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.
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, 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.
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, 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.
Apothic wines I have tried in the past and, while I love the vineyard’s branding on each occasion, I have not been overwhelmed by the wine itself. As soon as I uncorked this 2013, however, I caught scent of the dark coffee underpinnings in a way that reminded me of coffee-flavored tequila–a good idea but not so grand in execution. Nevertheless, interested by the cool Apothic logo I pressed on and started my glasswork.
2013 Apothic Dark Limited Release, California, USA.
Tonight I’m unconcerned about the meal and thoughts of accompanying food; I’m going to share just this nugget instead: The 2013 Apothic Dark Limited Release is the sturdy older brother of the Carnivor. It’s essentially the same flavor profile as that Cab, opulent in the dark fruits, but the Dark drops in–not with the subtlety that I’d recommend–a heavy hand of coffee over the top of all that fruit. Cool idea, but seems more like a mass-produced veneer instead of a flavor interwoven throughout the final wine. I’d be interested to hear from visitors if they agree upon tasting…
…and that being said, the Dark Limited Release does have many good notes about it and you should give this a try if only once. The label gives you this nugget: “This Limited Release blends dark fruit flavors of blueberry and blackberry with opulent notes of coffee and dark chocolate for a rich, yet silky smooth, wine experience.”
Not quite sure all of that holds up in reality, but the coffee and dark chocolate are here in spades. It pours nearly like black ink in the glass, and makes you feel almost like a rebel when you drink it. Enjoy!
This is the rare entry, the double down of road vino, and one I completed earlier this week in the Windy City. I’m attending a yearly trade show in Chicago and trying to fight off the deep February cold with a couple of warm reds and good acquaintances.
2012 William Hill Estate Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, California, USA.
The first is the 2012 William Hill Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s an average red from the heart of Napa Valley, one with a decent jam-like start and easy finish. Since it was served with dinner at the Oral Health America charity fundraiser, I’m uncertain how long the William Hill was allowed to breathe prior to service. It also followed a cocktail hour and thus my palate came to the Cab with Pinot Noir as a precursor…so I trust my questionable tastes less than normal. The dinner was about far more than the banquet food or the California reds, though, but a great cause.
2012 Novy Family Winery Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA.
The Novy was recommended to me by a waitress at Rebar, a cool little hotspot located in the Trump International Hotel and Tower. It was spicy, it was lively, and matched the fun vibe at the heart of the bar. Tasted in conjunction with some popcorn that was kicked up with chili powder or something cajun-style, the Novy was a punch in the nose. Purple fruit flavors, votive candle ambiance that included great views out the side of the building, and a calm after the storm of the trade show day. Russian River Valley one of my favorites within the Sonoma AVA and the bias really held up well in this 2012 vintage. Looking forward to trying this one again in the future.
Great wine is often best paired with life’s big moments, and a Buena Vista bottle actually serves both requirements – effortlessly. Last night we pulled the cork on the 2012 Geza’s Selection Pinot Noir from Sonoma County’s Buena Vista Historic Winery in order to celebrate finding a new home for our family. We’re finishing it tonight, and before reading any further you should know this wine is simply amazing.
2012 Geza’s Selection Pinot Noir, Buena Vista Historic Winery, Sonoma County, California, USA.
Long-term Notes readers, friends, and family all know our clear bias for Buena Vista wines, but the accolades are all well suited for this fragrant, luscious Pinot Noir. Throughout the winter we’ve been sampling California Cabernet Sauvignon and rich, Bordeaux-style red blends (a few Spanish reds are sprinkled in too), and the 2012 Geza is a fantastic counterpunch to them all. You don’t have to be a wine connoisseur to immediately recognize the brilliance of this wine. It’s soft, it’s nuanced, and it’s finish is beyond smooth. The team at Buena Vista comments, “The 2012 Geza’s Selection Pinot Noir is a testament to its terroir. It is a rich, ripe wine with soft berry flavors and a bright fruit finish that makes it the perfect pairing for garlic and herb roasted pork tenderloin or oven-baked salmon filets.”
Our accompanying meals, coincidentally, didn’t stray far from those recommendations. We had the 2012 Geza’s Selection with grilled steaks and with pork chops, and the wine was spot on in both instances. There is virtually no acidity, no lasting tannin finish, and only ample smiles resulting from tasting Geza’s Selection. If we had opened this on a weekend it wouldn’t have lasted overnight!
We received the Geza with our November 2014 Count’s Club shipment, but you can get your own through the Buena Vista website if you’re not able to drive to that beautiful vineyard. There are only 300 cases of the Geza’s Selection for this vintage, however, so don’t too long to make up your mind and do the right thing. We had bottle number 0504 so you’ll have to choose another ;).
2012 Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA. Sometimes when all you have is a hammer, you see nails all around you. Last night this hammer accompanied steaks, cajun-seasoned shrimp and mushrooms, white rice, and broccoli.
It’s Rivalry Week, and the best ticket in all of college hoops is unquestionably UNC/Duke–tonight their first matchup of the season. I’m winding down for the evening, pulling for the ‘Heels, and putting down the last of a 2013 Jovita’s Selection Chardonnay, from Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma County.
2013 Jovita’s Selection Chardonnay, Buena Vista, Sonoma County, California, USA.
The folks at Buena Vista make a really fine Chardonnay, and this is one of them in spite of its youth. It smells full on the nose, a bouquet of citrus and maybe some vanilla in your glass. Of course it’s more robust than a Grigio, and this one is rich without being sticky or overly sweet. I’ve sample a glass over the last several nights with salmon, pork (a fantastic meal in and of itself), and even as a precursor to ground beef–Jovita stands tall with all of ’em.
I’ve got to return my attention to the ballgame but want to leave you with just one more nugget–the winemaker’s notes: “The 2013 Jovita’s Selection Chardonnay is a rich, unctuous wine with a beautiful, lingering acidity that belies its origins on both sides of Sonoma Mountain. Aromas of lemon zest and green apple lead to a palate delighted by flavors of gingerbread and a touch of vanilla on the finish.”
This is bottle #2187 of just 500 cases produced, and a great small production run at that. Excuse the brevity on this occasion–hope to have more to say about Jovita the next time she visits.
I’m cheating a little bit here. The 2010 Clos Floridene Grand Vin de Graves we actually finished last night but, given the beautiful ice storm that’s striking our windows at present (thanks Octavia), I opted instead to photograph the bottle this evening…and still I didn’t do our icy scene enough justice. We are just below the snow line so weather to the north is more imposing but this thin icy coating will be problematic over the coming 12 hours or so.
But not at the moment, so let’s talk wine. This full Bordeaux has some excellent qualities…but overall left me just a bit wanting.
2010 Clos Floridene Grand Vin de Graves, France.
At first I thought this big red just needed to breathe more before drinking, but even giving it some space I found the Floridene a bit tannic and youthful for my taste. I had held this bottle for some time (was it originally a gift?) and even broke it out for a classic Bordeaux dinner, but even complementing steak, asparagus, and baked potato, I found myself thinking about Cabs and Syrah instead of the bird in the hand.
The 2010 Clos Floridene originates from Graves, France, where they should know plenty about grapes. And I’m sure they do…but whether they’re depending on me to blithely accept this as great, let it age longer, or just not tell the difference I’m not complying. Gave this one a go once but know there are others out there for me from Bordeaux…or even Cab country.
Excited for this big Spanish red blend from the moment I first ordered it, and it hit every quality mark I hold dear for red wine. Big, dark fruit evident right from the first pour? Check. Well-balanced finish? Yes. Good spice or earthy undertone? Yup. Great taste? Most importantly, yes.
2007 Artigazo, Edicion Limitada, Carinena, Spain.
I did conduct a brief advance screening of the 2007 Artigazo last evening just to see if it warranted consideration for a Friday night feature. As a result, I knew that by the time I revisited today after the long work week we were already in good hands. Tonight the Artigazo accompanied a pepperoni pizza with just a bit of red pepper flakes added to the slices as an accent. You can bet it would perfectly complement grilled steaks, or perhaps some excellent barbecued pork, and I’ll look forward to that in the future since we have a couple more of these still to go.
My wife and I both noted the fruit-forward notes of the Artigazo right in the glass; it hits your nose even before its juicy blueberry/plummy goodness reaches your lips. Really a mouth-watering taste, and one that seems to fold in some spices as just a subtle accent or two. The 2007 Limited Edition is a blend of Garnacha (40%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), and Syrah (30%), and I’m betting its the latter that throws the spice profile into the final product. Admittedly I’m a growing fan of the Syrah and that may bias me toward the 2007 Artigazo…but if you are too you really can’t go wrong with this excellent Spanish red.
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