Drinking With The Douro Boys

A couple of days ago I had the pleasure of tasting wine with the Douro Boys. What’s that, you don’t know who the Douro Boys are? In short they’re five Winery principals from the Douro Region of Portugal. For the last seven or eight years they’ve joined forces to market their wines and their region together. While I said I tasted wine with them, it was really so much more than that. These folks present a Masterclass in their wines that’s an excellent introduction, or at the very least enhancement, of the knowledge one has of the Douro. Each of the Douro Boys (one of them is a female btw) exudes passion about the region and its ability to offer unique world class wines. They are of course very different individuals and they approach wine making with divergent thoughts and ideologies. One thing they seem to agree on is this. For the Douro to have a major impact on the global wine market they need to focus on indigenous varietals. The Douro is loaded with old vines, many of them field blends with dozens of varietals planted. It’s in these old vines and Portuguese varieties that they have something to offer no one else does. To plant Cabernet Sauvignon or some other international variety wouldn’t serve them, nor would it offer anything new to wine drinkers.

Of the 23 wines we tasted through four were white, six were ports and the remainder red. I’ll mention some specifics about my favorites below but first a few generalities. The wines we tasted had retail prices starting at under $15 all the way up to over $100. In general the quality was very high and the wines were clearly crafted with care and passion for the art. While I had my favorites, by and large each of them was unique and interesting in its own way. I found the reds to generally have particularly expressive bouquets, often with prominent spice components.

Here are a handful of the wines that stood out most to me:

Amongst the whites, the 2007 Redoma Branco Reserva from Niepoort was my favorite. This wine is composed of about 30 varietals. I found it to be and impeccably balanced white with an excellent finish. Touches of caramel, nutmeg, and toast stood out.

Several of the wines poured are still in barrel back in Portugal. One of these was likely my overall favorite of the day. The 2007 Reserva from Quinta do Vallado is a field blend. The vines it was sourced from are about 80 years of age. I found this wine to have some sour cherry notes, a touch of bacon fat on the finish with a nice bite. Excellent acidity and good balance also stood out here. I found myself crazing roast leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic when tasting this wine. The suggested retail price for this offering once it’s bottled, will be about $50.

I mentioned the excellent aromatics most of these wines contained, a shining example of that was the Quinta do Crasto 2006 Reserva. 24,000 cases of this beauty were produced from vines with an average age of 65 years. The nose was simply loaded with spice. Clove and nutmeg stood out in particular. For $35 I recall this being an impressive wine that seemed like it would pair with diverse foods.

The Quinta Vale D. Maria Van Zellers 2007 was a wine I found particularly interesting. Approximately 2,500 cases of this offering were produced from purchased fruit. This red was aged in stainless steel. I found it to be a straightforward wine with some Beaujolais like qualities. This is a red wine I’d serve with a hint of a chill on it. An excellent choice for Paella

One of the ports that really stood out was the Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage 2007. This is an incredibly aromatic wine. It offered plenty of dried red fruit characteristics as well as excellent spice. This was a superbly balanced port that I imagine will age nicely. Decanting it and drinking over a long evening would be an interesting study.

The last wine tasted was a Niepoort 1991 Port. This one wasn’t on our tasting sheet and Dirk van der Niepoort pulled it out after someone commented on his 2005. The 1991 was a real stand out for me. Nuts, caramel and fig notes were the story of a gentle but complex palate. This wine was sweet but restrained. Graceful and elegant are the two words I feel best summed up this lovely finish to an afternoon of tasting and learning.

Anyone tasting these wines, especially with the Douro Boys, would know a lot more about Portugal and the Douro afterwards. The best way to learn about wines is of course to taste them. You can read about them all day, but one sip tells you more than days of research. This Masterclass from the Douro Boys was a case in point. While I’ve had quite a few Portuguese wines in the past, tasting these current and upcoming releases from the Douro was nothing short of a revelation. Going forward I know I’ll have a stronger need to taste the wines of Portugal.

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Twisted Wines - 2007 Pinot Grigio

Whether you're headed to a Barbecue, having a casual get together at your own home or eating takeout food on weekday night, you're probably going to want to pair it with some wine. The difficulty for me in situations like this is picking the right wine. If 'm headed to a large gathering it's hard to bring a couple of bottle of high end Chardonnay, Syrah or what have you. But I refuse to bring something I'm not happy drinking myself. So I end up spending a lot of time tasting wines in the under $10 range, looking for a combination of value, wide appeal, and sufficient complexity to keep me interested. Today I'll look at a Pinot Grigio that fits the bill. The 2007 Twisted Wines Pinot Grigio was produced using fruit sourced from various regions in California. Alcohol for this wine is a modest 13%. The suggested retail price for this selection is $7.99.

This wine has a lovely pale straw yellow hue. Lemon Zest is most prominent in the nose. What the nose really brings to mind is Lemon Italian Ices. Throughout the palate there is more lemon, pear, apple and honeydew notes. Vanilla and white pepper along with a touch of tart citrus are all part of a medium length finish.

The bottom line for me on this wine is that's it's a refreshing white, perfect for large summer gatherings. It has a good price point and sufficient complexity to make it interesting in it's category. The relatively low alcohol also adds to its warm weather appeal. This wine isn't going to blow you away, but it's not intended to. It will however do what it was meant to do which is serve as a nice, refreshing, low priced summer white.

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Martin Ray - 2007 Santa Cruz Mountains Reserve Chardonnay

Chardonnay is planted all over the world. In California most wine making regions grow it. Every grape has the places it really flourishes. When we're talking about California Chardonnay there are a couple that seem obvious. Carneros is the first one that comes to mind for me. Lately though I've been going out of my way to try Chardonnay grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains. A nice handful of Chardonnays I've had from there, have been terrific. Today I'll look at a selection from Martin Ray. The Martin Ray 2007 Reserve Chardonnay is sourced from Bald Mountain Vineyard on the Santa Cruz Mountains. This offering is 100% Chardonnay. Aging was accomplished with 10 months in French Oak barrels. 540 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $25.

The nose of this wine is particularly big and impressive. It bursts from the glass and really provides a welcoming introduction. Apricot, light mango, vanilla and toasty oak are the most prominent aromas. What's impressive throughout, but most obvious in the mid-palate is an incredible purity of fruit.  Mango and apricot continue along with peach, nectarine and spice notes such as nutmeg and white pepper. The finish is outstanding and lingers, featuring additional spice and a fair sized burst of cream, butter and apple pie crust. This is a very well balanced Chardonnay with excellent acidity. A great match for four cheese Risotto, roasted chicken, or an entree salad.

What I like most about this Chardonnay is the nice complexity and layers of flavor it shows. Oak is relatively prominent, but never distracting. it frames the fruit but doesn't detract from all that delicious mountain grown flavor. This wine has the structure, balance and solid core of fruit which suggests it'll drink well for the next 3-5 years. A lovely expression of Chardonnay and  continued evidence of the fine wines coming from the Santa Cruz Mountains.

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Two Wines From Brancott In New Zealand

Brancott in New Zealand planted the first commercial vineyards in Marlborough more than 30 years ago. In 1979 they made their first vintage of Sauvignon Blanc. This is particularly noteworthy when you consider what an important role that varietal plays in the history, evolution and world-wide recognition of New Zealand’s Wine Industry. Today I’ll look at two of their current release wines, not surprisingly one is in fact a Sauvignon Blanc. The Brancott 2008 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is made from fruit sourced at two vineyards. This offering is comprised completely of Sauvignon Blanc. The suggested retail price for this wine is $19.

Melon, gooseberry and lemon zest are prominent in the nose. They carry through the palate which also features peach characteristics and hint of grass. Mineral notes, white pepper and some mouth puckering tartness emerge on the finish. Crisp, abundant acidity frames everything and makes this a Sauvignon Blanc that lends itself quite favorably to food.

What stood out most about this Sauvignon Blanc is that even with its hint of grassiness it leans away from the style that normally comes to mind in New Zealand. While that typically grassy Zealand style is often great, I like seeing something different and well done.

The second wine from Brancott is the 2007 Terraces “T” Marlborough Pinot Noir. This wine is of course 100% Pinot Noir. Aging was accomplished in French oak; ages ranged from new to two years old. The suggested retail price for this Pinot Noir is $32.

Black cherry and vanilla dominate the nose of this Pinot Noir. Throughout the palate, raspberry, clove nutmeg and white pepper are prominent along with subtler but present hints of cocoa. The finish of this classy Pinot Noir has an avalanche of deliciously pleasing sour cherry. The structure of this wine is framed by terrific acidity. This is one of those Pinot’s you can order at a restaurant when everyone at the table is eating a diverse array of foods.

What impressed me most about this selection is that it’s clearly age worthy. It should really come together and improve in the short term (2-3 years) and drink well for a couple of years after that. Good and great Pinot Noir is not inexpensive. This is an excellent one at a reasonable price.

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Go Figure - 2005 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

With the state of the economy it's no surprise there are some deals to be had. Sometimes those deals are local and sometimes they're global. In some cases they're a little of both. I've mentioned négociants a few times lately. Today's wine is a different spin on that. Gary's Wine and Marketplace is a NJ retailer with three stores. These stores are run by Gary Fisch and they do a nice job of providing value and selection. I used to shop their Madison store, but am happy they have one in Wayne now, a bit closer to where I live. Over the years Gary has developed relationships with vintners and such as he tastes and buys. On occasion an opportunity to do something unique presents itself. In this case he had the chance to source Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon from what his website says is a "well known" winery. Today I'll look at that wine.

The 2005 Go Figure Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon was produced and bottled by Girard Winery. Gary's website doesn't say that, but the back of the bottle reveals that tidbit. 224 cases of this selection were bottled. Girard has several Cabernt Sauvignon's which sell for approximately $75, give or take. The 2005 Go Figure sells exclusively through Gary's for $34.99.

Though I've shopped Gary's over the years, I never had one of the selections he sourced as a négociant, so I was pretty curious. I opened the bottle and found that it was pretty tight at first. No surprise as higher end Napa Cabernet often benefits from some air. The nose started to express itself pretty quickly and I found cedar, vanilla and a host of berry notes. Once it really opened up (an hour did the trick), the Go Figure has a very silky, smooth Mouth-feel filled with a host of berry, chocolate, blueberry, cassis, cherry and tingly white pepper characteristics. Towards the end of the mid-palate chocolate dipped cherry notes became prominent and carried through the finish. White pepper, minerals, dust and a hint of espresso bean make up a lengthy finish.

The bottom line for me is that this wine is a steal. While I understand that $34.99 is still a serious investment for a lot of folks, you're really getting so much more. Value is relative, but Napa Cabernet of this quality normally sells for at least $60, often more. With only 224 cases, this is a selection to pick up and tuck away for Thanksgiving, Christmas or some other special occasion. Go get  'em before they're gone. While I've never ordered through their website, if the on-line service is as well run as Gary's stores are I'm sure it'll be a smooth transaction.

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Visiting Rubissow Wines on Mount Veeder

A couple of days ago I had the pleasure of visiting Rubissow Wines in Napa Valley. Rubissow is located on Mount Veeder, west of the town of Napa. Truthfully, before my visit I didn't know that much about Rubissow, their wines, or their history. However I got to spend about 4 hours with Peter Rubissow and all that changed.

Rubissow was founded in the early 80's by Peter's dad and a business partner. At that time, and up until a few years ago they were known as Rubissow-Sargent. Each year they made approximately 3,000 cases of wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Merlot are the varietals they worked with. This brand had a strong following, particularly in restaurants and retail. Peter Rubissow took over the label in 2004 and he had a vision to make some changes to the brand. When he and his wife bought out Rubissow-Sargent they rechristened it Rubissow. The change in names made sense, because for all intents and purposes this is a reborn winery enjoying a second life.

The second life that Peter imagined, began naturally, in the vineyard. The goal was to make wines with a deeper intensity of flavor, speaking more obviously of their origins. The old model, which made some lovely wines, leaned towards case production. A new team was brought on board to help both in the vineyards and cellar. I got the chance to walk the vineyards with Peter and he showed me obvious things like where the Cabernet Franc was planted. But I also got to see the cover crops Rubissow plants to help with nutrients in the soil as well as other aspects of grape growing. This is an organically run farm and we spent a chunk of time discussing that. Rubissow isn't certified. The reason for that seems natural to me; they're farming the way it's been done for generations, naturally. The government giving them a stamp of approval isn't what these folks are about. They are about intent and execution. Walking the vineyards it was also easy to see how rugged their ranch is. Their vines, like mountain plantings often do, have to fight hard to make all that delicious fruit.

After walking through the vineyards we sat down and tasted through a couple of vintages of their wines. One of the big changes in philosophy on the growing side was to drop a lot more fruit than the previous incarnation did. By doing this, the fruit you're left with is richer, more intense, and has greater character. They now make approximately 1,500 total cases. Each of the wines Peter poured was a really impressive offering.  Trompettes, their proprietary blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is a real gem. The Franc really comes out in the nose and carries through the wine's palate. Along with their other offerings which are a Merlot and a Cabernet Sauvignon, it was impeccably balanced. The Rubissow wines have some commonalities. Power, elegance, intensity and richness all apply. But when it comes down to it, proportion is the key. Everything about these wines is in check. In addition to the regular release wines they also make a Rubissow-Sargent Reserve. The name is of course a nod to the previous team. In the bottle, you will find a big powerful Cabernet Sauvignon, which is quite nice now. I imagine it will be a tremendous wine to lay down for a decade or more. Great mountain Cabernet tends toward longevity. The reserve from Rubissow falls right into that category while showcasing it's unique origins.

While Rubissow is a new winery in so many ways, there are some things that aren't new. Peter has been part of the operation from the get go and obviously knows the fruit and the land incredibly well. Just as important, the vines aren't new. These vines have been producing excellent fruit for a couple of decades. With Peter at the helm, and his team around him, the fruit from those vines is now speaking louder than ever, expressing itself in the unique wines of Rubissow.

I plan to take a closer look at some of the Rubissow Wines here in the future. For now I can tell you that if you have the opportunity, these honest, well made wines, are certainly worth tasting. If you're planning a trip to Napa, I'd highly suggest scheduling an appointment to visit them. It's likely to be an unforgettable stop, punctuated by great wine. What more can you ask?

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Ravenswood - 2007 Vintners Blend Chardonnay

The Vintners Blend series from Ravenswood started with Zinfandel; not surprising for a Winery that is best known for that grape. They've since expanded and now make a number of Vintners Blend Wines. The intent is to provide everyday affordability, while maintaining varietal character and providing a well crafted wine. Today I'll look at the current release Chardonnay. The 2007 Ravenswood Vintners Blend Chardonnay is made from fruit sourced throughout California. 5% Muscat Canelli is blended in. This wine was aged in French oak; 25% of the barrels were new. The suggested retail price for this offering is $10.

Mango, apple and nutmeg characteristics are what jumped out at me in the nose of this Chardonnay, along with a hint of toasty oak. The palate features a solid and balanced core of orchard fruit notes. Apple pie spice and buttery crust notes underscore the fruit and provide a nice counter balance. Mineral notes emerge in the finish, joined by continued spice elements. Everything is kept in check by sufficient acidity. This wine drinks nicely on its own and will pair well with lighter foods.

This Chardonnay leans towards the oaky side but it never goes all the way there maintaining that all important balance that makes it enjoyable to drink. In its price point it offers good value. The 2007 Vintners Blend should please people on both sides of the Chardonnay/oak debate as it threads the needle well. Another solid entry in the Vintners Blend series that fulfills its intent.

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Lucchesi Vineyards - 2006 Cabernet Franc

Lucchesi Vineyards and Winery is located in the Sierra Foothills. They have 20 acres under vine; planted to a wide selection of varietals that were found suitable for their terrain. The vineyard itself is a steeply terraced one, with southwestern exposure, maximizing the sunlight hours. I've come across an increasing number of wines from this region that are well crafted, enjoyable, and good values. Today I'll look at the Lucchesi Vineyards Cabernet Franc to see if it falls into that category. The Lucchesi Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Franc was sourced at their View Forever Vineyard. This offering has 5% Merlot blended in. It was aged in French oak (25% new) for 21 months. 278 cases were produced and the suggested retail price is $24.

Plum, berry pie and spice are on full display in the nose of this Cabernet Franc. Throughout the full bodied palate, there is a host of spices; clove, nutmeg, and white pepper, which all accompany the generous wallop of rich, fresh, dark berry fruit characteristics. Towards the end of the mid-palate, chocolate covered cherry notes emerge and carry forward through the long, memorable finish which also features earth, mineral, and black tea reference points. This wine has approachable tannins that give way with some air. Sufficient acidity frames this Franc. This offering will be a good match with hard cheeses, mushroom based dishes, or grilled meats.

I really enjoyed this wines combination of full flavored fruit, indicative of the Sierra Foothills and the true Cabernet Franc characteristics, such as a big nose that shine through. This offering is structured enough to lay down for several years. It's likely to improve in the short term (3-5 years) and drink well for several years after that.

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Williams & Humbert Dry Sack 15 Sherry

There are numerous designations for dessert wines in the world. In Europe especially, many countries have their own proprietary dessert wines. These are generally made in strict accordance with local regulations. Italy has Vin Santo, Portugal has Port of course  and Madeira which is specific to the Madeira Islands. Spain is home to several well regarded wine regions and has a bevy of varietals that flourish there, has Sherry as their best known entry in the Dessert category. Much like Port and Madeira there are numerous classifications and styles within the broader Sherry category. Each of them can be indicative of production method, aging requirements and even level of sweetness. The one I am looking at today is a blend of Oloroso (78%) and Pedro Jimenez (22%). The Pedro Jimenez is added to sweeten and balance the drier Oloroso wine.

The Williams & Humbert Dry Sack 15 is made in the Solera method. As the name indicates this wine was aged for a minimum of 15 years. The suggested retail price for this Sherry is $29.99

The nose of this Sherry has expressive toffee, hazelnut and spice notes. As you take the first sip, reference point to sweetness come out and play a little bit of a trick on your palate. While this wine does have a nice sweetness to it, it's a touch drier than it seems at first blush. Throughout the palate apricot characteristics play a huge role and are really quite lovely and bold. These are joined by gentler reminders of orange peel, figs, balsamic vinegar, continued hazelnut, and a host of spice notes. The finish of this Sherry is lengthy and clean featuring mineral and tea notes.

What I liked best about this Sherry is how well it threads the needle between dry and sweet. It offers elements of both and thus is a very well balanced wine that will  pair well with a wide array of desserts. Because it isn't super sweet it's also easy to drink well on its own without fatiguing your palate. A truly gorgeous wine, and within the realm of dessert wines, this is a bargain.

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Clos du Bois - 2004 Briarcrest Cabernet Sauvignon

Clos du Bois is one of the biggest, most well known wineries in California. The variety of wines they make in a number of categories, truly runs the gamut. Amongst those offerings are a number of smaller and mid size production wines that highlight grapes or areas. The Cabernet Sauvignon I'm looking at from them today, is such a wine. The 2004 Clos du Bois Briarcrest Cabernet Sauvignon is made from fruit sourced at a handful of Alexander Valley vineyards. This offering is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. This Cabernet was aged in all French oak for 24 months; 86% of the barrels were new. 4,150 cases of the 2004 Briarcrest were produced and the suggested retail price is $42.

Wild blueberries, lavender, toasty oak, and plum reference points lead the nose of this Cabernet Sauvignon. Throughout the palate both red and black berry fruits are part of a rich, persistent core which is full flavored but never over the top. Smoke and earth, both indicative of its Alexander Valley heritage also emerge and continue through the finish. Additionally, chicory, dusty baker's chocolate, black tea, and light mineral notes lead the charge in a lengthy, lingering finish that coats the tongue and back of the throat, staying and staying. This wine is framed by firm tannins which cede with air; a fine acidity keeps everything in check.

What I liked best about this wine is that it's simultaneously bold and gentle. The flavors are big, but they never overwhelm. This wine is drinking quite well now but will undoubtedly improve for a handful of years and drink well for several more after that. A fine effort by Clos du Bois, that shows off Alexander valley's proclivity towards excellent Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Angeline - 2006 Mendocino County Gewürztraminer

The Martin Ray family of wines comprises several labels, in addition to the main Martin Ray brand. One of those is Angeline. Under that label they source fruit from both their home region in and around Russian River as well as some other appellations. The wines bottled under the Angeline label generally retail in the low to mid teens; some a little lower. Today I'll look at their Gewurztraminer. The 2006 Angeline Gewürztraminer was sourced in Mendocino County. This wine is 100% varietal. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. 2,850 cases of this wine were produced. It's most commonly available for right around $10.

The nose of this Gewürztraminer is filled with apricot, lychee fruit and subtle rose petal aromas. Continued apricot, as well as mineral characteristics are prominent throughout the palate. These are underpinned by hazelnut notes. The finish of this Gewürztraminer is gloriously dry. White pepper notes are prominent and joined by additional spice reference points that linger for a nice close to this wine. This wine drinks well on it's own but will really perform well when it accompanies spicier Thai foods, as well as light summery dishes.

What I like best about the Angeline Gewürztraminer is that it's made in a dry style. That style allows its true varietal character to shine. This wine is a very good value in its price category. It's also another solid wine made from fruit sourced in Mendocino County, which continues to emerge as a region to keep an eye on. Please stay tuned for more coverage of the Martin Ray wines soon.

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Cameron Hughes - 2006 Lot 52 Malbec

Most Négociants focus on sourcing wine from one region or country. Cameron Hughes takes a different approach. They source wine for their label from the entire world. This achieves a number of things. First of all it makes their potential portfolio at any given moment quite vast and diverse in terms of wine types, secondly it also allows a broad spectrum of price points. Today I'll look at their current release of Malbec. The Cameron Hughes 2006 Lot 52 Malbec is sourced in Mendoza Argentina. This wine is 100% Malbec. 1,800 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $13.

There are some things that go together so naturally that you can't think of one without the other coming to mind. Argentina and Malbec are two such things for me. Certainly there are many other fine varietals coming out of Argentina, but Malbec is their calling card, it's the wine that shines most prominently, and often in their country.

The Lot 52 from Cameron Hughes has a nose that exudes plum, blueberry, and most prominently, smoky characteristics. Throughout the palate there is a rich and mouth-filling core of solid dark berry fruit notes. Black Raspberry and Blackberry are the most extroverted of these. The finish has all the earthy charm that's wonderfully typical of Malbec from the Mendoza region. These characteristics are joined by a fair sized wallop of bacon fat. This wine has firm tannins that yield with some air, and a solid backbone of acidity that keeps everything in check. Grilled meats are the classic accompaniment for this wine.

The two things I like best about this Malbec are that it's a traditional, well made example of the varietal with all the charm that comes with it. This Malbec from Cameron Hughes also happens to over deliver for its $13 price point. 

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Three Wines For Easter Dinner

With Easter a few days away, everyone is probably worried about what to cook. Personally I'm more vested in which wines to serve, to match those foods. So I decided to find a trio of wines I could recommend. Thus I'm presenting a wine for each of three courses; Appetizers, Main Course and Dessert. First up is the Martin & Weyrich Moscato Allegro. This offering is based on the Muscat Canelli grape. The intent with this wine is to make a Moscato in the Italian style. Martin & Weyrich even used the bottle that is traditional for this in Italy. Alcohol is a modest 7.8%. 65,000 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $12.

The nose of this wine is loaded with orchard fruits such as white peach and apricot. A touch of spice also makes its presence known. Throughout the palate the Moscato Allegro is incredibly refreshing. White peach notes continue and are joined by some lighter citrus notes. Honey notes emerge on the finish, which is zesty and full of lingering spice notes.

This Moscato will be perfect on Easter served as a welcome wine, or paired with just about any appetizer. It's light bodied with some pleasing sweetness. What I like best about this wine as the starter is that it won't bog anyone down with too much alcohol or sweetness. It has just enough, and that's balanced by excellent acidity. It's likely your Easter guests will be hesitant to move on to the next wine when they get a hold of this one.

The main course wine is from Two Angels, headquartered in Napa. The 2006 Divinity is produced from fruit sourced in High valley. This blend is 52% Syrah, 22% Grenache, 20% Mouvedre and 6% Petite Sirah. Grapes were sourced at Shannon Ridge Vineyards. This blend was aged in a combination of French (70%) and American (30%) oak barrels; 35% of them were new. 500 cases of this offering were produced and the suggested retail price is $25.

Blueberry, plum and raspberry aromas are underscored by touches of vanilla and nutmeg in the nose of this wine. The palate is absolutely loaded with rich, dark, explosive fruit notes that envelop the palate and scream out with unadulterated joy. Hints of white pepper, bright red cherry, and toasty oak emerge in the lengthy finish. This wine keeps beckoning you back to the glass for another sip. Divinity has a firm but yielding structure and excellent acidity.

The question is Ham or Lamb? That's what most people will serve on Easter in the United States. Either way Divinity has you covered and will make an excellent accompaniment. If you're Italian like me and your family insists on serving a heavy pasta dish after the antipasto and before the meat course, have no fear, Divinity has your back. This wine will match well with Ravioli, Lasagna or even Angel Hair with Marinara sauce. It's a delicious wine and will impress both the wine geeks in your family and the novices simply looking for a glass of red to pair with their food.

Dessert is important for any Holiday meal and Easter is no exception. My recommendation this holiday is to go with a Late Harvest Zinfandel. Specifically the 2006 from Clos LaChance. This wine is made from 100% Zinfandel. The fruit is sourced from a specific block of Zinfandel that is grown specifically for this wine. Alcohol is 16%, modest for a Late Harvest Zin. A mere 84 cases of this selection were produced and the suggested retail price is $26.00.

This Late Harvest Zinfandel has a bright nose. Cherries are prominent and are joined by hints of apple that underscore them. Raspberry, strawberry and a host of other berry fruit notes dominate the palate which is full flavored but a touch lighter in body than the average Late Harvest Zinfandel. The finish brings out some chocolate notes, black pepper, lingering light mineral and spice qualities. This Zin can be dessert on it's own or match it with chocolate or berry topped cheesecake. Either way it's a perfect, and slightly decadent way to end a celebratory holiday meal.

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Ravenswood - 2006 Napa Valley Old Vine Zinfandel

Ravenswood makes so many different wines it's hard to keep up with everything they're doing. Generally speaking there are three designations to the Ravenswood Family of Wines, Vintners Blend, County Series and Vineyard Designates. The Vinters Blends serve the everyday drinking crowd looking for affordability and value, while retaining varietal character. The County Series seems to take a harder focus on what a particular varietal does in a given area. The Vineyard designates are just that. I'm going to look at one of their County Series Zinfandels today, with a couple more to come in the next few weeks. The 2007 Napa Valley Old Vine Zinfandel is sourced from a variety of vineyards throughout the county. This offering is 86% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah and the balance Carignane. Aging was done in French oak for 18 months; 30% of the barrels were new. 22,000 cases of this Zinfandel were produced and the suggested retail price is $18.

There were two things in my head when I sat down to taste this wine. One is the simple fact that when it comes to Ravenswood, Zinfandel is their calling card. The other is that I'm always pleased to see Petite Sirah blended in with Zin or vice versa. They strike me as incredibly natural partners, and the combined effort, is so often, greater than the sum of the parts.

Plum, blueberry and cloves fill the nose of this Napa Valley Zinfandel. Throughout the palate, berry and spice notes continue and fill your taste buds with layers of flavor. Continued berry, emerging earth, and a wallop of additional spices are all part of an impressive finish. This wine has good acidity and a firm tannic structure. This will be an excellent match for a burger, lamb chops, or other full flavored foods.

This Zinfandel is tight out of the bottle right now, and in need of decanting, if you want to enjoy it today at its best. If you can wait, lay it down for several years and it should both soften and come together into an even more impressive package. I went back to this wine 3 times after it had been open for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The first two times I went back it was drinking better than it had previously. The third time it was holding its own. In any case, an impressive Zinfandel for its price-point, which fulfills the intent of showcasing true Zinfandel character and Napa Valley origins.

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Robert Oatley Vineyards - 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot

Blends always fascinate me. I always find it interesting to discover if when several components come together, they're greater than the sum of the parts. In Australia blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Shiraz is very popular. So much so that it seems to have influenced producers in other regions to follow suit. When they're done well, they can be intriguing blends, with both varietals strutting their stuff, so to speak. The blend I'm looking at today is from Australia, but it's not Cabernet and Shiraz. The 2007 Robert Oatley Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot is sourced in Mudgee, New South Wales. This is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot. It was aged for 12 months in French oak. Each varietal was harvested, fermented and barrel aged separately before blending and bottling. 5,600 cases of this wine, finished in Screw Cap, were produced. The suggested retail price is $20.

The nose of this wine is filled with bright red cherry notes and a hint of vanilla. Throughout the palate this wine is lush and mouth-filling with balanced fruit flavors from each varietal shining through. Black pepper and hints of sour cherry emerge on the finish which is above average in length. This wine has very good acidity and gentle, yielding tannins. This Cab/Merlot blend will be a good match for a wide array of foods.

What I like about this wine is that is shows off a side of Australian Wine that some folks never think of. Big, bold Shiraz is the Australian calling card, and with good reason, they make a lot of great ones. Here's a look however at a wine that defies that flavor profile and offers good complexity in a gentler, approachable, food friendly package.

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Wyndham Estate - 2006 Bin 505 Shiraz Rosé

With Spring here and summer coming down the tracks, my thoughts go to Rosé. There is something about drinking dry Rosé in the summer, that simply can't be replicated the rest of the year. At this time of year I tend to taste through quite a few examples so I can find the Rosé I plan to lean on that coming summer. Of course I have my standbys, but each passing year there is thankfully more and more Rosé on US shelves. I try to find one I haven't had before to enjoy going forward. Today I'll look at an example from down under. The 2006 Wyndham Estate Bin 505 Shiraz Rosé was sourced from several regions in the South Eastern part of Australia. This wine is all Shiraz. The suggested retail price for this wine is $10.

This Rosé has a gorgeous strawberry hue that shimmers beautifully in your glass. Raspberry, vanilla and wild strawberry notes emerge in the nose. Throughout the palate there is an abundance of bing and black cherry characteristics. The finish has continued cherry this time with a sour tinge. Terrific acidity keeps this wine well balanced and refreshing. This offering will pair well with lighter, warm weather foods. It also drinks nicely on its own and would be a good choice as a welcome wine at your first outdoor event this year.

What I like best about this Rosé is that it hits the characteristics I'm looking for, in a modestly priced package. It's refreshing, provides  terrific fruit flavors, will be a good match with food and reminds me of fun. At this price it won't break the bank either. Definitely a contender for my Summer 2009 Rosé of choice.

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Cameron Hughes - 2007 Lot 87 Chardonnay

There are numerous ways that wine gets bottled and ends up on your local shelf. Most people envision a system where one winery grows the grapes, crushes them, ages them, bottles, and sells them. Of course that's the way a lot of wines, particularly premium ones, get to your shelf. But of course there are other ways. In Europe, France especially there are many négociant's. A négociant purchases grapes from other growers and sells them under his or her, own label. Cameron Hughes is a California based négociant. And while that is his base of operations, he sources lots of wine from numerous regions, the world over.  Most often a well regarded winery or grower might be selling a finished product which Cameron Hughes Wine bottles or packages. Sometimes they take separate sources and blend them to come up with a unique and perhaps better wine. The goal in each case is to offer a superior product for significantly less than it would cost if it had the original producer or growers name.  There are many reasons someone might be selling wine instead of bottling it themselves. In a great vintage they might simply have more juice than they're prepared, or bonded to produce. Regardless of the reason Cameron Hughes Wine, and consumers are the beneficiaries.

Each offering from Cameron Hughes Wine is given a lot number. Over the next several weeks I'll look at a number of different lots. Today I'll look at one of their new release Chardonnays.

Cameron Hughes 2007 Lot 87 Chardonnay is a blend of Alexander Valley (75%) and Russian River (25%) fruit. 8,000 cases of this offering were produced and the suggested retail price is $12. This selection is an example of the folks at Cameron Hughes blending two existing lots from the same producer to form their own blend.

The nose of this Chardonnay is filled with apple and pear notes; underscored by subtle vanilla tones. The palate is soft and lush, filled with mouth-filling, yet gentle fruit. The finish of this Chardonnay lingers with more pear notes, white pepper, nutmeg, and overall tingly spice notes. This is an impeccably balanced wine with terrific acidity. It'll drink nicely on its own, as well as pair well with a wide array of foods.

There are two things that are most obvious to me about this Chardonnay. First and foremost it's a terrific and pure expression of Sonoma County Chardonnay. Secondly this wine is an absolute steal. The $12 price tag is a joke. This wine is easily a $30 Chardonnay. If you love excellent, fruit driven Chardonnay from Sonoma County, buy a case of this and drink it all year.

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Martin & Weyrich - 2005 Il Palio Sangiovese

Paso Robles, in the Central Coast of California has been a favorite region of mine for a number of years now. The number of high quality, well priced, and unique wines emerging from Paso seems to increase with each passing year. Rhone varietals and Zinfandels are amongst the first things that come to mind when thinking of Paso Robles. But there are a growing number of Wineries producing Italian varietals with great success. Martin & Weyrich has been in operation since 1981 and Italian varietals are at the core of what they do. Today I'll look at their current release of Sangiovese The 2005 Martin & Weyrich Il Palio Sangiovese is made from fruit sourced at two Estate Vineyards. This wine is 100% Sangiovese. Aging was done in French oak; 20% of the barrels were new. Just over 2,100 cases of this offering were produced and the suggested retail price is $16.

Cherries, vanilla and nutmeg notes are prominent in the nose of this Paso Sangiovese. Throughout the palate red berry fruit and back pepper dominate the flavors. Sour cherry and earth notes tell the story of this wine's above average finish. This offering has excellent balance and tremendously pleasing acidity, which make this a perfect foil for a wide array of foods. I had it with Pizza and found that it matched well. Meats and hard cheeses would work as well. Italian dishes with red sauce are a no brainer.

What I like best about this wine is that it displays both old and new world elements. I recommend decanting this wine for about 45 minutes; some air really helps it shine. It's ability to be made in such a wide array of styles makes Sangiovese  Italy's MVP grape, and star of Chianti and Brunello to name but a few. It's slowly emerged in the US, specifically in California, here's hoping it take s a real foothold. If you haven't had any Sangiovese from California, or just haven't found one you loved yet, give the Il Palio a shot, it's well worth its $16 price tag.

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Stoneleigh - 2007 Marlborough Pinot Noir

If the momentum of Wine was compared to vehicles, New Zealand Pinot Noir seems to be picking up steam like a freight train. By and large the Pinot Noir's from New Zealand are well made and crafted in a style true to the essence of this legendary grape. While these offerings are coming from numerous regions, Marlborough is perhaps the most well known at this point. The 2007 Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir is 100% Pinot Noir. Fruit was sourced from 4-9 year old vines. This wine spent six months in French oak. Alcohol is a modest 13%. This offering has a suggested retail price of $16.

This Pinot Noir has a beautiful dark hue, and it's a treat to even look at in your glass. The nose is filled with both red and black cherry notes, underpinned by vanilla. Throughout the palate, cherry characteristics continue, accompanied by rhubarb. Sour cherry emerges on the finish along with leather, tobacco, white pepper and a hint of cola. This wine is framed by tremendous acidity and firm but approachable tannins. This Pinot is delicious and quite drinkable on it's own, but it has the structure to pair with a wide array of foods. Grilled Lamb skewers with portobello mushrooms strikes me as a particularly good match.

What I like best about this New Zealand Pinot Noir is that it's well made, well balanced, and crafted in the correct style for this varietal. For $16 this wine is a steal. It over delivers for it's cost, and is a great introduction to the tremendous Pinot Noirs that are emerging from new Zealand.

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Cosentino Winery - 2006 Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir

Last week I looked at one of Cosentino's Cabernet Francs. As I mentioned at the time, I have found them to be a consistent producer. There are several things that I've found particularly impressive about their consistency. One is that they maintain high levels of quality and make interesting wines at a diverse range of price points. Secondly they make an incredible array of different wines that manage to be distinct and varietally correct while also maintaining a house style that brands them as uniquely Cosentino. Today I'll look at one of their current release Pinot Noirs. The Cosentino Winery 2006 Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir is sourced from two vineyards; one just north of Carneros, and another in Russian River Valley. This wine was aged in barrel for 9 months. 1265 cases were produced and the suggested retail price is $40.

This Pinot Noir has a nice nose of wild strawberry and cherry notes. Throughout the palate pomegranate, cherry and vanilla spice notes star. Leather and earth emerge on the finish, alongside continued vanilla and a touch of nutmeg and a subtle hint of cola. This wine is nicely balanced, with fine acidity.

What I like best about this wine is that it's a classic expression of Pinot Noir made with Burgundian intent. Way too many Pinot Noir's from California are made in an overblown style that tastes nothing like Pinot. Thankfully this effort from Cosentino is not in that category. This wine is drinking incredibly well right now, especially after 30 minutes in the decanter. It'll drink well for the next 3-4 years. This 2006 Pinot Noir is another fine effort by the folks at Cosentino Winery.

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