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Archive for December, 2008

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Rosenblum – 2007 Vintner’s Cuvee Chardonnay

Posted by Gabe on December 10, 2008

RC Logo w Plow_iconWhile it would be great to drink high end wines everyday that’s simply not the reality for most people. The majority are looking for bargains on the shelves, or at the very least a reasonable value for their everyday drinking dollar. Today and tomorrow I’ll look at two modestly priced wines from Rosenblum Cellars and see if they get the job done. First up is a Chardonnay.

The 2007 Vintner’s Cuvee Chardonnay from Rosenblum is 100% varietal. The fruit was sourced from vineyard sites throughout the state. It was aged in a combination of 60 gallon French and American oak barrels. The suggested retail price for this wine is $12.

Chardonnay is one of the varietals I’m personally most finicky about. Unfortunately the world is flooded with a sea of mediocre Chardonnay. Some of them are so over oaked I swear wood chips cling to the side of the glass. When they’re great though, they can really speak to me.

This wine from Rosenblum isn’t meant to set the world on fire and blow people away. The intent appears to be providing a widely available quality wine that people can afford to drink any night of the week. If that’s the case, Rosenblum succeeds. This Chardonnay leads with a nose full of apple notes, underpinned by vanilla. The palate has crème brulee and apple pie crust notes. Spice and mineral notes along with some restrained toasty oak emerge in the finish.

The Rosenblum Vintner’s Cuvee shows a fair amount of varietal character and is made in a crisp, clean style. If you’re looking for any everyday Chardonnay that’s often available for $10 or less, here’s one worth trying. If this wine stays near as consistent as their Vintner’s Cuvee Zinfandel has been over the years it’ll be one to keep in mind.

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Willowbrook Cellars – A Couple of 2006 Pinot Noirs

Posted by Gabe on December 9, 2008

Willowbrook Cellars was founded in 2001 by Winemaker Joe Otos along with partners John Tracy and John Sillari. Their focus is on Pinot Noir. Specifically they’ve honed in on Russian River Valley as their primary region for sourcing Pinot Noir. However they look for fruit sources outside of that area that offer unique micro-climates and opportunities to make interesting expressions of Pinot Noir. Today I’ll look at two of their current Pinots. Both of them are from outside the Russian River appellation.

The 2006 Willowbrook Cellars DuNah Vineyard Pinot Noir is a single willowvineyard offering. The fruit was sourced from the DuNah Vineyard located in the Sonoma Coast. Fruit from select blocks was used. This offering was aged in French oak. A mere 190 cases of this wine was produced and the suggested retail price is $44.

The DuNah Vineyard Pinot opens with a nose of black cherry and vanilla. The palate is filled with plum, nutmeg spice and classic sour cherry throughout. Good spice, mineral and light truffle notes emerge in the finish accompanied by a bit of cola at the very end. This Pinot has tremendous acidity and nice balance.

This is an example of the style of Pinot Noir I like to sip on my deck while I’m contemplating life. A truly lovely wine made in a classic style.

The second Pinot Noir is also from 2006. The Marin County Pinot Noir was sourced from the northernmost part of Marin County. This selection spent 11 months in French oak. 245 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $38.

With only 200 acres in Marin County under vine this wine is a window into what sort of wine can be made from this region. In fact this wine is the first that Willowbrook Cellars has released from this source.

The nose opens with wild raspberry notes along with mushroom and vanilla. In contrast to the DuNah which was ready to go immediately, this offering wants some air. A minimum of 45 minutes in the decanter makes a huge difference. The palate has rhubarb, black raspberry and white pepper notes. Compared to the DuNah the Marin County offering is more tightly knit with darker, slightly sweeter berry fruit. The finish brings on more prominent layers of mushroom and additional dark fruit flavors. It has nice acidity and a firm structure.

Both of these Pinot Noir’s from Willowbrook Cellars are laudable efforts. Each is made within a style that strikes me as genuine for Pinot Noir. Choosing amongst them is going to come down to personal preference of course. Those looking for a delicate, gentle approach to Pinot are going to lean toward the DuNah Vineyard offering. Someone preferring a bolder selection with darker fruit and a bit more structure will go for the Marin County Pinot Noir. In each case you’re getting an authentic expression of this grape that speaks to the fruit’s place of origin.

Joe Otos also makes wine for Owl Ridge. I’ll take a look at a couple of their Cabernet Sauvignons in the near future.

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Ridgeline Vineyards – 2004 Merlot

Posted by Gabe on December 8, 2008

Ridgeline Vineyards is a boutique producer with the same ownership group as the well known and regarded Artesa Winery. Unlike Artesa which cuts a wide swath in terms of wines produced at varying tiers, Ridgeline is tightly focused on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

ridgeThe 2004 Merlot from Ridgeline was produced from fruit sourced in several prime Sonoma vineyard sources, Alexander Valley and Sonoma Mountain amongst them. Less than 2,000 cases of this wine were produced. The Suggested retail price is $24.

Pouring this wine into your glass and lifting it to your nose, scents of blackberry, eucalyptus, vanilla and cedar simply burst out. When you take the first sip it’s immediately apparent how smooth, silky and elegant this wine is. That said it’s big, rich and round in the mouth, filling the senses with loads of flavor. More blackberry is joined by plum, mocha and gingerbread spice notes. White pepper and earthiness are the prominent flavors on a long, lush finish. Hints of smokiness come also emerge which is typical of Alexander Valley fruit. This is a wine that will stand up to a steak or other similarly hearty cuisine.

What most impresses me about this wine is that it’s a truly classic example of pure Merlot at a really nice price for the quality. This wine has the structure and heft to impress Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers, yet it has no rough edges. Ridgeline Vineyards Merlot is the sort of wine you can use to blow away your Wine Geek friends. It’s simply an awesome wine, and at this point Ridgeline is still a bit under the radar. This would be a perfect wine to tuck away for a special occasion. It’s drinking well now and will continue to improve and drink nicely for at least 7 or 8 years. If you’ve been turned off to Merlot because of all the industrial tasting offerings out there, here’s one that might bring you back.

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Veramonte – 2008 Sauvignon Blanc

Posted by Gabe on December 7, 2008

Over  years the number  of wines on US shelves from South American countries has increased. Value, quality and availability often etiquetasfotos_label_sbfluctuate. Some producers stay on the shelves and provide a consistent product year after year. In the case of today’s wine from Veramonte it hit US shelves in 1998, exactly a decade ago. Today I’ll look at their Sauvignon Blanc.

The 2008 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc is made from fruit sourced in Chile’s Casablanca Valley. This wine is 100% varietal. This offering is fermented entirely in stainless steel. 70,000 cases of this wine were imported and the suggested retail price is $10.99.

The Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc  has a delicate pale straw color in the glass. The nose is filled with citrus and honeysuckle notes. It really wafts from the glass beckoning you in for a sip. Citrus notes along with gooseberry and honeydew melon are prominent throughout the palate. This Sauvignon Blanc finishes with a clean, crisp acidic bite. It satisfies and calls you back for another sip. This will be a nice wine as an aperitif or matched with lighter dishes such as an entrée salad or goat cheese puff appetizers.

If you’re a fan of Sauvignon Blanc made in a style that leans towards citrus flavors this is a good example to check out. This wine is often available for around $8 and with 70,000 cases imported it won’t be hard to find. A good bet as a house white. Vermaonte has been a consistent producer from Chile worth investigating from vintage to vintage.

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Bella Vineyards – 2006 Big River Ranch Zinfandel

Posted by Gabe on December 6, 2008

During the 12 Days of Zin I looked at a couple of wines from Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves. They were in a word, impressive. So I’m happy to have more offerings from them to look at. While they make a number of other varietals, I’m looking at another one of their Zinfandels today.

bellaThe 2006 Big River Ranch Zinfandel is made from fruit sourced at in Alexander valley. Big River Ranch is a hillside vineyard that overlooks the Russian River. 14 acres of the Zinfandel vines are 110 years old. 11% Petite Sirah and 4% Syrah were blended in.  This wine was aged for 18 months in oak, 20% of it new, with a large percentage of it from Virginia. The suggested retail price for this Zinfandel is $38.

The Big River Ranch Zin is tight out of the bottle and decanting is highly recommended to get the most of out of this wine if you’re drinking it now. An hour is what I’d suggest. Once it has opened up, raspberry and black cherry jump out in the nose along with cedar and light bramble notes. An avalanche of berry comes out in the palate along with mocha and more prominent bramble. The finish is long, lingering and lusty, loaded with spice, earth and black tea notes as well as hints of mineral. This Zinfandel has excellent acidity and terrific balance.

What I like best about the Big River Ranch Zinfandel from Bella Vineyards is how layered, lush and complex it is. It has some big fruit notes but it’s ultimately a very proportionate wine. Each of the wines I’ve tasted from this producer has been fantastic. This is definitely a Zinfandel to seek out if you like classically styled versions of the varietal. This wine should have a pretty nice shelf life ahead of it. I expect it to improve over the next 2-3 years and drink well for at least 5 after that.

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Four Vines – 2006 The Sophisticate – Sonoma County Zinfandel

Posted by Gabe on December 5, 2008

Four Vines in Paso Robles sources Zinfandel from all over the state to make their wines. What started as a small operation now makes over sophisticate_enlarged40,000 cases of wine per year. Recently I looked at their Amador Zinfandel and their cuvee which incorporates fruit from a host of places. Today I’ll look at their Sonoma Country Zinfandel.

Four Vines 2006 The Sophisticate was made from fruit sourced in Sonoma County.  A small amount of Petite Sirah was blended in. This wine was aged for 14 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels.  The suggested retail price for this wine is $25.

Rich, ripe jam fruit, bramble and vanilla fill the nose of this Zinfandel. The palate is full flavored, opulent and mouth filling. Dark fruit notes dominate. In the mid-palate, black cherry becomes most the most prominent of these. These fruit flavors are very fresh and really burst from the glass. Clove, nutmeg, and white pepper spice along with emerging earth are part of the finish. This Zinfandel has good structure and a fair amount of acidity. Pair it with bigger foods for best results. Red meats, hard cheeses, and hearty stews come to mind.

What I like best about this Zinfandel is that it’s big and bold without being over the top. A solid hour in the decanter really helps this selection show its charms. This wine isn’t as impressive a value as the Old Vine Cuvee, or quite as distinct as the Amador County Zinfandel. It does however offer good varietal character, a sense of its Sonoma source and fair value. Drink this one over the next 2-3 years.

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Volteo – 2006 Tempranillo/Shiraz

Posted by Gabe on December 4, 2008

voltWhen it comes to Spanish wines, Tempranillo is naturally the first grape varietal I think of. In addition to being the primary grape used in Rioja, perhaps Spain’s best known region, it’s used all over the country in a variety of different wines. Often times other varietals typical to Spain are blended in. Today I’m looking at a wine from the La Mancha region with more than a dollop of another varietal.

The 2006 Volteo Tempranillo/Shiraz from Bodegas Rozam is 60% Tempranillo and the balance Shiraz. This wine has a modest alcohol level of 13.5, typical of European wines. This offering is finished with a synthetic cork closure and the suggested retail price is under $15.

Cherry jam along with vanilla fills the nose of this wine. The palate is medium bodied with both back and sour cherry notes intermingling throughout. Some bright raspberry notes emerge in the mid-palate. The finish brings out mocha, clove, mineral and earth notes. This wine has good acidity and nice balance. It’ll match paella, roast chicken or a dish of pasta quite well.

The combination of Tempranillo and Shiraz in this wine works very well in my opinion. Each varietal brings distinct elements to the party. For the approximately $10 this wine can commonly be found for it’s a nice everyday selection.

Imported by Quintessential Wines

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Posted in Blends, Syrah/Shiraz, Tempranillo, Wine | Leave a Comment »

My Thoughts on Tasting and Reviews

Posted by Gabe on December 3, 2008

Cat over at a.pair.i.tif.net has an ongoing series this week about tasting and reviewing wine. She asked several writers to contribute stories about our personal approaches. Mine is posted now. Please check it and the rest of her blog out.

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Gnarly Head – 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted by Gabe on December 2, 2008

Gnarly Head Cellars makes a handful of wines. I looked at their Zinfandels in the past and found them to serve the intent they seemed to be aimed at. So when their Cabernet Sauvignon found its way to my desk I was intrigued to see what it was all about.

The 2006 Gnarly Head Cabernet Sauvignon is made from fruit sourced in Mendocino, Paso Robles, gcabMonterey and Lodi. Small amounts of Petite Sirah and Malbec, both from Lodi, are blended in. 100,000 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $12.

Blackberries and dark plum, underscored by cedar highlight the nose of this Cabernet. The palate is diverse and layered featuring hints of jam as well as chicory and mocha notes. It has a fairly rich mid-palate which packs a ton of flavor into a modestly priced package. The tannins in this wine are firm but approachable. The finish is loaded with earth and spice notes, particularly black pepper which is abundant. While this wine will match well with a burger or other meats I found I liked it best with dark chocolate.

One of the standouts about this Cabernet is that it has none of the green vegetal notes that are sometimes associated with Cabernet Sauvignon in this price category.

When 100,000 cases of a wine are produced it’s a clear sign that the intent is to be considered as an everyday drinker or house wine. With the holidays coming up, this is the sort of wine I keep a few bottles of around in gift bags. You never know when someone is going to stop by unexpectedly and drop off a little holiday cheer. It can be hard to know exactly how to reciprocate those Holiday gifts you never saw coming. Having a few bottles of wine in the cellar in gift bags makes it easy to give right back. If you go with the Gnarly Head Cabernet, I’d suggest slipping a bar of dark chocolate in that gift bag too. They go really well together and it’ll seem like a well planned present. Since this wine is commonly available for around $10 it’s an affordable gift idea too.

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Dry Creek Vineyard – 2006 Taylor’s Vineyard Musqué

Posted by Gabe on December 1, 2008

musqThere are several varietals that come to mind when I think of Dry Creek Vineyard. One of those is Sauvignon Blanc. They make three different offerings of this varietal. One is part of their Signature Wines series and the other two are part of their Single Vineyard offerings. I’m going to look at all three of the current Sauvignon Blanc releases this month. I’ll start today with one of the single vineyard selections.

The 2006 Taylor’s Vineyard Musqué is 100% varietal. The grapes used represent a specific clone of Sauvignon Blanc that Dry Creek Vineyard isolated to produce this offering. This wine was fermented in stainless steel. 539 cases of this selection were produced and the suggested retail price is $25.

Honeydew melon and a host of tropical fruit notes lead an explosive nose that’s underpinned by spices. The palate is rich, round and mouth filling throughout. This is a smooth, lush, opulent white wine loaded with guava, pear, pineapple and nutmeg from beginning to end. The finish on the 2006 Musqué is impressively long with lots of mineral and spice notes as well as a light undercurrent of subtle smoke. Tremendous acidity makes this an excellent match for many foods.

There are several things that make this wine stand out for me. The tremendous nose is one. The outstanding finish is another. At the end of the day though I’m most impressed by how unique this wine is. Sometimes wines produced from single vineyards or isolated clones aren’t as individualistic as one would think they’re going to be. That’s not a problem here. The Taylor’s Vineyard Musqué from Dry Creek Vineyard is both unique and impressive. I’ve tasted a boatload of Sauvignon Blanc this year, this is one of my 2 or 3 favorites. This is undeniably a wine to go out of your way to get.

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