February, 2010 Dave and I began an online wine class at winespectator.com. My goal was to learn about the various grape growing regions, varietals, and tasting/analyzing. Winespectator.com sounded like the perfect way to learn at my leisure. I wanted Dave to take the class with me so I'd have someone to discuss the wines with and bounce ideas off as I tasted. Alas, we found the class was lacking information on tasting and the varietals common characteristics so we dropped it.
Now that Dave and I are back from California we need to keep improving our palate and wine knowledge. The only way to do this is taste, taste, taste. Armed with our new found knowledge and confidence, plus the guidance we received from Karen MacNeil and the CIA Mastering Wine I class, Dave and I decided to resume the class at winespectator.com. This time our results, and the fun, were 1,000 times better.
Sunday we picked up our winespectator.com class where we left off. The chapter was "Traveling the Old World:Explore Italy, Germany and Spain". Below are the reviews of the two wines we tasted at the end of the class.
Marques de Casceres 2005 Rioja Crianza ($14.79) is from Rioja,, Spain. A ruby red color with mild aroma and flavor. The aroma is raspberry and cherry with a hint of green olive and earthiness. The flavor was not fruit, but more earthy. Light body and very light tannins. Paired nicely with our food - Parmesan cheese and beef short ribs.
Winemaker'''s Notes: Bright ruby red color. Lively bouquet with notes of red fruit that add a pleasant freshness softened by a discreet touch of vanilla. Deliciously full in the mouth where silky, well-integrated tannins highlights the wine's fruit. Good length in which the complexity of flavors come through delicately. A perfect accompaniment to Mediterranean cuisine, fried food, grilled vegetables, pulses, paella and other rice dishes, pasta, fish in tomato sauce, ham, chorizo, pate, beef (roast, stewed or grilled) and cheese (mild or medium matured).
Cecchi 2007 Chianti ($13.69) from Castellina,, Italy. A medium ruby red color, the aroma was a bit like jam with a hint of cherry. Also aromas of tobacco and earth. No fruit on the palate, but more earthy notes. Also, light bodied and very light tannins. This paired well with the Parmesan cheese and pasta bolognese we were eating.
Wiinemaker's Notes: An intense bouquet of violets and iris. Its reddish purple color turns to a rich garnet red with age. Dry with ripe fruit flaors when young, Cecchi Chianti Classico matures into a wine of velvety warm delicacy. Served at room temperature, Chianti Classico is a perfect match for hearty fare, from pasta dishes to roasted meats.
Because I am a fan of Orin Swift The Prisoner, I was looking forward to visiting their tasting room in Rutherford. (Since they source their grapes, locally, from various vineyards they do not have a winery.) I was anticipating tasting the wines I could not find in stores, especially Abstract. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the tasting (NOT in the wine) as most of the wines I wanted to taste were limited production (3,000 to 5,000 cases) and sold out. Below are the wines we were able to taste.
Note: Orin Swift's wines are all blends; their roots are in inventing new blends.
Orin Swift 2010 Veladora - a Napa Valley blend of 88% Sauvignon Blanc, 9% Muscat, and 3% Semillon. The aroma is very fruity with grapefruit and muscat. The flavor was grapefruit, citrus, and honeysuckle. Enjoyable. (All of the profits from this wine are donated to Puertas Abiertas (Open Doors).)
Winemaker's Notes: The 2010 Veladora has bright floral aromas of honeysuckle and wisteria. A soft entry opens into a complex mid-palate with citrus and melon complimented by subtle acidity that leads into a soft, lingering finish of pear and kumquat.
Orin Swift 2009 D66 (Department 66) - a blend of 80% Zinfandel, 8% Syrah, 9% Petite Sirah, and 3% Grenache. This wine is made in France (their first release), unlike the other Orin Swift wines which are made in California. The aroma was fruit and smoke with a great flavor of raspberry (reminded me of Chambourd), oak, and spice. The tannins were light and it was a very dark color.
Winemaker's Notes: The wine has a very dark, opaque red color with subtle aromas of toasted oak, ripe blueberry jam and dried rose petal. The entry is mouth coating and lush. Opulent plum and ultra ripe cherry are balanced with Asian spices and a bright vein of minerality and acidity that give great structure, weight and balance to the long finish. The tannin chains are long and will lend to ageability for 5 to 10 years.
Orin Swift 2009 Saldo which I reviewed on May 9th.
Orin Swift 2009 The Prisoner - a Napa Valley blend of 48% Zinfandel, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah, 3% Charbono, and 1% Greanche. An aroma of dark fruit and oak. A flavor of dark fruit with a slight creamy texture and medium tannins. I enjoyed The Prisoner 2008 and this is equally good. Originally there were 200 cases of The Prisoner made. Now they make 70,000 cases.
Winemaker's Notes: This vintage has a deep ruby hue that is nearly opaque. The aromas elevate from the glass starting with black currant, dark blackberry, cherry, and cassis rounded out by subtle hints of seasoned French and American oak. The entry of the wine is massive and leads into a lush middle framed by bright acid and supple tannins. The finish is long, lingering and filled with soft velvety tannins lasting for nearly thirty seconds.
On my list to taste, but SOLD OUT, were: Abstract, Macheti, Mercury Head, Papillon, and Palermo. Oh so disappointed. I'll have to hope they increase production and these wines make it to the stores near me.
Saturday's tastings were on three California wines that are new into the market place. All were under $6 and I must say, for the price were a good value. Customers enjoyed them all.
flipflop is promoting "Soles 4 Souls" where for every bottle of flipflop wine purchased, Soles4Souls will distribute a pair of shoes to someone in need.
flipflop 2010 Pinot Grigio ($5.89) was my favorite of the three. Crisp and refreshing it had an aroma of light lemon and citrus. The flavor was also a light lemon with a touch of grapefruit pith. (Afraid the wine consultant and I did not get any tropical fruit or pear flavors - see Winemaker's Notes.) Nice acidity and balanced.
Winemaker's Notes: Tastes like light-bodied, refreshing Pinot Grigio with tropical citrus, ripe pear and a zesty, clean finish. It is full of balanced crisp acidity. Eat with bruschetta, spaghetti carbonara, eggplant parmesan or your favorite tacos.
flipflop 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($5.89) is a nice everyday table wine. It would work perfectly in my recipe for Fresh Berries with Raspberry Cabernet Sauce. An aroma of cherry, the flavor was light on fruit with dark cherry, hint of spice, and mild tannins. I did not find it to be full-bodied (see Winemaker's Notes).
Winemaker's Notes: Tastes like full-bodied, Cabernet Sauvignon with blackberry fruit, dark cherries and long, lingering finish. It is full of black pepper notes and berry aromas. Eat with New York strip steak, spinach ravioli or portobello mushrooms.
Last, Rex-Goliath Moscato NV ($5). What can I say ... it takes a lot to mess up a Moscato and the only varying factor is level of sweetness and mouthfeel. This had a floral aroma and flavor of peach. Great for a hot summer day and dessert.
Winemaker's Notes: Bright, crisp, and decadent. I liken sipping it to sipping liquid gold. It’s well-balanced with just the right acidity combined with pretty floral aromas that bloom into deliciously sweet flavors of peach and apricot. Perfect anytime – as an apéritif, with light cheeses, sorbets, or fruit. It’s so good, you’ll be tempted to put your dessert aside and enjoy this refreshing wine alone.
Before I get into Los Lilas, I'll quickly mention yesterdays wine tasting. Two wines were tasted and both have been reviewed before. One was a huge hit and the other ... not so much.
First, the favorite of the evening, Coppola Rosso, 2009, a wonderful California red blend. Although I reviewed this on May 3rd, I just wanted to reiterate that this wine is great for the price ($9). Customers love it and last night it was flying off the table!
The least favorite of the evening was Clos du Bois 2009 Chardonnay ($11.50, reviewed on March 18th). A handful of customers said they enjoyed this Chardonnay, but in the end only one bottle was sold.
During yesterdays tasting I was speaking with customers about food, grilling, and the hot weather. By the time I got home I was ready for something crisp and refreshing. Something to kick back and relax. I decided to open Las Lilas 2010 Vinho Verde. It just made me say, "aaahhhhh".
Las Lilas 2010 Vinho Verde ($8), is from Portugal and a blend of Loureiro and Treixadura. A light floral aroma, and a light lemon flavor, almost youthful, that is crisp and refreshing. Reminiscent of Perrier with lemon, but does not have that watery mouthfeel; very pleasant. This is a great wine for picnics, grilling, sipping and relaxing, as a palate cleanser, and with light finger foods/appetizers. A patio wine.
Winemaker's Notes: Good intensity, white fruits, with floral notes. Elegant and fresh.
After our second day in class Dave and I visited Merryvale Winery's tasting room. Since we had dinner reservations and were just coming from tasting wines at Franciscan our time here was limited. We had the opportunity to taste the three wines below.
Merryvale 2010 Juliana Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is a single vineyard wine, available only at the winery and through Merryvale's wine club. It is a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillion. With a tropical aroma it has the grapefruit, lemon flavors you expect from a Sauvignon Blanc, along with a hint of minerality. A typical California Sauvignon Blanc, this was not as fruit forward as a New Zealand.
Winemaker's Notes: Pungent aromas of citrus, lemon-lime, green melon, alyssum flower, orange blossom, honeysuckle, kumquat, orange oil and vanilla bean. The wine is bright and round in the mouth with great minerality and very good length.
Merryvale 2008 Viognier has a very pleasing sweet aroma with a mild flavor of spice. I thought it was on the drier side. Dave thought it had a slight sweetness to it. This is 100% Viognier.
Winemaker's Notes: Our 2008 Napa Valley Viognier has intense aromas of baked apple pie, lilac, orange blossom and vanilla, with a rich, full mouthfeel, and a spicy finish.
Merryvale Antigua (NV) is a dessert wine and only available at the winery. It is 100% Muscat fortified with brandy and aged in French oak barrels and tanks for an average of eleven years. A brandy aroma, and creamy mouthfeel, it is not overly sweet. Very good.
Winemaker's Notes: Golden/amber in color from its long aging in French oak, the wine is a complex combination of nuts and orange-peel aromas. Thick and rich in the mouth, the nuts and orange-peel theme continues from the entry through the long finish, highlighted by the many subtleties from the fine brandy and time in the barrel.
These wines were all very nice and enjoyable. Because of this I plan on trying their lower tier Starmont wines.
Getting back into the swing of things has been hectic to say the least. Today has gotten away from me. I had no time to write my review of Merryvale and was searching my wines when I realized my review of May 11th was written, but never posted. Here it is ...
This Chardonnay is a favorite of mine. My son gave it to me for Mother's Day and it was a perfectly delicious gift!
Jade Mountain 2008 Chardonnay is a California wine. The grapes are sourced from Monterey County (46%), San Luis Obispo County (33%), and Santa Barbara Country (21%). It has a delicious tropical fruit and apple flavor with a nice balance of oak. Crisp and a bit of creaminess. Great on a summer day, for sipping or with food.
Winemaker's Notes: This mouthwatering Chardonnay showcases the perfect marriage of vineyards for a complex combination of characters. Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, cool-climate regions ideal for Chardonnay, contribute white floral aromas and flavors of tropical fruits, with a hint of lemon meringue pie. Monterey County provides bright acidity with citrus and green apple crispness. Spice notes add to the complexity of this mouthfilling wine with a creamy, long and lingering finish.
The time has come to go back and review the wines I tasted on my trip to California, starting with Franciscan Estate. Also in the tasting room were Mt. Veeder wines. Based on the wines I tasted I would not hesitate to recommend Franciscan or Mt. Veeder wines to customers.
Franciscan 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, 100% Sauvignon Blanc and is oak aged. A refreshing aroma of grapefruit. Flavor of grapefruit with a finish of lemon/tartness. A wonderful mellow flavor compared the bold New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. Light body. Light acidity. Very nice.
Winemaker's Notes: This Sauvignon Blanc begins with aromas of bright lime and white grapefruit, with complex notes of fig, passion fruit, vanilla and honeydew melon. The flavors are vibrant and round with full intense layers of lime zest, mineral, citrus blossom and hints of guava. The finish is refreshingly lively and supple with lingering flavors of lime and melon.
Franciscan 2006 Magnificat is a blend of 56% Cabernet, 40% Merlot, 3% Malbec, and 1% Petite Verdot. Aroma of oak and spice. Great flavor of cherry and cocoa, with a hint of coffee. Medium body. Medium tannins. Well balanced. A VERY nice blend.
Winemaker's Notes: Appearance - Deep garnet; Aroma - Inviting aromas of dark cherry, sage, and red plums. Complex layers of ripe berries, with undertones of vanilla and cloves. Flavors - Full‐bodied and textural, with ripe flavors of black plum and cherry, cocoa and cassis. A concentrated, rich palate with round tannins leads to a long finish interwoven with blackberry, anise and mocha.
Franciscan 2006 Stylus Reserve Cabernet is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Verdot and 4% Malbec. A wonderful and delicious aroma of coffee, chocolate, with a hint of tobacco and oak. Unfortunately the heavy tannins shut down my palate so the flavor was lost on me. Dave thought it was very good. Flavors of dark fruit and coffee.
Winemaker's Notes: Intense nose of ripe cherries, cassis, chocolate, anise, with subtle notes of sage and tobacco. Layered and rich. Dense and full-bodied with ripe blackberry, black cherry, coffee, and cassis flavors. Richly structured with a supple mouthfeel and velvety tannins, leading to a smooth and elegant finish of mocha and plum.
I HAD to taste Mt. Veeder's 2006 Cabernet Franc. I wanted to compare it to Virginia Cabernet Francs (which I do not enjoy). This is a blend of 76% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet, and 10% Merlot; 100% oak aged. Another wonderful and inviting aroma - black cherry. Flavor was cherry and earth with a hint of chocolate; mild tannins. MUCH more enjoyable than Virginia Cabernet Francs.
Winemaker's Notes: Deep garnet hue. Vibrant and balanced with an elegant finish of ripe fruit flavors. Ripe black olive, dark cherry, chocolate and earthy notes mingle with bold cassis with a supple, silky texture. Rich with a long, memorable finish.
The wine pourer told me I had to try the Mt. Veeder Reserve Cabernet. I explained my issue with tannins and she said the 2005 would be perfect for me. She was so right. 2005 Mt. Veeder Reserve Cabernet is a blend of 76% Cabernet, 17% Merlot, 7% Malbec. A great inviting aroma of coffee and dark berry. I wasn't getting fruit on my palate, but more earth and coffee notes. Nicely balanced.
Winemaker's Notes: Deep ruby in appearance with rich aromas of mountain fruit, brambly berry, coffee, bay, and cassis fill the nose. Hints of licorice, vanilla and cocoa add to the complexity. The flavor is powerful and dense, with a big, supple mouthfeel carrying deep layers of blackberry, sage, plum and chocolate. Rich and well-structured, with mouth-filling tannins and toasty notes of sweet oak. The full-bodied palate leads to a long complex finish of blackberry, anise, and cocoa.
Last, I tasted Mt. Veeder 2005 Port which is 100% Petite Syrah. A very rich aroma and flavor of licorice and spice. A hint of underlying sweetness.
Winemaker's Notes: (Not available)
I searched Mt. Veeder's website and the internet for notes on this and did not find anything. I'm thinking this is winery only and now I'm bummed I didn't purchase a bottle.
Marques de Casceres 2005 Rioja Crianza ($14.79) is from Rioja,, Spain. A ruby red color with mild aroma and flavor. The aroma is raspberry and cherry with a hint of green olive and earthiness. The flavor was not fruit, but more earthy. Light body and very light tannins. Paired nicely with our food - Parmesan cheese and beef short ribs. 
Cecchi 2007 Chianti ($13.69) from Castellina,, Italy. A medium ruby red color, the aroma was a bit like jam with a hint of cherry. Also aromas of tobacco and earth. No fruit on the palate, but more earthy notes. Also, light bodied and very light tannins. This paired well with the Parmesan cheese and pasta bolognese we were eating. 
