steel and oak casks.

 

The final alcohol in the wine is 8.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright yellow color with a slight green tint.  The slightly shy nose eventually shows honey dipped apples, pineapple, white pepper, minerals, and a very faint petrol note.  This has medium body, crisp acidity, and nice residual sweetness.  On the palate this has tart apples, honey, and crisp citrus with nice sweetness coming in on the back end.  The finish has very nice length and closes with a sweet note.  The sweetness and acidity are very nicely balanced.  (91 pts)

 

This would excel if paired with a spicy Asian dish.  I love an off dry Riesling with spicy Cajun food and this would be outstanding with seafood gumbo.  This would also be a nice glass of wine to sip on a warm evening over good conversation with friends.

 

 

 

2012 The Seeker Rosé (France, Provence)

This is a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Cinsault from vineyards in the AOC Côtes de Provence.  The grape varieties were vinified separately before blending.  The wine was aged in tanks (no oak).

 

The final alcohol in the wine is 12.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a very nice pink salmon color.  The inviting nose has watermelon, white peach, minerals, red raspberries, orange zest, a touch of spice, and a slightly salty sea breeze element.  This has light to medium body, with good acidity, and is dry.  On the palate the fruit steps to the forefront with spice and building minerality supporting the back end.  The finish has nice length and closes on a distinct mineral note with just a touch of sweetness from the red fruit.  (89 pts)

 

This dry Rosé would pair very nicely with a mixed greens salad with a light berry infused vinaigrette dressing.  This would also drink very nicely on its own on a warm Summer day.

 

 

 

2012 The Seeker Red Blend (Chile, Central Valley)

This is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 25% Syrah from vineyards in the Maipo and Colchagua Valleys in Chile.  Half of the wine was aged in stainless steel tanks; the remaining 50% was aged for 6 months in a mix of 60% American and 40% French oak barrels with 25% being new.

 

The final alcohol in the wine is 13.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright ruby red color.  The nose has blackberries, plums, vanilla, dill, black pepper, cherry, and some earthiness.  This has medium body, soft to moderate tannins, and slightly soft acidity.  On the palate the dark fruit and earthiness take center stage with vanilla and the dill coming in late.  The finish has decent length but gets a touch muddled and earthy as it warms up.  I would recommend giving this a slight chill.  (85 pts)

 

This needs some juicy meat hot off the grill or some fairly hearty appetizers.

 

 

 

Closing thoughts

On the whole, I think these are all very drinkable, reasonably priced wines that would work with warm weather food or stand on their own as a cocktail wine.  The Seeker is unique in that they source their wines from the part of the world where that varietal calls home.

 

Photo Contest

Want to win a great new camera to help you capture memories when you SEEK out new adventures?

 

The seeker is giving away a new La Sardina Camera and Flash Belle Star with 35mm film.  All you have to do to enter is submit your most disappointing picture and if your entry is selected, The Seeker will help you avoid future disappointments.

 

Click here for more information.

 

Good Luck, I hope one of my readers wins the contest.

Connect with The Seeker Wines

You can connect with The Seeker on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or Foodspotting by clicking on the social media channel of your choice.

 

 

 

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!

 

 

 

2008 JC Cellars The Impostor

2009 McPrice Myers Roussanne No Mas James Berry Vineyard

2006 Cosentino Winery The Poet

2005 Copain Syrah McDowell Valley

2005 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape

 

 

 

2008 JC Cellars The Impostor – $25.73

Jeff Cohn just keeps cranking out the hits.  Since his earlier days making outstanding wines for Rosenblum, Jeff is now making the same style of wines for his own label.  These are generally full throttle, distinctive wines.

 

This wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Tempranillo, Carignane, Grenache and Viognier.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep purple color. The very open and nice nose has brambly berries, black pepper, vanilla, dark chocolate, violets, licorice, meat juices, and a touch of earthiness. This has a full body, fairly solid, ripe tannins, and good acidity. On the palate the wine is a mouth full of juicy, peppery, berries with dark chocolate and earthy elements coming in on the back end providing extra depth. The finish is fairly long but a touch of excess oak does pop out. This is a big and rich wine that is not sweet or syrupy and has no raisiny notes.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2009 McPrice Myers Roussanne No Mas James Berry Vineyard – $25.60

This wine comes from the now famous James Berry Vineyard in Paso Robles.  This is a new wine to me.  I received this wine for the short period I belonged to the McPrice Myers mailing list.  I don’t know what to expect with their white wines, but their reds are massive and lack enough acidity to provide enough balance to suit my tastes.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright, vivid yellow color.  The very clean and fresh nose has white peach, honeysuckle, minerals, lemon zest, melon, spice, and a touch of petrol.  This has medium body, nice acidity, and maybe just a hint of sweetness.  This has good fruit on the palate up front with spice, chalky minerals, and citrus on the back end.  The finish has decent length but it did leave me wanting just a touch more.  Overall, a very nice California Roussanne with a good balance between the fruit and savory elements.  It could have used a touch more acidity mainly on the midpalate, but the finish shows good acidity.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2006 Cosentino Winery The Poet – $28.49

Cosentino was a winery we always visited when we were in wine country.  After falling suffering through some hard times, the winery was eventually sold.  I, for one, am hoping the new owners will get the winery back on course.

This is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby to maroon color.  The very appealing nose has cassis, cigar box, dried herbs, licorice, cherries, baking spice, and some minerality.  This has medium body, moderate tannins, and good acidity.  On the palate spicy fruit and toasty oak lead off the show with some cherries and dried herbs coming in on the back end.  The finish has good length and again is supported by the fruit and oak.  This is drinking nicely today as long as a bit of oak doesn’t bother you.  This is not made in a big rich style that has become popular with a lot of California Cabernets and blends, this wine needs food.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2005 Copain Syrah McDowell Valley – $35.00

This wine was a one off wine for Copain.  I’m sure this fell victim to a change in philosophy.  A few years ago, the winery made a stylistic change away from big, ripe wines to ones that were lower alcohol and more nuanced.  I was a big fan of their old style and am glad I still have a healthy stash of these older wines.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark purple color.  The stunning nose is full of blackberries, minerals, roasted herbs, white pepper, warm baking spices, smoked meat, violets, blueberries, and a healthy dose of earthiness.  This has fairly full body, moderate tannins, and good acidity.  On the palate the fruit and spice jump out first, quickly followed by roasted herbs, pepper, and meaty elements.  On the back end some nice earthiness comes into the picture.  The finish has very good length and showcases the minerality.  This is a big and rich wine showing a lot of ripeness but it also has nice tannins and acidity to give it good balance.  Not a lot of subtlety but a very tasty glass of wine.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2005 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape – $26.99

I’m looking forward to trying this wine again.  I sampled it soon after it was released and liked it enough to grab a couple bottles, figuring I could stock up down the road.  That plan was blasted when the wine was named #32 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2007.  I guess I’ll just have to be thankful I was able to grab a couple bottles before it disappeared from store shelves.

 

The usual blend for this wine is 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre, 4% Cinsault, and minute amounts of Counoise, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, Terret Noir, and Picpoul Noir.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly deep and dark ruby color.  The very inviting nose has raspberry, cherry, minerals, roasted herbs, smoked meat, baking spices, dried earth, white pepper, and brined black olives.  This has medium body, fairly solid tannins, and very good acidity.  On the palate red and black fruit, minerals, and roasted herbs carry the load early with meaty elements, pepper, and some earthiness coming in on the back end.  The finish is long and layered.  This is drinking very nicely right now,  but is still on the young side with plenty of upside potential.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

I grilled a bacon wrapped Pork Tenderloin to go with the Olivet CdP.  This made a wonderful pairing with the smoky bacon and juicy pork matching up nicely with the wine.  The secret is to cook the meat on indirect heat until it is about 140 degrees.  Putting it over the hot coals to crisp up the bacon will raise the temperature of the pork to about 155 to 160 degrees leaving it very flavorful and juicy.

 

 

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!

 

 

 

2007 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard

2006 Novy Family Wines Syrah Judge Family Vineyard

2007 Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett

2007 Burgess Grenache Napa Valley

 

 

 

2007 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard – $14.99

This is my third and last bottle of this wine.  The first two bottles have been too oaky for my tastes.  I don’t mind a bit of oak, but when it becomes a focal point of the wine, it has crossed the line.  We’re having grilled chicken breasts for dinner, so instead of trying to mask the excess oak, I figured this may help keep it in check.  The excess oak is a shame since I remember this wine being very nice other wise.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep, dark ruby color. The big and bold nose has cherries, black raspberries, baking spices, cedar, wild flowers, smoke, and some earthy underbrush. This has medium to full body, fairly solid tannins, and tart acidity. Tart cherries hit the palate first, followed by some spices and earthiness before the oak takes over, which it does in a big way. The finish is fairly long but just about totally oak driven. If you like oak dominated wine, you’ll like this a lot more than I do.  (86 pts)

 

 

 

2006 Novy Family Wines Syrah Judge Family Vineyard – $15.00

I’m a big fan of both the Novy and Siduri wines made by Adam Lee.  I buy a fair amount of their wines and just about always stock up when they have special pricing around an open house or other event.  Based on the price I paid, I’m sure this wine was on sale and I bought enough cases to get an additional 25% off.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby to maroon color.  The very open and nice wine has plums, blackberries, black pepper, wood smoke, melted licorice, dried herbs, minerals, and a slight herbal note.  This has medium to full body, moderate tannins, and very nice acidity.  On the palate smoky, peppery fruit and minerals slowly adds dried herbs and a nice herbal element.  The finish has good length and leans more towards the savory elements with the fruit in the background adding a touch of welcome sweetness.  I normally don’t like herbal notes in red wines, but on this wine it adds a nice counter point to the dark, smoky, elements.  I assume this included at least some whole clusters which added the herbal note.  I really like this wine.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2007 Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett – $19.00

I bought a six pack of this wine during a tasting at the local wine store.  I remember it being fairly sweet but loaded with acidity.  I swore I’d keep my hands off the wine for at least 5 years.  Well, it will be 5 years the end of next month, so I almost made it.  I’m looking forward to seeing how the wine has evolved in the cellar.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly bright golden yellow color.  The very alluring nose has apples, honeydew melon, spice, minerals, vanilla, citrus zest, orange blossoms, and a touch of petrol.  This has light to medium body, crisp acidity, and solid residual sweetness.  The rich and creamy palate has ripe apples dipped in honey, minerals and melon up front with vanilla and lime coming in on the back end.  The finish is very long and full of sweet fruit, minerals, and bit of closing citrus.  Definitely on the sweet side for a Kabinett, but the acidity does a valiant job holding everything together.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

2007 Burgess Grenache Napa Valley – $6.00

A Twitter friend alerted me that the winery was blowing this wine out in their tasting room.  I called to see if the price was available without physically being in the tasting room.  They told me I could order over the phone and that they could ship the wine to me immediately.  I happily grabbed a case for the ridiculous price f $6 a bottle.  The case arrived in perfect condition, so I immediately opened a bottle.  The next morning I called again to see if they had any more available.  It turned out they were down to one case.  Needless to say, the case arrived at my door a few days later.  I shared several bottles with wine loving friends and have been enjoying the wine for the last year and a half.  After opening this bottle, I will be down to only 3 bottles.

 

This isn’t a big, ripe, fruit forward style of California Grenache.  The fruit is there, but shares top billing with some nice savory elements.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to dark ruby red color.  The very inviting nose has cherries, melted licorice, warm baking spices, dried herbs, some earthiness, blackberries, and minerals.  This has medium body, moderate tannins, and very good acidity.  The red fruit and spice dominate the front end on the palate with dried herbs and earthiness coming in later.  The finish has decent length with some building minerality adding a nice dimension.  This was an absolute steal for $6 direct from the winery’s tasting room.  (90 pts)

 

 

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Cline Cellars came into existence in 1982 after Fred Cline received an inheritance from his grandfather.  At the time, Fred founded Cline Cellars near Oakley, CA.  Using the knowledge he obtained in getting his Agriculture Management degree from U. C. Davis, Fred worked on preserving and restoring many ancient vine sites.

 

Several years later, in 1991, Fred and his wife Nancy relocated the winery to the Carneros region of Sonoma County.  At the time, most of the cool climate Carneros region was planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot.  Fred pioneered the movement in the region to Rhône varietals such as Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussane.

 

Over the years Cline Cellars has produced many well priced and noteworthy wines.  These wines have earned recognition and good scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, and the usual gang of wine publications.  Most importantly, the wines have been well received by the public who loves the distinctive wines and the wallet friendly prices.

 

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards was founded to make reserve styled wines that pay tribute to the winemaking heritage of the family.  Where Cline Cellars produces mainly wines based on the Rhône varietals and innovative blends, Jacuzzi leans more toward Italian varietals and a few other straight varietal wines.

 

For more information, wine club info, or to order their wine’s visit Cline’s website or Jacuzzi’s website.

 

 

I was given the opportunity to sample four wines from Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards.  The wineries produce a vast array of wines with something for just about everyone.

 

 

My lineup included the following wines:

2010 Jacuzzi Family Vineyard Chardonnay Giuseppina

2010 Jacuzzi Family Vineyard Sagrantino Tracy Hills

2011 Cline Cellars Cashmere

2010 Cline Cellars Syrah Los Carneros

 

 

2010 Jacuzzi Family Vineyard Chardonnay Giuseppina – SRP $24.00

 

My comments

This 100% Chardonnay is made with grapes from the winery’s Sonoma Coast Vineyard.  This vineyard is cooled with the breeze off the Pacific Ocean and is covered with fog on many mornings.  These conditions allow for slower ripening providing extra “hang time” so the grapes can reach their full flavor potential.

 

After tank fermentation, the wine is barrel aged for five months.  The final alcohol is 12.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a bright yellow to golden color.  The fresh and fruity nose has green apples, pears, vanilla, toast, minerals, and a touch of lemon and orange zest.  This has a medium body, decent acidity, and just enough sweetness to add a bit of richness.  The palate has crisp apples and pears up front with a touch of spicy oak and vanilla, some flinty minerality comes in on the back end.  The finish has nice length and closes with just a touch of mouthwatering acidity.  This has enough richness to drink on its own, but it also has enough acidity to stand up to a rich cream sauce, cheese, or seafood.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Jacuzzi Family Vineyard Sagrantino Tracy Hills – SRP $30.00

 

My comments

This is new grape for most people.  The Sagrantino grape is native to Italy but there are only about 250 acres of vineyards in that country.  The grapes for this wine is from one of the very few vineyards in this country where they are grown, in San Joaquin County’s Tracy Hills Vineyard.

 

After tank fermentation, 30% of the wine is moved into new French oak barrels with the remaining 70% moved into neutral barrels for 10 months of aging.  The final alcohol in the wine is 13.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly deep ruby red color.  The relaxing and homey nose has warm blackberry pie, white pepper, tobacco, dried herbs, crushed stone minerals, and some wild flowers.  This has a medium to full body with fairly solid ripe tannins and decent acidity.  On the palate the wine again resembles warm blackberry pie with just enough savory notes to add depth and balance out the up front fruit.  The finish has nice length with the jammy berries, baking spices, and minerals lingering seemingly forever.  There is just enough acidity to keep the wine from getting too plodding.   (89 pts)

 

 

 

2011 Cline Cellars Cashmere – SRP $21.00

 

My comments

Cashmere is a blend of approximately 28% Mourvèdre, 25% Syrah, 23% Grenache, and 22% Petite Sirah, with  most of the grapes coming from Contra Costa County.

 

After tank fermentation, the wine was aged 8 months in oak barrels, 25% of which was new French oak.  The final alcohol level is 13.5%.

 

Over the years Cline has donated almost a quarter million dollars to breast cancer foundations with proceeds coming from the sell of Cashmere wine.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a ruby red color.  The rich and inviting nose has plums, earthy underbrush, baking spices, black pepper, dried herbs, blackberries, a touch of cherry and a floral note.  This has medium body, soft ripe tannins, and decent acidity.  This is rich and plush on the palate with the plums and berries taking center stage and allowing spices, herbs, and a touch of earthiness to join in from the sidelines.  The finish has nice length with plush fruit and spice stealing the show.  (87 pts)

 

 

 

2010 Cline Cellars Syrah Los Carneros – SRP $30.00

 

My comments

The grapes for this wine come from Cline’s 18 acre hillside estate vineyard in Sonoma’s Carneros region.

 

After tank fermentation, the wine was aged 12 months in 30% new French oak barrels.  The final alcohol level in the wine is 14.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium violet color.  The slightly reserved nose has plums, black cherries, warm baking spices, smoke, dark bittersweet chocolate, and a touch of forest floor.  This has medium to full body, fairly solid tannins, and very good acidity.  On the palate ripe plums and spice are featured up front with some dark chocolate, cherries, and earthy elements coming in on the back end.  The finish is fairly long with tart cherries and spice lingering.  This was much better on the second day so I’d recommend plenty of air if opened in the next year.  (90 pts)

 

 

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!

 

 

 

2006 Elyse Syrah Napa Valley

2007 Jean Edwards Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard

2008 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2009 Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc The Fumé

2004 Château La Vieille Cure

 

 

 

2006 Elyse Syrah Napa Valley – $15.00

This is a blend of 92% Syrah, 6% Mourvère and 2% Viognier from the Souyoultzis, Delouise, Massa Ranch and Naggiar Vineyards in the Napa Valley.

 

Per the winery, “Our Syrah is styled in the tradition of the great wines of the Northern Rhone (Cote Roties).  Their delightful aromas, complexity, balance and  finesse make for one of the world’s greatest food wines.”  In my opinion, based of past bottles, they succeeded.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby color, starting to show a touch of brick at the edge.  The very inviting nose has blackberries, vanilla, smoked meat, dried herbs, black pepper, and a touch of chocolaty oak.  This has medium to full body, fairly solid tannins, and very nice acidity.  The savory notes of black pepper, smoked meat, and vanilla hit the palate first with the berries in the background supplying nice sweetness.  On the back end, dried herbs and dark chocolate make an appearance.  The finish has decent length but does thin out just a touch.  This is probably as good as it will get but should hold for another year, maybe two.  This is made in more of an old world style, so don’t expect a big, fruit forward, jammy wine.  I like this style a lot.  (91 pts)

 

 

 

2007 Jean Edwards Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard – $38.75

I guess you can call this a Social Media relationship.  I learned of Jean Edwards Cellars via Twitter.  I read their Tweets and started following them, luckily they followed me back.  Over the last couple of years we have exchanged jokes and Tweets about just about everything.  I was finally able to order a few bottles of their wine, and after giving a bottle a good 15 minutes to recover from the trip half way across the country, I popped the cork.  I am now a big fan and I spread their name to anyone who will listen to me.  I highly encourage you to check out their website and join their mailing list.  These are two very nice people making some of the best wine in the Napa Valley.

 

I opened this bottle to share with a few friends so they could sample the wine and hear a bit of the history of the winery.  I think the winery gained a few new friends based on their reaction and the quickly emptied bottle.

 

Winery history

We are the owner/vintners of Jean Edwards Cellars – we share a passion for wine, a similar palate and a singular vision on the style of wines we produce.  We live by our motto that “you should only make wines you love to drink” and focus our production on artisan red wines that are full-bodied and classically styled.

 

Quality and heritage are important to us – our wines are reflective of their origins and are sourced some of the most prestigious vineyards (and vineyard blocks) throughout Napa Valley including Stagecoach Vineyard (on Pritchard Hill); vineyards on the valley floor in Rutherford, Oakville and Coombsville; and mountain vineyards on Howell and Spring Mountain.

 

Time really flies – we started producing commercial wines in 2004 but our dream of producing high quality NapaValley cabernet sauvignon wines started much earlier when we traveled to the valley in 1985.  During that trip, we developed a true appreciation for cabernet sauvignon wines and decided we would some day be a part of the business and produce a wine called Jean Edwards Cellars (our two middle names).  It was a goal worth waiting for and twenty plus years later we released our first wine in the Spring of 2006.

 

For more information, to order wine, or to join the Jean Edwards mailing list, visit their website.

 

I highly recommend at least joining their mailing list.  This would be a great time to join since their next release is just around the corner, just tell them Cliff sent you.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly deep ruby red color, a touch lighter at the edge.  The outstanding and very appealing nose has cassis, dried herbs, tobacco, melted licorice, minerals, warm baking spices, dark bittersweet chocolate, cedar, and a hint of eucalyptus.  This has medium to full body, fairly solid tannins, and very nice acidity.  The palate is rich and plush with spice and cassis stealing the show initially, as slowly building dried herbs, minerals, and toasty oak come in on the back end.  The finish is very long and full of fruit and spice.  This is still on the young side and will greatly reward some additional cellar time.  (95 pts)

 

 

 

2008 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – $28.00

I’ve been on the Rhys mailing list for a few years.  A lot of people knock the wines because they don’t taste great upon release.  Rhys wines require a few years in the cellar to smoothen out and open up.  That said, their Alesia wines, which are made from purchased grapes, though also needing some time in the cellar, seem to be ready to drink a couple years earlier.  I grabbed several bottles of this wine when it was offered on their e-mail release.  I’ve had a couple bottles and every bottle has been better than the previous bottle…always a good sign.  I’m glad I still have five bottles to follow over the next few years.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a nice ruby red color. The sexy nose has strawberries, raspberries, cola, baking spices, underbrush, minerals, cherries, dried flowers, and a slight herbal note. The wine has medium body with soft tannins and very good acidity. The very complex palate has layers of fruit, spice, and earthy elements that slowly reveal themselves with each sip, with the nice cleansing acidity evident at all times. The finish is fairly long and the mouthwatering acidity is ever present. This is very food friendly and civilized. There is no excess weight or overly extracted notes evident on the wine. This is still on the young side and can be enjoyed over the next several years.  (92 pts)

 

 

 

We paired the Rhys Alesia Pinot with a fairly quick and easy Saturday evening dinner of a grilled Veal Chop and some sautéed broccoli with garlic and a sprinkle of hot pepper flakes.  The acidity in the wine was able to cut right through the juicy chop.  We kicked back on the beautiful evening to enjoy a second glass of the wine and enjoy the peace and quiet.

 

 

 

2009 Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc The Fumé – $7.13

This wine has a touch of Semillon blended in with the Sauvignon Blanc.  The grapes are mainly from Lake County and the Alexander Valley in Sonoma County.

 

I left this in the cellar for a year longer than I would have liked, but this will be a good experiment into how a “drink now”, fruit forward, Sauvignon Blanc will evolve with a bit of cellar time.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a pale yellow to straw color.  The clean and fresh nose has lemon zest, apples, lime, fresh cut grass, a nice floral note, and just a touch of baking spice and vanilla.  This has light to medium body with crisp acidity and just a hint of sweetness.  On the palate the sweet, juicy apples and citrus hit up front with a slight herbal note in the background.  There is decent length on the finish which also shows a touch of sweetness.  More of a nice, hot weather aperitif due to the off dry sweetness, but for $7 it works in that regard.  (87 pts)

 

 

 

2004 Château La Vieille Cure – $15.83

The local wine store brought this in as an e-mail offer to their mailing list.  I decided under $16 a bottle for a case was just too hard to pass, so I grabbed a case.  My first bottle had something wrong and just tasted horrible.  It didn’t have an easily identifiable flaw, it was just bad.  I opened a second bottle a couple weeks later, and it was perfect.  I don’t know the exact break down of the grapes in this vintage, but this wine has historically been around 74% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a deep ruby to purple color.  The enjoyable nose has black cherries, dried herbs, cigar box, minerals, baking spices, dried flowers, cassis, a minty note, and a fair amount of earthiness.  This has medium body, fairly solid tannins, and very nice acidity.  Not as rich on the palate as I was expecting based on an earlier bottle.  This leaned very heavily on the savory elements with the fruit buried in the background, only showing itself on a few rare occasions.  The finish is again, a bit lean and does not show a lot of depth.  I’m not going to rate this bottle since it does not seem to be representative of how the wine tasted earlier.

 

I’ve now had three totally different bottles of this wine.  One was awful, the second was wonderful, this one was drinkable with no obvious flaws but wasn’t that enjoyable.

 

 

 

I grilled up a thick NY Strip Steak , made some thick cut onion rings and tomato bread for dinner.

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

Cheers!

 

 

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

All rights reserved.

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Breaking news from Klout:

 

 

 

 

Remember to support your local wine store!

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

This is based on samples supplied by the winery or another organization on their behalf.

 

 

2011 Fat Gaucho Torrontés

2011 Fat Gaucho Malbec

2010 Fat Gaucho Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva

2010 Fat Gaucho Malbec Reserva

 

 

 

Winery History / background

About the Founder

Fat Gaucho Wines, LLC was created by Carlos Candal, esq., an American Argentinean attorney based in New Haven, CT.  His passion for wine and strong family ties to Argentina allowed him to experience the many amazing wines that Argentina has to offer.  Carlos was inspired to share the tastes of Argentina and continue a family tradition of selling wines from Mendoza which dates back to the turn of the century when his great-grandfather Vincente Candal, a successful merchant who first discovered the exceptional wines from that region and sold them in Buenos Aires.

 

Introducing Fat Gaucho Wines:

Specializing in wines from Argentina, Fat Gaucho has successfully located the region’s most enticing and full flavored wines at incredibly reasonable prices.  The aim is to affordably unveil to wine consumers the tastes that make Argentina’s wines special and unique.  Fat Gaucho has an assorted collection of wines from Argentina and has included some reserves for the purpose of engaging wine consumers with a more refined palette.  Taking care to select the flavors that allow any consumer to fully experience the aromas and zests that are the essence of Argentina, it is very clear why Fat Gaucho Wines represent the pride of The Pampas.

 

The wines themselves are produced at one of Uco Valley’s most established and respected vineyards.  Having been in operation for over 100 years, the vineyard is known for its reliability in producing superior wines as well as for infusing state-of-the-art technology into the traditional art of wine making.  The vineyard rests at the foot of the Andes Mountains, making it the perfect terroir to obtain the high quality grapes, rich with tannins and robust aromas.  Our Malbec Reserva and Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva are both aged in French and American Oak barrels, while our Torrontes originates in the Salta and La Rioja Regions where the best Torrontes grapes are grown.

Winery links

Much more information can be found on the winery’s website.

 

 

 

I’ve been a fan of Argentinean wines for several years.  The Malbecs coming out of Argentina, at the top end, can challenge the best wines in the world.  At the lower end of the spectrum, these can be great every day wines and with the low price points, they are an easy choice as a “party wine”.

 

On the white side, the Torrontés grape is showing great promise, if the production can be ramped up with no loss of quality, it is sure to gain a foot hold in this country.  Who doesn’t love a crisp, fresh smelling white wine on a warm, sunny day?

 

Here is the line up of wines for this tasting:

 

 

 

2011 Fat Gaucho Torrontés – SRP $9.99

 

Wine information

This wine is 100% Torrontés from the Salta region in Argentina and was fermented in steel tanks.  There was no Malolactic fermentation to preserve the crisp acidity.  20% of the wine was aged 3 months in acacia barrels.  The final alcohol is 12.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light yellow to gold color.  The fresh and crisp smelling nose has apples, flinty minerals, lemon zest, pineapple, and honeysuckle and orange blossoms.  This has light body, and crisp citrus driven acidity.  On the palate the orchard fruit and lemon zest take center stage with some minerality coming in on the sidelines.  The finish has nice length and closes with some mouthwatering lemony acidity.  This would be a nice summer sipper on a warm day with or without a light meal.

 

Pairing suggestions

The tart acidity would allow this wine to pair nicely with a rich and creamy shrimp or chicken salad but it would also work nicely with some hot off the grill shrimp or scallops.  This would be a wonderful aperitif on a warm sunny day on the deck or patio.

 

2011 Fat Gaucho Malbec – SRP $9.99

 

Wine information

This wine is 100% Malbec from the Uco Valley in Mendoza.  50% of the wine was aged in French and American oak (50% each) for 6 to 9 months.  The final alcohol is 12.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light to medium ruby red color.  The inviting nose has raspberries, candied cherries, baking spices, smoke, and forest floor.  This has medium body, very soft tannins, soft acidity, and a touch of residual sugar.  The palate is full of sweet berries and cherries with just a touch of spice and earthiness.  The finish is a bit short and closes on the sweet side.  This would be a good party wine.

 

Pairing Suggestions

This would be great with a party platter with mixed meat and cheese or on its own over good conversation.

 

2010 Fat Gaucho Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva – $12.99

 

Wine information

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley in Mendoza.  50% of the wine was aged in French and American oak (50% each) for 6 to 9 months.  This is 13.5% alcohol.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium ruby red color.  The classic nose has cassis, cedar, dried herbs, warm baking spices, and a bit of forest floor.  This has medium body, soft ripe tannins, and soft acidity, and a touch of residual sweetness.  The palate has sweet berries, spice, and dried herbs.  The finish has decent length and leaves a sweet impression.

 

Pairing Suggestions

This would be a nice match with something hot off the grill like a sirloin steak or lamb chop sprinkled with some mixed, minced fresh herbs.

 

2010 Fat Gaucho Malbec Reserva – SRP $12.99

 

Wine information

This is 100% Malbec from the Uco Valley in Mendoza and was fermented in 10,000 liter tanks, with controlled temperature.  70% of the wine was aged in 70% French and 30% American oak for 12 months (30% new).  The final alcohol content of the wine is 13.5%.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a medium to dark ruby red color.  The elegant nose has blackberries, melted licorice, baking spices, minerals, dark chocolate, smoke, and subtle earthiness.  This has medium body, soft tannins, and decent acidity.  The palate has nice earthy, crushed berries up front with spicy oak coming in on the back end.  The finish has decent length with berries and spicy oak stealing the show.  This leaves a lingering sweetness.

 

Pairing Suggestions

This is another wine that would pair nicely with a casual dinner featuring something off the grill.  The smoky elements and earthy elements will pair nicely with some beef or lamb.

 

 

 

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!