29 April 2013 2011 Williams Selyem Papera Vineyard Zinfandel

2011 Williams Selyem Papera Vineyard Zinfandel

April 29, 2013 By

2011 Williams Selyem Papera Vineyard ZinfandelWas fortunate enough to have a friend bring this bottle of the 2011 Williams Selyem Papera Vineyard Zinfandel to a dinner party where I was able to sample it. What a big, bold, beautiful Zin.

The inky black color of the wine as it hit the glass was just gorgeous. The aromas of jammy dark berries with chocolaty notes were intoxicating. Who could pull away from this nose for a sip? Me, of course, but with difficulty. Ripe raspberry and blackberry flavors abound in the mouth along with fig jam and mocha undertones. Simply a big, concentrated and delicious mouthful.

Thanks Marty and Joan for sharing!

Pairings: Lamb, grilled beef or game, blue cheese

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Zinfandel

Region: Sonoma, CA, USA

Price: $70

Filed Under: Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , ,
27 April 2013 2007 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Central Coast

2007 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Central Coast

April 27, 2013 By

2007 Williams Selyem Pinot NoirAs a huge Pinot Noir fan (and who isn’t?), I thought this 2007 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Central Coast was pretty outstanding. It’s not easy to find, and after buying through a reputable online seller, I was eager to sip it.

In the glass, it’s a beautiful, vibrant red color. The aromas are of dark raspberries and pumpkin pie spices with some floral notes. The palate offers big, ripe cherry flavors and that silky, velvety mouthfeel other Pinots wish they could attain. The finish is long and earthy.

Pairings: Duck, turkey, grilled chicken, any mushroom-centered dish

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Central Coast, CA, USA

Price: $75

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
18 April 2013 2011 Castello di Amorosa Dolcino Gewurztraminer

2011 Castello di Amorosa Dolcino Gewurztraminer

April 18, 2013 By

2011 Castello di Amorosa DolcinoI just love Gewurztraminer. It’s right up there with Riesling as one of my favorite white varietals. The 2011 Castello di Amorosa Dolcino Gewurztraminer offers attractive nutty, spiced aromas with light floral notes. As soon as I took in the first sip, I knew I was going to be a fan. Big unctuous mouthfeel, rich, lightly honey-kissed sweetness, nice level of acidity make this an ideal wine for spicy foods or grilled fish.

Pairings: Thai or Vietnamese food, grilled fish

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Gewurztraminer

Region: Mendocino County, CA, USA

Price: $23

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Gewurztraminer, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
10 April 2013 2011 Heritance Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

2011 Heritance Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

April 10, 2013 By

2011 Heritance Sauvignon Blanc Napa ValleyThis Sauvignon Blanc and Roussanne blend offers bright citrus aromas typical of Sauvignon Blanc. The Roussanne rounds out the peach and tropical fruit flavors and softens the acidity of the Sauvignon Blanc. The finish is long and thoroughly enjoyable.

Paired this with Kurobuta pork chops and it was delicious.

Pairings: Chicken, pork, grilled fish

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 88% Sauvignon Blanc, 12% Roussanne

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $24

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
8 April 2013 Getting to Know Smith Madrone Winery

Getting to Know Smith Madrone Winery

April 8, 2013 By

Smith Madrone ChardonnaySmith-Madrone Winery is located in Napa Valley in the Spring Mountain District. The 200-acre estate has vineyards that sit at elevations up to 2,000 feet. Some of the vines are planted on slopes as steep as over 30 degrees.

Two of the Smith-Madrone wines I recently had the opportunity to sample are the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2009 Chardonnay.

  • 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($45) – nearly black and opaque in the glass, this California Cabernet Sauvignon features incredible aromas of ripe cherries with chocolaty, earthy and oaky undertones. In the mouth, it’s a big and bold wine with dark berry and licorice flavors balanced by just the right level of tannins.
  • 2009 Chardonnay ($35) – medium straw color in the glass, the California Chardonnay offers bright aromas of Asian pear with oaky notes. On the palate, cantaloupe and ripe apple flavors dominate. Toasted bread finish.

As far as idyllic California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon go, these are super examples.

These wines were provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as they are truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Red Wine, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
5 April 2013 2011 Steelhead Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

2011 Steelhead Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

April 5, 2013 By

2011 Steelhead Vineyards Sauvignon BlancNice example of California Sauvignon Blanc. Pale yellow in the glass with tropical fruit aromas and lemony-fresh, slightly honeyed flavors. Great acidity and citrus finish.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, especially seared scallops

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: North Coast, CA, USA

Price: $12

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Sauvignon Blanc, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
25 March 2013 2008 Franciscan Estate Magnificat Meritage

2008 Franciscan Estate Magnificat Meritage

March 25, 2013 By

2008 Franciscan Estate Magnificat MeritageI uncorked this Napa Valley Cabernet blend to pair with grilled steaks, garlic and Vermont cheddar mashed potatoes and peppercorn sauce and it was simply delicious.

I decanted half of the wine and actually enjoyed it both ways, although, predictably, it softened a bit after 30 minutes in the decanter.

In the glass, it’s inky red. I just knew I’d enjoy it by just looking at it in the glass and getting a sniff of the chocolaty, oaky, dark berry aromas. A good swirl showed legs wrapped around my glass. As far as taste goes, this California wine has delectable blackberry, stone fruit and mocha flavors. The finish is long and dry and I just loved it.

Aged in French oak barrel for over 20 months, this is a big, bold, almost jammy boy that’s right up my alley.

Pairings: Grilled beef, mac and cheese

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec

Region: Napa Valley, California, USA

Price: $50

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
16 March 2013 2010 Cristom Pinot Noir Mount Jefferson Cuvee

2010 Cristom Pinot Noir Mount Jefferson Cuvee

March 16, 2013 By

2010 Cristom Pinot Noir Mount Jefferson CuveeA bit transparent red in the glass, this Oregon Pinot Noir is floral on the nose with earthy notes. In the mouth, it’s Burgundy-like in style with strawberry and cherry flavors and crisp, dry finish.

Pairings: Duck, roast turkey, pasta with mushroom sauce

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Price: $30

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
13 March 2013 1998 Turley Petite Syrah Rattlesnake Acres

1998 Turley Petite Syrah Rattlesnake Acres

March 13, 2013 By

1998 Petite Syrah Rattlesnake AcresOnly 275 cases of this California Petite Syrah were made, so don’t be surprised to find that it’s nearly impossible to buy at your local store or online. I was fortunate enough to sample this rich, deep wine at a recent dinner.

In the glass, it’s dark and leggy. The aromas are of dark fruit and moist soil. The flavors are of stone fruits, fig jam and juicy dark berries. Big, bold, peppery, delicious.

Pairings: Grilled meats, pasta with Bolognese sauce, blue cheese

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Petite Syrah

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $60

Filed Under: Petite Syrah, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
10 March 2013 2010 Fulcrum Wines Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir

2010 Fulcrum Wines Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir

March 10, 2013 By

2010 Fulcrum Wines Gap’s Crown Pinot NoirI sampled this delicious Pinot Noir at the New York Wine Expo and think it might just be the best wine I tried there. In the glass, it’s dark and purple-hued. On the nose, it’s fabulous – earthy, mushroomy, black cherry. In the mouth, there are ripe cherry, blackberry, chocolate flavors with a rich, velvety texture. The finish is long with some clove and lightly oaky notes.

Pairings: Duck, roasted mushrooms, pork

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Sonoma Coast, CA, USA

Price: $50

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »