Bell Wine Cellars Clone 6 Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
From the prestigious Beckstoffer Georges III vineyard in Rutherford, the Bell Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 is as the name suggests, 100% Clone 6 Cabernet. True to form, it exhibits lush, saturating notes of boysenberry, black cherries, sandalwood, tar and meadow flowers. In the mouth it’s opulent and silkily textured, with juicy black fruit, cassis, […]
The Winemakers’ Collection Michel Rolland Cuvée No. 1 Château d’Arsac
Conjured by Michel Rolland himself—the man behind the curtain—the label touts “He currently offers advice to a hundred wine growing estates in 13 countries, on three continents. Considered the ultimate modern winemaker.” Cuvée No. 1 is big-boned with saturating aromas of raspberry jam, caramel popcorn, and buttered rum ball. Sweet on the palate, like plum […]
Soter Beacon Hill Pinot Noir 2005
Soter’s 2005 Beacon Hill Pinot Noir is at the zenith of its life, or possibly just past it. Even so, it still offers nice range on the nose and palate with a whiff of incense set against dried cherries and rose petals. In the mouth, it’s quite spare and wiry, lighter in body than I […]
Château de Trinquevedel Tavel Rosé 2013
Continuing with my exploration of rosé wines, is this charming not so pink from Château de Trinquevedel, a cranberry-hued blend of 56% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 10% Clairette, 4% Syrah, 4% Bourboulenc, 3% Mourvedre and 3 % White Brenache. Enchanting aromas of linen and dried cherries, followed by Queen Anne’s Cherries, blood oranges, and watermelon with […]
Doyard-Mahé Champagne Carte d’Or Brut 2007
The Doyard Mahe 2007 is citrus driven and clean, with tantalizing notes of lemon balm, lemon curd, white flowers and golden delicious apple. Light and twinkling, with a fine mousse and persistent finish that seems to have just a touch of sweetness. Champagne Doyard-Mahé 8.9 Points
Orlana Vinho Verde Rosé NV
The color of watermelon Jolly Ranchers. Interestingly, it tastes like a combination of green apple and watermelon Jolly Ranchers too, this character can be felt especially in the finish, where it liberally coats the back-palate just like the candy. On sale for $7.98 at Whole Foods, not recommended. 10.0% ABV | Sample 8.4 Points
Château de Berne Côtes De Provence Grande Récolte Rosé 2013
I’m thinking pink this May, though sadly the Château de Berne Grande Récolte Rosé 2013 failed to impress. Opens with notes of canned fruit cocktail, pomelo, and granulated honey. Slightly thin on the palate, slightly metallic, it just peters out like an awkward conversation, which is a pity, considering the nearly $20.00 price point. Not recommended. […]
Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
I tasted through several Corison Napa Valley Cabs with legendary winemaker, Cathy Corison and fellow wine writers Elaine Brown and Meg Houston Maker. 2012 was the youngest vintage we sampled, as expected it’s quite youthful and fresh. Saturating aromas of black cherries, steeped blackberries, violets, and incense. In the mouth the fruit is plump, as […]
Robert Biale Napa Valley Royal Punishers Petite Sirah 2012
Mixing it up a bit with this bottle of Royal Punishers Petit Syrah at Brix restaurant in Napa. Thus far, the 2011 is a bold, spicy romp with steeped blackberries, plums and vanilla on the nose, followed by juicy black fruit on the palate. Signature Petit Syrah peppery spice rounds out the finish of this […]
Hanzell Sonoma Valley Chardonnay 2012
Hanzell Vineyards 2012 Chardonnay is poised, 26% of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation in new barrels, with the balance matured in stainless steel. The resulting blend strikes a harmonious balance between freshness and oak, with pretty notes of ripe pear, lemon curd, marzipan, and meadow flowers. These notes are echoed on the palate, along […]