5 April 2017 Top Rosé Wines Under $15

Top Rosé Wines Under $15

April 5, 2017 By

Those of us living in a cold climate are eager to get the rosé uncorked, marking the unofficial start of the Spring-Summer season. I enjoy rosé wines year-around – heavier in the winter and lighter in the summer and below are examples of nice, accessible rosé wines for under $15.

2015 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône Rosé (Rhone Valley, France, $10.99)

Fresh and bright floral aromas with some saline notes on this medium-bodied French rosé. In the mouth, the flavors are of raspberries and bright citrus followed by a dry finish. 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Cinsault.

2015 E. Guigal – Côtes du Rhône Rosé (Rhone Valley, France, $12.99)

Bright salmon color in the glass, this French rosé wine has raspberry and ripe strawberry aromas that carry over to the palate. Elegant wine with great balance and structure. This family has been making rose since the ‘40s and know what it’s doing. 60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault and 10% Syrah.

Gruet Rosé Brut NV (New Mexico, $12.99)

Bright deep pink in the glass, this New Mexico rosé has a fine mousse bubbles and big ripe strawberry flavors. The floral nose has berry notes. Nice level of acidity on the finish. 100% Pinot Noir.

2015 Marques de Caceres Rioja Rosado (Rioja, Spain, $12.99)

Bright strawberry-peach color in the glass. Big floral and red berries aromas. On the palate, this Rioja rosé offers flavors of red berries and cherries with licorice notes. 96% Tempranillo, 4% Garnacha Tinta.

2015 Chateauneuf de Pierrevert – Domaine La Blaque Rosé (Provence, France, $14.99)

Pale peach color in the glass with citrus, floral aromas. This dry Provence rosé wine has berry and citrus zest flavors with lots of acidity and minerality on the finish. 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah.

Happy rose drinking!

Veronique

Filed Under: France, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Rose, Blush Wine, Spain, Syrah / Shiraz, Tempranillo, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
15 March 2017 Delectable Whites by Heron Hill Winery

Delectable Whites by Heron Hill Winery

March 15, 2017 By

Even with the frigid weather we experienced this week, I cooked food ultra conducive to white wine. The Finger Lakes winery I opted to pour at two of those meals is Heron Hill Winery, one of my very favorite FLX wineries.

2014 Heron Hill Semi-Dry Riesling

I served this off-dry Riesling with spicy Indian food I prepared and it stood up to the heat beautifully while maintaining its fresh, fruit-forward flavors. On the nose, this wine offers big Asian apple aromas. On the palate, the sweet apple continues but combined with lovely floral notes. Nice level of acidity on the finish. Great value at $15/bottle.

2015 Heron Hill Reserve Morris Vineyard Pinot Blanc

Aromas of Meyer lemon and juicy pear in the glass on this crisp Finger Lakes Pinot Blanc. Green apple and peach on the palate with some sweetness followed by great acidity on a finish that resonates with minerality. Hated to share it with the mister, it’s so easy drinking. Just a wonderful Pinot Blanc at an affordable price of $20/bottle.

 

Cheers to the Finger Lakes!

Veronique

Filed Under: Pinot Blanc, Riesling, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
1 March 2017 2013 Williams Selyem Vista Verde Vineyard Late Harvest Gewurztraminer

2013 Williams Selyem Vista Verde Vineyard Late Harvest Gewurztraminer

March 1, 2017 By

2013 Vista Verde Vineyard Late Harvest GewürztraminerIt’s the first time I’d bought this dessert wine in my Williams Selyem allocation and won’t miss that opportunity again!

Classic ultra floral / tropical fruit Gewürztraminer aromas. In the mouth, this wine has lovely Asian pear, ripe sweet melon flavors with non-cloying sweet notes. Perfect level of acidity to balance out the sweetness, which dessert winemakers don’t always successfully accomplish.

Pairings: Pear/peach tart, foie gras, crème brulée. 

Style: Dessert Wine

Grape Type(s): Gewürztraminer

Region: San Benito County, California, USA

Price: $40

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, Gewurztraminer, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
8 February 2017 2013 Ken Wright Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

2013 Ken Wright Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

February 8, 2017 By

Ken Wright 2013Fruity, spiced nose, bright red in the glass. The palate of this medium-bodied wine is rich with cherry/tart berry flavors and some peppery notes. Smooth, silky texture and a slightly-peppery finish.

This wine is a blend of grapes from blocks of Ken Wright’s best single vineyard sites.

Pairings: Roasted poultry, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Price: $23

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
23 June 2016 Top Rosé Wines for the Summer

Top Rosé Wines for the Summer

June 23, 2016 By

Rose WinesSummer’s finally here and warm days are among us. While sipping rosé wines during the summer isn’t anything new, what I’m really enjoying is how food-friendly rosés have become. Rosé, French for ‘pink’, describes a genre of refreshing wines, in various hue of pink and that are made using red grapes.

Here are some rosé wines I’ve sampled recently that range in price from value to special occasions.

  • 2015 Los Vascos Rosé ($13.99) – Bright, pale pink color. On the nose, aromas of strawberries, raspberries, cherries and pomegranates underscored by white chocolate and sugar syrup. The palate is fresh, balanced and persistent. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah.
  • Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé Cremant D’Alsace ($22) – Coral/pink in color with fine and small bubbles. Light strawberry intensity with a hint of yeast. Juicy strawberry continues with a hint of sweetness that’s balanced by bright acidity. Creamy yet crisp mouthfeel.
  • 2014 Tavel Rosé, Prieuré de Montézargues ($23.99) – Bright pink in the glass, this Rhone valley rosé offers big strawberry aromas and strawberry/raspberry flavors with just a touch of citrus. 55% Grenaches (red & white), 30% Cinsault, 13% Clairette, 2% others.
  • Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rosé NV ($15.99) – Bright pink in the glass with strawberry aromas that carry over in the mouth. Laced with citrus and a little clove, Creamy and silky texture with nice level of acidity and a clean, dry finish. 100% Pinot Noir.
  • 2015 Domaine du Gros Noré Bandol Rosé ($26.99) – This rosé is salmon-colored in the glass and offers aromas of ripe peach with floral notes. Lovely delicate flavors of juicy melon and a nice level of acidity on the finish. 40% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, 40% Cinsault.
  • 2015 Wilde Farm Rosé North Coast ($29.99) – Dark pink in the glass, this wine has citrus and floral aromas and ripe pear/peach flavors. Bit of sweetness then a perfect pop of acidity on the finish. Very limited quantities, but worth the search. 100% Dolcetto.
  • 2014 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé ($35.99) – Intense floral nose with a bit of strawberry. It has incredible peaches and juicy, ripe cantaloupe flavors with bright acidity and a long pleasantly dry finish. 50% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 2% Carignan.
  • Champagne Drappier Brut Rosé ($54.99) – Bright orangey-pink in the glass, this is some of the best pink champagne I’ve tasted of late. Floral and red berry aromas with raspberry flavors laced with pumpkin pie spice and yeasty notes. Fresh, crisp, delicious. 100% Pinot Noir.

What are some of your favorite rosé wines? Have you tried any of the above? Please let me and other readers know.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Pinot Noir, Syrah / Shiraz, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
8 June 2016 2014 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay

2014 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay

June 8, 2016 By

2014 Au Bon Climat ChardonnayOn the nose apricot and citrus with flinty notes. The palate of this medium to full-bodied wine brings more citrus with a decent level of acidity on the finish. A great value for a California Chardonnay of this caliber.

I’m a big fan of Jim Clendenen, Au Bon Climat’s winemaker, who’s been making high quality wines in Santa Barbara County since the early 1980s.

Pairings: Grilled fish or seafood, poultry.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay

Region: Santa Barbara County, California, USA

Price: $22

Filed Under: Chardonnay, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
25 May 2016 2012 Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Pinot Noir

2012 Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Pinot Noir

May 25, 2016 By

2012 Evesham Wood “Le Puits Sec” Pinot NoirThe 2012 Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Pinot Noir is just a lovely, lovely Pinot Noir.

In the glass, it’s dark raspberry in color. The nose is of dark, ripe berries and cherry with some peppery notes. Hard to stop sniffing to take that first sip! This medium-bodied Oregon Pinot Noir offers raspberry and stone fruit flavors laced with some peppery sweet notes on the velvety finish. Blind tasters could easily be fooled into thinking this was a Burgundy.

Pairings: Duck, roasted poultry, grilled salmon.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Price: $45.99

Filed Under: By Country, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
19 August 2015 2014 Jean Edwards Cellars Dalla Gasperina Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

2014 Jean Edwards Cellars Dalla Gasperina Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

August 19, 2015 By

2014 Jean Edwards Cellars Sauvignon BlancI had the pleasure of sampling this brand new Sauvignon Blanc by Napa’s Cabernet Sauvignon experts – Jean Edwards Cellars, at the James Beard House. This is the first white by these masters of reds and it’s a winner.

In the glass, the 2014 Jean Edwards Cellars Sauvignon Blanc is straw color. This wine is a little un-Sauvignon Blanc like on the nose (a good thing where I’m concerned) with rich tropical fruit aromas and lots of juicy citrus. Love at first sniff. The tropical fruit aromas carry on to the palate with Meyer lemon notes. I really enjoyed the richness the Semillon brought to this wine and the minerality on the finish is outstanding.

A very food-friendly wine and a pleasant departure from other Sauvignon Blancs with little to no flavor. Unoaked Chardonnay fans – take note of this lovely wine.

Pairings: Grilled fish or seafood, raw oysters/clams, pear salad with citrusy vinaigrette.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 92% Sauvignon Blanc and 8% Semillon

Region: Napa Valley, California, USA

Price: $32

Filed Under: Sauvignon Blanc, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
19 June 2015 Unexpected Napa Valley Wine Tasting

Unexpected Napa Valley Wine Tasting

June 19, 2015 By

Unexpected NapaThis week, I was invited to explore unexpected wines from Napa Valley via a virtual tasting. I’ve explained the idea of virtual wine tastings in previous posts but for those who are new to the concept, here’s how they go:

  • Get wine in the varietal or brand being sampled.
  • Invite some friends to try the wine(s) and experience with you (or do as I typically do – put some yoga pants on and enjoy from the couch with iPad, iPhone and laptop handy).
  • Drink and share your thoughts about the wine(s) with other wine fans from around the world using the established hashtag on Twitter and/or Facebook (in this case #SipWithKaren).

In this case, the Karen mentioned in the hashtag was wine expert, Karen MacNeil. The virtual tasting was of six unexpected Napa Valley wines, including unoaked Chardonnay, Albariño from Carneros, an affordable Cabernet Sauvignon, and more.

Here are the wines sampled:

2013 Cornerstone Cellars Napa Valley Chenin Blanc ($25)

Varieties: 100% Chenin Blanc

Pale yellow in appearance. Offers an Asian pear nose with a bit of sweetness. Offers tropical fruit flavors with citrus notes on the palate. Would be great served as an aperitif but also with shellfish on a warm summer evening. Only 187 cases produced – get your hands on this wine quickly.

2013 Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Fumé Blanc ($17)

Varieties: 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Sémillon

Fragrant ripe cantaloupe and juicy mandarin aromas. Lightly grassy, lime flavors with more cantaloupe on the palate. Long finish with the 10% Semillon making this wine interesting and complex.

2014 Artesa Napa Valley Albariño ($28)

Varieties: 100% Albariño

Less “in your face” with minerality than its Spanish kin. Lovely bright peach and Meyer lemon aromas with some floral notes. Peach and a bit of plum on the palate. Light oaky notes on a long finish.

2013 Alpha Omega Unoaked Napa Valley Chardonnay ($33)

Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Wish they’d make more than 500 cases! Clean, crisp, not your daddy’s Cali Chard (in a good way). Slightly creamy mouthfeel. I need to remember this wine when I host this year’s lobsterfest.

2012 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($29)

Varieties: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec

Truly a classic Cali Cab and the stuff that made Robert Mondavi famous in the wine world. Enticing dark berry nose. Rich ripe berry flavors with a long, chocolate-kissed finish. 30% is from historic To Kalon vineyard in and 14% comes from Wappo Hill Vineyard in the Stag’s Leap district.

2010 St. Supéry Estate Vineyard & Winery Dollarhide Ranch Napa Valley

Petit Verdot ($50)

Varieties: 97% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark purple-red in the glass. Slightly tart berries and stone fruit nose. Big blackberry flavors with peppery notes. Get the grill out, this is what steaks are made to be paired with. 590 cases made.

For those of you who have stereotyped California wines as fruit bombs and butter in a glass (silly people), these are great examples of the unexpected, vibrant and delicious wines California has to offer.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Albarino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Red Wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
29 April 2015 Harper Voit – Obsessively Crafted Willamette Valley Wines

Harper Voit – Obsessively Crafted Willamette Valley Wines

April 29, 2015 By

Harper VoitA couple weeks ago, I attended Pinot in the City in Manhattan, a gathering of top Oregon wineries where consumers were treated to fantastic wines from well-known producers and upcoming wineries.

The winery I was most impressed with was a new player in the New York market – Harper Voit.

Winemaker/Proprietor, Drew Voit, was in attendance and fascinated us with both his tales of his winery’s evolution and with the very fine juice he poured for us. Voit is a veteran of the Oregon wine industry with winemaker stints at Domaine Serene Winery and at Shea Wine Cellars.

Harper Voit’s motto is “Obsessively Crafted Willamette Valley Wines” and after two pours of Drew’s wines, I get it. Here are two wines we sampled:

2012 Harper Voit Strandline Pinot Noir – $35

Red with purple hues in the glass, the 2012 Strandline Pinot Noir offers ripe raspberry aromas with earthy notes. It took me a while to get my nose out of the glass to take a sip but when I did – wow.  Big mouthful of juicy dark fruit and stone fruit with apple pie spice and mocha-ish undertones. Long fruity finish.

2014 Harper Voit Maresh Vineyard Old Vine Riesling – $25

This outstanding, and I mean outstanding Riesling is made from vines planted back in the ‘70s in the legendary Maresh Vineyard. Expressive tropical fruit aromas that continue on the palate for a hint of sweetness followed by a perfect level of minerality and acidity. Thai food please!!

I’m very much looking forward to finding these small batch wines and trying others from previous vintages. I’m also looking forward to what Harper Voit has in store for us new fans.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Riesling, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
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