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: , ,
31 December 2014 2011 Jonata The Hilt The Vanguard Pinot Noir

2011 Jonata The Hilt The Vanguard Pinot Noir

December 31, 2014 By

2011 The HiltBold, rich and deep wine that’s really pretty perfect.  The medium-bodied Pinot Noir offers aromas of ripe blackberry with spiced notes in the glass. Dark cherry with earthy, minty flavors on the palate with a very dry, slightly peppery finish. Could use a few more years to fully come to its absolute best.

Famed Jonata winemaker Matt Dees uses 45% new oak on this stellar Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir.

Pairings: Mushroom risotto, roasted duck or pork.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Santa Barbara County, California, USA

Price: $50

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
24 May 2014 2010 Clone 5 Pinot Noir

2010 Clone 5 Pinot Noir

May 24, 2014 By

2010 Clone 5 Pinot NoirNice bright cherry red in the glass with equally nice and bright cherry aromas jumping out of the glass. Cherry continues on the palate but with raspberry and even strawberry present. The body is medium in heaviness with a smooth, silky mouthfeel. Finish offers a little pepper.

Nice example of Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir and perfect to uncork at a barbecue.

Pairings: Pizza, red sauced dishes, burgers.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Santa Barbara County, California, USA

Price: $20

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
18 September 2013 2010 Penner-Ash Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

2010 Penner-Ash Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

September 18, 2013 By

2010 Penner-Ash Pinot NoirJust love this wine. It’s become my ‘go-to’ for a great Pinot that’s not outrageously-priced.

Medium ruby in the glass, this Oregon Pinot Noir offers aromas of dark cherries, ripe raspberries with peppery notes. This is a medium-body wine with rich cherry and dark berry flavors with a little spice on the dry finish. Nice body with velvety texture. Super Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.

Pairings: Poultry, pork chops, grilled salmon.

Style: Red wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Willamette Valley, OR, USA

Around $40

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
15 September 2013 Heart & Hands Wine Company – Pinot Noir and Beyond

Heart & Hands Wine Company – Pinot Noir and Beyond

September 15, 2013 By

Heart & Hands WinesSince being exposed to Finger Lakes wines nearly 10 years ago, I have been a staunch supporter of the products coming out of that region.

I am a devoted fan of high minerality, dry Rieslings from the Mosel region and to me, Finger Lakes dry Rieslings rank up there with those fabulous German wines. While a growing number of wine aficionados know and enjoy Finger Lakes Rieslings, a grape some of the wineries in the region do well is Pinot Noir. The winery doing Pinot Noir best is, in my opinion, Heart & Hands Wine Company on the northeastern shore of Cayuga Lake.

Tom Higgins

Tom Higgins

Tech industry veteran Tom Higgins, with experience working at Zachy’s Wine & Liquor and vineyards in Bordeaux and the Finger Lakes, established Heart & Hands with his spouse Susan in 2006. After investing a significant amount of time on site selection to find the location most conducive to growing Pinot Noir, Tom and Susan opted for a 6 acre plot located about 200 meters from the shoreline of Carr’s Cove on Cayuga Lake. The winery officially opened in 2008 and the cozy tasting room opened to the public in 2009.

Puzzled by the Claddagh ring on their wine labels, I asked Susan why they had chosen it and she explained that the Irish wedding ring symbol depicts love, togetherness and fidelity, hence the heart and hands name of their winery. Tom and Susan named their wine club The Claddagh Club. Members of the wine club receive quarterly allocations of Heart & Hands wines, including guaranteed allocations of “Single Vineyard” Pinot Noirs and Rieslings and allocations of club-only wines. There are two club membership levels: “Eclectic Collection” or “Exclusively Red”. The Eclectic Collection features wines selected from the full portfolio, including Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine and Riesling. The Exclusively Red Collection, of which I am a member, features Pinot Noir exclusively.

Fion the Winery Dog

Fion the Winery Dog

The boutique winery produces around 2,000 cases of wine a year and focuses solely on Riesling and Pinot Noir. During a recent visit, Susan poured us most of the collection under the watchful eye of her gentle giant winery dog, Fion. Here are tasting notes for some of these wines:

2009 Heart & Hands Barrel Reserve Pinot Noir ($40.99)

Medium raspberry-colored in the glass. Cherry, mocha and spiced aromas. Palate of ripe cherries and a little jammy stone fruit with a velvety mouthfeel and a long finish with some lingering tannins. This wine is closed under Vino-Seal for a completely leak-proof and taste neutral closure. A lovely Pinot Noir.

2011 Heart & Hands Polarity Pinot Noir Blanc ($26.99)

What happens to Pinot Noir that is pressed with almost no contact to the skins? Pinot Noir Blanc. Lightly golden in the glass, this is a pretty different yet delicious wine. Caramel and pear tart with a buttery crust in a glass. Long dry finish.

2011 Dry Riesling ($22.99)

Pale lemon-colored in the glass, this wine offers lemon/lime aromas. While there is still citrus on the palate, the flavors are richer with some peach and ripe melon. Dry, medium finish.

Heart & Hands Pinot Noir has garnered some very good press in recent years for its stellar wines, even getting some love from James Molesworth of Wine Spectator who recognizes that Tom is willing to lower yields to produce superior quality Pinot Noir.

Heart & Hands wines are available through the winery’s online store or at select New York restaurants and retail locations. Now, if the winery could develop a more robust distribution channel so more of us can enjoy its products….

The tasting room is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 5pm, and on Mondays and Thursdays by appointment.

4162 State Route 90, Union Springs, NY, 13160

(315) 889-8500

www.heartandhandswine.com

Cheers,

Veronique

 

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Riesling, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
23 August 2013 Alba Vineyard – New Jersey Wines Anyone?

Alba Vineyard – New Jersey Wines Anyone?

August 23, 2013 By

Alba SignAward-winning Alba Vineyard is located in the rolling hills of Warren County in Milford, New Jersey. The winery and tasting room reside in an 1805-converted stone barn with an striking wood tasting bar, rustic stonewalls and old oak beams.

During our visit, Caroline, our Alba Vineyard Ambassador, let us sample several Alba wines. She was a gracious host and shared information about each wine and about the history of the winery founded in 1980. Alba is the only winery in New Jersey to only use French oak barrels. Head winemaker John Altmaier uses each barrel a maximum of four times then sells them to a local brandy and cognac maker.

Alba Outdoor Seating

Alba Outdoor Seating

The wines we enjoyed most are:

  • 2011 Dry Riesling ($16.99) – With this dry Riesling, winemaker John Altmaier endeavours to recreate the type of Rieslings produced in Alsace. The wine is rich yet crisp and had me craving Thai food. 100% Riesling.
  • Gewürztraminer ($18.99) – This floral wine with tons of pink grapefruit flavors won a gold medal at the Long Beach Grand Cru. A really pretty nice example of this aromatic varietal. 100% Gewurztraminer.
  • 2011 Chelsea Dry Rosé ($10.99) – Lovely light pink color from the Chambourcin skins, this crisp rosé offers big strawberry aromas and peach/strawberry flavors. Perfect wine to sip on a warm summer afternoon. 46% Cayuga, 46% Vidal Blanc, 8% Chambourcin.
  • 2010 Pinot Noir ($23.99) – Burgundian in style and light in the glass, this Pinot is full-bodied with big cherry flavors and a nice peppery finish. 100% Pinot Noir.
  • 2011 Barbera ($34.99) – This wine took me completely by surprise. Piedmont comes to Jersey? Round, elegant, velvety with great fruit flavor. 100% Barbera.
  • Red Raspberry ($16.99) – Was I just a bit skeptical of raspberry dessert wine? Yes. Was I pleasantly surprised after tasting it? Yes again. The raspberries used for this wine are picked at a local farm in Tewksbury. Simply a huge mouthful of raspberries enjoyable on its own and was super paired with dark chocolates during the tasting. Would be great in a cocktail also and Caroline suggested I replace the water in my favorite brownies recipe with this wine for a chocolate/raspberry combination that’s unbeatable. I’ll be trying that.
  • 2009 Vintage Port ($19.99) – While I’m not a huge Port fan, this Chambourcin-based version is pretty grand. Jammy fig flavors with just a hint of sweetness. Was gorgeous with dark chocolate and would be great with a cheese plate. 100% Chambourcin.

Alba’s Chelsea Cellars is a line of hand-crafted wines made with grapes from Sagemoor Vineyards, one of the most respected growers if the Columbia Valley of Washington state. Alba sources the finest Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Sagemoor to create the Chelsea Cellars wines. To ensure the freshest fruit possible, the grapes are shipped to New Jersey within 72 hours of picking.

The regular tasting is $10/person and the private tasting and tour is $15/person (must include 4 or more guests). Tastings are paired with cheeses, flat breads, seasonal fruits or appetizers.

Alba Vineyard

Store and Tasting Room

Guests are encouraged to buy a bottle and take it outside to enjoy on the beautiful grounds of the property or under the arbor. I suggest you visit Alba before the winter comes, it’s a beautiful place with some of the best wines in the Garden State.

269 Rte 627, Milford, NJ 08848. (908) 995-7800.

The tasting room is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Veronique

Filed Under: Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Culinary Travel Tales, Dessert Wine, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Riesling, Rose, Blush Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
23 July 2013 Sick of White Wine Yet?

Sick of White Wine Yet?

July 23, 2013 By

Wine SteakIt’s hot and muggy outside and for many, including me, the weather calls for light, refreshing white wines. While I’ve poured my share of Assyrtiko, Sauvignon Blanc and Albarino this summer, I’m now craving reds that pair well with burgers, ribs and steaks.

15 Red Wines to Uncork at Summer Barbecues:

Wines for Burgers:

  • 2007 Campo Viejo Reserva Rioja (Rioja, Spain) – $9.99
  • 2010 Alba Vineyards Old Mill Red (Musconetcong Valley, New Jersey, USA) – $11.99
  • 2011 Garnet Vineyards Pinot Noir (Monterey County, California, USA) – $14.99
  • 2009 Albert Bichot Pinot Noir Vielles Vignes (Burgundy, France) – $14.99
  • 2011 Hahn Pinot Noir (Monterey County, California, USA) – $15.99

Wines for Ribs:

  • 2010 Graffigna Centenario Malbec Reserve (San Juan, Argentina) – $10.99
  • 2009 Villa Puccini Toscana (Tuscany, Italy) – $10.99
  • 2010 Predator Old Vine Zinfandel (Central Valley, California, USA) – $11.99
  • 2010 Renwood Winery Premier Old Vine Zinfandel (Amador County, California, USA) – $19.99
  • 2011 Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel (Sonoma County, California, USA) – $23.99

Wines for Steaks:

  • 2008 Wyndham Estate BIN 555 Shiraz  (South Eastern, Australia) – $9.99
  • 2010 Montes Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenere (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $10.99
  • 2010 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia) – $14.99
  • 2008 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre (Valpolicella, Italy) – $16.99
  • 2009 Esporao Reserva Red (Alentejo, Portugal) – $18.99

What are some of your affordable reds?

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Argentina, Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Italy, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Portugal, Red Wine, Rioja, Spain, Syrah / Shiraz, Tempranillo, United States, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
16 July 2013 WITS Virtual Wine Tasting 2013

WITS Virtual Wine Tasting 2013

July 16, 2013 By

I’ve detailed the concept of virtual wine tasting in previous posts and I try to participate in several of them each year. Last night was the Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS) and a virtual tasting of three California wines was hosted from my friends at WineTwits.

For those of you who are new to virtual wine tastings, this is what the concept entails:

  • Buy a bottle of the wine varietal or brand being featured.
  • Invite friends to come over to share the experience with you, or snuggle in your pajamas in front of the computer.
  • Sip and share your wine feedback with other tasters globally using the designated hashtag on Twitter and Facebook!

The virtual tasting was well-attended and the three wineries whose wines we sampled were very active with the virtual tasters. Cheers to Wente Vineyards, Garnet Vineyards and Renwood Winery for interacting with us to the extent they did. I’ll follow up and make tons of new wine friends today as a result of last night’s event.

Here are my tasting notes from the featured wines:

2012 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay

LSK1042_MF CH 07 1upFor those of us who enjoy moderately-oaky Chardonnay, this is a nice option. 50% of this wine was barrel-fermented in French oak and the other 50% was fermented in stainless steel tanks creating a wine that’s not overly oaky/buttery and has some fruit freshness to it.

Aromas of Asian apple and lychee jump out of the glass. In the mouth, the 2012 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay is medium-bodied with Meyer lemon and tropical fruit flavors. Finish lingers with some oaky notes and a nice level of acidity.

Pairings: Roast chicken, salmon, pasta in light creamy sauce

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay

Region: Livermore Valley, CA, USA

Price: $13

2011 Garnet Vineyards Pinot Noir

garnetGarnet pinot noirs have amassed rave reviews over the years and the 2011 Monterey County Pinot’s no exception. While it’s a bit more transparent in the glass than I would have suspected, it doesn’t lack in aroma and flavor. On the nose, it’s more jammy strawberry than the typical cherry one might expect. In the mouth, it’s velvety and the cherry is prominent with hints on vanilla and oak.

Pairings: Roasted duck, chicken or turkey, mushroom dishes

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Monterey County, CA, USA

Price: $14.99

2010 Renwood Winery Premier Old Vine Zinfandel

Renwood.Zin.OVAmador_catalogAt 15.5% alcohol, this is a big, beautiful baby. This style of Zin is right up my alley. It’s a huge mouthful of dark, ripe berries with mocha and pumpkin spices notes. This wine screams for a hot grill and meat…and my glass.

Pairings: Barbecue ribs, grilled beef or lamb

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 92.5% Zinfandel, 5.8% Syrah, 1.7% Souzao

Region: Amador County, CA, USA

Price: $19.99

For those of you on Twitter, search for #WITS2013 and see all the fun conversations folks had during the virtual tasting. You’ll likely find interesting wine fans to connect with.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Chardonnay, Other Neat Things, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , , ,
10 July 2013 Dinner with Jacob’s Creek…at My Home

Dinner with Jacob’s Creek…at My Home

July 10, 2013 By

Jacob's CreekThis year, 4th of July was celebrated with beef and beefy red wines at my home. My guy grilled a whole beef tenderloin and I baked my Cabot Creamery Seriously Sharp Cheddar Mac N Cheese.

Since I had a nice lineup of Jacob’s Creek’s current release, I decided to focus the party around their wines. Here’s what we tasted:

  • 2010 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Shiraz ($14) – This wine smells and tastes the way it looks: blackberry, chocolate/mocha with a little black pepper. It was perfect for the beef and the pepper sauce I served with it. I just enjoy that big mouthful of dark jammy berries.
  • 2011 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon ($10) – Purplish red in the glass, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers ripe blackberry and red current aromas with some astringent notes. Nicely balanced, fresh with vanilla notes. Can’t beat it for the price.
  • 2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir ($13) – Nice berry aromas with a bit of pumpkin pie spice. Bright cherry flavors with a little oak on the finish. Baby tannins stood up to roasted s’mores nicely.
  • 2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Dry Riesling ($12) – Citrusy aromas with fresh, green apple flavors. Lovely crisp, wet stone finish. Perfect to cut through the richness of my mac and cheese and stood up to its spicy Panko topping.
  • 2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay ($15) – For fans of Chardonnay without a ton of oak and butteryness, this is a good option. It offers a floral, citrusy noseful and nectarine aromas with a great level of acidity. This was poured around the time we enjoyed my Red, White and Blue Cake.

I know I should have poured American wines of this very American holiday, but I enjoyed the lineup very much and look forward to pairing up those heavier reds with my grilled meats this summer.

Cheers,

Veronique

These wines were provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire as they’re truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah / Shiraz, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
25 June 2013 2011 Capiaux Chimera Pinot Noir

2011 Capiaux Chimera Pinot Noir

June 25, 2013 By

2011 Capiaux Chimera Pinot NoirBright ruby red in the glass with typical cherry and pumpkin spice aromas and a mouthful of ripe cherry flavors – love this style Pinot.

Pairings: Roasted duck, chicken or turkey, mushroom dishes

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Sonoma County, CA, USA

Price: $32

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