Nose

• July 2010

  There's a version of Scott Elder and Stephanie LaMonica's story that goes like ... wet stone, and citrus on the nose, this Riesling is bone dry with almost surprisingly refreshing acidity; key lime notes throughout. GAMPO - 2008 80% Sangiovese, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet... Read moreThere's a version of Scott Elder and Stephanie LaMonica's story that goes like ... wet stone, and citrus on the nose, this Riesling is bone dry with almost surprisingly refreshing acidity; key lime notes throughout. GAMPO - 2008 80% Sangiovese, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet FrancGorgeous ruby in the glass, with rich black cherry and freshly-tilled earth on the attack. Juicy and ripe throughout; delicate tannins and a long, coffee-inflected finish. HOME PLACE - 200870% Tempranillo, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet FrancThis is flat-out rugged, a frontier Tempranillo with rustic tannins, rich earthiness laced with hints of licorice, crushed white flowers, and tons of fat, red fruit    (hide)

  From the article The Real Dirt

  
  

• July 2010

  By winepleasures | Published: July 23, 2010 | Edit With Cavas ... wine had an overwhelming nose of red berries especially raspberry, strawberry, and cherry. Tasted with salted fresh strawberries, the sweet/salty combination was delicious with the tart wine.As the tour came to a... Read moreBy winepleasures | Published: July 23, 2010 | Edit With Cavas ... wine had an overwhelming nose of red berries especially raspberry, strawberry, and cherry. Tasted with salted fresh strawberries, the sweet/salty combination was delicious with the tart wine.As the tour came to a close, we learned that this winery donates proceeds from every purchased bottle to different charities each year- something you don’t always see. The small winery and personal touch made this winery an excellent stop on our wine and bike tour. With the typical two pecks on the cheeks and hugs from the owners we were back on our bikes happily heading downhill to the next winery.Hailey Morton, Wine Travel Writer for Wine PleasuresHere’s a video shot during our visit. Can you name the typical catalan collecting hobby    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Craving Cava in the Penedes by Winepleasures

  
  

• July 2010

  When we last left off, we had completed a loop of northeastern Sonoma, leaving ... opens slowly on the nose, quite lightly red fruited at first with cola and spice tones, but gains a nice deeper, more cherried tone with some air. The palate mirrors the quick evolution of the nose.... Read moreWhen we last left off, we had completed a loop of northeastern Sonoma, leaving ... opens slowly on the nose, quite lightly red fruited at first with cola and spice tones, but gains a nice deeper, more cherried tone with some air. The palate mirrors the quick evolution of the nose. It starts out quite lean and yet sweetly-fruited revealing some spice tones on the mid-palate and gaining depth of fruit on the backend and through the moderately long finish, though with some air this really gains some intensity though never gets too big for its crisp acids and polished tannins. 92ptsWhen leaving Dutton Goldfield, take Route 116 north and leave the wine-lands behind for a while. There is so much natural beauty to see in this region that it’s worth taking a detour to enjoy it! A stop in Guerneville for lunch is convenient.  Pizza and great sandwiches can be had at the Main Street Station or if you’re good at planning, have the Applewood Inn prepare a picnic basket for your lunch and take it with you to either of the stunning parks further west! If you have the time, spend the night and enjoy dinner here, it’s really worth it.While in the Russian River Valley one should really take the time to visit the Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve and adjacent Austin Creek State Recreation Area. It's a glorious reminder of pristine wilderness that serves to remind us all what this region once was like, and how difficult the transition to today’s landscape must have been.Heading further west you eventually come to the coast, a wonderfully rugged and unchanged expanse of Pacific coastline awaits you at the Sonoma Coast State Beach Park. A great place to enjoy that picnic lunch!After lunch head up north on world famous California Highway 1 and soak in the fabulous coastal scenery until you come to the small town of Stewarts Points, home to a good ol’fashioned General Store! Back to the Dry Creek ValleyFrom here it gets a bit more desolate as we head eastward again, taking Skaggs Springs Road in the general direction of Geyserville. I say general because this rural road will twist and turn through the hilly country of western Sonoma, running past the Rockpile AVA (one of my favorite up and coming appellations for Zinfandel) before skirting the southern reaches of the man-made Lake Sonoma. We’re now firmly back in wine country, traveling through the Dry Creek Valley just west of Geyserville, prime country and world renowned for Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, and some of the best known Rhone varieties. This is a region that has seen more than its share of high quality producers setting up shop over the recent past. Dutcher CrossingDebra Mathy took a circuitous journey to Geyserville, passing through Germany, Austria, Oregon, and Washington before narrowing down her search for a winery to the Dry Creek Valley. In 2007, Debra purchased Dutcher Crossing with a vision for taking this Dry Creek Valley to new heights.  For a new producer the Sauvignon Blanc in particular drew my attention with its unusual blend. A winery to watch, as I like where things seem to be going going.2008 Sauvignon Blanc DCV 13.6%84% Sauvignon Blanc, with additions of Semillon, Viognier, and Roussane This opens with a touch of honied toast backing up lightly tropical, guava over a strong bed of citrus fruit. On the palate it’s a bit creamy but with plenty of supporting acid giving this nice lift. The flavors mimic the aromatics with their strong citrus note and light honied, tropical fruit overtones. The wine finishes a touch on the short side but with a refreshing lime acid spike. 89pts2006 Proprietor's Reserve Zinfandel 14.8%This smells quite brambly with nice black raspberry fruit and spicy herbal undertone. On the palate it’s a sleek Zin, full of flavor yet backed up my nicely balanced structure. You get sweet fruit on entry with spice, and briary notes on the mid-palate that lead to a slightly dusty textured and vanilla scented finish. I like the tannins here, they really give it a bit of backbone. 90ptsSbragia Family VineyardsWhile many of the producers here are relatively new, some, like Ed Sbragia, have had long illustrious careers in the wine business.  After nearly 25 years making award-winning wines at Napa Valley’s famous Beringer Vineyards, Ed deiced to make a move in 2008.  Of course this shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone since the Sbragia family has had roots in the Dry Creek Valley going back to Ed’s grandfather. Some of the vines now tended by Ed were planted by his father Gino, most obvious among them the Gino’s Vineyard from which Ed makes great Zinfandel.  Ed is approaching his own endeavor with the same skill and dedication that made Beringer Chardonnay’s so popular for decades, so don’t take the Sbragia Family Vineyards bottling for granted. It clearly shows that Dry Creek is not only about Zinfandel anymore!2008 Sbragia Family Vineyards Home Ranch Chardonnay Dry Creek Valley 14.7%Full on spicy, oaky, dried meat, popcorn nose with reticent notes of dried tropical fruits. On entry this is creamy and rich with good acids that lead to a spiced apple cream mid-palate edged with citrus ring notes. The wine finishes with a rush of rich, creamy, vanilla laced fruit featuring plenty of citrus tones. A rich, full-bodied style of wine that can stand up to bold dishes like grilled meaty fish. 92ptsWell, if you’re still with me you’ve had a busy day! We’ll pick it up again next time right where we’re leaving off, in Geyserville. If you’re planning on staying the night book a room at the conveniently located Geyserville Inn and treat yourself to a gourmet dinner at Cyrus Restaurant, one of wine country’s finest. If you do you’ll be well fed, and well rested for the next leg of our trip, planned using the Visa Trip Planner, naturally    (hide)

  From the article Riding Out of Santa Rosa

  
  

• July 2010

  Finger Lakes Top Producers Red Newt CellarsFans of Gewurztraminer take ... snapped w/ a strong floral nose of rose water & beeswax, turning dense & lush on its thick, flashy midpalate. The winery was pouring the ’07 SVDs, with the Sawmill Creek juxtaposing... Read moreFinger Lakes Top Producers Red Newt CellarsFans of Gewurztraminer take ... snapped w/ a strong floral nose of rose water & beeswax, turning dense & lush on its thick, flashy midpalate. The winery was pouring the ’07 SVDs, with the Sawmill Creek juxtaposing delicacy & power in its nose of tangerine, peach, spring blossom & honeysuckle. Flickers of spice pepper the palate, leaving a layered, resonating impression on the finish. The Curry Creek, another top Finger Lakes site, was muscular with Zind Humbrechtian beef, popping with a wild, vivid tang. Broad shouldered, with a full-bodied mouthful of flavors that wedged chalky spice notes from cheek to cheek, penetrating past the finish line. The Curry & Sawmill Creek versions are a bit pricy, but justifiably so & I can imagine them aquitting themselves beautifully next to top vintages from the Brand Vineyard in Alsace. The Pinot Gris ’07, also sourced from Curry Creek, was about as honeyed an unctuous an Alsatian fan could hope for. Rich & generous, with warm flavors of baked apple and nutmeg spices rolling over the tongue like a creamy dream.For those at odds w/ Gewurz, the top Riesling & Franc from Red Newt are by no means slouches. The ’08 entry level dry Riesling, a shy bony chisel of a white, packed plenty of zip but left me wanting in the category of flesh. A marked step up was found in the ’07 Reserve, remarkably Trimbachish to smell and savor, w/ a plumy nose smelling of enough unleaded fuel to dent an energy crisis. A piercing entry zapped the palate through chords of slate & citrus, knotting up on a frenzy of a finish. The Sauvignon Blanc ’08 proved to be a tangy, simple sipper of snappy gooseberry & herb notes, finishing amply. The lone red that I tasted, a ’08 Cabernet Franc from Glacier Ridge Vineyards, rounded out the portfolio w/ its impeccably clean profile of crushed berries, pipe tobacco and licorice snap flavors. Its middle weight, yet full flavored sense of grace is sure to find plenty of fans & bodes well for the red colored spectrum of Newt’s stable.Wine RatingSauvignon Blanc ’08 83Dry Gewurztraminer ’08 88Sawmill Creek Gewurz ’07 91Curry Creek Gewurz ’07 92Dry Riesling ’08 85Reserve Riesling ’07 91Pinot Gris ’07 89Cab Franc Glacier Ridge ’08 88Pioneers that trek up to Red Newt Cellars should schedule their visit towards closing time, wrapping up their tasting calisthenics at the terrific wine bar next door. The Red Newt Bistro offers about as frugal a chef tasting menu as this jaded pair of urban eyes as ever seen, 5 imaginative courses for 60 dollars. Dishes range from spinach ravioli with blueberries to bacon wrapped pork tenderloin stuffed w/ cherries. So goes the theme of eat local, with the drink local portion of the menu pitting flights of 04 reserve Rieslings together alongside sparkling wines from Konstantin Frank with vintage dates ranging back to the previous decade. All told, over 150 Finger Lakes wines are represented in the list, with the most expensive selections setting you back all of 40 dollars & change. This type of modesty for such gustatory goodness makes me want to pummel myself for living in New York City. Lay another indignant log on the blue flame.To give you a brief window of what I sampled chez Red Newt Bistro, I began w/ the ’04 Tierce Dry Riesling, a veritable FLX all star team of winemakers including Anthony Road, Fox Run & Red Newt (emblematic of the cooperation seen at the highest level from FLX producers, e pluribus unum). The Tierce was idiosyncratic, showing mature, waxy notes & a lean mushroom edge. I moved onto ’04 Dry Rieslings from Fox Run & Anthony Road, w/ the former dazzling w/ the total package, jump started by smoky petrol notes- I can easily see this cruising in the cellar for another decade. The Anthony Road was a bit soft & gelatinous, leaving me wanting, but the terrific ’07 from ARWC more than atoned. I finished off the evening w/ an ’06 Gewurztraminer from Red Newt, dark gold in color yet as potent and crammed w/ baby fat as a new release. I’m starting to get the impression that these bright young Gewurztraminers from RNWC can go for at least 10 years before their characteristics atrophy.Time to round ‘bout the wine trail cul-de-sac towards Anthony Road & Fox Run next&hellip    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Finger Lakes Region Report:... by Brad Coelho

  
  

• July 2010

  Pistachio & Peas AranciniMagda Gagliano Brings Sicily HomeHaving just returned ... bright citrus notes on the nose that veer over to the orange end of the spectrum. In the mouth it is quite broad and expansive with a nice touch of marzipan contrasting pear and bitter orange citrus... Read morePistachio & Peas AranciniMagda Gagliano Brings Sicily HomeHaving just returned ... bright citrus notes on the nose that veer over to the orange end of the spectrum. In the mouth it is quite broad and expansive with a nice touch of marzipan contrasting pear and bitter orange citrus tones. The finish is nicely bright and refreshing    (hide)

  From the article Pistachio & Peas Arancini

  
  

• July 2010

  When I'm not drinking Tuscan red wines I am certainly drinking Argentina ... world style, complex, smoky, nose of cherry, rasberry and spice and a nice easy finish. Pop, Tip and Sip it. Cheers!  

  Forum post in the topic First Malbec by Mr Lee

  
  

• July 2010

  No pretense with this girl. Ya gotta love it.Don't own a Vinituri myself. I ... but I still get that initial nose and taste of the just popped wine

  Forum post in the topic Wine aeration by outthere

  
  

• July 2010

  Ravines Wine Cellars, One of the Finger Lakes' Finest The majority of my ... problems w/ dilution, had a nose of pure diesel & smoke. The palate was trim, yet subtly layered in dried honey, gun-flint, chive & lime notes, reminding me a bit of a Francois Cotat Sancerre.... Read moreRavines Wine Cellars, One of the Finger Lakes' Finest The majority of my ... problems w/ dilution, had a nose of pure diesel & smoke. The palate was trim, yet subtly layered in dried honey, gun-flint, chive & lime notes, reminding me a bit of a Francois Cotat Sancerre. The ’07 showed contrasting ripeness, w/ dried pineapple, crushed rock & an unnamable Chablisean character. The frame was gossamer, w/ high toned fruit flavors that sailed on and on. The ’08, a tightly coiled embryo, seemed chiseled out of stone, w/ hay, floral and green fruit flavors contracting through the taut, firm finish. The gem of the collection, a single vineyard designated Riesling, comes from the Argetsinger plot. The ’08 was a full bodied, opulent, mineral-rich Riesling. Brooding, wrapped in a penetrating core of ginger, lemon peel, key lime and stone fruit flavors that seem backward to the point of intimidation, yet structurally impressive. This on'es built for the cellar. The ’08 Sauvignon Blanc was a touch angular, yet beguiling in its own right. The flinty nose of grass, savory herb, grapefruit & lime expanded & grew in complexity as the wine warmed. The inner-mouth perfume was a ricochet of scent, fleshing out a bit on the finish. The ’08 Pinot Gris was just bottled and suffered accordingly, though its honeysuckle & melon notes were round, juicy & ample, in spite of being bottle-shy.I’d said previously that Pinot belonged in Finger Lakes fizz, well it doesn’t do a terribly bad Rose either ;) The winery was still pouring their ’08, a soft nose of berry and briar turning creamy and well textured in the mouth, finishing w/ a snap. The ’08 Pinot Noir was easily the most impressive offering I’d had during my tastings and also one of the lightest in color. The succulent nose of bing cherry, flowers and underbrush was a kinky display. The entry was sappy, middle-weight in presence & pushed by soft, gentle tannins. The ’07 Cabernet Franc was stellar, perhaps the best of the trip. A meaty, seared edge dominated the aromas, but the palate was all polish, tugged by a tarry, graphite grip on the finish. The Meritage, an ’06, was a long, red-fruit flavored Claret-doppelganger, keen on verve and finesse.While the ambient conditions make Meritage blends & Pinot Noir somewhat challenging in the Finger Lakes, Ravines displays a deft touch w/ all varietals. The reds distinguished themselves in terms of balance, energy & superlative texture, yet the Rieslings stole the show & are arguably the best bone-dry Rieslings versions in the state, if not the country. I'm betting on door number 1 and number 2, Chuck. I’m hardly an advocate of wine clubs (I can count the number I belong to on the fingers of one hand), yet the 20% off the already modestly priced Ravines line-up made it impossible to resist. 14 bucks and change for Riesling this good is something worth shouting about, particularly for fans of Alsace, Clare & Eden Valley Riesling.Wine RatingRose ’08 87 pointsDry Riesling ’06 90 pointsDry Riesling ’07 92 pointsDry Riesling ’08 91+ pointsArgetsinger ’08 93 pointsSauvignon Blanc ’08 90 pointsPinot Gris ’08 87 points?Pinot Noir ’08 87 pointsCabernet Franc ’07 90 pointsMeritage ’06 88 points*As I’ve already drunk a case of them I do offer one bit of serving advice:Decanting is a must & they show best when they’re a bit warmer than fridge temp.http://ravineswine.com/welcome/inde... top producers to follow..    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Finger Lakes Region Report:... by Brad Coelho

  
  

• July 2010

  NONSENSE, I say to you Mr StevenBabb... with every day a new curtain is lifted, ... toast and petroleum in the nose, and prominent flashes of beurocracy upon the palate.The finish, without doubt, has been mixed and muddled at best.Although, I mean, the 2010 harvest is NOT far away ;)

  Forum post in the topic Is this Really Snooth by ChipDWood

  
  

• July 2010

  When I think of Sonoma, my thoughts naturally drift off to the great wines that ... Valley  14.9%Gentle nose with notes of raspberry, hay, dried flowers, licorice and a hint of carob. On entry this is silky, a bit thin feeling almost but the ripe tannins and core of... Read moreWhen I think of Sonoma, my thoughts naturally drift off to the great wines that ... Valley  14.9%Gentle nose with notes of raspberry, hay, dried flowers, licorice and a hint of carob. On entry this is silky, a bit thin feeling almost but the ripe tannins and core of transparent, almost glassy yet ripe fruit quickly covers the palate. It’s not a huge wine, but well-endowed and full of slightly green-toned fruit, maybe a few kiwis and an orange thrown in with a bowl of berries. The backend shows a bit of powdered cocoa and some very candied cherry tones that linger on the moderately long finish. A nice, slightly rustic expression of Zin. 89pts2007 Zinfandel Wine Creek Ranch Dry Creek Valley 15.1%This is deep and savory on the nose with a fine edge of game, waxy Crayon notes, some dried tomato, mulberry and blackberry fruit and a touch of eucalyptus. On entry this is seamless, super fresh with great acid, wonderful, ripe tannins that float under the blanket of pure ripe fruit. It’s got the almost liquory edge of super ripe but not over-ripe berry fruit all shaded with subtle wood spice tones, earth, herbs, and a floral, rose petal inner mouth perfume. Really exceptional feel in the mouth and lovely complex-yet-pure fruit. The tannins pop on the finish giving this a nice dry bit of mouthgrab as hints of tobacco and mint add to the sneakily long and raspberry-fruited finale. This should improve for a few years but is probably going to be at it’s best earlier rather than later.  It’s a wine that really has me coming back for more. Fire up some BBQ'd wild boar with this baby and sit back and enjoy! 93ptsPezzi KingPezzi King is named for owners Jim and Jane Rowe’s mothers, respectively, and is a relative newcomer to the Sonoma Zinfandel scene. Founded in 1993, the first move the Rowes undertook was to immediately eliminate the use of all chemicals in the vineyards and implement tried and true natural farming techniques.While this natural approach extends throughout the vineyard, the winemaking facilities at Pezzi King are state of the art, allowing the Rowes to produce award winning Dry Creek Zinfandels that compete with many of the Valley’s greatest.Pezzi King Zinfandels are 100% estate grown Zin, and are aged in both French and American oak.2007 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 16.3%   This offers up powerfully aromatic notes of cocoa, black pepper, leather and dried red fruits and cedar in a no-holds-barred alcoholic style. In the mouth it’s ripe and bright but not over the top with spicy red plummy fruit, earth and briar tones. The finish is surprisingly not really that hot with a nice dry, almost austere edge to the fine tannins. It’s got excellent length and nice cinnamon-y complexity with a forceful delivery. 90pts 2007 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Old Vines 16.1% Dark dried fruits and black cherry on the nose are joined by a touch of creamy milk chocolate, candlewax, white pepper and jasmine.  On entry this is lush and deep with the alcohol just barely peeking out, no mean feat for a 16% wine. It’s really packed with soft tannins and bright acids supporting deep dark cherry fruit tones edged in raspberry and wood spice with a nice chocolate note on the long finish. A bruiser of a wine but one with fine balance. 91ptsMauritsonClay Mauritson got an early start in the wine business. Coming from a family that has been growing grapes in the Dry Creek Valley since 1868 certainly makes that seem easy, but it was only in 1998 that Mauritson released its inaugural Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel.With exceptional vineyards strewn throughout the Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, and Rockpile Appellations, it’s easy to see how Clay might have been tempted. While the Dry Creek Valley has traditionally been home to some of the purest and most complex expressions of this grape, the Rockpile AVA is quickly establishing itself as a close competitor, albeit without the long history and old vines.Mauritson Zinfandel is produced with a small addition of Petite Sirah and is aged in both American and French oak. 2008 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 15.1%A bit shallow and dusty on the nose with a nice mineral note over slightly beefy, bloody, hard baked plum fruit.  In the mouth this is quite structured with drying tannins. There are some slightly vegetal background notes that add some complexity to the sort of flat flavors in the mouth that have a nice base of dusty black fruit. The moderate finish is quite brambly ands not particularly fruit driven but should improve once the tannins have time to relax. A nicely focused and balanced Claret-style Zin that I can see aging well. 88pts 2007 Mauritson Rockpile Zinfandel Rockpile Ridge Vineyard 15.5% A bit fudgy and almost maple-syrupy on the nose with deep spicy fruit that has an almost exotic quality to it making me think of dragonfruit and cactus fruit over absolutely liquory blackberry fruit.  This is rich and dense in the mouth with fine yet gritty little tannins and bright acid offering a great contrast to the pure, ripe yet almost cool (for Zin) fruit. It straddles a fine line between blockbuster and a more sedate style but ultimately comes down on the balanced, fine side of that line. It’s got some evident oak on the moderately long finish but not too much. A really nice Zin that managed to stay tense in the mouth. 92ptsAcorn WineryAcorn's motto pretty much says it all: “Estate grown, sustainably-farmed field blend wines.” What more is there to say about this small project begun in 1990? Not that much, except that they stand for so much that I value. While Betsy & Bill Nachbaur got started in 1990 by buying the Alegria Vineyards, they only began producing wine with the Acorn Winery label in 1994. One of the jewels in the Acorn line-up is their Heritage Vines Zinfandel, sourced from Alegria’s original 1890’s vineyard. That’s not the only wine that has its roots in the past at Acorn. In fact, every wine produced by Acorn is a field blend, and a field blend in the truest sense of the word. The vineyards are planted with mixed varieties and the grapes are co-fermented. This style of winemaking poses its challenges, but when you have a vineyard that can create a blend of 82% Zinfandel, 8% Alicante Bouschet, 8% Petite Sirah, while the remaining 2% includes Carignane, Trousseau, Sangiovese, Petit Bouschet, Negrette, Syrah, Plavac Mali, Tannat, Muscat Noir, Peloursin, Beclan, Cinsaut, and Grenache, you don’t really have a choice.Acorn Zinfandel is aged in a combination of French, American and Hungarian oak.2007 Acorn Zinfandel Heritage Vines Alegria Vineyard Russian River Valley 14.8%Quite vanilla-laced, with dried cherry fruit on the nose with nice shadings of tar, anise, bay leaf, pepper and moist earth. On entry this is tight and focused with lovely fuzzy tannins and nice weight and purity to the dark raspberry and cherry fruit. The mid-palate turns fairly spicy with some wood tones and nice star anise and pepper notes. The backend is where this really comes alive showing uncommon aromatics for a Zin, and while the finish is a bit short it has a nice layered feel to it as the sweetness of ripe fruit yields to the tannins, then the acid and finale the warmth of alcohol. A complete complex bottle that can use a bit more time to integrate. 90pt    (hide)

  From the article Sonoma Zinfandel

  
  

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