Two Summer Rosés: Kaena & Tercero

While we didn’t slice any watermelon, we had the chance last evening to enjoy and compare two of my favorite Central Coast Rosés with some discerning friends. It was a warm summer evening here in NE Ohio and the wines were well-chilled. Both wines were a hit and the differences in the two wines was appreciated.  The wines were the perfect excuse to gather some friends and neighbors on our front porch, demonstrating once again the way the wine can help bring people together and generate conversations and experiences that begin with the wine itself and then propel into deeper parts of our lives.  Simple summer wine creating community!  Love it!

 Here are the wines:

 

2010 Kaena Grenache Rosé

USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

Wine Rating: 92

Uncorked: 2011.07.03   Drank with friends on the front porch

Served well-chilled on a warm summer afternoon on the porch with friends. Gorgeous salmon color with ripe raspberry and watermelon fruit in the nose. Crisp, aromatic, and layers of flavors. Fruit hints in the nose carry through the palate with added complexity of dark, juicy blackberry or ripe plum. The sensation in the mouth is wonderful — fresh fruit flavors with bright, crisp acidity, followed by a surprising plunge into an almost rich flavor and texture sensation. The wine didn’t stay at the top of my palate — it went deeper than I expected with a bright, crisp rose. Everything about this wine is balanced, textured, refreshing, bright, and wonderful. It has risen quickly to be one of my favorite summer rosés!

$18.00  Kaena Wine Company

Kaena Wine Company Website

2009 Tercero Grenache|Mourvèdre Rosé

USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

Wine Rating: 90

Uncorked: 2011.07.03  Drank with friends on the front porch

This wine is consistently one of my favorite warm summer day sippers. It is bright and beautiful in color, aromas, and flavors. Strawberries and watermelon with crisp acidity and brightness. There is subtlety in the flavors of this wine that I almost hate to mute with food pairings — I enjoy drinking this one on its own, though it is a great match with cheeses, salads, and light fish. It remains a top choice for warm summer evenings on the back deck.

$15.00 Tercero Wines

Tercero Wines Website

2009 Tercero Gewürztraminer “The Outlier”

2009 Tercero Gewürztraminer “The Outlier”
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

Wine Rating: 92

Uncorked: 2010.08.27 Just sipping on the front porch
The Outlier has become one of my favorite summer wines. It is the perfect choice for easy sipping on the back deck or for pairing with a fresh salad or cheese tray. Aromatic on the nose, bountiful in the mouth. Perfectly dry with an amazing amount of ripe fruit flavors — a magical feat of extracting all of the flavors of the grape and leaving nearly no sweetness. Stone fruit, citrus, and pear with lots of minerality. Nothing but enjoyment in this bottle of wine.

$20.00 Tercero Wines

Tercero Wines Website

2006 Gainey Merlot

2006 Gainey Merlot
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

Wine Rating: 87

Uncorked: 2009.12.21 Sipped through the evening
Pretty tight in the nose and mouth when uncorked, but opened up very nicely over the evening. Deep ruby color. Fruity nose with black cherry and ripe plum, coffee, cigar, and pencil shavings. The fruit carried through into the mouth with concentrated, ripe cherry and plum. Herbal notes emerged late in the taste. Plenty of earthiness. Tannins will subdue a bit with another year or two in the bottle. Easy drinking wine.

$24.00 Gainey Cellar Club

Gainey Vineyard Website

2005 Château Greysac

2005 Château Greysac
France, Bordeaux, Médoc

Wine Rating: 89

Uncorked: 2009.12.23 Wine to sip through the evening, pizza dinner
Easy drinking Medoc and a steal at $9.89 (after case discount). A bit tight right out of the bottle, but fairly expressive after a few hours. Cherry, plum, tobacco, and cedar in the nose. Ripe fruit in the mouth with dark earthiness. Tannins are a bit thin. Nicely balanced but fiarly simple. Excellent QPR. Glad I bought a case.

$10.99 (case price = $9.89; normally approx. $25.00) Chuck’s Fine Wines

Chuck’s Fine Wines Website

2002 Zaca Mesa Syrah

2002 Zaca Mesa Syrah
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

Wine Rating: 89

Uncorked: 2009.12.04 Dinner at home – homemade pizza
Concentrated flavors and aromas with lots of subtleties. Dark red color with dark fruit, pepper, and a bit of smokiness on the nost. Nice fruit flavors in the mouth with plenty of earthiness. Blackberry, ripe cherry, and plum with ground pepper, red bell pepper, hints of smoke and toasted oak. Nicely balanced flavors throughout the palate, finishing with firm tannins. Nice drinking wine and excellent value.

$22.00 Zaca Mesa Wine Club

Zaca Mesa Winery Website

2006 Tercero Grenache Blanc Camp 4 Vineyard

2006 Tercero Grenache Blanc Camp 4 Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

Wine Rating: 89

Uncorked: 2009.09.06 Picnic at Blossom – Cleveland Orchestra
What a wonderful wine to enjoy on a summer evening, particularly at NE Ohio’s Blossom with the Cleveland Orchestra!

A bit softer than the 2008 we’ve already had, undoubtedly the result of more time in the bottle. The aromas were a bit muted, but still had plenty of citrus and honey with a refreshing smell of wet stones. Very round, almost velvety feel in the mouth. Plenty of fruit flavors, mostly sweet fruits, but without the accompanying sugar: apricot, honeydew, even slightly tart pineapple. Plenty of citrus and minerality with nicely balanced acid. Very enjoyable and easy to drink. Excellent QPR.

$18.00 retail Purchased from the winery

Tercero Wines Website

2008 Tercero Grenache Blanc Camp 4 Vineyard

2008 Tercero Grenache Blanc Camp 4 Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

Wine Rating: 90

Uncorked: 2009.08.13 Warm afternoon sipper
Delicious and elegant. Pale straw color. When cold the nose was a bit tight with lemon, green apple, minerals, and hints of pepper. Opened up with riper aromas of honeydew and stone fruit. Youthful and vibrant in the mouth. Bright and crisp citrus flavors dominate followed by nice tartness. Finishes with nice acidity. Very well balanced flavors, particularly for a wine this young. It is luscious with depth and texture in the mouth, yet remains refreshingly crisp. I could drink this all summer long. Extraordinary QPR.

$18.00 From Larry Schaffer himself after private tasting

Tercero Wines Website

2008 Foley Estates Pinot Gris Courtney’s Vineyard

2008 Foley Estates Pinot Gris Courtney’s Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills

Wine Rating: 88

Uncorked: 2009.08.09 Kerri enjoyed this wine on Joyce Davis’ patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean
Crisp in color, aroma, and flavors. Floral hints in the nose with definite citrus and minerals. Bright melon and citrus in the mouth with an interestingly round mouthfeel. Perfect wine for a warm afternoon.

$23.00 Foley Estates Winery

Foley Estates Website

2008 Tercero Wines “The Outlier” Santa Barbara County

This is the first of many coming posts from an amazing three days in the Santa Ynez Valley.  I had the privilege to share wine and conversation with several amazing wine makers, including a few of whom I think are THE up-and-coming wine makers of the region.

It was a long drive home through LA traffic, but I’m now sitting on my Favorite Mother-in-Law’s back patio overlooking Long Beach and out over the Pacific Ocean.  It is night time, and the city lights twinkle right up to the coastline.  Next to me is my wonderful wife (who lovingly endured my endless conversations and wine passion of the last three days), and in my hand is an amazing glass of wine.  It, my friends, will be the first review from this extraordinary excursion…

 

2008 Tercero Wines “The Outlier” Santa Barbara County (Gewurztraminer)
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

Wine Rating: 91

Uncorked: 2009.08.01
Sitting on the Davis patio after a great wine tasting adventure

Unusual dry Gewurztraminer. On the nose there is a nice balance of tart fruit, minerals, and floral aromas. It is a surprise in the mouth — very bright and clean, crisp and tart fruit flavors, hints of spice, subtle floral notes, and lots of minerals and earthiness. The flavors open up in the middle of the mouth with a wash of opulence – almost suede-like in the feel. Much more body in the mouth than expected. The finish continues through the bright finish. Excellent acid and clean tanins. Balance and elegance are the words forthis surprisingly delicious wine. I didn’t expect this from a Gewurztraminer. Will easily become a summer favorite.

$18.00 from Larry Schaffer himself

Tercero Wines Website

CTS Wine Ministry 2009 – Overview

It was a great week at CTS with a community of friends, some good theological thoughts, and plenty of wine flowing. Thanks to all who participated in the fellowship of the overflowing chalice!

I will post a bit more information and reviews of each of the wines we tasted, but for now here is a listing of the four tastings we shared. Leave a note on this or the other postings to let me know your favorite wines as well as your memories of the week we shared. Check back soon for the wine notes…

Monday, July 6, 2009
Theme: Warming Up the Palates

1 – 2008 Total Depravity Riesling [Ohio/Washington] $priceless
2 – 2007 Clean Slate Riesling Shared by Stephen [Germany] $9.99
3 – 2007 Total Depravity Pinot Noir [Ohio/California] $priceless
4 – 2002 Pillitteri Estates Gamay Noir Family Reserve [Canada] $32.99
5 – 2002 Kacaba Vineyards Meritage [Canada] $36.99

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Theme: Vertical Tasting of California Rhone Varietals

1 – 2005 Zaca Mesa Syrah [California] $23.00
2 – 2004 Zaca Mesa Syrah [California] $23.00
3 – 2006 Gainey Vineyard Syrah [California] $24.00
4 – 2005 Gainey Vineyard Syrah [California] $24.00
5 – 2004 Gainey Vineyard Syrah Limited Selection [California] $38.00
6 – 2002 Gainey Vineyard Syrah [California] $22.00

Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Theme: The Variety of White Wines – Find One for Your Palate

1 – 2008 Black Mountain Pinot Grigio Shared by Stephen [California] $5.99
2 – 2008 Greenhough Sauvignon Blanc [New Zealand] $15.99
3 – 2007 Shoo Fly Buzz Cut (white blend) Shared by Lisa [Australia] $10.99
4 – 2006 Sonoma Vineyards Chardonnay (unoaked) [California] $14.99
5 – 2007 Newton Chardonnay Napa/Sonoma Counties [California] $18.99
6 – 2007 Domaine Pichot Vouvray Domaine Le Peu de la Moriette [France] $14.99
7 – NV Botter Prosecco Vino Spumante [Italy] $14.99
8 – 2008 Ceretto I Vignaioli Santo Stefano Moscato d’Asti [Italy] $24.99

Bonus Wine:
9 – 2008 Project Happiness Chardonnay Shared by Bryan [California] $5.99

Preview of Thursday’s blending seminar:
10 – 2003 Clos du Bois Marlstone (Bordeaux style blend) [California] $39.99

Thursday, July 9, 2009
Theme: Bordeaux-Style Blending Seminar

Prelude
1 – 2008 Total Depravity Riesling [Ohio/Washington] $priceless
2 – 2008 Muga Rioja Rose [Spain] $12.99
3 – 2005 Celler de Capçanes Montsant Mas Donis Barrica Shared by ??? [Spain] $12.99
4 – 2006 Domaine “la Garrigue” Côtes du Rhône [France] $15.99
5 – 2007 Layer Cake Primitivo Zinfandel Shared by Lisa [Italy] $13.99
6 – 2006 Santa Rita Merlot Reserva Shared by ??? [Chile] $9.99

Samples of Bordeaux-Style Blends from Around the World
7 – 2001 Rosemount Traditional [Australia] $29.99
8 – 2001 Creekside Laura’s Blend Meritage [Canada] $18.99
9 – 2002 Chateau Peyre-Lebade (Rothchild) Bordeaux Haut-Medoc [France] $24.99
10 – 2006 Steltzner Claret [California] $16.99

Blending Wines (components of Bordeaux/Meritage):
11 – 2007 Dry Creek Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (barrel sample) [California] $23.00 (prerelease)
12 – 2007 Dry Creek Vineyards Merlot (barrel sample) [California] $19.00 (prerelease)
13 – 2007 Dry Creek Vineyards Cabernet Franc (barrel sample) [California] not sold retail
14 – 2007 Dry Creek Vineyards Malbec (barrel sample) [California] not sold retail
15 – 2007 Dry Creek Vineyards Petit Verdot (barrel sample) [California] not sold retail

Prize Wine & Finale Tasting:
16 – 2001 Le Sillage de Malartic Bordeaux Pessac-Léognan [France] $29.99

Extra – Just for Fun
17 – NV Riondo Prosecco (with a sliced strawberry in the glass!) [Italy] $12.99

2006 Francis Coppola Pinot Noir Diamond Series Silver Label

2006 Francis Coppola Pinot Noir Diamond Series Silver Label
USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County

Wine Rating: 87

Uncorked: 2008.07.05
Wine Ministry – CTS DMin Happy Hour
Week 1, Saturday, Wine No. 5

This wine was introduced in the tasting to introduce a fairly typical affordable California Pinot Noir. To be sure, this is not representative of the best of California Pinot Noir, but Coppola is making decent juice for a good price.

Plenty of fruit on the nose with strawberries, light cherries, and raspberries. There were hints of wood, but not oak – more like the smells of a forest floor. The medium bodied wine presents the mouth with a bit of an alcohol punch, but quickly moves to round flavors of berries and plums. The forest floor aromas continue on the palate along with some cinnamon and light smoke. The tannins are a bit uncontained on the finish leaving a somewhat bitter taste after the fairly well balanced flavors.

It’s a very affordable and drinkable California Pinot Noir.

$19.99 widely available

2005 Cline Cellars Cashmere

2005 Cline Cellars Cashmere
California, Sonoma

Wine Rating: 89

Uncorked: 2008.07.03
Wine Ministry – CTS DMin Happy Hour
Week 1, Thursday, Wine No. 5

Cline’s Cashmere is a pretty straightforward GSM (Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre) blend, very similar to a Cotes du Rhone in style and taste. Dark color and dark flavors. Lots of ripe cherry in the nose with a bit of soil aromas. In the mouth it is soft with a few layers of flavors — dark fruit, raspberries, a bit of plum, some mushroom or loam, and a bit of light toast. The tannins were confident enough to balance the fruit, but fairly soft. It’s a very easy wine to drink.

$15.99 widely available

2005 Domaine Perilliere Côtes du Rhône Villages

2005 Domaine Perilliere Côtes du Rhône Villages
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages

Wine Rating: 91

Uncorked: 2008.07.03
Wine Ministry – CTS DMin Happy Hour
Week 1, Thursday, Wine No. 3

This has become one of our “table wines” at Casa de P-D. It’s a nice Cotes du Rhone with good depth and earthiness. Harvested from old vine Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvedre, the winemaker exploits the grapes for all of their intensity and flavors. It does well to open up a bit before serving in order to let it stretch and breathe.

Aromas of dark, ripe cherry and berries along with cedar, spice, and mocha. In the mouth its texture is smooth and flavors are dense. Ripe cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and cranberry flavors with spicy, peppery notes. The old world style is apparent with the distinct earthiness and wood flavors. The terroir of the Garde region of the Rhone Valley is subtly present. The finish is moderate with firm tannins.

At $16.99 it is a bit pricey for some people’s everyday wine, but it packs a lot into the bottle and is actually an excellent value. This is wine that, if you can keep your hands off it, can live in the cellar and improve over the next 2 or 3 years.

$16.99

2006 Wits End Cabernet Franc The Procrastinator

2006 Wits End Cabernet Franc The Procrastinator
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

Wine Rating: 92

Uncorked: 2008.07.02
Wine Ministry – CTS DMin Happy Hour
Week 1, Wednesday, Wine No. 5

This was a BONUS WINE for the evening’s tasting, and what a bonus it was! Excellent wine!

After being sufficiently amused by the name of the vintner (Wit’s End) and the name of the wine (The Procrastinator), the group was introduced to Cabernet Franc. While it’s usually used as a blending wine in Bordeaux, the New World wine makers have discovered its substantial body, subtle texture, and deep flavors make a nice single varietal wine.

The color is deep red. The nose presents wonderful fruit aromas with ripe plum, strawberry, and currants. In the mouth it is beautifully balanced and full. The feel is silky smooth as the flavors wash over the mouth. Tart red berry fruits, cranberries, and even gooseberries are joined by lush ripe plum, chocolate, leather, and toasted oak. The finish is a bit short, but the flavors remain. Tannins are remarkably soft. This is a subtle, rich, balanced wine. This wine was certainly the surprise of the evening.

$20.69 widely available

2005 Chateau du Vieux Moulins de Chereau Montagne-Saint Emilion

2005 Chateau du Vieux Moulins de Chereau Montagne-Saint Emilion
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Montagne-St. Émilion

Wine Rating: 93

Uncorked: 2008.07.02
Wine Ministry – CTS DMin Happy Hour
Week 1, Wednesday, Wine No. 4

This wine was lovely, elegant, and refined. We had gone through some New World renditions of Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington, California, and Australia, and then came home to Bordeaux. We were not disappointed by the crafting of this wine.

Delightful deep ruby red color with tinges of lavender. Nice aromatic layers of dark ripe fruits (black currants, blackberries, and plum), figs, cedar, leather, and hummus. In the mouth it created a round, full experience. The dark fruits continued in the flavors and were joined by chocolate, coffee, tobacco, and well-integrated toasty oak. The flavors in the mouth lasted much longer than expected, and seamlessly finished with firm, rounded tannins.

The wine is still a bit young and could have opened up more before we enjoyed it. It will improve over the next 5-7 years. This is an affordable yet exquisite example of 2005 Bordeaux. Extraordinary value.

$15.99

2001 Mount Horrocks Riesling Cordon Cut

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2001 Mount Horrocks Riesling Cordon Cut
Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

Wine Rating:  92

Uncorked: 2008.04.18 – Joyce Davis 80^th Birthday Dinner

Nice dessert wine experience. Beautiful bright gold color, almost orange. In the nose there is lots of honey, melon, citrus, and slight minerality. The flavors wash over the mouth with luscious peach, sweet pear, and deep honey flavors. Nice acidic finish to balance the sweetness.

$18.99 375ml  Mustard Seed Market, Solon, Ohio

2000 Domaine du Colombier Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée Gaby

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 Domaine du Colombier Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée Gaby
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

Wine Rating:  96

Uncorked: 2008.04.18 – Joyce Davis 80^th Birthday Dinner

Decanted for 45 minutes.  While Jeff cooked the 5-course meal, this was the wine Jeff & Kerri drank while Joyce enjoyed her Zeller Schwarze Katz!

This is a gorgeous Rhone.  It is bold, dark, rich, and chewy.  Beautiful deep red color in the glass. The wine really opened up with the decanting. Full aromas of dark berries, woody herbs, and dried fruit. Very rich, almost intoxicating in the nose. In the mouth there is an explosion of ripe flavors — dark berry and cherry, dried cranberry, fine leather, and plenty of earthiness. This had a mouthful to chew on. Very soft tannins in the finish, though it lingered. The wine is in its prime and will drink well for another year or two.

$23.99  Mustard Seed Market, Solon, Ohio

2005 Bodega Renacer Malbec Punto Final Reserva

2005 Bodega Renacer Malbec Punto Final Reserva
Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, La Consulta

Wine Rating:  92

Uncorked: 2008.01.15 – CTS DMin NYC Wine Ministry

A subtle and sophisticated improvement over its non-reserva sibling. This wine is seductive in every way. The color is gem-like with inky depth. Generous in the nose with dark cherry, blackberry, chocolate, a hint of smokiness, and pepper. This bad boy was wrapped tight in the mouth — definitely would benefit from bottle aging and/or decanting. It was an explosion of flavors — dark currant, black cherry, ripe plum, and dark jammy strawberries. The fruit flavors continue as the wine washes over the mouth with velvety cedar and rich tobacco. The enduring finish of earthy, chewy, tannic flavors completes this excellent wine’s seduction. Definitely recommend this mouthful of flavor!

$17.99  Sussex Wines, NYC

2006 La Spinetta Moscato d’Asti Bricco Quaglia

 

2006 La Spinetta Moscato d’Asti Bricco Quagloa
Italy, Piedmont, Asti

Wine Rating:  91

Uncorked: 2008.01.10 – CTS DMin NYC Wine Ministry

Group consensus:  This is a party for your mouth!

Moscato d’Asti is a sparkling wine made from the Moscato Bianco grape in Italy’s Piedmont region.  It is fruity and semi-sweet with pleasant effervescence.

This Moscato d’Asti is a pale yellow with medium bubbles.  White peaches, honey, and wildflowers in the nose.  Smooth and light in the mouth with crisp white peach and pear flavors, hints of lemon, and a bit of minerality.  Surprisingly well balanced for a semi-sweet wine.

Tasters loved the addition of a fresh strawberry slice to their glass!

$19.99  Winnfield-Flynn Wines, NYC

2004 Lucas & Lewellen Viognier

2004 Lucas & Lewellen Viognier
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

Wine Rating:  88

Uncorked: 2007.08.31  Dinner on the Deck – served with shellfish feast

This versitile wine has an effusive nose — aromas of honeysuckle, apricot, and grapefruit. Slightly golden hues made it a pretty wine in the glass, too. In the mouth it carried the citrus flavors nicely along with a hint of slightly sweet apricot or honey. A bit of herbal spice and grassiness, particularly on the moderate finish. I served it with a shellfish feast — a bowl full of king crab legs, mussels, shrimp and scallops in a white wine-butter-garlic sauce (with some good cayenne thrown in for interest!). The wine was a perfect match offering enough tartness and acid to stand up to the buttery richness of the food. It was an excellent light meal on the back deck, and the wine was a great addition to the feast.

$19.99

2002 Gainey Cabernet Franc Limited Selection

2002 Gainey Cabernet Franc Limited Selection
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

Wine Rating:  92

Uncorked: 2007.08.22  Jeff’s Birthday Dinner – served with grilled steak
It wasn’t until I started drinking Gainey’s Cab Franc that I thought this grape could stand up on its own.  Usually used as a blending grape to make big Cabernet Sauvignons, there are only a handful of wineries making excellent wines with the Franc as the star.  Gainey is one of those wineries that has done something nearly spectacular with this grape.

Deep ruby in color, the wine simply looks inviting.  The nose is rich and complex with fresh blackberries, herbs, and smoke.  As it opened up more in the glass, the nose became lucious.  This is a seductive wine.  While I could easily linger at the nose, as I taste the wine it envelopes my mouth.  I don’t know how better to describe it than the flavors wash over my whole mouth.  It is smooth and silky.  The berries and juicy fruit flavors are balanced by a subtle spiciness and herbal flavors.  The wine is dark in almost every way, but it isn’t fierce — it is subtle, rich, balanced.  The finish is long and soft.

I’m sorry that there are only three bottles left in the cellar.  While they could probably last another 3 or 4 years, I think the 2002 is at its prime now.  It was a great value back in 2004 when it was $25 per bottle.  Unfortunately the 2002 is no longer available, but certainly check the winery for the current release.

$25.00  Gainey Cellar Club

Gainey Vineyard Website

2005 Bridlewood Winery Viognier Reserve

2005 Bridlewood Winery Viognier Reserve Central Coast
USA, California, Central Coast

Wine Rating:  88

Uncorked: 2007.08.21
Citrus and flower aromas including honeysuckle. Bright in the mouth with gentle tartness. Slightly sweet flavors of peach, pineapple, and tangerine. Big enough to serve with food, but perfect for cheese and fruit. I like viognier as an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc, and this is a decent one.

$17.99  Heinens Fine Foods

2005 Riverview Cellars Baco Noir

2005 Riverview Baco Noir – Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA

Wine Rating:  90

Uncorked: 2007.08.12 – Back deck with Neil & Heather
What a pleasant surprise when I discovered Niagara, Ontario wines. There is something special going on in this region with varietal wines. And this Baco Noir is no exception. Deep red color. Sweet berry aromas and flavors — cherry, red raspberry and even blueberry — mixed with spice and subtle earthiness. Soft tannins and a rich texture make a nice mouthfeel and a lingering finish. Multi-layered and interesting. Nice drinker.

$15.95  Riverview Cellars Estate Winery, Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, Canada
www.riverviewcellars.com

2003 Chateau Pesquie Cotes du Ventoux Quintessence

2003 Château Pesquié Côtes du Ventoux Quintessence – France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Ventoux 

Wine Rating:  92     wine advocate 92     wine spectator 90

2007.06.26 – CTS DMin Happy Hour
Yummy! Benefitted from some breathing room. Big Rhone aromas and flavors. Layered scents of dried cherries, herbs, leather, and cigar box. Very round in the mouth with big fruit — blackberries, plum with skins, and currants. A bit spicy in the middle, with mushrooms and soil flavors at the end. Very broad texture with a big, earthy finish. Tannins are firm and round. This is a keeper.

$19.99  Sherlocks Wine Merchant, Atlanta, GA