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: , , , , ,
17 April 2015 Virtual Tasting – Montes Winery

Virtual Tasting – Montes Winery

April 17, 2015 By

Montes PantoneSince it was founded in 1988, Montes Winery, the celebrated Chilean winery well-known for 25 years of innovation, has shown a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Montes Winery is certified under the Wines of Chile Sustainable Code, which addresses the wine region’s needs for sustainable practices in three areas – vineyard, winery and community.

In 2009, Montes Winery began studying the impact of differing levels of vine irrigation on the growth of grapes knowing water is a valuable resource that requires responsible usage.

In September 2014, nearly five years after it began studying dry farming, Montes introduced its 2012 line of Alpha wines, comprised of single varietal wines and produced from its Colchagua dry-farmed vineyards.

Through its dry farming techniques, Montes leaves the watering of vines up to Mother Nature. For instances where rainfall is inadequate for proper vine development, Montes supplements with minimal irrigation. Monitoring has shown Montes winemakers that less irrigation results in lower yields of much higher quality grapes.

During the 2013-2014 season, Montes was able to reduce water usage in its vineyards by 65%, an applause-worthy feat.

This week, I was invited to participate in a virtual tasting of three Montes Alpha wines with Montes Chief Winemaker Aurelio Montes. Here are my tasting notes (all three wines are in the $15 range):

Montes WinesMontes 2012 Alpha Carmenère

I sampled the 2012 Montes Alpha Carmenère after decanting for about an hour. Bright red in the glass. Raspberry nose with peppery notes. In the mouth, it’s silky in texture with ripe berry flavors and chocolate undertones.

Montes 2012 Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep ruby in the glass, the 2012 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon offers blackberry aromas with notes of mocha and leather. In the mouth, this full-bodied Cab is big on dark fruit and ripe raspberries with a nice touch of oak from having spent 12 months in French oak barrels.

Montes 2012 Alpha Syrah

This Syrah is blended with 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Viognier. Inky red in the glass, the 2012 Montes Alpha Syrah offers big fruity/floral aromas with earthy, chocolate notes. Straight out of the glass, it’s bold and full-bodied but an hour of decanting produced a silky texture with plummy/dark fruit flavors and a long, smooth finish.

Over the decades since it was founded, Montes Winery has played a crucial role in enhancing awareness of quality Chilean wines and for raising the bar with regards to premium wines of the region.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Chile, Syrah / Shiraz, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
10 April 2015 Virtual Tasting – Jacob’s Creek Two Lands

Virtual Tasting – Jacob’s Creek Two Lands

April 10, 2015 By

Two Lands WinesI’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 #TwoLands).

The wines I tasted last night were by Jacob’s Creek’s new range of wines, Two Lands, made as a collaboration between the Jacob’s Creek’s Chief Winemaker, Bernard Hickin, and Napa winemaker, Ehren Jordan. These new and affordable Australian wines are now available in retail outlets across the United States.

Here are my tasting notes for the four Jacob’s Creek wines featured – 2014 Two Lands Chardonnay, 2014 Two Lands Pinot Grigio, 2013 Two Lands Shiraz and 2013 Two Lands Cabernet Sauvignon.

2014 Two Lands Chardonnay

Bright yellow with a hint of green in the glass. This is a light-bodied Chardonnay with tropical fruit aromas. In the mouth, the flavors were of cantaloupe and peach, not over-the-top fragrant. What I loved most about this Australian Chardonnay was the bright citrusy acidity that gave the wine an almost tangy finish. As the wine warmed up a bit, it developed bigger tropical fruit flavors with a touch of oakiness.

Pairings: Seafood, chicken and pork, if prepared in a light manner

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay

Price: $14

2014 Two Lands Pinot Grigio

Very pale yellow in the glass. There are light lemony and aromas and Meyer lemon flavors that finish on a zesty citrus note. Nice summer sipper.

Pairings: Serve as an aperitif, with fish or with a light salad

Grape Type(s): Pinot Grigio

Price: $14

2013 Two Lands Cabernet Sauvignon

Bright red in the glass with an intense berry nose. This medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon offers stone fruit and ripe berry aromas with a little apple pie spice on the medium finish.

Pairings: Grilled meats, cheese course 

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Price: $14

2013 Two Lands Shiraz

Deepest of purple in the glass with a smoky, dark fruit nose. Big ripe fruit and blackberry flavors with a crack of black pepper on the long finish. It’s a baby still and needs some cellaring. Softened up a bit with decanting.

Pairings: Grilled steak, simmered beef or lamb, barbeque ribs 

Grape Type(s): Shiraz

Price: $14

Besides the solid wine in the bottles, another thing I loved about the Two Lands is the artwork on the bottles. Here’s a short video showing the wine label illustration – very cool!

Very solid wines for that unbeatable price point – stock up for your summer parties!

These four wines were sent to me as samples and are being added to my repertoire. Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Red Wine, Syrah / Shiraz, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
25 March 2015 2011 Jean Edwards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2011 Jean Edwards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

March 25, 2015 By

2011 Jean Edwards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet SauvignonThis is Jean Edwards Cellars’ flagship wine and it’s simply delectable. In the glass, it’s deep ruby and offers ripe cherry aromas laced with mocha, pumpkin pie spice and tobacco. In the mouth, it’s medium to full-bodied with chocolate-covered cherry flavors with earthy, plummy notes – wow, just wow. The finish is medium in length with medium tannins that softened with decanting.

The vineyard the grapes for this wine come from is located on Pritchard Hill above St. Helena on the eastern side of the Napa Valley, where some of the best California Cabs are made.

With neighbors like Hobbs Stagecoach ($150), Chappellet Pritchard Hill ($100) and Bryant ($200), this wine is a bargain at $65 and absolutely on the same level, or better.

Pairings: Beef, lamb, cheese plate.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot

Region: Napa Valley, California, USA

Price: $65

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
4 March 2015 2008 Chateau Malmaison Moulis En Medoc Baronne Nadine de Rothschild

2008 Chateau Malmaison Moulis En Medoc Baronne Nadine de Rothschild

March 4, 2015 By

2008Chateau Malmaison Moulis En MedocIn the glass, this Bordeaux wine is brick red. The nose is cherry and blackberry aromas with peppery notes. In the mouth, it offers flavors of red berries and plum with leather and mocha notes. Medium-full bodied finish with some light tannins.

Pairings: Beef, cheese course, lamb, pasta with meat sauce

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Bordeaux, France

Price: $20

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
18 February 2015 2009 Chateau de Chamirey Les Ruelles Mercurey Rouge 1er Cru

2009 Chateau de Chamirey Les Ruelles Mercurey Rouge 1er Cru

February 18, 2015 By

2009 Chateau de Chamirey Les RuellesI sampled this wine at a tasting dinner and loved it as it paired well with just about everything.

In the glass, it’s a lovely semi-transparent raspberry color with brick around the rim. The nose is earthy with red berry aromas laced with a bit of oak. In the mouth, it offers flavors of dark cherry and raspberry with hints of vanilla. Medium finish with some youthfulness – drink soon.

Pairings: Duck/roasted poultry, pork, salmon

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Burgundy, France

Price: $44

 

Filed Under: France, Pinot Noir, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
11 February 2015 2009 Doukénie Winery Merlot

2009 Doukénie Winery Merlot

February 11, 2015 By

2009 Doukenie MerlotA friend brought this Virginia wine to a pizza party and it was only my second encounter with wines from that area.

Doukénie, located on a 500-acre farm in Loudoun County, Virginia, is a popular winery that has garnered much praise for the region for its award-winning wines.

We uncorked this wine and gave it no decanting or time to open up. Deeply purple in the glass, this wine offers big floral aromas with notes of ripe, dark berries and stone fruit. This Merlot is medium-bodied with plummy, jammy blackberry flavors and notes of mocha. The finish is short with faint tannins.

Pairings: Burger, grilled meats, pizza

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Merlot

Region: Loudoun County, VA, USA

Price: $33

Filed Under: Merlot, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
21 January 2015 1991 Château Montus Madiran Cuvée Prestige

1991 Château Montus Madiran Cuvée Prestige

January 21, 2015 By

1991 Château Montus Madiran Cuvée PrestigeOn a recent visit to Quebec, my dad dug deep in his cellar for this purely wonderful bottle. While I’ve read this wine should have drunk before 2011, its perfect storing condition extended its life. In the glass, it’s a beautiful brick color with the type of barnyard funk I absolutely love. In the mouth, it’s round with plummy fruit that’s held up nicely. Long gone are the high tannins typical of this grape.

Yum, just yum.

Pairings: Lamb, duck, mushroom-based dishes.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Tannat

Region: Madiran, Southwest France

Price: $60

Filed Under: By Country, France, Red Wine, Tannat, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
14 January 2015 2012 Esporao Reserve Red

2012 Esporao Reserve Red

January 14, 2015 By

2012 Esporao Reserve RedDark fruit, spicy nose with a bit of smokiness. Lots of ripe dark berry and plum flavors. Firm tannins on a dry finish. Like this wine a lot at this pricepoint.

Will improve with some time in the bottle and with decanting.

Pairings: Burger, pasta with tomato sauce, grilled meat.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Aragonês, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet

Region: Alentejo, Portugal

Price: $20

Filed Under: By Country, Cabernet Sauvignon, Portugal, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
7 January 2015 2010 Giuseppe Mascarello Barbera D’Alba

2010 Giuseppe Mascarello Barbera D’Alba

January 7, 2015 By

2010 Mascarello Barbera D'AlbaRound, rich, full-bodied Barbera that’s inky in the glass. Floral nose with a hint of smokiness. Lots of juicy fruit flavors with mocha and licorice notes on the palate with nice acidy.

Decanted half the bottle for an hour and it improved an already super wine.

Pairings: Game, pasta with tomato sauce, grilled meat.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Barbera

Region: Piedmont, Italy

Price: $35

Filed Under: Barbera, By Country, Italy, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »