Category: Tasting Notes

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2012. Dry, black berries, black cherry, dark plum; light for a cab, smooth, restrained tannin, some oak; balanced. This is classic case of early Napa star surfing ratings, pushing production, riding on reputation to produce a good wine, but not what made it marvelous in the beginning. You can get just as much for a lot less. There is a bit of red currant tang, some intriguing cranberry and vanilla; medium body, satin tannins. Delicious, certainly. Nice enough, but not for the price. $55

Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay 2012. AVV is very dependable producer of Sonoma wines at affordable prices. This effort is a delicate beauty with demure citrus, peach, pear, apple; there is suggestion of creamy French oak, balanced by fresh, smooth texture and welcomed acidity achieved by aging 70% in stainless steel (with no malolactic fermentation in the steel tank). Thankfully, this is not over-oaked, super-buttery, big-malo mess that some chard makers careen into. It is not complex, multi-dimensional treasure, but is a very solid, vividly clean expression of chardonnay grape. Robert Parker wrote: “This well-made chardonnay is a steal at $18 per bottle.” I agree and recommend. $18

Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Riserva Nipozzano Vecchie Viti 2011. Multi-dimensional raspberry, cherry, rose nose; sour cherry, blueberry, raspberry, bit of chocolate on the palate; extra-dry, medium-heavy body, some oak and vanilla, soft and rich, savory tannin, complex. Frescobaldi, a leader in the rise of quality of Chianti Rufina in Tuscany, made this in international style, and it is very far from the uninspired stuff of yesteryear you bought because it was cheap and you wanted the wicker-covered bottle (fiasco) to hold a candle. This delivers delicious purity of 90% sangiovese grapes from ancient vines, plus malvasia nera, colorino, canaiolo. Decant to allow complexity and deliciousness to fully express. $29

Viña Arnáiz Toro Pata Negra Roble 2013: Blackberry nose grows with exposure to air; French oak shows, ripe red fruits, plum, raspberry; fruity, smooth, sweet tannin. 100% tempranillo from the Toro DO, a province in Zamora in northwestern Spain, near the border with Portugal. Toro has long, hot summers, which results in the ripe fruitiness found here. Sometimes tempranillo is called “tinta de Toro” in the region. Wines from Toro have immense history—dating back to 1st century BCE; wines from here were substantial trade good in Early Middle Ages (5th to 10th century). This is made-for-trade wine, some 50,000 cases, and Viña Arnáiz is proud to sell on every continent. It has some rustic edges and certainly is not complex, but works quite well as a pull-and-pour pizza or burger buy. $11

Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay (Columbia Valley) 2013. Light, creamy, extra dry; golden apple, lemon zing, butterscotch, pear, tropical fruit; appropriate oak and vanilla enhance lengthy pleasure. Chateau Ste. Michelle is the oldest and largest wine maker in Washington State with roots extend back to the end of Prohibition. In 1967 it began making premium wines labeled Chateau Ste. Michelle under the direction of Andre Tchelistcheff, often called the Dean of California Winemakers and a mentor to many of the most prestigious West Coast winemaking giants. Consistent, affordable, available quality is a hallmark of the operation vintage after vintage; it is one of America’s most-awarded wineries and led the effort to obtain federal recognition of the Columbia Valley in eastern Washington as an American Viticulture Area (AVA). This effort is deeply rich, complex, delicious delight with food and sipped solo. $15-17

Ecco Domani Prosecco 2013: Light, slightly fizzy, crisp, clean; citrus, green apple, honey; creamy sweet with excellent balancing acidity, nice finish. Works well with food and as aperitif. Northeast Italy’s Prosecco had cooler growing season than normal in 2013, which made this wine more delicate and with very fresh acidity (3.14 pH). Ecco Domani translates to “Here’s Tomorrow,” and this is tasty way to salute the future; at 10.5% alcohol, you also would have to drink a lot to fear a morning hangover. Nice value a range of palates will enjoy. $11

Joel Gott Pinot Noir California 2013: Ripe cherry fruitiness, some cedar and spice, fig, raspberry; juicy, balanced, soft tannin, smooth, wisely gentle on the oak. Joel Gott also makes an Oregon version that sells for about $7 more; California (Santa Barbara, Monterey counties) is the more widely-distributed. Joel Gott is real person; his grandfather was winemaker and president of Inglenook in the 60s and 70s; his father founded Montevina. Joel Gott Winery is partnership with Trinchero Family Estates, which is part of Sutter Home Winery (best know for inventing white zinfandel); Sutter Home is one of the largest family-owned wine companies in US (Gallo is first). Joel Gott is known for affordable, available, consistent quality-for-price pours; this upholds that tradition. $18

Thomas Fogarty Santa Cruz Mountains Merlot 2009: Candied cherry, plum, blackberry, raspberry; ripe fruit-forward, plenty of sweet oak, vanilla; velvety soft, simple plushness, very reserved tannin and acidity. Will certainly appeal to folks who enjoy the soft, big-in-the-mouth, oak-and-fruit storm style of California reds. Merlot is like a movie starlet who makes a big splash (in the 1990s), then struggles in the next part. Merlot’s best role is as a complement to cabernet sauvignon, where it humanizes cab’s austerity and puckering tannins. In U.S., however, it became an entry-level to red varietals for those put off by more serious reds; its pliant softness and gentle tannins were a plus. Then, American palates matured, the movie Sideways came out, and suddenly pinot noir was the next big thing and merlot was so, so last century. This Thomas Fogarty effort has its niche; give it a try. $23-33

Château La Tour de Bessan Margaux 2010: Solid, rich, smoky; plum, blackberry, cherry, nice nip of blackcurrant to keep things interesting, leather; medium body, elegantly smooth in the mouth with silky tannin, balancing acidity; 64% cab, 33% merlot, 3% cab franc; thoroughly delicious and superb value for a Margaux Cru Bourgeois (one critic: “best value in 2010 Margaux). In 1992, Marie-Laure Lurton inherited from her father vineyards once owned by the son of French lawyer, writer, and political philosopher Baron de Montesquieu. She rebuilt the operation from the ground up: replanting, replacing, modernizing, taking Château La Tour from a mess to an operation critics eagerly await each vintage to enjoy the continuing improvement. This is classic Bordeaux, classic blend, delicious, at a price many can afford. $27

Giesen New Zealand Riesling 2013: Pinch of petrol, flint on the nose; lemon grass, honeysuckle, citrus, green apple, tart lime and minerals on the back end; juicy, vivid fruit; medium-sweet, lush mouth, fresh acidity. When you think New Zealand wine, you usually think sauvignon blanc and—increasingly—pinot noir, but this is tasty delight that nicely asserts its place. It is a bit past off-dry and moving into the medium-sweet range, so it should be crowd pleaser to those who enjoy a blush of fruity sweetness in their wine; it’s acidity will placate those who prefer a drier riesling style. $14