10 August 2012 2010 Garnet Carneros Pinot Noir

2010 Garnet Carneros Pinot Noir

August 10, 2012 By

This North Coast Pinot Noir is ruby in the glass with intense floral and strawberry aromas with earthy/mushroomy notes. Reminds me of grandma’s homemade wild strawberry jam on freshly toasted bread. On the palette, the 2010 Garnet Carneros Pinot Noir offers bright cherry flavors with slightly woodsy undertones. I love this wine’s silkiness, great balance and long flavorful finish.

Winemaker Alison Crowe does a super job with this wine, which is quite possibly the best Carneros Pinot Noir I have had in recent memory.

Pairings:  Grilled chicken or pork chops. I cannot think of many foods that would not be a good match to this wine.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Carneros, California, USA

Price: $19.99

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States Tagged With: , , , , , ,
17 July 2012 2005 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2005 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

July 17, 2012 By

I enjoy Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon and when I was invited to go camping (yes, in a luxury RV, but camping nonetheless) I opted to bring the 2005 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to pair with the prime rib eye steaks I was contributing to the festivities.

In the glass, this Alexander Valley wine is deep crimson.  The nose is intensely of dark fruit, pumpkin pie spice, tobacco and black licorice.  In the mouth, it’s jammy, smooth and velvety with ripe berry, vanilla and toasted oak notes.  The finish is medium in length with some pleasing tannins.

A wine to treat yourself to when you buy the very best steaks for the grill.

Pairings:  Grilled prime beef.  Cheese course.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Alexander Valley, California, USA

Around $60

 

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Wine, United States Tagged With: , , , , , ,
11 April 2012 2009 Four Vines The Maverick Zinfandel

2009 Four Vines The Maverick Zinfandel

April 11, 2012 By

I love Zinfandels and try to serve foods that pair well with it as often as I can.  For Easter, I grilled rack of lamb and served the 2009 Four Vines Zinfandel Maverick with them for a great match.

This Zinfandel from Amador County is bold and beautiful.  In the glass, it’s dark and viscous.  On the nose, it’s powerful with ripe cherries and pumpkin pie spices.  In the mouth it’s jammy with tons of juicy blackberries followed by a long, sweet finish.  A meal in a glass, in the best possible way.

Wine Spectator – 90 points.

Pairings:  Grilled lamb, peppery porterhouse steak or aged cheese.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Zinfandel

Region: Paso Robles, California

Around $15.

 

Filed Under: Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , , , ,
8 February 2012 2008 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

2008 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

February 8, 2012 By

Beautifully-made Napa Cabernet.  Deep purple in the glass, this wine displays a deep berry, very fragrant nose in the glass.  In the mouth, it’s rich and well-balanced with plummy qualities and traces of coffee and cocoa.

Wish I could put a couple cases in my cellar to drink in 10 years.

Pairings:  Grilled beef. Cheese course.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, California

Around $60

 

 

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
21 November 2011 2010 Merry Edwards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc

2010 Merry Edwards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc

November 21, 2011 By

Yes, I’m continuing my homage to Merry Edwards, but this time, it is not Pinot Noir I’m clamoring about, it is Merry’s delicious 2010 Russian River Sauvignon Blanc.

On the nose, this wine is floral with a ton of tropical fruit notes.  On the palate, there is pink grapefruit, Meyer lemons, a drizzle of honey and Asian pear.

The wine’s six month fermentation in seasoned French oak barrels created a Sauvignon Blanc with real backbone and depth.  This isn’t a pale, watery Sauvignon Blanc made to be sipped as an aperitif on a hot summer day.  It’s a rich, well-balanced, bright wine that is wonderful paired with fish or seafood but can also hold its own with spicy dishes.

Super wine for fans of Gewürztraminer and dry Riesling.  A bit of a splurge for some Sauvignon Blanc drinkers, but certainly worth every penny.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musque

Region: Russian River Valley / Sonoma, CA

Around $30

Filed Under: Sauvignon Blanc, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
17 November 2011 2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir

2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir

November 17, 2011 By

I simply love this wine.  It’s not easy to come by in New Jersey, where I live, but when I’ve been able to secure a few bottles, I’ve enjoyed it tremendously.

The 2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir is dark ruby in the glass and pretty full-bodied for a California pinot noir.  On the nose, there’s a ton of dark raspberries with notes of nutmeg and clove.  On the palate, it’s all about ripe cherries with lots of earthiness, cherry cola, allspice and notes of mocha.  The finish is long and silky/velvety.  Just a perfect wine paired with roast chicken, wild mushroom risotto or grilled salmon.

Tantara Winery is a smaller producer and only about 200 cases of this little gem were produced, so get your hands on a bottle and enjoy.  Read about my love of Tantara here.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Central Coast, CA

Around $50

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
16 November 2011 2007 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2007 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

November 16, 2011 By

I have had the opportunity to visit Merry Edwards’ beautiful vineyard and tasting room and can say she makes some of my favorite pinot noirs.  At a recent dinner party, I served the 2007 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir to the pleasure of my guests.

This wine is dark ruby in the glass.  On the nose, it’s pure Russian River pinot noir – ripe, dark berries with layers of earthiness and peppery notes.   On the palate, it’s rich, velvety with tons of juicy cherries.  The finish is long, elegant and silky.

If you don’t want to splurge on one of Merry’s single vineyard wines, this is an amazing wine at this price point.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Russian River Valley / Sonoma, CA

Around $45

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
15 November 2011 2008 Heron Hill Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir

2008 Heron Hill Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir

November 15, 2011 By

The Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir is pale in the glass but medium-bodied and bright with juicy berries and cherries on the palate.  There’s a silky mouthfeel to this wine and there are notes of fir, pumpkin pie spice and cracked pepper.  Classic Burgundy in style and delicious at this price point.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Finger Lakes, NY

Around $20

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
25 May 2010 2006 St Supery Virtu Napa Valley White Meritage

2006 St Supery Virtu Napa Valley White Meritage

May 25, 2010 By
2006 St Supery Virtu

2006 St Supery Virtu

Virtu is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (52%) and Semillon (48%). This wine offered a juicy mouthful of peach with an enjoyable mineral finish.  This rich, medium-bodied wine would be great with grilled scallops and a slightly oily grilled fish.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, especially seared scallops

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 52% Sauvignon Blancm 48% Semillon

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $27

Filed Under: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
5 May 2010 2007 Honig Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

2007 Honig Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

May 5, 2010 By
Honig Late Harvest

Honig Late Harvest

Had the pleasure of sampling this wine at the Honig Vineyards and absolutely loved it. The nose on this luscious wine is pure honey and the look of it is syrupy and golden.

The 2007 Honig Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc is a mouthful of succulent sweet melon, dried apricot and rich caramel panna cotta. Great acidity and minerality for this type of wine. Aged in new French oak, this dessert wine’s alcohol level is 11%.

Great, great dessert wine.

Pairings: Cheese plate drizzled with honey, custard-based desserts

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $50

 

 

 

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, Sauvignon Blanc, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
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