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Specs:
2008 Buena Vista Rose of Syrah
Carneros
Sonoma, California
14.1 % Alcohol
96% Syrah, 4% Chardonnay
http://buenavistacarneros.com/
Library Release-Inquire with Winery
Notes:
Buena Vista is well known for their Pinot Noir however during my last visit I noticed this salmon colored bottle on the shelf in their tasting room. They were not pouring so I inquired about it. My friends and I were all given a pour and were all instantly pleased with it. Syrah Rose is slowly making an appearance throughout the California Wine Country and it is the type of Rose I prefer most. When using the Syrah grape you get more of a masculine dry flavor rather than a sugary flowery flavor you would find in a typical Rose.
This wine is mesmerizingly beautiful to look at. The color of a bouquet of deep pink roses with a sparkle of a pink sapphire. The smell is acidic with hints of grass, grapefruit and pink lemonade. The wine has a light mouthfeel, however is packed with flavor. Like the smell; Grapefruit is the most powerful flavor I can detect. Other fruits include Strawberry, Raspberry, Lemon, Cherry and even a small hint of Watermelon. The sweetness is that of sugar naturally occurring in fruit and is in no way overpowering. It is the prefect balance of acid and residual sugar. Sweet, Tart and Earth perfectly balance one another.
This wine is great for a hot day at a Barbecue. It would pair perfectly with barbecued ribs, smoked pork or hearty spicy chili. I can also see this pairing extremely well with spicy Asian or Indian foods. I have enjoyed this wine numerous times by itself and that is just as enjoyable too. Amazing match for Summer and also great for an everyday treat.
Specs:
2008 Starlite Vineyards Estate Viognier Sonoma
Geyserville, California
14.5 % Alcohol
100% Viognier
http://www.starlitevineyards.com/
$37.00
Notes:
Being a lover of the Viognier grape I was excited to see this bottle on the shelf. It was from a winery I was unfamiliar with from a region I really enjoy. I immediately purchased this beautiful bottle of wine. Viognier is a difficult grape to grow and because of the extra work winemakers put into this varietal you will find higher price tags. This Viognier is well worth every penny you spend. The flavor is so bright and bold and is the perfect wine for all meals and occasions.
The color is a rich gold and is beautiful in the glass. The smell is of sweet dry citrus, mainly orange as well as honey and floral notes. The taste is pure and sweet. You instantly sense orange. That of the orange rind especially. The sweetness you get on the tongue is not that of sugar but of rich creamy honey. The flavors are bright, clean and powerful. This wine doesn't spend much time in oak so the flavor has more mineralistic qualities than earthly undertones. The taste lingers beautifully and has a hearty full mouthfeel.
Because this wine is so sweet if you choose to pair this with something I would suggest it have an acidic quality. Something such as a lemon tart or even carrot cake. It can also be drank as dessert itself which is how I chose to enjoy it. This is a great way to branch out from the usual Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc rut.
Specs:
2007 Cline Ancient Vines Mourvedre
Carneros
Sonoma, California
15 % Alcohol
100% Mourvedre
http://www.clinecellars.com/
$16.00
Notes:
This is a great wine for the price. Rich, bold, hearty and Fruity flavors. The nose on this wine is quite strong and even a bit overpowering. From first smell you would never guess this was such a young wine. The smell of Tar is definitely at the forefront of the nose. Even the most inept person would be able to sense this. Some people are thinking tar? Yes. Tar. This smell is synonymous with Mourvedre and after sitting out to breathe this smell disappears to a hint.
This wine is thick, bold, rich and silky. Chocolate, coffee and ripe berries such as raspberry and blueberry dominate this sophisticated wine. I feel this is an excellent wine for pre and post meal. Personally I think this wine is a bit too intense to pair with a meal. Combining it with some creamy vanilla gelato or ripe fruit would pair perfectly with this wine. Drinking it alone is just as satisfying. It's a treat in itself. Great Wine. Great Price.
Specs:
2007 Langtry Estate Genevieve Chardonnay
Guenoc Valley
Middletown, California
14.5 % Alcohol
100% Chardonnay
http://www.guenoc.com/
$35.00
Notes:
Buttery Oaky Chardonnays are the stuff dreams are made of and a good friend was nice enough to give this wine to me as a gift. Langtry Estate was new to me so I was excited to taste this wine. The color is that of a typical buttery Chardonnay; a rich yellow like a ripe golden delicious apple. Oak is on the nose and the flavors mirror that smell.
The taste is heavy at first sip and surprisingly has a very light, crisp and refreshing finish. The light quality of the wine caught me a little off guard; in a good way. Some would say that the fact the flavor drops off for the finish was a bad thing but in this instance it is enjoyable; your palette has a chance to regroup. You immediately taste the acidity and the flavors of lemon. There is a tart characteristic to this wine with a jolt of citrus and some earthy woody undertones. Small underlying flavors of pineapple are present, other than that this wine is pretty straightforward. Oak, Butter and Citrus carry this wine. It is clean, fresh and earthy all at the same time.
This is the prefect wine for a hot summer day. It is also great for those who enjoy Chardonnay but find the "butter" flavor too overpowering. This would pair great with light dishes like salads, cheese, fish and chicken dishes as well as desserts like fruit tarts.
Specs:
2005 Earthquake Cabernet Sauvignon
Lodi, California
15 % Alcohol
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
http://www.lodivineyards.com
$25.00
Notes:
Cabernet Sauvignon is usually not my favorite varietal however I have been hearing great things about this winery so I figured I would experiment a little bit. For bold reds such as this I would definitely suggest you let this breathe for at least ten minutes prior to opening the bottle. Immediately after opening the bottle I was a little worried this was the wrong selection. I was definitely mistaken after it had some time to rest in my decanter. This wine is beautiful in the glass with ruby red and dark garnet hues. The aroma of this cab is quite strong and bold which contradicts its smooth jammy flavor. The nose smells almost candy like with some serious oak scents.
The first sips takes you through fruit, to oak to smoke almost instantaneously. The wine has a fleshy quality extremely soft but at the same time very flavorful. It's sugar seems almost perfectly balanced. Flavors of raspberry, cherry, strawberry jam, vanilla, coffee and a subtle oaky finish. All the good stuff... This Cabernet is light enough to pair with many dishes. I would suggest a pork tenderloin or a rustic seasonal dish or a fruity dessert such as strawberry shortcake. To conclude this wine has definitely become a new staple in my household; well balanced, soft and fruit forward.
C. Donatiello Winery
Russian River Valley Healdsburg, California
The wine produced at this estate beautifully captures the essence of the Russian River Valley. You will only find Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at this Boutique Winery, however you would be hard pressed to find a better taste of my two favorite varietals anywhere in Healdsburg. The wines produced here are extremely unique. The flavors are powerful, bold and unlike many wines I have tasted. The taste is in no way diluted however pure, fresh and saturated.
As far as their Current Offerings there are 6 Chardonnays and 4 Pinot Noirs. Many of you are thinking 6 Chardonnays? Is that necessary? If you have visited C. Donatiello you know the answer is Yes. Tastings here are offered in Flights with very generous pours. Once you have these Chardonnays lined up one after the other you get the sense of how dramatically location of the vines, soil, climate and age really do effect wine. From the slight oakiness of the 2006 Russian River Valley Chardonnay to the crisp fruit forward 2007 Orsi Vineyard Chardonnay the taste profiles are endless. There is something here for anyone. Chard Lovers and Non Lovers alike.
Now onto the star of this Winery; Pinot Noir. The Pinot produced at this estate is Perfection. Silky, Fruity, Supple and Luxurious. Any Pinot Lover must travel here to taste this beautiful selection. Also available in flights you are able to sample all they have to offer. My personal Favorite is the 2007 Floodgate Pinot Noir Block 15. Bright Rich Red Fruits are on the nose and palette. Sweet and Velvety with a long satisfying finish. This is the essence of Pinot Noir. The other offerings are just as impressive with variations on flavor. Some more earthy and spicy, others bolder and toasty.
This estate is a special place nestled amongst trees and is comfortable and welcoming with skilfully manicured gardens. It is a great place to escape and relax with your selected flight on their outdoor patio. There is no rush here. Relax, listen to the fountain and gaze into the vineyards of Westside Road.
Wines range from $24-62
http://www.cdonatiello.com/
Specs:
2008 Don Miguel Gascón Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina
13.9 % Alcohol
100% Malbec
http://gasconwine.com/
$14.00
Notes:
For tasters looking to branch out of the usual New World wines into something more global; a varietal like Malbec is a good introduction. This winery is one of the oldest Malbec producers in their region and prides themselves on hand-picked, hand-made wines.
I would suggest decanting this wine as it needs time to breathe before first taste. After about 20-30 minutes it had fully opened up. The color of this wine, like most Malbecs, is a deep purple plum which mirrors its taste. The aroma and taste of the wine is of cherry, plums, "fruit roll-ups", dry fruits, pepper and a hint of anise and clove. For a young wine the smells and flavors are quite bold especially after spending only 7 months in barrels. The texture is rich, velvety, thick and round. You will first notice the fruit on your palette with a spicy peppery long finish.
This wine may be a bit bold and overpowering for most foods however I think it would perfectly a thick slice of beef or a rich chocolate dessert. I enjoyed it solely on its own and was very pleased. For the price it is hard to pass up. This wine can be purchased at local Trader Joe stores or online through the winery.
