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2013 Feudi del Duca Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

The Montepulciano grape is the heart of this 2013 Italian red, which drew me in through its interesting label design and logo. Okay, that plus its price. The 2013 Feudi del Duca Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is very affordable and offers some interesting charm that includes its deep ruby color and a pleasing aroma. You get ample doses of black cherry fruit and a hint of spice…I describe as earthy and kind of graphite-based?

2013 Feudi del Duca Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

2013 Feudi del Duca Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy.

The photo, taken from a cramped hotel room, is not one of the best you’ll find on Notes. Hopefully you can make out enough of its black and red shimmering seal to help you locate it among your local spirits and wines. The 2013 hails from Abruzzo, Italy, and is very drinkable. I sampled from this bottle over the course of several nights this week. It complemented various road meals that are not worth including; suffice it to say the Montepulciano was the highlight each time.

The 2013 Feudi del Duca Montepulciano d’Abruzzo was serviceable and had an easy finish but I feel that I’ve covered off on this wine; no real imperative to revisit in particular but better than others of similar price point (~$10).

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2010 Meritage, Dry Creek Vineyard

Limited production? Private reserve? Yeah, I’m a sucker for exclusivity, whether real or just perceived. The idea of special consideration or some kind of separation from the herd always plays well with this fella. And so yes, the 2010 Dry Creek Vineyard Meritage Limited Production this Tuesday evening, served beside a delicious turkey burger with onions, baby spinach, and cheese.

2010 Dry Creek Vineyards Meritage, Sonona County, California, USA.

2010 Dry Creek Vineyards Meritage, Sonona County, California, USA.

We cracked open this Dry Creek Valley wine last night, a red to go along with a healthy meal consisting of grilled tuna steaks, waxed beans, and Golden Jewel Blend cous cous. (I picked the photo of the burger instead of the tuna steaks, but that was really a call that could have gone either way.) Great seasoning and freshly ground black pepper right in the mix, and really a nice way to pair off with the red blend.

Speaking of the Meritage, it’s a blend of 48% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 10% Cab Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Quite a profile, and it’s very well balanced–a Signature wine from the vineyard. This Dry Creek is a birthday present and a good one at that. The 2010 Meritage straddles the line in that it’s clearly not a Cab, not a Merlot, etc…it’s rather the sum of all parts, with very subtle hints of multiple grapes as you taste the wine. They’re woven together in a way where you cannot really distinguish exactly which grapes you’re drinking until you glance over the label that lays it all bare.

The label for this Sonoma County Red Wine also shares this vision of the winemaker: “It’s crafted to be concentrate and flavorful ready to drink upon release and exquisitely balanced to allow extended cellaring.” I received three of these to help celebrate my birthday and am glad to know at least two more are still in my future. This one is a keeper and I hope you get to enjoy too.

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2004 Merlot, Buena Vista Ramal Estate Vineyard Series

This bottle has been along for quite the journey. It shipped eastward from our favorite Sonoma vineyard several years ago, originally landing in our NJ home, where it somehow escaped consumption for several years–perhaps as many as four or five? I’m not sure if I thought we should just have at LEAST one Buena Vista bottle on hand at all times, or perhaps I was caught up in a post-Sideways backlash against Merlot. Even good Merlot!

2004 Merlot, Buena Vista Ramal Estate Vineyard Series

2004 Merlot, Buena Vista Ramal Estate Vineyard Series, Sonoma, California, USA.

Regardless, this 2004 Buena Vista Ramal Estate Vineyard Series Merlot eventually moved with us down south, surviving 18 unopened months in our rental before sliding to our new home just two months ago. And then the cork came off and we started pouring. Who’s ready for theirs?

I confess that I made little record of the tasting, and an Ida’s Selection Pinot Noir (also from Buena Vista) followed close on its heels so I have some recency bias toward the Pinot. Didn’t record our meal here either. Based on some research, I can tell you the grapes originate from the Carneros appellation, a slice of heaven right in the corner of Sonoma and Napa’s southern boundaries that produces some great adult beverages like this one.

Since finishing the 2004, I’ve done some searching of Wine Searcher and other other retailers without finding this particular vintage. I’m not sure it was a great year or bottle, at least to critics, but I can tell you this one went fast and engendered many warm smiles in our home. Happy hunting!

 

 

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2012 Conundrum Red Wine

Two great conundrums on how to celebrate my April 7th: 1) which of so many delicious wine bottles to open, and 2) this 2012 Conundrum Red Wine, a birthday gift from my lovely bride. I’ve seen the catchy branding and enjoyed the word play on many occasions but this was the first time I actually got to sample this proprietary red blend.

2012 Conundrum Red Wine, California, USA.

2012 Conundrum Red Wine, California, USA.

A great bottle of wine was one of the most important items on my wish list for the celebration, and this firm, full-bodied red perfectly fit the bill. The Conundrum accompanied a delicious steak (of course!) and the smile of my beautiful bride as we sipped contentedly after the work day. It’s a great drink. It is dark fruit, it is smooth, it is better sip after sip.

The Conundrum is the pride of the Wagner Family and it wafts plums and maybe blackberry sweetly to your nose as soon as you pop the cork. To this taster, the 2012 blend had a distinct Cabernet Sauvignon vibe. It’s one I’m excited to dry again.

Forgive the short entry – it’s part of a birthday celebration after all.

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2012 Arpad’s Selection Zinfandel, Buena Vista

Blackberry, pepper, and spice–you get healthy doses of each in the 2012 Arpad’s Selection Zinfandel, a great red from Sonoma Valley’s Buena Vista Winery. This wine is named for the third son of Count Agoston Haraszthy, who credited his father for bringing the Zinfandel grape to Sonoma. Be glad the Count did, because this wine is excellent in quality and rich in fruit. His legacy is surely intact in the 2012 vintage.

I’m sure there is more than just blackberry in the mix here, because the 2012 Arpad has great subtleties interwoven throughout. My wife and I both remarked on its fantastic, easy finish and its spices when we sampled from our porch on Good Friday, and I (with more than some appreciation) enjoyed it again this evening. Buena Vista Winery made just 300 cases of this Zinfandel, and bottle #690 graced our home.

2012 Arpad's Selection Zinfandel, Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma Valley, California, USA.

2012 Arpad’s Selection Zinfandel, Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma Valley, California, USA.

The Arpad’s Selection Zinfandel first accompanied a local pepperoni pizza, and tonight a thick Angus steak seasoned with lots of freshly ground pepper and salt. Dinner included roasted baby potatoes (coincidentally suggested as a good pairing by the folks at Buena Vista) and asparagus, and the Zinfandel effectively complemented the sides. It was best, though, with the pepper and smoke of the steaks–each a solid inch in thickness.

The grapes for this 2012 were sourced from vineyards North East of the town of Sonoma. Quite a fantastic wine–this one you’ll see on our Top Reds list as well. Happy Easter everyone…

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2012 Pinot Gris, Count’s Selection, Buena Vista

After sitting on this crisp white for nearly two years, we finally broke out the 2012 Pinot Gris, Count’s Selection, Buena Vista this week while readying to move our home. it was already chilled, right, so why not crack open the top and give it a go? Particularly when you’re all parched from boxing up your life for an exciting shuffle down the road?

2012 Pinot Gris, Count's Selection, Buena Vista, Sonoma County, California, USA.

2012 Pinot Gris, Count’s Selection, Buena Vista, Sonoma County, California, USA.

It’s got an obvious pear scent to it, and is not overly sweet. You might even call it creamy? Buena Vista is situated in California’s Sonoma Valley, and this site has mentioned on many occasions the interesting flavors and notes produced by the unique terroir and climate of this AVA. We sampled this Count’s Selection with all sorts of odd meals; the white held its own whether consumed with dinner, as a nightcap, or even last night during the cocktail hour (when we actually finished it before the redbuds shown).

Here’s what the vineyard offers up for you: “This medium-bodied wine with fresh aromas of apple and pear. Displaying a great balanced mineralogy, flavors of Meyer lemon, white peach, and honeydew melon load to a crisp, clean finish. This refreshing white is perfect for sipping or as an aperitif.”

Buena Vista produced 500 cases of this Pinot Gris in this vintage, and I’m betting it did great business for them as a summer respite, as a party favor with the wine and cheese crowds, and among fans of even-keeled whites. Long-time readers of Notes will know I tread less frequently on the white roads, but this one was an enjoyable journey throughout the week.

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The Ones That Got Away – Winter 2015 Sampler

NotesOfNote

2012 Biltmore Estate Merlot Limited Release, North Carolina, USA; 2013 Relax Riesling, Schmitt Sohne GmbH, Germany; 2007 Virgen de Aguila Artigazo, Edicion Limitada, Carinena, Spain; 2013 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA; 2012 Red Blend, Bell Canyon Napa Reserve, Napa Valley, California, USA; 2012 Buena Vista Pinot Noir Private Reserve, Sonoma Valley, California, USA.

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2014 Dona Dominga Merlot

Courtesy of U.S. Airlines is the 2014 Dona Dominga Merlot, and when you’re trapped in midair for a few hours you don’t get too picky about your vino options. And this particular bottle was served to me after escaping a snowy NYC airport and four hours of delays. The flakes were falling fast and furious, and I had had my fingers crossed the whole time hoping to get out. Delays and cancellations were happening all around me and my fellow passengers, so by the time we actually took flight the Dominga was perfect.

2014 Dona Dominga Merlot, Chile.

2014 Dona Dominga Merlot, Colchagua Valley, Chile.

Having said that, this one was less about a flavor profile or specific taste. Was it a bit too cold when served? Yes. But was it one of the best glasses of wine I’ve had in some time? Given the occasion, let me say absolutely.

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2013 Votre Sante Pinot Noir, Francis Ford Coppola

Delicious evening cocktail, the Votre Sante. This delicious Pinot Noir kept me company during a busy week of NJ travel; it greeted me throughout after the day’s toils and was great on each occasion. I had to look up (guess I’m far from worldly) the name–it’s the toast one traditionally offers in France when raising a glass.

2013 Votre Sante Pinot Noir, Francis Ford Coppola, Alexander Valley, CA.

2013 Votre Sante Pinot Noir, Francis Ford Coppola, Alexander Valley, California, USA.

And raise a glass I did, on Sunday evening, on St. Patrick’s Day, last night, and again this evening. The 2013 is excellent; it’s a bit darker than my favorite Buena Vista Pinots, and it throw off great smells of raspberry and cherry…with just a hint of spice that I’d attribute more to a Cabernet Sauvignon than a Pinot Noir. Yet it was still very light and offered an easy finish. I was immediately thrilled my wife had selected it–thanks love.

 

I’ve recently taken to carrying a corkscrew on my travels, and the extra attention you get in an airline security line is worth it when a drink like the 2013 Votre Sante awaits at your final destination. I was reading about the 2012 Bordeaux crop on my flight into the tri-state region so the Pinot Noir was a course correction of sorts but a really enjoyable one.

If you’re interested in further tasting notes from the winemaker, simply click here for details. I’m a big fan of Coppola’s movies (hard to pick a favorite…but I’ll go with The Godfather: Part II by a slim margin over Part I and his take on Dracula) and, though this is my first wine of his, I’m going to be a fast fan of his grapes too. Votre sante to you all as well.