Harmony Cellars

• 

  October 2009

  Harmony Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

  Snoothrank: Starting at $16^.25

  No written review

  Wine review by bokao

  
  
• 

  August 2009

  Harmony Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

  Snoothrank:

  No written review

  Wine review by lauraezolnoski

  
  

• May 2009

  I've been documenting much of my days here via posts on the Snooth Forum but to add some color I thought I'd do a little blogging so without further ado, a few photos from the top of the boot. You can follow along my travels in more detail here, but I'll briefly put a few of these... Read moreI've been documenting much of my days here via posts on the Snooth Forum but to add some color I thought I'd do a little blogging so without further ado, a few photos from the top of the boot. You can follow along my travels in more detail here, but I'll briefly put a few of these photos in context When I arrived in Italy I went basically from the airport to the Sella estate in Lesson, Northern Piedmont. We tasted a few wines with Cristiano the winemaker before visiting the summer home of the Sella family, now siting preserved but unused. A photo from thetop floor balcony shows the warmth here, check out the palm tree, as well as the encrouchment of housing that has virtually replaced the vineyards in this area. Sella makes wines from Lessona and Bramaterra, The soil in Bramaterra includes sand of volcanic origin and some decomposed porphyr but the sand, and rock it's derived from accounts for the significant differences between the two wines. both wines are made in a very traditional way and are aged in the Sella cellars in large, neutral wood, though some new oak has been used on some wines. I'll of course add tasting note for the sella wines soon but we had a great visit and i know a shipment of wines is on way to the US as we speak so I hope you al keep an eye out for them. Our Next day began with a visit with one of my favorite producer, Mauro Mascarello of Giuseppe Mascarello. We tasted the line-up chez Mascarello along with renowned Italian journalist Franco Ziliani. As usual this was a high point of my trip. The wines were great, as they tend to be. We toured the cellar after the tasting where, among other gems, lay future vintages of the famed single vineyard Monprivato aging comfortably in their large wood botte. Of course it could be argued that these large ovals aren't really large botte. I don't think that Franco and Mauro were actually arguing that while we took a look at these really large botte, out of commission for over a decade but still a fixture in the winery! The botte are not the only contains that are throwbacks to another era found in the Mascarello cantina. Both 13.5 liter quarter brentas and these awfully attractive damigiane, look at those tin labels, how cool is that, are still used regulalry to help manage quantities of wines. i want to manage one right into my cellar. Heck, I'ld even take one empty! Afer the cellar tour we went to da Felicin for a great lunch when we had the chance to blind taste a few great and very surprising bottles of wine. A very humbling experience for all involved as no one really got any right.My guesses from left to right:  1993 La Morra from Rivalta, a 1988 Barolo from Monforte, a 1978 Barolo from Barolo, and finaly a 1974 from who knows. the wines totally outperformed and that was probably due to the fact that they've spent all the life in one place after having been moved a few kilometers. What a lovely lunch and a humbling experience. After lunch we were treated to a tour of the cellar where we got a chance to see some of the wines we didn't drink. Suffice it to say we had a blast taking a look around at treasures like these. After lunch, it was a long lunch so after lunch it was 5, we headed back to Alba for the welcome reception for the Alba Wine Exhibition. Along the way we stopped by to take a look at Mauro's Monprivato vineyard. I have another shot of the vineyard from Cannubi that I'll post tomorrow but looking north from Monprivato  one can see the wonderful Bricco Boschis estate of the Cavallotto family.  The winery is centered on the top of the ridge and all you see is Bricco Boschis, well pretty much. Further to the west and a bit further north is Alberto Racca's tenute Montanello. certainly a new operation but one with roots going back over a hundred. the facilities were once the Cooperative winery for the village of Castiglione Falletto and occupies a wonderful vantage point overlooking some of the great crus of Castiglione. I'm cheating a bit now as we jump ahead a day to Monday night when we ended up in the village of Barbaresco for an afternoon tasting and dinner at Antica Torre. Since we had about 90 minutes to kill between the tasting and dinner we decided to take a walk out of the south of the village to visit some rather renowned vineyards. For example here we are looking back towards the village and you can see Moccagatta under the houses that line the top of the ridge and beneath that Paje. Here's a closer look at Paje. You might notice how lush and verdant the vineyard in the middle is. That's Roagna's organically grown vineyard producing exceptional wines while in totally harmony with the naturally occuring ground cover that help to prevent the landslides that have plagued this region recently. Good for the wine, good for the environment and good for the terrain. Why doesn't every vineyard look like this? We continued down the road until we came to the fork that divides Faset on the right from Asili on the left. We went up the right hand road and walked up to the top of Bricco Faset. We then went down through the vines and turned back to take this picture of Bricco Asili, just the crown of this hill. We made it over to the road that heads down through the vines and under Bricco Asili and went around the corner where we ended up under Martinenga with Asili to the left and Rabaja to the right. Perhaps the most important slope in all of Barbaresco and that's the photo that did not come out! I did however get a photos of these unusually high pruned old vines that lay at the bottom of this famed slope separating these vineyards from the Rio Sordo  which lies just beyond the stand of trees on the background. We climbed up through Rabaja and Asili and let me tell you I will never forget how steep these vineyards are. It has been a great start to this trip and I have alot more to come. I've got some great video of the vineyards as well so help put them all in context. I hope you enjoyed this little bit and I look foward to my next installment. Until then Ciao! Gregory Dal Piaz Community Manager Snooth    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Views from Italy by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  

• May 2009

  Views from Italy I've been documenting much of my days here via posts on the Snooth Forum but to add some color I thought I'd do a little blogging so without further ado, a few photos from the top of the boot. You can follow along my travels in more detail here, but I'll briefly put... Read moreViews from Italy I've been documenting much of my days here via posts on the Snooth Forum but to add some color I thought I'd do a little blogging so without further ado, a few photos from the top of the boot. You can follow along my travels in more detail here, but I'll briefly put a few of these photos in context When I arrived in Italy I went basically from the airport to the Sella estate in Lesson, Northern Piedmont. We tasted a few wines with Cristiano the winemaker before visiting the summer home of the Sella family, now siting preserved but unused. A photo from thetop floor balcony shows the warmth here, check out the palm tree, as well as the encrouchment of housing that has virtually replaced the vineyards in this area. Sella makes wines from Lessona and Bramaterra, The soil in Bramaterra includes sand of volcanic origin and some decomposed porphyr but the sand, and rock it's derived from accounts for the significant differences between the two wines. both wines are made in a very traditional way and are aged in the Sella cellars in large, neutral wood, though some new oak has been used on some wines. I'll of course add tasting note for the sella wines soon but we had a great visit and i know a shipment of wines is on way to the US as we speak so I hope you al keep an eye out for them. Our Next day began with a visit with one of my favorite producer, Mauro Mascarello of Giuseppe Mascarello. We tasted the line-up chez Mascarello along with renowned Italian journalist Franco Ziliani. As usual this was a high point of my trip. The wines were great, as they tend to be. We toured the cellar after the tasting where, among other gems, lay future vintages of the famed single vineyard Monprivato aging comfortably in their large wood botte. Of course it could be argued that these large ovals aren't really large botte. I don't think that Franco and Mauro were actually arguing that while we took a look at these really large botte, out of commission for over a decade but still a fixture in the winery! The botte are not the only contains that are throwbacks to another era found in the Mascarello cantina. Both 13.5 liter quarter brentas and these awfully attractive damigiane, look at those tin labels, how cool is that, are still used regulalry to help manage quantities of wines. i want to manage one right into my cellar. Heck, I'ld even take one empty! Afer the cellar tour we went to da Felicin for a great lunch when we had the chance to blind taste a few great and very surprising bottles of wine. A very humbling experience for all involved as no one really got any right.My guesses from left to right:  1993 La Morra from Rivalta, a 1988 Barolo from Monforte, a 1978 Barolo from Barolo, and finaly a 1974 from who knows. the wines totally outperformed and that was probably due to the fact that they've spent all the life in one place after having been moved a few kilometers. What a lovely lunch and a humbling experience. After lunch we were treated to a tour of the cellar where we got a chance to see some of the wines we didn't drink. Suffice it to say we had a blast taking a look around at treasures like these. After lunch, it was a long lunch so after lunch it was 5, we headed back to Alba for the welcome reception for the Alba Wine Exhibition. Along the way we stopped by to take a look at Mauro's Monprivato vineyard. I have another shot of the vineyard from Cannubi that I'll post tomorrow but looking north from Monprivato  one can see the wonderful Bricco Boschis estate of the Cavallotto family.  The winery is centered on the top of the ridge and all you see is Bricco Boschis, well pretty much. Further to the west and a bit further north is Alberto Racca's tenute Montanello. certainly a new operation but one with roots going back over a hundred. the facilities were once the Cooperative winery for the village of Castiglione Falletto and occupies a wonderful vantage point overlooking some of the great crus of Castiglione. I'm cheating a bit now as we jump ahead a day to Monday night when we ended up in the village of Barbaresco for an afternoon tasting and dinner at Antica Torre. Since we had about 90 minutes to kill between the tasting and dinner we decided to take a walk out of the south of the village to visit some rather renowned vineyards. For example here we are looking back towards the village and you can see Moccagatta under the houses that line the top of the ridge and beneath that Paje. Here's a closer look at Paje. You might notice how lush and verdant the vineyard in the middle is. That's Roagna's organically grown vineyard producing exceptional wines while in totally harmony with the naturally occuring ground cover that help to prevent the landslides that have plagued this region recently. Good for the wine, good for the environment and good for the terrain. Why doesn't every vineyard look like this? We continued down the road until we came to the fork that divides Faset on the right from Asili on the left. We went up the right hand road and walked up to the top of Bricco Faset. We then went down through the vines and turned back to take this picture of Bricco Asili, just the crown of this hill. We made it over to the road that heads down through the vines and under Bricco Asili and went around the corner where we ended up under Martinenga with Asili to the left and Rabaja to the right. Perhaps the most important slope in all of Barbaresco and that's the photo that did not come out! I did however get a photos of these unusually high pruned old vines that lay at the bottom of this famed slope separating these vineyards from the Rio Sordo  which lies just beyond the stand of trees on the background. We climbed up through Rabaja and Asili and let me tell you I will never forget how steep these vineyards are. It has been a great start to this trip and I have alot more to come. I've got some great video of the vineyards as well so help put them all in context. I hope you enjoyed this little bit and I look foward to my next installment. Until then Ciao! Gregory Dal Piaz Community Manager Snooth    (hide)

  From the article Views from Italy

  
  

• April 2009

  My notes from last weeks Greachy tasting! Flight 1 – Grenache more or less 2005 Kreydenweiss Perrieres Costiere de Nimes 20% Syrah 20% Grenache 60% Carignan 13.4% $18.00 http://www.snooth.com/wine/marc-kreydenweiss-costieres-de-nimes-domaine-des-perrieres-2005/ A touch... Read moreMy notes from last weeks Greachy tasting! Flight 1 - Grenache more or less 2005 Kreydenweiss Perrieres Costiere de Nimes 20% Syrah 20% Grenache 60% Carignan 13.4% $18.00 http://www.snooth.com/wine/marc-kreydenweiss-costieres-de-nimes-domaine-des-perrieres-2005/ A touch acetic, certainly earthy and gamy with some tobacco, leather, earth, slight reductive funk edge. Aromatic and complex if deicedly organic smelling. Round at first then turning quite sharp with cutting acids supporting cranberry, raspberry, unripe strawberry fruit with a raw beefy edge and some background earth and spice notes that gain a bit of an herbal edge on the backend. Finishes fresh and brisk with a bit more green strawberry tones, moderate length. Fresh and relatively complex. 87pts 2005 Edmunds St. John Rocks and Gravel California Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre in unknown % 14.2% 18.00 http://www.snooth.com/wine/edmunds-st-john-rocks-gravel-2005/ A piercing nose of blueberry and black raspberry candy, soil, mineral, slate, pressed flowers/violet, a slight citrus peel tone, very fresh nose with an energetic fruity/savory synergy. Really delightful to smell. Fairly velvety right up front then brightening somewhat with a strong acidic push that is held in check by the ripe balanced fruit. A bit spicy up front with tobacco, bitter cocoa, and forest floor notes to the black tinged plum and berry fruit. The tannins are really well managed here offering great support to the fruit without being intrusive, or even noticeable for that mater. Very refreshing on the backend and finishing with good thrust and length to the mineral tinged black fruits, with a lovely flourish of spice on the finale. Great value 91pts 2005 Babich Mantra Grenache North Dalmatia, Croatia 13.5% $20.00 http://www.snooth.com/wine/bibich-mantra-2005/ Very pencil leady and chalky on the nose with a narrow, focused note of earthy strawberry fruit and a touch of wet dog and seaweed. There is an underlying jammy warmth here and gentle notes of faded backing spices/middle eastern spice, turmeric, cardamom, green anise seed. Sweetly fruited right up front with a nice old vine feel in the mouth. Great acidity balanced all that fruit and while the wine is fresh with a golden raspberry tone there is a curious under current of baked fruit/ clay/ oxidation that recalls some old school Rioja. Tannins are very soft. A nice juicy red with flavors that are a touch indistinct. 87pts Flight 2 Global Grenache 2005 Mathis Grenache Sonoma Valley 14.8% $30.00 http://www.snooth.com/wine/mathis-sonoma-valley-grenache-2005/ A fairly subtle nose with a nice layered appearance that combines gently jammy raspberry fruit with a touch of leather, dried earth, a little dried orange peel, a floral tone and a fair sprinkling of talc like minerality and a little cigarette smoke and white pepper. Big yet pretty well balanced with bright, juicy red berry fruit, ripe, chewy tannins and nice spice tones that range from licorice to mint, sage and earth. Holds its alcohol well and feels big but balanced in the mouth with lots of strawberry and red currant fruit but held in check enough so that it never goes over to the bomb end of the spectrum. Very well done. 91pts 2007 Tres Picos Garnacha Borsao, Spain 15% $18.00 http://www.snooth.com/wine/bodegas-borsao-garnacha-campo-de-borja-tres-picos-2007/ Smells like blackberry pie. A bit zinfandel like with brambly dark fruits and lots of oak induced baking spices. Smells sweet on the nose with lots of layered vanilla, spice and roasted fruit notes. Big and think on entry with dense, chewy brambly blackberry fruit. A lot of wine with a soft, approachable character. There is sufficient structure to carry the wine but the appeal is the rich, dark coffee cream tinged blackberry pie fruits. The finish lacks the harmony of the midpalate with acidity sticking out and coming completely unintegrated on the caustic finish. 84pts 2006 Ferruccio Deiana Sileno Cannonau de Sardinia, Italy 13.5% $18.00 http://www.snooth.com/wine/ferruccio-deiana-cannonau-sileno-2006/ A nose full of smoldering herbs, hay, earth, pencil eraser, oysters, strawberry liquor, chamomile, with a hint of mint and forest floor sets this apart. Round then quickly turning a touch more aggressive with tannins that just grab the mouth and are a hint drying yet offer great contrast to the rich, dark, roasted strawberry fruit in the mouth. There is a bit of vegetal character here that carries over from the nose repeating the chamomile and slight mint notes with a bit of gamy savoryness floating low in the fruit. Very fresh and honest feel to the wine. The finish shows a touch of wood up front and could use a bit more length but does offer a nice coffee bean note and refreshing fruit tones. Finishes with a zesty, bracing quality. 90pts Flight 3 - Grenache of California 2006 Margerum Grenache Santa Barbara County 14.5% $36.00 http://www.snooth.com/wine/margerum-grenache-2006/ A subtle note of raw wood greets the nose and is quickly joined by bright candied cherry fruit, floral and hay tones with vanilla crème, and balsamic/roast beef accents. Silky and superbly integrated with bright acids and fine tannins lurking just under the sheen of bright red berry fruit that has a melony/canteloup note adding complexity. This gains some dried green herb and vanilla notes on the backend but never becomes ponderous or heavy. A bit of apple adds to the mix, round and very friendly. The finish continues the theme but gains a firmness one misses on the palate offering vanilla tinged strawberries and spice and a hint of medicinal licorice. 91pts 2006 Broc Cellars Grenache, Dry Stack Vineyard, Bennet Valley California 15.4% $35.00 http://www.snooth.com/wine/broc-cellars-grenache-dry-stack-bennet-valley-2006/ A really meaty, game nose with black earth, coal and spice tones greeting the nose. There some sweetness from wood here but also lots of intriguing herb and spice notes all over a bed of gamy, dried meats and salame notes and a touch of chlorine. Very smooth and polished with a spicy green cardamon note right up front that is joined by layers of dark cherry fruit, bitter chocolate, fairly intense herbal driven spice notes, a really different expression of Grenache. Feels fine, nice tannins with a bit of bite to loose, solid acids, a touch of black tea across the mid-palate, finishes long with a complex layering of spice, herbal, medicinal and dried plummy fruit notes that are a bit tarry and exceptionally long. Wow this is really different not for everyone but a special wine. 93pts 2005 Core Grenache Alta Mesa Vineyards Santa Barbara County 15.5% $35.00 http://www.snooth.com/wine/core-alta-mesa-vineyard-grenache-2005/ Earthy, jammy, alcoholic nose. Lot’s of raw beef, cocoa powder+, garrigue+, apricot, bitter cherry, watermelon, pollen notes. Vivid in the mouth with a lithe feel that belies it’s formidable alcoholic content. A full blown wine but not heavy or extracted, just ripe and alcoholic. This is freshly fruited with notes of apricot, watermelon and cherry on the palate, not the most complex but well balanced and showing excellent integration and balance and a real sense of harmony in the mouth once you get over the initial alcoholic shock. Finishes very abruptly . Eminently fun to drink but without follow through. 88pts Flight 4 - Mostly Grenache 2006 Core Elevation Sensation Alta Mesa Vineyard - Santa Barbara Co. 61% Grenache 39% Mourvedre 15.1% Syrah $42.00 http://www.snooth.com/wine/core-elevation-sensation-2006-1/ Sweet blackberry fruit on the nose with some pencil lead, smoke, brownie, chocolate, game, and black pepper notes that gain an intense leather, show polish tone and spicy truffle nuances. Silken on the palate with wonderfully bright acidity and superb tannin that keep this tight and focused. Just slightly dense and chewy and certainly not fully open this has deep, rich fruit with notes of plum, black cherry, black currant and a hint of roasted pecan adding a savory edge. There are soft background notes of vanilla and bay leaf and a subtle menthol top note . Very zesty in the mouth and finishing with intense inner mouth perfume of violet pastille, cinnamon, mint, and licorice. A delicious wine with significant upside potential and the most penetratingly aromatic finish! 93pts 2006 Bois de Boursan Chateauneuf du Pape 65% Grenache 15% Syrah 15% Mourvedre 5% other 14% $50.00 http://www.snooth.com/wine/bois-de-boursan-chateauneuf-du-pape-tradition-2006/ A bit gamy on the nose with a big dose of brett that obscures a lot of the bright berry fruit and spice notes. Leather with a barnyard edge that veers closely to the band-aid end of the spectrum though nice notes of kirsch, herb, dried grasses and dried raspberries battle back. Sweetly fruited with a lovely natural brightness and moderate, yet chewy tannins make this very lively in the mouth. Plenty of earthy fruit on the palate with a menthol and tar edge but the brett tamps the fruit down. The tannins are a bit drying and will benefit from some brief cellaring and really pop on the moderately long yet drying finish. 86pts 2005 Kaesler Avignon Barossa Valley Grenache 41% Shiraz 40% Mourvedre 19% 15.5% $25.00 http://www.snooth.com/wine/kaesler-avignon-2005/ Deep nose is marked by a dried fruit character and moist earth/forest floor tones and a buttery overlay. Smells a little mineral water like with a bit of alcoholic burn. There is a pleasant yet mysterious sweetness to the nose like a box of candied fruit. A bit chunky and chewy in the mouth with real presence, lots of polished tannins, well integrated acidity. The flavors are a touch dark and extracted with notes of coffee liquor, roast beef juices, fig and date complimenting the roasted red berry fruit. Finishes a touch short. 88pts    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Post your Grenache GTi notes... by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  
• 

  February 2009

  Harmony Cellars Syrah Rouge 2006

  Snoothrank:

  No written review

  Wine review by avitus

  
  

• December 2008

  In case you missed our latest email. Australian Shiraz has had a tough time of it lately. Many fine and historic wines have been pushed to the back burner as inexpensive private labels designed for the American Market have captured an ever increasing share of the demand for Shiraz.... Read moreIn case you missed our latest email. Australian Shiraz has had a tough time of it lately. Many fine and historic wines have been pushed to the back burner as inexpensive private labels designed for the American Market have captured an ever increasing share of the demand for Shiraz. It’s a shame that people have painted Shiraz with such a broad brush since these wines offer value that is hard to compete with! Shiraz is Australia’s most popular red wine and has a history in the country that goes back over 175 years. That history and popularity must mean something. Old Bridge Cellars is so convinced that you’ll come to love these wines as much as we do that they are offering the Snooth community an amazing introductory offer - buy any 3 bottles and receive 25% off your order. Try 6 bottles and the discount jumps to 33%. Just enter your exclusive discount code when you check out: Snooth3pack if you’re ordering 3 bottles or Snooth6pack if you are ordering 6 bottles. With prices like these Shiraz might just become your favorite wine too! https://www.oldbridgecellars.com/store/pc/viewcategories.asp Much of the very inexpensive wine that comes from Australia is to authentic Australian Shiraz as Egg Foo Yung is to Chinese cuisine. They are Shiraz in name only. By using these wines as the yardstick by which to judge Australian Shiraz you miss the great, yet very affordable examples that have the tell-tale signs of explosive fruit, cracked pepper, leather and vanilla that make these wines so compelling! We tend to think of Shiraz as a specific category of wines, and producers around the world have reinforced this notion as they have adopted Shiraz for their bottlings of Syrah that are particularly fruit forward. In fact, Australia’s vineyards span a continent as broad across as the United States with myriad microclimates and styles, all of which deserve your attention. Leeuwin Estate’s 2004 Siblings Shiraz ($20) - Margaret River, Western Australia http://www.snooth.com/wine/leeuwin-siblings-shiraz-margaret-river-2004/ * Offers great complexity on the nose, a lovely mouthfeel and incredible balance * A delicious, sleek, red fruited, cool climate Shiraz from Western Australia * Restrained and elegant yet with all of the intense flavor we’ve come to love * 25% off purchases of 3 bottles * 33% off purchases of 6 bottles https://www.oldbridgecellars.com/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=24 Zonte’s Footstep 2007 Shiraz-Viognier ($15) - Langhorne Creek, South Australia http://www.snooth.com/wine/zontes-footstep-shiraz-viognier-2007/ * Adds a dollop of Viognier to the mix yielding a wine with an irresistibly fragrant bouquet * Marries the black fruit of Shiraz to the floral, honied tones of Viognier * Dusty and fruity on the palate with power and length in harmony * 25% off purchases of 3 bottles * 33% off purchases of 6 bottles https://www.oldbridgecellars.com/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=31 Kilikanoon’s 2006 The Lackey Shiraz ($15) - Clare Valley, South Australia http://www.snooth.com/wine/kilikanoon-shiraz-lackey/ * Blends parcels of the finest fruit from South Australia * A great introduction to the classic style of Aussie Shiraz * Lovely purity and balance with a layered yet fresh style * 25% off purchases of 3 bottles * 33% off purchases of 6 bottles https://www.oldbridgecellars.com/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=127 If you’re just beginning to explore Australian Shiraz there is no finer place to start than the historic house of d’Arenberg. During our recent blind tastings the wines of d’Arenberg stood out with compelling wines at every price point. It is rare indeed to find a selection from any producer that is so good across the board. These are wine to buy and share. You feel as good giving these as gift as you would receiving them! d’Arenberg 2006 Stump Jump ($11) - McLaren Vale, South Australia http://www.snooth.com/wine/darenberg-stump-jump-red-2006/ * A classic Grenache - Shiraz - Mourvedre blend * A blast of raspberry and strawberry fruit in a soft, east drinking style * Fresh and bright this is the crowd pleaser for your next party! * 25% off purchases of 3 bottles * 33% off purchases of 6 bottles https://www.oldbridgecellars.com/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=19 d’Arenberg 2004 The Love Grass Shiraz ($19) - McLaren Vale, South Australia http://www.snooth.com/wine/darenberg-love-grass-shiraz-2004/ * Shiraz with a bit of Grenache, Pinot Noir, and Bordeaux varieties adding complexity * Big, rich and chewy with a beguiling freshness that blossoms in the glass * A lovely bit of exotic funk backs up the bright long boysenberry fruit * 25% off purchases of 3 bottles * 33% off purchases of 6 bottles https://www.oldbridgecellars.com/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=19 d’Arenberg 2006 The Footbolt Shiraz ($19) - McLaren Vale, South Australia http://www.snooth.com/wine/darenberg-shiraz-footbolt-2006/ * 100% McLaren Vale Shiraz * Quintessential Australian Shiraz with a bold blend of fruit, spice and oak * This SCREAMS VALUE! Great today, tomorrow and for years to come! Buy it by the case! * 25% off purchases of 3 bottles * 33% off purchases of 6 bottles https://www.oldbridgecellars.com/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=19 Recommended Wines 25% off purchases of 3 bottles • 33% off purchases of 6 bottles Order Now Innocent Bystander Shiraz-Viognier 2006 Shoofly Shiraz 2005 Penley Estate Hyland Shiraz 2006 Kilikanoon Killerman's Run Shiraz-Grenache 2006 Gregory Dal Piaz Community Manager Snooth    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Old Bridge Cellars saves you... by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  

• December 2008

  The Face of Australian Wine Meets the Palate of Snooth's Tasting Panel Australian Shiraz has had a tough time of it lately. Many fine and historic wines have been pushed to the back burner as inexpensive private labels designed for the American Market have captured an ever increasing... Read moreThe Face of Australian Wine Meets the Palate of Snooth's Tasting Panel Australian Shiraz has had a tough time of it lately. Many fine and historic wines have been pushed to the back burner as inexpensive private labels designed for the American Market have captured an ever increasing share of the demand for Shiraz. It's a shame that people have painted Shiraz with such a broad brush since these wines offer value that is hard to compete with! Shiraz is Australia's most popular red wine and has a history in the country that goes back over 175 years. That history and popularity must mean something. Old Bridge Cellars is so convinced that you'll come to love these wines as much as we do that they are offering the Snooth community an amazing introductory offer - buy any 3 bottles and receive 25% off your order. Try 6 bottles and the discount jumps to 33%. Just enter your exclusive discount code when you check out: Snooth3pack if you're ordering 3 bottles or Snooth6pack if you are ordering 6 bottles. With prices like these Shiraz might just become your favorite wine too! Much of the very inexpensive wine that comes from Australia is to authentic Australian Shiraz as Egg Foo Yung is to Chinese cuisine. They are Shiraz in name only. By using these wines as the yardstick by which to judge Australian Shiraz you miss the great, yet very affordable examples that have the tell-tale signs of explosive fruit, cracked pepper, leather and vanilla that make these wines so compelling! We tend to think of Shiraz as a specific category of wines, and producers around the world have reinforced this notion as they have adopted Shiraz for their bottlings of Syrah that are particularly fruit forward. In fact, Australia's vineyards span a continent as broad across as the United States with myriad microclimates and styles, all of which deserve your attention. Leeuwin Estate's 2004 Siblings Shiraz - Margaret River, Western Australia $19.37 A delicious, sleek, red fruited, cool climate Shiraz from Western Australia that offers great complexity on the nose, a lovely mouthfeel and incredible balance. It is restrained and elegant yet with all of the intense flavor we've come to love. Zonte's Footstep 2007 Shiraz-Viognier - Langhorne Creek, South Australia $15.00 Adds a dollop of Viognier to the mix yielding a wine with an irresistibly fragrant bouquet. Marries the black fruit of Shiraz to the floral, honied tones of Viognier. Dusty and fruity on the palate with power and length in harmony. Kilikanoon's 2006 The Lackey Shiraz - Clare Valley, South Australia $8.49 A great introduction to the classic style of Aussie Shiraz that blends parcels of the finest fruit from South Australia. Displays a lovely purity and balance with a layered yet fresh style. If you're just beginning to explore Australian Shiraz there is no finer place to start than the historic house of d'Arenberg. During our recent blind tastings the wines of d'Arenberg stood out with compelling wines at every price point. It is rare indeed to find a selection from any producer that is so good across the board. These are wine to buy and share. You feel as good giving these as gift as you would receiving them! d'Arenberg 2006 Stump Jump - McLaren Vale, South Australia $6.95 A classic Grenache - Shiraz - Mourvedre blend that offers a blast of raspberry and strawberry fruit in a soft, east drinking style. Fresh and bright this is the crowd pleaser for your next party! d'Arenberg 2004 The Love Grass Shiraz - McLaren Vale, South Australia $11.15 Shiraz with a bit of Grenache, Pinot Noir, and Bordeaux varieties adding complexity. Big, rich and chewy with a beguiling freshness that blossoms in the glass.A lovely bit of exotic funk backs up the bright long boysenberry fruit. d'Arenberg 2006 The Footbolt Shiraz - McLaren Vale, South Australia $7.99 100% McLaren Vale Shiraz.Quintessential Australian Shiraz with a bold blend of fruit, spice and oak. This SCREAMS VALUE! Great today, tomorrow and for years to come! Buy it by the case!    (hide)

  From the article The Face of Australian Wine Meets the Palate of Snooth's Tasting Panel

  
  

• December 2008

  Palladino is not a name familiar to most American buyers of the wines of Piedmont. But they should be. With a historic property that dates back to 1870, it may be surprising that Maurilio Palladino only began bottling his family’s wine in 1975. As is the case with many of the... Read morePalladino is not a name familiar to most American buyers of the wines of Piedmont. But they should be. With a historic property that dates back to 1870, it may be surprising that Maurilio Palladino only began bottling his family’s wine in 1975. As is the case with many of the historic properties of the region, they produced wine sold in bulk for decades before bottling the wine themselves. While this sense of experimentation began in 1975, it continues full force through today. The tidy cellars, just off the Piazza in Serralunga, offer fine evidence of this as one see’ the temperature controlled fermentation vessels lined up with botte and barrique of many origins, and even sizes. The style here is one that seems very well managed, an intelligent style for a market anxious for wine. That may leave some with an impression that these are not wines to be taken seriously since they may lack the ability to evolve and age but tasting through the line-up here this is obviously not the case. These are wines that will develop and do show positive development in the glass. While my notes on the older Palladino wines seem to have been misplaced it becomes perfectly apparent that, while these wines age relatively quickly, the age very well indeed developing greater nuance and depth with each passing year. The techniques used here really cover the entire spectrum of the range with plenty of barriques in evidence on one hand, yet with the use of natural yeasts, unless there is mold in the vineyards, on the other. Palladino is a great example of why wineries should be judged on the basis of the wines they produce rather than the techniques that they use. We began our tasting this afternoon working our way through the cellar tasting from various barrels. Barrel tasting notes 2005 Barolo Serralunga from a used Botte - Starts off with barrel stink then turns very gently autumnal with leafy notes and strong notes of dirt and medicinal roots. In the mouth this is full of sweet fruit with very fine tannins and good supporting acidity. There is excellent concentration with chewy, dense fruit accented with a touch of black spice tones. The acidity emerges a bit with air giving the backend a plum skin/apple skin edge that leads to an earthy, woodsy finale. A bit simple but complete 87-90pts 2005 Barolo Serralunga from a used botte redone in 2006 - This offers up a much cleaner nose than the previous wine with intense, sharp medicinal roots and dark fruit tones. In the mouth there is a stark difference, this is softer with less cut and blacker fruit though the length is noticeably greater. The range of flavors is quite broad with green melon top notes, earthy, mineral tones and fine seared cherry fruit. The tannins appear to be more drying and this wine lacks the balance of the previous wine. I can see how blending them can produce a sum greater than its parts. 87-90pts 2005 Barolo San Bernardo 2005 - from new Portuguese barrique - will be Riserva This has a base of dried flower and licorice tones with a leather edge but the cedar and spiced wood tones are obvious if not quite dominant. In the mouth there is good depth to the dark, cocoa tinged dark cherry fruit with some nuanced iron and soil tones emerging from the earthy fruit though this turns tougher with air as the wood tannins begin intruding a bit on the back end which is a bit tough and drying. 86-89pts 2005 Barolo San Bernardo 2005 - from new French barrique - will be Riserva This offers up intense incense/candle wax tones over a core of dark and earthy fruit that is surprisingly intense. With a background of light toast notes Very elegant in the mouth with fine wild berry fruit in a bright, juicy register. The tannins here are very fine and in harmony with the fruit. There is good length here and the final offers an array of fine tea notes. 88-91pts 2005 Barolo San Bernardo 2005 - from new French 114 liter barrel - will be Riserva Very spicy on the nose with a great aromatic array and while the wood spice is there the wine doesn’t smell particularly woody. Very bright and elegant in the mouth with wonderfully pure red fruit that are accented with spicy herb and mineral notes that recall fresh, bitter salad greens. Really an excellent mid-palate though the wood tannins begin to intrude on the finish and while the light toast notes emerge on the finish it really highlights the purity of the fruit in a curious way. 91-93pts We then moved out of the cellar and adjourned to the formal tasting room. The remainder of the notes are from freshly opened bottles. 2005 Barbera d’Alba Superiore Bricco delle Olive From 45-year-old vines, fermented for about 3 weeks in stainless steel then transferred to 500L Tonneaux for 12 months. The Tonneaux are refreshed once after 3 years, and then changed out. This opens with rather strong balsamic wood/pine resin notes then segues into tones of baked clay tile, light cigar tobacco, and hints of cinnamon toned backing spice. This is made in an easy, round style and lacks some of the acidic bite I look for in Barbera. There are nice red fruits and the feeling is very pure and fresh with cleanly presented red cherry and lingonberry fruit tones that lead to a finish with a touch more assertive acids and some red plum skin tones. 87pts http://www.snooth.com/wine/palladino-barbera-dalba-superiore-bricco-delle-olive-2005 2006 Nebbiolo d’Alba from vines in Roddi Fermented in Stainless steel for 16-18 days before being transferred to botte. This is really minty, so intense that it smells Icy though there are nice notes of raspberry, leather and calcium adding complexity. In the mouth this feels a touch relaxed even though the acidity keeps things bright and the rigid tannins are slightly obvious. The mid-palate offers up slightly jammy raspberry fruit with notes of dried earth, dried herbs and tobacco in particular adding complexity. The finish is nice and brisk as the tannins gain dominance and the fruit gains a fine juicy quality. Solid Nebbiolo 87pts. http://www.snooth.com/wine/palladino-nebbiolo-dalba-2006/ 2004 Barolo Serralunga Fermented in Stainless steel before being transferred to botte, with a few second pass barrique for excess wine. This spends 3 years in barrel then 1 in bottle before being released. The nose here is very expressive with excellent complexity and depth to the jammy nose full of melon rind and black raspberry fruit. There are touches of iron, oyster shells and smoke that float above the fruit. This has excellent balance but as is the house style, it’s a touch easy and relaxed with good structural balance between the soft acids and ever so angular tannins. There is a huge melon note on entry with good freshness to the black cherry fruit that saturates the palate and leads to a back end with subtle notes of mountain flowers and bitter licorice. This finishes a bit raw and young. Really illustrates the house’s relaxed style that really expresses the fruit of the grape over complexity or power. Very well done in this style drink 2012-2020 89pts http://www.snooth.com/wine/palladino-serralunga-barolo-2004/ 2004 Barolo Vigna Broglio - from a half-hectare vineyard just under the Castle of Serralunga, from 45-year-old vines, the 2005 was the last vintage before the vineyard was uprooted and replanted. Fermented in Stainless steel for 18 days then transferred to barrique, 50% new 50% second passage, for 2 years. This is not particularly giving with a feral quality to the dark wild berry fruit that is backed up by noticeable wood tones in the coffee bean register and typical hints of licorice and balsamic herbs. This enters the mouth with a soft and blocky feel though there is a sense of incipient sweetness that builds in the mouth. There are subtle dried hay and wild berry tones that turn gently medicinal on the back end but he wines feels light and transparent in the mouth. The grippy tannins emerge on the finish, which has low intensity but reveals a finale of pure, sweet fruit. 2011-2020 90pts http://www.snooth.com/wine/palladino-barolo-vigna-broglio-2004-1 2001 Barolo Vigna Broglio This still has just a hint of raw wood on the nose but it is amply backed up by a big, sweet, slightly stewy core of dark fruit with white soil and ash tones. There is a good, layered feel to this in the mouth with fine tannins and acids in balance with the dark, chewy, earthy core of fruit. While the fruit is big there is plenty going on in the background as well with a big spicy root, almost horseradish note, and black spice, medicinal, leather and bitter licorice notes offering support. This finishes with tooth grabbing tannins that clamp down on the finale a bit abruptly ending the slightly candied black cherry fruit that has a savory, tree bark almost truffly edge. 2012-2020 92pts http://www.snooth.com/wine/palladino-barolo-vigna-broglio-2001/ 2001 Barolo San Bernardo Riserva Fermented for 18 days in Stainless Steel then transferred for 2 years ageing in new barriques as well as an additional year in Botte. Offering up a sweet pool of finely ripe fruit on the nose this is in a cooler register with a touch of herb and sundried tomato in a clear, precise style. Big and bright in the mouth with great acids supporting an elegant mouthfeel. This has finesse as it delivers its dark, ripe fruit with its bitter/sweet edge offering tension between the fruit and tomato tones and the mineral, tar and herb notes. A bit of vanillin shows itself on the finish but an aggressive black minerality quickly gains the upper hand and offers great length. Impressive stuff 2012-2020 91pts http://www.snooth.com/wine/palladino-barolo-vigna-s-bernardo-2001/ 2000 Barolo San Bernardo Riserva Surprisingly cool and complex on the nose with a full array of classic scents that range from forest floor, tree bark, and damp tea bag to wildflowers, coal, orange rind roast herbs, and medicinal and backing spice tones. Super nose! In the mouth this is big and plush without a lot of excess weight, it is broad and mouth filling with very good balance. This pumps out layers of tea, chamomile, mint and herb notes over a still taut core of almost chewy, dark fruit. This opens further on the long finish, fanning out with a touch of coffee bean bitterness and a hint of dried porcini. More evolved than one would expect from a 2000 but with this sort of complexity one wonders why one need wait much longer. 2008-2018 92pts http://www.snooth.com/wine/palladino-barolo-vigna-san-bernardo-2000/ 1999 Barolo San Bernardo Riserva This opens with a tight edge, a very cool and focused nose that has excellent intensity and purity if not overly complex. The nose opens to reveal penetrating mineral and herb notes with a tea like eucalyptus top note over a tarry core of fruit. Flesh and almost sweet on the attack the citrussy acidity quickly grabs hold and keeps this cool and compact with sinewy, very red fruits that recall wild strawberry and wild cherry. This is very fresh but lacks some complexity though nice tones of cardamom and green anise seed offer some contrast to the fruit on the very crisp, long finish. Still youthful and bright this is simply delicious. 2008- 1020 91pts http://www.snooth.com/wine/palladino-barolo-vigna-san-bernardo-riserva-1999/    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Palladino is worth the search! by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  
• 

  November 2008

  Harmony Cellars Zinfandel 2005

  Snoothrank:

  Okay, but not worth seeking out.

  Wine review by Cheri

  
  

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