Paradocx Vineyard

Another winery from the Brandywine Valley Wine Tour in September 2008. They had just opened a new tasting room - Flint Hill - in Landenberg a few months prior. A band was setting up for an evening concert during our visit. It looked like a great setting for listening to music under the stars so it merits another visit.

The wine below was the best from this particular tasting of three whites and three reds.

Paradocx PDX Leverage 2005
Pennsylvania - $25
My favorite of the three reds poured; the other two being Sangiovese & the Merge '05). Pepper spice, picked up the Cab Franc flavor. From the winemaker: "Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, & Petite Verdot. Full body, silky feel. Aroma of black cherry, raspberry. Pepper spice on finish."

More at Paradocx

Twin Brook Winery

Another winery we toured back in September 2008 as part of the Brandywine Valley Wine Tour. This one was a hike. Considerably farther out than any other winery on the tour. I'd never been through Gap, PA. Now I have... Lots of sweet wines at this winery; seems to be their style. Okay by me, but not my preference. During the tasting, I kept thinking of my parents, who prefer sweet white and blush wines.

One of the best parts of this stop was the cellar tour. Hosted by an assistant winemaker, we sampled grape juice at various stages of fermentation. A good learning experience and you can tell the folks at Twin Brook really enjoy what they're doing.

I took home a bottle of Octarara Red & Vignoles. Below are the wines that I think stood out at the tasting.

The Whites
Twin Brook Vignoles
Pennsylvania - $13
White wine with good balance, fruit and floral nose. Good tropical fruit. 4/5 pts. Good balance w/fruit & floral nose. Liked it. Tropical fruit. From the winemaker: "Sweet but crisp medium body." Paired it with an apple pie a month later. Was not sweet enough against sugary filling but that wasn't the wine's fault. 4/5

The Reds
Twin Brook Octarara Red
Pennsylvania - $12
One of the better red wines at this winery. Vanilla nose, slight hint of tannins. From the winemaker: "Sweeter, full bodied well balanced Burgundy style w/hints of cherry."

Twin Brook Strasburger Red
Pennsylvania - $12
Again, one of their stronger wines. Just hard to find the right application or pairing. Smooth, sweet. Ended up having it with an apple pie a few months later. From the winemaker: "Light fruity w/strawberry & apple aromas."

Twin Brook Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Pennsylvania - $18
Favorite of "dry wines" on list. Green pepper nose, more powerful on tongue. Thinner, lighter body than what you'd expect. From the winemaker: "Slightly tannic, peppery, medium body."

More information at Twin Brook Winery

Kreutz Creek Vineyards

Some of my favorite wines from the Brandywine Valley Wine Tour in September 2008...

The Whites
Kreutz Creek Chardonnay
Pennsylvania - $19
Different & light for an oaked Chardonnay, great finish. One of the better wines Kreutz Creek wines. From the winemaker: "Very nice vanilla, oak & citric smells, buttery flavor & holds entire way thru finish."

The Reds
Kreutz Creek Wickerton Red
Pennsylvania - $15
One of the better reds. Chancellor grape blended w/Kordeaux; smoky, medium body of berries.

Kreutz Creek Kordeaux
Pennsylvania - $20
Different & fun, eucalyptus notes. From the winemaker: "Bordeaux blend of cab, cab franc, merlot & petite verdot loaded w/eucalyptus, berries, vanilla and little oak. Excellent & distinctly shows terrior of area."

Kreutz Creek Kordeaux Reserve 2006
Pennsylvania - $25
Medium tannins, concentrated long finish but not highly complex. Like this on. From the winemaker: "Big flavors of berries, oak, black velvet body."

Dessert
Kreutz Creek Ruby "K" Port
Pennsylvania - $15
I am not a port fanatic, but would never turn down a tasting. Pleasantly surprised to find no raisin aftertaste on this one... which is one of my turn-offs, especially when it comes to tawny. Not bad for a local port. Notes from the winemaker: "Cherry flavor complemented by dark chocolate."

More at Kreutz Creek

Domaine de Montvac 2007
Cotes du Rhone, France - $15
Dusty red color. Concentrated & jammy red berry. Leather & earthy notes. Plum, same red fruits with long finish. Balanced acidity & medium tannins. Flavorful red with pleasing aroma. Tasted at Taboon in NYC. 3.5/5

More at Domaine de Montvac.com

Chadds Ford Winery

The Whites
Chadds Ford Proprietor's Reserve White 2007
Chadds Ford, PA - $13
Apple aroma, flavors like a sweet Pinot Grigio without a lot of acid. Too sweet and basic for me. From the winemaker: "Light, crisp, fresh, & clean. All purpose, non-barrel aged." 2.5/5

Chadds Ford Naked Chardonnay 2007
Chadds Ford, PA - $16
Like it more than the Proprietor's Reserve White. Taste of mushrooms, strong asparagus aroma and flavor - distracting. Flawed. From the wine maker: "No oak, delicious fruit, natural flavors, crisp acidity." 2.5/5

The Rose
Chadds Ford Sunset Blush 2006
Chadds Ford, PA - $13
Very sweet - did they add sugar? Bright pink color. Too much sweetness to enjoy. I've had better white zinfandels. Couldn't rate.

The Reds
Chadds Ford Pinot Noir 2006
Chadds Ford, PA - $16
One of their better wines. Earthy nose; very smoky with strong smoke finish, cherry, simple & elegant style with lighter body. From the winemaker: "Soft warm fullness & medium body w/delicate black cherry, brown sugar and smoke." 3/5

Chadds Ford Due Rossi 2005
Chadds Ford, PA - $25
Sangiovese & Barbera blend. Smooth, supple tannins; good acidity. Flavors: spicy red berry, vanilla. Needs to decant; too tight, couldn't pick out much so early. Like their Pinot Noir better. Opened bottle just for our tasting. From the winemaker: "Laden with uncountable flavors & bursts in mouth w/sweet vanillins, big bouquet of flowers, ripe jammy fruit, licorice."

Chadds Ford Proprietor's Reserve Red 2007
Chadds Ford, PA - $13
Smooth, light body, soft tannins. Bacon, sour cherry aromas & flavors with spicy finish. Better than Penns Woods Chambourcin but still not a favorite grape. From the winemaker: "100% chambourcin, with smooth flavors of cola, cherry & blackberry."

Chadds Ford Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Chadds Ford, PA - $19
Needs to open up - too tight. Oaky finish, very light for a Cabernet. White chocolate flavor at end, fine tannins w/long finish. 2/5

More at Chadds Ford

Penns Wood Winery

The Whites
Penns Word Proprietor's Reserve 2006
Pennsylvania - $23
One of my favorites from this winery, enjoyable. Lovely nose; citrus on palate reminscent of Pinot Grigio, green apple & lemon, a little more viscosity than Sauvignon Blanc. From the winemaker: "Deep lemony gold in color. Blend of Chardonnay & Pinot Grigio has warm nose packed w/generous armos of melon, tropical fruit, and citrus."

Penns Wood Chardonnay Reserve 2005
Pennsylvania - $33
Tangerine & spice on nose. Light body, thinner than what I'm used to but style typical of the terrior. Vanilla note on finish. Light oaking. From the winemaker: "Vibrancy on palate with aromas of juicy apple and tangerine, hint of vanilla."

Penns Wood Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Pennsylvania - $32
Grapefruit pith on nose, light minerality. Prefer French style of minerality, which this has. A little thin. From the winemaker: "Deep golden with notes of green in color, complex w/hints of tangerine peel, grapefruit pith & traces of minerality."

The Reds
Penns Wood Proprietor's Reserve 2004
Pennsylvania - $23
Cedar, red & black berry, earthiness! Some florals, nice acidity; light, lingering flavor and light, supple tannins. From the winemaker: "Blend of Cabernet and Merlot, floral bouquet, dark red fruit."

Penns Wood Ameritage 2004
Pennsylvania - $46
Earthy, barnyard, some light pepper on center of tongue. Smooth & elegant, like it but not for price. Prefer bolder style. Less than 70 cases produced. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Carmine, Sangiovese, and Nebiolo grapes.

Penns Wood Chambourcin 2008
Pennsylvania - $28
Like the nose, not the palate. Bitter smack in beginning, sour palate, some barnyard & earthiness. Picked up on sage & pepper. Did not like; apparently this grape is not one of my favorites as I've learned from other tastings. From the winemaker: "Bouquet of pomegranate, black pepper, sage."

Penns Wood White Merlot 2006
Pennsylvania - $18
Merry Edwards Pinot Noir nose, carmelly pink color. Not a lot of complexity, good summer sipper. Really cool nose, mocha & light light tannins. From the winemaker: "Cassis, black raspberry, mocha and underlying minerality."

More at Penns Wood

What I'm drinking right now...

Gouguenheim Malbec 2007
Mendoza, Argentina - $9
Aromas of smoky plush red fruit, sweet tobacco, & light floral. Herbal! Love the nose. Supple tannins & slight spice; light flavors of black & green pepper. Jammy and easy to drink. Blackberry & raspberry with smoky long finish. Deep garnet color. More fruit as it opens. Perennial everyday favorite. Strong 4.5/5

Montemaggiore Tasting Notes

You never know what to expect when you strike up a conversation with a stranger. I certainly didn't expect to get a lead on a unknown small-production winery. It was during a trip to Napa and Sonoma in spring of 2008 that we first heard about Montemaggiore. A group of enthusiatic wine tasters next to our group got my attention and, before I knew it, I was writing down only a phone number while the tipster emphatically described why we HAD to fit it in. Problem was, we were at the last tasting of the day and an early dinner reservation was looming.

Unable to drink any more red wine (for a few hours anyway), I opted to walk around Healdsburg while the group piled back into the Jeep to try their luck at finding the winery with only a phone number to go on. The owners, in the middle of labeling and bottling, only buzzed them in because they thought they were the tipster group we had run into at the previous winery. I got to hear all about the fabulous tasting, vineyard tour, and the magnanimous owners when they returned and really started to rue my choice to stay in town. A few opened half bottles of syrah were sent back so that we didn't miss out.

We felt the wines were such a unique product at an incredible value that everyone we know has heard about them. Friends visiting Sonoma have been told to go, taste! They are converts too and the word continues to spread.

A vertical tasting of their two syrah wines was arranged and I finally got the full experience. My favorites are below.

Paolo's Vineyard Syrah 2002 - $30. Very fruit forward, perfect alone. Amazing aroma. Favorite of all the wines this evening. Later ordered several bottles to drink within the year. 89% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. 15/20

Paolo's Vineyard Syrah Hilltop Reserve 2004 - Steely, chocolate bitterness, charcoal dryness. Great aroma, but flavor and aftertaste not as strong as others in flight. 95% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14/20

Montemaggiore Superiore (Syrah blend) 2002 - $40. Herbal with tannic finish. Soft and smooth, some spice. 75% Cabernet, 25% Syrah. 14.5/20

Montemaggiore Superiore (Syrah blend) 2003 - $40. Classy, restrained style with more finesse. More tannic with some spice. Style is very different compared to '02 Syrah which was equally loved by the group. Stronger flavor than aroma. 77% Cabernet, 23% Syrah. 15/20

More at Montemaggiore.com

Rosenblum Rhodes Vineyard Petite Syrah 2005
Redwood Valley, California - $23
Love it. Herbal nose, very full and lush. Lots of flavor, good acidity. Enjoyable to sip even with strong tannins. Dark fruits. Tannic finish but still great. More time in bottle will mellow tannins and make it easier to drink without food. A strong wine that is still one of my favorites. Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event. 4.5/5

Cono Sur Vision Pinot Noir
Chile - $10
Better than the other Pinot Noirs tasted that evening. Light, long finish. Sour cherry tartness, earthy, vegetal, and other red berries. Spice in top of mouth and back. Didn't wow but good, notably so for price point. Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event. 3/5

Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, California - $20
Sedate for a Zin. Failed to impress especially considering the value-oriented price point of several other common Zinfandels. Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event. 2/5

Grgich Hills Napa Valley Zinfandel
Napa Valley, California - $40
Yummy. Much like our beloved Wilson's smooth Sawyer Vineyard Zinfandel. Medium body, supple tannins, fruit forward (red berry) with hints of spice. Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event. 3.5/5

Rosenblum Desiree Chocolate Port
California - $20
Zinfandel dessert wine. Intrigued and gave it a try, because at the time, I was not a fan of port. Chocolate and vanilla nose. Smooth and balanced with the right amount of sweetness. One nitpicky bit is that I would have preferred a fuller body. Chocolate aroma sticks to the glass! Impossible to get rid of and clouded next tasting so glass was swapped out. Would buy and pair with... chocolate. Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event. 3/5

Mitolo Jester Shiraz
McLaren Vale, Australia - $20
Purpley color. Good "red" nose, toasty. Initial noticeable spice. Jammy, back of throat spice on long finish. A little light after powerhouse Phelps Insignia... Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event.

Anaperenna Syrah
Barossa Valley, Australia - $70
Blend of 80% Shiraz, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Wow flavor with initial hit of white pepper. Smooth finish but strong tannins. Again, not a great value for the money. Perhaps it would have been more impressive alone and allowed to open up over several hours. Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event. 3.5/5

Marquis Phillips S2 Cabernet Sauvignon
McLaren Vale, Australia - $45
Having enjoyed the Sarah's blend before, I was excited about trying one of their more upscale wines. Good spice, smoky, and low tannins. Disappointed, definitely not worth the money. Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event. 2/5

(The Sarah's blend is about 60% Shiraz, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc.)

Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California - $25
Tasty, solid wine but prefer Conn Creek's Anthology - smoother finish, livelier fruit flavors, and naturally more expensive. Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event. 4/5

Conn Creek Anthology
Napa Valley, California - $57
Wowwed. Loved complexity and mouthfeel. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Red & black fruit aromas; spicy flavors, creamy oak notes, and berry cobbler. Robust with silky tannins. Smoky finish. Reminiscent of a Wilson Zin. One of my favorites from this tasting. Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event. 4/5

Bove Sparkling Chenin Blanc
Loire Valley, France - $13
Made from the chenin blanc grape. Different grape makes for surprising choice. Yeastier than prosecco, very light with floral and fruit notes. Great value. Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event. 3.5/5

Mionetto Prosecco Brut
Veneto, Italy - $19
Nice & light. No yeasty heaviness. Crisp, fruit, citrus; a do again. Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event. 3/5

Sokol Blosser Evolution
Willamette Valley, Oregon - $19
Aromas lead you to think you'll get a Sauvignon Blanc "bite" upon first sip, but it's not there and is a pleasant change. Lychee flavor. Surprisingly good. Tasted at a Harry's Savoy wine event. 3.5/5

(Evolution is a blend of 9 varietals: Muller-Thurgau, White Riesling, Semillon, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat Canelli, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner.)

Huia Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Marlborough, New Zealand - $17.99
Great nose: bell pepper and herb opening up to complex floral and mineral aromas. Also green apple, lemongrass, exotic spice and boxwood. Full texture with zippy, lively acidity. Grapefruit finish. Pretty, well-balanced and elegant wine. Tasted at a Harry's Seafood wine event.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling Eroica
Columbia Valley, Washington - $18.99
Love it; currently one of my favorite whites. Sparkling acidity, floral nose; flavors of green apple, citrus and hint of petrol. Medium to full body. Different and liked it. Tasted at a Harry's Seafood wine event.

Cono Sur Sauvignon Blanc SV 2008
Valle Central, Chile - $7.99
Tropical fruit nose with grassy and citrus flavors of lemon, lime, and grapefruit. Green apple acidity. Flavors of green apple, melon & lemon. Floral and mineral finish. Medium body. Liked it. Tasted at a Harry's Seafood wine event.

West Cape Howe Unwooded Chardonnay 2007
South Australia - $16.99
Lush with firm acidity and full creamy texture. Tropical fruit and earthy red apple, pear spiced nose. Lemon butter finish. Enjoyable flavor. Tasted at a Harry's Seafood wine event.