2009 Kris Pinot Grigio

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.