Tilia Chardonnay, 2009

During one of my tastings a customer recommended Tilia Chardonnay to me.  Because I find Chardonnay's to be all over the board - too oakie, unoaked, fruit, no fruit, too acidic, etc. - I'm always willing to try a Chardonnay that someone recommends. Besides, if I've tasted a wine I can recommend it to a customer (or not). 

Tilia 2009 Chardonnay is from Mendoza, Argentina.  It is aged in French and American oak for 6 months. If you enjoy oak, this has nice oak on the palate.  However, I found it fell short on fruit.  A quick flash of fruit was quickly over powered by the oak and acidity.  It also had a tart finish.  

Winemaker's Notes:  The Tilia Chardonnay shows a straw-yellow color with light shades of green.  The nose represents ripe tropical fruit aromas with citrus and floral notes.  The mouth feel is full and rich, with concentrated pear and fig fruit flavors with layers of vanilla and sweet spice from light oak aging.  The finish is clean and fresh with bright, crisp acidity.

Gravelly Ford Zinfandel, 2010

On August 19th I reviewed Gravelly Ford Chardonnay.  With the purchase price of  two for $10, the other wine I purchased was Gravelly Ford Zinfandel.  

Gravelly Ford 2010 Zinfandel ($5 on sale, regularly $10) is from California.  Alcohol is relatively low, 12.5%.  Color: dark, ruby red.  The aroma is a heavenly cinnamon with clove, berry and a hint of smoke.  The flavors are also cinnamon, berry and spice.  Low tannins and nicely balanced.  This is not a big, bold Zin, but for $5 it's an amazing everyday wine.   

Winemaker's Notes:  (Not available)  Pairs well with full-flavored heary meats, stews and soups paired with rustic bread.

Gravelly Ford wines are sold out at Fresh Market.  The distributor is out at the warehouse. I do not know how many customers had rain checks and were asking me when it would be back in stock.

Risata Moscato d'Asti, 2010

Aside from the fact that I needed a change of pace, I also wanted to review a wine that those you who enjoy sweet wines would like to hear about.  Moscato d'Asti was the wine that came to mind.

Risata Moscato d'Asti, DOCG Piedmont, Italy ($11). 100% Moscato.  The winemaker's notes are spot on.  I  enjoyed the peach and apricot flavor.  I also tasted melon.  Not overly sweet so it could be paired with food.  Serve well chilled. 

Winemaker's Notes: This Moscato d’Asti is fresh, fragrant, and frizzante with vibrant, flavors and aromas of ripe stone fruit, tangerines, and honey. The wine is concentrated and flavorful, but not overly rich or heavy; sweet, yet balanced.  Pairs well with before dinner, after dinner, spicy dishes, tiramisu, panettone, toasted hazelnuts, apricots and figs drizzled with honey, or cake.  

Wine Men of Gotham Shiraz, 2008

While pouring for my tasting on Saturday, I had the opportunity to taste a wine from another distributor.  I always taste their wines so I become familiar with them and can recommend them (or not) to customers.

Wine Men of Gotham 2008 Shiraz is from Australia.  The grapes are from several regions: Fleurieu Peninsula, Langhorne, and McLaren Vale. 20% of the wine is aged in American oak and the remainder in stainless steel.  In a plastic tasting cup, I was not able to detect an aroma.  The flavor was raspberry and spice with a flash of chocolate.  However, the finish was medicinal.  Based on the label alone I wouldn't purchase this wine.  Based on flavor ... no, the medicinal finish turned me off.  I wonder how it would pair with food. 

Winemaker's Notes: The nose is heady with loads of superb rich chocolate and savoury notes.  The palate is rich and defined with rich flavours and great mouth feel.  The palate progresses from ...chocolate, plums, spice and toasty oak then to an elegant tannic finish.  Lingering on for minutes.

Project Paso Old Vine Zinfandel, 2009

I was looking for a wine to review and began browsing the wine aisle in my local Kroger.  I wasn't sure what to select and then a unique closure/cork caught my eye. It was on the wines for Project Paso.  I had to try that winery.  Now all I had to do was select a varietal. 

Project Paso 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel ($13) is from Paso Robles, California.  This is one of the many wineries for Don Sebastiani & Sons. A dark ruby red color with an alcohol of 14.4%  The aroma was smoke, tobacco and a hint of oak.  The flavor was light fruit, spice, tobacco, and a flash of chocolate.  Balanced.  Perfect for hearty meals.

Winemaker's Notes:  There is a vast complexity of flavors and aromas in this wine, driven by the unique Paso Robles soils and the blend of three Zinfandel vineyards. The nose opens up with dried fruit and concentrated blueberry aromas, with white pepper, warm Indian spices, and a touch of gaminess rounding out the background. This wine is similarly complex on the palate, with chocolate-covered cherry flavors balanced by old vine spice and a hint of sweet cigar. Earthy, medium-bodied, with a touch of minerality, this varietally correct Zinfandel gets its depth from Paso’s red soils. Light, dusty tannins frame the finish, with hints of espresso bean and sour cherry. Serve our Project Paso Zinfandel with barbecued ribs, collard greens and black-eyed peas for a classic Southern dish, or try a grilled buffalo burger with thick sweet potato fries to match with the sweet and savory notes in the wine. 

Oh, and the closure/cork is called a "zork cork"... it's plastic.  You just unwrap it.  Pull the end, unwrap, and pull out the cork.  You don't need a corkscrew.  

Recipe - Perfect Pairing

There is no question that I enjoy food and wine.  That's why I was a personal chef and do wine tastings.  I also have my favorite foods and favorite wines.  Prosciutto di Parma is one of my favorite foods.  Prosecco is one of my  favorite wines.  Together they are the perfect pairing. Salt and bubbles go so well together.  Here is a quick easy recipe to pair with Prosecco.  (This also follows one of my food pairing rules (March 30, 2011): match the wine and food from the same region.  In this instance: Italy.) 

Arugula, Burrata, and Prosciutto 

Ingredients:     
     2 oz. Arugula
     1 container Burrata*, sliced
     8 slices Prosciutto di Parma, 
          sliced thin
     Olive oil
     Kosher salt

Directions:
     On individual plates, place a single layer of arugula.  On top of the arugula place two slices of Buratta.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with a little Kosher salt.  Place one slice of Prosciutto on top of each slice of Buratta.  Serve and enjoy. 

Yields:  4 servings 

Note:  One  container of Buratta (I use BelGioioso) contains 2 small balls. 

On April 24, 2011 I reviewed Riondo Proseco (my favorite).  This with the arugula, Buratta and Prosciutto make the perfect pairing. 

*Burrata is fresh Mozzarella filled with mozzarella soaked in cream. 

Les Jamilles Viognier, 2007

I needed a dry white wine to poach salmon for dinner last night.  I had a bottle of Les Jamilles Viognier in my wine rack so I used that.

Les Jamilles 2007 Viognier is from France.  Alcohol 13%.  It has a gold color.  The aroma and flavor on my palate was more herbacious and earthy as opposed to the aroma in the Winemaker's Notes.  It had a nice creamy finish.  Perfect  for poaching my  salmon and the perfect pairing.

Winemaker's Notes:  
"- Appearance: Lovely pale gold colour. Relatively syrupy consistence.

- Nose: A rich, very aromatic wine. Lots of characteristic fruity scents (varietal aromas), such as apricots and fresh peaches. It also displays floral nuances, such as acacia flowers, lilies and, in particular, the famous "blue lavender" of Provence, together with a hint of fresh bananas.

- Palate: Our Viognier is very rich, round and syrupy on the palate, but displays good freshness and acidity, which prevents it from being too heavy. The richness and acidity are exceptionally well-balanced. A honeyed finish."

Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009

Saturday's tasting was on one wine that I have not yet reviewed.  Let's get right to it; short and sweet. 

Smoking Loon 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is from Don Sebastiani & Son's in California.  An inviting aroma of cherry and blackberry lead to a flavor of blackberry and spice.  Mild tannins.  Very popular with customers.

Winemaker's Notes:  "Our 2009 Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon starts off with vibrant aromas of blackberry and strawberry, backed by hints of bramble and cinnamon from our signature, well-integrated French oak. On the palate, currants and jammy fig flavors transition to dried cranberry and earthy notes on the mid-palate. A medium-bodied Cabernet, the moderate tannins balance out a long finish, with smoky, toasted marshmallow and mild herbaceous nuance. 

The rich flavors in our 2009 Cabernet make it an excellent wine for a summer barbeque or to enjoy by a winter fire. Also exceptional with savory pasta and meats, try pairing this Cabernet Sauvignon with a smoky Penne Bolognese topped with shaved parmesan, or a homemade beef stroganoff"

Bllufeld Riesling and Rapidan River Blackberry

Let's get right to it and review the two wines from yesterday's tasting.  

Bluefeld 2009 Riesling is from Mosel, Germany.  A semi-dry Riesling  with a light peach aroma.  There is a nice light peach flavor and minerality.  Crisp and refreshing.  Customers enjoyed this wine and it sold very well. 

Winemaker's Notes:  Crisp and refreshing, Blufeld has aromas of citrus, peach and floral notes.  Flinty fresh fruit flavors with a juicy mid-palate, balanced acidity and sweet lingering finish.  Enjoy a glass on its own or perfectly paired with spicy Asian cuisine, mild Indian dishes, sushi, salads, light appetizers and, of course, German-style meals.  

Rapidan River Blackberry is from Prince Michel winery in Leon, Virginia.   This is a dessert wine and needs to be served slightly chilled.  It has a pleasing blackberry aroma and flavor.  However, I found the finish to have a medicinal quality.  Customers enjoyed this wine.  One customer told me she uses this to make a vinaigrette for salad.  I tried pairing this wine with both milk and dark chocolates.  It did not work as it brought out a bitterness in the wine.

Winemaker's Notes:  Blackberry at it's best! A delicious sweet wine full of ripe Blackberry fruitiness!  Serve slightly chilled with chocolate and mild cheeses.

Gravelly Ford Chardonnay, 2010

Last weekend several customers asked me what I thought of Gravelly Ford Chardonnay (it was new into the store).  Never having tasted it, I was not able to provide feedback.  As luck would have it the wine was on sale - two for the price of one.  I purchased the Chardonnay and Zinfandel.  Last night I tasted the Chardonnay so I would be prepared this weekend for my customers.  

Gravelly Ford 2010 Chardonnay ($10 regular price, $5 on sale) is from California.  A light colored straw with 12.5% alcohol.  The aroma intensity was mild -  lemon, grass, and smoke.  The flavor also mild - pineapple and hint of oak, with a tart (lemon) finish.  A bit of creaminess as well.  Balanced.  A nice bottle of Chardonnay especially for $5. 

Winemaker's Notes:  (Not available)

Red Vin, 2009

Yesterday I wanted to browse for wine so I headed over to Total Wine.  Since I'm always at Kroger, Fresh Market and Costco, and purchase my wines there, I have not been to Total Wine in ages.  One wine caught my eye, only because a customer was asking me about it this past weekend.  On top of that, there was Karen MacNeils voice (again) ... "try a varietal you've never had before". 

Red Vin 2009 Sweet Red ($8) is from the Rheinhessen region in Germany.  The varietal in this wine is the Dornfelder grape.  A rich dark purple color, this wine has  9.5% alcohol.  The aroma is plum and earthiness.  Flavor: plum.  Low in tannins.  A nice off-dry wine.  I would pair this with food.

Winemaker's Notes:  Our Sweet Red combines silky tannins with flavors of raspberry and plum and a pleasant sweetness.  Pair with cheese, spicy Asian Cuisine or just have by itself.  Serve lightly chilled.

Arcangelo Negroamaro, 2009

During my tasting this past weekend I had the time to look at the various wines in stock.  One in particular caught my eye.  It was from the Negroamaro* grape.  Because of the wine intensive I attended at the Culinary Institute, with Karen MacNeil this past May, all I could hear was Karen's voice saying, "try a varietal you've never had before". 

Aarcangelo 2009 ($13) is from Palama winery.  A dark ruby red color.  Alcohol  12.5%.  The aroma and flavor are cherry cola with tobacco, earthiness and oak.  Medium bodied wine that is low in tannins and nicely balanced.  I'm so glad Karen MacNeil put the thought in my head to taste new varietals. 

Winemaker's Notes:  (Not available) 

*Negroamaro is Italian for "dark and bitter".  This is a dark skined grape from Southern Italy.

Copa di Vino - Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon

Dave and I were watching an episode of Shark Tank the other night.  One of the entrepreneurs was looking for a $600,000 investment in his company Copa di Vino (translation "wine by the glass").  Wow! I knew the product. It was sold in Kroger.  At $4.99 per cup it was nothing I'd ever consider purchasing; too expensive.

All the Sharks were given a Copa di Vino to taste. One Shark, Kevin Leary (a.k.a. Mr. Wonderful) made a comment that the wine wasn't very good.  With that I figured he was a wine snob and just maybe I'd splurge and buy a cup to taste.  When I went to my local Kroger the Copa di Vino was on sale for $2.99.   I spoke with the Kroger wine consultant and they told me that the wine wasn't selling at $4.99 so the price was reduced. 

I purchased Copa di Vino Riesling and Copa di Vino Cabernet Sauvignon.  Let me just sum it up for you here about both wines and put the Winemaker's notes below.  AWFUL.  Kevin Leary is not a wine snob. My apologies for thinking that.  The wine is not very good.  The packaging is a nice idea but the wine ... NOT so much.  I cannot even begin to describe the flavor; off flavor and the Cabernet was bitter. After a couple sips it went down the drain. 

At best this is a novelty item.  The idea of having the wine in a disposable glass is nice, but for the price and flavor, I'd rather bring an everyday wine, disposable glasses and a corkscrew.  Think about it and do the math ... 4  Copa di Vino is the equivalent of 1 bottle of wine.  4 (Copa di Vino) x $3 (each) = $12.  For $12 dollars you can purchase a nice everyday wine and non-breakable glasses.

Overall, save your money.  Buy a bottle of wine. 

Oh, and as for the $600,000 investment.  The Sharks were only interested in the packaging and not the wine.  The entrepreneur was not interested in selling the packaging and said the wine was well worth it.  There was no deal. There was no investment.  The wine is not worth it, but the packaging for selling wine at stadiums was a great idea.

Copa di Vino Riesling
Winemaker's Notes:  WA Riesling shines here! Loaded with richly sweet fruit up front, followed by brisk acidity that balances the weight of the wine. Flavors persist long after wine is swallowed.

Copa di Vino Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker's Notes:  Sense of restraint is shown here in a wonderful way. The Cab focuses on WA fruit flavors without being overripe and heavy like so many nondescript wines today. It reveals aromas and flavors of slightly dusty, red cherry and berry up front followed by a more powerful black cherry undercurrent.

Simply Naked Chardonnay, Flip Flop Chardonnay and Flip Flop Pinot Noir

Saturday's tasting was on three wines.  All were from California; affordable and good value for everyday tables wines.  Customers did enjoy these.  These are not complex wines so the reviews are short and to the point. 

Simply Naked 2010 Chardonnay ($8.79) stainless steel fermented the flavor was crisp green apple. 

Winemaker's Notes:  This Simply Naked Chardonnay is fresh and vibrant with tropical fruit, citrus, and pear notes. It is light-medium bodied with layers of melon, fig, and a touch of honey. 


 
Flip Flop 2009 Chardonnay ($4.49) - Although the aroma was masked by the plastic tasting cup, the flavor was pineapple and vanilla with a hint of creaminess.  Unfortunately the flavors were fleeting as there was an overpowering and lingering tart finish. 

Winemaker's Notes:  Medium-bodied, Chardonnay with pineapple, soft vanilla and long lingering finish.  It is full of creamy, toasted oak notes. 

Flip Flop 2010 Pinot Noir ($4.49) a very pronounced berry aroma.  Flavor was cherry and finished with spice.  

Winemaker's Notes:  It is full of Cola aromas and hints of  vanilla.  Medium-bodied, structured Pinot Noir with bright cherry, sweet spice and supple, velvety finish.  Eat with grilled mahi mahi and bacon wrapped shrimp.

Cono Sur Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

My wine tasting on Friday was for wines I've previously tasted out and reviewed.  So, today I will review two wines that I tasted from another distributor.  There was one red and one white from the Bicycle line of Cono Sur in Chile. 

Cono Sur Chardonnay ($9) is stainless steel fermented.  In the plastic tasting cup I was not able to discern any aroma.  Unfortunately, the fruit on the palate was short lived as the  tartness of the wine overpowered any flavor.  Customers were not enjoying this Chardonnay until it was extremely cold (the wine rep never took it out of the ice bucket), thus killing any tartness and flavor. 

Winemaker's Notess:  "This Chardonnay has a beautiful, young yellow colour with golden hints. Exuberant and complex, this wine conveys refreshing citrus aromas, fruity notes of white peaches, along with mineral hints. In mouth complex fruity flavours mingle in with lovely mineral notes. Our Bicycle Chardonnay is a young and fresh wine, very balanced, with a great acidity.

Food Pairing: A sure bet for almost all naturally oily and/or white meats: duck, pork, lamb, salmon; the simpler their cooking, the better. When it comes to pasta, Chardonnay likes creamy sauces, and/or with seafood. This is a well-liked aperitif wine, either on its own or with a cheese plate. A few suggestions to enjoy are pâté mousse with bacon and nuts, pork fillet with toasted almonds, and marinated shrimps."


Cono Sur Pinot Noir ($9) has a bright cherry aroma, with both cherry and strawberry on the palate.  Unfortunately I found the finish tart and acidic.  It seems most customers were not enjoying this wine. 

Winemaker's Notes:  "Dressed in fresh purple red colour, this is a voluptuous Pinot Noir with rich fruit notes of cherry, raspberry, plum and strawberry – a red fruit party! – enhanced by subtle smoked hints. In mouth sweet fruit notes stand out, and its fine tannins give it a great texture and a mouth filling structure. Balanced and New World styled, this is a wine of personality and elegance. Sexy, pure and simple, it’s a young and refreshing Pinot.

Food Pairing: Our Bicycle Pinot Noir is a great choice for all sorts of pasta, grilled poultry, seafood and mild fish. It’s also excellent when accompanying dishes served with pesto sauces. If ordering in, mushroom pizza and sushi go great with this wine."

Erath Leland Pinot Noir, 2006

The Winemaker's Note says, "Raise a glass of Leland" and that is so true.  Erath' s Leland 2006 Pinot Noir  is a single vineyard wine in the north end of Willamette Valley.  It is 100% Pinot Noir, but a blend of two clones*: 50% Pommard, 50% Wadenswil.  An aroma of cherry and hints of both coffee and cocoa.  A flavor of cherry and hints of chocolate. There was also a tad of bitterness (almost like pith) on my palate and I'm thinking it was the citrus peel. Because of the fleeting bitterness is not high on my list of red wines, but definitely glad I tasted it.   

Winemaker's Notes:  Raise a glass of Leland and take in warm vanilla-scented cherry aromas accented by cola notes and subtle citrus peel. Excite the palate with an intensely focused beam of fruit. Delectable chocolate covered cherry flavors gloriously expand to a lengthy, satisfying finish. Commitment-phobes beware; this beauty stays with you long after the last sip. Drink from 2009 through 2018. 

*Clone - grape varieties are cloned to reproduce desirable traits from the parent vine.  These traits not only include aroma and flavor, but also the vines yield, health and ripening ability.  Clones are reproduced by taking cuttings from the parent and grafting these cuttings on to other rootstock.  Cloning was an interesting topic for me in the CIA wine intensive I attended in May.

Bailly Lapierre Cerémant de Bourgogne Brut

I missed the wine tasting with my friend Jon so I purchased a bottle of the wine he was pouring.  My Kroger wine consultant told me that it was a nice bottle of bubbly confirming that I had to buy it. 

Bailly Lapierre Cerémant de Bourgogne Brut ($13) is from France.  A blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Gamay, this is made in the methode champenoise, but aged for a lesser period of time.  Alcohol is 12%.   An off-dry sparkling wine with a lovely light raspberry color.   Perfect for celebrations and picnics.  Enjoyable and great value for the money.

Winemaker's Notes:  The Rosé Crémant comes from lightly steeped Pinot Noir (90%) and Gamay (10%) grapes.  The first variety brings a winery character, the second its unmistakeable aromas of red berry fruit.  A wine for easy enjoyment par excellence, it possesses a delicious softness free of anything sugary.  Entirely fresh and with real finesse, its mousse displays an almost froth, airy lightness.

Rustenberg Sauvignon Blanc, 2010

Looking at my recent reviews and the wines I've been tasting, I must admit the flavor profiles for the white wines are all relatively similar (grapefruit and gooseberries).  Subconsciously I must be craving these wines.  It looks like Chardonnay hasn't even been on my radar.  I'm going to have seek out a Chardonnay.  Any suggestions?

Rustenberg 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ($14 at Costco) is from the Western Cape of South Africa.  It is a blend of 95% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Semillion.  Alcohol 13.5%.  The aroma was what I expected from a South African Sauvigon Blanc - citrus and herbacious.  The flavor was a bold gooseberry with a hint of grass.  The wine was off-dry and well balanced.  Enjoyable.  

Winemaker's Notes:  The intrinsic Sauvignon Blanc characteristics of green pepper, asparagus and gooseberry, with underlying tones of pineapple and passion fruit, are sustained on a fresh, crispy and well-balanced palate with prodigious length.

Tikal Patriiota, 2009

I tasted another wine which I found at Costco.  I was intrigued with it as it was a blend of Malbec and Bonarda, and Bonarda was the primary grape.  

Tikal 2009 Patriota* ($15)  is from Mendoza, Argentina.  It is a blend of 60% Bonarda and 40% Malbec.  Alcohol is 14%.  The color was a rich dark purple.  A wonderful jam aroma of blackberry, leather and smoke, with some spice.  However, the flavor was ... nondescript.  Try as Dave and I might, we were not able to discern any flavors.  Very disappointing.  Maybe Bonarda shouldn't be the primary grape and should be left in a supporting role?

Winemaker's Notes:  Aromas of bright berry/cherry fruit and electric-purple color. Like swallowing a whole bowl of mixed ripe berries at once. Big body yet very balanced, with luscious layers of raspberry, cherry, and cocoa flavors. Just a hint of baking spice at the end brings it all together. Pairs well with grilled meats such as beef and pork, smoked ham, and even pizza with meat toppings. Incredibly fun to drink!  

*The name Patriota is based on the fact that both varietals have been the core of Argentinian wine making. Bonarda is an Italian varietal brought to Argentina by Italian immigrants.

Dolce Raza Torrontes Sparkling

I made the rounds yesterday grocery shopping.  Sam's Club, Costco, and Kroger.  At each stop I browsed the wine department. There were many new and interesting wines to try.  I ended up purchasing 10 bottles. Some red, some white and this one sparkling from Argentina.  

Dolce 2011 Torrontes ($8 at Sam's Club) is from La Riojana in Famatina Valley, Argentina.  (La Riojana is a co-operative of over 500 smalll-scale producers, dating back to the 1940's when it was started by Italian immigrants.)  Dolce is a sparkling wine, 100% Torrontes.  The aroma is a light floral. The flavor  reminiscent of a green apple Jolly Rancher. Not overly sweet.  Extremely bubbly.  Crisp and refreshing.   I found it to be enjoyable. Perfect for the summer.

Winemaker's Notes:  Light yellow with greenish tones, persisting small bubbles that blow up from the bottom of a wineglass. It has a delicate fragrance of flowers with a citrus touch of grapefruit. Its flavor is intense with a fresh vibrance, allowing aromas such as apples and melon to flourish.

Ricasoli 1411 Chianti Classico

Saturday's tasting was on two wines.  Customers enjoyed both of these and feedback was very positive. 

Cupcake 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ($10) is from Marlborough, New Zealand.  I reviewed this on May, 7th.  As before, this was crisp, refreshing, and enjoyable.  

Ricasoli 1411  2008 Chianti Classico ($13) is from  the Chianti region in Italy.  It is a blend of Sangiovese and complimentary grapes.  A lush black cherry aroma.  The flavor is spice, with a hint of black cherry.  Tannins are mild and this has a thin mouthfeel.  Customers enjoyed this and it sold well. 

Winemaker's Notes:  (Not available)

Monkey Bay Sauviignon Blanc and Diseno Malbec

My tasting on Friday was on two new wines.  Yeah!  I hate tasting out the same-old, same-old.  Customers feel the same way.  They want to taste and discover new wines.  Both wines were a hit with customers. 

Monkey Bay 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ($9) is from Marlborough, New Zealand.  A moderate level of alcohol - 12.5%.   In the plastic tasting cup, the aroma was indiscernible.  However, it did have a very crisp and refreshing grassiness, finishing with gooseberry.  A nice change from the typical Marlborough, New Zealand fruit forward grapefruit. 

Winemaker's Notes:  Pale lemon in colour, with green tints and brilliant clarity.  Tropical fruit-driven aromas of pineapple and gooseberry complemented by hints of pink grapefruit, capsicum and cut grass.  Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and refreshing, with vibrant flavours of ripe grapefruit, gooseberry and pineapple.  Fresh, zingy acidity dominates the palate with some pleasant fruit sweetness providing some weight to the palate.  Enjoyable on its own or paired with chicken and seafood dishes. 

Diseno 2010 Malbec ($9) is from Mendoza, Argentina.  This wine had a bold blackberry aroma.  The flavor was spice with a hint of coffee.  After it opened up there was also a hint of blackberry on the palate.  Medium tannins. 

Winemaker's Notes:  Diseno Malbec is a rich wine with an inviting bouquet of stone fruit.  A hint of coffee compliments the blueberry, spice and chocolate flavors.  Pair with hard cheeses: Manchego or Parmesan, paella or seafood risotto, spice red sauces, and beef. 

Dr. Loosen Riesling, 2008

Yesterday was a busy, busy, busy day and it got away from me.  At the end of the day it was time to relax and I was in the mood for something crisp, and refreshing. Most definitely a white wine. Dave and I opened our favorite bottle of Riesling, Dr. Loosen. We have been enjoying this for years and keep it on hand in our wine rack.

Dr. Loosen (a.k.a. Dr. L) 2008 Riesling is from Mosel, Germany.  The alcohol is low; 8.5%.  With an aroma of fruit and minerality, the flavor is refreshing fruit (tree fruit not tropical) and minerality with gooseberry finish.  This is not as fruity as the Rieslings I enjoy from Washinton state, but off-dry, crisp and enjoyable.  We've been enjoying Dr. Loosen for several years and it never disappoints! 

Winemaker's Notes:  (Not available.)

Terra d' Oro Zinfandel and Montevina Zinfandel

Ahhh, browsing the wine section of the grocery store ... something I always have to do when I grocery shop.  I'm always in search of something new to taste.  This time I found myself looking at Zinfandels. Even though it was summer and hot I was in the mood for a red wine and a juicy steak.  Two wines from Montevina Winery in Amador County, California caught my eye. I LOVE Montevina's Zinfandel Port, so I had to purchase both of these Zinfandels and compare.

Terra d' Oro 2007 Zinfandel ($16).  A rich, dark purple color.  The aroma was cassis, smokey, and jammy.  The flavor was a spice, leather, and smokey with a hint of chocolate and cassis.  A full body wine with low tannins and long finish.  Nicely balanced.  

Winemaker's Notes:  The 2007 Terra d'Oro Amador County Zinfandel showcases the joy of Zin, with a kick! The nose is welcoming with aromas of cloves, allspice, and a dash of cinnamon, all sprinkled over a bowl of ripe blackberries. The dark, juicy fruit continues in the mouth, as plums and black cherries enter the melange. The wine finishes with a true taste of Amador County as the "Shenandoah Spice" lingers along the warm toasty notes of vanilla and molasses. This Zin showcases the unique characters found in Amador County, bringing them together with balance and respect. Enjoy!

Montevina 2006 Zinfandel ($9.79).  A dark ruby red color.  The aroma was charred wood with a hint of herbs.  The flavor was spice and the wine had a thin mouthfeel; medium body.  I was missing the fruit forwardness (see Winemaker's Notes below).  The finish was long and tannins low.  Also, balanced.

Winemaker's Notes:  Our Zin happily embraces its wild-at-heart legacy. It’s fruit-forward and sassy, with irresistible cassis and pepper aromas, and lush blackberry, ripe plum and spice flavors followed by a long, smooth finish. If you’re looking for a rollicking good time on the palate, this Zinfandel is for you.

Both Zinfandels were enjoyable.  Terra d' Oro was the bolder of the two.  I enjoyed these with my rib eye.  I also used these in two separate batches of a hearty  meat pasta sauce I was preparing.  Also, YUM!  You can't go wrong with either of these wines.

Casillero del Daiblo Carmenere

After tasting Casillero del Diablo 2010 Merlot at Saturday's tasting, I decided to purchase a bottle of their Carmenere.

Casillero del Daiblo 2010 Carmenere is from the Rapel Valley, Chile.  The winery is Concha y Toro.  This wine had an intense aroma of raspberry.  Flavor - smoke and black raspberry.  A long spice finish and mild tannins. Very nice.  Also perfect for grilling.

Winemaker's Notes:  Colour: Dark, deep and bright purple.  Flavour profile: Chocolate, coffee and spice combine with raspberries and black raspberries in this Carmenere, Chile's very own grape.  Perfect for tasty winter stews or grilled summer barbecues.

Casillero del Diablo Merlot

Saturday's tasting was on two wines.  Both well received by customers.  

The Beach House is a white blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Semillion.  I reviewed this on April 18th. Once again, customers enjoyed this wine and Saturday I sold out. 

Casillero del Diablo Merlot is from the Rapel Valley, Chile and another of the many wines from Concha y Toro.  With a lush blackberry aroma, the flavors are blackberry, spice and smoke.  The tannins are mild and this is nicely balanced.  Customers enjoyed this wine.  Perfect for summer grilling. 

Winemaker's Notes: Colour: Bright dark and deep purple.  Taste profile:  A smooth Merlot that perfectly combines plum and herbaceous flavours with smoky cedar wood aromas.  A fruity wine with a full, rich texture that makes a perfect match with pasta, risotto and lightly spiced red meat dishes.