Nick's Wine World - Wine Tasting Notes

Bringing Wine To Restaurants

2011-11-15T08:08:00.000-08:00

Ok. One of THE biggest things I complain about to friends and family (who care to listen) are the absolute horrible wine lists at restaurants. Granted, the wine list horror show I describe is probably not an issue for 90% of the diners out there, which is probably why it never gets better and why I will probably BYO (Bring Your Own) for the rest of my life!

I am speaking to "good quality restaurants" and I am not being overly picky here at all. There are certain things I expect when I go out. I know I am spending $1.75 for a coke, $5 - $7 for a beer and so on. I also know I am spending 2 - 2 1/2 times retail for most wines. The ratio on a restaurant list can be smaller for expensive bottles and greater for cheaper bottles.

Selection

I live in New York, so the best restaurants should have the best wine lists with the best selections where BYO shouldn't be needed right? Well - most of the time...no. I have found that most restaurants buy from the 2 or 3 big liquor distributors in the state and most of them have much of the same stuff - on the higher end at least. The selection on the US premium wine end is the most predictable in selection and the most frustrating. Let's take the over $40 retail market for Napa Cabernet for instance. If you are in a good steakhouse (and New York has plenty of great ones), a nice Napa Cab can really do the trick. Sure paying $45 for a T-Bone steak a la carte sucks, but a prime dry aged steak is something special that I usually have no problem paying up for.

What IS the problem? The wine list. The selection more often than not comes down to large production of overrated (for price to quality mostly) known labels: Silver Oak, Silverado, Opus, Frog's Leap, Mondavi Reserve and maybe 3 or 4 others usually. Most of these in good vintages are quite good, but the predictability of these names at double or more retail - sometimes $125 or more for many just doesn't work. When you actually collect wine and you have aged it and know they are better than what you are being offered, I'd rather BYO and pay the corkage. Restaurants do not lose money allowing people who bring good wine to a restaurant vs. buying from their list. The truth is - we come back and I just will not buy an off vintage 2003 Silver Oak for $125. I would rather bring a 1999 Switchback, Pride or other superior cult cab I may have paid $50-$75 for and pay the $20 corkage, and it's a better wine too. It's not really about the money with me when I look at list (most of the time). It's about quality and a list that has thought put into it. I have little kids. I don't get out THAT much, so I want the lists of where I dine to be pretty nice and hopefully offer different or better bottles than what I have at home. Not a lot to ask right? This one of the reasons I BYO.

Vintage

Wow! I have a few pet peeves on this one. Again - not sure how many others do...or care! The first just gets me riled up right away: not having the vintage year on the wine list a restaurant is handing you. Oh man - that just pisses me off to know end. It's actually funny when my wife is with me as she is not the wino geek I am so I try not to overly "Niles Crane" the scene but even if I just say very casually, "I'd like this wine if it is the 2002 or 2001" and the server comes back with a bottle saying "I'm sorry we only have the 2006!", I almost have to laugh and feel like I am on another planet as the waiter AND my wife give me that look of "what's the difference?" WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?!

The other big issue with vintage of wine on most restaurant lists is the fact that many show off vintages of popular names. It's rarely a 2002 Opus (I wouldn't buy that either), it's a 2003 - an inferior vintage, for the same price. Why? Because there are tons of it around and it is a sexy sell for the distributor and most restaurant owners want the hot names on their list and really don't know wine.

The 3rd bad wine vintage issue on restaurant lists is that few carry older vintages. Sure, some classic restaurants do, but most will not carry even 1995 Bordeaux - much less 1989 or 1986. Just trying to find a 2001 Napa Cabernet is a struggle. 2001! That vintage is just starting to drink well - at least on the premium wineries.

The vintage issues is a HUGE reason why I like to BYO.

List Prices

I listed prices last because it really is not the most important reason to bring good wine bottles to restaurants. I understand why a list doubles the retail price for a bottle or more - it certainly does that with food. I doubt a 1 1/2 pound lobster at the fish store costs $32! so I get much of it. I just don't like the gouging and many not even notice it. But when the pricing is really out of whack, it can set me off. Seeing a bottle of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, which is a very good white wine from New Zealand going for $36 on a list when it retails for $12 or less will send my wine list blood pressure soaring!

So much of this wine list rant may seem like a group of wine snoot peeves run amuck, but when you have really good wine at home and take the care to hold it to maturity or near in drinking window, you'd like to have some wine choices when you eat out. I usually do and it's not always a problem, but BYO is a nice way to go. Of course even BYO has some basic rules of politeness: Don't bring cheap or overly available wines or wines that are already on their list. I find that to be pretty rude and just screams of cheapness. Most state allow for BYO but it pays to handle it right. Calling ahead and saying "Can we bring our own wine?" is not the right move. It's too easy to say no for them and you sound like, well - a cheapo who may bring in a liter of $5 jug quality wine. "I'd like to bring a special bottle that I have in my cellar to have with dinner, is that ok?" is a much better way to go.

Many restaurants do take the time to put thought into their list - I have several places that do and if you live in Napa or in a top NYC French restaurant, you have no problems with any of this. But, if this rant makes you feel not so alone when you are quietly having a wine snooting rage next to your wife or other non-wino - I'm glad to give you some company!

Nick Hunter is a multiple website owner, consultant and Internet author. He is the owner of Nick's Wine World, an entertaining blog of wine tasting notes from unique and lesser known cult wineries. He also has written many articles on the subject including a piece on How To Buy Wine Online

Best Wine Cheeses

2011-10-06T06:56:00.000-07:00

Is cheese the best combo with wine? Well...aside from a medium rare porterhouse steak - YES

The best wine cheese is a matter of taste as far as what people like.

I personally like non-sharp cheeses

Fiore di sardegna and Manchego cheese are probably my favorites to go with good red wine. Well - there's no reason to ever drink bad red wine!

I also love fresh mozzerella

Wine Glasses

2011-08-11T07:40:00.000-07:00

Our wine glass set recommention

A beautiful addition to any collection, this set of four wine glasses includes two 21-1/2-ounce Cabernet glasses measuring 9-1/4 inches tall and two 13-ounce Viognier glasses measuring 8-1/4 inches tall. Specifically designed to enhance the flavor and finish of the rich red and aromatic, fruity wines respectively, the glasses' sleek profiles create a dramatic and elegant presence on crisp white table linens or when enjoyed on the patio or deck as evening falls. In addition, their serene, aesthetically pleasing silhouettes look equally fitting when lined up in an open hutch or bar between uses.

Constructed of dramatic non-lead crystal with smoothly tapered bowls and rims, each vessel rises above a machine-blown stem with a square-shaped, art-deco style that offers a comfortable hold while sipping and socializing. A three-tiered ridge encircles the base and top of the stem, capturing and scattering light to dazzling results. A memorable and fitting wedding or hostess gift, the set of four wine glasses come attractively packaged and clean up easily by hand or in the dishwasher.

The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc Wine - 2010 The Crossings

2011-04-30T09:06:00.000-07:00

The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc is a very affordable, light and refreshing wine from the great Marlborough region of New Zealand. The 2010 is another consistant wine product from this wine region.

The aroma offers fresh cut grass and tropical fruit. The taste of the Crossings is perfect for outdoor spring time wine drinking. This wine, consistant with most Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand is available at very attractive prices. The Crossings can be bought from most US locations for under $10. Hard to go wrong with a fun white wine for that price.

Enjoy!

Nick

2009 Acacia Pinot Noir Review Score

2011-01-21T11:42:00.000-08:00

Acacia has been making affordable quality pinot noirs for many years and I have enjoyed them the last 5 years or so. Acacia is pretty widely available and normally sells for around $15 or less. That is a very low price for what I would call "drinkable" pinot noir and this is more than drinkable. A review of this wine has to factor much of the price/availability factor.

2009 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc

2011-01-13T12:57:00.000-08:00

One of the best value (and best tasting) regions of the world is in Marlborough region of New Zealand. Always consistent and of great value - including the 2009 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand is incredibly consistant with their Sauvignon Blanc offerings. Whether it's Brancott, Kim Crawford, Nobilo, Cloudy Bay or a 1/2 dozen other top quality producers. 2009 looks like a solid vintage for Sauvignon Blanc in the Marlborough region of New Zealand.

2009 Brancott

An easy wine to like from the start. Very nice tart fruit, peaches and green apple on the nose. Tastes of lime and tropical zesty fruit. The 2009 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc is right in the wheelhouse of people looking for that under $15 white wine tasty treat! The finish is good and leaves you wanting more of this tasty NZ wine.

Always plenty on the shelves. Stock up! :)

All the best

Nick

Wine and Cheese - Pairing Wines and Cheese

2011-01-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

One of the great combinations is good wine and good cheese. The pairing is subjective of course. Both in wines and the cheeses we like. I'd like to focus more on the cheese pairings for now. I personally like flavorfull but not overly sharp cheese when having it with red or white wine. In my opinion when the cheese is too strong, it really overpowers the wine you are drinking. Now if the wine you happen to be having is not that great - then by all means... :)

Chedder Cheese - while not "sophisticated" for some (whatever that means) really works great with red wine. Actually [don't laugh] but even good chedder snacks and crackers like Cheese-itz will hit the spot! Hey - when u got kids, you grab lol. On a more serious note, there are many quality and taste variances with cheeder. There's white chedder, traditional yellow, sharp, very sharp etc. But all in all, I think chedder cheese really pairs solidly with most wines.

Fiore Di Sardegna Cheese - A personal favorite of mine that many people are not aware of. It is condsidered a medium hard cheese in texture but has great creamy flavors. It is a wonderful Italian cheese - with or without wine. But why have it without wine? :)

Provolone Cheese - Ok, don't get all flamey on me, but I am not a big fan of hard provolone cheeses. Just not my thing. It's a little strong, the flavors don't really work for me straight up and it has an aftertaste. I love grating it over cooked food and I really love sliced provolone (as a cold cut), but for a hunk of nibble with wines - it doesn't work for me. For most it does. Again - like wine, it is subjective!

Parmesan Cheeses - Like chedder, there are many types but when I'm in the mood for a good hard salty cheese, I love them!

Ok folks - feel free to chime in. Wine and food bring great debates! Share your favorite combinations and pairings ;)

Nick

Franciscan Chardonnay 2008

2010-11-01T11:58:00.000-07:00

A lot of white wine tastings lately! The 2008 Franciscan Chardonnay is the next one up. Fransiscan is a popular California producer. I have had their Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot many times, but this is my first dive into their Chardonnay.

No heavy hand here as the aroma and taste has good flavor but not over the top as many California Chardonnays can go. Nice aroma or fruit peel and warm butter. Flavor delivers nice vanilla, warm nuts and deep citrus undertones. The Franciscan Chardonnay 2008 is light enough to be consumed on it's own but has the depth to match strong with typical chardonnay wine food pairing.

Cold crab anyone? :)

Enjoy!

Banfi Pinot Grigio 2009 San Angelo

2010-10-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

Castello Banfi or just Banfi as people call it is most known for their world known classic red wines. These include Brunello di Montalcino with it's riservas, Rosso di Montalcino and other signature italian red wines. Their San Angelo pinot grigio is a delicious white wine and 2009 is another consistant wine offering.

Crisp, fresh and lively with no bitterness or harsh finish. The 2009 Castello Banfi San Angelo is a very nice pinot grigio. Only drawback is the price, which while not "pricey" (between $15-$20) - it does come in $5 or so over other pinot grigios I would consider equal. But - quality in Italy comes with a price sometimes! and like I said - $18 or so for a really nice white wine is no big deal. And who said California wasn't pricey?!

Kim Crawford Pinot Noir Review 2007 - Wine Review

2010-10-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

Kim Crawford is a consistant year in and year our producer of great value wines including Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. New Zealand is the base and posting a review for the 2007 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir is a pleasure. Tasting it is even better!

This is no light Pinot for starters with big aroma and flavors - oh and the price is under $20. Nuff said? :) Seriously - I'm done paying $50 for cult California Pinot (well mostly lol). Most do not surpass a wine like the Kim Crawford Pinot Noir and they can be twice the price. Now don't get me wrong - I LOVE a powerful Russian River Valley Pinot, but you would be VERY challenged to find a real strong one for $16 for instance.

The 2007 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir has great deep color. It looks like it will deliver great aromas and a full flavor and it does. Most wine reviews and tasting notes focus on the taste of the wine, and I agree - that should be the deciing factor but the "nose" on the wine really is great to mention when it stands out. Hey - the wine lasts longer that way! [take it all in]

The aroma and the palate both work here with delicious cherries, maple and well rounded fresh flavors deliver a great taste and very solid finish.

The 2007 Kim Crawford is a joy and a consistant bottle in our house. Oh - and twist cap too. Gotta love that since I am always losing or breaking my wine openers! :)

Wine Review Rating: 91 Points

A winner any way you cut it!

Cuvaison Chardonnay - Cuvaison 2008 Carneros

2010-10-26T06:37:00.000-07:00

Cuvaison Chardonnay Wine Review

Hi all. A lot of white wine reviews by me lately. Guess I'm hanging on to summer :) Cuvaison Chardonnay is up next! This is a chardonnay right in my "wheel house" style wise. Balanced, Rich in Flavor but not overly oaky or buttery. It is a California Chardonnay.

This wine cries "have me with clams and shellfish" - wish I had some now!...but I will have to suffer with good Italian Fiore di Sardegna cheese and the Cuvaison.

The wine in the glass has a really nice color that hints at the full flavor, body but non syrupy or heavy chardonnay and that does become true when the aroma and taste come thru.

The nose came thru nice with pine nuts and some buttered popcorn actually! Ok - now I'm craving buttered popcorn lol

The Cuvaison has nice orunded butter and toasted almond flavors but it is not "heavy" on the palate nor any heat here. It's got a little spritz too which I like. The alcohol is fully integrated into this wine and it a young Chardonnay.

The finish is solid but not above average long and it turns a little lighter at the end. I don't mind that in a white wine as I'm looking for crispness, refreshing and flavor and the Cuvaison Chardonnay delivers there!

Cuvaison Chardonnay Price

Ahh... a very good part to this white wine and California Chardonnay is Price! Under $25 and for a strong quality California Chardonnay - that really wails. Compare this to $65 Kistlers and you'll see. And while I love Kistler, Martinelli, Dutton Goldfield and others, the pricing has gotten a little crazy the last 10 years.

2008 Cuvaison Chardonnay Wine Rating: 91 Points

2009 Kris Pinot Grigio

2010-10-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

I have been enjoying the Kris Pinot Grigio over the last year or so. I only saw it in the stores over the last 2 years I think. I usually don't drink and post notes on that many pinot grigios - but there have been some very good ones lately for me - [see also Tiefenbrunner on this blog]. The 2009 Kris is certainly one I happily recommend. You'll see it between $10-$14 or so.

Nose of green apples and fresh cirtus. The taste is very balanced and rounded with tastes of tropical fruit and good acidity. Has that style that will remind you of good New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc!

The finish is good for a pinot grigio - which is limited. Only negative it is slightly green and hard on the finish. A very solid everyday white wine though. Oh and a screw cap too! UNPLANNED WINE RANT HERE: Why are there any pinot grigios still with cork or synthetic cork? Screw Top is the way to go! I have $40 Pinot Noirs that have gone the screw top way - and I love it! Ok some purists aren't that absolute about it but Pnot Grigio? cmon! [RANT ENDS] :)

Buy the 2009 Kris Pinot Grigio

Not sure where to rate this, I'll go 87-88 Points.

2006 Domaine de St. Paul Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Jumille

2010-10-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying this wine with my wife now. The 2006 Domaine St Paul Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Jumille is a really polished wine at this early stage. It has deep aromas of spice, dates, prunes, and figs - which I love! Gotta love figs :)

The color of this wine is deep and lush looking. The nose really is terrific on this Chateauneuf du Pape but is hinting at "don't drink me now!" But hey - it's too late lol. I cooked a nice pork roast with oven baked potatoes ready to match with am old world wine.

Ok now I'm picking up really nice vanilla. Wife thinks I'm nuts of course, but hey - it's my job ha-ha

Now on to taste the Domaine Saint Paul. As expected, the wine is restrained and not quite ready. It was opened for 2 hours, but my first wine drinking window analysis is another 2-5 years on this one. It is wonderfully smooth with cherry and mineral flavors and rounded tannins.

I am really loving this wine - oh and the best part (well one of the best parts) is the price! Under $25 which is a total friggin steal here.

The 2006 Domaine St Paul Chateauneuf du-pape (man I hate writing that all out for spelling reasons lol) is a "stock up" wine. A perfect tuck away but it is also not a tannic closed monster that could not be served now.

I'm impressed - for what that's worth! ha-ha

This CDP: 92 Points!

Wine Value Pro System

2008 Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio

2010-10-05T13:39:00.000-07:00

Tiefenbrunner has produced some really tasty pinot grigio for a solid price the last few years. I am drinking the 2008 Tiefenbrunner now and it really has some great concentration of fruit and flavor for a pinot grigio - which let's face it, is not the most deep complexing varietal in the world :)

This wine is always a pleasant surprise - even for people who only drink white wine or even just pinot grigio.

The palate has really good concentration of apple, apricot with great crispness and acidity. Not watery at all. The Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio delivers real lively pinot grigio flavors with a good finish and great value.

Under $15 makes a great value for a white wine this good.

Find, Drink and Enjoy!

Nick

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2009 Michel Lelu Mâcon-Villages - Chardonnay

2010-08-11T14:41:00.000-07:00

The Michel Lelu Macon - Villages French Chardonnay is a very refreshing and light bodied white wine that is perfect for summer sipping. It is very Non California Chardonnay tasting. Very little oak or heavy hand here. This is a 2009 white wine that is ready to enjoy now alone or with some cold seafood.

For people who say they don't like Chardonnay - this white village burgundy is perfect and should have no enemies. Light and zesty.

Aroma is light with some lemon and lime and a hint of white pepper. The taste is more watery than California and other more dense Chardonnays. I would recommend the 2009 Michel Lelu Chardonnay for Sauvignon Blanc lovers who like the citrus zest in their white wine but prefer lighter and less green white wines - without a heavy oaky or bigger bodied Chardonnay. It is missing some acidity that I like in my white wines, but that is a matter of preference imo.

This goes down real easy though! - especially on a hot summer day like I have here :) 12.5 alcohol is integrated very well. Price was very right as well. Under $20 which is a big bonus.

Rating:

87 Points

Oyster Bay 2008 Pinot Noir

2010-05-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

Oyster Bay is a wine producer in New Zealand. I have had their Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc many times and while I have always found it consistent and tasty, the 2008 Pinot Noir is a real hit.

Many of you may already know that Wine Spectator really popped this with a strong review giving it 91 points I believe and while I do not follow WS ratings, I have to agree with that range. The 2008 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir is a home run, especially when you factor in the Price. Good Pinot Noir is not cheap and while New Zealand is mostly more affordable than pricey California Pinot Noir of equal quality, this gives up nothing in taste, concentration and effort - for 1/2 the price or more of many California offerings. Including cult Russian River Valley wines.

The wine has great rich color with really nice earthy qualities and very strong concentration of fruit. Finish is long. Only slight negative to some is it is a little "hot" on the finish. I can taste the alcohol heat here, but after a long week of work - I usually don't mind that lol. I'll also chalk some of that up to some off balance on a young wine and it is young.

I'm very impressed with this offering from a producer I was not expecting THIS strong an effort in Pinot Noir.

Stock up for the summer! The word is out on the 2008 Oyster Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir.

Cheers!

Nick

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2008 Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Atalayas Vineyard Chardonnay Chile

2010-05-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

Wow. Best under $20 Chardonnay I have ever had. More to come on this post but I'm still drinking it and enjoying it too much now to type too much lol

Yummy!

2008 Neal Family Zinfandel

2010-03-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

I have been a fan of Neal Family Vineyards in Napa Valley for 8 years or so. I have also met and dined with Mark Neal while tasting his wines. I have enjoyed a full range of their wines from the easy drinking and yummy Zinfandel (including the 2008) and their more complex offerings - especially their Cabernets and particularly, their Single Vineyard Cabernets.

I am not "usually" lol one to open a box of freshly delivered wine and pour away and while I didn't do quite THAT here - this endless winter of 2010 had me craving a summer fruity Zinfandel and the 2008 was recently shipped to my office.

I have had many vintages of this Zinfandel and while most Zins from California producers can vary little from year to year IMO based on the way the grape is meant to ripen, fruit forward with a higher degree of sugar - I enjoy some differences from year to year. I found the 2008 Neal Zinfandel very open as expected. It had a very full mouthfeel with good amounts of dark chocolate, mountain fruit and violet aroma and undertones. It was full, fruity and while a little thick for my tastes - the alcohol is kept in check 14.9 - which is right in the sweet spot for Zins IMO alcohol wise. The 2008 Neal gives you the pop and plush of a fun and very tasty zinfandel without the heat (alcohol hit or burn) that other zins can give.

So while a drinking a bottle by yourself will give you a "knock" for sure - I mean 14.9% Zinfandel will do it's job on ya but this wine can easily be slow consumed and corked up fine for several days ahead if you choose.

I don't normally put a score on Zinfandels but the Neal Family is in the very upper tier for it's price range. $20-$25 or so depending on where you can get it.

2005 Leoville Poyferre

2009-11-09T16:05:00.000-08:00

Just opened - purely as a test :) I have this decanted as I have not tasted any 2005 Bordeaux to date. To be continued...

Drank this over a 2 day period and it was wonderful but way too young obviously. I will not open another quality 2005 Bordeaux like this for many years. Hold your Leoville Poyferres and other top flight gems from this great vintage.

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2002 Qupe Bien Nacido Hillside Estate Syrah - Qupe Syrah Wine

2009-10-14T18:45:00.000-07:00

Qupe is one of my favorite Syrah producers in California. This 2002 Syrah is from a really terrific vineyard - Bien Nacido.

Rich rasberry aroma with great concentration. This wine has a very rich mouthfeel with violets, grapes and black cherry flavors.

It shows more aging ability but the fruit seems in balance now left with a little airing.

91 Points

2004 Rutherford Hill Merlot

2009-10-10T14:31:00.000-07:00

Wow. I haven't put up any tasting notes in quite a while. I am NOT drinking any less wine - I assure you! The 2004 Rutherford Hill Merlot is an easy one for me as I have been enjoying this merlot brand for many years and have had many vintages of this remarkably consistent wine.

For a rich, full flavored wine for a price usually around $20 - it is hard to find many wines as fruit packed and delicious as this. The 2004 is a rich wine, which may not be every one's taste but merlot is a full flavored varietal.

The wine has a eucalyptus and sweet grape aroma - a little candied on the nose so that is suggesting a pretty sweet wine, maybe even a little jammy. A little light spice of white pepper also. The mouthfeel is not as rich or jammy as the aroma suggested (for me that is good). The flavor is more subdued but packed with really nice fruit and a good solid finish. This 2004 Rutherford Hill Merlot wine screams for cheese! and lucky - I have some right here!

I think this is a very solid and tasty wine and it is just really hard to argue with a $21 or so wine that really tastes twice it's price.

It is a little simple but for most - we just want yummy at this price range. But the straightforwardness of the wine will knock the score down a just a bit - but who cares? Drink up and enjoy.

2004 Rutherford Hill Merlot

88 points

Some other $25 and uder wines I have been enjoying lately:

Tiefenbrunner pinot grigio - Gotta post a note on that one soon. It is THE best Pinot Grigio I have had this year. By far actually

Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut - A great sparkling white wine from Anderson Valley California. Champagne, Mimosas, whatever. I have has cases of this stuff the last 2 years. The women in your life will really love it too!

Visiting Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley With family

2009-10-07T16:46:00.000-07:00

Many may not be aware that nearly 90 percent of all American wines come out of California and 4 percent of which has its origin in the fertile hills of Napa Valley, a destination also known for its picturesque setting attracting tourists from all over. Though Napa valley is somewhat narrow with 30 miles in length and five miles wide at its widest point, Napa Valley, it is densely populated with roughly 125,000 inhabitants. The mild climate makes this an entirely agreeable vacation spot even during off season and you will find tourists pouring in at all times of the year.

The Napa Valley is a great place to go not merely for wine tasting but for a family vacation. There are many places a family can go together to have fun, learn interesting things, and relax. One amazing adventure you can take while visiting the Napa Valley is an animal safari. Just 20 minutes out of Calistoga is Safari West, a place that lets you experience things you could otherwise find only in distant Africa. You can take a tour through the safari seeing all of the exotic animals and their habitats you can even get face to face with strange animals.

Tasting wine in the several hundred local wineries might be your priority, but make it a point to spend an afternoon or two enjoy the area's cultural offerings, from colorful markets and art galleries to hot springs and small museums. Regional operators offer a variety of programs including hot air balloon flights, bicycle-based trips, Napa Valley Wine Train rides and basic winery tours.

On your way to Safari West there is another place that you must see, the Petrified Forest. You can learn all about the history of Calistoga and how petrified wood is created. You can take a nice stroll along the meadow. It is a nice peaceful place to spend your dayand your family will no doubt be delighted.

A great way to tour Napa valley and keep your kids excited is by taking a cruise around the valley by bike. Together as a family you can enjoy the view and fresh air. The Bothe Park is a picturersque place where the whole family can spend quality time together. There is a large swimming pool under the trees perfect to splash around in, numerous hiking trails, and even horseback riding.

Another place of interest just outside the Napa Valley is the Lake Sonoma Fish Hatchery. You can see all of the steps of the fish hatchery and how it works. While visiting Lake Sonoma you should go explore the hiking trails and stop to have a picnic along the way. You can take a swim in the lake if you are carrying your swimsuits with you.

Never miss the famous the Okld Faithful Geyser. When you visit the geyser you will witness the spectacular geyser erupt every half hour and it is breathtakingly gorgeous. They even have a petting zoo where you and your family can get up close and personal with a variety of different animals. At the geyser they have a special picnic area where the family can have a nice lunch.

The Napa Valley is a place where you can relax and enjoy a perfect wholesome vacation with your entire family. The Napa Valley is a beautiful Countryside located in Northern California. As one of the most successful wine growing regions in the world it offers temperate weather and rolling hills filled with lush vineyards and black oak trees. What better place to spend a vacation with family!!

Shijina is a SEO copywriter for www.winecountrytourshuttle.comShe has written various articles on California wine country tours, Napa Valley Wine Tours, Napa Wine Tours and Wine Country Sightseeing Tours for more information visit our site winecountrytourshuttle.com. Contact me mail at winecountryshuttle@gmail.com.

Long Island Wine Tasting - Long Island Vineyard Trip Review

2009-07-19T05:18:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a while since I have been out to Long Island Wine Country. I live on Long Island and it is less than an hour from my house. There are some very beautiful vineyards and properties out there.

Our trip was one full day and an overnight. We were with 2 other couples and driving so we visited less than 6 wineries. That is something you want to keep in mind when wine tasting on Long Island or any area where there are many wineries but there is driving involved. I usually don't recommend these bus tours as they can get out of hand pretty quick with drunk 60 year olds lol. You also lose control on the Long Island Vineyards you may want to visit. I prefer to map out places myself when I take a trip out there and I only like to go during the week. It makes a HUGE difference out there. Traffic, hotel rates, restaurants and attention given when wine tasting. All are better when not fighting thousands of weekenders...

I titled this post with the word "review" but our trip really was pure pleasure and my review and notes is a very small sampling of what is out there. The weather was also outstanding for us. Still, the wine quality overall - was very mixed. If

Our tasting started at our bed and breakfast - which is also a Long Island Winery. We then mapped out our visits near where we were. Our place was so nice, I'm glad we saved time to just hang out there.

Shinn Estate Farmhouse and Vineyard

Accommodations

I hesitate to write a review for the farmhouse and that is only because it was just so perfect and I want to keep it a secret for myself. The owners provide a magnificent presentation of 3-4 beautiful bed rooms and just a stunningly classy and "vineyard perfect" atmosphere. The wine tastings were free since we stayed there and it included a Class A breakfast served right from there own kitchen. The views and relaxness given at this place was almost like a great Long Island Trip Massage. So, the Shinn Estate house was A+

Wines

I have never tasted Shinn Estate Wines and I'm pretty familiar with Long Island. It was our first stop after we arrived, since we were right there. It was the place where we tasted the most wine. I think we tried 9 or 10 wines at Shinn. They set us up on a nice porch and a friendly girl had menus with tasting notes and bottle prices.

As with the majority of Long Island Wines IMO, the whites are far more competitive than the reds vs. other wine regions. This was reinforced at Shinn and throughout the places we visited.

The first wine we tasted was their Champagne (sparkling white). It was pretty clear in color with decent spritz that I thought was semi dry and light.

Next up was the 2007 Chardonnay which was pleasant but on the light side with some brown sugar aroma. Little vanilla and no oak.

We then had a White Pinot varietal. Not my cup of tea

2008 Coalescence was the most spice and herb filled aroma I had from a wine all weekend. The taste didn't have the same complexity as the nose. Light and refreshing.

2008 Rose was light and carried many basic Rose characteristics.

We also had a cab franc, merlot, bordeaux style blend and a few other reds. While some were interesting, the reds were just not on the quality level as the whites imo

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Macari Vineyards

This was my personal favorite that combined a big spacious tasting room, outside tables, views and some very solid wines. They were doing some construction, but it wasn't bothersome or loud to us.

We only went for there whites. A 2008 Sauvignon Blanc which was the single best wine I had on this trip. It had nice lime, lemon, grassy taste with good crisp acidity and lively.

We also had their estate chardonnay and the reserve chardonnay. Each distinctive and while I thought the reserve had more texture and complexity, the estate worked well with the rest sitting outside on a sunny day. I enjoyed Macari. They also sold these very nice assorted cheese plates that you could take outside.

Castello di Borghese - Cutchogue Long Island NY

I went for the white wines here too. They served a Chardonette, a Chardonnay, a Sauvignon Blanc and a Riesling. I found the Chardonnay was enjoyable. The Riesling showed more sour and citrus than I like usually. The Sauvignon Blanc was crisp but the fruit was light and the wine was a little out of balance.

My ONE issue here was one of the red wines that was being poured. A 2003 Merlot. It was old and tasted old. When I asked if there was a more recent vintage of the wine, I was told there was not. ??? I normally would have let it go but unless they stopped production on the varietal (which she did not say), I did not understand why they were pouring that. I hope it was not because there is a lot in stock. I was there with people who know wine.

Still, she was a very nice server at Borghese. We enjoyed the place and the grounds a great deal.

Pugliese Vineyards - Cutchogue, Long Island, New York

I have very little written on the wine here. I had their Blanc to Blanc Sparkler which was light from and weak. The Pinot Grigio was better with good acidity and bright fruit. I also had their Riesling. I have no notes on that.

I hope to do another round of different vineyards next time as this was only a brief trip. Still, the challenge of Red Wine and especially affordable good Red Wine continues for most Long Island Wineries.

2008 Saint-Cosme Cotes du Rhone

2009-07-14T16:35:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone wine had lots of rich flavor. The aromas started with some metal and cherries with a rich palate of chocolate and cherries.

The chocolate was almost overwhelming as the primary characterisitic taste. This was a nice wine and great for the price but I found it a little too simple and heavy for the varietal.

For $20 or less, the Saint Cosme is a winner for a quality French red wine but I will probably not stock up here given the flood of other quality wines around the world at this price point.

87 Points

Wine Values - Bottle Value

2009-07-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, so making a post about wine values and lower pricing in the middle of a recession isn't exactly a new topic, but as the pinch is felt by more and more of my fellow wine lovers and fellow human beings, the time feels right to post some of what I'm seeing and hearing.

With the glut of global production and producers all over the world entering the market every month and year, the values are even starker now and will continue imo.

When I think or write "value", I am doing so with the understanding of a certain quality level to go along with it. What's the use of a $5 wine that tastes awful? I also don't want to get into specific bottles here - I'd like to leave that to people who may want to reply with their own and we can have some comment discussion. I also want to keep my red values to around $10 and up.

California Wine Values

Speaking on a pure red varietal basis, there are some wines that just give more for less. "less" meaning lower California pricing than Napa Cabernet, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and high end Syrah from many of the cult or single vineyard producers.

California has dozens and dozens of lower priced - high value great varietals. My favorites are probably:

Petite Sirah - This wine varietal at it's best (there are always losers of any kind of wine) is full flavored, fruit driven with depth and since it can be produced in fairly large quantities, Petite Sirah is generally less expensive and it really can deliver. If I had to mention one specific value producer and bottle, I would choose Bogle. This is due to the consistent value and quality that it delivers and the availability and large production. It is normally $10 or less and is widely available. Petite Sirah wines can be easy pleasing tasty wines for very little money and California offers many great bottles. Good recession values, but I'll drink them regardless of where the Dow is!

Zinfandel - Red Zinfandels are high flavor, higher alcohol (normally) and provide excellent pricing value - given the characteristics they provide. There are many wonderful Zinfandel offerings along with many styles. Some leaner than others. There are lower end value Zinfandels like Cline, Ravenswood and some others. Up the value ladder a little and you can enjoy Seghesio and others. If you consistently want a 90 point or better wine (Wine Spectator Point System) for $15 and less, Seghesio delivers every year.

Malbec, Chianti and Merlot are probably my other top go-to reds if I have $15 in my pocket but I want some real flavor and wines that don't drink like their price tag.

Values and bottle prices are a very personal thing. Someones $20 value is another one's "too expensive"

If you have any favorite red wines that fall in the lower price category, please post a reply. I'd love to hear more out there.

Enjoy!

Nick

2005 Longboard Syrah Russian River Valley - Longboard Wine

2009-06-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

Been on a Syrah run lately - but I have been heavy into Syrah for a few years. The Longboard was a first for me. It is from the Russian River Valley (love that area) and is the 2005. Alcohol is 14.5%

I got a recommendation from my local wine store the other day to pick this up. Usually this happens (the recommendation I mean) when I comment on another wine of the same varietal that I either had or just know. This happened with this wine. I was complimenting a petite sirah that I got from there - the two angels petite sirah. Good stuff there and will post soon.

The Longboard has a really cool note on the back of the bottle. Apparantly the winemaker/owners are surfers too. "Longboard". Took me a few glasses to notice myself!

On to the wine:

The nose had a really nice sweet smokey and cherry aroma too it. the tastes had round black fruit with a little green on the mid palate - a hint of earthyness within the fruit. I like that, but the green and earth kinda left as the wine was opened. It then offered more dark fruit and while fairly simple, it was a good finish and an all around fun wine.

88 Points

For $27 (I have to remember to post prices more I know!), I think the Longboard is a good, not great buy. Right in the middle. Quality California Syrah is not cheap but I think this was is right there for the price range. Again - Wine tasting is totally subjective and I am only offering up my impressions and hopefully writing about wines that you may not have been aware of previously.

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2008 Boutari Moschofilero

2009-06-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

I have little experience with white wines from Greece so when I saw the 2008 Boutari Moschofilero at my local Costco at a very nice price - I went for it. I am sipping it now with a nice plate of smoked Alaskan Salmon and fresh italian toast twists.

Sometimes food can almost "cheat" the score of a wine, but if I'm enjoying a wine from Greece - eating some strong flavored cold fish seems right.

The Boutari Moschofilero had a light color that seemed good on a warm day hanging outside.

The aroma of this greek wine was subdued. It was opened pretty cold but still had nose of apple, spritz, with some sweet lime. The palate was light and fun. Nothing heavy or complex, but a fun chugger here. The taste had a nice orange and spritz taste with an expect light finish.

Only 11.5% alcohol but the balance seemed there.

This is just a wine you'd drink if you wanted something cold and fun and you didn't want a beer or anything too crazy wine wise.

The Salmon helped the Boutari Moschofilero

85 Points but it wasn't about the rating this time. I still enjoyed it.

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Memorial Day Wines - BBQ Weekend Wine List

2009-05-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

Long weekend with friends and family. Nothing wrong with that!....glad to be back to work today though. We had some nice gatherings all weekend and ssome special wines to match.

I just want to mention a general list of what we had and some brief notes and/or rankings - based on very general recollections.

I enjoyed the mini face off of recent Kutch and Kosta Browne Pinot Noir offerings. We had them open at the same time. It was cool.

2007 Kutch Pinot Noir Sonoma
2007 Kosta Browne Pnot Noir Sonoma
2003 Quilceda Creek
2005 Switchback Ridge Merlot
2006 Beckmen Purisima Mountain Vineyard Grenache Blanc
2007 Babich Sauvignon Blanc

2008 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc - Viognier

2009-05-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

I am drinking the 2008 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier wine right now and it is possibly the best under $10 white wine you can get anywhere.

It is on the sweet side as viognier would be but the blend with the Chenin Blanc makes for a smooth white wine.

While I am thinking of it, if you see the Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon (I recently had the 2005), pick it up. It is one of the best buys in California Cabernet you can find.

The 2008 Pine Ridge Viognier Chenin Blanc has a smooth apricot and peach taste on the palate with some nice tropic flavor and smooth finish.

This is a summer pleaser for your mother in law and yourself.

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2005 Kalleske Greenock Shiraz

2009-05-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

My Australian Shiraz intake has declined over the last few years. While I hate to generalize any varietal or country (I get peeved by people who do), I find a "majority" of Australian Shiraz to not fit my palate style. The Kalleske Greenock Shiraz was a wise buy and choice for me. The 2005 fit the bill.

The Kalleske Greenock had a very nice blackberry and brown sugar combination on the nose. Very sweet aroma but not candied or overdone. Still, I was concerned the taste would try to match or even out-do the aroma.

This 2995 offering had good color and body without an overthick look or swirl. The mouthfeel was very finessed with nice ripe dark fruit, fruit seeds and ligh chocolate with a very classy finish.

Wine Tasting Conclusion

I was very impressed and happy with the style of this wine. It really was balanced and had great fruit concentration. The Kalleske Shiraz was a wine I will seek out again.

I'd be interested to know who else has had this. I have not seen it until I bought it at auction at a good price. I don't know the WS or RP rating on this, but I'll gladly go:

92 Points

Enjoy!

2006 Betz La Serene Syrah

2009-05-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

Betz is a wonderful Washington State Winery. It's probably in my top 3 in the state and this offering from Betz is very special stuff. I obtained it via auction at a very good price. The La Serene is a terrific offering that I have had before.

The wine has great earthy fruit aroma and blackcherry, truffles which I loved and some flowers. The taste of the Betz wine showed ground pepper, espresso, cranberry. Nice minerality and balance. Just a wonderful Syrah. You'd be hard pressed to find better in Washington.

93 Points

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2006 Pax Syrah Cuvee Keltie North Coast

2009-05-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

Pax makes some powerful and lush syrahs and this is a young one. Some of their wines are more approachable young and some just aren't. I think this falls into the latter.

The nose on this Pax bottle was very inviting. It had great smells of violets, strawberry and black pepper. The palate showed big dark fruit, blueberry and sour cherry with a dry finish but full.

This was way too early to drink. 3-5 years on the 2006 Cuvee Keltie North Coast.

No Rating - but still yummy in an ultra tight kinda way.

Bringing Wine To A Restaurant - BYO Corkage

2009-05-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

Wine lovers have long since appreciated being able to bring their own wine "BYO" to a restaurant that has a corkage policy. That means that a place (normally for a fee) will allow a patron to bring their own wine to open with their meal. Mention this to non wine lovers and they give you that "really?" look. I then try to explain why this type of policy (bringing wine) makes sense for both the restaurant and the diner - in most cases.

Some restaurants allow for wine bringing out of necessity. Perhaps they do not have their liquor license or they are a small establishment with no room for a proper wine cellar or other adequate storage. The places that I and other wine lovers will frequent do not normally fall into the above category. Most places really don't advertise the fact that they are BYO friendly. This is due to a few key reasons that do make sense.

People who are more than just casual or cheap wine drinkers and have good bottles to bring will call and ask anyway. We understand what corkage means, the privilege and how to handle it.

If a place advertised a BYO, you would have many people bring in some pretty weak stuff. Why does that matter? Well - this is just my opinion but the point of bringing a wine to a restaurant is to open a special bottle I have at a nice place.

I like to bring wine when the list is weak and that is the problem with most places I go to.

Prices are part of it, but it is more from weak choices, vintages, tired names. Paying $125 for a 2004 Silver Oak drives me nuts. I'd rather pay a corkage fee and bring something that is not only good - it is mature and ready.

My other BYO Corkage Rules of Proper Etiquette

Never bring a wine that is on their list (looks really cheap)
Bring something that had a mid range cost to you at least - let's say $35 for Red
Have it be matured
Consider buying a wine from the restaurant if bringing more than one bottle

When you show proper BYO etiquette, the pleasure is just as much theirs as it is yours for dining there. A good BYO restaurant will get my business again and again. That is why it makes sense for them.

If any of you have brought wine to a restaurant for dinner or do it regularly, please post your stories.

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2007 Copain Baker Ranch Syrah

2009-05-03T16:49:00.000-07:00

Copain released a recent group of 2007 Syrahs and Pinot Noirs to their mailing list customers recently. The 2007 Syrahs were Eaglepoint Ranch and Baker Ranch. I had the baker the other day.

The wine had really great depth of character. It showed that great fruit that Wells Guthrie (winemaker and co-owner) and Copain are known for but the Baker had some special characteristics.

The nose had very nice blackberry, sweet prune, warm raisins and nice pepper. It had a really nice lush and airy aroma.

The taste gave more blackberry and cherry fruit with more ground pepper. The balance was really special on the 2007 Baker Ranch with a long classy finish.

I found this Copain to have more depth of character than the eaglepoint ranch, which was not as dimensional (at this stage). These wines are very young and the rest of mine will rest for another year at least. It's fun to evaluate them and Copain is really wonderfully consistant - yet different with the various vineyard bottlings they release.

The baker ranch syrah was a winner for me.

92 Points

2005 Turley Zinfandel Tofanelli Vineyard - Turley Zin

2009-04-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

Turley is one of the most well known and premier zinfandel producers in California. 2005 produced many strong wines for Turley. They make wonderful single vineyard Zinfandels and Syrahs (from what I have had) and others. Tofanelli is a well now vineyard for zinfandel. I have had Schrader zins from this vineyard as well.

Taste Review Note

This Turley had nice sweet and sour cherry aromas with some light coffee and green elements. The body was full but not thick or over done. It tasted a little older than the 2005 vintage on the bottle (that's a good thing here). The mouthfeel was not heavy. The 15.5 alcohol seemed nicely intertwined here. The palate offered good tastes of rasberries and dark fruit with some semi sweet chocolate and had very good balance with nice acidity.

The semi sweet chocolate was on the finish which was clean and rich. No heat with decent length. A good Zinfandel from Turley without the heavy price that some others come in at from this producer.

90 Points

Joe Czerwinski Wine Enthusiast Column May 2009 - Taking Proper Care of Fine Wine

2009-04-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

If you get a chance to pick the May 2009 edition of the Wine Enthusiast magazine, please do so. Joe Czerwinski wrote a column on a subject that I have thought about and wrote about myself - the conditions of wines that are shipped and stored before it reaches us.

I always chuckle when I read posts on forums about people who bought this Eurocave or even lower end Haier wine storage units and complain how they don't keep perfect humidity levels or the temp jumps from 55-59 degrees too frequently. I always reply that we - let's say the semi to serious wine drinker store our wines like they were babies compared to how many importers, distributors and stores do. Have you ever driven to your local wine store on a hot summer day and notice a truck backing up near the door to unload cases of this and that?

How many times have you walked in a store and it is at least 75 degrees in there - with a bright store light beating down on the bottles, customers handling the wine and putting back hundreds of times. It's really amazing that much of this wine by the time we take it home is even drinkable. I shake my head every day. Now for the cheaper "drink now" wines and the consumers who enjoy them - it may not matter and let's be honest, that's the consumer most stores shoot for. Still, it really bothers me and it is why I prefer to buy my wine from the producers themselves and age it myself or through reliable auction house where the history of the wine is documented.

Taking proper care of wine is too often NOT a high priority for the various hands involved in the shipment and stroage of these wines - especially delicate or long term aging wines.

I will not buy older wines in any store because of this. I will buy at auction if the wine has been stored by a private collector. I have much more fath in that.

Either way, the wine enthusiast is good this month and Joe Czerwinski stuck a cord with me on his column. Well done!

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2006 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2009-04-13T18:31:00.000-07:00

I started opening a few Kosta Browne Pinot Noirs from 2005 and 2006. The 2007 Sonoma and Russain River Valley wines just got delivered a few weeks ago. The 2006 bottles seemed approachable over the winter, but certainly not unworthy to age for several years.

Wine Note

The aroma of the Russian River Valley had a nice fresh smell of rasberry, spicey berries that great RRV pinot noirs give. The taste had nice rounded flavors of cherries, cranberry and nice pepper spice. It also carried some sour cherries on the back end which is another characteristic of many Russian River Valley pinots - and Kosta Browne in particular.

The finish was clean and sharp, but not overly complex. It's still young and complexity, even with a producer and wine this good generally comes with some age. Few bottles are ultra "complex" in year 1 or 2.

The alcohol on this 2006 was 14.9% and I thought it integrated well.

91 Points

I thought this carried more weight and the fruit was more pronounced on the Russian River Valley wine vs. the Sonoma. I have not had the pleasure of drinking any of their highly acclaimed single vineyard Pinots. Would love to try them some day. I haven't been offered any yet.

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Online Auction Buys - Bottles Bought At Auction March

2009-04-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

I have been posting my online auction buys recently here. I have found wine values can really be had given the state of the economy. Unlike stores that are reluctant to reduce wine prices as they already have their cost built in so their spread will shrink. Many will just wait out walk in buyers who will hopefully buy the wine off the shelf eventually. Auctions work differently.

Auctions are in the secondary market where buyers are more motivated and the auction houses just want to make the vig and other fees for transactions, so they just want the wine sold. Thus, when there are less wine buyers and bottles stay unsold for a few rounds, weeks or longer - steals and deals can happen. I'm only looking for good deals. Everyday wines or more established bottles. Reds, whites, doesn't matter to me.

Anyway, last month this is what I was able to pick up:

2005 Kalleske Greenock Shiraz $20.00
2006 Hogue Riesling $5.00
2006 Kutch Mcdougall Ranch Pinot Noir $55.00
2005 Turley Zinfandel Tofanelli Vineyard $30.00
2005 Hanna Estate Chardonnay $10.00
2005 Paringa Individual Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon $5.00

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You Tube Wine Videos

2009-04-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take a break from posting wine notes and mention a great way to spend time drinking a bottle of wine (I guess a glass is good enough for some! lol). youtube just has some terrific wine videos on there. I don't know about you guys but if I'm by myself in my home office (many times on purpose - wife and 2 kids) with a wine, I love to watch and listen to wine themed videos.

Not only are many of the wineries themselves making great on-site videos, but also just visitors and regular people with a video recorder of course.

Just typing in "napa wineries" or "Bordeaux Harvest" "2005 Burgundy" and dozens of other great searches really gives nice wine videos to geek out with while sipping something special. I was watching a great vid the other day by Chateau Palmer presented by the owner in the vineyard! - talking about sugar levels, when they look to pick and so much more. It really was awesome.

I am also a fan of Wine Library and Gary Vaynerchuk. I know some people think he's a little over the top but I think it's great. His videos are not 3 or 4 minutes, which I hate. They are 20 minutes or so and are very informative. He's honest and regularly pans a bad wine even though Wine Library probably has 100 cases of it. I like the guy and what he does. Ok - I'll leave that there.

I really love the small winery or even better - small vineyard owners. Some vineyards are so special that they grow and sell grapes to several quality producers. In California, you'll see bottles with wine grown from Gary's Vineyard or Shea Vineyard in Oregon and so on. Some of these growers have wonderful homemade videos of their life and what they do.

These vids are great to hang out with and escape to. Some people need more escaping than others I guess....

2005 Switchback Ridge Petite Sirah

2009-04-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

Switchback Ridge is a small production (ok cult) winery in St. Helena California. They make stunning Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. I have had their petite sirah before. I have wanted to try their sauvignon blanc as I have heard it's one of the best in California. Hint: You can email me to arrange a quick case to taste if the Switchback people are reading.

This wine had a deep and dense color with initial aromas of sweet leather, dark chocolate, cherries and some coffee grinds actually. Pretty expressive nose and it's evolving with a little apple too. I'm not being a show off wine-snoot here! The aromas really are complex on this 2005.

The taste shows rich dark fruit of blackberry and currants that is full bodied but not too thick or chewy. Almost aged cabernet like in the fullness and finesse of the fruit without the heavy tannins or dryness of new cabernets.

The finish is lingering. Drink now out to 5 years. Air out if drinking now though.

92 Points

Switchback knows how to do Petite Sirah for sure.

This is one of the best Petite Sirahs I ever had for sure. Grace, power and complex. Not cheap. This will run you north of $45 and that's if you can even find it. Oh wait - you can find it below if you search! (by one of our sponsors)

2005 Eric Kent Chardonnay Russian River Valley

2009-04-04T20:49:00.000-07:00

2005 was an excpetional year for Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley area and throughout much of California. Eric Kent is one of the producers I enjoy from that area. I have enjoyed Chardonnays, Syrahs and Pinot Noir from this producer.

The wine had nice aroams of nuts, sweet butter and light oak. The swirl seemed not to show a heavy oaky chardonnay. It looked light on it's feet. The mouthfeel was medium bodied with full flavors of lemon oil, oak and very crisp acidity - almost spritzy for a chardonnay. I happen to like chardonnays like this. Full flavor but not heavy or over oaked. The lemon flavors are a bit too much on the back end of the palate which knocks a few pointies off - fwiw. Finish is good but a bit simple and citrus driven.

Not that this wine isn't delicious...it is. If you ask me, it's a go. It's really my style. For Chardonnay purists, maybe not. It has a "wee bit" sauvignon blanc flavors and acidity. I don't mind that either. A tasty wine is a tasty wine if you ask me.

Would I peg this as 2005 Russian River Valley? No way. Try some heavies from Kistler and some others and you can literally see in the glass the difference in concentration. I happen to not love the Kistler style myself and their wines are literally double what Eric Kent's are.

This Eric Kent chardonnay can be enjoyed by itself but would be terrific with some raw clams or oysters. The spritz, acidity and other chardonnay characteristics make it a perfect match for cold seafood.

Score for me: 89 points

Enjoy!

Copain 2005 Madder Lake Syrah

2009-03-31T17:51:00.001-07:00

Copain just released (and I just received happily) their 2007 single vineyard Syrahs and Pinot Noirs (2 offerings of each type), so I was in the mood to pop a 2005 Madder Lake Syrah. This is a wine I have had from other vintages, including 2004 and found them to be fairly open and floral fruity wine.

This 2005 Madder Lake was no different. The nose had a great sweet smokey quality to it. Almost a sweet BBQ cedar component and sone cranberry. The aroma was very nice.

This 2005 Syrah captured great dark fruit and sour cherry on the palate with a pretty sweet blueberry finish. I enjoyed that as I love blueberry, but it could be a tad sweet at the end for some. Had a good dryness touch at the end which could, for a moment throw some off as a cabernet. More likely it is just still young.

I thought this was a solid wine from Copain. I enjoy so many of their wines and I am a proud mailing list member. Wells Guthrie - the winemaker does a really nice job year in and year out.

Let this air out some if tasting it in the near term, but the flavors and aroma are all there.

90 Points

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2002 Beckmen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - Beckmen

2009-03-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

For anyone who knows me or has seen many of my wine tasting notes here and elsewhere, I am a big fan of Beckmen wines. I have really enjoyed their Syrahs and their Grenache was out of this world good and one of my favorite wines of this year.

2002 was a pretty ripe year for many areas in California. I have had some strong bottles of Cabernet from 2002, but I was unaware of Beckmen's offering of Cabernet Sauvignon. I bought this at a very affordable price on an auction site. Where most estate or single vineyard Cabs I drink come in at the $30-$40 range, this was bought for only $10. Beckmen's Syrah and Grenache are normlly over $30.

Wine impressions and notes

I found the 2002 Cabernet not my style at all. I don't know if this was an off bottle or not. It was not corked nor did it carry any suspicious odor or color. In fact the aroma has pretty rich with hints of earth, figs, brown sugar and black cherry. But once I took a sip, it was just a thick jammy mess honestly. I hate saying that as I do love this producer, but this just clunked for me. Jammy, tannic with some black cherry, and dark fruit. Got very tart and a little harsh towards the end too and did I say "thick"?

This 2002 was just a total miss for me and way out of balance. If this was an off bottle, so be it. I have had too much experience with this solid producer to slam this bottle with a low score, so I'll leave a score out. If I was a professional big shot taster like Robert Parker or Jim Laube, I'd have my secretary request another bottle of this to compare. But alas, I have no such resources - nor the motivation to seek it out again.

If you can find their Grenache or any of their Syrahs - go for it.

I guess I leave it right there. On to the next wine....

Wine Glass Size - Big Glass

2009-03-26T17:44:00.000-07:00

I'm going to really try to refrain from saying "Size does matter" with wine. Ooops Sorry.

Does wine taste better when you have it out of a bigger glass? The answer in my opinion depends. If the wine is good, a big glass will make it better - most of the time. I don't think you have to always get caught up in what is a Bordeaux glass specifically and so on, but a nice big well crafted Reidel Stem made for a Cabernet or other full bodied wine can really deliver. Deliver what? Big aromas that are released easier when drinking from a bigger stem.

Younger Bolder Red Wines

If there is one type or style of wine that benefits from a nice size glass it is bold young reds that have great body and aroma but maybe are also young and need the extra space in a big glass to stretch out and air - almost like a mini decanter. Even if you are someone who does not sit and smell a wine for 5 minutes before drinking it (ahem...that's me by the way), the aroma of a wine will effect the taste and your full capturing of the flavor. It just does. Try a good full body wine and pour it in to a little glass, you know the kind you'll get at a pizza restaurant or something and pour some into a nice size Cabernet Bordeaux glass. The wine will open up faster, give off stronger aroma and taste much better. Why not drink your best wines in stemware that gives you the best method of enjoyment?

Lighter Bodied Reds and Whites

I enjoy good wines with good sized glasses at low pours. That's just me and there are no rules. I don't even drink champagne out of flutes. I use white wine glasses. I like a big bowl, love to swirl and sniff so lighter bodied reds such as Chianti, Classic Style Pinot Noirs, Malbecs and others work fine for me in bigger stemware.
Full bodied Chardonnays can be big and bold with a large red style wine glass as well.

Not all wines benefit from more real estate in the stem for me. Older wines that past their peak and cheaper everyday bottles will only fade out faster or just taste worse than they would out of a little glass with a high pour!

These are mainly preferences by your truly and certainly more opinion than fact. There is very little about wine enjoyment that is totally based on fact. Still, do yourself a favor and drink your best wines out of a nice big glass and get your whole head in there!

2005 Revolution Shiraz - Mclaren Vale Shiraz

2009-03-25T04:45:00.000-07:00

It has been a while for me with Australian Shiraz, so when I saw the 2005 Revolution (which was rated 91 points Wine Spectator I believe) for under $25, I grabbed a few.

I hate to generalize and I'm no blind tasting expert, but I can peg most Australian Shiraz as Aussie wines. I think it has to do with that I generally only drink Rhone style syrah from California and France and the producers and vineyards I drink generally don't produce thick tasting wines. So, yes - you guessed it. The 2005 Revolution is a thicky.

Review Score and Note

This was opened for about 2 hours. Tasted, then corked again for 3 more hours.

The aroma gave off plums, blueberry and some sweet spices and was fairly open. The nose did evolve over the several hours of tasting this. The aroma was thick though. The alcohol is 15%, which isn't crazy and there was no noticable heat.

The taste and feel was very full and thick. The flavors had black cherry, dark rasberry and some chocolate - especially on the finish but the wine was just too heavy...almost "filling". I really struggled wanting to finish it. The Revolution was a wine that tasted fine and had nothing off about it. It was just TOO much weight for me and pretty simple. Not my style.

86 POINTS

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2007 Seghesio Zinfandel Sonoma

2009-03-14T13:11:00.000-07:00

Seghesio is a consistant and afforable Zinfandel year in and year out. If you are a wine drinker and Zin drinker, you are probably familiar with Seghesio. They are a consistant Wine Spectator top 100 selection. Many times in the top 25. Their recognition by Wine Spectator is several fold. This wine usually rates at, near or above 90 points. It is priced under $20 in most places and they make a ton of it, so it is very widely available.

Seghesio makes a few other vineyard Zinfandels and those are priced a little over the Sonoma offering.

I also enjoy the fact that their wine style (2007 included) is not heavy, hot or cheap thrilly zin. It is fairly light on it's feet and the alcohol is not high 15%'s or more. This will not overwhelm most red wine type foods.

Tasting Note Review

Aroma of spice, blackberry and fruit skins with a nice mouthfeel that is not overly rich or thick. The palate had really nice flavors of cherries, spice and some pepper with nice balance and a very clean finish. This wine can work for almost anyone and go with almost anything. Under $20. Back up the truck....as usual

89 Points

Find the best price to buy Seghesio on the Web:

Wine Auction Buys March 2009 - Auction Bid Wins

2009-03-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

I think I did pretty good on a recent small block of auction purchases. These wines have already been delivered to me. Gotta love the perfect March Shipping weather for auction buys.

2006 Novy Keefer Ranch Chardonnay $15

2005 Revolution Shiraz $20

2007 Lange Twins Pinot Grigio $5 (note already posted here)

2002 Beckmen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $10

Wine Review: 2007 Lange Twins Pinot Grigio

2009-03-12T18:32:00.000-07:00

This producer is from California and the wine is made in Lodi. I have not had a Pinot Grigio from California in a long time. The 2007 Lange Twins Pinot Grigio was bought on the Internet for $5. This has to be the lowest price wine I have ever posted here and I probably have not consumed a $5 wine in a long time. Still, this wine was not $5 retail. I believe this was part of a larger auction lot and I just got lucky....or maybe not!

Wine Review and Score
The 2007 Lange Twins wine was a strange one. When it was first opened it had a very noticable spritzy nose to it. Almost sparkling wine-ish. It also had some green apple on the nose. The taste had some earthyness to it which I liked. Good acidity and apples, peaches with more sparkling spritzy flavors. The finish was not much, but what Pinot Grigio has? Not fair to score based on that. But the wine did turn a little watery as it was opened. I did not like that all. It lost some of that zest pretty quick.

I saved some of the bottle to grab another sip several hours later and while it did not get worse, that lively sparkle never returned. It was a fairly typical low priced Pinot Grigio. Easily drinkable and I have had worse - many worse from Italy actually. I could drink this again or not. This Lange Twins Wine was a decent effort and for what I paid - I'd buy it again.

85 Points

Mara Syrage Lot 7 - Tasting Note 2006 Mara Wine

2009-03-12T18:14:00.000-07:00

Mara is a California producer at the medium price end (generally). I only have had 1 vintage experience with a Zinfandel wine a few years ago. My recollection was that it was lean in body with strong flavor and sweetness. That is a very general thought from memory. I rarely see Mara locally, but occaisonally see their Zinfandel. At a price tag usually in the mid $20's to $30, I was not a buyer of the Zinfandel. The Syrage Lot 7 was a surprise find - and at $16

This 2006 from Mara is a Merlot Syrah blend and I have really enjoyed Merlot Syrah blends. I find both really work together. Merlot is a great grape to blend with it's fruit lushness, full body style and low dryness and tannins.

I opened this little fella in the afternoon picking on some cheese and crackers. A great early stop to a work day! I'm drinking a lot more wine lately - have I mentioned that? Anyway, back to the wine:

Wine Tasting Notes

The 2006 Mara Syrage Lot 7 was opened for 30 minutes and this is an easy crowd pleaser - I could tell. Very open aromas of sweet, rich dark fruit and a little nutmeg. Very inviting stuff. The taste matched the aroma with a nice full bodied feel of cranberry, cherries, real good acidity with balance. Nice yummy full finish with some cocoa and chocolate added in. Good things going on here.

Aside from the usual points for this or that. The Mara Syrage is just tasty stuff and would please any fun wine drinker who may not be THAT serious (no one really should be) into wine. Might be a tad sweet for some, but I think that's adds to the wine as the Syrah really gives it that rich spice that makes the blend really work IMO

A QPR (Quality Price Ratio) winner. Pick some up

90 Points

2006 Martinelli Zio Tony Ranch Chardonnay

2009-03-10T14:05:00.000-07:00

Martinelli is a well known California producer of mostly Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. They also make a Syrah and a few other varietals but I have not had any of those. Their Pinots, Zinfandels and Chardonnays are made from several single vineyards they bottle, as well as grapes from a combination of vineyards. The Zio Tony Ranch is one of them.

I have been on Martinelli's mailer and I have also bought their wines from the secondary auction market. This bottle was sourced via auction. I was able to get this 2006 Chardonnay at a very good price from a larger lot being sold.

Tasting Review Note

The nose showed classic California full flavored chardonnay with some toasted almond, lemon and oak. The taste had full and rich flavors of lemon oil, steel, cream and almonds. The mouthfeel was not heavy but the flavors were fairly raw. Not subtle. Very long finish. This 2006 Zio Tony Ranch might be worth it just for that. It really goes.

If someone does not appreciate full bodied California Chardonnay like this 2006 Martinelli, they may find the wine a little over-done. I might agree that while I love a quality full flavored Chardonnay - food (shellfish particularly) would really bring this out.

Not a cocktail wine, but the best Chardonnays - including white burgundies should be food wines IMO.

I would let this sit at least another year in the bottle. But if you are cranking out some nice crab or clam in a garlic white wine sauce (I'm getting hungry now!), let this open for an hour or so and go at it. Don't forget the French Bread for dipping!

90 Points

Nick

Recommended Wine Book:

Bordeaux: A Consumer's Guide to the World's Finest Wines - Robert Parker

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2008 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

2009-03-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

A very consistent producer of affordable, fun and tasty sauvignon blanc. Although there are vintages of Kim Crawford I have like slightly more than others, they are pretty close and solid year to year. The 2008's I have had from others have been fairly straight to the producer and similar to 2007.

Taste Review Notes

Green fruits with peach and tropical aroma and green. The taste was a little more tangy and a little heavier on the grapefruit. The acidity was vibrant as expected. Very crisp and clean, but I did not find this bottle as smooth as last year or the 2006 offering. I wanted to love this again, but didn't. This has scored in the 90 point range almost every year lately by Wine Spectator and even hacks like me! I don;t know what WS gave it yet or if they did or not.

I went through a case of the 2007 Kim Crawfords last summer and they were always the party pleaser. This one will be also, but I did not like it as much.

87 Points

2006 Catena Malbec Score Note

2009-03-09T18:23:00.000-07:00

Malbecs are becoming good alternatives to THIS Italian fellas Chianti and Rosso Di Montalcino. I enjoy these lighter bodied, full flavored and good food wines. Catena is a classic affordable Argentina producer of Malbec wines. The 2006 follows a string of consistant vintages for Catena that normally score solidly.

For under $20, these are good values and they are widely available with large production and importing volume. Like Chiantis IMO, these wines benefit from a good food component as there is that classic old style red wine acidity that works best with sauces and hearty meals. This Malbec is the same.

Tasting Note

Nice aroma of spaice, flowers and some cranberry. The mouthfeel was a nice medium body that gave nice spicy fruit and a raisin taste with a semi light simple finish. I had this alone and then with some cheese and cured meat and the wine was measurably helped by the food. Still the wine is a bit on the simple side, but for the price point and availability, there is nothing to really complain about here.

A very nice wine and the price value is strong. I would give it a B+ on a Quality Price Value (QPR) basis.

Full Score: 88 Points

2005 Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon - Whitehall Lane Winery

2009-03-09T09:04:00.000-07:00

I have had a few Whitehall Lane wines over the years. One of my favorites was the 1999 reserve Cabernet. Classy and delicious stuff. Their merlot is a wonderful wine as well. The 2005 Cabernet that this note is on is a young wine, and I have found Whitehall Lane is helped my some aging. They seem built in a classic style and probably should be held. Of course I did not do that here - but then we wouldn't have a note on here. I'm taking one for the team!

Tasting Review

Rich fruit aroma of cherries, blueberry, and some caramel. Full bodied, but a little tannic (because of the youth I would say) on the mouthfeel and swallow. The taste shows cherry cola, cranberry, sour fruit and some chocolate. The taste on this 2005 Whitehall improved over the 2 hours we had this. The finish was good in length but there was an obvious lack of complexity.

Tough to score and rate as the jury is out on this. If I was forced to give a number, I would go 87-89 points.

Find the best price to buy Whitehall Lane on the Web:

2005 Beckmen Grenache Purisima Mountain Vineyard - Beckmen Vineyards

2009-03-05T05:35:00.000-08:00

Beckmen is a favorite producer of mine for Syrah and now - Grenache. I love the style of his wines and this Purisima vineyard offering from the 2005 vintage was something pretty special. Actually, it may be the best wine I have had in the last 2-3 months.

I have limited experience with Grenache, but like any varietal - there are strong and weak. The Beckmen was not weak. Class, style and inviting. It was really fun to explore this wine as I was drinking it because I had no idea what was coming. My lack of exerience with quality Grenache wineries and vineyards made my impressions and tasting notes much more natural and unfiltered. Unlike cabernets where you are expecting some blackberry, currant, tannins and so on - I didn't have that here. But - that will probably be the last time as quality Grenache will be something I will look more for in the future. Beckmen and others.

Wine Note

Opened for 30 minutes prior with low pours. (further bottle time and longer opening would be even better)

Aroma of cinnamon, even cinammon toast ( a flashback to my childhood!), some strawberry. A wonderful rich array of fragrances coming from this wine. Very nice and evolving. Tastes of terrific dark mountain fruit, violets blueberry, black cherry, cream and really smooth combinations of flavor. Alcohol is 15.8% and you don't feel it on the taste or finish at all. Well - you "feel it" after a while lol, but there is no heat here that affects balance or taste enjoyment.

Finish is amazingly long, smooth and classy. 30 second plus finish. This wine is really my style. I'm all over it and will look to get more.

94 Points

2005 Loring Pinot Noir Gary's Vineyard - Loring Wine

2009-03-03T16:22:00.000-08:00

I have enjoyed Loring's wines since the 2002 vintage. At their best they are fully flavored pinot noirs with last finishes. A their not so good (for my tastes), they can be a bit overdone with extracting and alcohol. The 2005 vintage has had some nice offerings in pinot noir and Loring's vineyard wines from 2005 are generally more to my taste - vs. the 2004's which were very full flavored but some wines were a little overdone.

I hate to generalize Loring wines by vintage as they have several single vineyard wines they produce, but I found several 2003 wines not to my liking. 04 was a very in your face vintage but very fun wines to just drink and get the fruit blast and the alcohol pop.

The 2005 Gary's delivers a bit of both.

Tasting Note

This was opened for 20 minutes and consumed over 1 hour. Dark smokey cherry aroma with a little maple aroma. Very nice nose.

The wine had nice acidity with forward tastes of strawberry, mineral and some cream. A little chalky towards the end, but that could subside with more time in bottle or glass.

89 Points

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2008 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc - Nobilo

2009-03-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

I am a big fan of affordable and flavor filled New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. I drink a lot of them. Great summer wines. Most are very tasty and made by reliable producers. Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, including names like Nobilo, Brancott, Kim Crawford, Oyster Bay and my favorite - Cloudy Bay deliver consistency year after year...most of the time. 2008 so far seemed to be right there with 2007 wines and earlier vintages.

These wines should also be consumed young. Within 2 years of vintage IMO.

The price for most Sauvignon blancs are under $15. The Nobilo was $12. I may have seen this wine cheaper elsewhere. Anyway, this may be a one and done for me.

Wine Tasting Note

Very green and citrus smelling. Had that tart and sour smell and I was hoping the aroma would be just a little overstated and the taste wouldn't reflect these over done aromas. The taste was exactly what I feared. Very heavy grapefruit, lemon and citrus with unripe fruit within it. Mouthfeel was heavier than most Sauvignon Blancs - so it is not watery or light. Plenty of flavor - just the wrong kind for me.

The acidity, which is usually a virtue with Sauvignon Blancs just goes over and beyond with the 2008 Nobilo. I found this harsh and unbalanced. There are too many good ones out there for the same price or better that I have to say this is a pass.

Score: 83 Points

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2005 Mon Coeur Cotes du Rhone - Mon Coeur Wine

2009-03-01T19:20:00.000-08:00

The 2005 Mon Coeur Cotes du Rhone was a wine I purchased a few months ago at an attractive price at auction. It has been a while since I have enjoyed a nice Rhone wine and not California Rhone! Actually I love many California Rhone style wne producers.

2005 is a very strong vintage throughout France. The Bordeaux hype is off the charts crazy of course. I am holding many wines from Burgundy and Bordeaux from 2005 and I hope many of you are as well. They will reward the wine drinker after aging some. The Mon Coeur was one I wanted to try early as it is not a big tannic young cabernet or merlot blend.

The aroma of this wine did not display a lot of youthfulness. It had a classic rhone nose of some ash, slight barnard which blew off by the second glass and some old world style terroir fruit.

The wine had a very nice taste of tea leaf, some citrus, fruit and spices. This changed as it was consumed which shows it youth and makes it a fun bottle to taste. It had some tartness on the finish and was a little disjointed towards the end, which I'll chalk up to the youngness of this Rhone wine. This is a food bottle, as most wines are - especially bottles from France, Italy and most classic grapes and traditional winemaking areas and producers.

The Mon Coeur provides a nice glimpse into the vintage and what this bottle may deliver in the years ahead.

I think I will hold off on an exact rating or score here. I'll say 88-90 point range for now.

Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Wine - 2006 Raptor Ridge Shea Vineyard Bottle Tasting

2009-03-01T18:11:00.000-08:00

The 2006 Raptor Ridge Shea Pinot Noir was a bottle I found at an excellent price on the Internet. I am finding nice deals on wine bottles online through retail stores and at auctio. I bought 3 of them and I think I paid $20 for each. An excellent price for highly regarded Pinot Noir from Oregon.

Oregon is one of my favorite areas for clean, but sharp and flavored pinot noir in the burgundy style of wine. This Raptor Ridge bottle is also from one of the great and more famous vineyards for wine in Oregon - Shea Vineyard.

The color was shiny and not dense. The aroma had nice strawberry, rubarb and some fruit seed. The mouthfeel and body of the wine had much more depth than color or even the nose was giving. This wine really packed a hidden punch of rich berry flavors, with some smooth spice and a very strong follow through.

A very clean - sharp wine that improved as the bottle was going down. Smooth and silky. Nothing wrong hear imo and a lot right. For the money, the Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir from the 2006 vintage is a wine bottle I recommend pretty strongly.

A high QPR (Quality Price Ratio)

I'm not sure what the production amount for this wine. If someone knows, feel free to post it - including the winemaker! By all means - participate.

Wine Score: 91 POINTS

2007 Neal Family Zinfandel - Neal Winery, Wine Bottle

2009-02-19T18:18:00.000-08:00

Tried a bottle of the 2007 Neal Family Zinfandel. I have been drinking Neal Family for several years. They are a napa family winery that makes wonderful cabernet sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Sauvignon Blanc. I should also throw in that they make really natural and tasty extra virgin olive oil. I love good olive oil! Need some more actually....

We have also met Mark Neal (wine owner) in New York City when he has come to visit. A solid guy who makes true california full flavored Napa Valley Zinfandel, Cabernet and more.

Anyway, I have been drinking their zinfandels for the past 4-5 years. The 2007 zinfandel wine is packed and layered with dark forward mountain fruit. This Neal is my kind of zinfandel. Dark rich fruit without feeling heavy and without burning high alcohol heat. I don't have the bottle with me (although I could easily go downstairs to see) but I believe it is under 15% and it is perfectly balanced. I think this bottle and vintage is the best Neal Zin in at least 2 years. Maybe it's just my style, but it works really well. It's a fun wine to drink!

Price point for this quality works well also. $24 (give or take a few bucks) is a great buy for this quality IMO. I have a case (well - less a bottle) and will enjoy these. Drink now - 2 years for peak imo, but longer wouldn't be a big risk either.

I did not write detailed notes on the 2007 Neal Family Zinfandel, but I would rate it a solid:

91 Points

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Wine Auction Buys - Wine Bottles Bought Jan 2009

2009-02-16T17:43:00.000-08:00

On the Wine Spectator forum many of us post what wine bottles we are buying, whether in a store, through a mailing list or perhaps through auction (live or Internet). I have gotten a few requests to do the same here. It can help others learn some new names or perhaps see where the pricing is on some auction wines or other secondary market bottles.

I generally only buy higher end quality wine via auction or mailing list. I find most stores in any one geographical area generally buy from the same distributor sources, so you tend to see the same names.

Anyway, with the economy the way it is, I am finding stunning buys (for my tastes) on the Internet. Some over 75% off retail. Pretty crazy. Anyway, here are some wine bottle buys from January. I included the price for all as well.

2006 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel $15

2006 Saxum Broken Stones Syrah $50

2005 Copain McDowell Valley Vineyard Syrah $25

2004 Reverie Special Reserve $45

2006 Eric Kent Kalen's Big Boy Blend Syrah $25

2005 Anderson's Conn Valley Fournier Vineyard Chardonnay $15

2005 Jean-Louis Chave Mon Coeur Cotes Du Rhone $15

2005 Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Cork Dancer 5.1 Pinot Noir $20

2006 Martinelli Zio Tony Ranch Chardonnay $20

2006 Raptor Ridge Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir $25

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2005 Alcina Pinot Noir - Alcina Sangiacomo Vineyard Wine

2009-02-16T16:05:00.000-08:00

I was able to find the 2005 Alcino Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir wine at a very good buy via online auction. It was fairly well rated and the price was pretty attractive, so I went for it. Doesn't take much with me! lol

2005 Alcina Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma

I opened this about 30-45 minutes before drinking and we had this over a 90 minute period. The wine had an earthy aroma of cranberry and some baked apple. The mouthfeel was fairly heavy. On the palate it supported the nose with tastes of sour cherries, dark fruit and some smoke.

Ok. I love pinot noir - and earthy pinot. My first problem with this wine was it falls short in sugar. Not in alcohol but in pure sweetness to the the taste. I don't want a sugary wine but this almost had almost a sugar-free flavor to it. It also turned pretty sour towards the end. The finish on the Alcina was decent in length. It just wasn't a finish I really enjoyed. Turned rough and tart and after a while I just got tired drinking it.

Not my style. It may be yours.

84 Points.

Find Alcina Pinot Noir Wine - Sonoma County

2003 Chateau des Fines Roches Chateauneuf du Pape - CDP

2009-02-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I have enjoyed a nice (not too young) Chateauneuf. I have always felt that for their Price to Quality Value (QPR), CDP is tough to beat. Compare the top quality Chateauneuf du Papes to Bordeaux or Burgundy and the price difference is pretty stark. True, most CDP - whether 2001, 2003 or other good years generally can't compete with a top Bordeaux wine from 2000, 2003 - but they are different wines. Most Bordeaux wines are fuller as they are blended with fuller grapes normally (Cabernet, Merlot).

The one negative for me with Chateauneuf Du Pape is having to write it many times in a wine review! like the Des Fines Roches 2003 CDP. The wine is worth it. Although I am going to abbreviate from hear on as I am a bit tired today and have been on my PC working on other stuff. I don't just drink wine and write about it. Although I wish I could!

Notes and Review

This had a very youthful and vibrant color. Not that 2003 is old, but CDP can be duller in color - if color in your wine is important. I kinda like a nice shine to my wine.

Aroma of sour cherries, earth and some floral components. I wrote Violets. The nose evolved to over time shaking off some of the earth and must (there wasn't much of the latter though). No funk or barnyard characteristics that can sometimes come through early on other Chateauneuf Du Pape. Not with the Chateau des Fines Roches.

The palate had nice cherries, cold stone terroir and finesse. The tannins were well integrated and the finish was clean and straight. Not long and fairly simple finish for this 2003 wine, but Chateauneuf Du Papes are not thick and long Napa Cabernets, so the ending of this wine should be judged for it's grape and make up.

All in all a very good wine for the price ($25 or so) and is available for searching with retail stores online.

Score: 89 Points

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Dashe Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley - 2006 Dashe Wine Notes, Zinfandel Score

2009-02-04T13:50:00.000-08:00

Dashe is a wine producer in California that began in 1996. I had heard about their Zinfandels last year and have wanted to try one for some time. Writing notes for the first time on a wine like the 2006 Dashe Zinfandel dry creek valley was fun.

Dashe sources grapes for their wine making. They produce a few different Zinfandels. I am anxious to try others. The 2006 Dashe dry creek valley zinfandel was sourced by me via auction. I might want to look into getting some of these wines direct.

2006 Dashe Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Note

This wine right away showed finesse and class for a zinfandel. It did not appear weighty, heavy or thick. The nose gave off very pleasant aromas of warm berries, caramel and some spice. Very little heat. The alcohol of 14.5% seems perfect on the nose. The mouthfeel was medium to full, but not thick, chewy or overdone. Tastes of
blackberry, and sweet seeded fruit with some cream. No hotness and a clean classy finish. Not overly long - but I find many Zinfandels with "wow" finishes tend to kill you with alcohol, suger and hotness.

I'd rather have less of a finish if the type is smoothed out. I tend to factor that into my score. But to each his own. The great thing about wine right?

Score 90 Points.

Price: I have seen this zinfandel wine listed at $20 or more. I got it on the Internet for $15.00. A screaming buy at that price when you consider many of the other zinfandel producers (many worth it) at $30, $40 and up.

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2004 Domaine Chandon Chardonnay - Domaine Chandon Wine

2009-01-18T16:05:00.000-08:00

This was an affordable Chardonnay (around $20) and I always like to give California Chardonnay a little spin when priced well. The 2004 Domaine Chandon is a name I see a lot of but have never tried their Chardonnay wine. The 2004 was my first go.

Shiny lime and gold color. It really had a crystal sharp gold look. Aroma of Sweet lemon, marmalade, citron a little burnt wood - but very faint. Tastes of lemonoil, cream and some toasted almond. Pretty restrained. No hotness and not overly oaky - which I like. Still, the wine wasn't very layered and the finish was pretty simple.

Nice wine that is fairly priced. I'd say it's neither a pass nor a buy. Neutral for me.

86 Points

New Years Eve Wines and More...

2009-01-12T18:11:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you enjoyed some nice wines, champagne and so on. We had a nice small gathering at our house. I had several wines at the ready and enjoyed several. I think we had a good run of it. Freezing snowy weather helped also!

Roederer Sparkling White Wine - Anderson Valley, California. This has become one of my favorite QPR (Quality Price Ratio) Champagne Sparklers. It is just a fabulous wine for the money and when compared to most Champagnes of very good quality, it is even a better drink. $20 or so and it always delivers. Has that combination I love in a sparkling white - crisp, not too sweet with perfect acidity and dryness. Nice stuff. Great Mimosa Champagne too! - what isn't?

2005 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain - California. Outpost is one of my favorite Zinfandel producers, along with Carlisle for me. Not over the top but fruit packed with alcohol there, but not crazy. Outpost wines always have that fresh ground pepper undertaste with the fruit that just gives it great concentration.

2004 Rutherford Hill Merlot - California. Rutherford Hill is more modestly priced and while not an overly complex wine, it usually pleases anyone you pour it for. Casual wine lovers will really like it. I have had mixed results with some vintages of this. Some wines really do differ in quality from year to year. It's never bad, but the 2004 is very special.

Also drank a 2006 Gainey Pinot Noir, a Williamette Vineyards Pinot that I didn't love. Pretty short. I'll have to find which one exactly.

Drink a good wine tonight!

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Mondavi - 2005 Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc

2008-12-29T18:16:00.000-08:00

Mondavi was one of the pioneers of California and a legend in the winemaking world. He was also the man who introduced the wine and term - Fume Blanc, as opposed to Sauvignon Blanc. I have had a single vineyard offering of this before, but this is the 2005 regular bottling of the Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc.

Compared to many top rated New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, this was priced higher.

I opened this prior to dinner at my house.

2005 Mondavi Fume Blanc

Lemon, some walnut and lit match on the nose. The aroma was interesting as it changed a bit and went more citrus. The taste was a little steely and austere at first. Not a youthful spritzy sauvignon blanc as it tasted more blended. The mouthfeel was heavier than I would have expected from a young fume blanc. Almost chardonnay like when it first hit the palate. Kind of an oily, lemon taste that really dominates the palate and the finish.

Very lemony on the finish. I have to call this 2005 a pass.

84 Points

Pax Syrah - 2006 Pax Castelli-Knight Ranch, Russian River Valley

2008-12-17T16:35:00.000-08:00

I recently received some select 2006 single vineyard Syrahs from Pax Winery. Pax is one of my favorite syrah producers in California. They produce wonderfully rich and complex syrah red wines without the high alcohol, heat or over the top sugars. The 2006 Castelli Knight Ranch Russian River Valley wine is no exception.

I am on Pax's mailing list and you get to taste many different offerings and vineyards when you order form them. Pax also has terrific customer service as I have experienced first hand.

The 2006 Castelli Ranch Syrah is a very young wine and like most Pax wines, it needs a few years in the cellar. Still, I brought home some nice prime butcher Rib Eyes for dinner and wanted something bold. Sure, bloody steaks normally crave cabernet, but I wanted to give a young studly syrah from one of my favorite producers a shot. It held up very very well. We opened the Pax Syrah for 3 hours before dinner. I did not decant as I rarely decant any wine. THAT may be a ripe topic to post and debate about on another post.

I wrote some brief review notes over dinner while enjoying this wine. It lived up to the steak match, but it is years away from peak.

2006 Pax Castelli Knight Ranch Syrah Russian River Valley

Rich blackberry, currant and smokey pepper aroma. Some meaty undertones on the nose too. A big wine for sure. The 14.8% alcohol is perfect here. Rich cab like mouthfeel that felt big and bold. Tastes of black cherry cola, blackcherry with great dark mountain fruit. Long finish, but very young. This needs 2-3 years minimum in the bottle. I will hold the rest.

Almost too young to score, but what the hell:

93-94 Points

Really really nice.

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Kistler Chardonnay - 2005 Kistler Vineyard Review

2008-11-26T17:40:00.001-08:00

I enjoy Kistler Chardonnays. The problem with them to many people is not the quality, but the price. Are you willing to pay $60 for top quality and rich california chardonnay? If not, then Kistler is not for you. I'm not sure they are always my style either and at their price points - it can be a hard buy. Still, 2005 was a stellar year for Kistler and Chardonnays in general.

I have had 5 or 6 Kistler 2005 vineyard offerings over the past year including Dutton Ranch, Mccrea Vineyard, Kistler Vineyard included. They are rich, buttery and age worthy. A classic Chardonnay vintage and Kistler really is at the upper tier of that but again - that is up to you on whether their price point is worth it. I love high end Chardonnay but Kistler's Pinot Noirs reallt hit my fancy for sure - but I digress...

Onto the wine I had tonight...

2005 Kistler Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard

Aroma of lemon, almond and merenge. Rich nose. Taste of toasted almond, vanilla, nuts, some lime and white pepper. The finish is rich and long. A little lighter (in a good way) on the back end of the palate vs. other Kistler Chardonnays from 2005. I found this had a full palate and rich mouthfeel but had more finesse on the finish. All in all this might be more my style than the more heavy buttery offerings I have had from them in 2005.

93 Points

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1999 Araujo Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon Score - Araujo Note

2008-11-18T12:39:00.000-08:00

I have been a big fan of Araujo wines for a few years now. I was once at a tasting given by a business associate and he had some of his favorite cult wineries, including Araujo, Switchback Ridge, Bryant Family and some other hitters. The whole night was amazing - and a partial blur. I do remember the Araujo was the last wine I had and it was the 1995. I remember giving it a score of 97 points.

It really stood out for me that night as many of the wines were very young and powerful, but the 1995 Araujo was drinking so great. I loved it.

Anyway, a few years ago someone on the wine spectator forum board (I post there pretty often) was selling 6 1999 Araujo Eisele Cabernets at a price well below market. Still steep mind you. For those who do not know Araujo is a cult producer in California that sells for over $120 and some classic vintages fetch up to $200-$250. Is any wine really worth this amount? It's not a fair question as worth is largely based on who you are and how much enjoyment you get out of something you pay for. I'll skip that question for now!

The 1999 Araujo is from a great vintage in Napa for Cabernet. 1999, 2001 and 2002 were wonderful recent vintages and any of them from a great producer like this will give you a lot of pleasure. I had this wine the other night and it was just terrific. 1 hour of opening and consumer over 3 hours. This has years left of prime drinking window, but with some airing - I thought it was drinking great!

1999 Araujo Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon

Wonderful aroma of rich blueberry, cherries and smoke on the nose. The hints of restrained power. Tastes of cherries, spice, delicious mountain blackberry fruit and currants. The finish was long and gripping - showing a great combination of power and elegance. The 1999 Araujo is drinking really well now but has 5-7 years of terrific years ahead for sure.

Score: 95 Points

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Wine Notes - 2006 Pax Syrah Walker Hill Vineyard, Tasting Review

2008-11-09T18:25:00.000-08:00

Pax is one of the very best Syrah producers in California. Yes - I'm still on a serious California Syrah kick! The Pax wines from 2006 are expected to be wonderful as always. The Walker Hill Vineyard is one of my favorite bottles from them.

What I like about Pax is there wines have the color, body and aroma of something almost overwhelming, but then you taste a really balanced wine with perfect alcohol, acidity and fruit development. Writing a note on a Pax wine has that kind of tone. When I'm writing tasting review notes with this Syrah producer, the notes and adjectives refelct the change and development of a wine with great fruit power and balance for aging. Now don't get me wrong, some Pax wines when opened early can be a little rough and clumsy. That is just my experience from time to time. They are hard to keep your hands off of though!

2006 Pax Walker Hill Vineyard Syrah

Heavy dark color, rich to the look and the first aroma seems more Petite Sirah than Syrah. The nose was very nice, giving aromas of blackberry, cinnamon, some nutmeg, sweet spice and that dark mountain style fruit. The mouthfeel was full, but the flavors of brown sugar, blueberry and currants really came through and grew throughout the time the wine was opened. The finish was full, lush and really gave off great power.

I would hold this pax bottle for 2 years and drink it over the next 1-5 years after that. The 2006 Walker Vine Hill Vineyard seems to have the right stuff for cellaring. I had this with Pork Chops baked in a bread crumb mixture with cut potatoes and creamed spinach. It worked great with it.

91-92 Points. Enjoy!

2005 Switchback Ridge Merlot - Switchback Wine

2008-10-31T17:56:00.000-07:00

This was a wine I have had before and I have loved it every time I have had it. Switchback makes crazy good Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Just really rich and yummy stuff.

I did not take formal notes of the 2005 this time. It was opened on Halloween after a day/night of trick or treating. Dinner is rarely a big deal for us and I'm sure others on Halloween with all the walking around and candy chomming. So, if dinner wasn't getting done, I reached for the 2005 Switchback Merlot. I can't eat kit kats and almond joys all night!

The wine was terrific. At least 5 years of long life ahead of itself if aged. One of the best merlots in California. Ranked up there with Pride, Paloma and a select few other quality merlot producers.

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2005 Lucia Syrah Gary's Vineyard Wine Note, Bottle Review Tasting

2008-10-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

I have really been into quality California Syrah's the last year. I find the best ones will give you the depp dark rich fruit of a great cabernet but have the approachability (less the tannins) of a young merlot. Lucia was a producer I have wanted to try and I have loved many 2005 vintage Syrah's, so getting to taste this wine and being able to review it was a good experience.

The depth and deepness of the fruit in some of these California Syrah wine bottles is really terrific. For someone like myself who enjoys complexity but loves when a wine can be opened and enjoyed young - California Syrah, including the Lucia Gary's really makes it happen.

I bought some nice cuts of Porterhouse steaks to grill and a Napa Cab really would have and should have been the choice. I was staring at my bottles of Pride, Araujo, Switchback and a few others but it is a Thursday and my wife was feeling a little "under the weather" so I didn't want to waste a bottle that was TOO studly.

I had a few bottles of the 2005 Lucia Gary's Syrah that I had acquired through an auction so I figured I'd see how it would stack up against my bloody steak and see if it could hold up to replacing one of my all time wine and food pairing staples: Steak and Cabernet.

Well - it did. As always, I am typing this from a piece of scribbled white paper where wine notes were taken as I drank it. Probably over 90 minutes, with 45 minutes of it basically eating dinner. Yes - I eat and drink slow when it's something good! lol

On to the review tasting note.

2005 Lucia Syrah Gary's Vineyard

Big aroma of Blueberry, blackberry, coffee grounds and dark mountain fruit. Has the nose of a short term aged high end Napa Cab. Really huge on the nose. The mouthfeel was really rich and lush. The youth of the wine can be felt as the power and freshness hits your palate like a cannon, but it's all good. The palate had tastes of black cherries and berries, vanilla, cream and pepper. The finish had great power and grace of the most complex Syrah I have tasted in a long time.

94 Points (out of 100) - Excellent!

As I wrote the review tasting note on this wine, I was really pleased with what I was tasting. Just terrific stuff and right there with the 2005 Copain Thompson, which I felt was the best 2005 Syrah I have tasted to date.

Food Match and Wine Pairing - Pairings, Wines and Meals

2008-10-29T16:12:00.000-07:00

For me, my best wines don't come out unless I am pairing it with a favorite food to match it or at least compliment the wine in some ways. When a wine and food pairing is done right, both should really sing!

Now the truth is (in my opinion at least) that there are few rules with choosing a wine to match with a meal, whether it is a formal dinner, a piece of cheese or a light lunch. I think you will be better served to really just drink what you like with what you like to eat. Yes that sounds political and non snooty - but is almost the whole truth. I think some people who are reading this would probably appreciate some tips on what to pair and just as important - what NOT to match with certain foods. Let's put some random food groups as our topic headers and mention some good wine pairings with them.

Steak

"Steak and Cab" - yes there is no stronger pairing than a good medium rare steak and a fruity and sturdy Cabernet Sauvignon. It is the food and wine match for kings. Truth is almost all bold red wines will pair great with steak and if you ask me, so would a glass of water! I love a good steak regardless. Cabernet, especially great Napa Cabs and bordeaux blends are wonderfully complex bold driven reds that work wonders with any pure bloody meat protein. But throw in Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Merlot or any blends of those and you should be very happy with the match.
Although there are no "rules" here, I would avoid most lighter reds and white wines to get the most enjoyable wine pairing experience.

Hamburgers, Beef Ribs, and other fatty red meat protein foods are all well served being paired with full bodied red wines.

Pork and Veal

This really is too general to attempt as unlike steaks, pork and veal (and lamb) can have several styles with different sauce tastes that can really change the pairing style with wines. In general, I like most veal dishes with high level pinot noir. "High level" meaning "quality". Most varieties have good and bad, but unlie Merlot and Syrah (Shiraz) and some others, I find Pinot Noir can be mind blowingly amazing from one producer and a light and watery mess from another. Obviously, we want to lok for the former. A high octane but lean mouthfeel pinot from a top producer in California perhaps (Russain River Valley), Oregon and of course - Burgundy can really be the best food and wine pairing this side of steak and cab. Pork and lamb as well. But - the rule with most pairings besides the obvious is you pair to the sauce, not the meat. A pork dish in a sweet duck sauce would go better with a riesling or pinot gris than a pinot noir. If it is a veal marsala, which is not a sweet sauce, I would go pinot noir and not a white wine. A good pairing makes the food AND the wine taste better.

Chicken

This is the most subjective food and the one with the most variances based on prep style, sauce and how it was cooked. The sauce is everyting on this as well. In general, if the food is fairly conservative in chicken style like a roast chicken, parts cooked in a stock base or even fried or baked cutlets, I find a non oaked and non sweet white wine to be the best pairing. Non oaked meaning, no Chardonnay and non sweet applying to many rieslings. A Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Rousanne or other white blend can work very well. I have also enjoyed lighter styled Pinot Noir and Beaujolais can work, but for me if I'm going to consider resorting to Beaujolais, I'd rather reach for a white! Just me maybe, but I hate wimpy white wines.

Shellfish and Seafood

I enjoy most shellfish with Chardonnay, White Burgundy (which is mostly chardonnay) and sparkling white wine or champagne. Seafood can have wine pairing used to the sauce and prep as well. I find white wine pretty versitile, especially if they are no too sweet or overoaked.

Cheeses

I have to say the best combination of wine and food I can think of is wine and cheese. It seemes so cliche but they really go so well together. The type of cheese almost doesn't matter and I have dozens of white wines with cheese and it's always a nice hit to my palate. So if you can't cook or are lazy but have great wine to share - a generous plate of cheese and crackers will make even the most snobby wine lover very happy.

Drink the wine you like with the food you like. There are no real rules. I will say though that while a good porterhouse steak can be enjoyed with a sprite or a glass of milk, a great and complex red wine really should enjoy a good food pairing to go with it. Sometimes any good snack with the right flavor can work in the world of wine pairing and food matching. Anyone that has gotten greatr enjoyment from a great Napa Cab and a box of Cheese Itz knows what I'm saying.

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2006 Herman Story Syrah Wine Note - Larner Vineyard Review

2008-10-24T16:43:00.000-07:00

I have really been into top quality/niche California Syrah and really enjoy tasting them and getting distinct, classy flavors in many of them. One of them at the top of the list for me recently is the 2005 Herman Story Larner Vineyard Syrah.

I opened this wine around 4:00 with some Frdiay appetizers of Olives, Hard Cheeses and some Crackers. We then had a dinner of fried chicken cutlets, Fresh Mozzarella and carolina white rice steamed in chicken stock and butter. I wished the wine lasted longer.

This is the first time I have tried this wine from Herman Story, but it is not unknown to the wine mailer purchaser, auction buyer or just cult wine geeker. It is very much in that Copain style of true to roots Rhone style syrah in a great wine maker tradition from France. As I was about to write my notes down, I was blown away by the 15.9% alcohol on the label. No way does it feel like that. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

In my wine note I had this:

2005 Herman Story Syrah, Larner Vineyard - Santa Ynez Valley

Aroma of Baked Apple and cinnamon. I remember baked apples from my mom making them. I never liked them as my mom only made them because she was always on a diet and tried to pass them off as real desserts. My sister and I probably resented them because of that. "I could sure go for some real apple pie and melted ice cream right now". That is what you could probably ESP out of my sister and I. They also looked like little monkey brains in retrospect. Wow! - THAT was a helluva drift huh? Sorry. Back to the wine....

Ok. (putting the baked apple out of my mind) and back to the notes. The cinnamon and apple aroma was really nice on this wine. Some ripe plums as well. The nose was really big and the mouthfeel was huge. Now this is a 2005 California Syrah and when you add in the nose, and mouthfeel, I was expecting a huge clunky young Syrah but know way. This really came through with delicious fruit of black cherry, some cola syrup, and rounded spice. The finish was long but aged. Really classy finish with a combination of great aging structure (I'd say 5-8 years easy) but great drinkability now - with some airing. I have had several delicious 2005 Syrahs from California and this is right up there.

I really liked the Herman Story Syrah a lot. I will seek more of them out.

93 Points

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Tasting Notes - Wines of Neal Family, Dutton Estate, Carlisle Wine Review Notes

2008-10-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

With shipping season well upon us, the UPS boxes have been coming in and it's been tough trying to layoff the wine deliveries and write some fresh tasting notes - oh and drinking them! October is a good month.

Dutton Estate Pinot Noir and a single vineyard Carlisle Syrah were two of the wines I had over this past weekend. My review includes a few other starter wines.

We had some friends over Saturday and I was cooking up some shrimp scampi, rib eye steaks and fusilli pasta salad.

Before the Calisle and the Dutton, we had a starter from Neal Family

2006 Neal Family Sauvignon Blanc

I have had a few of these and my first tasting note on this showed enjoyment but a little too much citrus. This time it seemed less for me and my company absolutely loved it. I will chalk some of this to the fact that 2 of kour guests have really never had quality Napa Sauvignon Blanc like this. If I let them review and put a tasting note, they would probably go 94 points. I will not get that crazy. It showed very nice acidity with Napa style tropical fruit, with a good spritzy finish. I would go 88-89 points. A better showing or maybe it was just my mood last time.
Hey - it happens...!

2004 Dutton Estate Pinot Noir Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir

I was excited to try this as I had heard that Dutton makes very good RRV style pinot for a lower price. This was a wine bought via Internet auction and I paid $25. A steal for quality russian river valley pinot noir. Well, I felt this fell very short in the fruit concentration, complexity and finish vs. the heavyweights of pinot noir.

My Wine Tasting Notes for the Dutton Estate Dutton Ranch were written as I drank it over 90 minutes. I did not decant the wine.

Light color that does not always tell the story, but in this case it kinda does. The aroma showed some good power on the nose of Strawberry and tangerine. The taste had a pretty light-medium mouthfeel of strawberry seeds, mineral and a little fruit tartness that helped the concentration some, but the finish was short and uneventful. I thought the wine might make a comeback after opening some but it stayed relatively shallow and simple. A nice pinot noir for the lower-mid end, but the 2004 Dutton Estate Pinot Noit Dutton Ranch is yet another example for me of why I have a hard time enjoying under $30 pinot noir from California and from Russian River Valley - it's almost impossible.

86 Points

2005 Carlisle Bennett Valley Syrah

Only 300 cases of the Carlisle Bennett Valley Syrah are produced and so tasting this and writing a wine review note on it is always special for me. Yes - I have had this a few times. Carlisle produces great Zinfandel and Syrah across many vineyards. My notes are less detailed on this one as I only wrote general impressions as I was with company. This was paired with the rib eye steak. This wine was a nice cross between a classic rhone style of Copain for instance and modern fruit. I enjoyed the mix. It had good mixtures of current, blackberry, white pepper with a nice rounded finish with length.

91 Points

Ok. So there they are: Neal Family Sauvignon Blanc, Dutton Estate Pinot Noir - Dutton Ranch and the Carlisle Bennett Valley Syrah.

A good weekend with a nice mixture of wines. October is the peak of wine shipping season, so tastings and notes pick up in my house. It's also nice because I didn't pay for any of this wine....at least not in the last 6 months. They were all on back order through auction lots and wine allocation mailing list. Of course I paid for everything, but it's fun to get that case of wine delivered to you when you're not expecting it! Of course seeing your credit card statement in the spring and summer after I order isn't as fun....

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Restaurant Wine List - Restaurant Selection, List Price and BYO

2008-10-16T16:18:00.000-07:00

Ok. One of THE biggest things I complain about to friends and family (who care to listen) are the absolute horrible wine lists at restaurants. Granted, the wine list horror show I describe is probably not an issue for 90% of the diners out there, which is probably why it never gets better and why I will probably BYO (Bring Your Own) for the rest of my life!

I am speaking to "good restaurants". Not the Outbacks of the world. And I am not being overly picky here at all. There are certain things I expect when I go out. I know I am spending $1.75 for a coke, $5 - $7 for a beer and so on. I also know I am spending 2 - 2 1/2 times retail for most wines. The ratio on a restaurant list can be smaller for expensive bottles and greater for cheaper bottles.

Selection

I live in New York, so the best restaurants should have the best wine lists with the best selections where BYO shouldn't be needed right? Well - most of the time...no. I have found that most restaurants buy from the 2 or 3 big liquor distributors in the state and most of them have much of the same stuff - on the higher end at least. The selection on the US premium wine end is the most predictable in selection and the most frustrating. Let's take the over $40 retail market for Napa Cabernet for instance. If you are in a good steakhouse (and New York has plenty of great ones), a nice Napa Cab can really do the trick. Sure paying $45 for a T-Bone steak a la carte sucks, but a prime dry aged steak is something special that I usually have no problem paying up for.

What IS the problem? The wine list. The selection more often than not comes down to large production, overrated known labels: Silver Oak, Silverado, Opus, Frog's Leap, Mondavi Reserve and maybe 3 or 4 others usually. Most of these in good vintages are quite good, but the predictability of these names at double or more retail - sometimes $125 or more for many just doesn't work. When you actually collect wine and you have aged it and know they are better than what you are being offered, I'd rather BYO and pay the corkage. Restaurants do not lose money allowing people who bring good wine to a restaurant vs. buying from their list. The truth is - we come back and I just will not buy an off vintage 2003 Silver Oak for $125. I'd rather bring a 1999 Switchback, Pride or other superior cult cab I may have paid $50-$75 for and pay the $20 corkage, and it's a better wine too. It's not really about the money with me when I look at list (most of the time). It's about quality and a list that has thought put into it. I have little kids. I don't get out THAT much, so I want the lists of where I dine to be pretty nice and hopefully offer different or better bottles than what I have at home. Not a lot to ask right? This one of the reasons I BYO.

Vintage

Wow! I have a few pet peeves on this one. Again - not sure how many others do...or care! The first just gets me riled up right away: not having the vintage year on the wine list a restaurant is handing you. Oh man - that just pisses me off to know end. It's actually funny when my wife is with me as she is not the wino geek I am so I try not to overly "Niles Crane" the scene but even if I just say very casually, "I'd like this wine if it is the 2002 or 2001" and the server comes back with a bottle saying "I'm sorry we only have the 2006!", I almost have to laugh and feel like I am on another planet as the waiter AND my wife give me that look of "what's the difference?" WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?!

The other big issue with vintage of wine on most restaurant lists is the fact that many show off vintages of popular names. It's rarely a 2002 Opus (I wouldn't buy that either), it's a 2003 - an inferior vintage, for the same price. Why? Because there are tons of it around and it is a sexy sell for the distributor and most restaurant owners want the hot names on their list and really don't know wine.

The 3rd bad wine vintage issue on restaurant lists is that few carry older vintages. Sure, some classic restaurants do, but most will not carry even 1995 Bordeaux - much less 1989 or 1986. Just trying to find a 2001 Napa Cabernet is a struggle. 2001! That vintage is just starting to drink well - at least on the premium wineries.

The vintage issues is a HUGE reason why I like to BYO.

List Prices

I listed prices last because it really is not the most important reason to bring good wine bottles to restaurants. I understand why a list doubles the retail price for a bottle or more - it certainly does that with food. I doubt a 1 1/2 pound lobster at the fish store costs $32! so I get much of it. I just don't like the gouging and many not even notice it. But when the pricing is really out of whack, it can set me off. Seeing a bottle of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, which is a very good white wine from New Zealand going for $36 on a list when it retails for $12 or less will send my wine list blood pressure soaring!

So much of this wine list rant may seem like a group of wine snoot peeves run amuck, but when you have really good wine at home and take the care to hold it to maturity or near in drinking window, you'd like to have some wine choices when you eat out. I usually do and it's not always a problem, but BYO is a nice way to go. Of course even BYO has some basic rules of politeness: Don't bring cheap or overly available wines or wines that are already on their list. I find that to be pretty rude and just screams of cheapness. Most state allow for BYO but it pays to handle it right. Calling ahead and saying "Can we bring our own wine?" is not the right move. It's too easy to say no for them and you sound like, well - a cheapo who may bring in a liter of $5 jug quality wine. "I'd like to bring a special bottle that I have in my cellar to have with dinner, is that ok?" is a much better way to go.

Many restaurants do take the time to put thought into their list - I have several places that do and if you live in Napa or in a top NYC french restaurant, you have no problems with any of this. But, if this rant makes you feel not so alone when you are quietly having a wine snooting rage next to your wife or other non-wino - I'm glad to give you some company!

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California Pinot Noir - My Favorite Pinot Wineries From California

2008-10-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

I have been accused of being a semi "Miles from Sideways" in my Pinot Noir snobbery. Unlike that character, I enjoy all wine grapes - when done well. The problem with Pinot Noir from California (and Burgundy for that matter) is that the better offerings are just of much higher quality and so they end being...well double or even triple the price of Pinots that may be decent to many others. I know that sounds, but lower quality PN can be watery and rustic without the fruit intensity. Producing higher quantities just dilutes it and so that is why the best ones are harder to get and are usually $40 and up.

I'm not saying that all higher priced Pinot Noirs are always better. Absolutely not. Still, I have never had a $10 Pinot that I would have again. Unlike Cabernet, Merlot and other varietals where I have had many sub $20 and under $15 where I did enjoy the wine and I would have again.

I like the specialist and the cults of great California Pinot Noir. Most of my favorites are mailing list allocations that I get and are well known to other cult pinot snoots. In no particular order and there are some offerings from these wineries that I may like or not like over another. A winery like Martinelli in California makes 12 or 15 different wines and vineyard offerings - including about 6 different Pinot Noirs. These are also wines I buy and own. While they aren't $20, they are not $100 either. Most are in the $35-$50 range. I know that is not cheap, but that is the sweet spot price range for really good California PN without getting out of hand price wise. It is what it is...

There are many others I'll miss but these are a few of the ones that I buy all I can get - for the most part.

Kosta Browne - Great concentrated Pinot Noir with several vineyard designate offerings. The single vineyard stuff is very hard to come by. I am on their mailer and barely get any. But the Russian River Valley Pinot and Sonoma are terrific and they are more available to mailer customers in California and outside the state. I look forward to every batch from these guys. Only issue is the price. It's getting a bit steep. The single Vineyards were north of $65 this year! So maybe it is ok I didn't get offered any....

Kutch - A well known success story to cult wine drinkers. Jamie Kutch dropped his career and life in New York City to move out to California and learn how to make his own brand of Pinot Noir. It makes sense to mention Kutch after Kosta Browne as he worked and studied at Kosta Browne to hone his craft. The result? A wonderfully crafted Russian Rivery Valley PN and a single vineyard offering. Just a great story. Wow huh? Not only starting your own successful winery, but moving cross country to learn and you make your own great wine with a popular customer base (and waiting list!) within 2-3 years. I don't get much from them just yet, but I take what I can get. "Hey Jamie - an extra 6 pack would be appreciated!" Not that I'm giving him this glowing review just to get more wine [wink] - but hey....

Rochioli - A terrific California Winery that produces numerous Pinot Noirs and a delicious Chardonnay. Another favorite of mine that is tough to acquire unless you are on their mailing list or are willing to pay a premium for Internet or auction buying.

Martinelli - Some higher end buyers have been laying off Martinelli in recent years as some feel they produce too much good - not great Pinots and the price is still at where you find higher quality offerings from other California producers. I kind of agree and disagree. They have one real stud Pinot, the Blue Slide Ridge but it is crazy expensive - like double some of the other ones mentioned above. Martinelli produces great Zinfandels and I love their Chardonnays. I am mentioning them here as they have many choices at different price ranges and I like that. They bundle their mailing list offerings which I don't like. "Bundling" is when a winery has set packages that you choose from and the different wine bottles are pre selected. Example: "Package 1 = 3 bottles of..., 1 bottle of ...." and you either take the package or not. Martinelli produces a lot of different wines, so I can usually find them on the open retail market much easier than the other California wineries listed here.

Kistler - A well known if not THE most famous California producer of Chardonnay. The Chardonnays are what they made their reputation on, and they are good, but I actually enjoy their Pinot Noirs more (one of my top favorites). I find the Chardonnays are SO full bodied and buttery that they overwhelm me. I am a person who doesn't drink Chards unless I am eating something complimentary to it (shell fish perhaps) and I find Kistler to be just a bit chewy. If you love full bodied whites, they are hard to beat. Their Pinots are so elegant and potent. I really love them and wish I could get more direct from them, but they are stingy with the pinot noir allocations. You can buy the Chardonnays by the case load. They make a lot - and most are north of $65. Not worth it for me.

Sea Smoke - I have gotten into these guys big the last few years. I am not on their winery mailer list but I am able to find them via the Internet. The Botella and the Southing are the Pinot Noirs I have had from them and they were terrific.

It has been an exciting last few years with California Pinot Noir and I have others I enjoy. Feel free to comment or add some of your favorite wineries and producers.

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Wine Reviews - Brief Tasting notes October 2008, Neal Family Cabernet, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc Tasting

2008-10-13T15:45:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I like to just share a group of wines I may have had during a week or weekend and well...with the stock market the way it was this past week, good wines were needed. I have very brief notes here, actually more brief impressions. Neal Family is one of the wineries I had the past few days. I had several bottle offerings from them this week as I received a wine allocation in recent weeks. So we will call this sort of an overview of recent wines (Cabernet, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc) and a bit of a profile of one of my favorite wineries.

Neal Family Winery

Neal is a family owned winery in Napa that I have enjoyed for several years now. They are not a large production winery, but not small either. Much of their wine is bought through their mailing list, but some of their larger case production varietals (their Napa Cabernet and Zinfandel mostly) can be found through online retailers. I have met the owner Mark Neal and I have had dinner with him in New York City, with others. He visits NYC a few times a year and lets his customers know so we can meet up and share a dinner. He brings the wines and we have a blast. I am on their mailing list (full disclosure as the stock pros say lol!)

Anyway - they make a very good Napa Cabernet, several single vineyard offerings (or designates - SVD) of cabernet. They produce a high quality and consistant Zinfandel that is not overly alcohol loaded or hot. Neal makes a very attractive Petite Sirah and Sauvignon blanc that I have had and own. And...an excellent Extra Virgin Olive Oil! I did not have THAT this week, but it is wonderful stuff that tastes right off the tree.

On to the wines I tried recently:

2004 Neal Family Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

This was from a magnum I had of this. 1.5 liter. Basically double a regular bottle size for those who may not be aware. Magnums from low production producers are a pretty special thing. This is why you very very rarely see doublke sized bottles of the real good wines in your store. They are more collectors items for the mailing list and they are pretty cool to open. I found this to be very balanced and aged. 2004 is not an old vintage, but I did not find it tannic or over done on the dark fruit. It was a very classy cabernet. One of my favorite Neal offerings for sure.

2006 Neal Family Zinfandel

This is a wine I usually get 6 or 12 every time I buy and well - they don't last. Zinfandel is not usually an ege worthy grape anyway. At least it's not a wine that improves IMO. I really enjoy the Neal Zinfandel though as it really is what Zin should be. Up front fruit, good right away but not having any hotness, crazy alcohol content or other over the top taste. It is a wonderfully balanced wine and for $22 or so, it is a great buy and a fun wine to have with food or just hanging out. Have it on the cool side.

2007 Neal Family Sauvignon Blanc

I had 2 bottles of this over the last week with friends and family. It was fresh and clear with decent concentration. I found it a little too on the lemon tasting side for me. It had the crisp tropical flavors, but it was a little peely after a while. One of those first or second glass you're enjoying it and then shortly after, your palate gets weary and you realize you would rather be drinking something else. I enjoy several Napa Sauvignon Blancs, Frog's Leap and Switchback Ridge are 2 of my favorites. Nothing wrong with this wine, but out of their lineup, it is my least favorite and it is double the price of many New Zealand ones. I find New Zealand is still the king of affordable and delicious Sauvignon Blanc.

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2005 Eric Kent Chardonnay Russian River Valley Tasting Note, Review

2008-10-10T18:12:00.001-07:00

I find Chardonnay to be the best white grape in the world - when done right. Yes "right" is beyond subjective, but some California producers do crank up the oak and alcohol to a level that really goes over the top. Eric Kent is not of that variety. This review tasting note comes from many Eric Kent wines I have had. This Russain River Valley offering is a great bottle from a solid vintage for Chardonnay.

Many Chardonnays from 2005 have been really special. I had a 2005 Dutton-Goldfield Chardonnay with a friend of mine for lunch and it was wonderfully complex, refined and loads of pure Russian River Terroir flavor. The Eric Kent is right up there. Although I'll give a slight edge to the Dutton on a tasting review basis, since I mentioned them here.

This is a producer that does not mass produce. Mailing list, auction or out of state merchant-retailers is how you can acquire this.

This wine was also consumed on a Friday before Columbus day following the worst (as of this writing) 1 week in the Stock Market's history! So I not only needed a good bottle, I wasn't even in a good mood. So add some points...

The notes are what I wrote down as I was having this.

2005 Eric Kent Chardonnay Russian River Valley

Deep gold color but crystal clear. No cloud. Very sharp. Aroma of peach, honeysuckle and assorted fresh fruit cocktail. Great fruit on the nose. Mouthfeel is not heavy at all. Tastes aged and almost has a hint of Pinot Gris as a splash blend in it. No wood or intrusive oak flavor. Some nuts, toasted almond, with a nice steely mix to the fruit added in. This really penetrates the nose as you sip it, but the acidity is perfect and the mouthfeel really is super refined. Finish fell just short of the qualities leading up to it. Still very tasty stuff, but a few points have to come off an otherwise flawless white wine. Right there with other Eric Kent wines and many of the great 2005 chardonnays from California.

91 Points

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2005 Beckmen Block Six Syrah Purisima Mountain Review Tasting

2008-10-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

Beckmen is becoming one of my favorite syrah producers in California. The Block Six Syrah Purisima Mountain bottle from 2005 was outstanding. It had wonderful fruit and structure for drinking now and wonderful aging potential.

This was opened for 90 minutes and then tasted with a few Italian cheeses. Fiore Di Sardegna was one of them. The smell of the wine was just awesome and the taste was even better. The following was a review tasting note written as I tasted it:

Deep rich color with aroma of brown sugar, raisin and some coffee. Tastes of rasberry, cinnamon, lots of ripe blackberry and some dark chocolate. Really terrific palate. Even the mouthfeel is not as heavy as the look. Very balanced and no heat. Very finessed and a long finish.

This is young with legs for aging easy. Best of both worlds here. Kind of like some high quality ripe 2002 Napa Cabs in that you can drink now and enjoy the lushness (this was opened for 90 min.) or hold. Finesse without trying to blow you away with cheap thrills. Not tannic either but you can feel the stuffing and the perfect acidity.

92-94 points and the upside could be even be a point more. I loved it.

There aren't many bottles produced of this so to source this wine bottle, you would need to be on their mailing list or acquire it via the Internet or auction.

Price range is $45-$60 I believe. Note: I only mention price so that people who read these tasting notes can quantify the value for themselves in a price to quality wine perspective. Granted, one person's quality to price is diffferent than anothers but I think it helps to know when a 92 point rated wine - rated by me or wine publication costs $10 or $50. I hope that most of you agree with that and want me to keep the price (range at least) in the notes.

I love this producer and will get and drink as much of Beckmen's wines as I can get.

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Wine Cooling Unit - Cellar Cooling System

2008-10-06T12:37:00.001-07:00

Keeping your wine stored in a cooling unit or a cellar with a cooling system is very important when holding wine for a period of time. Keeping wine at the proper temperature while holding, not only protects the wine from damage, it allows for higher enjoyment as your wines can be consumed at the proper temperature.

Cooling Units

Typically these are different and less expensive than cabinets. A wine refrigerator as they can be called, will normally not have humidity controls. Cooling units will focus on keeping a temp range - usually within 5 to 7 degrees. If the reason for having a storage unit is to keep the wines at a safe temperature and enjoy drinking within short to medium range time (up to 2-3 years). The temperature should be set at around 55-58 degrees. This will allow for some up or down variable in degrees while never being too cold or too warm. The humidity aspect is not that important IMO. I feel it can be overrated - at least for short term cellaring and drinking. Basic cooling unit systems will carry space for as few as 6 or 8 bottles up to 100-150 or so. Wine cabinets can hold many more. Some up to 1000 bottles but these units can cost up to $5000 or more.

A basic but very reliable wine unit or wine fridge can cost as low as $150 and hold 36-50 bottles. I recommend buying as big as you can afford and fit as wine collecting can usually move higher than the unit purchased and you don't want to have to buy 2 or 3 units because the system you bought was too small. Most have strong metal or iron racking that can be slid out or replaced for more bottles or larger or unique shaped bottles.

Haier Wine Cellar Fridge

Haier is a very reliable and pretty inexpensive holder. Many of the models have 2 zone cooling for whites and reds or at least allows for the bottom of the cooling unit to be colder for white wine. I have Haier systems and have found them very efficient. They are quiet and look very attractive in the kitchen, dining room or other area you wish to have it. I have also seen and heard of many other cooling units that did the job as well.

In the end, I generally look for a quiet refrigerator that looks attractive. As long as the temp stays relatively constant - I'm usually happy. The best part is pulling out a nice red wine that is cool (not cold) to the touch. When you pour a non serious wine person a Cabernet or California Pinot Noir at a nice cool temp. it is a real eye opener.

Enjoy your wine and let it rest on some racks in a nice cooling unit. And if you are like me - you will be opening those doors pretty often!

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2006 Carlisle Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel - Carlisle review tasting

2008-10-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

Carlisle is a winery in California that is well known for it's Syrah and stylish high quality Zinfandel. It's vineyard designates are wonderful expressions of both grape varietals of Syrah and Zinfandel. I have always enjoyed drinking and posting tasting review notes with this winery.

The 2006 Dry Creek Valley was an expression of the Carlisle brand that fits into my experience with this Quality producer.

I opened this wine about 20 minutes before drinking. While there are certainly special producers who make quality zinfandel, it is usually not a grape that requires age or many hours of opening. Some like to do a splash or long decant for airing and opening - many tasting notes and reviews will show that. I don't like to do that with Zinfandel very often. I enjoy the strength and power of the grape the way it should be. Certainly Carlisle (including the 2006) shows greater complexity and age potential than 90% of Zinfandel makers IMO. Still, I enjoy these young.

2006 Carlisle Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

Tight nose of some dates, figs and some ash. Tasted like a 2004 or at least a Zin that had some age on it. Tastes of rasberry, sour cherries, and black cherry. No heat at all and that is with near 16% alcohol (this is 15.9%). Clean finish but comes up just a bit short against other Carlisles I have had. Tasted a little aged and peaking. I also had the 2005 of this and posted a review tasting note somewhere...from my hazy memory that I found superior to this.

These vines were planted back in 1885 and there is some petite sirah blended into the dry creek vineyard zinfandel for color and flavor.

My review rating from this tasting note is 90 points. Which while is considered a strong or excellent review on the 100 point scale system, for a $45 single vineyard zinfandel from one of the 5 or 6 best Zin producers in California IMO - I must call this (at least my bottle) a slight pass, mainly for the price to quality ratio.

I'm finding 2006 in general to be not as strong a zinfandel vintage in california (sonoma, Russian River Valley inlcuded) to be not as strong as the great 2004, 2005 vintages.

Carlisle is what is called a "cult wine" of sorts. Most people who get to drink this wine are either on their mailing list (which has a wait time)

2005 Copain Syrah Thompson Vineyard Tasting Review Note

2008-10-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

I have been an admirer of Copain's wines for sometime and enjoy writing notes and reviews when tasting them. With many California producers making wine that can go a little out of wack in extraction, alcohol and sugar, Copain produces wonderful old world style Syrah, but with great California aromatics that gives you some vineyard and area terroir clues.

2005 Copain Thompson Vineyard Syrah

The aroma had really nice caramel and baked cherries. I love that combination and with Copain's wines, it can be pegged. Elegant rich mouthfeel with tastes of black cherry, crushed dark fruit, mineral and a little orange. The wine had a refined and strong long finish. Enjoyable now - 5 years peak easy and the best California Syrah I have had this year. These are hard to lay off and I have held a few back

93 points (out of 100)

This might be my favorite 2005 Syrah from Copain and one of my top 10's of that vintage. Great Syrah is being made by many rhone style wine producers like Pax, Outpost and some others. Some California winemakers are really cranking out some amazing Syrah and they are delicious to taste and write review notes for. Copain is wonderfully consistant, without breaking the bank. This wine is around $40 I believe. This one of many single vineyard specialty Copain Syrahs. 2005 was a strong vintage, as was 2004.

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