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2011 Shelton Vineyards Cabernet Franc

It’s been some time since I last had a Cabernet Franc, and it’s not a grape to which I typically gravitate when I’m out hunting for fun new wine. This is not for any special reason other that I tend to drift more frequently toward Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, and thus was a fun treat to encounter this red blend courtesy of my wife.

2011 Shelton Vineyards Cabernet Franc

2011 Shelton Vineyards Cabernet Franc, Yadkin Valley, North Carolina, USA.

Grown in the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina is this 2011 Shelton Vineyards Cabernet Franc, a Bordeaux-style blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard has approximately 136,000 vines (spanning 145 miles) growing 10 different varieties of grapes, and they employ no-till farming techniques to help reduce erosion. That’s not to say all this green emphasis diminishes the outcome; to the contrary I thought the 2011 had muscle in all the right places.

We enjoyed this Cab Franc over several nights and with different meals that included sushi as well as ground beef. The wine dressed up our meals with its fresh, red fruity scents and little bit of pepper that is honestly quite endearing. Of the 2011 vintage, the folks at Shelton remark, “The finish on this wine has essence of woodland cedar and some smoke to complement rich grilled salmon, chicken or barbeque.” Some nice tannins deliver a lasting finish, too. In hindsight, I think this bottle received our “middle of the work week” treatment when it had all the merits for a weekend glass or two.

It’s my understanding that our local grocery store had the 2011 readily in stock and I’m interested in securing another couple of these for the fall.

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Summer Reds

The summer is nearing its end, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t share several reds that we sampled along the way. Some scored high marks (like the Atilla’s Selection from Buena Vista); others like the Toro or Navardia will probably fall into the “been there done that” camp. The real fun is in discovering which is which. Here’s a fly-by for your consideration:

2011 Mannara Primitivo, Puglia, Italy.
2011 Cairanne La Cigalette, Rhone Villages, France.
2012 Navardia, Rioja, Spain.
2012 Cruz Alba Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina.
2013 Toro Tempranillo, Spain.
2011 Insomnia Red Wine Blend, California, USA.
2012 Buena Vista Atilla’s Selection Zinfandel, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA.
2010 Solanera, vinas viejas, Yecla, Spain.
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2009 Ares Crianza, Rioja, Spain

Our local wine store was bringing all their Spanish wines to the mat, and in our last visit we grabbed several new reds that are now making their way to our humble table. A recent Tempranillo I’ve put off summarizing because it was largely forgettable, but this one is 180 degrees in the other direction. The 2009 Ares Crianza is a gem; it’s packed with a fruity, mossy scent and filled with both weight and substance.

Keeping my glass filled all night was a challenge, and regrettably I took no photo of this bottle as it was less and less full over the course of the evening. The 2009 Ares complimented juicy filet mignon, baked potato–pre-slashed and in need of only a sprinkle of salt–and a delicious pile of expertly cooked asparagus.  This guy drank his grapes from a Pinot Noir glass, and the Tempranillo showed off its muscle even in this crystal cage. Deep purple, damp, earnest, and lip-smacking–the Ares (my astrological sign) will be easy to remember.

I’ve learned that Rioja–which this wine is–is a term used to describe several red blends from Rioja. Tempranillo is at the heart of many of these blends, but Grenache and Carigan often play a role in a Rioja as well. But the 2009 Ares Crianza is supposed to be 100% Tempranillo, aged for 12 months in French oak, so Rioja must mean more than just Spanish red blends. Call it what you will, this one was fun and earned a place on our dinner table again in the future.

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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.

2014-08-20 Radius

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 Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County California USA

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.

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 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.

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.