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Artists- Deanna Yesko & Sam Carroll
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U.S. Wine Reviews Red Wines in Purple ~ White Wines in Green Rosé in Orange Reviews: 1997 Beringer Private Reserve
Merlot “Bancroft Ranch” Howell Mt. Napa Valley, California
$100
Some of the richest and most concentrated wines in Napa come from the
Howell Mt. region. Howell’s fruit and being from the great ’97 vintage add up to a great
wine. The color is very dark with a radiant reddish-purple hue.
The aromas are closed at this point, but still full with blackberry,
boysenberry, black plum, coffee, and some alcohol and oak aromas.
Full bodied and tannin with layers of deep fruit.
Rich flavors of dark berries, licorice, chocolate, and oak.
Already showing complexity but needs 5+ years to start revealing its true
beauty. The full finish is dry and
again tannin. This wine shows the
concentration, firmness, depth and aging potential found in Howell Mt. Fruit.
Tasted 4/12/03
2001 Francis Coppola “Diamond Series” Blue Label Merlot
California $17
As many of you may have read, 2001 is a great vintage in California and
judging from this wine, I would say that we all have allot to look forward to.
I have tasted pass vintages of this wine and the 2001 is my favorite so
far. A glowing garnet red color
with sweet dark fruit, subtle cloves, and black cherry aromas.
Medium bodied, richly textured, soft and coating on the palate with a
warm feel, fine tannins, and a touch of acidity.
Could almost be mistaken for an Australian Shiraz.
Chocolate, dark fruit, black cherry liqueur, vanilla, and balanced oak
flavors. The finish is rich and
dry. After being open for an hour
or more this wine’s structure stepped up and became firmer, while the fruit
became more integrated. Tasted 5/12/03
2001 Brimstone Hill Cabernet
Franc Hudson
Valley Region, New York $13
A very nice Cabernet Franc made in the style of a Cab. Franc from the
Loire Valley in France. The color
is medium to deep in depth with a burgundy-red hue.
Spicy, black cherry aromas on the nose.
Dry, somewhat delicate, and medium bodied with spice, raspberry,
strawberry, and oak flavors that end in a dry finish. Tasted 5/8/03
2001 Henry of Pelham Chardonnay
“Sur lie”
Niagara Peninsula, Canada $10
Sur Lie is a French term meaning ‘on the lees’ and mostly applied to
white wines. The wine is left in
contact with its lees (the dregs and sediment that settles at the bottom of the
fermentation vessel) after fermentation, usually in stainless steel tanks, in an
effort to increase flavor. In
Canada’s cold climate grapes do ripen as in warmer climates, so this is most
likely a good idea.
A lean and dry style of Chardonnay with a bright gold color and creamy
aromas of white peach and apple. Dry
and crisp flavors of apple with Chardonnay varietal character.
A clean finish with good balance. Tasted 5/6/03
2000 Lenz Merlot
North Fork of Long Island, New York
$16
Long Island is now producing some world-class wines, and Merlot seems to
really excel here. Dark red-black in color.
Black plum, and wild berry aromas with noticeable oak on the nose and the
palate. Very dry and showing some
fine tannins. The flavors are like
the aromas with the addition of pepper, mint, and vanilla.
The finish is dry and fruity. Needs
a few years in the bottle. Tasted 5/9/02
2001 St Supéry Sauvignon
Blanc Napa Valley,
California $16
Showing a bright, light, gold color.
The nose is penetrating with grapefruit and other citrus aromas. Rounder and creamier in texture then many Sauvignon
Blanc’s. Cut grass and citrus
flavors with a touch of vanilla. The
finish is dry and crisp. Tasted 5/4/03
2000 Leaping Horse Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon Lodi,
California $6
A soft, fruity, California-style of Cab. that is a bit simple but worth
every penny at $6. Good deep red
color with gamy aromas of black fruit and mint on the nose. Medium bodied,
smooth, and full on the palate. Fat-round
flavors of black cherry, eucalyptus, and dark fruit.
The finish is simple and fruity. Tasted 5/10/02
NV Domaine Saint-Vincent Brut
Albuquerque,
New Mexico $10
This is a nice sparking wine for the price.
A light golden color with small sparse bubbles.
A clean fruity nose with apple and peach aromas.
Basically dry with notes of fruity sweetness.
Good balance with simple flavors that mimic the aromas.
This easy to drink sparkler has a soft finish.
Tasted 5/2/03
1999 Hogue Cabernet
Sauvignon “Genesis”
Washington State $15
A good Cab. that’s dark purple in color.
The nose has a dusty character and aromas of mint and blackberry.
Mint-like flavors of eucalyptus, mixed berries, and cloves.
Dry, on the fuller side, and balanced with plenty of soft tannins on the
palate and in the dry finish. Can
use a year or two in the bottle. Tasted 5/12/03
2001 Bonny Doon, Ca’
del Solo “Big House Red” California
$12
This wine is made from a blend of almost every red grape (11 different
grapes that I know about) known to man. Big,
fruity, soft, and simple. I don’t
get it! but so many people like this wine that I had to include it in this
month’s tasting notes. Tasted 5/10/03
1999 Murphy-Goode Petit
Verdot “Alexander Valley”
Sonoma, California $26
This a powerful and dense wine from start to finish.
The color is a very dark purple-red-black. The aromas are full with plum, chocolate, and spice.
Loads of tannins, full bodied, and richly structured.
The flavors are full and warm with dark fruit, tobacco, spice, chocolate,
and blackberry. This wine, while still
young is already showing some silky qualities.
The finish is dry, full, and tannin.
Lay it down for 3 or more years and you will have a real beauty. Tasted 5/14/03
2000 Paraiso Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands
Monterey County, California $14
These grapes come from Paraiso’ s isolated hillside plots in the Santa
Lucia Highlands. The cooling
influence of the Monterey Bay and the ancient soils of the Santa Lucia Highlands
help to give this wine a Burgundian-like character, while maintaining the rich
fruit and body that California Chards are known for.
A brilliant golden color with pineapple, apple, golden fruit, and toasty
oak aromas. Medium bodied and
classy in structure, this wine displays good fruit and a lively acidity.
The flavors are like the aromas with the addition of vanilla, banana, and
plenty of oak. The finish is rich and leaves this wine’s fruit flavors and
lively acidity lingering on the palate. A
well-made and balanced California-style
Chardonnay. Tasted 5/26/03
2000 Francis Coppola Syrah “Diamond Series” Green Label California $15 A very nice Syrah, which is like a cross between a Syrah from the Southern Rhone Valley and a Shiraz from Australia. The color is glowing dark purple. On the nose I pick up red plums, raspberry, and peppercorn. Medium bodied, thick, and smooth on the palate, with a bit of acidity, soft tannins and peppery notes, which add interest and balance. The flavors are lush with black raspberry, milk chocolate, plum, vanilla, oak and pepper spice. I like the fact that its lush but also shows some backbone, as firmness in the structure. The finish is silky with a viscous quality and lingering fruit. Tasted
5/29/03
1999 Silver Oaks Cabernet
Sauvignon Napa County.
California $100
As some of you know Silver Oaks makes two Cabernets, the Alexander
Valley, located in Sonoma County and the Napa.
Both are great wines but the Napa is almost impossible to get, especially
on the east coast. So it is a rare
treat to be able to have another chance to taste it.
It has a dark and rich burgundy red color with shades of purple.
The bouquet is full and silky with aromas of blackberry, vanilla-oak,
anise, soft mixed spices, red liquorish, and mixed berries.
Full bodied and dry with good tannins for aging.
Rich, concentrated, silky, and layered with flavors of blackberry, milk
chocolate, creamy mixed berries, and refined tannins with a perfectly balanced
vain of Asian spice in the background. The
finish is viscous, long, and dry with some tannin.
Needs years in the bottle. I
almost feel bad opening it this young, but see what I will do to have an
interesting review for the readers of WP.com.
Its not easy being a WinePhilosopher…
Tasted 3/8/03
2001 Salmon Run Johannisberg
Riesling Finger Lakes, New York $9
As I have said on these pages in the pass, the Riesling grape does very
well in the colder New York State climate and soils.
The Salmon Run label is part of Vinifera Wine Cellars, which is owned and
operated by Konstantin D. Frank & Sons.
Konstantin Frank was a pioneer in growing Vinifera grapes in NY State.
A light and bright gold color. The
bouquet is fruity with golden apple, pear, and white flower aromas.
A dry Riesling that is light to medium in body with a lively acidity, and
some slight viscous qualities. Refreshing
and crisp, the flavors are like the aromas with the addition of apricot and
honeysuckle. Very much like a
Riesling from Alsace, France. The
finish is dry and crisp. A food
wine that will go very well with, guess what? Salmon!
Good buy! Tasted 4/3/03
Two very good Pinot Noirs I found at greatly discounted prices. 1998 Optima Pinot
Noir “Unfiltered”
Carneros
Napa Valley, California $45
I
found it at the Vineyards Wine & Spirit Shop in Middletown N.Y. for
$14 I know its hard to believe...
This wine is only made in exceptional vintages, and in very limited
quantities. A light to medium tone
of burgundy red in color. The
bouquet is a bit musty with dried black cherry, red plums, and a touch of spice. Very dry and medium bodied with firm tannins and a good
acidity. Cherry, tart dark fruit,
and oaky flavors that finish firm and dry. Tasted 3/7/03
1999 Carlo & Julian Pinot
Noir “Croft Vineyard” Oregon $45
I
found it at the Vineyards Wine & Spirit Shop in
Middletown N.Y. for $18
Only 200 cases of this wine are produced.
Needless to say, it is not easy to find. Totally unfined and unfiltered
which shows in the finished wine with good extract of flavor and color. A dark red color with silky aromas of blackberry, vanilla,
ripe cherry, and notes of oak. Dry
and medium bodied with some apparent tannins.
The flavors are still closed at this young age but good.
Black plum, oak, dark fruit, and grape skin-like tannins.
The finish is dry and tight. Will
improve with 3+ years in the bottle. Tasted 3/9/03
2001 Dry Creek Vineyards Fume’
Blanc California
$12
Most of the time when a California winery labels it's Sauvignon Blanc as
Fume’ Blanc, it means the wine is made in the style of a Pouilly Fume’ from
the Loire Valley. Differently
shaped bottles are also used; the rounder Burgundy type bottle for Fume’ Blanc
and the taller, higher shoulder, Bordeaux type of bottle for the wines labeled
Sauvignon Blanc, which is made in the style of a white Bordeaux.
This is a general rule and of course (especially in California) there are
some exceptions.
This wine shows a deep golden color for a SB.
The bouquet is clean with grapefruit, mineral, and white fruit aromas.
Very dry and crisp on the palate with a lively acidity.
The flavors are like the aromas with the addition of lemongrass.
The finish is crisp and dry. Tasted 1/25/03
1998 Laurel Glen Cabernet
Sauvignon “Estate” Sonoma
County
California $40
A
full-bodied, fruit driven Cab. with a deep layered quality.
Dark ruby red in color with a big but still closed bouquet of berries,
plums, oak, and black currants. Rich
on the palate with fine tannins and plenty of rich fruit.
Dry with black plum, chocolate, black cherry, and oak flavors.
The tannins show up again in the dry finish, which leaves one with
lingering, richly textured fruit. Will
improve with 3 or more years in the bottle. Tasted 1/16/02
1998 Mount Eden Vineyards
Chardonnay - Cottonwood Canyon Vineyards
“Santa Maria Valley”
California $18
This
is a single vineyard wine from one of my favorite California wineries. Mount
Eden Vineyards makes some big and full bodied, but balanced and classy Chards.
A medium depth of brilliant gold in color with a hint of green.
The color resembles that of a 5+-year-old Grand Cru Chablis. The bouquet just lures you in with golden apple, vanilla,
buttered toast, oak, and tropical fruits. Full-bodied
with a layered texture, deep fruit, and a grapefruit-like acidity that works
well with the richness of this wine. The
flavors have the same components as the aromas with more of an emphasis on the
oak and tropical fruits. The
underlining acidity of this wine makes itself more apparent in the full flavored
finish. Tasted 1/19/03
1999 Handley Pinot
Noir Cuvee Primo Anderson Valley
Mendocino County, California $19
A soft, fruit driven, one-dimensional wine.
The bouquet is big with red plums, forest wood, and black cherry aromas.
Medium bodied, soft, and plumy on the palate.
Simple flavors that match the aromas with a soft finish. Tasted 10/6/02
1999 La Famiglia Di Robert Mondavi Sangiovese California $20 Red in color with a slight brown tone to it. The bouquet displays dried fruit and plums. Dry with some tannins, good solid fruit, and structure. Black cherry and plum flavors that finish dry. Tasted 9/4/02
1999 Robert Mondavi Winery Napa
Merlot “unfiltered”
California $28
A deep purple-red color and a concentrated bouquet of blackberry, plum,
violets, and vanilla oak aromas. Dry,
firmly structured, and tannin, with good fruit.
Complex flavors of spicy dark fruit and the aromas presenting themselves
again as flavors. The finish is dry
with firm tannins. Will improve
with 3 or more years in the bottle. Tasted 9/18/02
1999 La Famiglia di Robert Mondavi Barbera California
$20
A beautiful dark red color with a multidimensional and lush bouquet of
ripe sweet berries. Appealing and
soft on the palate with good structure. The
soft flavors mimic the aromas. Soft
tannins add interest to the finish. Tasted 9/12/02
2000 Roshambo Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley
California $?? Aged in
oak, using 33% new French and American oak.
Medium burgundy red in color with black cherry, peppercorn, and vanilla
aromas. Soft, smooth, and spicy on
the palate. Medium bodied with
licorice, black raspberry, Asian spice, and creamy flavors.
The finish is layered with this wine’s silky fruit flavors.
Tasted 9/16/02
1999 Raymond Cabernet
Sauvignon “Napa Reserve”
California $30
A dark and concentrated reddish-purple color.
The bouquet is soft with aromas of currants and sweet blackberry.
Medium to full in body with sweet tannins that mingle with the fruity
texture. The flavors mimic the
aromas and are made more interesting by the balanced oak highlights.
A nice wine but a little less complex then I would expect at this price. Tasted
8/30/02
1999 Laurel Lake Vineyards
Estate
Bottled Merlot
Long Island, N.Y. $12
This Merlot is Bordeaux-like is style.
Dryer and more firmly structured that most California Merlots. Clean dark red in color with black cherry, plum, and vanilla
oaky aromas. Medium bodied with
soft tannins. Balanced flavors of
black plum, smoky cedar, and oak.
The finish is dry and coats the palate with smooth fruit flavors.
Open and let air an hour or two before serving.
Tasted 11/24/02
2001 Laurel Lake Vineyards Riesling New York
$10
The grapes used to make this well-breed Riesling come from the Finger
Lakes region of N.Y. State. The Riesling grape excels in the Finger Lakes colder
German-like weather, making NY State Rieslings worth seeking out.
Golden in color with a sweet and floral bouquet of white flowers, honey,
and fresh apricot. An elegant
structure that displays a refined sweetness that is balanced by a clean touch of
acidity and a hint of tart green grape skins.
In the German system of classifying the sweetness (or ripeness of the
grapes) of a wine, this wine is in between a Kabinett and a Spatlese in
sweetness. The balanced flavors delight the palate with peach, apricot,
and honeysuckle. It finishes with
grace and length. A very nice
Riesling. Tasted 11/15/02
2000 Roshambo Sauvignon
Blanc “Frank Johnson Vineyards”
Sonoma County, California $16
This wine is 20% barrel fermented in new oak and 80% fermented in
stainless steel. Light golden in color with grapefruit and new grass aromas on
the nose. Lower in acidity then you
would expect from a S.B. Round feeling on the on the palate with clean flavors of
grapefruit, kiwi, and notes of balanced oak. The finish is soft with some spice
in the background. Tasted 9/16/02
2000 Ravenswood Chardonnay
California “Vintner’s Blend”
$11
A nice golden color with a good bouquet of ripe tropical fruit and oaky
aromas. The oak flavors are in
balance with this wine’s tropical fruit and toasty vanilla flavors. Medium bodied with a smooth and balanced finish.
Tasted 8/30/02
2000 Patz & Hall Pinot
Noir Russian River Valley
California $36
A
nice light to medium tone of cherry-red in color.
The bouquet is excellent with cherry, red plum, young wood, and forest
aromas. Very smooth on the palate
with length and complexity. Finely
balanced with cherry, wood, and black plum flavors.
The finish is smooth and long. A
good Pinot Noir… Tasted 8/28/02
2001 Laurel Lake Vineyards Chardonnay
North
Fork, Long Island NY $10
This Estate bottled Chard. is crisp and balanced.
Laurel Lake has some of the oldest vines growing on Long Island.
A light straw color with a clean bouquet of white fruit, minerals, and a
touch of vanilla. On the lighter
side of medium bodied, dry, and elegant with a nice acidity on the palate.
This wine is akin to a good Macon-Village from Burgundy.
Clean flavors of apples, banana, citrus, and some creamy notes.
The finish is dry with wet rock and lemon characteristic.
An enjoyable and food friendly wine. Tasted 10/16/02
1999 Wild Horse Merlot
Paso Robles
California $18
Dark red in color with an appealing bouquet of black cherry and
chocolate. Medium to full in body
and layered on the palate with soft tannins.
Cherry and dark fruit flavors that end in a balanced finish. Tasted 8/12/02
1999 Taft Street Cabernet
Sauvignon Central Coast
California $12
The color is a dark burgundy red. On the nose there are gamy aromas of
ripe spicy fruit. Soft in texture with a touch of spice on the back of the
palate and dark fruit flavors. The
finish is dry with some soft tannins. Tasted 8/15/02
1998 Taft Street Cabernet
Sauvignon Sonoma County
California $18
A brownish red color with a penetrating bouquet of blackberry, cherry,
and oak. Dry, medium bodied, and
firmly structured with some tannins. Flavors
of black plum, black cherry, and spicy oak.
The finish is dry with lingering tannins. Tasted 8/15/02
1998 Benton-Lane Pinot
Noir “Sunny Mount Cuvee”
Oregon $48
Sophisticated, elegant, and Burgundian in style and at the same time
showing a firm underlining structure and power.
The color is deep for a Pinot Noir with layered aromas of blackberry,
plum, vanilla, oak and mild spice. Medium
bodied, and dry with refined tannins. The
flavors are still a bit closed while revealing cherry, black raspberry, and
forest wood. The finish is dry,
with noticeable tannins. This wine
will shine with fine cuisine. Tasted 10/12/02
1998 De Loach Cabernet
Sauvignon “Los Amigos Ranch” Russian River Valley
California $19
A balanced and appealing Cab. A
medium tone of burgundy red in color with a sweet bouquet of black cherry,
chocolate, and toasty oak. Medium
to full bodied with good, but light fruit that is balanced by soft tannins and
oaky notes that add some firmness to the structure.
A soft and warm mouth-feel with black fruit, cassis, vanilla, and oak
flavors that continual into the soft and fruity finish. Tasted 10/4/02
1999 Laurel Lake Vineyards Chardonnay
Reserve - Estate Bottled
Long Island, N.Y. $11
Pale straw in color with buttery aromas of apple, toasty oak, and green
melon. Medium bodied and dry with
solid fruit and good acidity. Flavors
of green fruit, banana, vanilla, and spicy oak that work well together and
continual to express themselves in the delicate and creamy finish.
A Chardonnay that complements rather then overpowers food.
Tasted 9/15/02
2000 Ehlers Grove Chardonnay
Carneros
Napa Valley $23
80% of this Chardonnay receives full malolactic fermentation using 50%
new oak barrels. Golden in color
with apple, oak, and pear aromas. Very
smooth, lush, and full on the palate with good balance and length.
Creamy flavors of peach, golden fruits, apple, and buttery spice.
More lush and creamy in style rather then sophisticated.
A smooth a balanced finish. Tasted 8/2/02
1999 Ehlers Grove Cabernet
Sauvignon Napa
California $36
A good medium tone of burgundy-red in color.
The bouquet displays blackberry, cassis, and oak aromas. Aged in 75% new French oak, this wine is Bordeaux-like in
style with a refined and dry style. The
flavors reflex the aromas and are lighter in style then one would expect from a
Napa Cab. Simple in style for a wine at this price with a dry finish.
Tasted 8/2/02
1998 Flora Springs Chardonnay
“Lavender Hill Vineyards” Napa
Valley $27
A big Chardonnay with refinement and a brilliant golden color.
The bouquet is reminiscent of a good Meursault (a famous Chardonnay
producing area in Burgundy, France) with toasty oak, vanilla, and golden fruit
aromas. Medium bodied and dry with
apple and vanilla oak flavors that end in a complex finish that coats the
palate. Tasted 8/2/02
1999 Frei Brothers Cabernet
Sauvignon Alexander Valley
Reserve
California $20
A good rich, fruit driven Cab with structure and length.
Dark red in color with a succulent and sweet bouquet of
black cherry and vanilla. Full
bodied, smooth, and lush on the palate. The
deep cherry, cassis, and oaky-vanilla flavors are well balanced by soft
tannins and a bit of firmness in the structure. The
rich fruit coats the palate and continues into the big and long finish.
A Good wine! Tasted 9/30/02
2000 Echelon Chardonnay
Central Coast
California $11
A good chardonnay with a bright golden color.
The bouquet is rich with apple, ripe pear, tropical fruit, and oaky
aromas. A creamy texture, medium
bodied, and balanced. Golden fruit,
oak, and vanilla bean flavors. The
finish is smooth and dry. Tasted 8/4/02
1999 Hess Select Cabernet
Sauvignon “California” $18
This is a fruit-driven, California style of Cab. A dark ruby red color
with plump black cherry, plum, and chocolate aromas.
Medium to full bodied, fruity, and soft in texture.
Big blackberry, cassis, and oak flavors.
The finish is again soft and fruity.
Lacking structure and complexity for a wine at this price. Tasted 8/3/02
1999 Sand Hill Cabernet
Sauvignon “Red Mountain”
Washington State $33
A
concentrated wine with sophistication and class.
Dark purple-red in color. A
full bouquet of blackberry, cedar, and oaky vanilla aromas.
Medium to full bodied and dry with a silky feel and good length on the
palate. Dark fruit, cassis, cherry,
and creamy flavors that coat the palate and stay into the long finish.
Good Cab! Tasted 8/8/02
1999 Alderbrook Zinfandel
OVOC Sonoma County
California $10
A burgundy red color with gamy aromas of red plum, and hints of alcohol.
Medium bodied with some heat on the palate.
Simple in style with dark fruit and chocolate flavors.
The finish is dry. Tasted 8/10/02
1999 Wild Horse Cabernet
Sauvignon Paso Robles
California $19
Bright red in color with a bouquet of wild-berries, oak, and chocolate.
Medium bodied with good structure and a soft mouth feel. Cranberry and
cherry flavors that lead into this wine’s supple and pleasant finish. Tasted 8/15/02
1998 Simi Cabernet
Sauvignon Sonoma County
$25
A dark maroon-red color. Ripe
blackberry, cassis, and spicy oak
aromas. Medium to full bodied and
dry with a lush feel. Rich flavors
of dark berries, chocolate, cedar, oak, and black cherry.
The finish is dry with soft tannins.
A nice wine but could use a firmer structure and some more complexity at
this price. Mostly Cab. with some
Merlot and Cabernet Franc blended in. Tasted 7/5/02
2001 St Supery Sauvignon
Blanc Napa
California $15
Gold in color with lively aromas of grapefruit and lime.
Clean feeling and showing some length on the palate.
A crisp acidity with delicate mineral and citrus flavors.
The flavors linger into the dry finish.
Tasted 7/18/02
2000 L’Ecosse Pinot
Noir Atlas Peak
California $20
Light in Color with wild berry, allspice, and toasty oak on the nose.
Its high 14.5% alcohol is not as apparent on the palate as one would
think, adding a spicy rather then hot mouth-feel.
Dry and big in flavor with fresh red plums, and oak.
The finish is dry. Tasted 7/22/02
2000 Cartlidge & Browne Zinfandel California
$10
A dark red color with ripe dark fruit, and sweet gamy aromas.
Rich and layered on the palate and in the finish.
Flavors of plum and blackberry
with some spicy notes. Tasted 7/23/02
2000 Novy Syrah
Napa Valley
California $28 Dark purple in color with a lush bouquet of dried black fruit, cloves, black liquorish, and ripe peppercorn spice. Big on the palate with a touch of heat from the 15.1% alcohol. Yet still balanced with the aromas as flavors and a rich finish that lingers with plump flavors. Tasted
6/24/02 1999 Cypress
Cabernet Sauvignon California
$9
The
Cypress wines are made by J.Lohr Winery, and are good wines at good prices.
This Cab. has a nice dark red color with blackberry, cassis, chocolate,
and coffee aromas. Medium bodied, fruity, and smooth on the palate.
Sweet fruit flavors of dark plums, blackberry, and toast.
The finish is dry with subtle tannins.
Tasted 6/29/02
2000
Erath Vineyards Pinot Noir
Oregon $15
A light to medium depth of candy red color.
A delicate bouquet of cherry, plum and spice.
On the lighter side of medium bodied with a soft feel on the palate.
Spicy cherry flavors with oaky notes and a dry finish.
Tasted
6/9/02 1999
Mark West Pinot Noir
Sonoma County
California $17
Red in color with a touch of brown.
The bouquet reveals aromas of deep cherry fruit and musty notes. Black
cherry, spicy oak, and clean fruit flavors.
A graceful finish. Tasted
6/9/02 2000 Laetitia Pinot Noir “Estate”
Arroyo Grande Valley
California $25
Very French in style, this Pinot Noir has an excellent bouquet of black
cherry, spice and woody oak aromas that show length and complexity. Medium bodied with again, complexity and length on the
palate. Rich and elegant at the
same time. The deep cherry,
vanilla, leather, and spicy oak flavors are very balanced. The flavors carry through into the long, dry finish.
Super! Maybe the best Pinot
Noir on the market right now for $25. I
also reviewed their ’99 Pinot Noir Reserve, and Wow!
see “Last Months Wine Reviews” Tasted 6/14/02
1998 Covey Run Ice
Wine Riesling
Yakima Valley Washington
$20 ½ bottle 375ml.
This Ice Wine from Washington State has a brilliant, golden,
orange-copper color. The bouquet
has sweet flowery aromas of ripe peach, pear, and mango. Very sweet and
luxurious on the palate and like the aromas, flavors of peach, and pear with a
tart apricot element that helps balance this wine’s heavy sweetness.
The finish coats the palate with plenty of sweetness, and peach/apricot
flavors. This is a good desert wine
for those you like them very sweet. As
far as comparing this wine to other Ice Wines I has tasted, I would has to say
it’s a bit lacking in complexity and grace. Tasted 6/3/02
2000 Cartlidge & Browne Chardonnay
California
$11
A well-made Chardonnay that has more complexity and depth then the price
would suggest. A solid gold color
with rich aromas and flavors of pear, baked apple, nutmeg, and vanilla bean.
Very good balance with a silky and full mouth-feel.
A smooth finish with oaky notes. Tasted 6/19/02 2000 Roshambo Chardonnay
Sonoma County
California $20 A light gold color with refined aromas of
pear, vanilla, and oak. Medium
bodied and lush on the palate. Flavors
of apple skin, pear, toasted bread, and oak that work well together.
The finish is dry with a touch of citrus.
Tasted 6/19/02
2000 Ironstone Vineyards California
Chardonnay $10
Gold in color with aromas and flavors of apples, tropical fruit, vanilla,
and oak. A medium bodied wine with
a good balance of fruit and oak. A
touch of acidicness and a dry finish. Tasted 6/7/02
2000 Flora Springs Chardonnay
Napa Valley
California $26
Gold in color with a bouquet of golden fruit, lichee nut, smoke, and oak,
which remind me of a Meursault. Medium
bodied with good fruit, balance, and a rich texture.
Creamy flavors of tree fruit, toasted nuts, and vanilla with a
well-balanced and velvety finish. A good Chardonnay. Tasted 6/9/02
2000 Raymond Chardonnay
Monterey County
California $12
A good golden color with a rich tropical fruit, oak and buttery aromas.
Medium bodied with a lively acidicness and good balance.
Clean peach and vanilla flavors that lead into the smooth finish.
A nice wine. Tasted 6/7/02
2000 Round Hill Vineyards Chardonnay,
California Selections
$10
Apples, oak, and spice aromas emit from this gold colored wine.
Medium bodied with a good balance. The flavors mimic the aromas that end
in a dry finish. A good wine for
the price. Tasted 6/7/02
1999 Clos du Bois Merlot
Sonoma county
California $18
Burgundy red in color with dark fruit and chalky aromas.
A medium bodied wine that’s soft and round on the palate.
Simple flavors of plum and blackberry with a touch of oak.
The finish is dry. Tasted 6/6/02 1998 Raymond Merlot
“Napa Reserve” Napa Valley
$20
Dark burgundy red in color. The
bouquet is full with aromas of dark fruit, vanilla, oak, and blackberry. Dry with a firmer that usually structure for a
California Merlot. The flavors
reflex the aromas with soft tannins and a long silky feel on the palate.
The finish is dry with deep fruit and oak.
Tasted 6/7/02
1998 Stonegate Chardonnay
Napa Valley
$15
A rich and balanced Chardonnay with a brilliant gold color. The bouquet exhibits ripe golden apple, butter, and toasty
oak aromas. Full bodied without
being clumsy or overpowering. A
creamy texture with an oaky acidicness that adds complexity and balance.
Melon, apple, creamy vanilla, tropical fruit, and a healthy dose of oak
in the flavors. The finish is dry and lets you know that it’s 13.9%
alcohol. A treat for lovers of
“big-style” Chardonnays. Tasted 6/26/02
1998 Domaine St George Chardonnay
“Barrel Reserve” California
$8
Richly golden in color with tropical fruit aromas and flavors.
A smooth finish that carries the good fruit flavors till the end.
A Good Value. Tasted 6/7/02 1999 Domain St George Chardonnay
California.
$12 Bright gold in color with a nicely balanced nose of pear, and
vanilla with oak highlights. Medium
bodied and smooth on the palate. Peach,
vanilla, and melon flavors that continual into the soft finish.
Tasted 6/7/02 1998 Mark West Chardonnay
Russian River Valley
California $14
A straw-gold color with a penetrating bouquet of golden fruit and oak.
Balanced and smooth on the palate with oaky vanilla, ripe pear, and tropical
fruit flavors. The finish is dry
and delicate. Tasted 6/7/02
2000 Cartlidge & Browne
Syrah California $11
A medium depth of red in color with a penetrating nose of dark berries
and a touch of spice. Smooth and
deep, with good length on the palate. The
palate coating dark fruit and peppery flavors continual into this wine’s lush
finish. A “must try” and a good
value! Tasted 6/1/02
1996 Mumm Cuvee Napa DVX
California $45
What
a great sparking wine! It has the
class and refinement that is found in France’s top Champagnes. A beautiful yellow-straw color with refined bubbles.
The bouquet is creamy with apple, pear, vanilla, and toasted almond
flavors. Very refined and creamy on
the palate, too. Subtle flavors of white fruit and nuts. Made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but showing more of the
qualities and flavors of the Chardonnay grape. A very delicate mouth-feel that
almost evaporates on the palate leaving behind creamy and complex fruit flavors.
Serve this wine a touch warmer then you normally would Champagne.
At a warmer temperature all its subtle flavors will be revealed.
Tasted 6/22/02
1999 St. Francis Cabernet
Sauvignon Sonoma County
$18
Burgundy red in color with blackberry, vanilla, and oak aromas. Medium bodied, soft, and warm on the palate.
Soft tannins and dry and like the aromas; blackberry, plum, vanilla, and
oak flavors. The finish leaves the
palate with dark fruit flavors. A
nice wine but lacking in complexity. Tasted 6/2/02
Here
are some finds from my recent trip to California, in April ‘02 Two
great Chardonnays from the Carneros region of Napa Valley 1996 Chauffe-Eau Chardonnay
“Sangiacomo Vineyards” Carneros
Napa Valley $18
Wow! What a super Chardonnay. Depth,
complexity, layered flavors, and a fine balance.
This 5 ½ year-old wine is drinking nicely now but like a Grand Cru white
Burgundy, will improve with a year or two more in the bottle.
A deep golden color with aromas of butter, oak, vanilla, deep golden
fruit and a toasty quality usually found in a good Meursault. Rich in glycerin
this wine coats the palate with a creamy texture and layer after layer of
tropical flavors. The aromas are
also reflected in the flavors with a finish that goes on and on. Tasted 4/19/02 1999 St. Clement Chardonnay
“Abbotts Vineyards” Carneros
Napa Valley $17
This is a well-structured wine with class and power.
Brilliant gold in color with a penetrating bouquet of toasty oak, vanilla
and ripe golden fruit. Medium to
full bodied, dry, and layered with flavors of pear, peach, pineapple, vanilla,
and oak. Can use another year in
the bottle. The finish is dry and
creamy with oak highlights. A great
Chardonnay. Tasted 4/20/02
A
Great Cabernet Sauvignon 1995 Freemark Abbey Cabernet
Sauvignon “Sycamore Vineyards”
Napa $45
A great Napa Valley Cabernet from the very good 1995 vintage. This single vineyard wine is from the Sycamore Vineyard in
the Rutherford region of Napa Valley. The
Rutherford region has a reputation for producing world class Cabernets that are
firm in structure and dry with a characteristic called “Rutherford
Dust”. Rutherford dust has to do
with the mouth-feel and texture of these wines.
The dryness of Rutherford Cabs leaves a very desirable “dusty” feel
on the roof of the mouth and on the back of the palate. This works extremely well with the deep and structured fruit
that is typical of a Rutherford Cab.
A beautiful dark red color with blackberry, plum, and oaky aromas. Rich, full bodied, firmly structured, dry, and complex.
Napa-like in style, with blackberry, vanilla, spicy oak, and dark cherry
flavors. Showing power and
elegances at the same time with a dry and refined finish that lingers on the
palate leaving this wine’s balanced and deep flavors.
Wow! Tasted 5/26/02
Napa Valley,
California
Cardinale is making some of the best Cabernet Sauvignons
and Merlots, in Napa Valley.
I visited the winery on April 17, 2002 for a tasting and
was blown away by the depth, complexity, and quality of these wines.
My hosts, Ron Haskell and Jon Bain were very hospitable, and genuinely
good people. I was very impressed
by their vast knowledge of wine.
Their Flagship wine; Cardinale, is made by winemaker Charles Thomas, and is
a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. I
tasted the 1998 Cardinale and thought it was super, giving it The
following notes about the ’98 Cardinale are from;
www.cardinale.com CARDINALE
WINE LIST “In addition to farming the
vineyards which produce grapes for Cardinale Red Meritage, the Cardinale Estate
includes properties which supply fruit for our sister brands Lokoya
and Atalon.”
www.cardinale.com While at the winery I also tasted the
three Atalon wines they make. These high quality wines are hand-made by
winemaker Thomas Peffer and are well worth the price. 1998 Atalon Merlot,
Napa Valley $29
Made from 95% Merlot and 5% cabernet Sauvignon.
A rich burgundy color with dark fruit, coffee, and blackberry aromas.
Medium to full bodied with a rich and soft mouth-feel that works well
with this wine’s tannins. Deep flavors of plums, dark berries, and leather
with fine tannins and a well structured finish.
Tasted 4/17/02 1998 Atalon Cabernet
Sauvignon Napa Valley
$35
93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot.
A super Cab. with a reddish black color and loads of black currant and
vanilla aromas. Full bodied, dense,
with soft tannins, and plenty of them. This wine has classy feel and a firm
structure. Ripe and complex flavors of black
fruit, oak, and smoke. The finish
is long with refinement and depth. Tasted 4/17/02 1997 Atalon Merlot,
Mountain Estate, Napa Valley $60
98.5% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, and .05% Cabernet Franc.
All these grapes are Mountain grown from vineyards on Howell and Diamond
Mts. and it shows. This Merlot is
concentrated and structured with deep flavors.
A dark color with aromas of dark sweet fruit, and coco that carry through
into the layered flavors. Soft tannin and a refined mouth-feel and finish. Tasted 4/17/02 We
ended the tasting with one of the top wines made in the Napa Valley; Lokoya,
named after the Native Americans that lived in the Napa Valley long before any
vines were planted. What a Wine!
and what a way to end this delightful tasting.
Winemaker, Chris Carpenter makes four different appellation Lokoyas and
all reflect the “terroir” or flavors and characteristic of each distinct
region. The four regions are;
Rutherford, Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain, and Mount Veeder.
They are all made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon or close to it.
We tasted the 1998 Rutherford. 1998 Lokoya Cabernet
Sauvignon “Rutherford” $120
This
darkly colored wine is packed with deep layered fruit and lush aromas of black
fruit, cassis, and oaky vanilla aromas. Concentrated
with sweet tannins and complexity. A
lot going on here, as layer after layer of complex fruit flavors reveal
themselves and then continual into to lush and long finish.
Seductive and delicious this wine is
appealing now but will continual to improve over the next 5-8 years Tasted 4/17/02
1998 Alderbrook Chardonnay
“Dry Creek Valley” California
Found on sale for $9 at the Vineyards Wine & Spirit Shop in
Middletown NY
This Dry Creek Valley Chardonnay is at its peek of maturity and drinking
well right now. A bright golden
color with ripe tropical fruit and oaky aromas.
Medium to full bodied with a good balance between the rich fruit and
toasty oak. Ripe pear, pineapple,
oak, and vanilla flavors. The
finish is dry and fills the palate. A
steal for $9. Tasted 5/5/02
2000 Pepper Wood Grove Viognier
California $8
A nice golden color with peach, vanilla, and some spice on the nose and
palate. Dry, medium bodied and
crisp. The balanced flavors are on
the lighter side, ending in an off-dry finish. Tasted 5/18/02
1998 Trinchero “Family Selection” Cabernet Sauvignon
California $13
A purple-red color with a fruity bouquet of black berries and plums.
Dry, medium bodied, and soft on the palate with a touch of oak and
tannins. Jammy fruit flavors of red
berries and currants. The finish is
dry and soft. Tasted 5/24/02
2000 Lolonis Fume’
Blanc “Redwood Valley”
Mendocino County, Ca. $14
A nice straw color with a refined bouquet of lemon citrus and vanilla.
Dry with good length on the palate.
Pear, smoke, vanilla and toasty oak flavors that follow through into the
dry finish. Organically grown… Tasted 5/26/02
NV Mirabelle Brut
California $16
A good gold color with plenty of active bubbles.
A nutty bouquet with ripe white fruit aromas. A light texture and
body that disappears after just a moment on the palate. Light spring fruit flavors that are clean and refreshing
with a dry finish. Tasted 5/02/02
NV Gloria Ferrer Sonoma
Brut Sonoma
County $19
This wine is made from 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay.
It is made in the Methode Champenoise way. A good rich gold color with plenty of tiny bubbles.
Golden fruit and yeasty aromas highlight this lively bouquet. Dry
with good structure, peach and apricot flavors.
A clean finish with a touch of tartness.
Tasted 5/02/02
NV Bonny Doon Vineyards
“Pacific Rim” Dry
Riesling
California $12
This wine comes in a wildly designed bottle with 3D effects.
The Riesling grapes used come from California, Germany, and
Washington State. A clean
golden color with floral aromas. Slightly
rich for a Riesling with just a touch of sweetness.
White fruit, melon, and citrus flavors. The finish is soft with
mineral notes. Tasted 5/10/02 2001 Covey Run Riesling Washington
State $7
A light yellow-gold color with sweet peach aromas and flavors.
A semi-sweet finish. The
flavors remind me of canned peaches in syrup.
No complexity but easy to drink and refreshing.
5/10/02
2000 Covey Run Late
Harvest Riesling “Harvest Select”
Washington State $15
Light in color with honey and apricot aromas.
Not as sweet or rich as one might expect from a late harvest wine.
Apricot and tart flavors mingle with this wines sweetness.
Pale and tart flavors highlight the finish. Tasted 5/10/02
2000 Rock River Chardonnay California $12
A well made Chardonnay that was aged in small French oak barrels. A bright golden color with an impressive bouquet of vanilla-oak, golden apples, and creamy fruit. Good balance, medium bodied, and a touch of silk on the palate. Like the aromas, the flavors show golden fruit, vanilla, and plenty of oak. The finish is silky and leaves the palate enjoying this wines flavors. Tasted 4/13/02
1999 BV Beaulieu Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon “Rutherford” Napa Valley
$19 A classy, well structured, and balanced Cab. Showing a deep reddish-purple color with blackberry, cassis, vanilla and oak aromas. Medium to full bodied with rich flavors, tannins, and depth. This wine coats the palate with layers of deep black fruit, and vanilla. The long finish reveals fine tannins, good fruit, and is dry. Tasted 4/5/02
2000 Pepi Pinot Grigio
Willamette Valley
Washington State $11
One thing I love about the world of wine is that there is always
something new and exciting to taste like a Pinot Grigio from Washington State. Light gold in color with peach, apple and vanilla aromas and
flavors. Smooth and richer in body
then most Italian Pinot Grigios. A
richer finish then one would expect. In
a blind tasting I might guess that this was a French Chardonnay.
In any case it’s a good wine. Tasted 3/15/02
Some
Pinot Noirs from California 2000 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast California $23
Deep in color for a Pinot Noir with a dark red hue.
A full bouquet of berries,
ripe plums, black cherry, and refined oak. A
creamy and layered texture that is beautifully balanced by a clean acidicness
and fine tannins. The black cherry, vanilla, and red plum flavors follow through
this wine’s soft and plate-coating finish.
Tasted 4/25/02 1999 Gloria Ferrer Pinot Noir Carneros
Napa Valley, California $19
A nice dark red color with ripe plum, spice and oak on the nose. Medium bodied and smooth on the palate. Good flavors of dark fruit, and spicy oak.
Good balance and a fine structure that finishes with lingering fruit
flavors. Good wine. Tasted 4/26/02 1999 Laetitia Pinot
Noir Reserve Arroyo Grande Valley
California $ 32
Deep in color for a Pinot Noir and a lovely dark red tone.
A full nose of berries, vanilla, and cherries. Very rich for a pinot with loads of juicy fruit, soft tannins
and oak highlights that add complexity and interest. Layer after layer of black cherry, plum, vanilla and oak with
a bit heat on the palate from the high alcohol.
Very refined yet full with complexity and fine tannins and a graceful
finish. Big and bold while
displaying the complexity and feel of a Grand Cru Burgundy. Cellar for 4 years
or more. Tasted 4/26/02 2000 Saintsbury Pinot
Noir Carneros
Napa Valley, California $23
A beautiful medium tone of ruby red in color. The bouquet has some spice
to it with black cherry aromas. Medium
bodied and soft on the palate with light tannins.
Cherry and vanilla flavors that are very balanced with a touch of oak.
The finish is soft and leaves cherry flavors on the palate.
A classy Pinot that will benefit from a few years in the bottle. Tasted 4/26/02
1999 Hogue Cabernet-Merlot
Colombia Valley
Washington State $15.99
Made from 51% Cabernet, 45% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc.
A reddish purple color with currants, spice, and vanilla aromas.
Medium bodied and well balanced with plum and blackberry flavors.
The finish is dry with refined tannins.
Tasted 3/10/02 1998 Hogue Cabernet
Sauvignon Colombia Valley
Washington State $16.99
A dark purple color with blackberry, and oaky vanilla aromas and flavors.
Well balanced with a soft creamy texture.
A soft finish for a Cab. with good fruit.
Tasted 3/10/02
2001 Chateau Ste Michelle Johannesburg
Riesling Columbia Valley
Washington $9
A bright golden color with slightly tart green fruit aromas.
Light to medium bodied, crisp, and slightly sweet.
This wine’s sweetness works very well with the green pear, citrus, and
apricot flavors. The finish is
clean with good balance between the sweet
and tart flavors. Tasted 3/16/02
A
Few California Merlots
1999 Trinchero Merlot
“Family Selection”
California $12
This wine is a blend of Merlot grapes from San Luis Obispo (75%),
Monterey (15%), Napa (7%), and Santa Barbara (3%).
An unusual blend of growing regions that is well made with good balance
and is ready to drink right now! Ruby red in color with a succulent bouquet of cherries, blackberry, and vanilla. Very smooth, lush, and soft on the palate. Deep flavors of Black cherry, plums, and toasty vanilla. The finish is rich and smooth. Tasted 4/4/02 1997 Van Asperen Vineyards
Napa Valley Merlot
California $16
A brilliant shade of maroon red in color.
The bouquet offers ripe fruit with a touch of spice and musk.
Medium bodied with blackberry, chocolate, and cherry flavors.
There is a touch of tartness on the palate.
The finish is dry and a bit on the acidic side. Tasted 4/4/02 1998 Charles Krug Merlot
Napa Valley
California $17-18
A good dark red color with dark ripe fruit and oaky aromas. This medium bodied wine has good balance of oak and fruit, and will improve with time in the bottle. Somewhat, Bordeaux-like in style with black cherry, toasty vanilla, oak, and dark-berry flavors. A dry finish that shows some tannins. Tasted 4/4/02
2000 Kenwood Sauvignon
Blanc Sonoma County
California $13
A yellow-greenish color with kiwi, grapefruit, and mineral aromas and
flavors. Light to medium bodied
with good balance. A clean and elegant finish.
A good clean and crisp wine that will match up well with lighter foods. Tasted 3/15/02
2000 Cuvaison Chardonnay
Napa Valley “Carneros”
California $23
A beautiful and radiant golden color with oaky-butter, and golden fruit
aromas. Medium to full bodied with
a rich texture. Mouth filling
tropical fruit, golden apples, vanilla, hazelnut, citrus, and oak flavors.
Ending with a rich and balanced finish. Tasted 4/4/02
1999 Barefoot Merlot
“Sonoma County” Reserve California
$17
This is a big, full-blown Merlot with 14.5% alcohol with the fruit and
structure to stand up to it. A deep
purple color with a lush bouquet of sweet dark fruit and licorice.
Full bodied and powerful with a bit of a hotness on the palate from the
high alcohol. Flavors of blackberries,
chocolate, and oak. Old-Californian in style. The finish is lush with deep fruit
flavors. This wine is on the border
of being too big and massive and is for those who like huge, alcoholic wines. Tasted 3/2/02
1999 Pepi Sauvignon
Blanc “Two Heart Canopy” Napa California
$12
This well-made wine has a straw color and a tangy nose of green grass,
cloves, and spice. A very nice
smooth texture that’s surprisingly rich for a Sauvignon Blanc. Dry with
citrus, herb, and a-typical of a Sauvignon Blanc, creamy flavors. It finishes
with good balance. Tasted 3/15/02
2001 Brimstone Hill Cayuga
White Hudson Valley
Region, New York State $9
The Cayuga is a French-American hybrid grape that is mostly grown in New
York State and usually produces a light semi-sweet appealing white wine like
this one. Almost white in color with spicy flowers on the nose. Lightly sweet
with a refreshing and delicate feel. Clean white fruit flavors and a soft easy
finish. Tasted 3/8/02 2000 Brimstone Hill Riesling Hudson
Valley Region, New York State $12
A very clean Riesling with a light straw color.
It has a flowery Mosel-like bouquet and is just sweet enough to be
considered a dessert wine. Peaches,
white fruit, and floral flavors that linger on the palate and in the finish with
a beautiful sweetness, offering good value.
Tasted 3/8/02
1999 Rabbit Ridge Zinfandel “Hedin Vineyard” Russian River
Valley
$20
This is a powerful Zinfandel that also shows class and style. Not your
everyday Zin with its depth and complexity.
A dark purple-red color with plumy dark fruit aromas on the nose.
Full bodied with a smooth oily texture.
Dry with plenty of plum, black fruit, vanilla, and oak flavors. The
finish is again dry with refined tannins, while revealing layers of rich fruit
on the palate. Will improve with 3
or more years in the bottle. Tasted 2/20/02 2001 Pine Ridge Chenin
Blanc–Viognier California
$12
This is an unusual blend of grapes. The wine is clean and crisp with a
touch of sweetness. Very light in
color with lively grapefruit aromas. The
flavors of this light bodied wine seem to just pop open on the palate.
The citrus and tangy young green fruit flavors are balanced by this wine
sweetness. The finish is semi-sweet
and clean. Tasted 2/22/02 1999 Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel
“Sonoma County”
California $12
A
dark purple color with ripe wild berry fruit aromas.
Rich and lush on the palate. The
dark plum, berry, and other ripe fruit flavor work well with this wines oak
highlights and tannins. The finish
is again lush, dry, and carries the fruit flavors to the end. Tasted 2/23/02
2000 Hogue Fume’ Blanc
Columbia
Valley, Washington State $9
This wine did not do much for me but was OK for the price. A light
yellow-green color. Grassy, woody, and citrus aromas. Dry and slightly tart with Lemon like fruit and a dry finish. Tasted 1/26/02 2000 Mirassou Pinot Noir
Monterey County California
$7
A medium to light burgundy red color.
The bouquet reveals plum, spice, and woody aromas.
On the lighter side of medium bodied with good fruit.
Cherry and forest flavors that finish with grace.
Good value! Tasted 2/11/02
2000 Hess Select Chardonnay
California $11
Golden in color with rich honeyed fruit and some oak on the nose.
Medium bodied and dry with plenty of oak, which does overpower the fruit
a bit. Tropical fruit flavors and a dry finish. Tasted 1/26/02 1999 Sterling Vineyards
Chardonnay “North Coast”
California $15
A bright golden color with a bouquet of silky fruit.
Medium bodied and balanced. Golden
apple, pear, and pineapple flavors with toasty oak notes.
The finish offers smooth fruit, oak, and hints of lemon. Tasted 1/26/02 2000 EXP Viognier by Dunnigan Hills
California $13
Pale gold in color. The
bouquet is sweet and spicy with mineral tones. This medium to full bodied wine
has a hint of sweetness and again the same mineral tones that are in the bouquet
are also in the taste with peach flavors and a soft finish. Tasted 2/16/02 1998 TRIA Pinot Noir “Carneros”
$18
Dark in color for a Pinot. The bouquet expresses black cherries, oak, and
gamy fruit aromas. Medium bodied
and smooth on the palate. Dry with flavors that mimic the aromas plus plums and
spices. A good Pinot Noir with a
full finish and rich fruit. Tasted 2/10/02
2000 Kenwood Pinot Noir “Russian River
Valley” California $16
This wine is young and with 2-3 years in
the bottle will develop further complexity.
A medium burgundy color and a beautiful bouquet and taste of ripe fruit
and spice. Balanced and well structured. Good
fruit and rich for a Pinot Noir. A dry a solid finish. Tasted 2/13/02
1999 Montevina Fume’ Blanc California
$7
This Fume’ Blanc is nothing to write home about, but for the price is a
good way to get a taste of the Fume’ Blanc style, if not familiar with them.
Of course there are much better ones out there so don’t draw a final
conclusion from this one wine, just get a basic idea.
A medium depth of color with a tangy and musty nose. The flavors show
some of the smoky qualities of the Fume’ style. Some citrus flavors and a dry
finish. Tasted 2/11/02
1998 STG Chalk Hill Chardonnay “Barrel
Fermented” California
$12
Gold in color with carmel like fruit and a touch of sweetness on the
nose. Medium bodied and nicely
balanced. Oaky with lemony fruit
and vanilla flavors. It finishes dry with oak highlights. Tasted 1/26/02 1999 Belvedere Chardonnay
Sonoma County “Healdsburg Ranches”
California $12
A yellow-gold color. The
nose is soft with sweet fruit aromas. Smooth
and layered on the palate with a creamy texture.
Dry with balanced oaky vanilla and buttery flavors that mingle well with
this wines round and fresh fruit. The
finish coats the palate and is dry. Tasted 2/26/02 I tasted the following California Cabernets with two other people, both professionals in the wine business. We all found the 1999 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley and the 1997 Belvedere Cabernet Sauvignon “Dry Creek Valley” to be the driest and most Bordeaux like in style with the 1998 Stonegate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley being the biggest and most age worthy.
1999 Blackstone Winery Cabernet Sauvignon California $11
Purple in color, jammy rich black berry fruit and cherry on the nose and
the palate. A fat and soft texture.
A touch of tannin and a soft finish. Tasted 1/12/02
1998 Trinchero
Family Selections Cabernet Sauvignon California
$13
This wine is made from 48% Santa Barbara, 21% Lake County, and 14% Napa
Valley grapes. A rich purple color with a nice nose of currants, wild berries,
vanilla, and a touch of spice. The
bouquet is reflected in the flavors of this medium bodied Cab.
The finish has a round feel to it. Tasted
1/12/02 1998 Kenwood
Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County
California $22
This balanced and appealing wine shows a dark purple/red color.
Vanilla and sweet blackberry aromas and tastes give this wine its
appealing quality. The finish is rich and leaves good fruit flavors lingering on
the palate. Tasted 1/12/02
1997 Belvedere
Cabernet Sauvignon “Dry Creek Valley”
California $20
I have always had a warm spot in my heart for Cabs. and Chardonnays from
the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. From
my experience, wines from this area are dryer, firmer and more elegant in style
then some other California wines. True
to form this wine is dry with mineral notes and some tannins. Dark burgundy in
color with a great bouquet of deep
dark fruit and spice. The Blackberry, currant, cedar flavors are refined and
layered. The finish is dry and
balanced. This wine will improve
and become more complex with 4 or more years in the bottle.
Tasted 1/12/02
1999 Sterling Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
California $22
A great Cab. with a dark burgundy red color and a beautiful and full
bouquet of sweet blackberry and plum aromas. The
structure and balance of this wine are excellent. Currant, cassis, and deep fruit flavors that are layered and
mingled with complexity. The finish
is long and pleases the palate with smooth fruit.
Tasted 1/12/02
1998 Stonegate Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
California $30
A powerful wine that’s dark maroon red in color.
The nose is rich with deep black fruit aromas on a backdrop of cedar and
oak. This wine is built for ageing
with its firm structure and tannins. The
rich fruit flavors have a touch of sweetness. It shows
some Bordeaux qualities and a long finish.
Very nice. Tasted 1/12/02
2000 Villa Mt Eden
Pinot Noir
California $10
In the last few years this winery, has been putting out a great Pinot
Noir for ten bucks. It exhibits
many of the textbook characterizes of the Pinot Noir grape.
A medium red color with cherry and oaky aromas.
On the palate its Medium bodied with cherry, dried fruit, forest wood,
plum, and oak flavors. Some tannins with a dry finish that leaves the palate
with delicate fruit flavors. Tasted
12/20/01
1998 Cuvaison
Merlot - Napa Valley California
$29
This was one of the best Merlots I tasted on my last trip to Napa in Aug.
Grown in the Carneros district of Napa. The color is dark purple-red.
The bouquet is still closed, even after airing for 4 hour, but still
luring with deep blackberry, currant, vanilla, and oak aromas. Full bodied, a
firm structure, sweet tannins, and a rich and velvety mouth-feel. The flavors are deep and dry with dark berries, black cherry,
plums, spice, cream and toasty oak. The finish is balanced and leaves the mouth
coated with smooth fruit flavors. Will
reward 3 or more years of cellaring.
Tasted 12/26/01
1999 J. Lohr Syrah “South Ridge” Paso Robles, California $14
This wine is like a cross between a Northern Rhone and an Australian
Shiraz.. Purple in color with lots
of deep fruit and chocolate aromas. Medium
bodied and smooth on the palate. This
wine is rich in dark-berry, chocolate, and spicy flavors. The finish is smooth
and rich in fruit. Tasted 12/01
2000 Lyeth White
Meritage
North Coast, California $12
This wine is made from 66% Sauvignon Blanc and 34% Semillon. A light
golden color with a touch of pale green. Clean
with full grass and herds aromas on the nose.
Medium bodied with a nice smoothness due to barrel fermentation. Dry with
grassy and nutty flavors that work well with this wine’s roundness and oily
texture. The finish is dry and full with an elegant feel on the palate. Tasted 11/01
2000 J. Lohr White
Riesling “Bay Mist”
Monterey, California $11
Golden in color with honeyed floral aromas.
Minerals, dried fruit, rose petal, and slightly sweet flavors with a
touch of effervescence. The finish
is light with a crisp feel. Tasted 12/7/01
1999 Pepper Wood Grove Pinot
Noir California
$8
A good value. Dark in color
for a Pinot Noir with some spice and earth on the nose.
Medium bodied with a soft mouth-feel. Plum and black fruit flavors that
mingle with fruity characterizes. The
finish is soft and dry. Tasted 12/01
1999 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon
California $18
A great Cab. that is California in style from head to toe.
Dark burgundy in color with full aromas and flavors of blackberry,
currant, cassis, and vanilla. The
fruit is lush with a smooth mouth-feel and plenty of tannins. The finish coats
the palate with smooth fruit flavors. This
wine is young and closed but will develop into a real beauty with 4 to 7 years
in the bottle. To enjoy now decant
for an hour or two before serving. Tasted 12/01
1999 Hahn Estates Chardonnay
“Monterey” California
$10
A nice wine for the price. Brilliant gold in color with ripe fruit and
toasty vanilla aromas on the nose. Medium
bodied with a lively crispness. Some
citrus flavors that blend well with this wines ripe topical fruit and vanilla.
The finish is pale-dry with a nice freshness. Tasted 12/01 1999 Hedges Columbia Valley Red
Wine Washington
State $13
This wine is a mix of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 8% Cabernet
Franc, and 5% Syrah. A firmly
structured wine with deep fruit, good tannins, and depth. A deep purple color
with oak, vanilla, blackberry, and currants on the nose, very much like a good
Bordeaux. Dry, and balanced with
deep berry, currant, cassis, vanilla, oak, tannins, and a touch of spice on the
palate. On the heavier side of
medium bodied with plenty of tannins and tightly structured fruit for cellaring.
The finish is firm, long and leaves the palate coated with its fruit
flavors. This wine will definitely
improve with age so to drink it now please decant and let air for 3 hours or
more. A Bordeaux type wine with
that deep, rich fruit that California Cabs have.
Tasted 11/17/01 2000 Brotherhood Winery Pinot
Noir New York
State. $10.99
This Pinot Noir is in a Burgundian style, which in this case means it’s
in a lighter more elegant style then a west coast wine, like a Pinot Noir from
the Cotes de Beaune, or the Chalonnais in Burgundy.
Light ruby red in color, with cherry, raspberry, and vanilla aromas, and
flavors. The flavors are made more complex with some barrel ageing.
An elegant feel on the palate, with a dry and slightly silky finish that
carries the bright fruit flavors on to the very end.
A nice treat… Tasted 11/21/01
2000 Brotherhood Winery Eiswein New York State $25 a half bottle (375ml)
This is an Ice Wine made from 75% Riesling and 25% Vidal grapes, grown in the Finger Lakes Region of
N.Y. State. Still young, when first
opened it had sweet, appealing flavors, but after being open for two days in
the refrigerator it turned into a beautifully balanced desert wine with a very
light straw color. A bouquet of
sweet white plums, spice and flower petals.
The sweetness (residual sugar 16.5%) of this wine is balanced by a clean
crispness. Flavors of apricot,
pear, nutmeg and mango coat the palate with richness and grace.
The texture is rich yet delicate and refined, one of those qualities
found in ice wine. The finish is
long, complex, and rich. Really
nice!!! Tasted 11/14/01
2000 Brotherhood Winery Merlot New York State $10.99
A medium ruby-red color with plum and some slightly spicy aromas. Dry and
refined with blackberry and dark cherry flavors that work well with this wines
soft tannins. The flavors are also present in the finish, which is dry and
smooth. In general most New York state wines are lighter, more refined, and more
elegant then their west coast counterparts, and this wine is no exception.
Tasted 11/10/01
1999 Brotherhood Chardonnay New York State $10.99 This is an elegant and refined style of Chardonnay, which is more akin to a European Char. rather then the big California style. Light golden in color, with nutty aromas and round fruit on the nose. Medium bodied and dry with a delicate mouth feel. Very clean with light buttery vanilla flavors, crisp apply fruit and a touch of oak. The finish is soft and refreshing. Tasted 11/12/01
1999 Van Ruiten · Taylor Cab.-Shiraz Lodi,
California $13 at The Vineyard
Wine and Spirit Shop in Middletown N.Y. Dark purple in color with some red tones. Ripe fruit, oak, some pepper, and boysenberry on the nose. Dry and rich with layers of chewy fruit that expand on the palate. The finish is lush and deep. An Australian styled wine from California. Tasted
9/22/01
1999 Estancia Cabernet
Sauvignon California
$15 at The Vineyard Wine and Spirit Shop in Middletown N.Y.
An good all-around Cab. Young and purple in color with a spicy bouquet.
A nice feel and structure that adds to the raisin, spice, and herbal
flavors. A balanced finish. Tasted 10/1/01
2000 La Crema Chardonnay
“Sonoma Coast”
California $15 at
The Vineyard Wine and Spirit Shop in Middletown N.Y. I reviewed the ’99 back in July ’01 and loved it. The 2000 like the ’99 has a full creamy bouquet and texture, with tropical fruit, oak, vanilla, and butterscotch flavors. Golden in color. The finish coats the palate with all the wine’s flavors. This wine has a touch more crispness then the ‘99, which could round out with a few months in the bottle. Great Chardonnay! La Crema has done it again.. Tasted 9/18/01.
1997 Hahn Estates Meritage
Monterey
County, California $15 at The
Vineyard Wine and Spirit Shop in Middletown N.Y.
This wine is a well-priced example of a California Meritage.
A Meritage is a wine made from blending the traditional grapes of
Bordeaux; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec.
Many of the top California wineries are now making Meritage wines. A dark red color with rich blackberry aromas and spice on the nose. Medium bodied, dry, and smooth. Showing European characteristics, with it’s higher acidic ness and elegant structure, that mixes well with ripe California dark fruit flavors. The finish is silky with lingering fruit flavors. Great with food and worth every penny!! Tasted 10/2/01
1996 Noceto Sangiovese
Shenandoah
Valley California $10 at The
Vineyard Wine and Spirit Shop in Middletown N.Y. What a nice find, a very small production, family run winery (12 acres). This is the only wine they make. Ready to drink and at its peek of maturity right now. A ruby-brown color and a bouquet that is filled with lovely mixed berry aromas. Medium bodied, smooth, and dry, with some complexity to it. Plum, blackberry, raspberry and earthy flavors. A lingering and fruity finish. Tasted 9/21/01
1999 Frei Brothers Chardonnay
“Russian River Valley” Reserve
$15.50 at The Vineyard Wine
and Spirit Shop in Middletown N.Y.
A well made wine showing balance, richness, and grace. The overall feel
and structure is akin to a good white Burgundy.
A translucent yellow, straw color. The
bouquet exhibits vanilla, pear, some toasty oak, and tropical fruit aromas.
Medium bodied, the aromas are repeated in the flavor with a touch of
citrus. It finishes lush, and long. A
must try for California, and French Chardonnay lovers.
Tasted 9/15/01
1999 Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay Washington
State White $10.99 at PJ’s Wine
& Spirits in Middletown N.Y. A classy wine with good balance. Nice light golden color with a toasty oak, and vanilla bouquet. Medium bodied with well-structured fruit, a little lemony tang, and like the bouquet; toasty oak and vanilla flavors. It finishes dry with creamy fruit. Tasted 8/14/01
1999 Ramsay Pinot Noir “California” Lot # 14
$15 at The Vineyard Wine and Spirit Shop in Middletown N.Y. A light to medium depth of ruby red color with cherry and red plum on the nose. Dry on the palate with young red cherry and berry flavors, and a slight touch of tannin. Not much complexity but appealing in a simple way. It finishes with round fruit and a soft feel. Tasted 8/31/01 .
1999 J. Lohr Chardonnay
“Riverstone” Monterey,
California White $10.99 at
Liquor Outlet in Nanuet N.Y. A nice creamy ripe style of Chardonnay, with a straw color of medium depth. The bouquet exhibits rich tropical fruit and vanilla oak. The tropical fruit and vanilla oak carry on into the taste. A smooth lush mouth feel that ends with toasty flavors and a bit of tartness. A good wine and a good example of the Monterey style of Chardonnay.
1999 La Crema Chardonnay
“Sonoma Coast” $14.99
at Liquor Outlet in Nanuet N.Y. This wine has everything I want in a Chardonnay. The bouquet keeps on coming with pear, apricot, toasted nuts, oak, and creamy vanilla aromas, which carry on into the taste. The texture is creamy smooth, and coats the palate. There is an excellent balance between its complex fruit flavors and the oak. It finishes with great balance and grace. I cannot find any flaws in this wine whatsoever. Tasted 7/9/01.
1999
Columbia-Crest “Grand Estates”
Chardonnay
Washington State White $10.99 at Liquor Outlet in Nanuet N.Y.
This is not the Columbia-Crest regular Chardonnay, which is also a nice
wine for the price. This is their “Grand Estates” release, and it’s worth
twice the price that it’s selling for.
A barrel fermented wine with a medium yellow straw color, and a rich
creamy and woody bouquet. Medium to
full bodied with a lust mouth feel and lots of rich vanilla cream and toasty
oak. It tastes like melting vanilla
ice cream with deep tropical fruit. What a joy to just sit and sip this wine.
The finish coats the pallet with smooth lust flavors and is very
balanced. A rich wine that is not
flabby and maintains its elegances and grace.
Bravo! Columbia-Crest. Tasted
4/30/01 Visit
their web site: www.columbia-crest.com
1997
Dry Creek Vineyard Sonoma County
Cabernet Sauvignon California
Red $18.99 at Liquor Outlet in
Nanuet N.Y.
Dry Creek Vineyard uses French, wine making techniques and philosophy in
the growing and making of their wines. There
wines are usually more elegance and complex in style, compared to other
California wines. This wine is a
Bordereaux blend which also uses the Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. A medium to dark color, of deep reddish-purple. The bouquet has toasty, berry like fruit, but is still a little tight. Medium bodied with a nice silky mouth feel. Blackberry and current fruit, vanilla and some spice, which balances the toasty oak flavors. The finish is dry with berry fruit. This wine is delicious now but will improve with 3 to 6 years in the bottle. Tasted 3/5/01
1999
St. Francis Sonoma County
Chardonnay California
White $11.99 at Star Liquors in Monroe NY This Chardonnay has a medium color of pale straw. The bouquet displays aromas of toast and honey melon fruit. A medium bodied wine with lively tropical fruit and toasty oak flavors. The wine’s flavors continual in the finish, leaving a silky feel on the plate. Tasted 3/16/01 their web site is www.stfranciswine.com
1997
Domaine Saint George Cabernet
Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley
California Red $13.99
at PJ’s Wine and Liquors in Middletown N.Y.
This wine started out a little flabby with tart fruit, but after it aired
for about an hour it opened up and became silky and balanced. The color is dark purple. The bouquet is lush with dark fruit
and oak. Medium to full bodied with rich, deep wild berry and current flavors
mixing with new oak. This wine has
a
silky-creamy texture to it. The finish is dry with smooth fruit.
Tasted 3/19/01
1998
Dry Creek Vineyard: Sonoma County
Chardonnay
$12.99 at Liquor Outlet in Nanuet N.Y.
I have been a fan of Dry Creek Vineyard’s wines for years.
This is a medium bodied Chardonnay that started out a little tight and
thin but after the bottle was open for an hour or more it opened up and became
lusher. This wine will benefit from
a couple of years of bottle aging. A
nice medium straw color, and a silky-smoky bouquet. Lighter in body that most
Sonoma Chards, with buttery fruit and some complexity to it. A really nice
balance of oak and fruit. The
finish is dry with toasty oak. A
well made wine.
Tasted 1/24/01 web site: www.drycreekvineyard.com
1997
Chateau Souverain Cabernet
Sauvignon “Alexander Valley” California
Red. $16.99 at Liquor Outlet in Nanuet N.Y. Damian at Liquor Outlet recommended this wine to me. As many of you know ’97 was a really good year for Sonoma and Napa County Cabernet Sauvignons, and this wine proves it once again. It’s dark black plum in color, and shows no sign of fading around the edges. The bouquet displays deep, ripe fruit and some oak. A nice balanced taste, of toasty oak, and layers of blackberry and other complex fruit flavor, that mingles with a vanilla creaminess. The wine has a silky feel to it, and finishes with class. This is a more elegant and complex Cabernet in comparison to the more powerful style of California Cab. This wine will improve and open up with 3 or more years in the bottle. To drink now, decant and let air for one to two hours. Web Site: www.chateausouverain.com Tasted 2/25/01
1997
Kenwood Pinot Noir
“Jack London Vineyards”
$26.99 at J.P. Liquors in Middletown N.Y. The first impression I receive from this wine is how rich it is for a Pinot Noir. The color is medium in depth, and has a beautiful hue of burgundy red to it. The bouquet is filled with berry and cherry scents with just a touch of gaminess. It's medium bodied, but seems much fuller because this wine has so much silky, richness to it. Plums, and berry flavors mix well with this wines dryness. All the components of this wine work well together. The finish is smooth and balanced. This wine is a delight to drink. I also review (11/1/00) the 1999 Kenwood Pinot Noir “Russian River Valley” which I really enjoyed. Web site: www.kenwoodvineyards.com Tasted
12/19/00. 1998
“Reds” Laurel Glen Vineyards
$8 to $10 and available at many stores nation wide A really rich and pleasing red wine for the dollar. The color is deep and dark. The bouquet displays tones of truffles and deep fruit. A medium to full bodied wine. It has an earthy taste that is filled with blackberries and spice. The finish coats the pallet. Year after year Laurel Glen does a great job with this wine. Tasted
1/4/01
1997 Leaping Lizard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
California Red $11.99 or $8.98 with free discount card at Bottle King in
Ramsey, NJ Another nice Cabernet from the great ’97 vintage in California. Medium to dark inky color. The bouquet is full of deep fruit. The taste is dry with sweet fruit and oak. The finish is smooth with a slight oak ness to it. Needs a few years in the bottle, but is presentable now.
Tasted 11/27/00.
1998 Pedroncelli “Three Vineyards” Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. $9.99 @ Bottle King in Ramsey N.J. I was very happy with this wine. A very good value. I seem to like Cab’s from the “Dry Creek Valley” appellation of Sonoma County. A purple color of med. depth, with a vanilla, berry bouquet. The wine is med. bodied with dry silky flavors of berries, cabernet fruit, and vanilla. The finish is very dry. I want to buy this wine again. Their web site can be found at www.pedroncelli.com Tasted 9/22/00
1999 Kenwood
Pinot Noir “Russian River
Valley” $16.99 at Bottle King, but
with the free club discount card it cost $11.98 I have one word to say to
Kenwood about this wine “Bravo”. What
a great Pinot Noir. The color is a deep cherry. The bouquet has a great balance
of wild berries and oak. This wine has a smooth waxy texture, which coats the
mouth. The taste exhibits mixed berries, cherry, some musk, and just the right
amount of oak. The finish is dry and smooth. This is a real class act.
Highly Recommended. Tasted 11/1/00
1997 Wood Pond Vineyards
Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon. $8.98 with club discount card (the card is free) regular
price is $11.99 at Bottle King in Ramsey N.J. Now this is a super Cab. for the price. And a good wine at any price. The color is dark purple. The bouquet is full of deep violets with some mint. This medium to full-bodied wine is full of rich blackberry fruit and herbs. Very dry. The finish is silky smooth. ’97 was a great year for California Cabernets. I’m going to get more of this wine to put away for a few years. It’s drinking nice now but will get better. Tasted 10/21/00
1997
Bethel Heights “Pinot Noir” Willamette Valley Or. $13.99 @ Liquor Outlet
in Nanuet N.Y. Med. to light depth of a red color. The bouquet is short but with interesting earth scents and Cognac. Before drinking this wine I would let it air for at least 2 hours, then it starts to open up and blossom like a flower. The taste is bone dry with light but complex berry and cherry fruit. There is an obvious acidity with earthly undertones. The finish is short with an alcoholic residue that is left after the fruit falls apart. This wine is much more French like in style then a full fruity California Pinot Noir. Their site is at www.bethelheights.com Tasted
3/14/00
1997 J.Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon
“Seven Oaks” $14.99 @ Mid Valley Wine and Liquors in Newburg N.Y.
Color is dark purple-red. Bouquet is rich
with balanced Cab. fruit. The texture is chewy and silky. The taste is deep with
balanced berry flavors and just the right amount of oak. It finishes nicely and
leaves and beautiful silk coating on the pallet. Really nice wine.
They have a nice web site
too. www.jlohr.com Tasted 4/27/00
1996 Gallo of Sonoma
“Sonoma County” Cabernet
Sauvignon $9.99 at
most wine shops Let’s
think about this for a minute. If Gallo wants to make a good wine, they have the
money to buy great vineyards, hirer the best winemakers, and use only the best
grapes at harvest. But because they have the name “Gallo” on the label and
people associate that name with jug wines they have to sell it for less then
it’s real market value. This wine is proof of that. It’s a real Sonoma
Country, Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark color, a deep berry-like and expansive
bouquet. The taste is rich, balanced, and layered with silky cabernet and berry
fruit flavors. The finish is long with a beautiful balance of dryness and sweet Tasted 6/12/00
1999 Kenwood Sonoma
County Chardonnay California
White $9.96 with discount card at Bottle King in Ramsey N.J. This is an O.K. Chardonnay with good style. The color is pale straw. The bouquet is of honeyed fruit and toasty oak. The taste has good fruit that is balanced with nice oak and some vanilla. The finish is dry. This is a better wine for dinner, than for sipping. Their web site is www.kenwoodvineyards.com
Tasted 11/19/00 1998 J.Lohr “Riverstone” Monterey Chardonnay
California White. About $10-$12 As most Chardonnay lovers know Monterey is really coming into it’s own as far as producing great Chardonnay. If you are not familiar with them this is a good one to get started with. Medium depth of color. A nice bouquet with a balance of oak and fruit. Creamy smooth flavors with a nice touch of crispness. Finishes with just the right amount of oak. Tasted 11/30/00. 1997 Belvedere “Sonoma
County” Chardonnay
California white $9.99
@ Star Liquors in Monroe N.Y. A very nicely structured wine. The color is a light to medium, golden yellow. The bouquet is flinty with nice Chardonnay fruit, and vanilla. This is a medium bodied Chardonnay with a balanced display of fruit and oak. Dry with mineral flavors that go so well with it's tight knit fruit. The finish is dry and coats the pallet with an oily fruit that has a slight sweetness to it. These flavors work very well together. This wine reminds me of a good Chassagne-Montrachet. Great dinner wine. I will definitely buy a few more bottles of this. Their wed site is www.belvedere-wines.com Tasted 10/15/00.
1998 Rutherford Ranch
Napa Valley, Chardonnay California.
White $9.99 at Star Liquors
in Monroe N.Y. This is an OK Chardonnay. Straw colored. The bouquet has
tropical fruit and some butterscotch. Medium bodied with good fruit and oak but
have some tartness to it. The finish is medium in length with a little alcohol
bit to it. Tasted 10/20/00
1998 Farallon “Central Coast” Chardonnay.
California . White. $9.99 @
Liquor Outlet in Nanuet N.Y. Deep straw color, bouquet of tropical fruit with a touch of wood. Med. bodied with lushness that ads appeal. The taste reflects the bouquet, tropical fruit with just the right amount of oak. It finishes a little short but dry so it goes better with food then most California Chardonnays. Tasted 3/8/00 1998 Gallo of Sonoma, Sonoma County Chardonnay. $8.99
to 9.99 at most wine shops Well Gallo of Sonoma has done it again. A great wine worth twice the price. Golden color, the bouquet is full, and balanced with some oak undertones. The wine is medium bodied, silky, fresh Chardonnay fruit with just the right amount of oak, with nice vanilla and nut flavors. Very much like a Meursault. The finish is dry, medium in length, and has a nice acidity, which makes this wine go well with food. Tasted 6/10/00 1999 Chateau Ste. Michelle “Columbia Valley” Chardonnay
Washington State. $7.99 @
Bottle King in Ramsey N.J. Wow what a great Chardonnay! Very balanced. The color is light gold. The bouquet is silky with hints cream and tropical fruit. The taste is med. bodied with a delicious silky balance of vanilla cream, butter, melon, ripe pairs, and just the right amount of Oak. So good. The finish is lush, smooth and coats the whole mouth. I highly recommend this wine. They have a great and informative web site at www.ste-michelle.com Tasted 9/26/00. 1998 Edna Valley
“Paragon” Chardonnay San
Luis Obispo, California. $12.66 @ Bottle King in Ramsey N.J.
This is a beautiful California Chardonnay. A
rich straw color with hints of gold. The bouquet is filled with rich caramel and
a slight toasty oak. The taste is rich and crisp
at the same time, with flavors of white grape and vanilla. There is
slight bit of alcohol, which will mellow with a year in the cellar. Even now it
has great appeal. The finish is creamy and smooth. I love this wine. The flavors
reminds me of the old blockbuster California Chard’s of the ‘70s, but
without the heavy oak and alcohol. Enjoy with food or for just sipping. .
Tasted Oct.'00
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