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2012 Castlebank Napa Valley Red Wine

I was hooked as soon as I read the description for this big red. Not only am I completely a fan of Napa wines but complex reds too, and this one fits both bills. And on a Friday night, no less? That’s a trifecta.

2012 Castlebank Napa Valley Red Wine, California, USA.

2012 Castlebank Napa Valley Red Wine, California, USA.

David Schlottman, recognized as Winemaker of the Year by the Quarterly Review of Wines, brings this one together in a tumbling glass of brick red goodness. It’s a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec, and the dark fruits in here do not disappoint. The 2012 Castlebank combines grapes from Howell Mountain, Oakville, and St. Helena and, even more importantly, brought a big smile to this face–sorely needed after a rough week at the ol’ salt mines. I’ll try to share more about its taste in a subsequent post, as I’m going to open another bottle of this plush wine tomorrow night too.

The 2012 Castlebank I’d recommend you share with friends over grilled steaks, some good char on their edges and grill marks too, and perhaps a baked potato and baked brussel sprouts. The blackberries resident in the ‘bank will weave a compelling tale in this environment, or even fireside if you’re trying to escape the chill of a February winter evening. And you should see how it inks up the glass when you pour it–pretty cool and well worth the price of admission. I’m glad we have three more of these to go!

Interesting postscript: In 2012, Napa County had over 19,500 acres planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, making it the leading producer in a state renowned for Cab.

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2011 Casillero del Diablo Reserva White

A rare white wine entry among all the reds here on Notes–this is the 2011 Casillero del Diablo Reserva White. The Diablo originates from the Limarí Valley of Chile (does that make this northern Chilean area the root of all evil? or just great wine?), where the local climate imparts great tropical fruit notes to its white wines. The springtime temperatures, which can range from about 53 degrees at night to 77 by day, reminds me of Southern California and is just about ideal for growing tropical fruit. Or grapes, as it turns out.

2011 Casillero del Diablo Reserva White, Limarí Valley, Chile.

2011 Casillero del Diablo Reserva White, Limarí Valley, Chile.

We opened the Diablo midweek, just a little dinner beverage that we sipped for a meal or two before finishing it off tonight with some light but delicious sushi and sashimi. The 2011 Casillero del Diablo Reserva White is a blend of whites, folding together Chardonnay (65%) and Moscato (35%) that is plucked from vineyards along Chile’s coast. In this guy’s mind, the mix works well and especially for wine drinkers like me who are looking for more than a Pinot Grigio but often less than a Chardonnay in a white. Give it a go–you’ll probably get an immediate whiff of citrus when you uncork it.

The winemaker says it has scents of “…pineapple, citrus, peaches, and hints of honey…” I’m not sure about the honey but you can definitely appreciate the others both on the nose and on your palate. We’ve done Diablo wines in the past, and you can read about them here or here. I hope you give this one a shot yourself. It’s readily available, inexpensive, and pretty decent as a working man’s white wine.

 

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2011 The Count, Founder’s Red Wine, Buena Vista; 2013 Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc

A rare two-for, a his and hers special to accompany a delicious birthday meal at Fleming’s steak house in Charlotte, NC. His is the domestic Cabernet blend; hers is the imported white.

2011/2012 The Count, Founder's Red Wine, Buena Vista, Sonoma County, California, USA.

2011/2012 The Count, Founder’s Red Wine, Buena Vista, Sonoma County, California, USA.

His accompanied a Caeser salad and a medium filet mignon, served on a plate that was even hotter than the steak. The Caesar, amply showered with fresh pepper, had a cool crisp of breadstuff served with it, a buttery treat that was pretty excellent. The dressing was a bit heavy but the steak just buttery smooth. The filet was cooked just about perfect and matched up well with the well-balanced red–an easy selection to make from a favorite Sonoma vineyard. You taste smooth blackberries here, some subtle mild accents too. They are nearly hidden from the palate but come alive as you taste the 2011/2012 The Count.

Her Marlborough-originated Sauvignon Blanc accompanied a Caesar as well. A gossamer of gold in a big fishbowl of a glass, the Loveblock shimmered in the intimate restaurant light and matched the twinkle in my wife’s eyes. It complemented a Chilean sea bass and spicy risotto that seemed just fantastic. The Loveblock, an organic white from New Zealand, is a fresh, fragrant-smelling offering from winemakers Kim and Erica Crawford and is really expressive on the nose. Your author is more of a red fan but appreciated the excellent work here in the 2013 vintage.

We enjoyed these wines–plus a chocolate truffle (with wisps of a great raspberry swirl) dessert and a cheesecake with blueberry sauce–not only to celebrate the occasion but also as a part of Restaurant Week in the Queen City. We’ve had a great time in town over the past week and look forward to next year’s event (and more good wines!) already.

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2012 Old Wine Zinfandel, Bogle Vineyards

Years ago at a work dinner in Cambridge I was introduced to Bogle for the first time, a lively and affordable red, while my hosts and I talked about the merits of Amarone. (I personally had yet to discover Amarone–hadn’t even heard of it, honestly–but filed away Bogle as a nod-worthy crowd pleaser that brought about a table full of happy dinner guests.) I have had several more Bogles since that time and enjoyed each. Even on this occasion I had set out to find a new Syrah, but the label and reputation of Old Vine Bogle did catch my eye and here we are.

2012 Old Wine Zinfandel, Bogle Vineyards, California, USA.

2012 Old Wine Zinfandel, Bogle Vineyards, California, USA.

This guy is a fan of Zinfandel, and in particular on those occasions where we’re doing some sort of grilling. Burgers, chicken…something where the inherent spiciness of the Zin has a chance to get out and roll around a glass, make itself welcome. Love that stuff. So where was I?

Tonight we paired up the 2012 Old Wine Zinfandel of Bogle Vineyards with grilled pork chops, slathered in a spicy mustard and white wine sauce, and it held up to the challenge. The pork was juicy, the marinade inviting, and the wine a good complement to it all. Little bit of red berry, little bit of pepper making itself known.

The winemaker offers these additional nuggets for you on the vintage: “…takes delicious fruit from the 2012 vintage and creates a wine lively with red cranberries and pink peppercorns. Hints of a hillside briar patch in summer waft through the wine as well, while spicy clove heightens at the finish from the oak aging.”

Is that all accurate? Pepper, yes, and the red berries too. Some of that language is a bit aggrandized but not too far from the mark when you strip away all the marketing B.S. and just concentrate on the grapes. I enjoyed our dinner and the Old Vine Zinfandel both.

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2013 Trivento Malbec Reserve

Jonesing for a red alternative this weekend, I grabbed this Malbec from a local grocery store and hoped for a good tasting experience. I’ve been doing more wine reading as of late and, while I couldn’t recall if the Trivento was included in any ‘must try’ recommendations, I know that Argentinian Malbec has been recognized by some wine aficionados as a below-the-radar find.

2013 Trivento Malbec Reserve, Mendoza, Argentina.

2013 Trivento Malbec Reserve, Mendoza, Argentina.

And so, from the world’s fifth-largest wine producer Argentina (up to $1 billion in 2014 exports from $5 million just 20 years ago) comes the Trivento. According to the winemaker, this wine gets its name from the Polar, Zonda, and Sudestada winds and owes its fortunes to the Eolo, the God of the Winds who commands the winds over the Mendoza region from which Trivento originates. Now that’s a whole lot of cool mythos, and the Trivento almost foots the bill. It’s a plummy red wine, a medium-bodied dry red that has a little bit of oaky vanilla woven throughout its core.

Our foodstuffs on this Sunday evening included a pork loin, savory and succulent, and a light green salad. Throw in some mashed potatoes too with the 2013 Trivento Reserve and you’ve got a meal.

Argentina boasts less than 5% market share today and the Trivento is a safe, right-down-the-middle of the plate groove through the strike zone. Not too sharp, and plenty safe. I liked fine enough but don’t really need to give it another go.

 

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Notes’ Top 5 Wine Surprises of 2014

Notes Of Note shared feedback on all kinds of wine in 2014. Some, like any Buena Vista offering or the Laurent-Perrier, are great grapes and would class up any occasion or event. This is not a “best of” list, though, but instead a quick thumbnail of several beverages that exceeded expectations or earned a raised eyebrow upon consuming. Put any of these on your “to do” lists and enjoy the year ahead:

  • 2011 Boom Boom! Syrah. Packed full of spices and reminds me of great summer fun with friends at Lake Gaston.
  • 2012 Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s name feels gimmicky, but the wine holds its own against much pricier boutique bottles from California.
  • 2012 Mumm Napa Cuvee, M Sparkling Wine. The champagne approach is executed well and, interestingly, the celebratory beverage of the 2014 World Series champs.
  • 2011 Petite Petit. Best recommendation I received all year (thanks Winestore) and so much crazy fruit flavor in one fun-labeled bottle. Bet you go back for more after you have your first…
  • 2010 Summation Red Wine Blend. Kendall-Jackson is no small, secret “back room” operation but this blend was a gem that I’d never heard of before and knocked my socks off.

Thanks to everyone who shared bottles and good times over our glasses in 2014. Hoping your own celebrations tonight include good grapes and cheers to you all for a happy, healthy 2015.

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2008 Ondarre Reserva Rioja

My brother has good taste in wine, though he’s perhaps less interested than I in breaking down all the specific flavors a given bottle may convey to its consumer. This Tempranillo from Spain’s Rioja region is a good example–a bright, fruity red that finishes easy and comfortably for your Saturday night dinner. He picked it because it sounded good, I’m sure; I’m describing it here on Notes because he was right.

2008 Ondarre Reserva Rioja, Spain.

2008 Ondarre Reserva Rioja, Spain.

So what steak, what beef did we consume with the 2008 Ondarre Reserva Rioja? We actually cut against the grain and, after sampling it first during hors de oeuvres, continued on with it for our main course. Mom pulled out a gem of a shrimp dish that included butter, olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, red pepper flakes (some welcome heat!), and fresh minced rosemary. The kitchen smelled fantastic at this point, and the entire dish was roasted in the oven beside slides of lemon and ultimately finished with salt, pepper, and squeezed lemon juice.

All that goodness we ate with a side of cous cous and peas, plus the Ondarre. The red didn’t quite blend with the sauce on the shellfish but both the wine and the shrimp entre stood loud and proud by itself. Bearing the Reserva title from the Rioja region, we know that the grapes were oak aged for at least three years. With three of us drinking this wine for the evening, it did not age long in our glasses–a good thing.

This wine is solid. It can serve as the foundation for a good evening of wine drinking and certainly for smiles among family members enjoying a visit at Christmas. May yours be merry and bright…and thanks Steve for the nice contribution!

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2012 Mumm Napa Cuvée M, Sparkling Wine

There are many ways to finish off a great holiday evening. One favored in my family is a chocolate cream pie, a flaky-crusted treat layered with plenty of cream and just the right amount of dark, sweet goodness. That’s what we had for dessert tonight, capping off an enjoyable Christmas celebration, perfectly accompanied by the 2012 Mumm Napa Cuvée M, Sparkling Wine.

2012 Mumm Napa Cuvee M, Sparkling Wine, Napa, USA.

2012 Mumm Napa Cuvee M, Sparkling Wine, California, USA.

I was an immediate fan. The bubbly was great as it intertwined with the chocolate in the pie; not too sweet and not too tart. This 2012 Mumm Napa Cuvée M is the byproduct of grapes from more than 50 vineyards–surely Pinot Noir and Chardonnay among them*–that are blended only after the initial fermentation process in order to keep some of the nuances of the individual fruit. For a sparkling wine, the Mumm Napa Cuvée M was not too dry and had a very level, balanced finish.

From the winemaker‘s notes: “Cuvée M exhibits a graceful stream of very fine bubbles gently rising to a persistent mousse cordon with a light peach rose color. The aromas are elegant, rich and complex, showing fresh white and yellow stone fruits with subtle hints of wild strawberry. A light touch of fresh brioche, with hints of vanilla and honey add to the wine’s complex bouquet. On the palate, full flavors of peach and pear combine with a creamy caramel character, which lingers into a long satisfying finish.”

It’s got a light, peach and citrus bouquet and taste to be sure, working effectively with the chocolate sweetness to brighten our evening. I didn’t necessarily hit the strawberry referenced above, but I am not really a fan of a strawberry and did not go pulling on this thread to separate it from the overall tapestry of taste that is the Cuvée M. Incidentally, it’s this wine that the San Francisco Giants used in both 2012 and 2014 in order to celebrate their World Series Championships. I’m less a fan of the champs, but really happy with their good luck drink that is the Cuvée M. Enjoy…

*Ed. note: Additional research reveals the actual makeup of the Cuvée M as 48% Chardonnay, 43% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinot Gris, and 3% Pinot Meunier.