Tag Archives: 4 stars

Chateau Trocard 2010

19 Tuesday May 2015

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A wise man will try any 2009 or 2010 Bordeaux, they are consistently good.  Winemakers had an amazing back-to-back set of vintages that offer short term approachability with some wines that will cellar for 30-40 years.  This particular Bordeaux Superiore was ready for the corkscrew.  I only took basic notes as we were tired when this bottle was opened.

Rich plum, tart blackberries and some juicy acidity.  Bramble and dusty tannins on the mid palate. Decent finish of plum compote mixed with tannins and blueberry pie. My friend claims yum! 88 points and 4 stars for this $12 steal.  I plan on buying more for the near term.  2015-2019.  Salut….

chateau trocard

Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2013

01 Friday May 2015

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If you read much of my blogging you will know that I love this varietal.  It exudes a softer sexier side to the Cabernet grape while showing off floral notes.  This winery is where my son and I took a tour when we were in the Valley this past Spring.  The wine is a crimson purple and has a stunning nose of blackberry and chocolate with some violet hints.  Super smooth introduction of black and blue berries with a smidgen of oak and a tasty coating of lithe tannins. The mid palate is dark and brooding whilst the finish is decently long and caressing with tannic dryness and a touch of acidity. This is a super delicious wine which technically gets 91 points from me, bravo. 2015-2022.  $28 make it a 4 star effort in my books.  Salut….

alexander valley vineyards cabernet franc

Merryvale Merlot Napa Valley 2008

18 Saturday Apr 2015

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I like this winery’s style.  Merryvale gets the right balance of extraction and finesse.  I tried to visit their tasting room last month in Napa but it was not my scene.  Dark and crowded with drunks falling off the bar stools, it reminded me of the old west or Georgetown on a Friday night during my college days.  I didn’t let that detract from my impressions and enjoyment of their wine though.  This Merlot is very dark and brooding in the glass with a nose of black currants, oregano and dried herbs.  A crisp linear initial attack of currant, stewed plum and dark berry compote. Immense tannic thrust on the gums is delightful and balanced by mouth watering acidity. Wowsa. This wine has a long finish and good cellaring potential. I enjoyed it with Cajun rubbed ribeyes, a perfect combination. 2015/2022 would be a good estimate.  92 points make this $45 wine worthy of 4 stars.  Salut….

merryvale merlot napa valley

Alouette Pinot Noir Sonoma County 2012

08 Wednesday Apr 2015

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Lovely, pure and exotic.  A darker Pinot with a heavier body to it.  Meaty nose with dark fruits- it is neither old nor new world. A thicker, more extracted Pinot with game and dark cherry notes on the palate which opens up to some strawberry and root beer notes.  Very well integrated tannins and precisely balanced acidity make for easy drinking that is smooth beyond belief.  Easily a 91 point wine this one garners 4 stars from me for it’s $25 price.  I will stock up on some of this as it will do well as a summer drinker in addition to being capable of handling a big heavy wintertime stew.  Salut….

alouette pinot noir sonoma county

Alexander Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir 2013

08 Wednesday Apr 2015

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If you recall reading about my trip to California with my son, this is the winery that we took a tour of.  I was so impressed with the warmth the staff showed and the casual way in which they took great care of us on our tour.  The winery is located off the beaten path and has cellars cut into the hillside.  The Pinot was an interesting balance of styles.  Quite a bit heavier than most Pinots, it also had a delicacy about it.  Nose of new world Pinot with strawberries and bing cherries. Initial hints of white cherry and strawberry with some nutmeg and spice on the palate. Very smooth mouth feel which includes very slight tannins and a touch of acidity. Nice and rounded for a balanced profile that drinks well by itself but begs for some smoked salmon and capers. Roasted chicken and a risotto would take a close second. 2015/2020 91 points. 4 stars for this $28 effort.  Thanks for the tour and the memories!  Salut….

alexander valley vineyards pinot noir

Me and Jet, checking out the cellar

Me and Jet, checking out the cellar

The entrance to the cellar

The entrance to the cellar

Alexander Valley Vineyards

Alexander Valley Vineyards

The unofficial tour guide that Jet loved

The unofficial tour guide that Jet loved

The Russian River, from above

The Russian River, from above

Cosentino The Chard 2013

08 Wednesday Apr 2015

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On my recent trip to Napa I ended up the Cosentino winery where Moxie and I visited two years ago.  Funny thing is she had a broken foot on that trip and I had one on this.  I digress.  I ended up tasting everything I could get my hands onto and ordering a case of wine to be shipped home- I also joined their mailing list, a first for me.

I was thinking of my parents when I ordered a few bottles of the Chard, which is made from Lodi fruit.  They like it crisp, not buttery and certainly not sweet.  This one filled all the requirements.  Medium gold in color with a nose of fresh citrus, green apples and quince. The first impression is of a medium weight wine with pear, apple and lemon. Not overly worked- this wine has a slight hint of malolactic fermentation and a deft use of oak. Very crafty. Generous mouthfeel and a touch of acidity make it easy to drink.  My member pricing was $16.  I’m going with 88 points and 4 stars.  Time to order more methinks, summer is coming and one needs a constant supply of chilled whites to pop at a moments notice!  It will go awesomely with some grilled shrimp, perhaps salmon mousse and cucumbers on melba toast- you get the drift.  Salut….

causation the chard

Charles Smith Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2012

05 Sunday Apr 2015

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I saved this one for last in the Charles Smith repertoire that I picked up in Cali.  It was worth the wait.  Dark purple in the glass with a nose of cherry, blueberry and a hint of oak.  The initial attack consisted of black cherry and plum jam.  Nice acidity and slight tannins make for a nice mouthfeel. The mid palate is rather one dimensional, yet the tannins start to grip at this point. The finish is interesting with the tannins still coating the gums along with some mint and violet. Really interesting bottle. 89 points with a drinking window of 2015/2020
PS. After an hour this wine has really mellowed, opened up and that mid palate issue I had is gone. 90 points now.  4 stars at $15.  Tasty and worthwhile cellaring a few bottles.  Salut….

charles smith cabernet sauvignon

Clarendon Hills Blewitt Springs Grenache 2007

26 Monday Jan 2015

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As you may know I am a huge fan of the Clarendon Hills winery.  They make smooth, polished, refined wines that ooze class and refinement.  This one was no exception to the formula.  Starting with pencil lead, blueberry and oregano on the nose followed by a fresh and bright intro with young tannins that coat the mouth. Blueberry, plum and a dash of pepper make for interesting notes on the palate while star anise on the finish really pops out.  This is a very young wine that has not filled out yet. 2017-2025 would be a better window unless you like a tannic monster for a juicy steak. 92 points now but the potential to go up in my opinion.  This wine is extracted and precise.   Priced originaly at $75, it’s most likely a Sunday roast wine rather than an everyday drinker.  4 stars. Salut….

Ps. I noticed that it had a double back label.  Someone has very precisely laid the label on top of the original.  I wonder if that was a labeling issue or if they needed to change it for import reasons.  I tried to slice it off but the sticker merely tore in my hands, intriguing.

clarendon hills blowout springs grenache

Mollydooker Gigglepot Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

08 Thursday Jan 2015

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I opened the Gigglepot from Mollydooker right after we finished the Blue Eyed Boy.  It’s interesting to drink both $50 offerings in the same sitting and  be able to compare the grape varietals.  The Shiraz was to me more finite, focused and pure of fruit.  The Cabernet based Gigglepot was more open, easier to drink and perhaps more appealing to the masses.  Both are excellent wines and I enjoyed each for their merits.  This one was equally dark in the glass, showing off a nose of plums, cherry and mint.  I usually associate the minty note with Chilean Cabs and really enjoy it when I come across them.  The palate had the same basic flavor profile I got but with some added black fruits.  A certain spiciness that I cannot pinpoint was evident as were the fine grained tannins.  The wine seemed to go on for ever on the palate and had a long finish.  Balanced with nice acidity there is a healthy dose of alcohol that is neatly hidden, drinker beware!  Drinking beautifully now, this wine has the structure to go long haul.  I would guess a cellaring potential to 2022 at the least.  I don’t have much experience with older vintages from this winery except for my Carnival Of Love tastings, where I did get to see a little bit of evolution in 4-5 year old vintages.  I would imagine this particular bottle may gain some secondary flavors and complexity as it gets some cellar time.  I am giving it 91 points and 4 stars.  Salut….

mollydooker gigglepot

Luminary Red Blend 2012

24 Wednesday Dec 2014

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My friend brought this one over and we drank it with a delicious Leg Of Lamb.  I was not sure of the blend so we looked it up.  Napa Cabernet, Horse Heaven Hills and Edna Valley Syrah with Zinfandel from Alexander Valley.  Super smooth and absolutely delicious.  I made no notes except in my head- this is a well crafted wine that blends the best of several regions into a well balanced easy to drink wine that won’t break the bank.  $40 and 91 points for 4 stars.  Sorry to be brief, but I think you get the gist.  Salut….

Luminary red blend