Albamar Sauvignon Blanc Chile 2011.. very herbal with lemon/lime citrus... a little like subdued New Zealand
Santos Semillon 2011 Argentina.. a varietal that is usually blended or made into dessert wine, unctious and a little honeydew melon.. and the finish starts you toward a sauternes thought...
Tercos Torrontes 2011 Argentina.. pretty floral, melon nose, bright juicy fruit, but the finish is a touch bitter.. definitely needs food
Calcu Cabernet Franc 2010 Chile// pretty floral nose which is a cab franc moniker.. a touch herbacious on the first but gives way to nice fruit on the finish...
Santos Malbec 2010.. lots of jammy fruit almost bing cherry on the front.. a little earthiness on the finish but pleasant
Maquis Cabernet Sauvignon Chile 2009 again with the herbacious green olive flavors of chile.. but the finish is smooth.. almost velvety. sawdust/ pencil lead on the nose.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Patz & Hall with Kevin Hinchman/Bommarito
Patz and Hall
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2011.. short vintage.. collected from two single vineyards..a strong oaky influence.. nice texture though.. good finish
Chardonnay Dutton Ranch 2011. more of a crowd pleaser..rich and unctious with the right amount of oak influence for me.. old vines... which for chard is around 30 I am told
Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard 2010 much more austere and mineral.. a nice rush of fruit on the end.. and finished a little hot..
Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast.2011 again light vintage.. dried fruit and perfumey nose, definite tannic finish on the back but was expecting a little more fruit up front
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2011.. short vintage.. collected from two single vineyards..a strong oaky influence.. nice texture though.. good finish
Chardonnay Dutton Ranch 2011. more of a crowd pleaser..rich and unctious with the right amount of oak influence for me.. old vines... which for chard is around 30 I am told
Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard 2010 much more austere and mineral.. a nice rush of fruit on the end.. and finished a little hot..
Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast.2011 again light vintage.. dried fruit and perfumey nose, definite tannic finish on the back but was expecting a little more fruit up front
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
misc wines with Cynthia Paugh/Bommarito
Luzon Ciranza Seleccion 12 from Jumilla, Monastrell with others... oak influence very obvious , nice enough fruit and tannin but served a little chilled
Retorno Garnacha 2010 Calatayud according to the wine info a young red wine from Old Vine Garnacha.. wine double speak.. no depth and a little herbal.. my Niel from Almansa runs rings around this.. and it sold by Cynthia too
Loimer Lois (low Es) unless its Lois like Lois Lane.. anyway. Gruner Veltliner Austria.. a little rounder than what I was remembering Gruner to be but it also is the 2nd wine from this vintage that gave me the same thing.. maybe a sign of the vintage.. spectator said great things about the vintage in the latest magazine cute bottling and label and good wine for the money
Eric Chevalier Chardonnay Nantais 2010... very dry.. a sauvignon blanc drinkers chardonnay.. but I liked Chevalier's Muscadet which is what the region is really known for.
Retorno Garnacha 2010 Calatayud according to the wine info a young red wine from Old Vine Garnacha.. wine double speak.. no depth and a little herbal.. my Niel from Almansa runs rings around this.. and it sold by Cynthia too
Loimer Lois (low Es) unless its Lois like Lois Lane.. anyway. Gruner Veltliner Austria.. a little rounder than what I was remembering Gruner to be but it also is the 2nd wine from this vintage that gave me the same thing.. maybe a sign of the vintage.. spectator said great things about the vintage in the latest magazine cute bottling and label and good wine for the money
Eric Chevalier Chardonnay Nantais 2010... very dry.. a sauvignon blanc drinkers chardonnay.. but I liked Chevalier's Muscadet which is what the region is really known for.
one hope wines/libby congelliere/ major brands
One Hope is a winery conceived by 8 friends with Bob Mondavi Jr as the winemaker. Each wine in the portfolio has a different charity that half of all profits go to. All very notable and good charities, to date they have given over 750,000 to their various charities.
Sparkling goes to Childhood Hunger
Sauvignon Blanc to the Enviornment
Chardonnay to Breast Cancer awareness
Pinot Noir to ASPCA
Merlot to Pediatric Aids
Zinfandel to US Troops Home
Cabernet to Austism
I wish I could say the wines were all great and worth the cost of admission but they are mostly typical Calfornia wines with some varietal characteristics and a big heart
Sparkling goes to Childhood Hunger
Sauvignon Blanc to the Enviornment
Chardonnay to Breast Cancer awareness
Pinot Noir to ASPCA
Merlot to Pediatric Aids
Zinfandel to US Troops Home
Cabernet to Austism
I wish I could say the wines were all great and worth the cost of admission but they are mostly typical Calfornia wines with some varietal characteristics and a big heart
Monday, May 20, 2013
bna wine group with dane mcfarlin/ vintegrity
an offshoot of Owen Swift, dave phinney.. but not
Butternut Chardonnay..2011 a little creamy and green olive. full malo mouth feel..
Bandwagon pinot noir 2011 Oregon/ California light color, and light tannin, not a strong finish.. a little blander than hoped for
The Rule Napa 2010 83% cabernet tobacco and strong fruit tannin but the flavors were a little linear..
Volunteer Napa 2010 dark color.. licorice/ anise soft tannins not to hot.. viscous and really dark color.. long finish.. best of the bunch..
Butternut Chardonnay..2011 a little creamy and green olive. full malo mouth feel..
Bandwagon pinot noir 2011 Oregon/ California light color, and light tannin, not a strong finish.. a little blander than hoped for
The Rule Napa 2010 83% cabernet tobacco and strong fruit tannin but the flavors were a little linear..
Volunteer Napa 2010 dark color.. licorice/ anise soft tannins not to hot.. viscous and really dark color.. long finish.. best of the bunch..
cameron hughes with adam mahler/. d and e glazer
Greenlip Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2011 pink grapefruit
Cameron Hughes Lot 247 Napa oaky and dusty.. very tight
Cameron Huges Lot 285 Rutherford.. a little more money but worth it.. a spicy cinnamon nose, and good fruit.
350 Chardonnay Santa Maria hills 2010 a touch of butterscotch not the tropical fruit bomb I was expecting.. very subdued for cali
Cameron Hughes Lot 247 Napa oaky and dusty.. very tight
Cameron Huges Lot 285 Rutherford.. a little more money but worth it.. a spicy cinnamon nose, and good fruit.
350 Chardonnay Santa Maria hills 2010 a touch of butterscotch not the tropical fruit bomb I was expecting.. very subdued for cali
Christophe Bakunas Artisan wine and craft spirits
Jigsaw Pinot Noir 2011 willamette .. slightly sweet nose, some herbal notes and rhubarb
Ransom Pinot Noir 2010.. dark pinot color and fruit.. a little heat on the finish.. a little sawdust on the finish??
Sweet Spot Alexander Valley 2010. sawdust on the nose, cassis and really dark in color
Murphys Law Riesling green apple, good acidity. cuter label than in the past
Ransom Dry Vermouth slight cinnamon and woodsy nose, dry finish with the woodsy nature staying on
Henry DuYore's Straight Bourbon Whiskey corn, rye and barley sweet. and hot.. aromatic from the rye???
Ransom Pinot Noir 2010.. dark pinot color and fruit.. a little heat on the finish.. a little sawdust on the finish??
Sweet Spot Alexander Valley 2010. sawdust on the nose, cassis and really dark in color
Murphys Law Riesling green apple, good acidity. cuter label than in the past
Ransom Dry Vermouth slight cinnamon and woodsy nose, dry finish with the woodsy nature staying on
Henry DuYore's Straight Bourbon Whiskey corn, rye and barley sweet. and hot.. aromatic from the rye???
northshore distillery/ sonha kassebaum/ classique
One of the new batch of small batch distillers
Sol Chamomile Citrus Vodka.. lots of citrus and tea.. could really be good with long island iced tea
NorthShore Vodka wheat and corn.. light and tasty
Gin no.6. Modern Dry Gin floral, pretty aromas.. almost like a perfume.. a little more viscous and aromatic
Gin no 11.. more of the London Dry Gin with botanicals and juniper
Aquavit made with Caraway and other grains.. the first one made in the united states.. very pretty nose also.. interesting
Sol Chamomile Citrus Vodka.. lots of citrus and tea.. could really be good with long island iced tea
NorthShore Vodka wheat and corn.. light and tasty
Gin no.6. Modern Dry Gin floral, pretty aromas.. almost like a perfume.. a little more viscous and aromatic
Gin no 11.. more of the London Dry Gin with botanicals and juniper
Aquavit made with Caraway and other grains.. the first one made in the united states.. very pretty nose also.. interesting
Friday, May 10, 2013
shane wines with shane finley/ massandra
Shane Finley is winemaker for the eponymous winery and also Lynmar after working for Kosta Browne among others
Grenache Blanc 2012 stainless steel and more about the fruit, less the oak... more of an american style.. pretty
Pinot Noir The Charm 2011 from several lots and named for the charm of the irish.. somewhat mushroom and earth.. not a fruit bomb. soft coffee and mocha notes on the back
Syrah Judge Vineyard 2009.. he says it was corked.. i didnt get it and usually that comes through to me.. i smelled vegetal and halitosis with some nice round flavors at the end.. looking forward to trying it when its really good
not him but in the bag
Vacheron sancerre 2010 herbal and high notes of coffee.. (may be from the last wine in the glass) light green apple with a kick of pink grapefruit on the finish.. some say a great expression of sancerre
Grenache Blanc 2012 stainless steel and more about the fruit, less the oak... more of an american style.. pretty
Pinot Noir The Charm 2011 from several lots and named for the charm of the irish.. somewhat mushroom and earth.. not a fruit bomb. soft coffee and mocha notes on the back
Syrah Judge Vineyard 2009.. he says it was corked.. i didnt get it and usually that comes through to me.. i smelled vegetal and halitosis with some nice round flavors at the end.. looking forward to trying it when its really good
not him but in the bag
Vacheron sancerre 2010 herbal and high notes of coffee.. (may be from the last wine in the glass) light green apple with a kick of pink grapefruit on the finish.. some say a great expression of sancerre
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Jessica Naluai/ Precept wines/ Andrew Mallow
precept has taken several brands in the last few years that have been well received and extended the lines to more choices
Browne Cabernet Columbia Valley 2010 aromatic with a slight perfumey character.. lush mouthfeel with cassis and blackberry.. not a lot of depth on the finish though..
Waterbrook Washington Chardonnay 2011.. fruit not alot of complexity.. seems to be stainless.. and surprisingly sweet
Waterbrook Merlot 2010 cedar and good fruit.. pleasant
Washington Hills Late Harvest Riesling 2011 typical green apple and a little flabby.. expected more acidity
Primarius Pinot Noir 2011.. light in color and light in flavor.. pretty boring
House Wine Steak House Red.. juicy but one note.. and not a lot of depth with that note... a little light for a steak i would think.
Browne Cabernet Columbia Valley 2010 aromatic with a slight perfumey character.. lush mouthfeel with cassis and blackberry.. not a lot of depth on the finish though..
Waterbrook Washington Chardonnay 2011.. fruit not alot of complexity.. seems to be stainless.. and surprisingly sweet
Waterbrook Merlot 2010 cedar and good fruit.. pleasant
Washington Hills Late Harvest Riesling 2011 typical green apple and a little flabby.. expected more acidity
Primarius Pinot Noir 2011.. light in color and light in flavor.. pretty boring
House Wine Steak House Red.. juicy but one note.. and not a lot of depth with that note... a little light for a steak i would think.
Lindy Novak/Spottswoode Winery
A treat is getting to talk to someone who is part of the scene if you will. The Novak's founded Spottswoode back in the beginning of the Napa experience. All the winery produces is Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, and given the cost difference it comes as no surprise that more of the land owned by the Novak family is planted to Cabernet.
Sauvignon Blanc 2012 non proprietary but still selected for best quality. very lush mouthfeel without being flabby.. herbal in a sancerre style
Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. soft but firm tannins. loads of cassis.. long cedar finish that is just a little hot but still tasty
Sauvignon Blanc 2012 non proprietary but still selected for best quality. very lush mouthfeel without being flabby.. herbal in a sancerre style
Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. soft but firm tannins. loads of cassis.. long cedar finish that is just a little hot but still tasty
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
cynthia paugh bommarito
Bernardus Chardonnay 2011... tart and served too cool... missing any roundness that I have experienced in the past
Peter Franus Sauv Blanc 2011 .. again cooler bottling showing more vegetal flavors
Rombauer Merlot 2009 Carneros.. ttrying to be Pomerol in nature.. tobacco and dark berry slight herbal/vegetal on the palate.. again cold
RockBlock Syrah Walla Walla NV lots of alcohol on the palate.. some upper palate tannins but no fruit showing
Peter Franus Sauv Blanc 2011 .. again cooler bottling showing more vegetal flavors
Rombauer Merlot 2009 Carneros.. ttrying to be Pomerol in nature.. tobacco and dark berry slight herbal/vegetal on the palate.. again cold
RockBlock Syrah Walla Walla NV lots of alcohol on the palate.. some upper palate tannins but no fruit showing
marion fuica selections. terra firma
Gircon Rose 2012 light strawberry color and soft sweet fruit on the quick finish.
Aichenberg Gruner Veltliner Austria 2011... light green/yellow color.. not as mineral/acid as some gruners put out.. lemon/lime light finish
Gircon Cotes Du RHone 2011.. a nice touch of white pepper on the nose, soft juice verging on vegetal... good tannin structure for the money
Aichenberg Gruner Veltliner Austria 2011... light green/yellow color.. not as mineral/acid as some gruners put out.. lemon/lime light finish
Gircon Cotes Du RHone 2011.. a nice touch of white pepper on the nose, soft juice verging on vegetal... good tannin structure for the money
evening land with jim mauceri/massandra
A property that only does chardonnay and pinot noir but from around the world.
2009 Bourgogne Blanc some mineral some salt lots of mid palate stuff but maybe showing its age
2009 Pouilly Fuisse.. soft oaky nose, some mineral.. just the right amount of oak and fruit on the finish.
2010 Blue Label Edna Valley Chardonnay.. a touch vegetal, and some oak... not the best of the bunch
2011 Blue label Willamette Valley Pinot Noir very light in color.. with rhubarb and mushroom
2010 Edna Valley Spanish Springs Pinot Noir... dark color.. traditional cola/tea/ dark cherry notes
2010 Memorius Vineyard Santa Rita Hills.. dark earth and berry aromas.. more of an oregon style pinot... very well balanced with the fruit and alcohol.
2009 Bourgogne Blanc some mineral some salt lots of mid palate stuff but maybe showing its age
2009 Pouilly Fuisse.. soft oaky nose, some mineral.. just the right amount of oak and fruit on the finish.
2010 Blue Label Edna Valley Chardonnay.. a touch vegetal, and some oak... not the best of the bunch
2011 Blue label Willamette Valley Pinot Noir very light in color.. with rhubarb and mushroom
2010 Edna Valley Spanish Springs Pinot Noir... dark color.. traditional cola/tea/ dark cherry notes
2010 Memorius Vineyard Santa Rita Hills.. dark earth and berry aromas.. more of an oregon style pinot... very well balanced with the fruit and alcohol.
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