California - Artesa Winery (Limited Release and Reserve Tasting)

Entrance to Artesa.

Yesterdays review was for Artesa's "Classic Tasting".  Below are the wines tasted from their "Limited Release and Reserve Tasting".  

2009 Artisan Series Chardonnay is a blend of grapes from the Napa Valley and Carneros regions. The only discernible aroma was pineapple. On the palate  there was fruit along with pineapple, oak and (yes) a hint of cumin.

Winemaker's Notes:  Unfolding with tantalizing aromas of apricot, pineapple, and pear, this wine delivers dense fruit flavors on the palate intertwined with a rich, viscous texture.  Solid acidity and a touch of sweet oak support a great structure, with notes of lime, honeysuckle, cumin and tarragon.

2008 Limited Release Pinot Noir from Carneros.  A delightful aroma of red fruits with a predominance of cherry and some red currant.  On the palate flavors of cherry and red currant are accompanied by oak and light tannins.   

Winemaker's Notes:  Sleek and elegant, this Pinot Noir offers up generous flavors of strawberry, cherry and red currant shot through with violets and sweet notes of toasty oak.  Beautifully textured with round, supple tannins, the wine is deftly balanced and long on the finish.

2006 Reserve Merlot, Napa Valley.  A very distinct ("brimming" as in the winemaker's notes) aroma of raspberry.  No fruit on the palate, but flavors of leather, tobacco, and spice.  

Winemaker's Notes:  This Merlot is brimming with raspberry and red currant and wrapped in mocha and fudge. It is supple and spicy, with hints of tobacco, vanilla, leather and the finish is like velvet.  Enjoy now for the next few years.

2007 Rive Gauche Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley.  An appealing aroma reminding me of baked apples (my memory note) which I attribute to the winemaker's notes of clove and nutmeg.  Flavors were the same, plus blackberry.  Medium tannins.   

Winemaker's Notes:  This robust and powerful wine oozes with cassis, dark cherry and blackberry flavors, mingling with notes of sage, clove, nutmeg and a touch of anise.  Expansive on the palate, the wine offers refined tannins and a vibrant mouth feel.

2008 Late Harvest Orange Muscat, Mendocino County.  Crisp, refreshing, and sweet dessert wine. The aromas and flavors are distinctly those of Muscat plus peach, orange and honey.   

Winemaker's Notes:  The color is a bright straw yellow. Delightful aromas of Muscat, orange blossom, apricot, honeysuckle, and lime dominate in the glass. Exotic fruit flavors, a rich and viscous texture, and crisp acidity create a brilliant harmony. A hint of rare and ethereal botrytis character and a twist of clove spice make this wine wonderful to savor. The finish is luscious and tempts another sip. Enjoy this delicious late harvest dessert wine now or over the next decade.