|
|
California Wine Tasting Notes
|
2005 Bargetto Rosso, California, (Dolcetto, Zinfandel, Merlot, Tempranillo, Carignane, Refosco and Nebbiolo) $12 Score: 92.0 An interesting blend of Italian, French and Spanish varieties, it weighs in at 14.5% alcohol. Of all of its components, it most resembles Tempranillo -- a velvet covered whip -- silky smooth with a spicy-acidic kick on the extraordinarily long finish. The fruit tends toward raspberry and cranberry, with vanilla and light milk chocolate tones in the background. Only 490 cases produced. Amazing value |
|
2006 McManis California Merlot $10 Score: 87.0 Merlot fans will rejoice in this silky gem. It has the typical cherry-berry fruit you've come to expect from Merlot, with a light underlying layer of damp earth. The tannins are soft and fuzzy, suggesting it's best to drink it now and through the next three years. Excellent value. |
|
2004 Ironstone Vineyards California Cabernet Sauvignon $10 Score: 92.0 A spicy, smokey Cabernet Sauvignon with depth and persistence, a layer of milk chocolate, blackberry and a hint of black currant. Medium bodied with light tannin and fine balance. A very fine value. |
|
2004 Ironstone Vineyards California Cabernet Franc $10 Score: 95.0 Instead of the usual high alcohol, late harvest nonsense that passes for table wine these days, Ironstone has released a number of wines with a reasonable 13.5% alcohol, great balance and unusual complexity. This Cabernet Franc is one of the finest I've ever encountered. It's a multi-faceted wine with bright fruit flavors, layers of mineral and spice. The fruit tends toward intense layers of blueberry, pomegranate and loganberry, backed by racy minerality, vibrant acidity and understated spices (nutmeg, cardamom, a hint of vanilla). The finish lingers for minutes. The negligible tannin steps aside, making this a wine to enjoy now and for the next 5 to 7 years. And it's an unbelievable bargain! |
|
2006 McManis California Viognier $10 Score: 90.0 I'm a big fan of McManis wines, which deliver pure varietal fruit at a bargain fruit. This '06 Viognier delivers intense dried apricot, a hint of pineapple, and vibrant minerality, with medium body and a silky texture. Reminds me of some experimental Viogniers from Northern Italy. A great value. |
|
2005 Christine Andrew California Viognier $13 Score: 89.0 Sourced from Lodi, this Viognier is a wonderfully restrained and balanced rendition sporting just 13.5% alcohol, as opposed to most California Vigoniers that fall in the 14.5 to 15% range. It shows pleasant white peach aromas and flavors supported by floral scents and stone-mineral notes that carry the finish. Refreshing and easy to pair with any salad, seafood or poultry dishes. |
|
2005 Montevina Winery California Pinot Grigio $10 Score: 88.0 The nose grabs you by the lapels, pulls you close, and declares, "This is serious stuff; pay attention!" It makes a statement with tangerine, peach and just a touch of banana on the palate. Surprisingly soft despite its high acidity, it spans the gap between aperitif and table wine. Vibrant and balanced; buy some now. |
|
2005 Ironstone Vineyards California Viognier $10 Score: 79.0 Hawthorne blossom aroma, dry and tart with citrus and green flavors. With its 18% Chardonnay this Viognier sidesteps Viognier's tendency toward high alcohol, but the grapes were simply picked under ripe, so Viognier's finer characteristics are lost. I'd be hard pressed to pick this out of flight of Pinot Grigios. |
|
2003 Ironstone Vineyards California Cabernet Franc $17 Score: 89.0 Lush black cherries wrapped in tobacco leaf with mineral notes and sweet spices, good acidity and a lingering finish. Wonderful now and capable of aging over the next 5 to 10 years. |
|
2005 Menage a Trois California White Table Wine $10 Score: 87.0 Our tasting panel loved this wine. A blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Muscat, it's full of tropical fruit flavors, honeysuckle and lime. Refreshing, unpretentious, quaffable, but still possessing classical structure. We wish that more wine was made in this vein. |
|
2005 Dog Tail Vineyards California Chardonnay $10 Score: 86.0 Fresh and fruity, this bright and lively wine features flavors that call to mind Granny Smith apple with a touch of citrus. Firm acidity and mineral notes in the finish make it an easy match for light meat dishes. |
|
2003 Mosby La Seduzione California Lagrein $26 Score: 88.0 Lagrein is a little like Nebbiolo, but a bit earthier. Most Lagrein's I've had from Italy (Alto Adige region) have been rather coarse and better used in a blend. Here Bill Mosby has crafted a very interesting Lagrein, showing black cherry, dark red rose and a caper berry-like flavor (less the salt). Just 390 cases produced, it's worth the search. |
|
non-vintage Dog Tail Vineyards Fire Hydrant Red California [Cabernet Sauvignon etc.] $9 Score: 87.0 A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Souzao from Lodi and Monterey Counties. Blueberries galore in the nose. Add blackberries on the mid-palate with just a hint of spice. Cherries on the finish. Just enokugh tannin and acid to give it good structure. Balanced and ready for drinking. |
|
non-vintage Dog Tail Vineyards Watchdog White California [Chardonnay and Symphony] $9 Score: 87.5 While Symphony (a hybrid cross of Muscat and Grenache Gris) may only account for 10% of this wine, its sweet floral aromatics and tangerine & apricot flavors more than overpower the Chardonnay that lends the wine its viscous body and silky texture. Serve slightly chilled. It's a perfect accompaniment to Chinese food, grilled shrimp and chicken satay. |
|
2005 McManis Family Vineyards California Syrah $10 Score: 87.0 Dense and jammy, full bodied and velvety smooth, this flavorful wine points to plums, toasted oak and bittersweet chocolate. The soft tannins make this wine perfect for current drinking. |
| Previous | Next |