Saturday's tasting was on two wines I've never tasted before. I was doing a mental happy dance since I wasn't pouring the same-old, same-old.
Marques de Casa Concha 2009 Chardonnay is from Chile and one of the many vineyards of Conch y Toro. An aroma was discernible in the plastic cup. Flavor was nondescript with a a hint of creaminess and a tart green apple finish. This is oak aged, but does not have an oakie flavor. Although I did not enjoy this Chardonnay, customers did.
Winemaker's Notes: Striking minerals and pear aromas are synonymous with this part of the Limair Valley north of Sarritagn. The oak adds generous helpings of vanilla and hazelnut with a full and vibrant palate, the crips acidity grants it a long finish.
Falesco Pesano 2009 Unbria Merlot is 100% Merlot from Orvieto-Montecchio, Italy. The aroma was spice and tobacco. Flavor spice, tobacco, grilled meat and a hint of chocolate. Nicely balanced. Elegant finish. I was in love with this wine and this was the customers favorite of the day.
Winemaker's Notes: Falesco Merlot, which is aged for six months in small French oak barrels, has a very deep colour. The scents are wide, rich, soft and spicy and the aromas are noble, well balanced and harmonious with an extremely long lingering finish. Accompaniment to lamb, red meats, grilled or with sauces, hearty pasta dishes and aged cheeses.
This weekends tastings were on two wines that I have not previously reviewed nor tasted.
Gnarly Head 2009 Merlot ($10.50) is from California. The aroma was blackberry. The flavor was spice and any fruit flavor (see Winemaker's Notes below) was overpowered. I was not impressed with this wine, but it was the customers favorite and sold well.
Winemaker's Notes: "Gnarly Head Merlot is boldly fruit-driven, with concentrated black stone fruit flavor. Our winemakers carefully select grapes from California’s finest growing regions, choosing only the best fruit. Gnarly Head Merlot rallies to heighten the boldness of this often quiet, soft-spoken wine. Its dark fruit and balanced tannins score big on your palate.
Our Merlot has lush, velvety tannins and rich fruit, with aromas and flavors of black currant, black cherry, and blackberry with ripe plum, sweet herbs and a hint of spice. Don’t be shy, Gnarly Merlot is bold enough to pair with hearty dishes, try with piping hot pizza, pork loin, porterhouse steak and roasted vegetables."
Ravenswood 2008 Vintner's Blend Zinfandel ($10) is also from California. In 2007 this was a blend. For 2008 I was not able to find Winemaker's information. In the plastic tasting cup I was not able to detect an aroma. The flavor was spice, and this wine was nicely balanced. Because of the thin mouthfeel, I was not a fan of this wine. I found the 2007 vintage to be the same flavor and mouthfeel. I much prefer a bolder, fuller bodied Zinfandel. (At least I can say Ravenswood Vintner's Blend Zinfandel is consistent.) Customers were not enthused with this wine. Their comments were also the thin mouthfeel and their preference for a bolder, fuller bodied Zin.
Winemaker's Notes: (Not available)
While shopping I had the opportunity to taste Step x Step 2008 Shiraz Grenache, from Step Road Winery in the Langhorne Creek wine region, South Australia. It had a nice burst of cherry flavor that was quickly followed by mild tannins and spice. (Not much more was gained from tasting in a small plastic cup.) With the few customers that were tasting along with me, it was well received.
Winemaker's Notes: (not available)
I recently enjoyed 2008 Peter Lehman of the Barossa Shiraz from Australia. The color was a beautiful, deep, rich red with an aroma of plum. On my palate the flavor was plum, chocolate, and a hint of oak; very mild tannins. I enjoyed this while cooking, eating cheese, and my roast pork dinner. I purchased this wine, on sale, for $13.99 (regularly $16.99).
Winemaker's Notes: "A wine of great depth of colour reflecting the splendid 2008 red wine vintage. The bouquet has tantalising aromas of dark plums and black fruits with just a hint of oak in the background. It is a seamless wine with an excellent structure, its rich fruit reined in by firm tannins. A beautiful expression of Barossa Shiraz, it will continue to develop in the bottle for five plus years.
This wine is a perfect accompaniment with steak, roast beef and lamb and excellent with pizza and meat based pasta dishes. It is delightful with aged cheddar or pecorino cheeses."
After the Fancy Food Show last night we went to dinner and again ordered wine. I had the opportunity to taste Beaulieu Vineyards 2008 Estate Riesling. It was very nice and I must say paired perfectly with my Jambalya.
Beaulieu Vineyards 2008 Estate Riesling is a light straw color. A wonderful fruity aroma of which I detected apricot. Flavors were also fruity with peach and a hint of green apple. Crisp and balanced.
Winemaker's Notes: Crafted from grapes grown along California’s Central Coast, our 2008 Riesling is perfumed with pretty apricot, peach and honeysuckle notes. The crisp, refreshing flavors echo the aromas, adding hints of lychee and mineral. A light sweetness adds lushness on the palate, making this wine delightful for sipping in the afternoon with fruit and cheese. Our Riesling is especially delicious paired with appetizers or entrées with an Asian flair, such as grilled teriyaki shrimp or a Chinese chicken salad. For a picnic, pack a chilled bottle of Riesling with cold cuts, cheese, fruit and a baguette.
For the next couple days, I am attending the Fancy Food Show in Washington DC. All I can say, is YUM! I went to dinner with both people in the wine industry and wine enthusiasts. It goes without saying we had wine with dinner. On the wine list was Jade Mountain Merlot. I enjoy Jade Mountain's Cabernet and Chardonnay, so I had to have their Merlot.
Jade Mountain 2007 Merlot is 100% Merlot from California - the regions of Napa Valley (65%) and San Luis Obispo County (35%). This has a luscious aroma of cherry with spice. A comforting and enjoyable flavor of cherry and spice as well. Very well balanced. I ate rib eye steak with roast fingerling potatoes for dinner and this paired perfectly with it.
Winemaker's Notes: Jade Mountain Merlot is densely packed with heady aromas of ripe fruit laced with exotic spices. Flavors of rich dark cherry and plum intermingle with caramel notes and hints of Asian spice and cinnamon. The texture is rich and generous, with firm but approachable tannins. This wine is well structured and harmonious.
On numerous occasions, customers have told me how much they enjoy Mark West Pinot Noir. I finally had the opportunity to taste it when another distributor was doing a tasting at the same time as me.
Mark West's motto is "Pinot for the People" and I can say from conversations with customers they do enjoy this Pinot Noir. A California wine, the grapes are sourced from at least 5 growing regions. The 2009 I tasted was light with a spice flavor that overpowered any fruit (as detailed in the Winemaker's Notes below). Not a wine I'd purchase as ... I've said this before ... there are other Pinot Noir's I enjoy more. However, based on customer's opinions, I'd say give it a try.
Winemaker's Notes: Enticing aromas of strawberry/rhubarb pie, raspberry preserves, and cranberry, with barrel notes of vanilla cream and baking spices. The sweet entry of strawberry and plum fruit flavors is followed by a juicy, boysenberry middle and cherry, cola berry finish. Oak aging contributes a touch of cardamom spice and rounds out the palate. Easy drinking Pinot perfect for any dining occasion or simply enjoy by the glass.
Marques de Casa Concha 2009 Chardonnay is from Chile and one of the many vineyards of Conch y Toro. An aroma was discernible in the plastic cup. Flavor was nondescript with a a hint of creaminess and a tart green apple finish. This is oak aged, but does not have an oakie flavor. Although I did not enjoy this Chardonnay, customers did. 
