Mumm Napa Brut Rose

I had every intention of posting this review after yesterdays tasting, but ... 

So, here's one last sparkling wine to consider for your New Year's celebration.  

Mumm Napa Brut Rose (formerly known as Mumm Napa Blanc de Noirs) ($23) is from Rutherford, California.  It is a blend of 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay.  The color is a very light pink. My palate just does not detect aromas and flavors in sparkling wine.  However, I can differentiate (flavor) between one that is bready/yeasty and one that is not.  Mumm Napa Brut Rose is not bready/yeasty and has lots of refreshing bubbles.  Although this is dry, it is not as dry as Gloria Ferrer Brut (reviewed on December, 26th).    

I tasted out both Mumm Napa Brut Rose and Gloria Ferrer Brut yesterday.  Customers enjoyed both and the favorite of the two was Gloria Ferrer.    

Winemaker's Notes:  Like an alluring rose, the radiant pink color accentuates this elegant sparkling wine, while displaying a wide range of red and black fruit tones, such as wild straw berry, bing cherry and dark plums. With its more robust quality, Brut Rosé is a wonderful wine with many kinds of cuisine, ranging from Thai to Italian. It is especially good as an aperitif, served with hors d’oeuvres or with a main course of steamed lobster.

Happy New Year!

Ruffino Prosecco and Riondo Prosecco

This year Ruffino released a new Prosecco.  With the holidays, and customers wanting recommendations, this was something I had to taste and review.  My personal preference between Cava and Prosecco is Prosecco.  On my palate, I find Prosecco to be less dry and more enjoyable.   

Ruffino Prosecco ($14) is from Italy and 100% Prosecco. Crisp and refreshing with a hint of lemon and minerality.  It was great with my appetizer of  arugala, burrata, and prosciutto.  

Winemaker's Notes:  "Color: Bright straw yellow with fine bubbles.  

Aroma: The bouquet is fragrant and intensely fruity. It shows clean notes of apples, pears and citrus, accompanied by slight hints of hawthorn, wisteria and elder.  

Tasting profile: Crisp, clean and delicate with fine bubble caressing the palate. Intense sensations of apples and peaches drive a pleasant aftertaste, that is reminiscent of fruity and floral aromas.  

Pairings: Ideal as an aperitif; it is very versatile as a food companion. Ruffino Prosecco perfectly matches with pizza, fish and shellfish dishes as well as white meat dishes. 

Best when young; drink within four months from the purchase." 

My favorite Prosecco has always been Riondo Prosecco ($14) reviewed on April 24th.  I  did do a comparison tasting between this and the Ruffino.  I was hard pressed to tell the difference, but find the Riondo had a hint more lemon on the palate.  I would purchase either of these in  heartbeat.  Resolving the dilemma of which Prosecco to buy would be based on availability and/or price (should one be on sale). 

Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava, Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut

The  other day the rep from my distributor asked me if I  ever tasted Jaume Serra Cristalino.  I said I hadn't.  She mentioned that at one of her other accounts it sells very well.  The next day in my trade magazine I read that Jaume Serra Cristalino has a 7% share of the imported sparkling wine market.  That's the same share as Veuve Clicquot and Moet & Chandon (excluding Dom Perignon), and just 3% below Freixenet (which is my old reliable stand-by).  I also noticed the label had a disclaimer - "Jaume Serra Cristalino is not affiliated with, sponsored by, approved by, endorsed by, or in any way connected to Louis Roederer's CRISTAL champagne or Louis Roederer."  Besides, it's that time of year when customers ask me for recommendations on sparkling wine.  Based on all of the above, this wine was a must try.   

Jaume Serra Cristalino ($9) is a non-vintage Brut Cava from Catalonia, Spain.  A nice bubbly Cava and I felt I couldn't tell the difference between it and Freixenet ($11).  So, I had to do what I had to do and open a bottle of Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut (like I said, it's my stand-by and I keep it on hand in the house - I love to cook with it) and taste them side by side.  I must say they are quite comparable.  Hard pressed to tell the difference.  Not sure if I'll stick with my old stand-by or switch because Jaume Serra Cristalino is less expensive.    

Several of my tastings this week have been on Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut and it sells quite well.

Winemaker's Notes:  Straw color, smooth and fresh aromas; fine and fruity palate with a dry aftertaste. Clean, dry and crisp with citrus and apple flavors.

Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut

I did tastings every day last week (for Christmas) and will be doing tastings every day this week (in anticipation of New Year's Eve).  A lot of wine and a lot of customers.  Because New Year's Eve is synonymous with Champage (at least in my mind it is), I will try to focus on sparkling wines this week.  Today I'll review Gloria Ferrer NV Sonoma Brut.  

Gloria Ferrer NV Sonoma Brut ($19) is from Sonoma, California and a blend of 91.2% Pinot Noir and 8.8% Chardonnay.  A lovely, refreshing sparkling wine with oh, so many bubbles.  I want to say it even had a delicate flavor of Meyer lemon.  I tasted this wine last year and found it to be extremely dry.  This year was much better and more enjoyable.  A great sparkling wine for the holidays.  Customers enjoyed this.  

Winemaker's Notes:  "Delicate pear and floral notes backed by toasty almond. On the palate, one finds lively citrus, toast and apple flavors overlaid with persistent effervescence, a creamy mid-palate and toasty finish.  

A tremendously versatile wine that is equally delicious with shellfish, crab, roasted chicken or sushi. Seasoning affinities include lemon grass, fennel and white pepper. Look to hard aged and triple crème cheeses with Meyer lemon compote for the cheese course."

J Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009

While shopping the wine section at BJ's I saw J Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles.  I do love a good wine from Paso Robles.  Plus when I visited J Lohr winery in May I enjoyed their wines.  This Cab was a must purchase and taste.  

J Lohr Estates Seven Oaks 2009 Cabernet ($11.50 at BJ's) is from Paso Robles, California. It is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petite Sirah, 5% Petit Verdot, 2.5% Merlot, 2.5% Syrah, and 1% Cabernet Franc. What a terrific jammy nose of black cherry and smoke, with a hint of cocoa and coffee.  The flavor was black cherry and cocoa.  Smooth and balanced.  This is a must have! 

Winemaker's Notes:  Aromas of black currant, plum and black cherry, lifted by a bouquet of vanilla, toasted pastry and spice.  Highly complimentary to a wide range of foods. Pair with a rich lasagna, roasted lamb, or a London Broil.

Pandemonium Red, 2009

A couple days ago, in my last post, I reviewed Pandemonium 2010 White and asked the question, "what possessed me to purchase this wine?"  I know what possessed me to purchase the red ... I was purchasing the white so I had to get the red too!

Pandemonium 2009 Red ($9) is from California; Lodi and Clarksburg.  It is a blend of Zinfandel, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot.  It has a great complex aroma of blackberry, tobacco, and charred wood.  The flavor is a hint of blackberry with tobacco slightly jammy.  Yum!  (Such as the wine term that it is.)  It is medium bodied. Low tannins and low acidity.  I enjoyed this wine.  For the price, it's a great everyday wine to keep on hand.

Winemaker's Notes:  Embracing its name, this wine shines through its unrestrained, unconventional blending of four red varietals. The rich spice and jammy flavors of Zinfandel mingle wildly with the dark cherry and blackberry fruit of Merlot. Zesty aromatics from Petit Verdot round out the palate while Malbec delivers a soft, silky finish resulting in a wine with intense fruit and depth of flavor. Each varietal is crafted independently to allow for the expression of its individuality and then combined to deliver a rich and smooth wine that only a little pandemonium could create.

Cranberry-Orange Mimosa

Just before Thanksgiving I found this recipe in my recipe box.  Not sure where I got it from.  I want to pass it on in case you would like to make it for Christmas.   

Cranberry-Orange Mimosa

Simple syrup:

2 c. sugar

1 c. fresh cranberries

1 c. orange juice

½ c. water

Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.  Cook 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves.

Remove from heat and mash with a potato masher.  Pour through a wire-mesh strainer, pressing berries with back of a spoon.  Discard solids.

Refrigerate at least 24 hours.

Mimosa:

            To a champagne glass add ¼ cup simple syrup and ¾ c. sparkling wine.  Stir.

 

Enjoy!

Note:  If you enjoy sweet then the mimosa proportion of champagne to syrup (above) is perfect for you.  I on the other hand like it less sweet and changed the proportion to -  3 tablespoons cranberry-orange syrup and 3/4 cup Prosecco.  It was delicious for me and made my cooking in the kitchen more fun.  If you want it less sweet then play with the ratio of cranberry-orange syrup to sparkling wine. 

Pandemonium White, 2010

I had a 60-day trial membership to BJ's.  It was up this month so I shopped there like it was my last shopping spree.  I must admit they have an interesting selection of wines, albeit a small one.  I purchased a number of wines that I hope to review over the coming weeks.     

One of the wines I purchased was Pandemonium White.  What possessed me to purchase this wine?  The label?  The blend? The fact that I had a temporary membership to BJ's and was shopping like I'd never shop there again?  What ever the reason, I'm glad I purchased it.  

Pandemonium 2010 White ($9) is from California; Lodi and Clarksburg to be exact.  It is a blend of Chardonnay, Moscato,, Semillion, and Viognier.  What a pleasant surprise this was.  A refreshing aroma of grapefruit, peach, butterscotch and honey.  The flavor to me was reminiscent of Chardonnay and difficult to determine specific flavors.  Nicely balanced with low acidity.   A must try.  

Winemaker's Notes:  This wine has a great expression of fruit and depth of flavor. Each variety adds layers of fruit and presents a constantly unfolding aroma to intrigue the taster. The aroma of tropical fruit and pear are revealed from the Chardonnay and the Semillon followed by the floral scent of Viognier. The experience is capped off with notes of white peach and honeysuckle from the Moscato. The lush and silky mouth feel is developed by vinifying each variety as individual wines which allows each wine lot to reach its fullest potential before blending into Pandemonium.

Ménage à Trois Moscato, 2010

I have not forgotten about those of you who enjoy sweet wines. I tasted a Moscato that is new on the market.  

Ménage à Trois 2010 Moscato ($10) is from  Folie à Deux winery in California.  What a wonderful lush aroma and flavor of peach, apricot and melon. The mouth feel is substantial and not thin and watery.  There is a hint of acidity.   A delicious Moscato that is a must try for those of you who enjoy sweet wines.  The alcohol is a tad higher than usual at 12%.    

Winemaker's Notes:  Our Moscato blends wines from three different growing areas, each crafted by a different winemaker. Lovely floral aromas and luscious peach/apricot flavors make it the perfect Mènage à Trois!

Robert Oatley Pinot Grigio, 2010

I had the opportunity to taste Robert Oatley's 2010 Pinot Grigio during one of my tastings. This is 100% Pinot Grigio and from Adelaide Hills, South Australia.   It is a very simple wine with a lemon tart flavor and a hint of spice.  The mouth feel was thin.  Not a favorite of mine and it had mixed reviews from customers.  

Winemaker's Notes:  "Robert Oatley Adelaide Hills Pinot Grigio is a particularly food-friendly style – medium-bodied, crisp and with a spicy aroma.     

Texture and structure are the hallmarks of our Pinot Grigio. We aim to capture the delicate pear, ginger and spice notes of the variety. Some parcels are fermented with more solids to promote palate weight. The wine’s natural partridge-eye hue has been retained in a wine that is crisp and fresh with the pure flavor of Pinot Grigio."

Cupcake Angel Food, 2010

After my review yesterday of Cupcake's 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, I could not wait any longer to taste Cupcake's Angel Food.    Oh, how enjoyable and different.  

Cupcake 2010 Angel Food ($11) is from California.  It is a blend - primarily Chardonnay and the remainder undisclosed.  The nose was all vanilla and ... I know you can't smell creamy, but that's what it felt like ... very reminiscent of cream soda.  The flavor was also vanilla with a hint of Granny Smith apple, plus a tad of oak.  It had a creamy mouth feel.  Acidity was medium and the wine was nicely balanced. The winemaker's notes are spot on.  This will definitely be one of my go-to wines for the summer.  

Winemaker's Notes:  Made with premium chardonnay grapes as a base, this proprietary white blend is luscious, aromatic and delightfully reminiscent of an Angel Food cupcake. Flavors of baked Granny Smith apple and hints of toasty vanilla combine for a creamy mouth feel that has become a signature of Cupcake Vineyards.  A heavenly pair with white cheddar fondue, pancetta wrapped figs or simply as an aperitif.

Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc, 2011

With all the wines I've been pouring for my tastings that have been on the upper end of the spectrum, I tasted out a Sauvignon Blanc.   

Cupcake 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($10) is from Marlborough, New Zealand.   This wine did not disappoint.  It was your typical fruit forward New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  The nose was a delightful grapefruit/citrus.  The flavor was a tad milder than the 2010, but still a bold grapefruit, lemon, lime. There was a hint of tartness on the finish which I attribute to a flavor of goosebery. I enjoyed it as did the customers. 

Winemaker's Notes:  This Sauvignon Blanc is reminiscent of a lemon chiffon cupcake. It’s made up of integrated flavors of Meyer lemons, Key limes and a finish that awakens the appetite There are hints of grapefruit, gooseberry and citrus, and comes together with a long, creamy finish.  Serve chilled with oysters on the half shell or with a rich, cream lobster risotto.  

Note:  Customers were all telling me how much they enjoy Cupcake Chardonnay.  This is one Chardonnay that I have to taste.  One customer told me about Cupcake Angel Food.  That I purchased and hope to taste and review soon.  It is a white blend and primarily Chardonnay.

Wild Horse Pinot Noir, 2010

Wild Horse 2010 Pinot Noir is wonderful!  I poured this at one of my tastings a few weeks ago and again today.  Customers love it.  

Wild Horse 2010 Pinot Noir ($20) is from the Central Coast of California and is 100% Pinot Noir. This was a light bodied, complex wine.  The aromas are dark cherry, leather, and oak.  The flavors smoke and tobacco.  Tannins are light.  A delightful lingering finish.  A must try. 

Winemaker's Notes:  (Not available.)

Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008

With the holiday season in full swing I am tasting higher end wines.  They are great for entertaining, as gifts, and to purchase for ones self and enjoy.  Another great wine that I tasted out was Franciscan's 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon.  I enjoyed is so and it reminded me of my visit to the winery this past May ... wonderful wine.  

Franciscan 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($26) is from Napa Valley, California.   It is a blend of  80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.  In the plastic tasting cup I was only able to detect a nose of dark cherry.  However, the flavor was complex with dark fruit, and earthiness with some chocolate and oak.  The tannins were mild and this was nicely balanced.  Customers enjoyed this.  

Winemaker's Notes:  Deep garnet color. A luscious cascade of dark fruit, including black currant, black cherry, plum, and blackberry complemented by sweet vanilla and baking spices. Flavor is rich, round, and full-bodied; layered with blackberry, cherry, dried plums, and a hint of cocoa; generous weight on the palate and smooth, mouth-filling tannins; the finish lingers with flavors of rich cassis and black cherry.

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008

My wine tasting last weekend included an upper tier wine from Robert Mondavi.  It was their Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($28).  I'm not a fan of the lower tier Mondavi wines, but this wine was lovely.  In this instance, price does make a difference. 

Robert Mondavi 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot,5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Syrah, 1% Petit Verdot.  In the plastic tasting cup the only distinct aroma was dark cherry.  However, the wine was quite flavorful with berry and a subtle hint of coffee.  Mild tannins and smooth.  Balanced.   Customers enjoyed this.   

Winemaker's Notes:   This powerful, concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of juicy black cherries and Italian plums, seamlessly transitioning to flavors of ripe dark fruit. Its rich, fleshy texture, lengthy finish, and impeccable balance impart a regal maturity to this wine that belies its true age.

Root 1 Sauvignon Blanc, 2011

I am not a fan of  Root 1 wines.  However, I do enjoy Sauviginon Blanc and the 2011 vintage is hitting the shelves.  With that I had to taste Root 1 Sauvignon Blanc.  Even though their other varietals are not my favorite I was not about to discount their Sauvignon Blanc.  Besides, I wanted to taste a Sauvignon Blanc that was not from New Zealand.   

Root 1 2011 Sauvignon Blanc is from Casablanca Valley, Chile. What a pleasant wine!  The aroma was a delightful grapefruit and grassiness, as was the flavor with a hint of minerality.  It was enjoyable to have a Sauvignon Blanc that was not your typical New Zealand fruit forward grapefruit, lemon, lime.  It was low in acidity and had a nice finish.  Crisp.  Clean.  Highly recommend.   

Winemaker's Notes:  "Pale green in color, concentrated aromas with tropical fruit and citrus notes. Great acidity with fresh lime and grapefruit balanced by soft minerality on the palate. Bright and crisp with rich fruit expression and an elegant finish.     

FOOD PAIRINGS: Root: 1 Sauvignon Blanc is crisp, refreshing and pairs delightfully well with many types of foods. Try it with fresh summer salads, grilled oysters, or baked salmon. A great match with smoked ham and cheesy potato casserole, or lemon-herbed chicken with spring vegetable risotto."

Tomaresca Neprica, 2009

Tormaresca Neprica has been on the shelves at Fresh Market for several months.  It keeps selling out each time it comes into the store.  This was a wine I had to taste.  

Tormaresca 2009 Neprica ($12) is from Puglia, Italy and the Antinori Family (Villa Antinori). This is a blend of Negroamaro, Primitivo (Zinfandel) and Cabernet Sauvignon.  A jammy aroma of berry and black cherry with a hint of tobacco and smoke.  A flavor of tobacco and smoke with a hint of black cherry.  The finish is long and the body is medium. Smooth.  Low tannins. Nicely balanced.  I can see why customers enjoy this and why it always sells out.  The perfect accompaniment to an Italian meal.

Winemaker's Notes:  Intense ruby red in color with violet hues. Aromas of red fruits and black cherry dominate the nose, complimented by light floral notes. Soft and flavorful on the palate with balanced acidity and subtle tannins.

Fox Run Vineyards Riesling, 2009

The preparations for Thanksgiving are over, but the hustle and bustle of Christmas is now here.  It seems that I am going non-stop.  I have found so many wines to taste and review.  I have also had a number of new wines for my tastings.  Definitely - So much wine, So little time!  Let me start with a wine I purchased for Thanksgiving - Fox Run Vineyards 2009 Riesling.  

Fox Run 2009 Rielsing is from upstate New York, in the Finger Lakes region.  I had wonderful visions of a delicious wine.  A riesling would be a nice compliment to our Thanksgiving meal.  But, it was only a vision and in actuality this wine fell quite short.  There were no tantalizing aromas and a mouth feel and flavor of water.  It was very disappointing to all of us at the dinner table.  The winemaker's notes does not even come close to describing the wine we drank.

Winemaker's Notes:  Loads of tree fruit aromas, especially nectarine and tangerine, are found in this fragrant wine. The palate is perfectly balanced, with a soft yet zesty finish. The slight sweetness makes this Riesling incredibly versatile. Lovers of rich, complex wines will find this wine highly cellar-worthy.