I cannot believe that I have not written a wine review in 12 days. I have been tasting wines, but ... I've been caught up in life. Since it has been 12 days, I am going to review a wonderful wine from Folie a Deux.
Folie a Deux Dry Creek Valley 2009 Zinfandel ($16) is from Sonoma County, California. This is 90% Zinfandel blended with 10% Petite Syrah and is aged 4 to 18 months in French and American oak. I found this to be a medium body wine with a light fruit aroma. The flavor was light berry fruit (juicy, but not jammy as stated in the Winemaker's Notes below), hint of spice (not as bold as black pepper - again see Winemaker's Notes below) and mild tannins that were nicely integrated. Well balanced. Very enjoyable. Customers enjoyed this wine and it sold out.
Winemaker's Notes: Intense, juicy and jammy, our classic Zinfandel’s bright raspberry and blackberry fruit is complemented by the characteristic black pepper spice tones that give the varietal its invigorating zestiness. This Dry Creek Valley Zin is the quintessential Folie à Deux wine – i.e., it will impel you to dance and share a bottle with friends, probably simultaneously!
I have been trying to catch up on all my old issues of Wine Spectator. In the November 15, 2011 issue I read an article on Jorge Ordonez & Co. in Spain. Pictured was a Botani. I had seen this in several stores and passed it by. (The label just didn't speak to me, what can I say.) I now had to purchase it to taste.
Botani, 2010 ($14) is from Jorge Ordonez & Co., Malaga, Spain. It is 100% Muscat Alexandria, is 70% fermented in stainless steel, and 30% oak aged. When I think Muscat grapes, I think sweet. With this wine that is not the case. Botani is a dry white wine. The aroma is peach with grassiness. The flavor is light peach with a tart (Granny Smith apple) finish. Crisp and refreshing. Definitely a wine that I'm adding to my summer must haves.
Winemaker's Notes: Pale straw color. Fresh, fragrant and mature, brimming with the aroma of Muscat grape, apple, mandarin orange and a pinch of wilted flowers. On the palate it is fruity and dry, with notes of citrus and a gentle finish. Botani pairs perfectly with all seafood, spicy food, sushi, or simply with the best company.
I recently tasted the latest vintage of Cline Zinfandel. Quite enjoyable.
Cline 2010 Zinfandel ($10.50) is from Sonoma, California. The aroma was dark fruit. The flavors were smoke, coffee, cinnamon, and a hint of pepper. Complex. Balanced. Smooth. Tannins were nicely integrated.
Winemaker's Notes: "As always the California Zinfandel is a challenging and rewarding wine to produce. Severe selection criteria and master blending show in the final product, which showcases a wide array of dark berry fruit including black cherry and strawberry. Additionally, spice notes and a lasting finish of vanilla from oak aging and firm, supple tannins add complexity to this wine.
Food Pairing: With its smooth structure and rich, berry flavors, the California Zinfandel pairs best with bold-flavored foods such as penne putanesca, grilled steak or chili con carne."
This past weekend I poured repeat wines for my tastings. Luckily one of the other distributors was pouring some new wines. As always, I had to taste!
Mer Soleil 2008 Chardonnay ($32) is from the Santa Lucia Highlands in California. Once again, in the plastic tasting cup, I was not able to get an aroma. However, the flavor was WONDERFUL! A delightful buttery Chardonnay with tropical flavors. Crisp. Nicely balanced. Creamy.
On June 21, 2011 I reviewed Mer Soliel Silver Chardonnay. That was also very nice.
Winemaker's Notes: Citrus driven nose. Hints of matchstick, pineapple, banana and coconut. Soft and roundentry. Oak is apparent but not defining. Mid-‐palate goes on to reveal other layers of flavors—vanilla, lemonmeringue pie, and again coconut. Finish is rich with viscosity that coats the mouth for minutes after your last sip.
This is the last new wine that I tasted out last weekend (February 4th).
Primal Roots, 2010 ($10) is from California and a new wine in the market. It is a red blend of 43% Merlot, 37% Syrah, and 20% Zinfandel and 100% French oak aged. The color is a deep rich purple. Unfortunately in the tasting cup I was not able to detect an aroma (gosh how I hate that). The flavors were coffee, chocolate and hints of smokiness and spice. Nicely balanced with integrated tannins. Customers enjoyed this and it sold VERY well. Most customers had a difficult time deciding which wine to purchase - this or Dreaming Tree Crush (reviewed yesterday). Some customers solved this dilemma by buying both wines!
Winemaker's Note: The 2010 Red Blend has aromas of mocha, vanilla, and spice that give way to a silky texture along with rich flavors of raspberries and chocolate that are truly uninhibited.
This is another wine I tasted out last weekend (February 4th). Very popular with customers and sold very well.
Dreaming Tree 2009 Crush ($14) is from California's North Coast. This is a red blend - 67% Merlot and 33% Zinfandel. It is oak aged for 19 months. The aroma is an inviting raspberry with a hint of spice (pepper?) and smoke. The flavor for me was a flash of raspberry, that was quickly overpowered by the (medium) tannins. I must say that with this wine The Fresh Market gave me Godiva chocolate truffles to serve. One bite of a truffle with a sip of wine and the wine smoothed right out. Very nice.
Winemaker's Notes: A blend of the North Coast's finest varieties, this wine pulls you in with a smoky berry note and then jumps up with a raspberry jam. A quaffable wine that is tasty with Spanish orange and onion salad, or with Vietnamese-style grilled ribs and rice.
I have been delinquent in updating my posts. I have so many wines to review (one's I've purchased, some from my tastings, and those from other distributor's tastings) and so little time. Tonight I'll review a wine from last Friday nights tasting (February 3rd).
Dreaming Tree 2010 Chardonnay ($14) is from California's Central Coast (78% Monterey County, 22% Santa Barbara County). It is oak aged for 9 months. Dreaming Tree is owned by Dave Matthews, of the Dave Matthews Band, and the Winemaker is Steve Reeder from Simi. This is relatively new and has been in the market for about six months. The aroma was not detectable in the plastic tasting cup. The flavors were granny smith apple, spice, and a hint of oak with a nice balanced acidity. Very popular with my customers.
Winemaker's Notes: The fruit jumps out of the glass and reminds you of roasted pear or baked apple pie. Big fruit andbrown spices that are backed by a distinct Central Coast citrus note. The entry coats your mouth with these great flavors. Easy to enjoy, this wine will bring the coastal wine adventure right to your home. Food Pairing: Delicious on a warm summer night with grilled seafood, seafood-and-chicken paella, fresh fava bean salad, or buttered radishes and smoked salt.
This post is a bit over due ... Last weekend I poured Rex-Goliath Pinot Grigio ($7) from California. Customers enjoyed this wine. This had a tropical aroma of pineapple and banana. The flavor banana and lemon. Crisp and refreshing. This would be the perfect pairing with seafood.
Winemaker's Notes: Our Pinot Grigio expresses abundant citrus and lemon-lime aromas with layers of fresh stone fruit, sprinkled with intense floral and lavender notes. Bright and racy acidity is beautifully balanced with fresh citrus, leading to a crisp, refreshing finish. A number of foods would be great with this wine. Try it with a bowl full of steamed mussels in a broth made with Rex-Goliath Pinot Grigio, garlic, onions and butter. Or for a hot summer afternoon, fresh fish tacos are an amazing partner.
I had lunch with a woman that also does wine tastings. Of course I had to taste a wine I've never tried before.
Ferrari-Carano 2010 Bella Luce is from Sonoma, California. It is a white blend of Chardonnay, Muscat Canelli, Semillon, Muscat Giallo, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc and fermented in 100% stainless steel. The aroma was delightful - floral and peach. The flavors were light citrus and peach with a tart Granny Smith apple finish. Crisp and refreshing. This paired very nicely with my panini of mozzarella, chicken, basil, and bacon.
Winemaker's Notes: Ferrari-Carano’s unique, proprietary, white wine blend — the 2010 Bella Luce, which means “beautiful light” in Italian — is the sister wine to our SIENA and Pinot Grigio. The goal of Bella Luce was to create a fragrant and light white wine blend from varieties that would complement one another in aromas, flavors and texture. Bella Luce accomplishes this with delicious layers of honeydew, citrus, lychee, peach, and apple, along with wisps of floral notes, Muscat, pineapple, cream, and vanilla.
This was a wine I poured for one of my tastings.
Rodney Strong Sonoma County 2010 Chardonnay is from Sonoma County, California. A nose was not detectable in the plastic tasting cup. The flavor was spice and vanilla with a hint of oak. Medium acidity. This met with mixed reviews from customers. Not one of my favorites.
Winemaker's Notes: We barrel fermented about 60% of this wine (aged 5 months in oak, American and French, 60% malolactic fermentation), and sur-lies aged that portion in barrel for five months, offering the wine a touch of brown spice and vanilla. The remaining 40% was cold fermented to capture a fresh fruit-forward character, providing bright lemon and apple aromas that mingle with hints of the toasty barrel complexity. On the palate, pear and green apple with refreshing acidity will lure you back for another sip. Enjoy this lively chardonnay now and over the next couple of years.
I had lunch with one of the women I work with. She also does wine tastings. Of course I had to taste wine. I enjoy Gruner Veltliner's and went with a glass of that.
Broadbent 2010 Gruner Veltliner is new on the market. It is from Niederösterreich, Austria, 100% Gruner Veltliner, and fermented in stainless steel. This has a citrus aroma that is delightful. The flavor was lime with a tart Granny Smith apple finish. Crisp and refreshing. This paired very nicely with my panini of mozzarella, chicken, basil, and bacon.
Winemaker's Notes: A juicy white wine, with plenty of lime, peach and green apple flavors. Our Gruner Veltliner is elegant and delicious.
Clancy's Red was recommended to me by a customer. This is from Peter Lehmann of the Barossa Winery in Southern Australia. Clancy's Red, 2008 is a blend of 50% Shiraz, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot. I found the aroma to be rich and inviting - dark fruit, tobacco, coffee, chocolate and a bit earthy. The flavors were dark fruit and tobacco, with hints of chocolate and earthiness; jammy. Low tannins. Nicely balanced.
Winemaker's Notes: A dark centre with a garnet rim. The nose shows lots of Barossa chocolate, dark plum and hints of violet. It is a wine with good fruit complexity which draws upon the attributes of each variety in the blend: Shiraz gives richness and fruit, Merlot adds a textural softness and the Cabernet Sauvignon with its firm tannins reins in the fruit to give a wine of flavour, balance and structure. Enjoy with friends over a bowl of pasta, platters of pizza, and sizzling roast chicken. It will always be a welcome guest at a BBQ!
I often recommend Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling wines to customers. They are crisp and refreshing. I finally had to try their Pinot Gris as I needed a change of pace.
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Pinot Gris ($11) is from the Columbia Valley in Washington State. This is 94% Pinot Gris blended with 6% Viognier. The aroma was pear and light citrus with a hint of grassiness. The flavor was a light pear with grassiness and a tart pith finish. I found it a delightful change from the Italian Pinot Grigio's I've tasted. When I tasted this with a spicy stir-fry that I prepared the tart pith finish rounded out to a nicely balanced and smooth wine. I'll recommend this wine to my customers.
Winemaker's Notes: Our Pinot Gris style falls between the lighter Italian Pinot Grigio and the richer, rounder Pinot Gris from Alsace. The Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris offers fresh aromas and flavors of pear, fig and a hint of spice. A touch of Viognier contributes texture and an attractive floral character. This wine is a perfect match with scallops or halibut. Pairs with: shellfish, cream based dished, fruit and cheese. Herbs: tarragon and anise.
Folie a Deux Dry Creek Valley 2009 Zinfandel ($16) is from Sonoma County, California. This is 90% Zinfandel blended with 10% Petite Syrah and is aged 4 to 18 months in French and American oak. I found this to be a medium body wine with a light fruit aroma. The flavor was light berry fruit (juicy, but not jammy as stated in the Winemaker's Notes below), hint of spice (not as bold as black pepper - again see Winemaker's Notes below) and mild tannins that were nicely integrated. Well balanced. Very enjoyable. Customers enjoyed this wine and it sold out. 
