2011 Script and Seal Syrah, Columbia Valley, Washington State, USA
2011 Script and Seal Syrah
2012 Radius Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington, USA
This summer I’ve been interested in Cabernet Sauvignon. You might have seen firsthand if you’ve followed Notes in any real capacity, or even browsed through old posts on the site. Domestic, primarily, but international Cabs are fair game too. And most have been worth the chase, particularly those that range closer to the $20+ mark rather than the $10s. Don’t misunderstand me; I’m not a wine snob in any capacity and I believe in affordable wine but I think Cabernets are one grape where “affordable” is telling.
2012 Radius Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington, USA.
And the 2012 Radius is yet another brick in this wall. More proof positive of this theory. In a blind taste test, even my unrefined, inexperienced palate can differentiate between a robust Cabernet and a pretender. I know the 2012 is one of the latter. Don’t be misguided, because the distressed label–cool branding that definitely (along with its Washington pedigree) grabbed my attention and made the first sale–is not indicative of your tasting experience. We had the 2012 Radius with cheese ravioli, and the pasta was the highlight of the evening. My wife is a magician in the kitchen, and fresh basil puts the ravioli into a new stratosphere, but the wine didn’t hold up to this same standard.
This vineyard is located in Walla Walla, Washington, and promoted the 2012 Radius for its “Hints of toasty oak lead to a long finish in this bold red wine.” Not an accurate description, believe me. I love to try new wine, to explore grapes from regions that I’ve visited and hope to later visit, but this one I could skip in the future. Had enough already!
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2010 Dry Creek Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon
Nothing like a trip to our favorite wine region to finish up the week. A Friday evening replete with a big red, a bold Cabernet Sauvignon, and a delicious meal with my bride. We celebrated our 4th anniversary just last night (stay tuned for the recap of the amazing champagne that involved) and followed that up with steaks–just the perfect thickness and grill marks–and baked potato with a side of asparagus slathered in a burnt butter lemon sauce. Instant classic.
2010 Dry Creek Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, California, USA.
The 2010 Dry Creek Vineyard’s Cabernet Sauvignon is a good one. It’s got some smoke, some dried tobacco, and some cherry fruits swirling all about it. Nice, even finish too. I have absolutely no recollection of where we bought this bottle–online? a local store? mail order? but it was a good call. Dark grapes, big taste, and some of that spice that I always like in a cab. Was that an afterthought, some artificial additive, or inherent in the grapes? The folks at Dry Creek make it seem as though it’s all about the climate (which I love) in that specific region so I’ll abide. Here’s their take:
“On the palate, the wine is extremely well balanced with silky tannins that carefully weave together the earthy, dusty nuances of this Bordeaux-esque wine. With some airing, the wine flushes out providing even more dimension and depth. The finish lingers with fine tannins that are very elegant and structured.”
It is very enjoyable in your glass, however, short lived that time may be. I was pretty casual opening it and yet wish we had a little more of this 2010 in store. We’re heading out tomorrow because we are down to our last couple bottles of red–never a good sign but one we’re willing to take swift steps to resolve.
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2010 Laurent-Perrier Champagne, Maison Fondee 1812
Some tastings on Notes emphasize the grapes; others focus on the experience. Others, like this 2010 Laurent-Perrier Champagne Maison Fondee 1812, are an amazing combination between the two. This magnum we broke out tonight to help celebrate our wedding anniversary, and it was a great part of the evening.
2010 Laurent-Perrier Champagne Maison Fondee 1812, France.
Special thanks to the GDog for this gift. I am sure it was not inexpensive, both on the size of the bottle and the merits of the grapes themselves. We made our way through the magnum, one flute at a time, as we savored slices of cucumber–fresh from our own backyard, lightly seasoned with both mayonnaise and salt–and sushi (our favorite rolls) from a local takeout joint. I’m going to refrain from tasting notes on this occasion because they’d only diminish how much I enjoyed the entire evening. Good food, good dockside ambiance, better wine, and best company.
The memories will keep.
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2012 MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir
2012 MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir, Central Coast, California, USA.
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2012 The Dreaming Tree Cabernet Sauvignon
Having heard vague news somewhere of Dave Matthews’ interest in wine, when we saw this 2012 The Dreaming Tree Cabernet Sauvignon in the store an impulse buy quickly resulted. It was my first sighting of the offering, but over the past several weeks have encountered the Dreaming Tree several more times–including at concert venues, appropriately enough.
Upon tasting, my first thought was of the big fruit flavor. You have a lot of blackberry feeling right off the bat, ample and sweet with an easy finish. Its dark fruit notes waft up out of your glass, nice and gently like a solo Leroi Moore might share with his band mates and assembled fans some night on stage. The first night the 2012 Dreaming Tree Cabernet Sauvignon accompanied grilled red meat; it made a curtain call two nights later with grilled chicken breasts that were expertly seasoned to taste. I think I may have preferred the main event?
Comments Dave’s partner, winemaker Steve Reeder, “The rhythm of our North Coast Dreaming Tree Cabernet Sauvignon highlights class aromas of blackberry, cherry, and herbal notes wrapped by toasted vanilla. It’s an easy-drinking wine with a lot of character.”
The guys age the 2012 for 18 months in oak barrels before blending–the 2012 actually is a blend of Cab (82%), Merlot (14%), and “other” (4%). Some of the grapes in play here originate from our favorite region of Sonoma and do the area proud. The wine is pretty good; the story you tell your friends about drinking with Dave is even better.
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2011 Josh Cellars Merlot
Jackpot here in the 2011 Josh Cellars Merlot. At the end of a hot summer Saturday we broke out this purple Merlot, serving it in stemless glassware during a patio feast. This photo doesn’t quite do justice to this easy-finishing vintage, but it does capture some of the ambiance of our evening. Food, flick, and fun on the deck.
2011 Josh Cellars Merlot, Sonoma, California, USA.
You correctly see a bountiful salad, mixed greens with fresh cucumbers harvested from my wife’s carefully managed garden (and bacon!), onions, assorted dressings, and seasoned steaks fresh from the grill. We were indeed hooked up for a patio viewing of The Grand Budapest Hotel and worked through the movie and bottle with equal effectiveness.
It tastes purple, definitely cherry and violet in big portions, and is actually a Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot (85%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%). Among other facts, the winemaker remarks “A wine that is bold and expressive but unassuming and approachable.” Maybe that’s why it struck a great chord for this reviewer–it’s the way I might describe the overarching objectives of Notes Of Note.
My better half brought the 2011 Josh Cellars Merlot into my life and I’m grateful. It was luscious–such an easy finish too–and fruit-filled in an encouraging way. Merlot I usually consider a winter treat but good grapes apparently transcend the season.
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2012 Lafage Cote Est Catalan
Originating from the Roussillon region of southwestern France (seemingly where the Pyrenees Mountains meet the Mediterranean) is the 2012 Cote Est Catalan from winemaker Jean-Marc Lafage. It packs quite a punch for a white, not in the alcoholic sense, but in the flavor. The 2012 Cote Est Catalan is a blend of 60% Granache, 30% Chardonnay, and 10% Marsanne, and we had it with grilled roasted garlic and butter tilapia fillets, brown rice (chives as an accent from our own garden), and steamed veggies on this evening.
It’s crisp, it’s fruity (notes of citrus and flower to be sure), and not too much in the way of sweetness. Affordable, too. A sliver of some earthy mineral? Perhaps it satisfies some calm midpoint between a Pinot Grigio and a Chardonnay? I read one review that shared these accolades: “the lovely aromatics are followed by a crisp, elegant, slightly more textured, medium-bodied white with wonderful purity, freshness, and length. It is long and flavorful on the finish.”
I agree, and seeing how many nuances he could pick out reminds me–you too, readers–of how neophyte your reviewer is here in Notes. I will stay humble but diligent in the desire to learn and share more.
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2012 Rio Madre Rioja Graciano
For a Friday evening meal, there’s little that I enjoy more than this classic ritual: glass of interesting red (okay, maybe glasses), delicious steak from the grill, and crispy salad. Throw in a potato of some kind–it was roasted potato tonight–and you’ve got yourself a veritable feast.
And on this particular Friday, the part of the red was played by the 2012 Rio Madre Rioja Graciano. I don’t remember where we got this red, luscious beauty but it was a good one. Rich, deep red in the glass, and lots of cherry in the taste. Do you get a hint of spice or something in the finish? I can’t place it but pretty sure it’s there and you’ll know it when you taste it too.
I am positive the 2012 Rio Madre Rioja Graciano is my first sampling of a Graciano grape, and it was a great experience. This Graciano is aged for 11 months in French oak, by the way, and that’s probably where some of its subtle flavors are engendered. If the other Rioja wines are as good, then I’ll have something beyond Tempranillo to look forward to from Spain. Some reviewers advocated opening this and allowing it to breath for a full year; it may have set for a mere hour (or less) in our home. Ran through nearly the entire bottle tonight and wish I had another waiting in the wings.
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2012 Dead Bolt Winemaker’s Blend
A California red that comes together in an interesting tumble of red and black fruits, the Dead Bolt makes its mark on you as a consumer. We opened this bottle over the weekend but only finished it this evening with ground beef soup, tortilla corn chips, and buttered rolls. How did it take two sittings to partake of this 2012?
The winemaker remarks, “Dead Bolt is a rich, round, and opulent California red of dark origins. A generous blend full of rich fruit flavors with a long textured finish.” Is that a little overstated for this working man’s red? Maybe a little, but it is a drink that’ll leave a smile on your face. Partially from this succulent wine; partially from the clever branding.
The 2012 Dead Bolt is the creation of Philip Laffer and brings together Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Petit Sirah, and Shiraz–might be a kitchen sink in there too–into one helluva smooth red. And it works. We’ve got several interesting bottles awaiting us, but I will look forward to the chance to circle back to this one again soon.
NotesOfNote 