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2009 Bodega Briego Crianza

Somehow we’ve managed to have three previous bottles of this 2009 Crianza, crafted from 20-year-old vines in the Ribera del Duero, Penafiel region of Spain, and have yet to jot out some thoughts for Notes visitors. Let us remedy this oversight today and share some technical information that may be helpful to your exploration of this red–cherry red–beauty.

2009 Bodega Briego Crianza, Castilla Leon, Spain.

2009 Bodega Briego Crianza, Castilla Leon, Spain.

The 2009 Bodega Briego Crianza is a red blend, a dry French- and American-oak-aged wine, that comes from Fernando, Gaspar, and Javiaer–the Benito Hernando brothers–and the village of Fompedraza, Spain. It’s got promise, this delicious Ribera del Duero.

Some tasting notes that I simply collect and offer here from my knowledgeable pros: “Strong characteristics of the Temperanillo grape variety. Ripe red fruit aromas – blackberries, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, etc. – followed by delicate notes of tobacco, caramel, eucalyptus, wood aging characteristics – cinnamon, vanilla, cumin, etc. All provide the qualities of a great wine full of expression and complexity.”

All that being said, I found it not quite as good as advertised. I’ll add that it was smooth, more dark fruit (plum? not quite blackberries?) than red, but there is a little something of the latter in here nonetheless. It’s subtle but present. We had the 2009 Bodega Briego Crianza with various meals, and at various times of the evening, but must have rushed each instance as I’m doing a little catch up with this entry post facto. Hopefully the overdue post still shares a bit of the profile so you can decide if it’s a good option for you and yours.

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2012 Private Reserve Chardonnay, Buena Vista

This one burned a hole in our pocket.  This top-notch Chardonnay arrived just a week ago as part of an April shipment from our friends at the Buena Vista Wine Club and is already a part of Notes.  But with Spring well underway here in our home, whites are in greater demand and I can see a shift on the horizon as reds will have to accept whites on more equal footing.

2012 Private Reserve Chardonnay, Buena Vista, Sonoma County, California, USA.

2012 Private Reserve Chardonnay, Buena Vista, Sonoma County, California, USA.

The 2012 Private Reserve Chardonnay had a chance to refrigerate all weekend and was nice and chilled by the time we uncorked after work today.  In comparison to a Pinot Grigio, this white had a much richer, flavor-filled density to it.  Some Grigio is almost like water to this taster, the Coors Light of white wines; the Buena Vista Chardonnay (this one in particular) was the succulent alternative.  There are plentiful floral notes in the 2012 Private Reserve, and definitely some citrus too…without some of the “oak barrel” that we occasionally find less ingratiating. (By way of clarification: I want to taste the complexities that result from this aging process without having the barrel dropped on my tongue…I think my wife shares the same sentiments.)

This is how the Buena Vista team articulated their concept: “The 2012 Private Reserve Chardonnay is sourced from vineyards throughout Sonoma County and displays fresh citrus notes that are accented by hits of baked apple and vanilla.”

I don’t usually warm up too much to vanilla, but it’s not really the dominant scent or taste in the 2012 Private Reserve Chardonnay.  Having enjoyed time in Sonoma, I like to picture the winemaker, in compiling the right grapes for this varietal, sampling many of the same vineyards that we too hit in wine country.  I know that is an unrealistic expectation but nice remembrance nevertheless.  Oh yeah–last but not least.  We had this white with a flavorful ham, reheated from our fabulous Easter brunch, broccoli, and a homemade macaroni and cheese (with real melted cheese!).  The food was good, but the Chardonnay was the star of the show.

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Jaume Serra Cristalino Sparkling Wine

Just finishing now a refreshing glass of the Jaume Serra Cristalino Cava Brut on the patio, enjoying the sun and the company this beautiful Easter Sunday. This sparkling wine started in mimosas with brunch – light and refreshing – and now sits bubbling in a flute, throwing reflections of the Carolina sun back toward the heavens.

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It’s a soft, dry white with (obviously) floral notes, a Spanish sparkling wine crafted in the traditional method. Just today I learned that this means secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle itself. Wine & Spirits Magazine has already recognized the performance of the Jaume Serra Cristalino, so it’s no surprise if you arrive at this post more informed of its profile than I am even now.

I can say it was affordable and fared well against more expensive champagne to which I would have compared the Jaume Serra Cristalino. We had this sparkling wine with glazed ham, French Toast casserole, and scrambled eggs (with cheese!). Not your typical Sunday and the the Brut stood well in this occasion. We tend to drift more often to big reds in this house but were happy today called for something a little different.

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2008 Chateau Franc-Cardinal Cotes de Bordeaux

When you receive swanky cool Bordeaux glassware for your birthday, you have to put your hands on a Bordeaux in swift order.  For us, it was the 2008 Chateau Franc-Cardinal Cotes de Bordeaux.  The bottle made its first appearance on Friday evening, welcoming this gent home from a long week of business travel (is there another kind?).  While the Bordeaux breathed and wafted its purple-fruited cheeriness into our kitchen, another project was underway–see the peanut butter cookie / peanut butter cup minis in the accompanying photo?

2008 Chateau Franc-Cardinal Cotes de Bordeaux

2008 Chateau Franc-Cardinal Cotes de Bordeaux, France.

I’m sorry to say this red blend did not get its due on Friday, as this traveler was road weary and candidly only ate a quick tuna sandwich.  Suffice it to say, no sommelier has ever recommended the 2008 Chateau with tuna on white…but that’s what made tonight’s pairing all the better.  This evening, we ate this rich Bordeaux with homemade cheese burgers, seasoned fries, and all the fixings.  The burgers were massive, juicy, and cooked to perfection–no small feat given all the rain that fell here yesterday and again today.  They dripped goodness and oozed with flavor–the grilled meat a perfect complement to the wine.

The 2008 Chateau Franc-Cardinal Cotes de Bordeaux is an interesting red blend–72% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Malbec.  Every producer of a big red has his or her own take on ratios and grapes to be sure, and this one does a lot right.  Like the Bordeaux glasses, this bottle was a birthday gift and the perfect close to this day.  Upon tasting you definitely notice its tannins (even at day two) and tangy underpinnings.  I am sure blackberry figures into your tasting of the 2008 much as it did mine; I would also suggest the 2008 Chateau Franc-Cardinal Cotes de Bordeaux binds some tobacco of sorts, some faint earthiness into its profile.

I’m still mulling over its aftertaste and will curious as to your thoughts too.  Offer ’em here if you feel so inclined…and thanks for reading.

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2010 Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon

Fantastic bottle of red from Castle Rock Winery.  The grapes for this 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon are grown in Columbia Valley vineyards that (seemingly) share the same latitude as the Bordeaux region of France.  That’s an interesting fact in particular because the Castle Rock followed immediately on the heels of a Bordeaux that earned some praise in Notes — but what a contrast between the two.

The 2010 Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon, with Columbia Valley grapes cellared and bottled in Geyserville, California, USA.

The 2010 Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon, with Columbia Valley grapes cellared and bottled in Geyserville, California, USA.

The 2010 Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon had a richer and fruitier taste to it, with berry scents released immediately upon the pour.  The Cadillac was fine, but the Castle Rock was by far the superior wine to this palate.  Lots of black berries in this one, and much smoother finish by comparison.  The Chateau Close la Chapelle was the red blend, but it was the Castle Rock that seemed to weave in more spices, more flavors…a definite winner in their head-to-head matchup.

I do wonder, though, how much of this can be attributed to the stemware?  We do have a specially shaped Cabernet Sauvignon glass (a Syrah and Pinot Noir glass too–thanks Bec) but not a Bordeaux glass.  I’ve learned that the right glass opens the bouquet the right way, and even directs the flow of wine to the appropriate taste buds upon drinking so there’s some validity to the question.

This 2010 is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months “to soften and add complexity” and accompanied a delicious grilled tuna steak and an arugula/orzo salad.  High marks all across the board and we know exactly how to get more of each treat.  Good roadmap for you too.

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2011 Chateau Close la Chapelle, Cotes de Bordeaux Cadillac Red Blend

“Cadillac Bordeaux” gives one a definite impression even before drinking, and these grapes do the moniker justice. We opened this bottle last evening with dinner (a delicious, cheesy enchilada with salty black beans riding shotgun), and polished it off tonight with our hors d’oeuvres–the perfect follow-up to a warm, Carolina afternoon filled with hiking and outdoor fun.

2011 Chateau Close la Chapelle, Cotes de Bordeaux Cadillac Red Blend, Bordeaux, France.

2011 Chateau Close la Chapelle, Cotes de Bordeaux Cadillac Red Blend, Bordeaux, France.

Even without a long breathing period this Cotes de Bordeaux Cadillac Red Blend was easy on the palate, a dark and rich mix of berries…with no harshness that you’d find in a Syrah or similar.  It has hints in it…hints that I can’t quite place but evidence of a richer heritage than my paltry experience can identify.  Suffice it to say, several refills later found me happy and healthy and wise.  Who hasn’t been to this place?

Here’s how the experts called it: “This soft, plush cuvee offers notes of black cherry, peat moss, blackberry, cassis, toast, vanilla, cedar, and coconut.”

Overstated, to be sure, but not too far off the mark.  Those same experts said to drink the 2011 Chateau Close la Chapelle, Cotes de Bordeaux Cadillac Red Blend with grilled pork and rosemary.  Sounds smart, but my wife’s experiment with the enchilada was solid too.  The Cadillac Bordeaux is a rich tapestry, and you’ve got to give this one a try.  It’s a mix of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc that is aged in stainless steel and French Oak barrels for about a year.  We received the bottle as part of a mail order so can’t quite ante up again ourselves–but we would if we could.

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2012 Cinco Joses, Aragones Winery

The 5 Joses proclaims itself “one hard workin’ bottle” and this red earns a grin in both its aspirations as well as its execution.  This “Old Vines” Grenache hails from Spain (perhaps garnacha is thus more appropriate) and was part of an internationally flavored dinner for our humble table.  The Cinco Joses accompanied a great quinoa and kale salad, accented with onions, cucumbers, arugula, and tomato salad–fresh and with just the right amount of kick to it.

Unconventionally, the red also complemented a fish entre, a whitefish packing too just a hint of zest.  Not quite the way you might draw it up on the whiteboard but just fine for this family.  Throw in a side of portabello mushrooms and you’re ready for good eating.

Grenache seems to have one of those easy growing profiles (you can find it in Europe, Australia, and the U.S.) and it takes on a similar profile in this 2012 red.  It was a bit acidic right out of the bottle, but I seem to have this inherent flaw in that I never let a new bottle breathe enough, so you have to balance that into your own evaluation.  That’s how I regarded the tannins in the Cinco Joses, but it definitely packed in the fruit right from jump too.  I would say less strawberry or raspberries in your taste here, and more black berry.

If you’re a fan of Zinfandel I think you’d be happy with this affordable, rich red.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.

 

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The Ones That Got Away

We enjoyed a number of fine adult beverages through the 2013 holidays and into March of 2014.  In light of an aggressive travel schedule, however, I’ve neglected to review several great reds and whites that graced our table in this time frame.  Tasting notes will have to wait another sampling but thought you’d enjoy a quick depiction of our “travels” through wine country domestically and abroad.

2011 Tiamo Chianti, Italy.
2007 Bagrationi Champagne, France.
2011 Buena Vista Natalia’s Selection Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California, USA.
2012 Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, Italy.
2011 Bogle Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA.
2011 Clos du Bois, Pinot Grigio, California, USA.
2011 Casillero del Diablo Red Blend, Chile.
2011 Cairanne La Cigalette, Cote due Rhone Villages, France.
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3 Muses Cellars 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Interesting dining approaches for our consumption of the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from 3 Muses Cellars.  Arriving home on a Friday evening after a week on the road in New Jersey, I had my first glass of this gentle cab with a delicious frittata.  Frankly, I’m not sure what wine goes best with breakfast food but sometimes it’s the adventure that makes this blog such a worthy cause.  Yes, that’s right, I’m sacrificing for the art…

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3 Muses Cellars 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Rosa, California, USA.

…and I honestly don’t have great notes on how the Muses worked this first night.  The following evening, however, we revisited as part of a favorite easy meal: tender, succulent beef, crispy crowns seasoned potatoes, and fresh salads.  Armed with our new grill and a penchant for cow flesh, the steaks have been fantastic over the last several weeks and this is another one of those occasions.  The seasonings on our steaks were easy to identify but the faint touches in the Muses were less so.  Thus, I offer a few words from the winemaker:

“Soft and subtle on the palate, this California Cab offers aromas and flavors of cassis, plum, dark berries, and dried herbs.”

Short and sweet description, right?  Sort of like the vino itself.  The Muses had the deep, rich ruby hues we often associate with a California red but was a bit weaker in the subtleties that really make a great Cabernet Sauvignon distinguish itself from the pack.  I’m glad we gave it a go but there are many finer options out there waiting for us in the future.