Napa Valley, California
14.1% Alcohol
Tasted 2014-03-26
Clear and reflective yellow with some light golden yellow hints. Discrete vanilla aromas attached with some pineapple and a little bit of wood. Pleasant! In the mouth nice acidity. First banana followed by pineapple with vanilla across. Very long finish with a little bit dominance by the acid.
This wine is really young but already drinkable. Absolutely at the beginning with potential for another five years.
We paired this wine with perch from the Victoria sea. The perch was prepared in the oven with some vegetables and Italian olive oil, spiced with pepper, salt, tabasco and some lemon. The result was spectacular. In addition to the already tasted aromas the wine offered some spicy, salty notes. My wife and I nearly emptied the bottle. On a Wednesday! Tough working tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 26. 2014
2012 Luna Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve (90/100)
Wednesday, March 19. 2014
Coravin 2 - 1997 Gianni Paoletti Cabernet Sauvignon (Magnum) 92/100
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
14.1 % Alcohol
My last report of the Coravin was begin of February. I used the tool to pour a glass of a 1994 Rosenblum Zin Richard Sauret Vineyards. One week later I poured the next glass and another three weeks later I opened the bottle to taste the remaining wine. The result: No quality reduction; the wine had exactly the same taste and aroma in all three tastings. Very impressive. The only bad thing: I used the tool also for another wine and after five glasses in total the capsule was empty. The manufacturer promises 15 (!) with 5 oz.
It seems that I am not the only person who has this problem. The last Coravin newsletter addressed this topic and there exists a YouTube video which demonstrates the right pouring. And indeed I made a mistake. I will come back to this topic in a later entry. First I will start a new test campaign. This time victim: The wonderful 97 Cab from Paoletti. And to increase the fun - a magnum. The idea behind the test: Do the pouring exactly in the way as described in the video and check how many glasses can be poured with one capsule. I poured approx. 8.5 oz (= 250 ml) - sorry, I was thirsty - and put the magnum back to the cellar.
The wine was amazing. Wonderful deep, dark cherry red. Ripe black currants, wet leather, forest floor with moss. The taste provides nice pepper notes combined with black currants again. Especially at the end of the very long finish. Tannins still present in an awesome and pleasant manner. A terrific wine.
This wine is absolutely on the top and will remain for another three years. At least in the magnum. I have a "standard" bottle on stock. I will check in near future if this statement is correct for this bottle, too.
Pairing with food? No problem. Steak, well spiced vegetarian food, ... This one is an allrounder. But because of the price: A candidate for the next feast. By the way: In Germany you can get the 0.75 but also the mag still at California Wines (http://www.californiawines.de/).
14.1 % Alcohol
My last report of the Coravin was begin of February. I used the tool to pour a glass of a 1994 Rosenblum Zin Richard Sauret Vineyards. One week later I poured the next glass and another three weeks later I opened the bottle to taste the remaining wine. The result: No quality reduction; the wine had exactly the same taste and aroma in all three tastings. Very impressive. The only bad thing: I used the tool also for another wine and after five glasses in total the capsule was empty. The manufacturer promises 15 (!) with 5 oz.
It seems that I am not the only person who has this problem. The last Coravin newsletter addressed this topic and there exists a YouTube video which demonstrates the right pouring. And indeed I made a mistake. I will come back to this topic in a later entry. First I will start a new test campaign. This time victim: The wonderful 97 Cab from Paoletti. And to increase the fun - a magnum. The idea behind the test: Do the pouring exactly in the way as described in the video and check how many glasses can be poured with one capsule. I poured approx. 8.5 oz (= 250 ml) - sorry, I was thirsty - and put the magnum back to the cellar.
The wine was amazing. Wonderful deep, dark cherry red. Ripe black currants, wet leather, forest floor with moss. The taste provides nice pepper notes combined with black currants again. Especially at the end of the very long finish. Tannins still present in an awesome and pleasant manner. A terrific wine.
This wine is absolutely on the top and will remain for another three years. At least in the magnum. I have a "standard" bottle on stock. I will check in near future if this statement is correct for this bottle, too.
Pairing with food? No problem. Steak, well spiced vegetarian food, ... This one is an allrounder. But because of the price: A candidate for the next feast. By the way: In Germany you can get the 0.75 but also the mag still at California Wines (http://www.californiawines.de/).
Tuesday, March 18. 2014
2006 Cline Cellars Mourvèdre Contra Costa County Ancient Vines 88/100
Contra Costa County, California
Dark, deep purple red with light illuminative rims. A little bit animalistic, some wet grain and dried dates. In the mouth very pleasant. The wine tastes a little bit sweet with some port notes. Warm and round. Again dried fruits at the end. The finish is nearly endless.
The wine is already on the top. Don’t wait. I don’t think that it will become better. Perfect partner for a nice duck pie.
I met Fred Cline in 2012 at the Rheingau Gourmet Festival. A very impressive person. During one event of the festival some of his Rhone-style wines were presented; including the 1999 Small Berry Mourvèdre. Fred was very impressed of the quality of this wine he had not drunk for years. Indeed his wine aged better than he expected. This 2006 Mourvèdre is another good example of Cline Cellar’s excellent quality for a very good price. Most critics advise to drink this wine until 2011 but it is still in a very good condition.
Dark, deep purple red with light illuminative rims. A little bit animalistic, some wet grain and dried dates. In the mouth very pleasant. The wine tastes a little bit sweet with some port notes. Warm and round. Again dried fruits at the end. The finish is nearly endless.
The wine is already on the top. Don’t wait. I don’t think that it will become better. Perfect partner for a nice duck pie.
I met Fred Cline in 2012 at the Rheingau Gourmet Festival. A very impressive person. During one event of the festival some of his Rhone-style wines were presented; including the 1999 Small Berry Mourvèdre. Fred was very impressed of the quality of this wine he had not drunk for years. Indeed his wine aged better than he expected. This 2006 Mourvèdre is another good example of Cline Cellar’s excellent quality for a very good price. Most critics advise to drink this wine until 2011 but it is still in a very good condition.
Sunday, March 2. 2014
2009 Nicholson Ranch Estate Chardonnay 89/100
Sonoma Valley, California
Bright golden yellow with nice reflective effects. The typical Chardonnay attributes vanilla and oak are present but perfectly integrated. Nice aroma of tropical fruits; surprisingly I recognized banana peel. Very intensive, pleasant bouquet. In the mouth you get a full-bodied Chardonnay with well-integrated, not excessive alcohol. Very pleasant. Super long finish. Again vanilla. Harmonious and very good.
I visited the Nicholson Ranch with its wonderful scenic three times over the last years. All the time I was impressed by the continuous high quality of the Chardonnays. All of them are good examples for the improvement of Californian Chardonnays over the last years from an exceedingly woody style to complex wonderful wines which perfectly pair a lot of dishes. In front of course the classics like lobster or scallops. But you can also do some experiments :veal prepared with mustard or mild blue-cheese styled gravy.
This wine is on the the top but will hold this quality for another two or three years.
Bright golden yellow with nice reflective effects. The typical Chardonnay attributes vanilla and oak are present but perfectly integrated. Nice aroma of tropical fruits; surprisingly I recognized banana peel. Very intensive, pleasant bouquet. In the mouth you get a full-bodied Chardonnay with well-integrated, not excessive alcohol. Very pleasant. Super long finish. Again vanilla. Harmonious and very good.
I visited the Nicholson Ranch with its wonderful scenic three times over the last years. All the time I was impressed by the continuous high quality of the Chardonnays. All of them are good examples for the improvement of Californian Chardonnays over the last years from an exceedingly woody style to complex wonderful wines which perfectly pair a lot of dishes. In front of course the classics like lobster or scallops. But you can also do some experiments :veal prepared with mustard or mild blue-cheese styled gravy.
This wine is on the the top but will hold this quality for another two or three years.
Saturday, March 1. 2014
2007 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards „Right Bank Cuvée“ 90/100
Napa Valley, California
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc
Deep purple red with wonderful aromas of black fruit. Black cherries, blackberries and some cassis. Full-bodied and powerful. This wine is a killer. You can't stop to drink. Very dangerous. If you can restrain yourself you can detect the complexity of this outstanding success. Suddenly you smell somewhere smoked ham and in the finish some spicy aromas.
This wine seems to be on the top, but my feeling is that it will still improve over the next three years. Buy it – if you have a chance to.
When I drunk the Right Bank immediately it came to my mind that I wanted to pair it with a nice piece of beef with mushrooms.
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc
Deep purple red with wonderful aromas of black fruit. Black cherries, blackberries and some cassis. Full-bodied and powerful. This wine is a killer. You can't stop to drink. Very dangerous. If you can restrain yourself you can detect the complexity of this outstanding success. Suddenly you smell somewhere smoked ham and in the finish some spicy aromas.
This wine seems to be on the top, but my feeling is that it will still improve over the next three years. Buy it – if you have a chance to.
When I drunk the Right Bank immediately it came to my mind that I wanted to pair it with a nice piece of beef with mushrooms.
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