Gabe's View

Wine: Reviews, Thoughts & Culture

Archive for February, 2009

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Solaire by Robert Mondavi – 2007 Chardonnay

Posted by Gabe on February 8, 2009

solOver the many years since Robert Mondavi founded his groundbreaking Napa Valley Winery he acquired numerous other properties. These ranged in size, intent and vision. In the 90′ that included purchasing prime parcels in the Central Coast of California. Among the results of this investment in the Central Coast are the Solaire Wines. I’ll look at their Chardonnay today. I love this grape when it’s well made and it leaves me cold, to say the least, when it’s poorly made and/or over oaked.

The 2007 Solaire by Robert Mondavi Chardonnay is 100% varietal. The fruit is from Santa Lucia Highlands. The wine was aged for 8 months in a combination of both used and new French and American oak. Alcohol is a modest 13.5% and the suggested retail price for this offering is $15.

Apple aromas, underscored by some lighter tropical notes such as pineapple fill the nose of this Chardonnay. A touch of vanilla wafts in gently as you take the first sip. More pineapple, lemon zest and a touch of grapefruit ride through the juicy palate. White pepper, apple pie crust spices and a touch of creaminess make up the finish. This wine is well balanced with generous acidity. While it drinks OK on its own, it’ll work best with white meats or dishes that feature cream based sauces.

There is no question, what I like best about this Chardonnay from Solaire by Robert Mondavi is that it’s varietally correct. The Chardonnay fruit shines through, enhanced, not encumbered by the oak treatment. Though it retails for $15, checking wine-searcher shows it’s often available for closer to $11. In that price category this Chardonnay offers value.

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Posted in Chardonnay, Wine | 1 Comment »

Locatelli Vineyards & Winery – 2006 Petite Sirah

Posted by Gabe on February 6, 2009

Dear Petite Sirah, Have I told you lately that I love you? Well if I haven’t I apologize. All kidding aside I realize how much I love this varietal locevery time I open a fine example of it. The reason being that each and every time that happens I think to myself that I don’t drink Petite Sirah nearly as often as I should. If you take into account the fact that Petite Sirah already accounts for more than 10% of the reviews I’ve posted here, you get the idea. Last year I looked at a few releases from Locatelli Vineyards & Winery in Paso Robles. Their current release of Petite wasn’t ready for release at that time and therefore I didn’t review it then.

The Locatelli 2006 Petite Sirah was made from Estate Fruit. Production was limited. The suggested retail price for this wine is $35.

When you pour this wine, the dark, inky hue often associated with Petite Sirah is quite evident. This wine, like the band, is Deep Purple. This Petite is a bit tight out of the bottle and decanting is definitely recommended. Once it opens up, this offering is shot out of a cannon and full of big, bold, juicy flavors. The nose features apricot notes, which quite honestly threw me for a bit of a loop at first. Strangely when you take the first sip, plum and dark berry characteristics take over, the apricot makes sense. This wine is big and rich, full of boisterous dark fruit notes. The finish, especially once this wine has had a chance to breathe, shows explosive earth characteristics that linger in your mouth along with spice notes for a nice long while. As big and bold as this Petite Sirah is, it is has good acidity that keeps it balanced. A wine this big and extroverted wants to be paired with an equally full flavored meal. Braised short ribs or barbecue are two things that come to mind.

What I like best about the Locatelli Petite Sirah is that it reminds me of all the things I love about both Petite Sirah and Paso Robles wines. This is a great example of both and well worth the $35 price tag. Some time in the bottle will likely allow the earthiness to become more prominent. However, this wine is irresitable now .

Look out for another wine from Locatelli next week when I reccoemend Dessert wines for Valentines Day!

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Posted in Petite Sirah, Wine | 1 Comment »

Pedroncelli – 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted by Gabe on February 5, 2009

pcabPedroncelli Winery in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley has been around since 1927. In all that time they’re still a family business. In today’s world of corporate takeovers, the wine industry has not gone unaffected. Yet Pedroncelli keeps on keeping on generation after generation. Today I’ll look at one of their Cabernet Sauvignon’s.

The 2006 Pedroncelli Three Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from all Estate, Dry Creek fruit. This wine is composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc and 7% Merlot. This wine was aged in oak for 12 months. The suggested retail price is $15.

Blueberry and cherry along with undertones of cedar form the core of this Cabernet’s nose. Subtle eucalyptus also creeps in and makes its presence known. Throughout the palate a rich core of berry and plum fruit notes are the stars. The finish shows black tea, mineral notes and close spice. The tannins are firm but approachable and this wine has fine acidity and balance. This wine will pair with a wider range of foods than the average Cabernet Sauvignon.

What I like best about this 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon from Pedroncelli is how smooth and accessible it is right now. Its lush mouth-feel makes it easy to drink. Meanwhile it still has a firm enough structure to hold onto and drink nicely for the next 3-4 years. This wine is a fine example of some of the offerings coming out of Dry Creek Valley.

Please Note:

Dry Creek Valley has been a amongst my favorite regions for many years. With that in mind, along with a business partner and friend, I’ve now launched Drink Dry Creek. That site will be dedicated exclusively to everything Dry Creek Valley. Please check it out. Gabe’s View, will of course continue forward in the same manner it has in the past.

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Wine | 1 Comment »

Make Your Valentine’s Day Sparkle

Posted by Gabe on February 1, 2009

schug1Wine wise there are two ways I’d recommend going this year for Valentine’s Day, sparkling or sweet. I recently tasted through a dozen Sparkling Wines, and I’m going to cover my three favorites here today. Next week I’m going to do look at the dessert wines I recommend. However if a cocktail is more your speed, take a look at Gabe’s Cocktail View, where I’ve got a recommendation for one of those too.

The first Sparkler is from Schug Carneros Estate. I’ve tasted and written about a number of their wines in the past. I was excited to find out what their Sparkling Wine was like as they have impressed me across the board in the past.

The Schug 2005 Rouge de Noirs is 100% Carneros Pinot Noir. After fermentation, this wine was aged for 18 months before being disgorged. 617 cases were produced and the suggested retail price is $30.

Black cherry is the dominant fruit in this wine. It makes its presence known from the first whiff you take through the palate. Yeasty brioche like notes also play a significant role and really add to the texture and appeal of this wine. In the finish the cherry notes take a turn and add a pleasing sour bite along with an undercurrent of creaminess.

What impressed me most about the Schug Rouge de Noirs is that it provides a fine balance of elegance and substance. It manages to be both delicate and firm. I found it to be good to pair with more substantial foods than the average sparkling wine. I had it with Veal Valdastano and was quite pleased with how well they worked together.

The second Sparkling Wine is from Clos La Chance. This San Martin California producer is another whose wines I’ve looked at several times with amberconsistently satisfying results.

The Clos La Chance 2005 Amber’s Cuveé is produced with  a 50/50 split of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes from Legan Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The grapes were grown specifically for the production of Sparkling Wine. This wine was aged for close to 2 years before being disgorged. 350 cases of Amber’s Cuveé were produced. The suggested retail price is $40.

Pouring Amber’s Cuveé into a Champagne Flute I was immediately hit with strong aromas of orchard fruit. Those flavors along with a bit of nectarine and lemon peel continue through the palate where they are also complemented by an intense yeasty biscuit undertone. This wines finish is long and filled with varied nut and pie crust notes. These are also accompanied by nutmeg spice and mineral notes.

What I like best about Amber’s Cuveé is that it’s precisely the style of Sparkling Wine I enjoy drinking either alone or with breakfast foods. The yeast and pie crust components really provide the sort of complexity that excites my palate when I sip Sparkling Wine by itself. I also feel it’ll provide a nice complement if you decide to prepare a Brunch for your Valentine this year. The 14th does fall on a Saturday.

simonsig_brut_rose_bottleTaking a sharp turn away from California, the third sparkling wine I’m recommending is from South Africa. Simonsig Family Vineyards is based in Stellenbosch.

The 2007 Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brute Rosé  was produced from a combination of Pinotage (90%) and Pinot Noir (10%).  10,000 cases of this wine were made and the suggested retail price is $29.99.

The Simonsig Brut Rosé  has a lovely salmon hue. The nose brings to mind both raspberry and mineral characteristics. Throughout the palate both raspberry and wild strawberry come to the forefront, underscored by white pepper spice notes. Fruit tart shell notes emerge in the dry finish which is lengthy and ends with a tingly flourish. All of these characteristics are framed by good acidity.

My lasting impression of the Simonsig Brut Rosé  is that it’s a delicate wine layered with subtle elegance. Here’s a wine I would pair with lighter foods. White meats, entrée salads, and soft mild cheeses are all good bets.

This trio of Sparkling wines stood out to me for a variety of reasons. Each of them is unique. The Schug will pair with the more substantial foods, and to my palate benefits the most from being paired. The Clos La Chance is the choice for drinking on its own. And finally the Simonsig is somewhere in the middle. It’ll be a nice match for lighter fare and also drinks pretty well by itself. In each case, I enthusiastically recommend them.

Coming Next Week: A Look at Dessert Wines for Valentine’s Day!

Posted in Sparkling Wine, Wine | 1 Comment »

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