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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Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
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!
Yummy!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, November 9, 2009
2005 Leoville Poyferre
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.
Find a Wine at WineAccess.com
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.
Find a Wine at WineAccess.com
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
2002 Qupe Bien Nacido Hillside Estate Syrah - Qupe Syrah Wine
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
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
Saturday, October 10, 2009
2004 Rutherford Hill Merlot
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!
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!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Visiting Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley With family
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.
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.
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