Chilean Syrah & Red Blends

This is the second part (long overdue) of our guinea pig tasting with a concentration on syrahs and red blends.

Syrahs


Falernia 2006 Syrah Reserva
Elqui Valley, Chile - $11.50
Dusty red fruit, blackberry, hints of barnyard. More rustic aromas and rougher all around initially. Light body. Green, herby aroma somewhere between green pepper and eucalyptus (hay, pot?) faded in/out quickly. Light tannins for just enough structure. Dominated by earthy and green notes.
Note: Elqui Valley is a cooler climate than Colchagua.


Montes Alpha 2007 Syrah
Colchagua Valley, Chile - $20
Sour cherry & leather aromas. Richer, deeper nose than Falernia with darker berry fruit. Smooth, grippy with tip of tongue spices. Dark chocolate joins sour cherry and dark berry flavors. Long finish. Syrupy, condensed aroma. Similar to Cousino-Macul (see below). As a whole, less fruit forward than California syrahs (a relief). Best on its own.

Nose: Montes
Flavor: Falernia (after drinking the heavier wines, Montes edged out the Falernia)
Finish: Montes
Wild card: Falernia
Favorite: Falernia

Blends


Seña 2005
Aconcagua Valley, Chile - $28.50
Blend of Cab Sauv (57%), Merlot (25%), Carmenere (9%), Cab Franc (6%) and Petit Verdot (3%).
Greener, more fruit forward than Montes. Bold with spicy, condensed port-like flavor. Long finish with lighter body. Bolder nose than flavors. Didn't care for the finish as the wine opened up, became bitter. This is a wine for drinking on its own or with food. You're able to continue drinking it after you finish a meal. Brainchild between Chadwick (Viña Errázuriz) and Robert Mondavi, hence the fruit forward approach. Produced by Viña Sena, imported by F. Wildman.


Cousiño-Macul 2007 Finis Terrae
Maipo Valley, Chile - $26
Blend of Cab Sauv (60%) and Malbec (40%)
Unfiltered. Softer nose with lots more everything. Complex! Spicy (cooking spices) with smoother mid-palate. More elegant than the Sena. CS focuses on the US export market. The Finis Terrae label, while tasty, is still not the top label available at CS.

Nose: Cousiño-Macul
Flavor: Cousiño-Macul
Finish: Cousiño-Macul
Wild card: doesn't matter
Favorite: Cousiño-Macul

Restaurant Week: Domaine Hudson

Four of us dined at Domaine Hudson (or Wilmington) last night to kick off Wilmington's Restaurant week. Since the reservation was later in the evening, I had a chance to look over the prixe fixe menu online and research any wines ahead of time. Sadly, the favored main course, short ribs, was not available when we were seated which left us in a lurch for a second choice. Happy to report that whatever course we chose was well paired with one of the 40+ by the glass wines thanks to our server's recommendations.

My appetizer choice of spiced carrot soup presented a bit of a pairing challenge: red or white. I tried the Domaine Corsin "Vieilles Vignes" Saint-Veran Burgundy 2007 (Chardonnay). This French Chardonnay is a refreshing change from being bonked over the head with oak and vanilla anytime Chardonnay is involved. Balanced flavors, good acidity and restrained use of oak. It seems I need to seek out smaller production French wine if this is to continue. That said, I preferred Brian's light red choice - a fruity Rhone blend (grenache, syrah, carignan, mourvedre) from Chateau Signac ("Cuvee Tradition" Cotes du Rhone Villages 2007").

Main course was the flat iron steak, an easy out when I took too long deciding between entrees. Initially tried the Chateau Viella "Tradition" 2007 from Madiran, France simply because I'd never had a wine with the Tannat grape before. This is a blend of 80% Tannat and 20% Cab Franc. Enjoyed it, though not a do again when I have all the other wines to choose from. I was searching for something with a touch more fruit and fewer tannins. Sampled my way through most of the glass before the steak arrived. I told our server I was open to suggestions and didn't mind being surprised. With that, he disappeared into the kitchen then returned with our next round. My glass was missing its usual number marked on the foot - a true surprise then! It was a big red that took some investigative sips to pin down. By the third sip, I had picked up the characteristic roundness of the Merlot grape but needed him to confirm what it was. Turns out it is the current house favorite, the Merlot that doesn't feel like a Merlot, the Code Noir Merlot 2007 from Rattlesnake Hills, WA.

The Zin Man dining partner raved about his big, bold, juicy red simply described as "the bomb." The Carl Roy “East Side Cuvee” Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Napa Valley was tasty and an easy read, but not overly fruited. I was relieved to drink a Cab that wasn't a tannic monster. I felt the use of oak was a little heavy-handed due to the strong vanilla note with a persistent finish. I bet it went well with the flat iron steak!

Finished the meal with chocolate mousse and the Sauternes-like Domaine du Petit Paris Monbazillac 2007. I'm always a sucker for a dessert wine bring back the memories of the once sampled, now unattainable Chateau d'Yquem. This blend of botrytized Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc grapes was an acceptable substitute and worth seeking out for the price (~$15).

(No photos as is dark inside the restaurant. If we can locate some of the bottles locally, there will be an extended review with photos.)

Currently sipping

Glazebrook Sauvignon Blanc - Great buy ($11) from Costco. Love it with guacamole; could be a favorite summer wine.
Ravines Meritage 2006 - a Finger Lakes trip wine, $25. Great on its own, but held up to prime rib and horseradish mashed potatoes thanks in part to the acidity and restrained fruit flavors.
Clos Pegase Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - a "ready to drink" California trip wine. Not as good as I remembered, but that means nothing since I build up anything from that trip. Paired it with a nice tenderloin last night. (We are eating well lately.)
Goats do Roam Rose - tasty little $10 gem from South Africa. The weather was beautiful mid-week around the beginning of the month so we had an inspired, unplanned dinner of cured meat, cheeses, olives, bread and olive oil. I felt a rose was needed to celebrate the warming weather and unconventional dinner al fresco. Enjoyed it more than the French rose that was poured second.

Finger Lakes - Best of the Reds

Best Reds
1. Standing Stone
2. Lamoreaux Landing

Best Pinot Noir
1. Ravines 2007
2. Lamoreaux 2007
3. Wiemer 2006












Best Cab Franc
1. Ravines 2007
(Atwater 2006, Lamoreaux Landing - "Barrel Aged" & Heron Hill - "Ingle Vineyard")

Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Penguin Bay (blend, no vintage)

Best Merlot
Standing Stone

Best Lemberger (blend)
1. Anthony Road 2007
2. Rooster Hill 2007












Best Red: Other
1. Lamoreaux Landing - "76 West"
(Anthony Road - "Devonian Red", Atwater - "Stone Bridge Red", Prejean - "Marechal Foch 2008")

Anthony Road

Seneca Lake (West - Penn Yan)
1020 Anthony Road
Penn Yan, NY 14527

800-559-2182
anthonyroadwine.com
info@anthonyroadwine.com

Hours: 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, 12-5 Sun
Tasting Fee: $1, Reservations: not required, but recommended during peak hours/season









At the time of our visit in October 2009, Anthony Road had been producing wines for 20 years. It is still family-owned and operated with on-site control over the many aspects of winery operations (winemaking, bottling, labeling, storage). The final product is a roster of excellent wines in a full range of styles priced at a great value. The winery was only second in number of bottles purchased (just behind Ravines). To say we were pleased with the accuracy of the Wine Spectator recommendations is not enough. You really ought to visit yourself.

The tasting room is in an impressive building of with hints of Classical (Greek/Roman architecture with a soaring ceiling, airy atmosphere, and lots of marble and fresco-styled decorative painting. Our host was alert, able to answer specific questions abou the winery and wines as well as guiding our selections.

Anthony Road definitely deserves a return visit, possibly paired with a picnic under the deep porch overlooking the vineyards.









Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Dry Riesling 2008 - $U. "Apple & lemon peel with hints of lime." 0.7% RS.
Pinot Gris 2007 - $12.99. Rose florals with crisp citrus flavors followed with a hint of toasted walnut. Really nice. 0.6% RS.
Gewurztraminer 2008 - $15.99. Balanced and beautiful. Lots of florals with easily detected ginger; tangerine and lychee in supporting roles. Nice weight with a long finish. 1.1% RS
Rose of Cab Franc 2008 - $U. Crisp; lighter and less personality than the most recent Rose (Peju in Napa Valley) we tasted, but still good. A great summer appetizer wine. 0.4% RS
Devonian Red - $9.99. Possibly the best value wine of the whole trip. An easy-drinking red blend with distinctive green pepper spice flavors.
Sweet Dream 2007 - $15.99. Simply delicious. This dessert wine is made with 75% raisined Vignoles grapes (via botrytis) at harvest. Decadent with just the right amount of acidity and weight. 8.6% RS












Other wines from the tasting menu:
Devonian White
Chardonnay 2007
Dry Riesling 2008
Cab Franc/Lemberger 2007
Tony's White
Tony's Blush
Tony's Red
Semi-Sweet Riesling 2008
Vignoles 2008

Wiemer

Seneca Lake (West - Dundee)
3962 Route 14
Dundee, NY 14837

800-371-7971
wiemer.com

Hours: 10am-5pm M-Sat, 11-5 Sun
Fee: $3 & $5, Reservations: not required

Herman J. Wiemer Vineyard was started by a German winemaker in 1973 with the first vintage released in 1979. At the time, Wiemer was one of the few wineries using vinifera (European) vines. The practices and traditions inherent to European winemaking carried over to these vineyards, creating series of wines that are well-crafted with balance, complexity and unique aromas and flavors. Everything from pressing to labeled takes place on premises. Wiemer employs environmentally-friendly practices.









Great tasting room in the barn - the old barn wood contrasts fantastically with the tall stainless steel tanks and white "barn within a barn". The staff (winemaker's wife Maressa, regrettably a Yankees fan) was friendly and offered side-by-side pours to compare vintages, which was immensely helpful in pinpointing preferences. I'd read great things about their Rieslings (HJW, Magdalena, Dry Reserve & Late Harvest all scored 89 points or higher in Wine Spectator). My favorite of the Rieslings was the regular Dry Riesling. I found the HJW to be too austere and the Magdalena flowery and too feminine, but still some of the best we sampled during our trip. Overall, Wiemer's selections of wines were a wonderful treat and will warrant a return visit next time we're in the area.












Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Dry Riesling 2007 - $17.50. A combination of the three Riesling vineyards, including austere HJW & flowery Magdalena. Crisp, dry with flint. Not a lot of sweet, balanced. Great nose. Texture is a touch oily. Very good flavor of apple and citrus with sharp acidity. Clean finish. 0.9% RS
Semi-Dry Riesling 2007 - $17. Oily texture; sourced from the Magdalena vines. Very well done. "Semi-dry Rheingau style... ripe, expressive nose featuring fresh floral notes of citrus and lime fruit. Complex minerality and subtle finish." 2.4% RS
Late Harvest Riesling 2008 -$23. The well balanced acidity brings the wine through; not cloyingly sweet. Spatlese style. "Apricot and honey flavors. Rich and full bodied." 4.5% RS. The 2007 vintage received 89 points in WS.
Gewurztraminer 2007 - $19. Heavier style. A touch sweeter than what I prefer. Picked up on the floral aromas, citrus flavors and finish. Smooth. Also aromas of "peaches, apples and melons perfumed with rose petals." 1.7% RS
Blanc de Noir 2003 - $26. Blend of 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay. Very delicate and great bubbles. Not my style as the flavors mimic the Niagara/Concord grapes, too fruity. "Apple and citrus on the nose... exotic maturity, nut flavors supported by a harmonious structure."
Dry Riesling Reserve 2007 - $23. Similar to the HJW (sourced from that vineyard). Much like the Dry Riesling 2007 but without oily texture and more acidity. "Hand-picked... from oldest low yield vineyard. Elegant... with brilliant fruit and long, lingering finish." 0.7% RS. This vintage received 89 points in WS.
Pinot Noir 2006 - more fruit driven with nice berry flavor. Pleasant, fine tannins. Ready sooner than the 2007 vintage. (Bonus taste to compare the two vintages.)
Pinot Noir 2007 - $18.50. Sharp, lean and not fruit forward. "Medium-bodied, smooth, dry... French oak. Black cherries in nose and taste... light tannins."
Estate Red 2006 - $16. Blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Lemberger and Pinot Noir. A darker style than the Pinot Noir with sharpness and good acidity. A nice wine but tight. Pink-red color. Tobacco aroma was easy to pick up on. Well-structured.
Cabernet Franc 2006 - $17.50. Nice mid-palate with Red Delicious apple peel finish. "Firm and velvety tannins, well defined acidity.
Cabernet Franc 2007 - Very similar to the 2006, but wound tighter. Previous vintage has benefit of an extra year in the bottle; opened up more and had a light color. The 2007 had a darker color approaching light magenta and surprising fruit flavor. Will definitely be good with some cellaring.

Other wines on the tasting menu:
Chardonnay 2007
Pinot Noir Rose 2006
Frost Cuvee 2008
Cuvee Brut 2006
Chardonnay 2005
Select Late Harvest Chardonnay 2007

Ravines

Keuka Lake (West - Hammondsport)
14630 State Route 54
Hammondsport, NY 14840

607-292-7007
ravines@citilink.net
ravineswine.com

Hours: 10am-5pm
Fee: $3 & $5, Reservations: not required

Ravines produces restrained, terroir-specific wines that follow the example of the fine Burgundian and Bordeaux wines. This was my favorite winery out of the 15+ we visited over the weekend. You have two options for wine tasting: with or without chocolate. It's never a question for me... so I enjoyed pairings of wine with the artisan chocolates from Hedonist, sharing nibbles with Brian. The chocolate pairing is well worth the nominal fee.









The second floor tasting room overlooks Keuka Lake. While the room buzzed with activity around our group, I was oblivious after my first sip of Chardonnay. The wines were so impressive that I think I did a happy dance more than once. Our host, Lisa, was super sweet and knowledgeable. After much effusive praise over the wine and chocolate (sesame seed and sea salt being my favorite), we found out we shared a common bond: Neuchatel chocolate. It was such a great whirlwind of an experience that my tasting notes were left behind.









Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Dry Riesling 2007 - $16.95. Elegant style with a great nose and lush tree fruit (apple & pear) flavors with a citrusy edge and minerally finish. Wonderful example of a well-made, truly dry Riesling. Bought three bottles!

Argetsinger Vineyards Dry Riesling 2007 - $24.95. I had heard great things (91 pts in Wine & Spirits) about this single vineyard Riesling and wanted to see how it compared to the regular Riesling, but it was not on the tasting menu. Lisa was kind enough to offer a bonus pour for comparison. It is a much more restrained style - elegant with lean fruit, good minerality and zingy acidity. While I can appreciate this elegant wine, the lush style and flavors of the Dry Riesling '07 were more appealing to my palate. (The Argetsinger vineyard on Seneca Lake is one of the the oldest vineyards in the area. Older vines typically produce wines with more personality.)

Ravines Chardonnay 2007 - $18.95. Color me impressed. This is not a varietal I usually reach for. I find the majority of Chardonnay to be heavy-handed and over-oaked. This wine was anything but. It is an elegant, balanced Bordeaux-style wine offering up pear, citrus, fig and hazelnut aromas. (The search to sniff out the fig particulary excited me.) Great acidity with just the right amount of oak. Ravines uses a traditional Italian drying technique, appassimento, to create rich, lush flavors from only the best Chardonnay grapes.

Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - $17.95. An unusual and enjoyable example of Sauv Blanc! Bright aromas of lemon and wet stones. Bracing, but balanced acidity and strong Alsatian minerality create a tight framework for the lemon, lime and tropical fruit flavors. Crisp and intense with an extended finish. Elegant, reserved but with a laser-like focus. Best with food. Picked up two of these goodies.

Gewurztraminer 2008 - $24.95. The Finger Lakes region is an ideal growing area for this persnickety cool-climate grape. This happens to be one of the wines I don't have much memory for. Really wish I hadn't forgotten those notes.










Dry Pinot Rosé 2007 - $14.95. This wine gets its salmon hue from the amount of time the juice and skins of the Pinot Noir grape are in contact. Great for sipping with or without food, summertime is a great time to enjoy this dry, delicate wine.

Meritage 2006 - $24.95. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes aged in toasted French oak barrels, the Meritage is classic Bordeaux style wine bursting with fruit. Pleasant tannins. This was the favorite wine for a member of our group.

Cabernet Franc 2007 - $18.95. Another lusciously soft wine with beautiful fruit and spice with a solid finish. I preferred the style of this wine only slightly over the Meritage '06.

Pinot Noir 2007 - $22.95. Hands down the best Pinot Noir of the whole trip. Given the time to taste all of the area Pinot Noirs, I would bet this would still be the best example of the varietal and terroir. A fine example of a Burgundian style Pinot Noir! Light red color with violet and brown undertones. Aromas of rose and clove with raspberry, cherry and touch of vanilla. Earth and smoke aromas emerge as the wine breathes. Great nose! Elegant and soft flavors of cherry and Red Delicious apple peel; long berry finish. Tart and earthiness in background. Lush but moderated mouthfeel. Spice comes out toward the end. After the second day, the wine presents more soft fruit and earthiness. Lots of complexity! Light tannins with an almost imperceptably bitter finish. Loved it so much I bought three bottles.

Other wines on the tasting menu:
Dry Riesling 2006
Pinot Gris 2007
Keuka Village White 2007

Atwater

Seneca Lake (Central South - Hector)
5055 Route 414
Hector, NY 14841

800-331-7323
atwatervineyards.com

Hours: 10-5 M-Sat, 11-5 Sun
Fee: $3 Tours: No, Reservations: Not required

Atwater Vineyards was a winery I'd been looking forward to visiting. It received a noticeable amount of positive press - local and national - with a special nod to the great Rieslings and affordable Gewurztraminers. The wines and tasting room staff delivered on these expectations. The tasting started off on a great note with Riedel glasses (assuredly not the norm). Our host kept an unhurried pace offering recommendations on wines to try based on our personal preferences. The Cab Franc and newly released Dry Riesling were some of the group's favorites. The steely Gewurzt also stuck out for its unique style.

Highly recommend this winery for the wine and the views. There is a picnic space overlooking the vineyards and lake which I'd imagine would be excellent in warmer, less rainy weather. Bring some cheese, olive oil and a baguette to pair with your favorite wine!









Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Gewurztraminer 2007 - $16. Steely style with 0.4% residual sugar. "Heady Gewurz loaded with aromas of citrus and white flowers exploded with flavors of grapefruit and ginger." Rated 85 points in WS. Loved this style; only steely Gewurz on the lake.
Dry Riesling 2008 - $16. So light and delightful. Aromatic and unique. Grown on slate soils from mature vines. Peach, herb and lime flavors.
Pinot Noir 2007 - $17. Aged 8 months in French oak, this wine has an enjoyable resinous nose, light body and flavors. Cherry and sandalwood flavors with great texture.
Stone Bridge Red - $12. Beautiful color. A low tannin, easy drinking value red wine. Blend of Marechal Foch, Cabernet Franc and Corot Noir grapes. Cherry and plum flavors make it an ideal summer sipper to complement grilled meats.
Meritage 2006 - $18. Smoky, fruit nose leads to well balanced tannins with some tartness. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc creates a dark fruit (cherry, plum, black raspberry) profile that begs for hearty meats.
Cabernet Franc 2006 - $18. Another wine with a great nose. Balanced acid and tannins, solid finish with pleasant cherry flavors.









Other wines on the tasting menu:
Chardonnay 2007
Stone Bridge White
Pinot Gris 2008
Vidal Blanc 2007
Riesling 2007
Cabernet-Merlot 2007

Standing Stone

Seneca Lake (Central South - Hector)
9934 Route 414
Hector, NY 14841

607-582-6051
standingstonewines.com
ssvny@standingstonewines.com

The tasting room at Standing Stone is unassuming and relaxed. Our host was knowledgeable, friendly and made excellent recommendations on wines to sample. We were pleasantly surprised by the dry, European-styled whites and reds on the tasting menu. I heard the gewurztraminer was the wine to try, but it was the reds that impressed us. These reds were complex, medium-bodied, full of character and the finish was strong. A far cry from some of the day's previous reds. We did a side by side of the '05 and '06 Pinnacle, which is a great way to discover the nuances of each vintage and find your favorite.

After such a strong representation from the dry wines, I didn't need or expect the dessert wines to shine. However, their Vidal Ice and Chardonnay Ice wines were very good.









This winery is located next to the deepest part of Seneca Lake (about 650 ft). The deep waters help to cool the vineyards in the summer and radiate heat back in winter.

Hours: 10-5:30 M-Sat, 11-5:30 Sun
Fee: $3, Tours: Yes, advance notice required, Reservations: Not required

Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Merlot 2007 - $20. The first vintage they produced in four years after the vines were hit by bad weather. Minty and herbal. This was a fun wine.
Cabernet Franc 2006 - $20. A good example of this varietal in the region. Balanced.
Pinnacle 2005 - $22. A plusher wine from a stronger vintage.
Pinnacle 2006 - $19. Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Merlot. Had more sharp acidity than '05.
Vidal Ice Wine - $24. Honeyed pineapple and tropical fruit with walnut finish. Liked wine but had trouble spending this much on a dessert wine.
Chardonnay Ice Wine - $24. Sauternes-like richness and honeyed fruit. Unexpected flavors wowwed. Nuttier flavors than the Vidal. Next time we'll pick up a bottle of this ice wine, simply for its uniqueness.









Other wines on the tasting menu:
Gewurztraminer 2007 - $16
Dry Riesling 2008 - $14 (tasted both whites but couldn't remember details without a tasting sheet)
Pinot Noir 2006 - $20
Smokehouse Blend - $20

Lamoreaux Landing

Seneca Lake (Central North - Lodi)
9224 Route 414
Lodi, NY 14860

607-582-6011
lamoreauxwine.com
Hours: 10-5 M-Sat, 12-5 Sun
Fee: $3, Tours: No, Reservations: Not required

Lamoreaux Landing produces dry, European-styled red and white wines. The wines are consistent and show the character of each vintage. This is a great winery for tasty whites and bolder reds. A fuller-bodied, balanced red wine requires some dutiful tasting to find, but you can skip the searching and head to Lamoreaux knowing you'll be okay.

They were in the middle of harvesting their reds during our visit. Forklifts were busy bringing full bins into the winery for destemming and crushing. Empty barrels were lined up waiting to receive the 2009 vintage.










Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Dry Riesling 2008 - $13. Very light color with a hint of yellow. Energetic flavors with lemon, ginger and steely finish. Polished and clean. Prefer this vintage.
Dry Riesling 2007 - $10. Smooth with sharp acidic finish - a good thing. A leaner style than the '08.
Red Oak Vineyard Riesling 2008 - $20. Leaner than '07. Good acidity. Creamy mid-palate with tropical fruit.
Gewurztraminer 2007 - $15. Very light gold color. Great nose! Roses, litchi and spice. Delicate flavors with ginger and steely finish. Enjoyed this style.
Pinot Noir Barrel-Aged 2007 - $20. Very clear dusty red color. Bright aromas; light and lean style. Body and flavors reminiscent of Va La's Silk. Can age 3-5 years.
T23 Cabernet Franc 2008 - $15. Light rose color. Tobacco nose. Vanilla scream through on finish. Very light for Cab Franc (fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks).
Cabernet Franc Barrel-Aged 2006 - $16. Denser, dusty red color. Bold, spicy with well-integrated tannins. Spice stays through until finish. Great oak structure. Really enjoyable. The first red we tried that wasn't wimpy.
76 West - $25. New release of their first meritage blend: 55% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Soft and spicy, great mouthfeel. Wow. Color is a more brilliant pink than Cab Franc. This wine was so delicate and perfectly balanced. Really wanted to buy, but we had so many wineries left to visit. Would have bought at a lower price point.
Estate Red Barrel-Aged - $11. Spicy tingle on finish, sweeter nose than meritage blend. Great value; an everyday wine. Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir & Merlot blend.












Other wines on the tasting menu:
Semi-Dry Riesling 2008 - $13
Chardonnay 2007 - $13
Reserve Chardonnay 2007 - $24
Semi-Dry Gewurztraminer 2008 - $15
42 North - $15
Merlot Barrel-Aged 2007 - $17
Reserve Riesling 2008 - $25
Riesling Ice 2007 - $36
Vidal Ice 2007 - $23

Wilson

By far one of the best wineries on our trip! Wilson is known for their Zinfandels, ranging in style from soft and easygoing to spicy and bold. I love all the iterations of this grape at Wilson. The Tori Vineyard is my personal favorite simply because I've never encountered another Zinfandel that packs in so many spicy flavors balanced by a jammy backbone. The Carl and Sawyer are great as well, but definitely softer than Tori.

The Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County is a great place to start exploring Zinfandel. There are many wineries to visit here, but Wilson is a must. (The wines are affordable, especially if you can get wine club pricing.) Our wine guide was very personable, knowledgeable and helped me understand that my mind wasn't playing tricks on me when I smelled pencil shavings.

I have only one photo of Wilson for you. It is of either the Ellie or Sawyer vineyard. It seems we were too busy sampling the wine and enjoying the picnic overlooking the vineyards to mess with cameras.

Wilson Roger's Fault 2003
Dry Creek Valley, California - $28
Red Bordeaux blend. Very interesting wine because of pencil shavings aroma (due to inclusion of Cabernet Sauvignon). Light body, good for food. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, & Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

Wilson Diane's Reserve Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $48
Very jammy nose. A bonus pour.

Wilson Reserve Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $40
Aromas of leather, red berry, musty. Flavors of all over black & white pepper, spice. Some cedar after wine opened up. Medium body, soft tannins, long finish with some spice. Simple, unusual and pleasant. 4.5/5 for balance and style, but prefer more complexity and spice in a Dry Creek Zinfandel.

Wilson Ellie's Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $32
Currant & blackberry nose; light and low tannins. Transforms as you drink it. 14% petite syrah, remainder is Zinfandel. Harvested from grapes grown at an elevation of 500 feet.

Wilson Sawyer Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $32
Not exciting enough when compared to the other Zinfandels. Same elevation as Ellie grapes. (The valley floor vines created rich, jammy wine.) White pepper on the back of the tongue. A very consistent wine sip to sip, year to year. Classic easy entry Zinfandel. Fruit forward nose.

Wilson Carl's Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $32
Jammy nose, spicy. Like more than Sawyer, stronger than Ellie, but just as smooth. Same vines are Sawyer but higher elevation of 2,200 ft.

Wilson Tori Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $32
Aka "Spicy Tori", grown at 2,440' elevation on coastal fog line. Stressing the vines creates a spicy nose. All sorts of spice everywhere. Black & white pepper, green bell pepper; more tannic than others. Cellar until 2009.

More at Wilson Winery.com

Bella

Bella is a little winery tucked into the hills of Dry Creek Valley. It is a winding car ride through the dusty back roads of the valley. The defining feature of Bella is their wine cave and tasting room.



Bella Hillside Cuvee 2005
Sonoma County, California - $28
Love. Not as sweet as it could be because of it is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. Smooth, could cellar. Graceful wine with lots of ripe fruit and soft tannins. From the winemaker: 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Zinfandel, 11% Petite Syrah and 10% Petite Verdot blend from Alexander Valley old vines. Ripe & juicy with excellent structure and finish. Opened bottle in July 2009 and it was just as juicy as I remembered.



Bella Estate Late Harvest Zinfandel 2006
Sonoma County, California - $24
Smooooth. Dessert wine. Higher alcohol content. Great nose, citrus peel, inky black color. Sweet, but not cloyingly obnoxious nor port-like. From the winemaker: 94% Zinfandel, 6% Petite Syrah. Left on the vine two weeks longer than their regular bottling. Only 250 cases produced.



More at Bella Winery.com

Elyse

The last winery of the day is never easy. Especially when the tasting covers 10-12 wines and the tasting room host keeps pulling out bottles from under the bar. Most of these wines were so heavy with tannins, my tongue had shriveled up for want of water or food. Luckily, we had a stash of crackers in the car which were put to good use mid-way through. By the end of the hour plus tasting, we had sampled some two dozen wines - almost all red and powerful. If you're looking for an intimate tasting experience and are a fan of bold Napa Cabernets, give Elyse a try.

Elyse Wild Horse Valley Chardonnay 2005
Napa Valley, California - $37
Butter, lemon cream.

Elyse Hudson Vineyard 2004
Napa Valley, California - $42
Red blend: 90% grenache, 10% syrah. Sweet strawberry flavors, no residual sugar.

Elyse Tietjen Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $80
Very cherry, berry. Very smooth. My favorite of the two Cabernets.

Elyse Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $80
More of a bite than Tietjen. More tannic harshness. Would need time to mellow.



Elyse Korte Ranch Zinfandel 2006
Napa Valley, California - $35
Made from 25-65% old vines, this is a good, but very tannic wine from the St. Helena AVA.

Elyse Morisoli Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
Napa Valley, California - $37
I liked this one. Jammier, notes of strawberry and young fruit. Interesting that I prefer the Zinfandel from this vineyard but not the Cabernet.

Elyse St. Helena Petite Syrah 2005
St. Helena, California - $37
Rosemary, eucalyptus, huckleberry and spice.

More at Elyse Winery.com


And visit Woodhouse Chocolate if you're ever in the area. It's worth the stop in downtown St. Helena. I highly recommend the quatre epices, thai ginger, toasted coconut & honey truffles. (And since I'm such a packaging/design nut, I couldn't bear to toss the box. It stills smells like chocolate.)

Clos Pegase

It was only a matter of happenstance that we visited Clos Pegase. Had we not been vacationing in Mexico two months prior, we wouldn't have met another wine-loving couple who gave Clos Pegase rave reviews for the wine, architecture and art collection. I'm never sure if someone else's glowing recommendation from memory will live up to expectations and assessments from our group, so I was hesitant to lobby for its inclusion on the winery tour. I can now say I was very relieved when our group was impressed with the quality of their wines and amazed at all the art.


Architect Michael Graves was commissioned to build a "temple to wine and art" and created a fantastic palette for the many art installations, large-scale paintings and sculpture. Everyone takes a picture of The Thumb sculpture. I don't know it's real name, but it's all over Flickr (go look, I'll wait) so I'll spare the internet the repetition of my photo.

Their Sauvignon Blanc blew us away, especially for the red drinkers who couldn't find a white to impress them. This one did it. I wish we would have bought more bottles of it and the sleeper-hit Cabernet Sauvignon.



Clos Pegase Mitsuko's Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Napa Valley, California - $20
A great find and top value for 2008. One of our favorites that represents my favorite expression of Sauvignon Blanc: supple & bright with tropical & citrus aromas & flavors. Bright straw color. Juicy nose of pineapple & pear, brightness of lemon. Herbal & grassy. Very complex aroma. Spicy pear, gooseberry, pineapple flavors. Well balanced acidity, medium-heavy body. Holds its own against garlic! a buy again and again. Almost 2,000 cases produced. Rated 88 in WS, 90 in Wine Enthusiast. 5/5


Clos Pegase Pegase Circle Claret 2005
Napa Valley, California - $26
Every day food wine, but complex enough to keep your interest. From the winemaker: Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot. Rich fruit tones, black currant, plums & cherries. Only available at the winery.

Clos Pegase Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $35
Very tannic, needs food and time to open. A fantastic value and sleeper-hit. From the winemaker: Ripe & luscious with density & elegance. Production is just under 5,000 cases. Rated 87 ("sweet black plum and mocha flavors... ends on a note of pencil lead... honeyed red for brisket").

Clos Pegase Mitsuko's Vineyard Merlot 2004
Napa Valley, California - $25
Plum, pomegranate, cherries, good, very dark purple. From the winemaker: Well composed with structure, balance, and vibrant fruit tones; soft, elegant and balanced. Only available at the winery.


More at Clos Pegase.com

Peju

Peju was the second winery we visited our first day in Napa. The grounds makes quite an impression as you drive up. The long driveway is lined by skinny sycamores being trained to bend over the drive (but they are still young so it is more of a lean). And the buildings are a mix of French provencal and Dr. Seuss. The rear tasting room, with granite floors and counters and stained glass windows, is the more beautiful of the tasting rooms. Tasting menu was extensive, highlighted by unique red/white blends and dry rose wines. We did not encounter so many dry, light reds at any other winery.

It is definitely worth a visit for the grounds and architecture. Since it's right off the main drag in Napa, it is easy to find and stop in.

Peju Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Napa Valley, California - $18
Grapefruit, "cat pee" on nose. From the winemaker: Pale straw yellow color. Tropical fruit mixed with fresh citrus, lychee & passion fruit. Crisp, fresh & lively on the palate. Long finish.

Peju Provence
Napa Valley, California - $22
Provence: California red & white blend. Very interesting and unique; slightly sweet, summer sipper. Like a white Zinfadel or rose. From the winemaker: Proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and French Colombard. Pleasing impression with refreshing finish.

Peju Rose of Syrah
Napa Valley, California - $25
(This wine was not available during our visit but we have since sampled several bottles.) Aromas of light cherry and other berries, dusty & melon. Dry rose style with light body. Brilliant red-orange color. Same light flavors as aromas. Paired well with smoked salmon, pickled red onion & goat cheese boursin. From the winemaker: The color is vibrant rouge with fragrant aromas of pear, fresh raspberries and ripe strawberries as well as a hint of spicy gumdrop. Delicate flavors of red berries, citrus notes with a whisper of Seville orange creamsicle. This wine is enticing and smooth on the palate with a creamy finish. It is an interesting wine for a summer event; surprising and refreshing. Rarity increases appeal. 3.5/5

Peju Estate Fifty/Fifty 2005
Napa Valley, California - $85
Red blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cherry color, coats glass thickly, dry finish. From the winemaker: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright red berry fruit, ripe plum, dark dried cherry and currant aromas. Deep and rich.

Peju Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $40
Brian liked, better than Cakebread's Estate Cab. Watermelon, slightly bitter. From the winemaker: Aroma of bing cherry, vanilla, clove, blackberry, black pepper, cassis, toast, roasted coffee, fresh herbs and green olive. Palate is big, rich and round. Lengthy finish, soft supple texture and nicely integrated tannins.



Peju Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $105
Hold until 2013-2014 to reach prime. Vanilla, dry. From the winemaker: Concentrated plum, blackberry nose and hint of cocoa aromas. Rich and powerful, layers of concentrated flavors with nice roundness. Rich and lengthy finish; complex and well developed tannins.

Peju Estate Zinfandel 2005
Napa Valley, California - $28
Very jammy, heavily coated glass. From the winemaker: Dark purple & garnet in color. Aromas of raspberry, cranberry, dried cherry and clove. Bright blackberry jam, round spicy flavor. Big bold tannins, long lingering finish.

Peju Estate Cabernet Franc 2005
Napa Valley, California - $45
Not a blend - 100% Cabernet Franc. Good minerality; powerful, puckering tannins. From the winemaker: Aromas of concentrated plum, mingled with spice, red currant, vanilla and violet. Full body, flavor of plum blackberry pie, espresso bean and hints of anise, fresh herbs and white pepper. Soft, luxurious mouthfeel.

More at Peju.com

Va La Vineyard

Va La La Prima Donna 2007
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $35
Initial pear aromas. Flavors shift from floral to light woodsy, mineral to white fruits; always changing. Lavender & honey finish. Medium body. Very complex. Similar in style to Caymus Conundrum. Blend of 5 grapes: Malvasia Bianco, Petit Manseng, Pinot Grigio, Tocai Friuliani & Viognier. Pairs well with seafood, shellfish, chicken and cream sauces. This will be the last vintage that the viognier grape will be part of the blend as the winemaker has yanked out all of the viognier vines. 4/5


Va La Cristallo 2005
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $25
Very berry aroma followed by cherry, strawberry, smoke, hint of cured sweet meat (ham). Jammy fruit like preserves and a honeyed sweetness. Flavors start with spicy tingle on the tip of the tongue. Strawberry, light minerality, and more smokiness comes through on the palate. Light body, but complex and smooth with solid backbone. Light, almost imperceptable tannins and smoky, long finish. Light red in color. Paired well with rustic pizza of goat cheese, basil, carmelized onion, and bacon. Great wine and very different, spicier than Silk with smoke notes. Bought 2005 when reserve was released; better vintage than 2006. No longer in production. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc grapes. 4.5/5

Va La Silk 2007
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $28
Red blend of Barbera, Carmine, Corvina Veronese, Merlot, Nebbiolo, & Petit Verdot. Light body with aromas of cooking spice. A non-traditional red blend meant to be a transitional wine for white wine drinkers. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks gives it a lighter color and body. Pairs well with chicken, red sauces, proscuitto, salmon & pork. Initially, felt it was too light but versatility has converted me. 3.5/5

Va La Siranetta 2006
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $40
Blend of 4 grapes (3 French and 1 American) Carmine 68%, Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot. (Carmine is a cross of three French grapes created by UC Davis.) Lighter body than expected, light tannins and good backbone. Pork aroma. Smoky fruit. Pairs with steak, grilled meats & aged cheeses. "Little Siren"

Va La Castana 2006
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $35
Medium body red blend of Barbera, Nebbiolo & Corvina Veronese grapes. Flavors of dark chocolate and berry. Pairs well with meats (bbq, hot sausage) spicy food, Mexican food and even dark chocolate. Just released. Aged 14 months in oak.

Va La Barbera
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $35
Spicy tongue tingle, surprisingly light. Dark chocolate flavors with plum and brambly fruit. Some earthiness. This single varietal wine is no longer produced as the winemaker has chosen to use the Barbera grape in other wines. 4/5

Va La Cedar
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $45
Nebbiolo & corvina veronese (grape used in Italian Amarone) grapes. Brownish-red color from few years of bottle aging; can take 2-3 more years in cellar. Complex, rich wine that unfolds slowly. Changes from tight, tip of tongue spice, cooking spices, & tannic; white pepper appearing on back of tongue; lower tannins, dried fruit - specifically raisin, red berry, cinnamon but still tight. Pork aroma with impressive back of throat spice, softer red berry. Fruit emerges as wine breathes. Decant. Pairs well with wild game, lamb, fowl and truffles.

Va La Mahongany 2005
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $55
First release of this blend of Barbera, Petit Verdot & Carmine. Grown and bottled on site. Winemaker has been waiting 10 years for the vines to mature to produce a wine of this quality, range, and style. Light tannins, medium body with bold flavors. Will age well in bottle. Pairs well with everything from chocolate to bold cheeses. 4/5

More at Va La

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."

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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