Napa Valley, California
14.4 % Alcohol
Tasted 2015-06-28
Deep dark cherry red with black-purple reflexes. Extremely fruity aromas where blackberries are dominating. Also cherries, cinnamon sticks and the classical dark chocolate tones. On the palate strong with a lot of muscles. Very young; the tannins are still aggressive. Medium to long finish with some bitter notes far at the end due to the present tannins.
We prepared a wild boar stew with bread dumplings and red cabbage. The sauce of the stew was dark and strong and needed a corresponding partner. From the structure the wine was perfectly chosen, but Merlot was not really the right grape. Here a Syrah e.g. from Lillian would be a better solution. Then the surprise. My wife baked some snickerdoodles and together with these rich cookies the aromas of the wine exploded. Indeed I would either serve it directly after dinner shortly before dessert to allow an appropriate pairing if wished or simply enjoy the wine with a wonderful Havanna cigar.
As I already said: The wine is too young. I would minimum wait for another two or three years. Then it will be on the top for around five more years.
Saturday, June 27. 2015
2012 Michael David Winery Zinfandel "Rage" (94/100)
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
15.5 % Alcohol
Tasted 2015-06-26
Medium deep and dark cherry red. Almost explosive smell of a big fruit basket consisting of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and even more. In addition a touch of dark chocolate. The smell consistency is very thick and fleshy. On the palate extremely velvety paired with a little bit acidity which makes the wine even better. Then the fruit notes take over and remain infinitely. Finally far, far at the end certain liqueur-like sweetness. A fascinating wine - and one of the best (young) Zins I drunk so far.
Even if this Zin (blended with Petite Sirah) is from Dry Creek Valley, the Michael David Winery is located in Lodi in the Central Valley - an area which I didn't visit so far. The reason for this is the distance from Sonoma and Napa. Nearly an hour to drive from this area prevented until now a tasting tour. This I will change when I will visit the valleys again in fall. My very good friend Brian tells me all the time that I have to go over there, and this wine is a very good recommendation.
However you should be careful. This is definitely not a main stream wine and some wine purists will claim that it is too fat and too jammy - even too "full-bodied". I see that differently. With this nice acidness the Rage has some dark, mystical characteristics. Definitely not the wine for every day, but for the very special moments - for instance if you are in "rage" and want to come down. Food? Duck with cranberry sauce! How long? No idea! I bought this bottle half a year ago in a nice wine shop named Holiday Wine Cellar (http://www.holidaywinecellar.com/) north of San Diego. There they have a tasting station similar (but smaller) to the one at Hedonsim where for a reasonable price all-day tasting is possible. I tasted the "Rage" and bought immediately one bottle for taking home. Now the wine is even better. I would say in the current condition the wine will remain another three years. After that? Let's see.
15.5 % Alcohol
Tasted 2015-06-26
Medium deep and dark cherry red. Almost explosive smell of a big fruit basket consisting of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and even more. In addition a touch of dark chocolate. The smell consistency is very thick and fleshy. On the palate extremely velvety paired with a little bit acidity which makes the wine even better. Then the fruit notes take over and remain infinitely. Finally far, far at the end certain liqueur-like sweetness. A fascinating wine - and one of the best (young) Zins I drunk so far.
Even if this Zin (blended with Petite Sirah) is from Dry Creek Valley, the Michael David Winery is located in Lodi in the Central Valley - an area which I didn't visit so far. The reason for this is the distance from Sonoma and Napa. Nearly an hour to drive from this area prevented until now a tasting tour. This I will change when I will visit the valleys again in fall. My very good friend Brian tells me all the time that I have to go over there, and this wine is a very good recommendation.
However you should be careful. This is definitely not a main stream wine and some wine purists will claim that it is too fat and too jammy - even too "full-bodied". I see that differently. With this nice acidness the Rage has some dark, mystical characteristics. Definitely not the wine for every day, but for the very special moments - for instance if you are in "rage" and want to come down. Food? Duck with cranberry sauce! How long? No idea! I bought this bottle half a year ago in a nice wine shop named Holiday Wine Cellar (http://www.holidaywinecellar.com/) north of San Diego. There they have a tasting station similar (but smaller) to the one at Hedonsim where for a reasonable price all-day tasting is possible. I tasted the "Rage" and bought immediately one bottle for taking home. Now the wine is even better. I would say in the current condition the wine will remain another three years. After that? Let's see.
Monday, June 8. 2015
Small Sunday Afternoon Tasting
Tasting Date: 2015-05-17
This weekend we visited some friends who are both working as forest rangers. They gave us fresh wild boar and also we had some fresh chervil. So we decided to prepare a nice venison dish and combine this with a small tasting - one white and one red.
For the white wine we selected a well matured Chardonnay from C. Donatiello whereas the Reds were represented by a Syrah from Qupé. We expected that the mild prepared venison with the chervil would be enriched by the Chardonnay with a fruity fresh note. On the other hand we hoped that the Syrah would more punctuate the typical earthy notes of such a venison dish.
To come right to the point: The Syrah worked perfectly; the Chardonnay only partly. In principle the idea was good but especially this example from C. Donatiello was a little bit too much dominated by resin notes. On its own no problem but the pairing with the chervil was difficult. I assume a Newton Chardonnay from the same vintage would be the better selection in this case.
2007 C. Donatiello Chardonnay "Maddie's Vineyard" (87/100)
Russian River Valley, California
14.4 % Alcohol
Golden yellow color. Interesting bouquet mix of vanilla, oranges, ripe apricots and honey. The taste is dominated by the honey and a clear resin note. However still a nice freshness. Medium long finish.
Don't wait longer. Drink this Chardonnay now. As a partner a nice idea would be roasted salmon tartar with fresh salad. A wonderful dish I ate recently in one of my favorite restaurants.
2002 Qupé Syrah (90/100)
Central Coast, California
13.5 % Alcohol
Cork broken. Clear, deep ruby red. Wonderful bouquet of red fruits paired with a touch of leather and a little bit black pepper. On the palate blueberries, licorice and again a leather tone. Long - very long - where in the end the licorice is clearly dominating.
A little bit over the time. Drink it now and pair it with a classical dish from the Provence. Perhaps a Bœuf en Daube (Provençal Pot Roast)?
This weekend we visited some friends who are both working as forest rangers. They gave us fresh wild boar and also we had some fresh chervil. So we decided to prepare a nice venison dish and combine this with a small tasting - one white and one red.
For the white wine we selected a well matured Chardonnay from C. Donatiello whereas the Reds were represented by a Syrah from Qupé. We expected that the mild prepared venison with the chervil would be enriched by the Chardonnay with a fruity fresh note. On the other hand we hoped that the Syrah would more punctuate the typical earthy notes of such a venison dish.
To come right to the point: The Syrah worked perfectly; the Chardonnay only partly. In principle the idea was good but especially this example from C. Donatiello was a little bit too much dominated by resin notes. On its own no problem but the pairing with the chervil was difficult. I assume a Newton Chardonnay from the same vintage would be the better selection in this case.
2007 C. Donatiello Chardonnay "Maddie's Vineyard" (87/100)
Russian River Valley, California
14.4 % Alcohol
Golden yellow color. Interesting bouquet mix of vanilla, oranges, ripe apricots and honey. The taste is dominated by the honey and a clear resin note. However still a nice freshness. Medium long finish.
Don't wait longer. Drink this Chardonnay now. As a partner a nice idea would be roasted salmon tartar with fresh salad. A wonderful dish I ate recently in one of my favorite restaurants.
2002 Qupé Syrah (90/100)
Central Coast, California
13.5 % Alcohol
Cork broken. Clear, deep ruby red. Wonderful bouquet of red fruits paired with a touch of leather and a little bit black pepper. On the palate blueberries, licorice and again a leather tone. Long - very long - where in the end the licorice is clearly dominating.
A little bit over the time. Drink it now and pair it with a classical dish from the Provence. Perhaps a Bœuf en Daube (Provençal Pot Roast)?
(Page 1 of 1, totaling 3 entries)